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Small is big at the LA Auto Show (photos)

We take a look at a selection of small, green machines at the 2009 LA Auto Show.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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The 2011 Ford Fiesta got its North American debut at the LA Auto Show, powered by 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.
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The Fiesta will sell in two body styles, one of which is this practical five-door hatchback that features seating for four or a largish cargo area with the rear seats folded flat.
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This sedan model is available for potential Fiesta drivers who would rather have a sealed trunk.
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The Fiesta's available cabin technology includes Ford's Sync system, premium audio, push button start, and color changing ambient lighting.
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Touch-screen navigation is unsurprisingly absent on the Fiesta, but users will be able to access turn-by-turn direction's using Sync and a Bluetooth connected phone.
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While not known for its small cars in North America, Mercedes-Benz had a rather futuristic little ride on display.
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The F-Cell concept is a zero-emissions vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.
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The F-Cell has a range of about 250 miles with a 3 minute refill time. If that sounds like your Honda Fit, remember that the F-Cell's only emission is water vapor.
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The F-Cell's clean emissions come from its fuel of choice, hydrogen. A fuel cell generates electricity that is either used to directly power the electric motor or stored in a lithium ion battery pack for later use. Its maximum output is about 100 kW or 136 horsepower.
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Meanwhile, the F-Cell's interior is on par with what our European friends have come to expect from a compact Mercedes-Benz: high quality materials and a cabin tech package based on M-B's COMAND system.

Check out the rest of Mercedes-Benz's LA Auto Show showings.
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In many ways a sibling to the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda Mazda2 was also debuted at the LA Show.
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We've already taken a close look at the Mazda2, so be sure to check it out.
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Over in Hyundai's booth, the Korean automaker was doing its part to make blue the new green with it's Blue line of cars.
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The Accent Blue and Elantra Blue feature efficiency focused tweaks that boost their highway fuel economy to 36 mpg and 35 mpg, respectively.
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One of the stars of the LA Auto Show was the Volkswagen Up Lite concept.
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This subcompact hatch achieves a staggering fuel economy estimate of 70 mpg through a combination of turbodiesel and hybrid technology. Take a closer look at the VW Up Lite.
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Now a veteran to the car show circuit, the Lexus LF-Ch concept offers a peek at what the future holds for small luxury hybrids.
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The Honda P-NUT small EV concept was certainly a head-turner with its unorthodox looks and crazy 1+2 seating.

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