Honda has revealed its new electric vehicle concept at the LA Auto Show as an EV version of the Fit sub-compact. Classified as a concept for now, Honda will send the small electric city car into production for 2012. Later this year, Honda will begin testing the Fit EV Electric Vehicle Concept in a pilot project with Stanford University and Google.

The car itself looks much like the Fit Hybrid that recently debuted at the Paris Auto Show. Powered by a lithium-ion battery and electric motor, the Fit EV will have a 70 mile range based on the EPA electric vehicle ratings. Charging the car will take less than 12 hours in a conventional outlet and less than 6 hours using a 240-volt outlet.

Inside the cabin is very much like the CR-Z, using unique designs rather than high-grade materials to deliver a surprisingly premium feel. On the dash is Honda’s 3 Mode drive system, much like in the CR-Z, allowing drivers to choose between Normal, Sport and ECON modes.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito introduced the car stating that the ECON mode would allow for 17 percent improvement in range. While no info was given about the car’s power, Ito did say it would deliver performance on par with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.

Honda also announced it’s first plug-in hybrid plans in LA, with the powertrain using a full two-mode setup mated to a 2.0-liter iVTEC 40-cyliner engine designed for mid-sized vehicles like the Accord. Honda claims the new powertrain will be able to deliver 10-15 miles of emissions free driving, while recharging the battery takes 2.5 hours with a 120-volt outlet and 1.5 hours with a 240-volt outlet.

For more efficient high-speed cruising, the vehicle can engage in a direct-drive mode, in which only the engine drives the front wheels.

GALLERY: Honda Fit EV Concept Debut in LA

GALLERY: Honda Fit EV Concept

Official release and video from the LA Auto Show after the jump:

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Subaru has revealed what it called the Impreza Design Concept, giving a rather obvious hint at what the next generation of the brand’s subcompact will look like. Trading the cars often quirky design cues for something that’s modern, aggressive and luxurious, the next-generation Impreza is poised for greater success.

Powering the concept car is Subaru’s all-new boxer engine, mated to a CVT transmission. And of course, there’s Subaru’s AWD system.

Unveiled today at the LA Auto Show the car embodies Subaru’s new “Confidence in Motion” design and brand strategy.

Check back soon for complete photos from the reveal at the LA Auto Show.

Official release and live video from the LA Auto Show after the jump:

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Having been sold overseas for several years now and with a very long lead-up, Fiat has officially announced its return to the U.S. marketplace with the launch of the Fiat 500 (or Cinquecento) at the LA Auto Show today. Touting fuel economy, passion and a highly customizable package, the 500 is the first of many Fiats set to be sold in the U.S., followed closely by a convertible version and then by several Abarth high-performance models.

All Fiat 500 models will come powered by the same 1.4-liter Multiair 4-cylinder engine making roughly 100-hp and 98 ft-lbs of torque. The Multiair system was recently announced as one of the top automotive technologies for 2010 by Popular Science Magazine. It essentially works like a typical variable valve timing system, except it uses hydraulic actuators rather than cams. The result is roughly a 10 to 15 percent improvement in power and fuel economy.

Fiat will offer the 500 in three trim levels: Pop, Sport and Lounge with all models getting cruise control, power windows and locks as well as air conditioning. Sport models come with more aggressive front and rear bumpers as well as a retuned suspension; while Lounge models get chrome accents, leather seats, 15-inch wheels and a new 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode.

Compared to the European models, Fiat USA says the 500 gets a new dash and adds an arm rest, while a more powerful HVAC system is used for the harsher climate.

Standard safety features include stability control and 7 airbags and Fiat is confident the 500 will fare well in crash testing, having already been awarded a 5 star rating in Europe.

All Fiat 500 models will come with a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty with a complimentary 3 year/36,000 mile service plan.

And because Fiat is following in MINI’s tire treads of offering incredible amounts of individualization, the 500 will be offerd in 14 colors, with 14 seat combos and 2 seat layouts. Add in the options and special features and there are over half a million unique combos.

Pricing for the Fiat 500 will start at $15,500.

For more details and to customize your own Fiat 500 visit FiatUSA.com

Get more news and info at Fiat500Owners.com

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Pop

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Sport

GALLERY Fiat 500 Lounge

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In an industry filled with me-too entries and uniform designs, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is a bold, unique product that is sure to find a home in the driveway of exactly nobody.

Sorry, it’s true. We hate to punish anyone for taking a risk – hell, we love to see big gambles succeed, just like Nissan’s own Juke seems to be doing. But the Murano CrossCabriolet is the wrong kind of weird, already using an established brand to make a strange variant that’s rumored to come in at the hefty price of $46,000! For comparison, a mechanically identical Murano, with a 3.5L V6 and CVT gearbox, starts at $28,500 and tops out at $37,450.

One benefit we can see is that the Murano CrossCab will allow the whole family to go for a top-down drive, something not too many ragtops can provide. It’s almost like a jacked up, AWD version of a Lexus IS350C. But only time will tell if anybody actually buys this thing.

GALLERY: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

[Source: Nissan]

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Hit the jump to see the official press release

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The press release for Nissan‘s Ellure concept invokes the name of the sacred Datsun 510, but while the 510 was a diminutive, boxy sports sedan, the Ellure is swoopy and muscular, like a futuristic Maxima.

With a front end supposedly inspired by the formal coat worn by Samurai, Nissan asserts that the Ellure makes no attempt to hide its “sedan-ness”, mentioning that they expect this body style to be the core of their future product lineup.

“When all is said and done, the sedan will always be core to the Nissan product portfolio. Our goal is to rejuvenate the sedan’s attractiveness to buyers who might have migrated to other segments, or who are coming reluctantly into the category,” said Nissan Senior VP Shiro Nakamura. “By respecting its strengths, while recognizing that emotion is as critical as function, Ellure could well be the wave, or more correctly the ‘shock wave,’ of future sedans.”

Naturally, the Ellure is a hybrid that uses a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder, a CVT transmission and a 25kw electric motor.

GALLERY: Nissan Ellure Concept

See video of the Ellure’s debut at the LA Auto Show after the jump:

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Volkswagen brought Heidi Klum on stage in Los Angeles to unveil the new 2012 Eos, unfortunately, totally drawing our attention away from the new handsome corporate nose…on the car, not on Heidi. The changes to the 2011 VW Eos are significant, but most of the attention is focused on its looks, so bringing out someone known for their fashion sense was perhaps appropriate.

One of the mechanical changes is that there is no longer a stick available, but we doubt many buyers will notice. In America, Eos gets the  2.0-liter TSI with a 6-speed DSG. That 200-horsepower engine might be recognizable as the engine propelling the hot and fun GTI. We suspect performance will not be comparable, and we also predict that few buyers will care. Check out the pics and press release below.

GALLERY: 2012 Volkswagen EOS

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Enthusiasts love the Porsche Cayman and so in response to demand the German sports car maker has rolled out a new higher-performance version of its incredibly well-balanced mid-engined coupe at the LA Auto Show today. Named the Cayman R, it gets an additional 10-hp from the 3.4-liter flat-six engine for a total of 330-hp, while shedding a total of 121-lbs.

The more potent engine comes mated to either a six-speed manual or a Porsche 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. With the stick shift Porsche claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds, which drops to 4.4 seconds with the PDK transmission and Sport Chrono package.

To achieve an ultra-light 2,855 lb dry weight (no curb weight numbers have been released), Porsche cut out much of the typical convenience items and used lightweight materials throughout. Notable are the light weight racing-style seats, 19-inch forged wheels and door pulls instead of handles. Those who want to take their Cayman R even further can opt for a smaller and lighter lithium-ion battery.

Handling for the Cayman R has also been improved thanks to a 20mm lower suspension, while outside the car is recognizable thanks to a special rear spoiler, front lip, black details and the PORSCHE lettering along the side which can be ordered in black or silver depending on the color choice.

Porsche has priced the Cayman R at $66,300 a roughly $4,000 premium over the Cayman S.

GALLERY: Porsche Cayman R Debut in LA

See video of the Cayman R from the LA Auto Show after the jump:

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Porsche will expand its hybrid offerings into the realm of sports car in the future says the German automaker’s CEO. During the world premiere of the all-new Cayman R, Porsche Cars CEO Metthias Muller confirmed the upcoming launch of the new Panamera Hybrid as a followup to the Cayenne Hybrid. He then commented that Porsche is, “confident hybrid technology will find its way into sports cars.”

Currently the only 911 with a hybrid powertrain is the GT3 R Hybrid race car. Based on the GT3 chassis and powered by a traditional 4.0-liter flat-six engine making 480-hp the car also gets two electric motors that are used to power the front wheels, with 60 kW of power going to each axle. The driver can call up this extra power on-demand, giving the GT3 R a temporary all-wheel drive setup as well. The power surge is expected to last between 6 and 8 seconds.

In addition, Muller made remarks that would indicate Porsche is very close to introducing a Cayenne diesel model to the U.S., stating that dealers are asking for it.

Mercedes-Benz has already shown their CLS sedan/coupe/swoopy elegant car before, but this is the one we’ve been waiting for – the CLS63 AMG.

Looking like a CLS with a bad case of angry, the AMG version packs a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 good for 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. If that’s not enough, a factory AMG Performance kit will take that number up to 550 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. Combined with a 7-speed AMG transmission, the CLS63 AMG will hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds (4.3 with the power upgrade) and get 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.

The AMG Performance Package brings red brake calipers, a sport suspension, alcantara trim, a carbon fiber engine cover and rear spoiler and an upgraded steering wheel. Expect the new CLS63 to start north of $100,000 when it goes on sale sometime next year.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

Hit the jump for the official press release and live video from the LA Auto Show:

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After a long production cycle, a lengthy development process and a European launch that occurred months ago, BMW has finally brought the new 2011 X3 to the U.S., debuting today at the LA Auto Show.

Offered in two model options, there’s an xDrive28i model with BMW’s traditional inline-six making 240-hp and 230 ft-lbs of torque, as well as an xDrive35i model using the company’s single turbo N55 straight-six to make 300-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque. BMW claims the 28i model will hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, while the top-tier 35i model will do the sprint in an incredibly fast 5.5 seconds.

Improved acceleration and fuel economy (although no numbers have been released) are also the result of a new 8-speed automatic transmission, operated via BMW’s joystick-style gear shifter.

In terms of size, the 2011 X3 has grown a reasonable amount, even if it looks mostly identical to the outgoing model. The new (F25) X3 is 3.36-inches longer, 1.1-inches wider and provides roughly half an inch of extra ground clearance. Interior room has been increased with 19 cubic feet of rear cargo space and 56.6 cu-ft with the rear seats folded flat.

A new third-generation xDrive system now features Performance Control, that not only allows for power to be split front-to rear with up to 80 percent distributed to the rear tires, but also side-to-side in the rear, helping reduce understeer and drive like a proper BMW.

Also of note is the inclusion of BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control selector, that allows for three different settings (Normal, Sport and Sport Plus) to adjust the throttle response, transmission shift points, steering assist, stability control and suspension firmness.

The interior is typically BMW with a Spartan take on luxury, while the easy-to-use  fourth-generation iDrive system features a huge 8.8-inch LCD screen.

Design changes you can see for yourself in the massive gallery of photos below, with a more slab-fronted design in keeping with the rest of the new BMW lineup, with larger kidney grilles and LED lights can be found out back.

Pricing has been set at $37,625 for the xDrive28i model and $41,925 for the xDrive35i.

GALLERY: 2011 BMW X3