Hope you weren't counting on seeing the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia at next month's LA Auto Show. Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley and Lamborghini have all pulled out of the show due to financial considerations. A source close to the LA Auto Show tells us the decision came months ago, though a report out of Detroit has drawn the Web's attention to it today.
Aston Martin is still on the exhibitor list. Although Aston public relations officials told us recently the company would have no official presence there, the LA-based Aston dealers are still expected to pull together a booth. Our source tells us that show organizers tried to persuade the other exotics to do the same, but Ferrari and Maserati in particular were against that because they wouldn't be able to control the brand message going out to consumers.
2009 LA Auto Show exhibitor list, TheDetroitBureau
First Drive: 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia
Categories: Aston Martin,Bentley,Ferrari,LA Auto Show,Lamborghini
Possibly we didn't muster enough excitement for the Honda U3-X unicycle-meet-segway shown at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, and demo'd by the U.S. PR staff in this video.
But we won't make the same mistake with the P-NUT.
P-NUT for Personal-Neo Urban Transport. No images are out, but perhaps Honda's concept will borrow styling cues from this JIF Mini we spotted on Flickr.
The official unveil is set for December 2 at the 2009 LA Auto Show. The P-NUT "will demonstrate a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact, aggressively designed coupe," says Honda.
Flickr
Categories: Concept Vehicles,Honda,LA Auto Show
It's now official, the 2011 Mazda 2 will arrive in the U.S. late next year. Call it Mazda's Fiesta fighter, a Mini fighter or whatever kind of small, warrior-like reference you want, but it should be a nice little hatchback.
Although the car shown above is an European version, we don't expect to see many changes to the U.S. model. Got to keep those small cars profitable you know. Look for the official unveil at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show on Dec. 2nd.
Categories: Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,LA Auto Show,Mazda
Yes, that 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the car that's already on sale in Europe and Asia. Thankfully, Chevrolet notes that the U.S. version "has undergone refinement for America."
What does that mean? GM doesn't say, probably a softer suspension and quieter tires or something. Big cupholders and a book holder on the steering maybe too.
Chevrolet does claim, once again, that the Cruze will get up to 40 miles per gallon. Not bad. And it will have a bigger interior than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. A good thing.
Oh, and the 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be there too. Again.
We'll take a closer look at both cars at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show on Dec. 2nd.
Categories: Chevrolet,Future Vehicles,General Motors,LA Auto Show,Sedans
After an online reveal earlier this week, the 2011 Buick Regal made its way to the Palladium theater in Hollywood for a slightly more glamorous stage debut. The drinks were flowing, the lighting was dark and all the big guns from GM were there to show off the new sedan.
With new marketing chief Bob Lutz, recently appointed sales chief Susan Docherty and VP of design Ed Welburn all on hand, it was clear that GM has plenty riding on this new Buick sedan. The rest of the room was filled with current Buick and GMC buyers and more than a few GM dealers, they're easy to spot.
So what's it look like in person? Not bad. There are no port holes which is good. Trust us, given the average age in the room no one would have known what they were anyway. The wheels look a tad big for the rest of the car, but otherwise there aren't many awkward angles on the Regal.
At this point, the big "if" is whether the Regal can get by with four-cylinder power only. Acura has abandoned that strategy with its TSX sedan and few other luxury cars rely solely on four-cylinder no matter how powerful they are. We'll see soon enough as the 2011 Buick Regal goes on sale in the second quarter of next year.
Categories: Buick,Future Vehicles,General Motors,LA Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans
This is the new 2011 Buick Regal. Although it's scheduled to make its first public appearance at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show, GM decided to release pictures and information today.
According to the release, this is a Buick that was "bred on the Autobahn." Sound odd? Yes, it does, but don't forget that this Regal is actually a reskinned version of the Opel Insignia so it makes perfect sense.
Don't call the 2011 Buick Regal a "'Bahn burner" though as this sedan will arrive next year with four-cylinder power only. Base models get a 2.4-liter Ecotec rated at 182-horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque while the optional upgrade is a turbocharged, 2.0-liter Ecotec rated at 220-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines will send power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, a combination that Buick expects to return up to 30mpg on the highway with the 2.4-liter engine and as much as 29mpg with the turbocharged motor.
That "German-bred" suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front suspension and a multilink setup in back. Turbo models will also offer an adjustable damper setup that Buick is calling Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS). Standard models will ride on 18-inch wheels and tires. Get the fancy suspension and it automatically adds 19-inch Goodyear RSA rubber sized 245/40 at each corner.
Sales of the 2011 Buick Regal are expected to begin in the second quarter of next year.
First Drive: 2009 Opel Insignia
First Drive: 2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR
Continue reading 2011 Buick Regal Headed for the 2009 L.A. Auto Show.
Categories: Buick,Future Vehicles,LA Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans
Toyota issued a press release today confirming the introduction you've all been waiting for. It's the 2011 Toyota Sienna and it will be unveiled for the first time on Dec. 2nd in Los
Angeles.
That's the full extent of the release, and quite frankly we're guessing that's about all you really care to know anyway. So far that makes it Porsche Boxster Spyder and Toyota Sienna in L.A., looks like an interesting show.
Categories: Future Vehicles,LA Auto Show,Minivans,Toyota
Volkswagen released this official sketch of its upcoming midsize sedan. It will be built in the company's new Tennessee assembly plant and be slightly larger than the current Passat.
Like most sketches, this one makes the upcoming sedan look all sporty and stuff. But if history is any indication, the car that arrives next year won't be anything like this, save for the grille and maybe the shape of the C-pillar.
We'll see soon enough as this car may very well show up at the L.A. Auto Show in early December in not in Detroit a month later.
Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,LA Auto Show,Sedans,Spy Photos,Volkswagen
With a contest to name one of the Volt paint colors, Chevrolet has now officially pulled out all of the stops to try to keep the plug-in, er, extended-range electric vehicle in the public consciousness.
Here's the deal: You choose a winning name for the exclusive Volt color that Chevy is tentatively and alluringly referring to as "silver exterior with an emerald hue," and the company will fly you and a guest to Los Angeles for two nights of "standard hotel accommodations," whatever that means, a $400 gift card and admission to the LA auto show on December 2. In fact, Chevy is going to take three finalists to LA, and announce the winner on December first. In addition to the trip, the winner will be given a test drive in a pre-production Volt.
Naturally, aspiring color-namers can enter at a Volt-specific web site, beginning today. Then you can vote for the finalists from November 16 through December 1.
Or, you could just enter your ideas into the comments section below and win the gratitude of Inside Line.
Here are are three ideas: Clear-Coated Dolphin-hide Pearlmist, Shipping-Crate Mystic Metallic Flake, and Silver Exterior With An Emerald Hue. Think you can do better?
Categories: Chevrolet,Hybrids,LA Auto Show
Finalists for the annual Green Car of the Year award have been announced. The Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf TDI all made the cut.
The Volkswagen Jetta TDi won last year, so we can't help but think the Audi and Golf have a slim chance of taking home the prize this year. And given that the Ford Fusion didn't win last year, it seems unlikely that the Mercury Milan stands much of a chance either.
So that pretty leaves the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. Got any guesses which one will win?
Comparison Test: 2010 Honda Insight vs. 2010 Toyota Prius
Categories: Green Tech,Honda,Hybrids,LA Auto Show,Toyota
Mazda confirmed today at a dealers meeting in Palm Springs that it will bring its subcompact Mazda 2 hatchback to the United States in late 2010. That's only a couple months behind the Ford Fiesta, with which the 2011 Mazda 2 shares its basic platform architecture.
We'll get a look at the U.S.-spec Mazda 2 in early December when it debuts at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show. Mazda says it will get more specific about on-sale timing, pricing, specs and equipment at the show.
We don't yet know whether we will get the five-door Mazda 2 unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, the three-door version unveiled last year, or both. Either way, we'll be getting a car that has won numerous awards in Europe and Japan. Lightweight construction is often cited as the key advantage of the Mazda 2 over other subcompacts. Company engineers put considerable emphasis on cutting weight (without compromising safety) to improve fuel efficiency and performance.
"You've asked us for it for a while now, and we've been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America," Jim O'Sullivan, Mazda North American Operations' president and CEO, told the assembled dealers. "As consumers' tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the Mazda 3."
Categories: Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,LA Auto Show,Mazda
Hyundai's President and CEO John Krafcik has said before that a front-wheel-drive replacement for the Tiburon sport coupe will appear soon and be sold alongside the rear-wheel-drive Genesis Coupe. He has also said that the car would be similar to and possibly named for the Veloster concept the company showed at the 2007 L.A. Auto Show.
Well, now we know more.
In an exclusive Inside Line interview, Krafcik said the car will look 70-80 percent like the Veloster and will pack a surprise body style that will be a segment first. One look at the C-shaped backlight/sunroof on the concept (there's a rear shot after the jump) might be a good guess, but Krafcik would only say this: "It might be doors or a unique roof or something with the hatch. But it won't be like anything out there before in the small car segment."
Continue reading IL Exclusive: 2012 Hyundai Veloster Will Get 140 hp and Direct Injection.
Categories: Auto Industry,Concept Vehicles,Coupes,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Hyundai,LA Auto Show
During Hyundai's webcasted press conference for the Genesis Coupe, product chief John Krafcik was asked whether or not there was still a replacement for the Tiburon in the works. In response, he basically reiterated a statement he's made in the past.
There is still another coupe to come from Hyundai and it will be a smaller, front-wheel drive model based on the Elantra platform. The Veloster concept was a clue to the styling direction, but Hyundai is still up in the air whether or not it will be called Tiburon. In fact, Krafcik openly asked for input on the name, so if you like Tiburon let Hyundai know.
Categories: Coupes,Hyundai,LA Auto Show
Yes, we are driving the Infiniti G37 Convertible today.
No, we can't tell you about it just yet (next week).
G37 convertible water on the other hand is quite invigorating.
Categories: Convertibles,Infiniti,LA Auto Show
Official pricing details were released for the 2009 Nissan Cube today. The base model will run you $14,685 including destination while the top-of-the-line Krom version will go for $20,055.
For comparison, Scion's xB has a base price of $16,420 with destination charges.
The options list for the Cube includes $290 20-color interior accent lighting, a $180 rear cargo organizer and an $1,180 aero kit. A set of 16-inch gunmetal or silver alloy wheels will add another $790 to the bottom line.
Full Test: 2009 Nissan Cube
Categories: LA Auto Show,Nissan,Wagons
