German Car Zone

My bad... that was from last year's show. I removed it.


Yeah I read the GLK will be in Detroit indeed, not LA. Although we never know.

This year's theme in LA is "Green" cars so I'm pretty sure MB will show off some Diesels & Hybrids, but I'm not sure else what MB is bringing?!

Nor anyone else for that matter, most manufacturers are pretty hush-hush about their debuts. I think in part because ever since LA moved up the calendar, it's taking away a lot of limelight away from Detroit (i.e. Porsche pulled out from Detroit all together). I think manufacturers are not only confused about what to release and where, but also a little scared of bad Detroit press, so they are keeping quiet.

WOW, we have some truly exicting cars to look forward to at this years show! No worries guys, I'll be taking plenty of pics while I'm there. I may go a couple of times as different friends and family have asked me to go. I'm really really hoping the CTS-V will debut there, as the new CTS is easily the best car in its class(more on that later).

Oh for such a big piece of Detroit iron, only the Detroit Autoshow will do for the CTS-V. Expect it and the Corvette SS (blue devil) or whatever they're going to call it.

M

Five finalists compete for 2008 Green Car of the Year award

Los Angeles, California - The winner of the 2008 Green Car of the Year award has been narrowed to five nominees, according to an announcement by Green Car Journal, the leading automotive environmental magazine. The winner will be announced on November 15th during Press Days at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

"There has been significant movement in the auto industry toward making mainstream models 'greener' in recent years, with notable milestones in fuel efficiency and low emissions," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. "This is especially evident with hybrids, where gasoline-electric hybrid technology is being applied to popular models in the most important vehicle classes where consumers are shopping."

This mainstreaming of hybrid technology is reflected in the five nominees for the 2008 Green Car of the Year award: The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, and Saturn Aura Hybrid.

"The fact that all five Green Car of the Year nominees are hybrids this year is a clear indication that the auto industry's significant investment of time and resources into gasoline-electric hybrid technology is paying off," explains Cogan. "Hybrids were not a specific focus during our nomination process. There are many pathways to achieving efficiency and emissions goals, and hybrids, while popular, represent just one of these."

Each of the nominees achieves "firsts" in specific ways. All, of course, feature fuel efficiency gains and offer extremely low emissions with advanced technologies used to further increase their environmental performance. The Chevrolet Tahoe, a popular larger SUV, is now much more fuel efficient through the use of an all-new two-mode hybrid technology. Mazda's Tribute Hybrid is this auto maker's first-ever gasoline-electric hybrid model and exemplifies the continuing evolution of fuel efficient hybrid technology shared with related brands. The Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura hybrids showcase affordable hybrid technology available in mass-market sedans. Nissan's Altima Hybrid represents this brand's first-ever use of hybrid technology to blend higher efficiencies and performance in its popular sport sedan.

Dozens of potential nominees weighed in during the selection process. Green Car Journal editors considered vehicles employing all fuels and technologies in the effort to raise the bar in environmental performance, including high efficiency gasoline internal combustion, advanced diesel, hybrids, and vehicles capable of running on alternative fuels. In the Green Car of the Year program, nominees must stand out as exemplary models that forward environmental performance in meaningful and quantifiable ways. Market significance and "newness" are factors. All nominees must be on sale by January 1st of the award year.

Jurors include leaders of the nation's top environmental organizations, including Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Christopher Flavin, president of Worldwatch Institute; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; and Jonathan Lash, President of the World Resources Institute. Also, Jay Leno noted auto enthusiast and host of the "Tonight Show" as well as automotive icon Carroll Shelby, join four Green Car Journal editors to round out the 2008 jury.

[Source: CanadianDriver.com]

Ford Mustang Bullit Officially Revealed
Pictures and press release @ WCF.
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Pictures and press release @ WCF.
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LA SHOW: Glamour capital gets 14 debuts

Fourteen world debuts are planned for this week's Los Angeles auto show, including Lincoln's new flagship sedan and a low-volume fuel cell vehicle from Honda.

The show also features the debut of Hyundai's upscale coupe; a premium SUV from Audi; a larger, redesigned Toyota Sequoia; and Hemi-powered hybrid SUVs for Chrysler and Dodge.

So far, nine of the 14 debuts that Los Angeles show organizers say are planned have been announced by automakers. Here are some highlights.


AUDI
Audi will unveil the Q5, a premium SUV to rival BMW's X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. Sales start in Europe next year and in the United States early in 2009. The Q5, which is based on the A4's architecture, will be built in Ingolstadt, Germany.


FORD
The Mustang Bullitt is revived for 2008. Ford will build about 7,700 of the specialty Mustangs, which go on sale in January at a starting price of $31,075.

The Mustang draws inspiration from the Steve McQueen movie Bullitt, which pitted McQueen's Mustang against a Dodge Charger in a high-speed chase on the streets of San Francisco.

"The car we believe really embodies the spirit of that original movie car," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of global product development.

Ford modified the Mustang's chassis and suspension for the special edition. The Bullitt is powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that produces 315 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque.


HONDA
Honda has redesigned its FCX fuel-cell powered vehicle. The 2009 sedan is much larger than the current two-door FCX and has a range of about 270 miles, an increase of about 30 percent.

When the FCX goes on sale in the first half of next year, it will be the first time that Honda will aggressively market a fuel-cell vehicle in the United States. Only two FCXs are on the road today in the United States, leased to private owners. There are about 20 FCXs in U.S. fleets.


NISSAN
Don't look for dramatic changes to the restyled and re-engineered Nissan Murano when the wraps come off this week. The Murano is a reliable seller and characterizes Nissan's styling direction in the crossover segment.

Nissan has closely guarded any changes for the second generation, which will go on sale next year as a 2009 model. The Murano has been a hit for the brand. Nissan sold 81,362 last year and the crossover is selling at a similar pace this year.


PONTIAC
The restyled, re-engineered 2009 Pontiac Vibe will hit showrooms in early February. It is an example of Pontiac's push to "deliver younger consumers to the company," says Jim Hunter, GM's Vibe marketing manager. The Vibe has all-new sheet metal and is 1 inch lower and has a slightly wider track than the previous model.


TOYOTA
Toyota will unveil the redesigned 2008 Sequoia full-sized SUV. Like the new Tundra pickup on which it is based, the Sequoia will be larger in every dimension than its predecessor. Key to the new model is a sensible third-row seat, unlike the previous model's cramped quarters. It will be offered with a choice of 4.7-liter or 5.7-liter V-8 engines pulled from the Tundra.


VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen will show a third version of its Up small-car concept, this time as an electric-powered vehicle.

The electric Up will be used to gauge interest in the United States for VW's new world car. The rwd Up has a boxy shape and a long wheelbase with short front and rear overhangs. If approved for the United States, the Up would go on sale in 2010 or 2011.

LA SHOW: Glamour capital gets 14 debuts - AutoWeek

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Hoping to clarify exactly what it will be showing off at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi of America on Tuesday told Inside Line that the production Audi Q5 will not be shown here.

"We will be showing a concept that hints of what the Q5 will look like, but it will not be the production car nor will it be an SUV body-style roof line," said Christian Bokich, Audi of America manager of product and technology communications, in an e-mail message to Inside Line. "The car won't be shown at an international auto show until the first half of 2008," he wrote, "and that still stands as far as the production vehicle is concerned."

Automotive News and other auto blogs had reported earlier that the Q5 will launch in L.A. The highly anticipated Q5 is Audi's second sport-ute after the Q7. The smaller Q5 will butt heads with the BMW X3 and the new Mercedes-Benz GLK.

What this means to you: The powers that be at Audi say you'll have to wait a few more months to see the production Q5. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent


2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: Production Audi Q5 Will Not Launch in U.S.


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2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: Lincoln Opts for "Respectful," Not Edgy, With MKS


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Lotus Elise SC Revealed
Pictures and press release @ WCF.



Suzuki Makai Concept Revealed
Pictures and press release @ WCF.



2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Revealed
Pictures and press release @ WCF.