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2019 Aria FXE Hybrid Hypercar Debuts in L.A. With 1,150 HP

Why can’t America build a hybrid hypercar just as insanely powerful and capable as the best from Europe? That question has motivated creation of the Aria FXE and its less extreme gasoline-only sibling, the FE. If the company’s name rings no bells, you have at least seen its work because it currently produces all the carbon-fiber body panels for the exclusive Singer “reimagined 911s,” and it has been building one-off concept cars and movie vehicles for 20 years—including the stunning Ford GR-1 and the recent Kia GT4 Stinger concept.

Recent regulations that reduce the burden of crash testing on low-volume manufacturers have opened up a niche for companies such as Aria to build and sell cars in very low volumes (Aria expects FE and FXE sales to total 400 cars or fewer over several years). At the same time rapid-prototyping technologies for the 3-D printing of aluminum and titanium parts (as well as anything plastic) are becoming more and more affordable, reducing the cost of tooling to produce low-volume vehicles.

One final leg of the stool supporting Aria’s dream of producing a hypercar is its patent-pending Integrated Composite Structure chassis concept. The pending nature of the intellectual property restricted the degree to which representatives were willing to comment on this tech (watch our Technologue pages in the coming months), but we’re told it involves a simplified, less handmade production method for a carbon-fiber tub that integrates all the powertrain and suspension mounting attachment hardware.

Bolting in behind the passenger tub will be “a small block V-8 from an American manufacturer” producing 720 horsepower (please see our ZR1 coverage). The company is still searching for a seven- or eight-speed dual-clutch transmission that can stand up to the immense torque of that blown V-8, but Xtrac is likely to get the contract. Up front, FXE models will get a pair of axial-flux induction electric motors that add another 540 hp. Total output is pegged at 1,150 hp and 1,316 lb-ft of torque (remember that electric and gas powerplants peak at quite different rpm, so their peaks can’t be added). These will obviously be capable of providing front-axle torque vectoring and of regenerating energy during braking. Storing said energy will be from a 10-kWhr lithium-ion battery pack.

The sleek-looking vehicle employs scarab-wing-style doors that hinge along a line roughly aligned with the angled shut line slanting down from the A-pillars to the wheel openings. Engine access is provided by raising the entire rear of the car (it breaks at the rear door shut line) with the assistance of hydraulic struts. The huge carbon-fiber piece is said to be quite light in weight. Speaking of weight, the company pegs curb weight at about 3,450 pounds (for a nice even 3 pounds/horsepower ratio).

The cars will be highly bespoke with no two exactly alike and will be priced north of $1 million. Deliveries are expected to start in late 2019, rolling off an “assembly line” in Irvine, California.

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Best Cars of the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show: Motor Trend Favorites

Whether you’re looking to go off-roading, need a three-row crossover, or refuse to drive anything with less than 750 hp, the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show featured debuts for every enthusiast. And Motor Trend was there to cover it all, with interviews, analysis, and extensive auto-show photography. So if you’re curious what Motor Trend editors liked the most at the 2017 L.A. Auto Show, keep reading.

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2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Sure, the power, torque, downforce, and aggressive styling are great and all, but what I kind of love most about this new Corvette is its rejection of the concept of globalization. By declaring this a selfishly all-American car that won’t be offered around the world, Chevy was free to make it as loud and pedestrian-hostile as it liked—a MAGA move I can fully endorse! —Frank Markus

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2018 Nissan Kicks

It is supremely difficult to build good and cheap transportation. But that appears to be what Nissan has done with the subcompact Kicks crossover. Based on the Versa platform, and coming in under $19,000 (before destination charges), the Kicks has decent interior fabrics and materials and is powered by dutiful 125-hp 1.6-liter engine mated to a CVT. Its design might be Plain Jane compared to the angry insectoid Juke (which Nissan swears the Kicks is not replacing), but the side benefit is a spacious interior. A six-footer can fit easily in the backseat behind a six-foot driver without too much knee splay and plenty of foot and headroom. You’d think that passenger packaging would diminish cargo space, but the hatch area is cavernous. Downsides? It might look like a crossover, but it’s front-drive only (for now). It might not be sexy, but for 19 grand-ish, Nissan has designed a strong starter vehicle for millennials. —Mark Rechtin

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2018 Jeep Wrangler

Updating an icon is the hardest job in the auto industry. They have much higher proportions of superfans than regular cars, and those fans are much more demanding. They love the old model and worry the automaker will ruin the new one. Keeping them happy while also updating and improving the vehicle is no small task. Jeep has done it masterfully. It looks right, it’s got all the right hardware, it’s lost zero capability, and it offers modern conveniences for those who want them and manual windows for those who don’t. Someone will find something to nitpick, but it’s impressive how many superfans Jeep was able to satisfy right out of the gate. It’s a win in every column. —Scott Evans

Like its predecessor, the new Wrangler is quintessential Americana. From its evolutionary styling to its capability, no other SUV out there is as iconic. It’s brimming with heritage just from the exterior alone, and with all the roof options and the cool interior treatments in each model, this new Wrangler is a real winner. —Stefan Ogbac

This was an easy one. It’s not often a new Jeep Wrangler comes around, so the pressure was really on the Jeep team to not screw this one up. Thankfully, they’ve nailed it. This new Wrangler captures the essence of the original World War II Jeep while bringing the Wrangler into the 21st century. It’s still retains the iconic look of Wranglers past while sporting innovative new features such as half doors with porthole windows, a power-operated soft top, and the just-announced plug-in hybrid Wrangler for eco-friendly off-roading. —Christian Seabaugh

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Tesla’s Entire Booth

Tesla doesn’t always put up a booth at major auto shows like LA and for good reason. It can be hideously expensive (rumor has it just the electric bill for one of the large German brand’s show stands at Frankfurt IAA exceeds $1 million.) So kudos to Tesla for maximizing a small bit of real estate in the South Hall complete with fake grass, a Model 3, a Model X, two Tesla Powerwall storage batteries, and a small house bedecked with Tesla solar roof tiles. The modern design of the structure is reminiscent of a Marmol-Radziner prefab, with EV charging areas front and back and a solar roof tile display along the side. According to a Tesla rep, the two Powerwall batteries provided electricity for the entire display, including the functional kitchen. Apparently the refrigerator and microwave worked great for storing and warming up snacks and meals during press days. Tesla’s slick design, smart product incorporation, and efficient use of space should be hit on public days. —Ed Loh

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2018 Subaru Ascent

There is no mistaking this for a Subaru, but it is right-sized now for a proper entry in the three-row SUV segment, with seating for up to eight passengers. It has a new 2.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged flat-four engine and nice touches such as grab handles on the back of the second-row seats for easier access to the back. There is an assortment of shelves and USB outlets for your phone. This is a solid newcomer. Subaru only expects to build 60,000 of these a year, but we think they will need more given that 19 percent of Subaru owners who currently leave the brand for a three-row vehicle can now stay loyal. –Alisa Priddle

It looks like the Forester and Outback had a kid that grew up into an all-star athlete based on the exterior design. What’s more important, though, is that the Subaru Ascent fills a gaping hole in the automaker’s lineup, and it comes with all the requisite safety features and a new turbocharged engine that runs on good ‘ol 87 octane. Boxy styling aside, the Ascent is exactly what Subaru needs right now: a big hulking crossover that caters to America’s addiction to high-riding vehicles. —Stefan Ogbac

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Mercedes-AMG Project One

Mercedes tried hard to make the sleek CLS the most prominent car at its auto show booth, but the Project One ended up grabbing the most attention. This $2.7 million hypercar is even more imposing in person than in photos. What’s even more interesting is that it makes more than 1,000 hp from the combination of a 1.6-liter V-6 turbocharged engine and four electric motors. —Kelly Pleskot

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Toyota FT-AC Concept

Toyota has a rugged off-road SUV design heritage, but that lineup been neglected as of late. The FT-AC is a promising return to form for Toyota. No, it’s not body on frame, but most customers today don’t want/care about that, and brands such as Land Rover have proven you don’t need a ladder frame to go off-road. The Toyota’s design is a bit more macho than a Subaru but not as hardcore as a Wrangler. It’s far and away the best-looking car Toyota’s put out in years. Will this look make it to production? It’s probably the design basis of the next RAV4. —Scott Evans

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2018 Volvo XC40

Not many brands make me say “wow” twice. Volvo did it once last year with the beautiful S90 sedan, and they did it again with the XC40 R-Design (pictured above). When I first laid my eyes on the compact crossover, the white metallic paint and black roof coupled with a very sporty and elegant design and made me say “wow.” When I opened the door and saw the R-Design’s orange and black two-tone interior (called Lava Floor Carpet) and sophisticated Scandinavian interior styling, I once again said “wow.” I usually don’t care much for crossovers, but Volvo has once again done a fantastic job designing another vehicle. If it drives like other new Volvos have, the XC40 will be a segment leader. —Michael Cantu

It’s not a global reveal, but this is the first time this compact luxury crossover has been shown at an auto show. The Volvo XC40 is beautifully styled inside and out, and it’s designed to attract young new buyers to the brand. From the two-tone exterior to the elegant cabin, this crossover expresses luxury, class, and technology. Its modern color choices will attract successful millennials who can afford its mid-$30,000 starting price. —Miguel Cortina

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2019 Infiniti QX50

I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed when I saw the first uncamouflaged photos of the 2019 Infiniti QX50. But after seeing it in person on the L.A. Auto Show floor, I’m much more impressed by Infiniti’s latest crossover. No, its design is not as seductive as the swoopy QX30, but once you get up close to the QX50 you can better appreciate its clean lines, slender lamps, and uniquely shaped hood. Inside, there’s a genuine premium feeling, thanks to quality materials and a handsome cabin design. Of course, there’s also Infiniti’s fancy variable-compression ratio engine that I’m eager to experience for myself. But just judging by what I could see and touch in L.A., I’m a big fan of the QX50 so far. —Alex Nishimoto

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2019 Lincoln Nautilus’ name

Ignoring the welcome updates the ex-MKX received, the new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus earns its spot on my best-of list because it signals the beginning of the end of the automaker’s alphabet soup nomenclature. While luxury automakers such as Cadillac and Infiniti seek to copycat the meaningless naming scheme of the German automakers, it’s refreshing to see Lincoln move in its own direction. Although Nautilus might not be the best name for its updated luxury crossover, it’s certainly a million times better than the forgettable MKX badge that used to be found on this surprisingly competitive SUV. —Christian Seabaugh

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2019 Lincoln Nautilus

A good set of wheels can really enhance a car’s design, and that’s what the eye-catching multispoke 21-inchers do on the new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus crossover in Black Label trim. Although we look forward to testing out the ride quality on a Nautilus Black Label, for now, I’ll just admire those wheels that remind me of a design Audi used to use on the A8. Complemented by Burgundy Velvet paint, the 2019 Nautilus on the show floor looks expensive and attractive, as long as you don’t mind a little bling. —Zach Gale

First off, we love the fact that the MKX upgrade includes a name change to Nautilus. And even though this is a refresh and not a full makeover, the SUV is new from the A pillar forward, and the new grille suits this midsize crossover well. The base engine drops the 3.7-liter V-6 for the 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine, and the six-speed automatic has been swapped out for the new eight-speed. Lincoln is still not on everyone’s radar, but the new look of the lineup should help draw attention. –Alisa Priddle

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2019 BMW i8 Roadster

Not every cool coupe makes the topless transition gracefully, and given the BMW i8’s avant-garde lines, roadsterization could easily have gone badly. But the use of ’62-’63 Thunderbird Roadster-style fairings behind the seats really makes the top-down look work, and decapitation didn’t cost the i8 its fabulous scarab-wing doors. All i8s get a bump in power and battery capacity this year, and I’m a little heartened by BMW’s ability to resist the one-upmanship urge, rating the new model’s power and torque at (a now quite middling) 369 hp and 420 lb-ft. —Frank Markus

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Nissan’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Show Cars

Auto shows should be fun, and Nissan’s Star Wars show cars at this year’s display celebrate that. Supporting the upcoming movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the cars don’t preview a future Nissan and no, you can’t get anything like it in a dealership today, but they’re entertaining to walk around. Plus, no other display at this auto show had a car with quad laser cannons, like the Rogue pictured below. That’s gotta be worth something, right? —Zach Gale

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