#2010LosAngelesAutoShow

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.

The LA Auto Show officially starts this Wednesday, promising 20 world premieres, a long list of new models from Nissan and Chrysler, as well as numerous new electric cars and hybrids.

Little has been said about Subaru in the lead-up to the LA Auto Show, with the Japanese automaker keeping tight-lipped about future product plans. Now we’ve received a teaser image of what Subaru calls the Concept in Motion (CIM). While Subaru is working on a new coupe with Toyota (the FT-86/ FR-S / Toyobaru), several sources have indicated that it is actually a lightly veiled version of the next-generation Impreza.

After providing all the juicy details on the new Elantra last week, Hyundai has now lifted the embargo on the car ahead of its LA Auto Show debut, allowing us to reveal one of the most attractive compact car packages on the planet. And while it does compete in that compact car class, the Elantra, like its rival the Chevy Cruze, is actually classified as a mid-size due to its expansive cabin. In fact, when we had a chance to view the car at an event in Detroit last week, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik stated that it has an almost identical EPA-rated passenger volume as the Nissan Maxima. (In disbelief, we checked. Its true).

One of the show-stoppers of the recent Paris Auto Show, Jaguar will make its new C-X75 Concept the center of attention at its booth at the LA Auto Show this week. Currently touring several high-traffic locations in LA, the supercar is drumming up a lot of interested for it’s incredibly high-tech powertrain, but even more so for it’s stunning design – which Jaguar says will inspire future Jag models, including the next XK.

In the buildup to the launch of Lamborghini‘s new supercar and successor to the Murcielago, the Italian automaker has announced details of an all-new 6.5-liter V12 engine that will power the beast.

Nissan continues to push forward with its no-holds-barred approach to automotive design, unveiling a new two-door convertible version of its Murano SUV. Named the Murano CrossCabriolet, this bizarre new model follows on the heels of the launch of the tiny Juke crossover – criticized for its styling, but praised for its impressive engineering package.

The one main flaw of electric cars is the range they are capable of. That, however, is not the case with the new Chevrolet Volt, using its sophisticated powertrain to cure “range anxiety” by using a gasoline engine for a total range of over 300 miles. And when that runs out? Just add more gas and the system will turn it into electricity to drive the wheels.

General Motors is eager to prove the Volt can be used in every day situations, and so to prove it the company’s VP of Marketing, Joel Ewanick, is embarking on a road trip that will take him from the General’s headquarters in Detroit, all the way to Los Angeles and the LA Auto Show.

“It’s a proof of concept for me,” said Ewanick, “We’re making history here with the Volt. I don’t think I would do this for just any car.”

“I want to help people understand it’s a real car, one that can be your only car.”

Leaving Detroit today, Ewanick and Voltec powertrain engineer Lane Rezek, will take five days to get to LA, covering 2,400 miles. “We’ve scheduled some dealer meetings, and we’ll visit some who don’t know we’re coming,” Ewanick said.

“We’re going to just wing it,” said Rezek. “We’re thinking Des Moines tonight.”

Those who want to follow along, can do so by signing up to the Chevy Volt Twitter Feed.

Official release after the jump:

Set to make its world premiere next Wednesday at the LA Auto Show, Chevrolet has released the first official pics of the new 2011 Camaro Convertible on its Camaro Facebook page.

Alongside the new 911 Carrera GTS and 911 Speedster models, Porsche will unveil a “mid-engine sports car” at the LA Auto Show. While the first two are just North American premieres, having already been shown at the Paris Auto Show, this new model is a World Premier.

Next week Fiat will officially debut the U.S.-spec version of its new 500 minicar. And in honor of Fiat’s official return to America the Italian automaker will initially offer the car in three colors: red, white and… grey? (Close enough).