Car shows

Photos: 2009 Jaguar XF

Jaguar is a brand with quite a bit of history, and as such has retained some of its basic body styles for decades. But no more. The company is undergoing a major change as it redesigns its cars for the new millennium. The XK got a makeover that had some comparing it with Aston Martins. That was the coupe, and now comes the sedan. Jaguar's new XF is a beautiful and thoroughly modern car, with a design suggesting Bentley and Maserati. Even better, it will sell for substantially less than those cars, while having interior components never seen outside … Read more

Photos: GM hybrids at the LA Auto Show

General Motors is unveiling new models that use both of its hybrid-car technologies at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new Chevy Malibu gets the hybrid-lite treatment with the same Belt Alternator Starter system that we've seen in both the Saturn Vue and Saturn Aura Green Lines. GM saves its more sophisticated 2-Mode hybrid technology for its thirstiest full sized trucks as both the Silverado pick-up and the Cadillac Escalade (yes, that's right, the Escalade) make their hybrid debuts this week. Check out our photos here.

Photos: 2009 Nissan Murano

While most of the automotive press in Nissan's booth at the Los Angeles Auto Show were climbing over themselves to get a look at the GT-R supercar, we managed to snag some photos of the second-generation Nissan Murano, making its world debut here today. The updated crossover SUV gets some new sheet-metal styling in the form of more pronounced body lines and a refreshed front fascia. Inside the cabin, the updates continue with some sweet new tech options and a whole new perspective for rear-seat passengers. Check out our pictures here.

Photos: Honda FCX Clarity

Honda released the production version of its latest hydrogen fuel-cell car at this week's 2007 LA auto show. The FCX Clarity develops the technology and exterior styling found in Honda's FCX Concept in a car that will be produced and leased to retail customers in 2008. The Clarity also has some unique cabin gadgetry to go with its advanced drive train. Check out our images of the latest entrant to the hydrogen highway here

Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe steals the show

This year's Los Angeles Auto Show is notable for its conspicuous lack of exciting new models and concepts. One automaker to buck the trend, however, is Hyundai, which took the wraps off the best-looking car of the day when it unveiled its Concept Genesis Coupe.

The coupe is the second car to get the Genesis designation, following the Genesis Concept sedan unveiled earlier this year in New York and scheduled for production as a 2009 model.

Like the sedan, the Coupe is rear-wheel drive, and is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 that's making north of 300 horsepower.… Read more

Photos: VW Space Up Blue

Volkswagen is getting as much mileage as it can from its Up! concept microvan. After appearances at both the Frankfurt and Tokyo auto shows in recent months, the model made another appearance at this year's Los Angeles show in the form of the Space Up Blue concept. In contrast to the previous variants, the four-door Space Up Blue came with some drive-train details: it is powered by an energy network of a lithium-ion battery pack, a high-temperature hydrogen fuel cell, and a solar panel. Check out our slide show of the blue sky Blue here.

Photos: Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept

Audi unveiled one of the few concepts at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Cross Cabriolet Quattro. This car is an attempt to combine a convertible coupe with an SUV, exploring untapped ground in the design world. The car gets Audi's off-road equipment, including Quattro all-wheel-drive and ride height adjustment, along with the latest cabin gadgets, such as navigation integrated with Google Earth and a Bang & Olufsen audio system that can play Internet radio.

Click here for photos of the Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro concept.

Scion xD gets the claw

Some custom car modders put in massive engines, some load cars with LCDs, but Five Axis Design put a claw machine in a Scion xD, which is on display at the 2007 LA Auto Show. Looking through the back window of this specially modified Scion xD, you can gaze longingly at a pile of little stuffed toys. Start up the claw, and you have a limited amount of time to try to drop the claw on a stuffed prize by using the joystick mounted on the back of the car. If you are successful, the claw will drop the toy … Read more

The Beat goes on sale, but not in the U.S.

When GM showed off its Beat, Groove, and Trax micro-concepts in New York earlier this year, it said that it would produce the model that proved to be the most popular with the public. Today at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, we have a winner, as Chevrolet announced that it would produce the three-door Beat, which the automaker said had been the overwhelming favorite among online voters.

According to Chevy, the Beat will be aimed at "tech-savvy, young-at-heart" drivers, as evidenced by its pop-up navigation system. Unfortunately for those who like the look of the brawny hatchback, … Read more

Photos: 2009 Lincoln MKS debut

The new MKS is Lincoln's flagship luxury sedan, but it will have a base price below $40,000. Options such as all-wheel-drive and a slew of advanced cabin technology will push that price up. Cabin tech includes the Microsoft-developed Sync system, which lets you make hands-free cell phone calls and use voice command with your MP3 player. It will also have a touch-screen navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and a 5.1 surround-sound system designed by THX. The engine in the car is a newly developed 3.7-liter direct-injection turbocharged V-6.

Click here for photos of the 2009 Lincoln MKS.… Read more