Porsche had a treat for all of us attending the LA Auto Show this year leading up to the unveiling of the new Panamera GTS. A video was shown on the big screen boasting four of Porsche’s talented drivers, all taking a seat in the new Panamera GTS and having one hell of a ride out on a track. Greeting us on the show floor were drivers Patrick Long and Romain Dumas to pull the cover up off the new GTS.

Now Porsche has the video to share with the rest of the general public, showcasing all of the GTS’s strengths. Four passenger seating, ridiculous power, control and well, amazingly good looks. If you can’t tell by now, we’re huge fans of the new Panamera GTS… if only it came with a manual.

Check out the video after the break.

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Star of the upcoming movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Paula Patton, was on hand in helping introduce the North American debut of BMW’s i3 and i8 Concepts. Neither of these concepts are new to us, having seen them in detail at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but it’s understandable with the i8 playing a major role in the upcoming movie why BMW would give it center stage at the LA Auto Show.

Both the i3 and i8 Concepts are derived from BMW’s LifeDrive Vehicle Architecture incorporating a Life Module with a carbon fiber passenger compartment. The i8 features a 170-hp electric drive motor in the front while a 220-hp three-cylinder gas motor powers the rear. With a 50/50 weight distribution, BMW continued to boast that the i8 can have an estimated 78-mpg, delivering the performance of an M3 with the interior space of a 6-Series. BMW also reiterated that they will have a production model ready to show to the world by 2014.

The smaller i3 features a 170-hp electric drive engine with 184 lb-ft of torque and promises up to a 100-mile range that can be doubled with a range extender. A full charge of the i3 can be had in just four hours on a 220-volt charger, while an 80-percent charge can be obtained in just a single hour with a high speed charger. BMW announced that they plan to have a production vehicle based on the i3 Concept by the end of 2013.

Also making its North American premiere was BMW’s M5, though we’ve probably seen more than enough of it already. Worth noting was that BMW brought one out in a matte silver metallic finish and it sounded great rolling out to the show floor.

GALLERY: BMW i3 Concept

GALLERY: BMW i8 Concept

GALLERY: BMW M5

At the LA Auto Show today, BMW announced pricing on their new 2013 3-Series. The 328i will start at $35,775 while the 335i will start at $43,275.

Even though the 2013 BMW 3-Series hasn’t yet hit North American soil – it will do so at the Detroit Auto Show on January 12th – they are more than excited for the new generation of their best seller.

As with any BMW, we would take the MSRP with a grain of salt. A couple of add-ons and luxury necessities and your final sum will be substantially higher.

GALLERY: 2013 BMW 3-Series Sedan

Lincoln’s full-size crossover just got plenty of upgrades for 2013 including Continually Controlled Damping, Lincoln Drive Control, more standard horsepower along with a 1-mpg highway improvement, new interior styling, a new MyLincoln Touch system, upgraded exterior design and new safety and convenience features.

In its mission to make a full-size crossover ride smoothly and handle well, Lincoln integrated Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) in its new 2013 MKT. CCD is available on MKT models with the optional 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. The adjustable suspension enables the MKT to offer a more confident driving experience regardless of road conditions. By utilizing 46 inputs to feed data to a control unit, the CCD module then calculates the optimal damping force every 2 milliseconds – that’s 500 times per second. On average, large damper force adjustments can occur in just 11 milliseconds.

The 2013 MKT also features three distinct driving modes: Sport, Normal and Comfort, are of which are easy selected using MKT’s new Lincoln Drive Control and shift lever.

Two engines will be offered in the 2013 MKT, a 3.7L V6 FWD with 300-hp and 275 lb-ft of torque or a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 AWD with 355-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The 3.7L V6 reports 17/25-mpg while the EcoBoost is a comparable 16/22-mpg. Both are mated to six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmissions with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, though each motor has different transmissions.

The new styling on the 2013 MKT highlights Lincoln’s progressive design with a new front grille, bumper and wheels. The 2013 Lincoln MKT is expected to arrive dealers this spring.

GALLERY: 2013 Lincoln MKT

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show coverage here

Lincoln has revamped its MKS for 2013, sporting a whole new exterior appearance as part of a change in the brand’s design direction.  While different, it’s not exactly a departure from the previous model, although with this just a mid-cycle update any drastic changes will have to be saved for the next all-new model.

Debuting at the LA Auto Show, the new MKS will have two engine options, a 3.7L V6 with 300-hp and 275 lb-ft of torque (available in FWD or AWD) and a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 AWD with 355-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

There’s no way to ignore Lincoln’s desire to move forward with its new designs. The front bumper, fenders, hood, rear bumper are all redesigned along with the prominent front grille. HID headlights and LED taillights bring the Lincoln up to par with its competitors while the 19-wheels are surely made to grab attention. If that’s not enough for you, Lincoln will be offering a 20-inch option for the new MKS.

Lincoln also enhanced the braking performance on the new MKS, fitting 13.86-inch rotors in the front and 13.58-inch rotors in the rear. Lincoln’s Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) which is also found on their new MKT, can also be found on the MKS giving it a smooth ride without compromising its handling capabilities. Lincoln Drive Control also helps bring the MKS to life offering the driver the ability to easily change between Drive to Sport, automatically adjusting the handling performance, ride firmness, throttle response, shift feel, steering response and traction control of the vehicle.

Safety features on the new MKS include collision warning, new Lane Keeping Alert and new Lane Keeping Aid technologies – all of which help drivers avoid potentially dangerous situations. On the inside, the MKS has an all new instrument panel, MyLincoln Touch and plenty of new color schemes to choose from using new premium materials and genuine stitching.

GALLERY: 2013 Lincoln MKS

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show coverage here

Kia has just announced at the LA Auto Show that they’ve teamed up with Kinetic Motorsports to campaign a pair of Optima SXs in World Challenge. The pair of race cars will join the Rio 5-Door B-Spec that debuted at the SEMA Show earlier this month as part of Kia’s racing efforts with Kinetic Motorsports.

The turbocharged Optima race cars are set to enter the Pirelli World Challenge Championship and will compete in the Grand Touring Sport (GTS) class. Interestingly enough, the Optimas will be the first Korean vehicles to compete in the series and it’ll be interesting to see if Hyundai follows suit sometime soon.

Drivers for the two vehicles were not announced, but Kia did reassure us that Kinetic Motorsports will continue the successful Forte Koup’s racing efforts in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

GALLERY: Kia Racing World Challenge GTS Optima SX

GALLERY: Kia Racing World Challenge GTS Optima SX LA Auto Show Debut

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show coverage here

The Honda Fit EV just made its World Debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show and we want to take this opportunity to tell Nissan that it needs to watch its mirrors. Promising a range close to the Leaf Leaf (123 miles vs 138 for the Leaf), and a price of just $36,625, the new Fit EV offers virtually all of the benefits of the Nissan, but with a  platform that has already proven to be versatile and fun.

Honda will initially offer the Fit EV on three-year lease plans for around $399/month and plans to find around 1,100 takers in those first three years. We don’t think that is an unrealistic expectation at all. The electric Fit joins natural gas, fuel cell and hybrids in the Honda lineup, making it one of the most diverse lineups in terms of alternative energy sources.

Honda will begin leasing the Fit EV to customers in select California and Oregon markets next summer, and will expand to six East Coast markets in early 2013.

Gallery: 2013 Honda Fit FV

While Volkswagen was displaying their “new” Beetle R “concept” and freshened 2012 VW CC at the Los Angeles Auto Show, there was also a new Passat sitting there which we have seen even more than the other two cars. Old news we were thinking… until Angus MacKenzie from Motor Trend stepped on stage.

Taking most of the assembled media members aback, Angus announced that the 2012 Passat had been chosen as this year’s Car Of The Year. From the largest field ever in the award’s 60-odd years of existence, the guys at MT picked the Passat. If we challenged you to name the 35 or so cars that were in the running this year, chances are you might have forgotten the Passat. But as Mr. MacKenzie pointed out, the new Passat was the best at meeting the magazine’s six judging criteria. We don’t have anything against the Passat, mind you, but we have to say that this selection was a big surprise.

No surprises here as Infiniti unveiled the official IPL G Convertible today at the LA Auto Show. Set to go on sale in spring of 2012, the IPL G Convertible becomes the second vehicle in the Infiniti Performance Line models offering special aerodynamic styling pieces, performance from the IPL-tuned V6, exhaust, suspension, 19-inch IPL wheels, and unique leather interior.

The three-piece retractable hardtop-equipped G features a VQ37VHR 3.7L V6 engine with 343-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 18-hp and 6 lb-ft of torque over the standard G37 Convertible. This is thanks to a retuned ECU (which also brings maximum horsepower output to 7,400-rpm), and a high-flow dual exhaust system.

Unfortunately the IPL G Convertible will only come with a seven-speed automatic transmission with Infiniti’s Downshift Rev Matching and quick-shift Drive Sport mode with magnesium paddle shifters and Adaptive Shift Control. For those that have had the pleasure of enjoying any of Infinit’s G-models with a manual transmission will know why we’re all a little bit disappointed that only an automatic will be offered with the IPL G Convertible.

Suspension upgrades include stiffer springs and Infiniti’s all-new HF-type shock. For brakes, 14-inch rotors are in the front while 13.8-inch rotors are in the rear. 4-piston calipers are paired with the front rotors while the rear gets 2-piston pieces.

On the outside, the IPL G Convertible has a different front bumper design featuring integrated fog lights with black finishers, sculpted side skirts and round chrome exhaust tips. The 19-inch IPL split seven-spoke wheels are done in a graphite finish, paired with W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber.

The IPL G Convertible will be available in two colors, Moonlight White and Malbec Black which can be matched to two interior colors, Stone and IPL-exclusive Monaco Red.

No options will be available for the automatic IPL G Convertible and Infiniti did not announce an MSRP.

GALLERY: 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible

GALLERY: 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible LA Auto Show Unveil

As promised, Infiniti has unveiled its entry into the three-row luxury crossover segment today at the LA Auto Show with the new JX. With the official reveal of the JX, Infiniti has also announced its pricing, setting the JX35 FWD MSRP at $40,450 while the AWD will come in at $41,550. Both vehicles are powered by a 3.5L V6 engine with 265-hp mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sport mode.

The Infiniti JX will be on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in spring 2012. Blending both luxury and style with Infiniti’s new design language direction, the JX offers superb legroom in all three rows with plenty of cargo space behind the third row. Infiniti engineers also designed an innovative entry to the third row without having to remove the second row child seat.

The JX will also feature Infiniti’s newest technology, Backup Collision Intervention (BCI) which will allow the JX to help the driver detect crossing vehicles and objects behind the JX when the transmission is in reverse. The system will even engage the car’s brakes if necessary to help avoid a collision.

As with any other Infiniti, a bevy of options were also announced with the JX: Premium Package ($4,950), Driver Assistance Package ($2,200), Theater Package ($1,700), Deluxe Touring Package ($2,550), Technology Package ($3,100), Roof Rails ($370) and polished 20-inch forged wheels ($1,600).

One of the newest features of the Premium Package that is worth mentioning is Infiniti Connection, which can automatically sync the owner’s schedule through Google Calendar and provide navigation to those appointments. In addition, the system will allow the driver to setup Drive Zone and Speed Alerts, among other multiple functions.

GALLERY: 2013 Infiniti JX

GALLERY: 2013 Infiniti JX LA Auto Show Unveil

Click here for AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show Coverage