Hyundai’s new Sonata gets by without a V-6
Debuting at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is the first vehicle to feature Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language–”Fluidic Sculpture” obviously being market-speak for bulbous and swoopy. The Sonata will debut with a 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engine and a pair of six-speed transmissions, one automatic and one manual. However by [...]
2011 Toyota Sienna packs two monitors in one
The Sienna’s Dual View display seems a bit wide for single source viewing, but dual source may be okay. (Credit: Toyota) 2011 Toyota Sienna This week the 2011 Toyota Sienna debuted at the LA Auto Show and while the minivan’s new Venza-esque aesthetic, 3.5 and 2.7-liter powertrains, and available all-wheel drive are, well, kind of [...]
2011 Saab 9-5: The last hurrah?
Saab’s new model doesn’t look very happy at the Los Angeles Auto Show. A week before the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM’s deal to sell Saab to Koenigsegg fell through, making the Swedish carmaker’s future uncertain. But the company’s plans for a future that might never come are evident in the 2011 9-5 sedan. This [...]
Chevrolet Cruze, mass-market potential has four doors
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is finally coming Stateside and during a private event held earlier this evening ahead of the LA Auto Show, General Motors – 20 minutes after announcing the departure of Fritz Henderson as CEO – unveiled the U.S.-spec version of its Cobalt replacement and Toyota Corolla competitor. Sharing much of the 2011 [...]
Chevy Volt to cruise into California next year
California will be the “lead market” for the Chevy Volt when the electrically driven car is available at the end of next year, General Motors said Wednesday. California was chosen because the state has the largest U.S. car market, and Californians are “known to be leaders in adopting groundbreaking new technologies,” GM’s vice president of [...]
Microturbine-powered hybrid supercar to debut in Los Angeles
The CMT-380 serial hybrid sports car is built on a Factory Five Racing kit car platform. (Credit: Capstone) In an unlikely alliance, Capstone, manufacturer of electricity-generating microturbines, and Electronic Arts Chief Creative Director Richard Hilleman have built a hybrid sports car for the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The CMT-380 uses an electric power train [...]