Hyundai has just unveiled the all-new 2011 Tucson compact crossover at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Tucson gets a complete list of upgrades including a more powerful and fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine, as well as several new features and an all-new look.

Powering the Tucson is an improved version of the company’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, that now makes 176-hp and 168 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel-economy has also taken a huge leap forward, with a rating of 23/31 mpg (city/highway), which Hyundai says puts it ahead of both the RAV4 and CR-V. Interestingly, this revised engine makes roughly the same power as the old 2.7-liter V6 and at the same time gets 20 percent better fuel economy than the previous 4-cylinder.

Part of the reason for this is the car’s light weight, tipping the scales at just 3,203 lbs it’s the lightest vehicle in its class. And yet Hyundai says it’s also the widest compact crossover on the market, boasting even more room than a BMW X3. Rear passenger room is also good thanks to sculpted front seatbacks to make room for even longer legs.

Hyundai also promises an improved ride, with a sportier feel thanks to stiffer sway bars all around.

Additional highlights include items like a downhill brake control, hillstart assist, a backup camera and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2010 Hyundai Tucson will be offered as a GLS and Limited model in both front and AWD. In total just 10 different models will be offered to keep the buying process simple. Sales are schedule to start this month.

GALLERY: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

Mitsubishi has confirmed that the new small car it will introduce to North America next year is the Colt. Currently the Colt is in its 7th generation overseas, with some of the past iterations having been sold in North America as Mitsubishis, Dodges, Plymouths and Eagles.

Mitsubishi, it seems, will be one of the last automakers to re-enter the sub-compact market in the U.S., with both Ford and Mazda having just debuted their new (respective), Fiesta and Mazda2 models at the LA Auto Show. Currently the market is already dominated by cars like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa.

Overseas the Colt comes with many different engines, with a 104-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder a likely candidate for North America – although even that seems underpowered. Some special edition Ralliart models have, however, produced in excess of 150-hp.

Now we’re just waiting for Suzuki to bring back the Swift as VW takes its time getting the Polo to U.S. shores.

[Source: Autoblog]

After having just debuted the all-new 2011 Sonata with an impressive new direct-injection 4-cylinder engine, Hyundai has announced it will offer a high-performance turbocharged model (as well as a hybrid) starting next year. The news of the hybrid model has been known for quite some time, but this is the first Hyundai has said about a turbocharged version, using the company’s 2.0-liter Theta engine and direct-injection technology

In fact, we’re quite surprised Hyundai is taking this step, as this new turbo motor is set to replace the V6 option it the company’s lineup. Hyundai has already admitted that in the past just 10 percent of consumers opted for the V6 and with a significantly more powerful 4-cylinder for 2011, a more powerful option seems almost trivial. Still, we’re certain this new motor will make its way into many other Hyundai products in the near future.

The new GDI engine, offered standard in the 2011 Sonata 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. 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.

As for the Hybrid Blue Drive model, it will use the new 2.4-liter GDI Theta II engine and a lithium polymer battery pack.

Hyundai will provide more details on both the Sonata Hybrid and turbo models at the New York Auto Show in the Spring of next year.

GALLERY: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Official release after the jump:

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For what seems like the 100th time, Chevrolet was once again showing off its new Volt plug-in hybrid at the LA Auto Show, but what made this time special was an announcement about when the car will launch. Chevy has said the Volt will go on sale in late 2010, starting in California and expanding to other markets after that.

“It is natural that California is the lead market for Volt. Not only is it the largest automotive market, Californians are known to be leaders in adopting groundbreaking new technologies,” said Brent Dewar, Chevy Brand VP.

Initially 100 vehicles will be delivered for fleet use to three California utilities: Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Chevrolet plans to use its OnStar system to monitor the vehicles and get driver feedback.

As a part of the program, the three utilities have pledged to build 500 charging stations.

Official release after the jump:

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BMW officially declared war today on the Lexus LS hybrid, with its own hybrid version of the 7 Series. A hybrid 7 of any sort would be a serious competitor to the LSh, but the ActiveHybrid 7 is a true BMW, offering not only a dynamic drive (relatively speaking), but a big increase in performance with 455-hp on tap.

Debuting today at the LA Auto Show for the first time in North America, the ActiveHybrid 7 uses the same twin-turbocharged V8 as found in the 750i, but pairs it with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack to make 455hp and 515 ft-lbs of torque – that’s an increase of 25-hp and 35 ft-lbs of torque over the standard gasoline engine. The result is impressive performance and modest fuel economy. BMW claims it can race to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds.

Due to the use of a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack, the unit measures just 14.6 x 8.7 x 9.1 inches and only weights 59.5 lbs, making it just slightly heavier and larger than a conventional car battery. BMW has located the lithium-ion unit under the trunk floor, keeping an adequate amount of trunk space

The new ActiveHybrid 7 also features regenerative braking, as well as a start-stop system. Impressively, even when the engine is shut off at a stop light, the air conditioning continues to run as is it powered electronically, not by the gasoline engine.

No official EPA fuel economy numbers are available yet but BMW says the car should get an average of 24 mpg. It should be noted that BMW’s estimates for the X6 ActiveHybrid proved to be far removed from the EPA’s ratings, so perhaps the same will hold true for the 7. (So far, in independent testing, the car has achieved an average rating of around 21 mpg, which is on par with the Lexus LS hybrid).

The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is set to go on sale in the Spring of 2010 as both a conventional wheelbase and an extended wheelbase version (in order to perfectly compete with the Lexus LS600hL). Pricing is expected to be just over $100,000.

GALLERY: BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Debut in LA

Yesterday we had the opportunity to see Cadillac’s brand new CTS Coupe model and today we were on hand for the car’s official world premiere at the LA Auto Show. The CTS Coupe expands Cadillac’s CTS lineup to now include a sedan, Sport Wagon and the CTS-V sedan. Cadillac has confirmed a CTS-V Coupe is coming and we expect it to arrive at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in about a month’s time. A CTS-V Sport Wagon is also a strong possibility.

One engine will be offered, a 304-hp 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 that achieves maximum power at 6400 rpm. Full torque of 273 ft-lbs will be available at 5200 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard with an available six-speed paddle-shift automatic. A limited-lip differential is also included. Cadillac rates this engine at 18/27 mpg (city/highway) for rear-wheel drive or AWD models equipped with the auto-box, while the manual transmission is rated at 17/25 mpg. AWD models will only be offered with an automatic.

The Coupe certainly has the style to compete in this segment against cars like the BMW 3 Series Coupe and Infiniti G37 Coupe, as well as more high-end offerings like the Audi A5 and Mercedes E-Class Coupe – we’r ejust not sure if it has enough horsepower to keep up.

The CTS Coupe is based on the same chassis as the sedan, with the same wheelbase, but an overall height that is roughly two-inches (51mm) lower and a length that is also 51mm shorter. Unlike the sedan, however, it is not a five-seater but a 2+2.

It may look significantly like the sedan, but little of the sheet metal (or anything else for that matter) is actually shared. In fact, the only identical arts are the headlights, front fenders and grille and the instrument panel and center stack. Original design cues on the two-door include the lack of B-pillars and the use of hidden door handles to give a smooth look to the coupe. Other highlights include a more steeply angled windshield and rear glass as well as a dual-exhaust setup with both pipes placed together in the center at the rear of the car.

Optional goodies include two performance packages, the first with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires, and a second with 19-inch wheels and high-performance Summer Tires. Also optional will be the 14-way power Recaro sport seats that until now could only be had on the CTS-V.

The CTS Coupe is scheduled to go on sale in the Spring of next year.

GALLERY: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Debut in LA

Perhaps it’s just the relaxed West Coast way of doing things, but we were surprised at the accessibility Rolls-Royce was giving to its new Ghost model at the LA Auto Show. Normally at auto shows the public are kept away from cars and only the media are allowed up close. Except with Rolls.

We’re not saying the media can’t get intimate with a Rolls, but rather than just walk up you usually have to ask. And once past the velvet rope (both a literal and figurative rope), the regal British automaker’s representatives won’t stop you from dropping your bargain suit bottom where only Armani has been before, but you do get a sense of unease about the situation as their fingers twitch and their faces turn to a police wince.

Then again, perhaps the folks at Rolls were a little more inviting as this is just an “entry-level” model.

The Ghost is the first entirely new model from Rolls-Royce since 2003, when the flagship Phantom debuted. Slightly smaller than that uber-luxury land-yacht the Ghost is still massive and excessively luxurious. It’s real claim to fame, however, might be its more performance-oriented engine, a 6.6-liter V12 that makes 563hp and 575 ft-lbs of torque at just 1500 rpm. Using a new eight-speed automatic transmission the Ghost will be able to hit 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds.

The Ghost will be available with a very long list of standard an optional equipment, including rear-seat LCD screens with fold out tables and, of course, umbrellas in the doors.

Rolls-Royce is expected to follow the same product development strategy with the Ghost as with the Phantom, so expect to hear rumors of both a coupe and a convertible starting soon.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Ghost Debut in LA

Korean automaker Kia has officially announced the introduction of the all-new 2011 Sorento compact crossover to the U.S. market – where it will be built.

The Sorento’s new design and corporate front-end design come from the KND-4 concept first shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show back in 2007.

Following in the tire-treads of the Forte Koup, Kia is eager to market itself as a performance-oriented brand – something that even applies to the crossover segment. That being said, it has class-leading engine output with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 276-hp and 248 ft-lbs of torque. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 175-hp and 169 ft-lbs of torque will be standard. Both engines come with six-seed automatic transmissions for ideal performance and improved fuel economy.

Either engine can be paired with a front-drive or all-wheel drive setup. Fuel economy ranges from 21/29 mpg for the front-drive 4-cylinder to 19/25 mpg for the AWD V6.

The vehicle itself is longer and lower to the ground than the previous Sorento and delivers improved interior room with more head and leg room, as well as increased cargo room, stretching 5 extra cubic feet for a total of 149.4 cubic feet.

The Sorento is also capable at pulling what you can’t fit inside, with a 1,650 lb tow rating for the 4-cylinder and a 3,500 lb rating for the V6.

The 2011 Sorento will be the first Kia to be built in the United States at Kia’s new West Point, Georgia assembly plant. It will be available at dealerships early next year.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Sorento

Official release after the jump:

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Subaru has just officially debuted the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition model at the LA Auto Show, sporting a unique paint scheme and upgraded suspension. The new Special Edition model is inspired by and assembled with suspension components from the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Spec C model. It even gets a set of custom Spec C wheels.

Suspension modifications include a 1-millimeter thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer rear subframe bushings, front springs that are 16 percent stiffer and rear shocks that are 29 percent stiffer. As for the wheels, they come in a special charcoal color and measure 18×8.5-inches.

All other aspects of the car remain unchanged, including the 305-hp boxer engine.

Subaru will build just 125 Special Edition models in the Aspen White color, before the car goes into series production and becomes available in standard STI colors.

In addition, Subaru today announced the release of the new WRX Limited model, which gets all the goodies of the Premium trim, but adds leather interior, a standard moonroof and Sirius satellite radio.

GALLERY: Subaru WRX STI Special Edition Debut in LA

Along with the Boxster Spyder world premiere, Porsche gave North American debuts to the updated GT3 RS and the popular 911 Turbo model at the LA Auto Show today. For 2010 the 911 Turbo gets an all-new, larger 3.8-liter engine with direct-injection, making 500-hp. Possibly more important, however, is the fact that the clumsy bush-buttons have been replaced with paddle shifters with the addition of Porsche’s impressive 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. Porsche says the new Turbo will be capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds and can blast on to a top speed of 194 mph.

The new engine is also significantly more fuel-efficient than the previous Turbo, consuming just 24.1 mpg with the manual transmission (compared to 22.1 mpg before), meaning it avoids the gas guzzler tax in the U.S. And when combined with Porsche’s PDK tranny the Turbo gets even better mileage at 24.8 mpg.

The 2010 Turbo will be lighter than it predecessor and feature updated versions of Porsche’s PTM and PSM systems. A PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) system will also be offered for the first time.

Coupe models will be priced at $132,800 ($165,300 CDN), with the Cabriolet costing $143,800 ($178,400 CDN).

GALLERY: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Debut in LA