2007 L.A. Auto Show Faves

While the rest of the country is bolting up the storm windows and ordering heating oil for the coming winter deep freeze, Los Angeles stages a show centered around what defines the city at its core. The automobile has been an integral part of Los Angeles for decades. It is in these automobiles that many Angelenos find and express their identity. For 2007 the Los Angeles Auto Show recognized the changing energy needs of transportation for not only the residents of the city, but also for those of the world. The L.A. Auto Show conveyed that the automobile stands for a great deal more than getting from one place to the next. Residents of this great city have plenty of time to ponder this as they sit in traffic. Here are our 10 top picks from the show:

1) Super Green: KIA KND-4 Concept

Taking green very literally is the Kia KND-4 compact SUV concept. The mini utility vehicle of the near future follows the ongoing Kia design philosophy of style and fun meeting everyday practicality. Kia plans on using a 2.2-liter diesel engine featuring a variable geometry turbocharger for power. The torquey little diesel will send its power through all four wheels via Kia's active torque transfer system. While this KND-4 was conceived at the Kia design center in Korea, the company announced the opening of a new design center in Irvine, California along with the construction of a manufacturing plant in Georgia. Mini SUVs running super-efficient turbodiesels are on the horizon.

2) Do the Samba: Volkswagen Space Blue Up Concept

The original Volkswagen Samba Bus became a transportation archetype at the hands of California surfers and customizers. This intersection of transportation and style have been updated for a coming zero emissions world. The old air-cooled internal combustion boxer engine has been replaced by a symbiotic and precise arrangement of an electric motor and hydrogen fuel cell. The Space Blue Up can draw propulsive force from its batteries or self-contained fuel cell, and even gets a little help from daylight itself. Solar panels atop the long roof send juice where it needs to go and will also power fans to cool the interior of the bus while its four passengers are out surfing, or getting lunch.

3) Affordable Precision: BMW 1 Series

Parallels to older and more affordable BMW models like the venerable 1962-1975 2002 series have already been drawn to the new 1 Series BMW. Now that the car is officially slated for availability in the U.S. in spring 2008, these comparisons have been supplanted by outright want for the combination of 300 horsepower, rear wheel drive, and German engineering. The BMW 2002 was and is still loved for its affordable combination of lightness, handling, and simple yet very effective engineering. While affordable may be a slap in the BMW face of those who drive Bavarian for reasons of perceived status, there are plenty of others eagerly awaiting the chance to capture the spirit of the original 2002 on the open road or track.

4) Clean Living: Honda FCX Clarity

A car that uses hydrogen as fuel and emits nothing but water out of its tailpipe is now a reality. Unlike other hydrogen powered vehicles that send the gas through an internal combustion engine, the FCX Clarity uses hydrogen to create electricity through in on board fuel cell which in turn powers electric motors. Greater efficiency achieved by the fuel cell results in a range of 270 miles on a single hydrogen fill-up. Honda is also developing and testing its fourth generation Home Energy Station. The station is designed to use existing residential natural gas supplies to produce hydrogen for the FCX along with electricity for household use. If all goes as planned Honda fans will soon be able to put a "powered by Honda" sticker on their house as well as their cars. Honda plans to lease the FCX in Southern California in summer of 2008.