When the retro-ish Dodge Charger debuted a few years ago, a lot of people groaned that the car had swayed so far from the incredibly awesome concept car that had preceded it. That concept looked an awful lot like the Duke’s of Hazzard General Lee era Chargers that most people remember rather fondly.

For 2011, Dodge has taken a step closer to that ancestor, adding scalloped sides and an equally contoured hood that do a fair job at copying those of the late ’60s and early ’70s, but it goes a bit wonky from there. It still looks a bit too much like the 2010 everywhere else. But if Ralph Gilles is to be believed, the suspension changes should transform this model. The interior, for sure, is a huge improvement. Take a look at the live pics and decide for yourself.

As for the powertrain, base models get the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 292-hp and 270 ft-lbs of torque, while R/T models get the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with Chrysler’s FuelSaver Technology that allows the big V8 to operate on just 4-cylinders when full power isn’t needed.

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Dodge Charger Review by Clicking Here

GALLERY: 2011 Dodge Charger

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If you’ve been wondering what the replacement for the Nissan Altima is going to look like, we think we might have something that will interest you. At the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show today, Nissan unveiled its Ellure Concept, a front-wheel drive sedan that hints at future models. It’s probably safe to assume that Nissan wouldn’t have built the Ellure unless they were going to get some kind of production vehicle out of it and the Ellure fits the Altima mold.

Powering the Ellure is a supercharged version of Nissan’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a hybrid drive system using a lithium-ion battery. And as the design of the Ellure hints at the next Altima, this powertrain is another clue that Nissan is planning a hybrid variant of it’s next mid-size sedan.

We’re excited to see Nissan stepping up its game with the Ellure. Back when the current Altima debuted it was as big of a shock to the industry as the new Hyundai Sonata is now and Nissan looks to continue to deliver models that are high on performance and style – even in the mid-size sedan segment.

GALLERY: Nissan Ellure Concept Debut in LA

GALLERY: Nissan Ellure Concept

Official press release and video of the Ellure from its LA Auto Show debut after the jump:

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Introducing the new Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, the folks from M-B mentioned that there will be a free one day driving school for anyone who buys one of these beasts. With 550 horsepower and 590 lb ft of torque, we suggest adding a day or two to that free offer.

The particular bi-turbo V8 car they brought to the stage in L.A. was a matte finish and it looked amazingly menacing. In fact, those legendarily humorous Germans kept referring to it as their “Action Hero” for Los Angeles. The new CLS63 promises more power and a huge 32 percent improvement in fuel economy too, with an EPA estimated 24 mpg in mixed driving.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63

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Official release after the jump:

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Subaru just revealed what they had been hiding under that sheet the past little while at the LA Auto Show. It was the Subaru Impreza Concept.

A thinly veiled mockup of the future Impreza sedan, the car looks a bit like a bigger Mazda3. Actually it looks closer in size to the Mazda6. It has definitely bulked up. No matter, it looks just fine, sporting what we’d have to say is closer to WRX trim than a base Impreza has any right to wear.

GALLERY: Subaru Impreza Design Concept

See the official press release plus live video from the LA Auto Show after the jump:

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The 2011 Nissan Quest may not be the official holder of the “Swagger Wagon” title, but it looks pretty damn good. On sale in early 2011, the new Quest is a radical departure from the old model, which was as exciting as vegan meatballs.

All the usual minivan conveniences are present, like flat-folding seats, power sliding doors, 2nd and 3rd row entertainment systems, tire pressure monitoring systems and a removable 2nd row console.

Power comes from Nissan’s ubiquitous 3.5L V6 making 253 horsepower. Four trim levels will be available, but pricing has yet to be announced.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Quest

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Nissan literally pulled the cover off its 2011 Murano in Los Angeles today, unveiling for the first time on these shores the new open top version dubbed the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet.

Painted seafoam green with a light interior, it looked ready for South Beach on the opposite coast. Nissan says they envision females in their 30s or 40s as the primary target audience for this massive convertible, but they held short of calling it the Murano CougarCabriolet.

They also announced pricing would start at $46,390 when this 2011 model hits dealer showrooms early in 2011.

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Kia took the wraps off their Optima Hybrid at the Los Angeles Auto Show today, and no surprise here, it’s exactly the same as it’s corporate sibling, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Fortunately for the Optima, this gives the car a huge leg-up. Our review of the Sonata Hybrid was quite positive, and we expect the slightly sportier Optima Hybrid to be even better.

The same 206 horsepower 4-cylinder hybrid motor and 6-speed automatic will be standard on the Optima, which will also use the Sonata’s innovative lithium-polymer battery pack. One interesting detail that separates the two is the more discreet styling of the Optima Hybrid, while the equivalent Sonata is substantially different looking compared to its gasoline counterparts.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect it to come within a few hundred dollars of the Sonata.

[Source: Kia]

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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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.

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

Officially debuting today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Land Rover revealed its new 5-door version of the Evoque crossover. Priced at $45,000 it’s far cheaper than most anything else in the range and is sure to outsell every other Land Rover product combined. Evidence of this was present by the interest shown by the local media in LA, with the crowd around the Jaguar Land Rover booth far larger than at most other autoshows.

Significantly smaller than one might expect, this crossover has the same general exterior dimensions as the coupe model, which debuted at the Paris Auto Show a few weeks back. One major change, however, is a less sloping roofline, to make the rear quarters more livable for passengers.

Despite the relative bargain price, the interior is pure luxury. The Evoque should also make for quite a dynamic package with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine donated from Ford. Equipped with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, the Evoque is billed as a capable off-roader, while optional MagneRide shocks allow for maximum road-holding and comfort.

Deliveries of the new Evoque in both 3-door and 5-door trim will begin in the Fall of 2011.

GALLERY: Range Rover Evoque 5-Door

Official release after the jump:

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After viewing the new Camaro Convertible at a private event yesterday, Chevrolet has today officially revealed the car at the LA Auto Show with Chevy’s marketing boss Chris Perry confirming the Camaros dominance over the Mustang.

Rolling out the newest American muscle drop-top Perry commented that Chevy is poised to close out the year with Camaro sales ahead of the Mustang. He was also eager to point out that so far the Camaro has been able to make such impressive sales with just the coupe model, beating out the Mustang coupe, convertible and GT500.

Sporting a rag-top, rather than a hard-top, the convertible model gains just 200 lbs over its coupe counterpart. Added bracing has been added to the chassis, as well as under the hood, where a massive strut tower bar is a very obvious addition. Both the V6 and V8 engines will be offered with either a manual or automatic transmission. The V6 engine having been upgraded recently now makes 312-hp, while the V8-powered SS will make as much as 426-hp with the 6-speed stick.

Unfortunately many of the cheap plastics from the coupe carry over and they even stand out more thanks to some bright paintwork. Higher grade models get some impressive leather seats, while base models still have a Cobalt-esque look and feel.

Exact pricing hasn’t been set, but Chevy says the car will start at around $30,000 and base V6 models will come better equipped than the entry-level Coupe trim.

GALLERY: Chevy Camaro Convertible

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Rather than being polished up like a Pebble Beach show car, Chevrolet Marketing VP Joel Ewanick drove a filthy Volt onto the stage at the Los Angeles Auto Show today for the car’s official world premiere. Ewanick and a group of engineers drove the Volt 2,400 miles across America from GM’s headquarters in Detroit to the LA Auto Show to drive home the message that the Volt is a daily driver and that it can be a family’s only car.

Ewanick described the Volt as more than a game-changer, but as “Epic” and said it’s “the most advanced car ever made.” He backed this up by sating that compared to the new F35 fighter jet, which uses 8 million lines of code to control its high-tech systems, the Volt required 10 million lines of code to keep it running accurately.

With retail sales set to begin the next few weeks, Ewanick gave an update on how interest in the car has grown, stating that last year’s 45,000 hand-raisers for the car has no risen to over 220,000. He then pointed out that marketing for the car has only just begun.

On that note, Chevy then played two new Volt commercials which claim the Volt takes just $1.50 a day in electricity to run. Stating that “it’s more car than electric” one ad even took a shot at its main competitor, the Nissan Leaf, claiming that the Volt is far more than just a “leaf blower.”

GALLERY: Chevy Volt World Premiere

Debuting alongside a new Focus EV and the high-performance Focus ST at the LA Auto Show is Ford‘s new global Race Car Concept. Based on the Focus ST model and sporting the same 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder, Ford has designed the car to meet regulations on several continents, with its debut set for the 2011 British Touring Car Championship.

Ford says the car will meet regulations in the U.S. and it intends to offer the car to teams in the U.S. (likely to race in Grand AM and World Challenge), however, there are no existing plans for a factory backed team.

The Focus race car gets an adjustable coilover suspension, Ford Racing sway bars, massive 320-millimeter front brakes with race pads and some ultra-sexy 18-inch wheels. Inside there are the usual goodies like a roll cage and Recaro racing seats.

“There has been tremendous interest from the racing world in the new Focus, and it’s the perfect fit for a global touring car,” said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. “Even more, by working with professional private race teams, we’re ensuring Focus has the support it needs to compete and win around the world.”

Look for more photos live from the LA Auto Show today and visit out LA Auto Show hub for full coverage.

GALLERY: Ford Focus Race Car Concept

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Scion may just have established itself as the only automaker on the planet with more special edition models than Bentley. Debuting today at the LA Auto Show, Scion has announced its eighth Release Series xB model.

The Scion xB RS 8.0 comes with a four-piece bodykit designed by Kenstyle that adds some more aggression to the boxy shape. Also included in the package is a sunroof (with tilt and slide function not available on the current xB), as well as a a black fabric with blue highlights to match the exterior Voodoo Blue paint.

Just 2,000 xB Release Series 8.0 models will be built and priced from $18,405 with a stick shift or $19,355 with an auto-box. The rear spoiler can be had for an additional $320.

Look for live photos of the car soon, and click here for complete 2010 LA Auto Show Coverage.

GALLERY: Scion xB Release Series 8.0

Official release after the jump:

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Porsche has revealed its new “mid-engined sports car” ahead of its debut today at the LA Auto Show, with the new Cayman R now the highest performance version of the sports car available. Early reports of a Cayman that would get the Boxster Spyder treatment proved true, with the Cayman R gaining 10-hp, while cutting loose 121 lbs of weight.

Porsche says the R stands for responsive and refined, but mostly it stands for “racy.”

Under the hood, the Cayman R gets just a 10-hp bump to 330-hp which comes mated to either a six-speed manual or a Porsche 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. With the stick shift Porsche claims a 0-62 mph time of 5.0 seconds, which drops to 4.9 seconds with the PDK. Those numbers drop further with the Sport Chrono package that delivers a 4.7 second time.

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.

No U.S. pricing has been released, but the Cayman R is set to go on sale in Europe starting in February.

GALLERY: Porsche Cayman R

Official release and video from the car’s LA Auto Show debut after the jump:

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On the eve of the LA Auto Show, General Motors opened up its North Hollywood Advanced Design Center to the media and so we thought we’d take you behind the scenes of this impressive facility, where creative minds are allowed to explore the limits of their talents before the accountants get involved.

The official reason for the event was the launch of the new Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept (ULC), which was designed to explore Cadillac’s first look into the sub-compact segment. Numerous other past concepts were also on hand, including one other previously unreleased model: the GMC Granite Compact Pick Up (CPU).

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, we didn’t get far before we stumbled upon a wall of concept models in a dark very dark corner of the building. All but one model was barren of a plaque, with that lone model being the now-defunct DTS replacement. Some of the other concepts share design traits with the CTS sedan and Coupe while some of the larger sedans definitely resemble the new XTS Concept. Across the top of each row can be spotted several versions of the same convertible model (a now-shelved second generation XLR perhaps?) with some seriously art-deco flare. Also of note is a Pontiac concept that looks half way between the Volt and an Ascari, while another stylish coupe features a massive Buick badge on the front.

If the LA Auto Show wasn’t tomorrow we might have stayed up all night examining these works of art – almost all of which we desperately wish would have seen production.

GALLERY: GM North Hollywood Advanced Design Center

GALLERY: Concept Car Models at GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Center

GALLERY: Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept

See after the jump for video of the new Cadillac ULC and a look inside GM’s design center:

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Almost a year ago GMC unveiled its surprising, and surprisingly cool, Granite crossover/MPV-thingy at the Detroit Auto Show. Fast forward 11 months and GMC once again is peaking the interest of not only traditional truck buyers, but also of compact crossover folks with the Granite CPU. The name itself stands for Compact Pick Up and it’s easy to see why with tiny dimensions and an innovative package that makes the CPU a capable truck, whether for work or play.

Rather than a traditional flip-down liftgate, the CPU features two hinged doors that open on the sides and thanks to a slide-out bedliner, there’s plenty more cargo room than one might expect. Flipping out of the bed is a steel rack that can be used for everything from a makeshift surfboard or ladder holder, to a rack to hold up a bicycle. One of the designers on hand at the truck’s unveiling at GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Center even commented that it could be used to create a space to hold 8×4-foot sheets of plywood diagonally, with room for tools underneath.

As for how you’ll load those tools in the back, GMC’s designers though of that too, with a power fold-down forward half of the truckbed.

There’s no word from GM on this concept ever hitting production and as we’ve yet to see the Granite make it to dealers, the Granite CPU is at least a year off. GMC looks to continue to fiddle with the platform some more, with plans to build a panel-van concept next – which could pose as a serious rival to the Ford Transit Connect.

GALLERY: GMC Granite CPU