With a very large percentage of all AMG vehicles sold in Southern California, it’s not surprising that Mercedes-Benz chose the LA Auto Show as the first North American location to showcase the performance brand’s first ever ground-up vehicle.

Inspired by the 300SL Gullwing, the new SLS AMG is powered by AMG’s first “from scratch” engine. That engine, a 6.2-liter mill, makes 563-hp and 479 ft-lbs of torque in the SLS – enough to propel the company’s new flagship sports car all the way to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 196 mph. Helping achieve that low sprint time is a sophisticated double-clutch automatic transmission, that can be operated via paddle shifters. The SLS is the first production Mercedes to get double-clutch technology.

The engine uses a dry-sump lubrication system (great for serious abuse), as well as a transaxle. That transaxle layout means that the tranny is located out back (for an ideal weight balance of 48/52) and it attached to the engine by a carbon fiber driveshaft.

The curb weight is just 3,571 lbs, due mostly to the fact that this is the first model Mercedes has ever produced with an all aluminum chassis and body. Weight is also saved by using carbon ceramic brakes and light weight wheels, that measure 19×9.5-inches up front and 20×11-inches in the rear. Tires measure 265/35/19 front and 295/30/22 rear.

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG Debut in LA

The Porsche Boxster Spyder is one of a handful of world premieres at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The lighter-weight and more powerful Boxster model gets a Carrera GT-inspired clamshell rear with bulges to accentuate this car’s two-seat layout. Other design features include lower side windows for a chop-top look.

But what really makes the Spyder special is the light weight chassis and more powerful engine. In total 176 lbs of weight has been cut from the car, to deliver a curb weight of just 2,811 lbs. Power comes via the same direct-injection 3.4-liter flat-six as in the Boxster S, but with a 10-hp jump to 320-hp. Combined with Porsche’s new dual-clutch PDK transmission, the car can hit 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

The only downside to the car is the new rag top that has to be put in place by hand. We watched two Porsche reps attach the material cover and it was not a simple or quick process,

The Boxster Spyder will be priced from $61,200 and will go on sale in February of next year as a 2011 model.

GALLERY: Porsche Boxster Spyder World Premiere

With the minivan segment continuing to diminish in the marketplace, Toyota has unveiled its all-new 2011 Sienna as more of a significantly refreshed version. It’s not a huge departure from the previous generation model, but it does get a long list of upgrades including a new interior and exterior as well as a new standard 4-cylinder engine.

Past Siennas were only available with the company’s powerful V6 engine, which can still be had with 266 horsepower and a fuel-economy rating of 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on AWD models). The big news, however, is the addition of an entry-level 4-cylinder model. It uses a 2.7-liter motor with 187-hp, delivering more power than some competitors have in their V6 options. Fuel economy for the 2.7 is rated at 19/26 mpg (city/highway). Both engines get a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new Sienna certainly has a more dramatic appearance than the previous gen minivan, taking design cues from the Venza. A Sporty SE model will accentuate the new style further with an even more aggressive front end design, as well as side skirts and 19-inch wheels. The car even gets special instruments, interior colors and what Toyota calls a “sport-tuned suspension.” But coming from Toyota that’s probably not all that sporty.

Inside the car is more than 2-inches longer and in 7-seater trim the second row can move forward and backward by up to 23-inches to give maximum leg room for passengers. Those second row folks will be able to relax and enjoy the new Dual View Entertainment Center, that uses two side-by-side screens to create a 16.4-inch monitor that can show movies either individually or in unison for a more enjoyable “big-screen” experience.

In the all-important safety area the 2011 Sienna features Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and 7 airbags. A Pre-Collision System (PCS) is optional on Limited trims, as is Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which coordinates the brakes, steering and engine output proactively rather than reactively to help keep the car under control before it reaches its limit.

XLE and Limited models will get an optional Safety Connect system which includes Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance. Like GM’s OnStar, Automatic Collision Notification will automatically call a response center if it detects the airbags deploy or a sever rear-end collision and even even contact a nearby emergency service if the occupants are unresponsive. An SOS button will let the driver contact the Toyota response center in case of an emergency or for road side assistance.

The 2011 Sienna is set to arrive in dealerships in February of 2010.

GALLERY: 2011 Toyota Sienna

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Mazda has just officially debuted the new Mazda2 sub-compact at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed to compete in an increasingly crowded market against car’s like the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, the Mazda2 is designed to be an affordable, sporty car that delivers what Mazda refers to as Zoom-Zoom Concentrated.

While we do know what the car looks like, Mazda hasn’t released any info on engines, horsepower or fuel-economy. 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 the newly unveiled Ford Fiesta (which is based on the same platform) comes with a 119-hp motor.

The European 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 concentrated” tag line.

GALLERY: 2011 Mazda2

Official release after the jump:

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Hyundai is all set to stir up the family sedan segment with the stylish, powerful and efficient 2011 Sonata. The latest in Hyundai’s new lineup of products, the Sonata gets a coupe-like shape reminiscent of the Volkswagen CC. And that’s a very big compliment to be sure. The car is one of just a few Hyundai products to be designed in the United States at the company’s California Design Center.

Under the hood, there’s a direct-injection version of Hyundai’s Theta II 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 198-hp (or 200-hp in the SE trim level with a dual-exhaust setup). Torque is rated at 186 ft-lbs. In total, that’s 25 more horsepower and 18 more ft-lbs of torque than the old 4-cylinder. In fact, with improved 4-cylinder performance and the fact that only 10 percent of previous generation Sonata buyers opted for the V6, Hyundai hasn’t announced any plans to offer a V6 model and probably won’t.

The car’s fuel-economy rating is set at 23/35 mpg (city/highway), which Hyundai says will make it the most fuel-efficient (non-hybrid) mid-size sedan on the marker. Although, to be truthful, the 2011 sonata, like its predecessor, is so roomy inside that it is technically classified as a full-size sedan.

The direct-injection powerlant isn’t the only reason for the improved fuel-economy, however, as the 2011 Sonata also gets a new six-speed automatic transmission (which will find it’s way into the Tucson, as well as the next Santa Fe and Azera). Not only does the extra gear help for improved highway fuel mileage but the unit weights 26 lbs less, is more compact and uses 62 fewer parts.

On top of all this, Hyundia says the high compression 2.4-liter engine will deliver full power on regular 87 octane pump gas.

A few vehicle highlights include trunk pulls for the rear seats to fold down and the option of heated rear seats. Hyundai is also eager to point out that despite the car’s slowing roofline it has the same amount of rear headroom as the previous generation car, which is more than any other car in its class except the Honda Accord.

Hyundai will offer the Sonata in three trim levels, GLS, SE (Sport) and Limited (luxury). SE models will get the dual-exhaust pipes with the 200-hp rating, as well as paddle shifters, tighter steering and larger sway bars to help deliver improved handling.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is set to go on sale in January. Pricing has not yet been released.

GALLERY: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

The latest step in the car’s North American tour, the Lexus LFA supercar has arrived at the Los Angeles Auto Show, where it will be viewable by the public starting later this week. The LFA has already been shown at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas last month, but it was an industry-only event. The car premiered at the Tokyo Auto Show.

The LFA is powered by a 4.8-liter V10 engine with 552-hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque. Weighing just 3,263 lbs thanks to a chassis and body that is mostly constructed of carbon fiber, the LFA can hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and tops out a 202 mph! Just 5o0 LFAs will be built a a cost of $375,000 each.

After LA, the car’s plans are limited, with Lexus announcing that for 2009 it will visit just four more shows in Detroit (at the North American International Auto Show), Chicago, Dallas and New York.

Lexus has announced that it will lease rather than sell all the LFAs in order to avoid speculators trying to flip cars for profit.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA Debut in LA

Volkswagen’s big news at the LA Auto Show was the world premiere of the Up! Lite Concept, a hybrid diesel based on the company’s upcoming small-car architecture – meaning it could very well see production. As a natural progression of the two-seater L1 concept that debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show, this four-seater offers practicality and amazing fuel economy. In fact, VW claims a rating of 70-mpg on the highway.

Power comes from an 800cc turbo-diesel motor, mated to a hybrid setup using a lithium-ion battery pack. In total it makes 64-hp and is good for a 0-60 mph time of 12 seconds. It also features a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission.

Along with the hybrid setup, there are two other important reasons for the Up! Lite’s amazing fuel economy. The first is the car’s aerodynamics, with a drag coefficient of just 0.237 cd. The next is the car’s weight. In total, VW says that it weighs just 1,530 lbs – hence the car’s name. It even features a stylish exposed carbon fiber roof.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Up! Light Concept

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With no new models lined up in the production schedule, Scion has tossed together yet another limited edition Release Series version of its popular xB platform – the seventh no less. Dubbed the xB Release Series 7.0, like previous RS models, this car comes with a full package of aftermarket parts, including a custom paint color, and retails for a pretty reasonable price.

Included in the list of modifications is a DAMD aero kit, including new front and rear lip spoilers and side skirts. In addition, a $320 rear spoiler will be optional. The whole package gets painted in a special color called Murasaki – which means “purple” in Japanese.

The DAMD kit has a unique rear bumper design that allows for a special center-exit exhaust system, designed by TRD. The car also sits lower on a set of TRD lowering springs.

Interior highlights include a RAZO GT Formula Spec shift knob as well as new black seat fabric with purple detailing to match the car’s exterior. There’s also plenty of RS logos and an individually numbered stainless steel RS badge. Just 2,000 xB RS 7.0 models will be built.

As with all Scions, there are plenty of aftermarket parts that the company also sells. We noticed a serious set of TRD brakes on the show car in LA.

As for pricing, Scion lists the car from $18,320 with the manual transmission and $19,270 with the auto-box.

GALLERY: Scion xB RS 7.0 Debut in LA

Undoubtedly the focal point of BMW’s display at the LA Auto Show, the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept embodies the German automaker’s high efficiency philosophy and is being shown in LA for the first time since its word debut in Frankfurt.

The Vision ED Concept is also a true BMW, offering impressive fuel economy while not sacrificing performance. A mean-looking 2+2 sports car, this concept uses both a turbo-diesel three-cylinder engine, as well as two electric motors in a full plug-in hybrid layout. BMW says the goal of the project was to build a vehicle that has the performance of one of its M cars, while delivering fuel-economy that is superior to current small cars. This they most certainly achieved with a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds and a claimed fuel economy figure of 62.6 mpg.

The diesel engine used is essentially half of that found in the current BMW 335d, displacing 1.5-liters. On its own the diesel makes 163hp and 214 ft-lbs of torque. The car also gets BMW’s impressive six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Two electric motors are paired to this engine, which is located in a mid-rear configuration. A 33hp motor sits between the engine and transmission while a second 80-hp motor delivers power to the front axle. The result it a total of 356hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque. Storing that energy is a lithium-polymer battery pack that runs down the center of the car for optimum weight distribution.

BMW says the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept can be plugging in a charged at a conventional outlet in just 2.5 hours and can travel up to 31 miles on pure electric power. A 6.6 gallon diesel tank will then allow an extended range of 400 miles.

To keep the weight of the vehicle to a minimum, BMW engineers build the chassis and suspension entirely out of aluminum, meaning the car weights just 3,076 lbs. Engineers also worked hand-in-hand with the designers to create the body of the concept, with a light weight polycarbonate body that boasts a aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.22 cd. BMW says part of the reason for the impressive aerodynamics is due to their ability to work on the front end of the car, made possible by moving the engine to the rear. New thermostatically controlled slats in front of the radiator can also close at speed to redirect air around the car when cooling isn’t a top priority.

In addition, one of the vehicle’s most progressive technologies is what BMW calls “Forward looking energy management.” BMW hopes that by using technology to foresee what is coming on the road ahead it can save energy by shutting down or powering up other systems. An example would be using the radar system built into the active cruise control to see when traffic is slowing down ahead, and then shut of the car’s engine while activating the regenerative braking ahead of time.

While some have speculated that the Vision ED Concept will make its way into production as a future BMW exotic car, it’s more likely that the vehicle was built to showcase new technologies that will eventually make their way into BMW products in the future. We only wish they’d build it.

GALLERY: BMW VisionEfficient Dynamics Concept Debut in LA

Ford has chosen the LA Auto Show to debut its significantly more powerful 2011 Mustang V6. In fact, the new 3.7-liter V6 engine, which replaces the larger and older 4.0-liter mill makes almost as much power as the 2010 Mustang GT. Power is now rated at 305-hp, up 95 ponies from 210! Torque is up too, by 40 ticks to 280 ft-lbs. Full power comes on at 6500 rpm with full torque at 4250 rpm. Plus, Ford says the new engine will deliver 19/30 mpg (city/highway) with a six-speed automatic or 18/29 mpg with a six-speed manual. Yup, finally a six-speed for the Mustang.

And as though all this we’re good enough, the all-aluminum block weighs less than the old 4.0-liter engine.

To achieve all these improvements, the motor uses Ford’s Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT). Essentially, this is the same engine that Ford first used in the Lincoln MKS.

Perhaps most importantly, however, is the fact that this new engine trumps that found in the new Camaro – by 1-hp. That certainly isn’t much, but by being able to make the claim is certain to help Ford win back some sales from Chevy. And in Ford’s smaller and lighter package, performance will no doubt put the Mustang ahead of the Camaro.

Ford is expected to announce the return of the 5.0-liter Mustang GT, with 400-plus horsepower,  at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Mustang