Lexus continues to probe the U.S. market to see if it is ready and willing to accept a premium hatchback model. At the LA Auto Show, Toyota’s luxury division is displaying the LF-Ch hybrid hatchback concept that the company first introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Lexus has confirmed the model will inspire a production model but company representatives initially insisted it would only be offered in Europe. Now execs in the U.S. are openly commenting that if there is interest, the car could see dealerships by as early as 2012. Lexus has already confirmed that the car will see production in Europe in 2011.

While the LF-Ch concept is a hybrid, recent reports suggest the production model might not be. However, Lexus has applied for a patent on the name CT200h – which certainly sounds like a hybrid to us.

In production form the LF-Ch would compete against vehicles like the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30.

GALLERY: Lexus LF-Ch Debut in LA

Volvo’s entire product lineup is in a state of change as the Swedish automaker works to update models with new curvy designs inspired by the brand’s revolutionary XC60 luxury crossover. The latest two models to receive the stylistic upgrade are the C70 convertible and C30 hatchback.

The C30 gets a new front end with a new bumper, grille and headlights. There’s also a new rear end using colored panels, as opposed to black plastic ones, while on T5 models large 90mm exhaust tips will be included. A new Orange Flame Metallic paint job (shown here) will also be offered, as will white wheels. In addition a sport chassis will be offered with stiffer bushings, a tighter steering ratio (by 10 percent) and springs that are 30 percent stiffer as well.

As for the C70, it gets a similar redesign and will now be offered in a new Flamenco Red Pearl paint (shown here). Out back, the C70 now also gets LED tail lights. Inside, a slight dash redesign helps keep things modern and luxurious.

Along with updating the rest of its product lineup over the next few years Volvo has said it will introduce diesel engines as well as diesel-hybrids to North America in an effort to meet the new 2016 CAFE standard of 35.5 mpg. Volvo has already announced a plug-in hybrid vehicle will arrive in Europe in 2012 and we’re likely to see diesel-powered models (which are big sellers for Volvo in Europe) soon. In Europe Volvo now offers its new C30 1.6D DRIVe diesel model, which gets an incredible 74.3 mpg.

GALLERY: 2010 Volvo C30

GALLERY: 2010 Volvo V70

There was no pomp and circumstance surrounding the unveiling of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition at the LA Auto Show. In fact, the car didn’t even get an unveiling. We thought it would be best to snap a few pics of it, however, as when Volkswagen announced the car a few weeks back they only release one photo. (So be sure to take a look through the gallery below).

The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition takes its name from VW’s Jetta TDI Cup racing series, which has been visiting major racing venues around the United States and Canada since 2008.

Sold as a “TDI Cup Edition Kit” the package includes a full four-piece aero kit as well as sway bars, a sport suspension (the same found on the Jetta GLI) and larger brakes with red painted calipers. (Sadly, these are not the R8 calipers the race cars get). Additional features include 18-inch Charleston wheels with performance all-season tires, sport seats with Interlagos cloth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and paddle shifters (with the DSG).

Under the hood there’s a familiar 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine with 140-hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque. The package will be available on cars with either the six-speed manual or six-speed DSG automatic transmission.

The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition will be available starting in January with an estimated price of $25,000. The car also qualifies for a $1,300 Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle Federal Income Tax Credit.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

The seconds of two production hybrids to get their North American debut at the LA Auto Show, the X6 ActiveHybrid joins the ActiveHybrid 7 in using the new green technology to make ridiculous amounts of power with modest (very modest) improvements in fuel consumption. In fact, BMW’s engineers have chosen to exploit hybrid technology to develop a vehicle that sits, performance wise, half way between the current twin-turbo V8 model and the new X6 M.

Using a 400hp twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the X6 and combining it with two electric motors, the X6 hybrid achieves a massive 480-hp and 575 ft-lbs of torque, enabling it to hit 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. By comparison the X6 M makes just 500 ft-lbs of torque. It, however, can hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

As a two-mode hybrid system, the X6 ActiveHybrid will be able to travel on pure electric power up to a speed of 37 mph. Unfortunately it can’t drive on electric power long, just 1.6 miles at speeds up to 37mph, before the gasoline engine kicks in.

Interestingly the X6 ActiveHybrid makes use of a 7-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted by the driver. BMW says the tranny is “based on” a CVT transmission and works in two separate modes. There is one mode for around town where one electric motor operates and when the speed is increase or more power is called for the second electric motor kicks in an engages the gasoline engine. That second electric motor then powers the vehicle’s electric systems (power steering, radio, etc.).

When the hybrid crossover debuted in Frankfurt BMW claimed a fuel-economy rating of around 23.8 mpg (average) on the European cycle. The EPA’s numbers aren’t so impressive, at just 17/19 mpg (city/highway), which is only slightly better than the V8’s 13/18 mpg rating.

The X6 ActiveHybrid is priced from $89,775.

GALLERY: BMW X6 ActiveHybird Debut in LA

At the LA Auto Show, Swedish automaker Saab had on display for the first time on U.S. soil, its new 9-5 sedan, which was touted by many to be the struggling automaker’s savior. The only problem is, with Saab current instability, this baby might just be stillborn. Recently the leading candidate to buy Saab, Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, pulled out of the deal, putting not just the car’s future, but the entire automaker’s future in jeopardy.

GM has announced, however, that it will continue to look for a new buyer for the brand.

As for the car, well, it will be offered with five different engines in total, although few of them are likely to make it to the U.S.  All five engines are turbocharged and relatively small, meaning fuel-economy should be quite good. Also helping in the fuel-economy department is the fact that all five engines will be paired with six-speed transmissions.

When the car first goes on sale in Europe three of the five engines will be available: a 160hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel, a 220hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a range-topping 300hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 – the same engine found in the Cadillac SRX. Both front-drive and AWD models will be avaialble.

Later on, Saab will also offer a 180hp 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine as well as an E85-capable 2.0-liter motor.

The car’s proportions are somewhat awkward, but the interior is definitely luxurious and original.

Notable features on the new 9-5 include a heads-up display driver information system, adaptive lighting, adaptive cruise control, Saab DriveSense adaptive suspension, keyless entry and starting, tri-zone air conditioning, dynamic parking assistance and the option of AWD with Saab’s impressive eLSD system.

Saab has yet to set pricing and while a specific on-sale date has not been set, the car will be release some time in 2010.

GALLERY: 2011 Saab 9-5 Debut in LA

First shown in concept format the New York Auto Show earlier this year, Mitsubishi has just officially debuted the new 2010 Outlander GT compact crossover at the LA Auto Show.

Most noticeable is the EVO-styled front grille, however, there are several other minor changes to update the Outlander to GT status. For starters there’s a revised 3.5-liter V6 with 230-hp and 215 ft-lbs of torque mated to a new six-speed automatic tranmission also results in improved fuel economy numbers, but the big-for-its-class Outlander still doesn’t get good results. At best Outlander models are rated at 21/27 mpg (city/highway) with the AWD V6 GT rated at just 18/24 mg.

What really sets the GT trim apart, however, is the addition of Mitsu’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system to deliver improved performance. The system comes with three settings, including Tarmac, Snow and Lock, for AWD grip to suit each situation.

Other GT trim highlights include standard 18-inch wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights and a 710-watt audio system.

GALLERY: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

More 2010 Mistubishi Outlander GT details after the jump:

With California being an important market for BMW’s MINI brand, the LA Auto Show would have been a perfect place for execs to spill a few more details on the planned production versions of the MINI Coupe and Roadster Concepts. Would have been…

Se we got yet another opportunity to look at the funky new designs, but still no word on official powerplants or what exactly makes these cars all that different from the Cooper models. Even the interiors are quite similar, although a clock for tracking lap times might hint that these will be even higher performance models than the Coopers.

Both concept cars are powered by the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the current line of top-level MINIs, making 211hp and 192 ft-lbs of torque, with a bump to 206 ft-lbs possible thanks to an overboost function.

GALLERY: MINI Coupe, Roadster Concepts

Audi is no doubt thrilled that it’s new A3 TDI model was just awarded the honor of Green Car of the Year today at the LA Auto Show. It sounds perhaps more prestigious than it really is, however, as the award has only been given for five years by the Green Car Journal.

The list of previous winners isn’t overly spectacular either including the Mercury Mariner Hybrid in 2006, the Toyota Camry Hybrid in 2007, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid in 2008 and the VW Jetta TDI Clean Diesel as last years winner. Yup, not a Prius in the bunch. Even more surprising is that the A3 TDI won over cars like the all-new 2010 Prius and even the more likely VW-Group model, the Golf TDI.

Still, what the A3 TDI does offer is performance, fuel economy and luxury. In fact, its rating of 42 mpg on the highway makes it the most efficient of any luxury car in the U.S. Power comes from a TDI 2.0-liter engine with 140-hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque.

“The Audi A3 TDI really defines what a ‘green’ car should be,” said Green Car Journal Editor Ron Cogan. “At 42 mpg, it sets the bar for highway fuel efficiency in the luxury car segment. Its 50-state certified clean diesel engine is quiet, responsive, and achieves its mission without the need for exotic technologies. Plus, it’s sporty and just plain fun to drive.”

Audi of American Boss Johan de Nysschen was on hand to accept the award stating that, “We consider the Green Car of the Year title one of the most important industry accolades. It is of paramount importance for us to develop vehicles that achieve the very touchstones this award stands for — fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Rather than novelty features, we consider these attributes imperative to the future of automobile design. We are honored with this recognition for the Audi A3 TDI.”

Official release after the jump:

It may have been a big deal when it launched back in 1998 but the New Beetle just doesn’t have the staying power of the original. Volkswagen has announced the “Final Edition” model of the car, unveiling both the limited edition coupe and convertible models at the LA Auto Show.

VW will build 1,500 units each of both the coupe and convertible with a special Aquarius Blue paint. The coupe gets a black roof, while the convertible gets a two-tone paint job with Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint. In addition, these Final Edition models will get a “sports suspension” and 17-inch wheels. Under the hood, things stay familiar with a 150-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder and six-seed Tiptronic transmission.

Pricing for the new Final Edition models is set at $20,240 for the coupe and $27,170 for the convertible.

GALLERY: 2010 VW New Beetle “Final Edition” Coupe and Convertible

Official release after the jump:

Buick has just officially announced the release of the all-new 2011 Regal at the LA Auto Show. With the car, General Motors is taking aim at luxury rivals like the Acura TSX in the entry-level sport/luxury market. Normally, you’d expect a Buick to underperform in this dynamic segment but Buick insists the Regal will be up to the task, even touting the car’s Autobahn upbringing. After all, the Regal is based on the same chassis as the award winning Opel Insignia, which was made in (and for) the German market. This is also the same chassis used for the new Buick LaCrosse, but is shortened by four-inches between the wheels and shrunk by 6.7-inches in total. The smaller overhangs should make for a more dynamic driving experience, as should the standard 18-inch wheels.

Under the hood, Buick will offer two engines – both of which are four-cylinders. Initially, the base engine model will be available with the same 2.4-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder as found in a lot of GM’s products lately. It will make roughly 182-hp and get 30 mpg on the highway. Later an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder will be offered with 220-hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque and get 29 mpg highway. Both engines will come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission that features driver shift control.

Buick has confirmed that the turbocharged model will be available with a six-speed manual transmission as well, which it hopes will help promote the idea that the brand is now more youth and performance oriented than ever.

Having just had our first up-close experience with the Regal we have to say it’s not quite as exciting as we had expected – although the car’s touted European driving experience may change that. It’s not overly exciting to look at (being a smaller and more tame interpretation of the LaCrosse) and the interior is just so-so. In fact, after sitting in the car we scurried back over to the newly launched  Tucson to double-check it the Hyundai’s interior does seem higher grade.

When the turbocharged model launches in the summer of 2010, it will also come with a new Interactive Drive Control (IDC) option that will let the driver choose from three settings (Sport, Tour and Normal) for the suspension, throttle, steering and transmission. Cool stuff!

The 2011 Buick Regal will go on sale in the first half of next year. Only the 2.4-liter model will be offered in top-level CXL trim, with the turbocharged motor arriving in the Summer and other trim levels after that.

At the press conference Buick did announce that it is planning yet another more entry-level luxury sedan to fit in under the Regal.

GALLERY: 2011 Buick Regal