Mazda has chosen the LA Auto Show as the venue to introduce North Americans to its sub-compact Mazda2. Based on the same architecture as the upcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta, Mazda will be competing with Ford in this segment, which is already populated by vehicles like the Honda fit, Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent.

Currently sold in 3-door and 5-door hatchback form overseas, it is not clear if both versions will be available in North America, or if Mazda (like Ford) will deliver a sedan version. Also unclear is what sort of engine will power the car. In Europe and Japan, the 2 comes with either a 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, with the larger engine making 101-hp. That output number seems too low for U.S. customers and would be less than any of its competition. Even overseas, the Fiesta can be had with a 119-hp motor.

The Mazda2 is, however, incredibly light (weighing just 2,100 lbs in base trim), which could help it deliver ideal performance. However, as we’ve seen with cars like the Mazda3, Mazda often prefers to use a larger displacement engine, helping make sure it delivers on its “Zoom-zoom” tag line.

What we can be sure of is that the 2, like the rest of the Mazda lineup, will get a sporty design and high quality materials inside.

AutoGuide’s live coverage of the LA Auto Show starts December 2nd.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

***UPDATE*** Official images and specs of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe have been revealed, see below for photos or click here for full details ***UPDATE***

Cadillac will finally take the wraps off the production version of the CTS Coupe at the LA Auto Show. Based on the CTS sedan, Cadillac has seen enough success with the four-door model to launch a stylish two-door that will compete against everything from the BMW 335i and Infiniti G37, to the Audi A5 and Mercedes E-Class Coupe.

Currently Cadillac offers two engines in the sedan, a 270-hp 3.0-liter V6 and a 304-hp 3.6L V6. We have heard rumors that only the larger engine will be offered, however, there is also the possibility that GM’s luxury brand will surprise us with the same 300-hp turbo 2.8-liter V6 found in the SRX crossover.

The car is set to debut on December 2nd, but we should have info and pics of the full production model prior to that – so be sure to check back for our live LA Auto Show coverage, starting December 2nd.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

GALLERY: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Excited for the LA Auto Show? Can’t wait to see the new Ferrari 458 in person after its worldwide debut in Frankfurt a few months back? We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the amazing new 458 won’t be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In fact, no Ferrari will – well, not any official Ferrari cars anyway. (We’re sure a few tuners will have some modified F cars).

After showing the California at the LA Auto Show last year, several rumors pointed towards Ferrari displaying a possible hybrid prototype in 2009. That, we have now learned, will not be the case.

Ferrari has made the decision not to have an official presence at the LA Auto Show. Most likely this means a private event will be held near by, but the Italian automaker hasn’t released any info on that either.

Also absent will be Aston Martin, which we expected would use the show to give a North American debut to its new Rapide sedan.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: Ferrari 458 Italia Debut in Frankfurt

Toyota has announced that the all-new fifth-generation 2010 4Runner will compete in the grueling off-road Baja 1000 race. The truck will compete in the “Stock mini” class, meaning that it will receive minor modifications in order to compete.

Toyota isn’t fooling around either and has hired Ivan “Ironman” Stewart, a 22-time Baa winner and member of the Off-Road Motorsorts Hall of Fame, to pilot the truck, along with along list of other qualified drivers. The race covers 672 miles and takes approximately 31 hours to complete.

“Historically, only half of the racers finish this incredible test of man and machine, but we’re confident the Fifth Generation 4Runner will be a major contender in the stock mini class and can handle the grueling course”, said Les Unger, Toyota’s national motorsports manager.

The 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 kicks off November 20-21, in Ensenada, Mexico.

Official release after the jump:

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When it launches, the Chevrolet Volt is poised to become the next Toyota Prius, the poster boy for environmentally responsible motoring. And while it might be what mother earth and the Obama Administration want, you can be sure it’s not what the 77-year-old Camaro-loving head of GM’s marketing department wants. No, Bob Lutz wants high performance vehicles and is prepared to deliver them as long as there’s demand.

Lutz has even gone so far as to explicitly state that a high-performance version of the Volt plug-in hybrid is not out of the question. In an interview with Fox News, Lutz was asked if Chevy might build a Volt SS. Lutz replied: “I would not discount that as a possibility.”

The reality of building a high performance Volt is actually very real, with the trade-off being less impressive fuel economy and range. Currently many manufacturers use conventional hybrid systems to deliver the performance of a larger engine with the fuel economy of a smaller one. One absurd example is BMW’s X6 ActiveHybrid that makes 480-hp and gets 24 mpg.

That being said, it’s more likely that a high-performance version of the Voltec powertain would be offered in the Cadillac Converj coupe, which was recently reported to be heading for production.

[Source: FoxNews]

A big part of the SEMA Show each year (both in terms of quantity and, well, size) is the truck and off-road industry. Some trucks get lowered suspensions and some lifted, some run on supercharged 4-cylinders, while others rely on massive turbocharged diesel units. Yet despite all that divides some truck lovers from others, they all seem to equally love to modify their rigs – often to the extreme.

We’ve gathered together a collection of all (or almost all) of the trucks at the 2009 SEMA Show for you to peruse. We also explored some of the trucks in more detail, including the Dodge Ram Bianco, DeWALT 2011 F-Series Super Duty, the new 411-hp F-150 SVT Raptor, the Toyota Tundra Hot Rod and the Chevy Silverado ZR2. You can find more on those trucks after the jump.

GALLERY: Trucks of the 2009 SEMA Show

For more on the Dodge Ram Bianco, DeWALT 2011 F-Series Super Duty, the new 411-hp F-150 SVT Raptor and the Chevy Silverado ZR2, see after the jump:

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Promising a full unveiling on November 23rd, BMW has released a short video to tease us on the reveal of the all-new 2011 5 Series. The video doesn’t actually show any part of the car, but rather it uses a “kinetic sculpture” from the BMW Museum to form the silhouette of the vehicle.

Like all of BMW’s recent vehicles, we should expect to see a slow evolution away from the controversial Bangle designs. Also expect to see a larger grille and a more flat-fronted nose. It is likely that a new engine will debut in the vehicle as well as several familiar powerplants – like the twin-turbo 3.0-liter I6. An eight-speed automatic is also expected.

With the car’s November 23rd release date, it’s a strong possibility that BMW will use the LA Auto Show to debut its latest model.

Toyota’s reign at the top was a short one. Year-to-date sales by manufacturer now list Volkswagen as the world’s largest automaker. So far for 2009, Volkswagen has a combined sales tally of 4.4 million units – 400,000 ahead of Toyota.

Volkswagen’s tremendous rise from as far back as fourth place just a year ago, was driven on by the worldwide recession, which saw automakers like General Motors and Toyota lose ground. Toyota suffered significantly in the U.S., much more so than Volkswagen, due in part to VW’s small exposure in the North American marketplace. A generous cash-for-clunkers stimulus package that was put into place in Germany early on, also helped, as did a new line of vehicles for the Chinese marketplace.

But that’s not the only reason for Volkswagen’s success in 2009. Having recently purchased (or merged with, if you prefer) Porsche, Germany’s largest automaker now gets to include all the sales figures of Germany’s most renowned sports car maker.

It remains to be seen if Volkswagen will hold on to the title once all the vehicles are tallied-up at the end of the year. Volkswagen has not released a projected total, but Toyota has forecasted a final number of 7 million units.

[Source: The Guardian]

Volvo will use the Geneva Auto Show next March as the platform to debut its new S60 luxury sedan. The Swedish automaker has even released two images of what the upcoming vehicle will look like and we’re happy to report that much of the more dynamic styling from the concept car has been carried over. Volvo is making a big push to update its image as of late, with vehicles like the XC60, as well as the refreshed V70 and C30.

“The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,” says Volvo CEO Stephen Odell. “Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around.”

Volvo is keeping tight-lipped about the new vehicle but it will get the company’s new Pedestrian Detection system, which can not only “see” if there is a person in front of the car, but will actually bring the car to a complete stop of the driver doesn’t react.

GALLERY: 2010 Volvo S60

Official release after the jump:

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***UPDATE*** 2011 Toyota Sienna Info and Pictures Available Here ***UPDATE***

Has the crossover killed the minivan? Toyota doesn’t think so.. not yet, at least. Japan’s largest automaker has announced that it will debut the all-new 2011 Sienna minivan at the Los Angeles Auto Show in early December.

There are no details about the future of the Sienna but we expect Toyota to take an “evolutionary” approach. The minivan segment continues to shrink and so its unlikely huge resources were devoted to creating the new Sienna, but there will no doubt be plenty of innovative new features. Toyota is one of a shrinking number of manufacturers still making minivans, with all of the domestics (save Chrysler) dropping their family haulers in favor of crossovers.

We’ll be sure to bring you full info and pictures of the new van with live coverage or the LA Auto Show starting December 2nd.

See here for a full review of the 2010 Sienna

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

Official release after the jump:

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