Los Angeles Motor Show 2017: the best cars in the line-up

The Los Angeles Motor Show is under way, marking the culmination of a busy season for car companies after the recent expos in Frankfurt and Tokyo.

The California show attracts a host of home-grown manufacturers. Several international carmakers, including Mercedes and BMW, will also be demonstrating their latest models at the show.

Here are some of the best cars so far:

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BMW i8 Roadster

A drop-top version of the i8 hybrid sports car has been in the works for some time but BMW has finally unveiled the Roadster variant in LA.

The new Roadster is 60kg heavier than its coupe sibling. According to Trusted Reviews, BMW has upped the car’s battery power from 131bhp to 143bhp to compensate for a “loss of rigidity”. Coupled with the petrol engine, the drop-top sports car has a total output of 374bhp, the site says.

The car is due to go on sale early next year, with prices starting at £124,730.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible

Chevrolet has surprised fans by unveiling its new Corvette ZR1 Convertible in Los Angeles, a couple of weeks after announcing a coupe version of the sports car.

The drop-top is powered by a 745bhp 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine that’s connected to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, reports Autocar. Acceleration figures have yet to be revealed, but the magazine says the ZR1 Convertible can reach a top speed of 212mph.

Lexus RX L

Lexus, the luxury sub-brand of the Japanese car giant Toyota, has upped the seat count from five to seven in its flagship SUV.

According to Auto Express, the RX L has a rear roofline that’s taller than the standard version and is designed to create more headroom for people sitting in the back of the car. The RX L also has a larger boot space than the standard car’s 453-litre luggage bay, although it’s not yet known exactly how much extra space will be on offer.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but Auto Express says the car is due to reach UK shores “next spring”.

Mercedes CLS

Mercedes has just taken the wraps off its third-generation CLS four-door coupe, says Motor 1. Sales are expected to start in March.

The CLS has a new look inspired by the company’s AMG GT sports car, Top Gear reports, with a simpler design than its predecessor to make it “easier on the eye”. The new car has the same 12.3ins touchscreen infotainment system as its sibling – the S-Class saloon.