One of the nation's most important auto shows has thrown open its doors to the public, but what are the most important new cars making their debut?
To us, three stand out. They are the must-see cars of the Los Angeles Auto Show -- the most imaginative, technologically advanced or the most classically beautiful.
Our choices couldn't be more diffent. There is a European sports car, a big American sedan and a wild Japanese crossover concept. Here they are:
1. Fiat 124 Spider. Fiat Chrysler, seeking to liven up the Fiat lineup, looks to its heritage when it came to adding a dose of fun. It's the 124 Roadster, a model that it sold back in the U.S. back in the 1960s.
Now, the car shares its underpinnings with the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
2. Buick LaCrosse. The new LaCrosse is just classically attractive in a big-car way.
Designers incorporated some of the best elements from the Avenir concept, seen last January at the the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
At the same time, they cut 300 pounds of excess weight to help boost gas mileage. The result is a leaner, more beautiful car that probably won't do a lot to attract younger buyers to the brand, but is sure to thrill those who just want a big, good-looking car.
3. Scion C-HR. The subcompact crossover segment is hot, and Toyota doesn't have an entry at the moment. Along comes the concept that will precede its re-entry.
Toyota's Scion division has made it clear that it won't just put a boring entry into the field. Instead, it looks like it has come up with something that is high in style.
Even since the demise of its original xB small crossover -- dubbed the "microwave oven on wheels" -- Scion has been searching for a way to be cool and relevant again. Maybe this is it.
This article originally appeared on USA Today with photo gallery.
