Mazda Kaan wins Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge

The Mazda Kaan has won the Design Challenge at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.The 2025 futuristi race car was designed at Mazda North American Operations by a team led by Jacques Flynn and Carlos Salaff.

The Los Angeles Auto Show has awarded the Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) design team top honors for the Mazda KAAN - the company’s rendition of a 2025 race car.

Continue to read: Mazda Kaan wins Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge

Video: 2008 LA Auto Show girls

This year’s Los Angeles Auto Show had many interesting new models and concepts. As always a good auto show features also plenty of girls, and so did the LA Auto Show.

These stand girls with their big smiles know how to brighten up the event.

Take a look at the video below to see the best looking girls from the show.

click here to see the video

Hyundai launches Blue Drive initiative at the L.A. Auto Show

Hyundai announced the launch of Blue Drive, an environmental initiative which will bring to market a family of eco-friendly Blue Drive products. With Blue Drive products and technologies, Hyundai will be able to achieve a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2015, five years ahead of government requirements.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, the company revealed plans for its first U.S. market gas-electric full hybrid (to be offered in the next-generation Sonata), introduced a sleek crossover concept powered by a turbocharged gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, and announced future high-mileage editions of the Accent and Elantra.

Click here to see the video from the Hyundai’s press event

Infiniti G37 Convertible debuts in Los Angeles (video added)

Infiniti has released new pictures and details of its fifth body-style, the G37 Convertible.

The Infiniti G37 Convertible offers an all-new design from the A-pillar back compared to the G37 Coupe, with extensive structural reinforcements, a wider rear track, modified rear suspension and a special convertible-focused interior with rear pop-up bar and available headrest audio speakers, wind deflector and climate controlled front seats.

Continue to read: Infiniti G37 Convertible debuts in Los Angeles (video added)

L.A. Auto Show: Honda FC Sport Design Study

Honda revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology – already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan – and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.

Continue to read: L.A. Auto Show: Honda FC Sport Design Study

L.A. Auto Show: 2010 Lincoln MKZ

2010 MKZ gets a new face, new interior and more features compared to the current MKZ. Also 2010 MKZ features a new sport version with special sport suspension tuning with stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars, 18-inch Euroflange polished wheels, darkened grille and headlamps, and an interior with contrasting piping and unique appliqués.

The new Lincoln MKZ also offers segment-exclusive features, including first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), which makes navigating traffic and parking lots safer and easier.

Continue to read: L.A. Auto Show: 2010 Lincoln MKZ

L.A. Auto Show: Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Spyker presents the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 – the road version of its GT2 LeMans car. The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 will be built as a limited edition of 24 units maximum, and will be available in both left and right hand drive. Production of the LM85 commences this quarter.

The LM85 is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car. It is characterized by a lightweight all aluminum body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The powertrain of the LM85 is the all aluminum Audi 4.2 liter V8 engine producing 400 bhp.

Continue to read: L.A. Auto Show: Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Nissan unveils all-new 370Z at the L.A. Auto Show

In addition to all the previous spy shots and teasers we finally have more official images and details on the all-new 370Z.

In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z® since its re-introduction as a 2003 model, nearly every piece and component has been rethought or redesigned – shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more horsepower and improved fuel economy, a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the manual transmission, new high quality driver-centric interior and new available technology features.

Continue to read: Nissan unveils all-new 370Z at the L.A. Auto Show

2009 Nissan Cube revealed at the L.A. Auto Show

More than 10 years since its original appearance Nissan Cube is ready to meet the world in person, coming to America in spring 2009 in an all-new, dramatically rethought third generation design that is clever, quirky, witty, fun and uniquely functional. And still totally square.

More than just unique geometry, however, the new 2009 Nissan Cube is also conceived as a totally different take on an automobile – a car that doesn’t want to be defined as car.

Continue to read: L.A. Auto Show: 2009 Nissan Cube

Videos: 2009 Porsche Cayman S & Boxster S

Earlier today we brought you details and images of the facelifted Cayman and Boxster. Porsche also released videos showing new models that are premiering today in L.A.

Newly developed 2.9-liter Boxer engine develops 255 bhp (188 kW) in the Boxster and 265 bhp (195 kW) in the Cayman, an increase by 10 and, respectively, 20 horsepower over the preceding models. The 3.4-liter power unit in the S-versions, benefiting from Direct Fuel Injection, now delivers 310 bhp (228 kW) in the Boxster S and 320 bhp (235 kW) in the Cayman S, up by 15 and, respectively, 25 bhp.

Click here to see 2009 Porsche Cayman and Boxster videos

The all-new Mazda3 premieres at the L.A. Auto Show

We saw the first images of the all-new Mazda3 beginning of October. Below we have more images and first details on the US spec 4-door sedan.

According to Mazda’s Chief designer, their mission was to remain faithful to the Mazda3’s existing visual identity while evolving its appearance with richer, bolder design strokes. New Mazda3 is a move toward a more unified Mazda global “family face”.

Continue to read: The all-new Mazda3 premieres at L.A. Auto Show

L.A. Auto Show: 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Since 2003, more than 8,500 models bearing the Gallardo name have left the production facility in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Gallardo LP560-4 Coupe has been on the market since early 2008 and now at the L.A. Auto Show Lamborghini is introducing the Spyder version of this elegant supercar.

As in the coupe, its enormous power is delivered by the new 5.2-liter V10 with an output of 560 horsepower (412 kW) at 8,000 rpm. The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder takes only 4.0 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h), reaching 124 mph (0 to 200 km/h) in only 13.1 seconds and going on to a top speed of 201 mph (324 km/h).

Continue to read: L.A. Auto Show: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Porsche unveils new generation Boxster and Cayman at the L.A. Auto Show

Porsche presents the second generation of the mid-engined Boxster and Cayman sports cars for the first time at the L.A. Auto Show. The new models feature the new flat-six boxer engines, which provide more power and greater fuel efficiency than their predecessors. The vehicles also feature the Porsche-PDK, the new double-clutch gearbox.

Newly developed 2.9-liter Boxer engine develops 255 bhp (188 kW) in the Boxster and 265 bhp (195 kW) in the Cayman, an increase by 10 and, respectively, 20 horsepower over the preceding models. The 3.4-liter power unit in the S-versions, benefiting from Direct Fuel Injection, now delivers 310 bhp (228 kW) in the Boxster S and 320 bhp (235 kW) in the Cayman S, up by 15 and, respectively, 25 bhp.

Continue to read: Porsche unveils new generation Boxster and Cayman at the L.A. Auto Show

Toyota introduces CNG Camry Hybrid Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show

It is desperate times for GM and Ford. GM even canceled the plans to unveil the new Buick LaCrosse and the production version of the Cadillac CTS Coupe at this years Los Angeles Auto Show. GM also canceled their press conference.

Toyota on the other hand is doing a lot better. Surely they have problems as well, but they still have enough cash for stormy days.

Looks like they have enough cash and resources as they are introducing a new hybrid technology: a natural gas hybrid.

Continue to read: Toyota reveals CNG Camry Hybrid Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Video: Nissan 370Z revealed before LA Auto Show

We have seen the new Nissan 370Z with no disguise on official computer generated images and live images from a Nissan event that took place last week. Nissan was suppose to reveal the car in its full glory during the LA Auto Show next week.

Nissan’s marketing team is playing it smart, as they had a private Z gathering yesterday where they also showed the new 370Z. They are surely getting more attention by revealing the car before LA Auto Show.  Below we have a short video of yesterday’s event showing one blue and two red370Z’s.

Click here to see the video