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Translogic 189: 2015 LA Auto Show

The LA Auto Show has become known for its green cars and concepts, and 2015 was no exception. Translogic host Jonathon Buckley gets all the details on BMW's 330e plug-in hybrid straight from BMW President of North America Ludwig Willisch. Then we get up-to-date on Honda's latest FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car. We round out our tour with a stop at the Elio Motors booth for a look at their updated, three-wheel P5 concept and a chat with CEO Paul Elio. But first, we jump in a time machine at the Volvo booth to discuss Concept 26, an interpretation of how car interiors might evolve in the era of self-driving cars. "The reason why we talked about it as a time machine [is] because, really, Concept 26 is giving you back something that is so precious," explained Volvo senior director of design Tisha Johnson. "We're letting you delegate driving to the car, so that you can then have that time to yourself." Click here to learn more about our host, Jonathon Buckley.

BMW M135i vs. Mercedes A45 AMG in Euro small-lux throwdown

BMW and Mercedes-Benz - please, please, please bring the M135i and A45 AMG hatchbacks to North America. For as long as we can remember, buyers in the New World have been forced to look longingly at Europe and Great Britain and the excellent super hatches that are so routinely offered there. And while we're quite content with the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen GTI, having a 360-horse five-door with a premium, content-rich interior sounds quite nice.
Our envy for Europe has grown after watching the latest video from Drive, which stars Chris Harris, the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and the BMW M135i. This latest battle between MB and BMW takes place on both road and track, with Harris providing a running commentary. If you're interested in the upcoming Mercedes CLA45 AMG, you should pay special attention to the section on the A45, as the two are essentially fraternal twins. While the video is a bit on the long side, it provides a comprehensive rundown of both cars, giving those of us in North America just a small taste of what we're missing. Check it out by scrolling below.

BMW i8 Spyder production could still be years away

BMW will still build a convertible version of the i8, but production of the droptop hybrid sports car won't happen for at least a couple more years. That's according to an anonymous BMW insider speaking to Motoring. "There will be no new i models in 2016. Not even the convertible," the insider told the Australian publication. While the i8 Spyder might not arrive for a while, the company still sees a place for it in the model range. "The i8 is selling well enough now, so the lineup doesn't strictly need it," another unnamed BMW insider told Motoring. "We are doing it, we are just doing it slowly because it's not all we are doing." The automaker sold 2,265 examples of the i8 in the US in 2015, which was up from 555 in 2014. BMW first imagined the convertible i8 with the Spyder concept way back in 2012, and a report in 2013 hinted that it was near production, which never happened. The company then sliced off the sports car's doors and roof for the orange I Vision Future (pictured above) at the recent 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. The concept's open design gave BMW an easy place to show off the AirTouch gesture control system at the tech event. These insider claims are a complete reversal from BMW CEO Harald Kruger's assertion in December that the company would soon unveil the production i8 Spyder. The boss didn't indicate the debut's exact timing, but it seemed a lot sooner than at least a year from now. We'll have to wait and see. Related Video: