2011 LA Auto Show - The Biggest Debuts

If you like the FIAT 500’s stylish design and compact packaging, but would trade some of J.Lo’s dance moves for better performance, your prayers may have been answered. The high-performance FIAT 500 Abarth makes its debut today at the LA Auto Show. With its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, the 500 Abarth makes 160 horsepower. That’s 59 more than the base 500, but the Abarth model also adds a performance-tuned suspension and brakes to help reign in its additional power.

The 2012 Hyundai Azera made its debut today at the LA Auto Show. The second generation Azera is the latest Hyundai model to receive the company’s fluidic sculpture styling treatment currently found on the Sonata and Elantra. Underneath the curvy new sheetmetal is an all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine that produces 293 horsepower. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, Hyundai says the 2012 Azera should achieve 20/29 mpg city/highway.

Jaguar pulls the wraps off of its XKR-S Convertible today, which promises maximum exposure for those who want blistering performance. The most powerful convertible that Jaguar has ever built, the XKR-S features a supercharged V8 that produces 550 horsepower. Jaguar says the XKR-S will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph. Just 25 2012 Jaguar XKR-S convertibles will be sold in the U.S. with a starting price of $138,000.

Check out our full coverage of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

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Last week, we got our first look at the Cadillac XTS when the automaker accidently published a photo of the new luxury large car on its website. Now, we get our first in-depth look at the new sedan, which also marks the debut of Cadillac’s new CUE infotainment system, and safety tech such as front and rear automatic brakes, which use radar sensors to automatically slow the car down and help prevent low speed collisions.

Under the hood, the XTS’ 3.6-liter V6 churns out an estimated 300 horsepower, while all-wheel drive and Cadillac’s magnetic ride control suspension improve grip and cornering ability. The 2013 Cadillac XTS will hit dealer lots in spring 2012.

The all-new 2013 Ford Escape is debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, showcasing the most significant redesign of the affordable small SUV since it went on sale in the United States in 2001. In addition to the refreshed styling, the 2013 Ford Escape will feature all-new powertrains.

According to a press release, Ford says the new crossover SUV will feature “three fuel-efficient four-cylinder options, including the new 1.6- and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines and a 2.5-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder.” Ford says the 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine is expected to deliver more than 31 mpg highway, which is comparable with the fuel economy of the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid.

Building on the success of all-new V6 and V8 powerplants for the 2011 model, Ford will try to keep its primary competitor, the Chevrolet Camaro, in its rearview mirror by refreshing the Mustang’s bodywork with a new grille, LED taillamps, wheel designs, two new colors and other minor cosmetic updates.

Mechanically, the 2013 Ford Mustang GT will get a slight bump in horsepower to 420, and a manual shifting feature on automatic transmission cars called SelectShift, where drivers can manually select gears via a button on the shifter. On manual models, a new hill start assist feature will keep the car from rolling backward before the throttle is applied. Additionally, a GT Track Package will be optional on GT models with manual transmissions and will include a more track-oriented axle ratio and other performance upgrades.

Check out our full coverage of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Shoppers considering a car like the Nissan Leaf or Mitsubishi i were introduced to a new electric option Wednesday, as Honda officially unveiled the 2013 Fit EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The automaker says that it plans to begin leasing the all-electric Fit to customers in the summer of 2012, beginning with shoppers in select California and Oregon markets. The Fit EV will also be available in six East Coast markets by early 2013. The Fit EV will start at $36,625 with an estimated lease price of $399 per month.

Honda estimates that the electric affordable small car will have a 123-mile range in city driving and anticipates the Fit EV can go 76 miles in mixed city/highway driving. The Fit EV features a 92-kilowatt electric motor and lithium-ion battery that can be charged in as little as three hours using a 240-volt charger.

We’ve known that the 2013 Infiniti JX was on its way for a few months, but the luxury crossover made its official debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The seven-passenger SUV is set to join the rest of the Infiniti lineup in spring 2012, and the automaker says that the three-row JX has more second- and third-row legroom than a Cadillac Escalade. Under the hood, a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 265 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission propel the JX, which is available with front- or all-wheel drive. The Infiniti JX will start at $40,450.

The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 SUV debuted today at the LA Auto Show. Powering the affordable compact SUV is Mazda’s 155-horsepower Skyactiv engine that is also offered in the 2012 Mazda3. With Mazda’s Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, the CX-5 is expected to achieve EPA fuel economy figures of 26/32 mpg or 25/30 mpg city/highway in models with front- or all-wheel drive, respectively. Mazda says the SUV will have a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

Check out our full coverage of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Volkswagen unveiled the refreshed 2013 Volkswagen CC today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which has one very significant addition over the 2012 model – a middle seat. The 2013 CC now seats five instead of four, but also gains updated front and rear fascias as well as standard bi-xenon headlights. Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine continues to power the base model, while a 3.6-liter V6 engine is optional. The 2013 Volkswagen CC will go on sale in spring 2012.

With its aggressive styling and suicide doors, the Kia GT certainly looks muscular, and the sports sedan concept backs those looks up with a 3.3-liter V6 engine rated at 395 horsepower. Some critics note that the GT is a departure for Kia, which is known as a bargain brand. The Wall Street Journal writes, “The low-slung four-door sports car seems to have more in common with a Porsche Panamera or Aston Martin Rapide than with some of the dowdy Kia economy models of the past decade.”

It’s been a number of years since the Land Rover Defender 90 was sold on U.S. soil. We told you a few months back that a new Defender concept was headed for the Frankfurt Motor show, and now the automaker has tweaked its model, debuting two new concepts at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Land Rover says that the DC100 and DC 100 Sport “investigate potential future design direction for the Defender.” Both models feature permanent four-wheel drive, an eight-speed transmission and an intelligent terrain response system, but the DC100 Sport will likely appeal to Defender 90 and Jeep Wrangler fans, thanks to its removable top.

Check out our full coverage of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show

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