Jalopnik: 2009 La Auto Show

Scion xB Dance No Match For Chevy Volt Dance

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

This mostly unrehearsed song and dance for the Scion xB at the this year's LA Auto Show is bad, but it's still not as bad as the Chevy Volt Dance. Just sayin'... (Hat tip to Peter!) More »

Ford Quotes "Autopsies.com" In Fiesta Display

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:30:00 EST

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The folks at Ford may have engineered the largest tweet-up ever for the Ford Fiesta, but they're still lacking in the spelling department. Of course, we'd rather quote Autopsies.com than Autospies.com. Can you spot the other error? (H/T to Parkington!) More »

2009 LA Auto Show Round-Up: Let's Get Small

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

What made the 2009 LA Auto Show a big deal? Small cars. The onslaught of big SUVs and green marketing seems to have passed. The full wrap-up of the 2009 LA Auto Show is a click away. More »

Dodge Sends Off Viper With Two Limited-Edition Models, More On Way

Sam Smith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

Dodge unveiled two limited-production Viper ACRs at L.A.. One is designed to commemorate the car's recent record-breaking lap of Laguna Seca; the other is just there to remind you that the Viper has a bigger pants bulge than you do. More »

Is That An Undertray In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Sam Smith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

A while back, Wert noted that underbody plastics serve a glorious and wonderful purpose. We found an example of this sort of thing in L.A., and it just happens to look awesome. Five bucks says you can't guess the car. More »

14 Things To Do At The LA Auto Show

Sam Smith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST

Tired of looking at Lincolns bolted to walls? Done with the shiny new hotness? Because we love you, we've put together this list of what to do when the show gets boring. (Hint: It helps if you're not sober.) More »

Chevy Caprice Police Car Busts Heads In LA

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

The Chevy Caprice Police Cruiser is a big step forward for GM police cruisers. Seriously, it's so giant and imposing we saw more than one press flack run the other way. Dude, hide the nose candy! More »

Guess That Engine: LA Auto Show Edition

Sam Smith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST

Come one, come all: It's time for a rousing edition of Guess That Engine. Know a piston skirt from a pressure sender, a con rod from a cap screw? Here's a slew of chances for you to prove it. More »

Dirty Love: The Baja 1000 Toyota 4Runner

Sam Smith — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Toyota built a 2010 4Runner for last month's Baja 1000. The truck finished second in the Stock Mini class, and the Big T brought it to L.A. still covered in Mexican dirt. Amen. More »

BMW 5 Series GT Has Some Positive Elements

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:40:00 EST

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In case you were wondering, there are some redeeming characteristics to the BMW 5 Series GT. First, it's got frameless windows, which are always cool in our book. Also, with the half-hatch open, it looks like a giant guppy. More »

Scion Kogi xD Mobile Kitchen: Insert Iron (and Steel) Chef Joke Here

Sam Smith — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:20:00 EST

Hello, Kitchen Car. Hello, built-in grill; hello, mini fridge; hello, ice chest and sink. Will you be my friend? Can I cook in you? Are you the cutest little mobile cookspace that ever was? I think so! More »

2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition: Because "Antidisestablishmentarianism" Was Taken

Sam Smith — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:30:00 EST

Subaru's STI Special Edition is essentially an ordinary STI with the suspension of the Japanese-market STI Spec C and the longest vehicle name in all of creation. Details, gallery, and press release below. More »

Matt Treats Audi e-tron Right

Wes Siler — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:15:00 EST

Where Ray is a forceful, selfish dragon, Matt's all about giving the Audi e-tron what it needs. Ultimately, this explains why Ray has a series of tumultuous relationships with many different cars where Matt's settled in for the long term. More »

Jaguar XKR: Doesn't Matte Gray Make Everything Look Better?

Wes Siler — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

The Jaguar XKR still looks pretty good, but holy crap does it look even better in matte gray paint with black wheels. This one was parked outside last night's Jay-Z/XJR event, outclassing the boxy Jag sedan inside. More »

New Mercedes iPhone App: Hands On

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST

Mercedes knows its drivers may lose their keys or even their cars but never their iPhones. Lose your giant luxury SUV at the mall? There's an app for that. Click through to see how it works. More »

2010 Hyundai Tucson: Swoopy Comes To Compact SUVs

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

The 2010 Hyundai Tucson is an attempt for the brand to emerge from also-ran status in the compact SUV battle with flowing lines, better materials and more competitive equipment. Will it do the job? Well, maybe. More »

2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid: Quick Drive

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:15:00 EST

The 2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid is the first full hybrid vehicle from Mercedes and, to better understand the experience of owning one, I sat in horrendous Los Angeles traffic for an hour. More »

New Jaguar XJ Stars In Upcoming Jay-Z Video

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

At a Jaguar event last night, the big news was a peak at the video Jay-Z is shooting with one of only six 2010 Jaguar XJ's in the world. And he customized it! Yay! Exclusive sneak peak video below. More »

2011 Kia Sorento: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Sam Smith — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST

Yep, those are signatures. Hundreds and hundreds of signatures. Every single person who helped build the first Kia Sorento scrawled their name on its sheet metal. Pride, thy name is brand-new (and surprisingly attractive) Korean SUV. More »

BMW 7-Series Hybrid Priced At $103,125!

Sam Smith — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST

BMW announced pricing yesterday for the hybrid version of its 7-series sedan. For just $103,125, you can place one of these fat, green, and powerful babies in your driveway. That'll show the Joneses. Gallery and press release below. More »

Porsche Boxster Spyder Glides Almost Weightlessly Into LA

Wes Siler — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:15:00 EST

The Porsche Boxster Spyder is 176 lbs lighter than a Boxster S and 10 heavier than the original 989 Boxster. We told you how it got lighter by using loops instead of door handles. Now see it in person. More »

Best Buy's Geek Squad Going After EV Charger Market?

Sam Smith — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:45:00 EST

The North American reveal of Mitsubishi's iMiev electric vehicle came with an interesting piece of news: Best Buy's Geek Squad will snag four iMievs for use as fleet vehicles in the near future. What else is afoot? More »

Audi e-tron: Sexiest Electric Car Concept Ever

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST

When you open your press conference by stating you don't believe electric cars are the future you can't then show the Audi e-tron Concept, right? Well, then it must just be for ze fascination mit electric power, ja? More »

2011 Hyundai Sonata: 'Bama-Bound And Down

Sam Smith — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST

Many wonderful things hail from Alabama: Good barbecue. Funky soul music. In 2011, the Hyundai Sonata will join that list. America, say hello to crimson-colored, mid-size Korean luxury. Roll kimchi tide! (It looks better in person. Promise.) More »

2011 Mazda2 Gets Happy U.S. Face, Summer 2010 Launch Date

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST

Assuming large cars exist only to compensate for anatomical deficiencies, there's now more for those of us with an abundance of "spirit." Presenting the 2011 Mazda2, created to bring Zoom Zoom to the Boom Boom. More »

2011 Hyundai Sonata: A Sexy, Camera-Shy Mid-Size

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:35:00 EST

Seeing the four-banger-only 2011 Hyundai Sonata in person, it looks sleek and stylish and beautifully detailed. However, in these press images, it looks awkward and lumpy. We can't figure out why. More »

Bob Lutz: I Won't Talk About Fritz But...

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

The LA Auto Show keynote address wasn't supposed to be important, it was supposed to be Fritz Henderson. However, things changed last night. So everyone is here, listening to Lutz not talk about Fritz Henderson. Except he did. A little More »

LA Auto Show: With Fritz Gone, It's Bob's World Now

Ray Wert — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST

Fritz Henderson was supposed to be this morning's LA Auto Show keynote speaker until he resigned (or was forced out, depending on which Henderson we listen to) as GM CEO. Now Bob Lutz takes the reins...well, of today's speech anyway. More »

Chevrolet Cruze: Live And In The Metallic Flesh

Sam Smith — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST

The Fiesta-fighting, US-spec version of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, GM's mass-market fuel-economy star, debuted yesterday in L.A. We were there to catch some live shots. More to come later today. More »

2010 Infiniti G37 Goes Beverly Hills, Gets Nose Job

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:10:00 EST

Also at the Infiniti M launch was the 2010 Infiniti G37, which follows its big brother with a lower profile nose and headlights lower to the ground as, according to one Infiniti exec, "God intended them." More »

2011 Infiniti M: Where To Put A 5.6-Liter V8

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST

When the Infiniti M debuted it was a curiously designed Japanese Nissan hiding a powerful V8. Perhaps fearing the looks have caught up with the power, the 2011 Infiniti M's new 5.6-liter V8 pumps out 420 Louis Vitton-branded horses. More »

2011 Infiniti M Drops In On Beverly Hills Hotel

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST

The 2011 Infiniti M debuts tonight at the SLS Beverly Hills hotel in front of a bunch of pampered, overfed journalists. We'll be there! Until then, here's a photo of it being hoisted onto the roof for dramatic effect. [Facebook] More »

2011 Ford Fiesta U.S. Sedan, Hatchback Revealed Accidentally

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST

The folks at Ford Canada may have inadvertently leaked these pictures of what appears to be the U.S-bound 2011 Ford Fiesta ahead of its LA Auto Show debut. The obnoxious grille on the sedan definitely screams America. More »

2011 Ford Mustang Gets New 305 HP V6, 30 MPG

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST

The new 2011 Ford Mustang is putting the Camaro on notice with two new transmissions and a new all-aluminum 3.7-liter Duratec V6 making 305 HP and returning 30 MPG. Are you ready for the Pony Car Wars? More »

2011 Chevy Cruze: Don't Call It A Cobalt

Matt Hardigree — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 10:10:00 EST

The 2011 Chevy Cruze is GM's answer to its own small car problem. It looks good in U.S. trim, but will it be competitive? Full details on the company's LA Auto Show-bound, would-be world beating compact below. More »

2010 Lexus GX460: The Lexus of 4Runners

Sam Smith — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

The Lexus GX460, the lush version of Toyota's archaic, body-on-frame 4Runner, gets a revamp, a new 4.6-liter engine, and a fresh lease on life for 2010. The question is, will anyone notice? More »

Honda To Show Us Its P-NUT At LA Auto Show

Ray Wert — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST

Honda will show us its "P-NUT" at the LA Auto Show. Eew... gross. [Twitter] More »

Chevy Family Photo Op: Mass-Marketing MPG And MPG For The Masses, Together At Last

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

GM just dumped an unnecessary presser letting everyone know the officially-official US-spec Chevy Cruze debuts at the LA Auto Show along with its 40MPG 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection inline-four. They also mentioned the still-over-a-year-away Chevy Volt for the 25,761st time. More »

Buick Regal Is Back, Gets Turbocharged

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:05:46 EST

The Buick Regal is officially back, a re-badged Opel Insignia sporting two Ecotec four-cylinder engines including a 220HP turbo version with 29 MPG fuel economy. GM's out for mid-size entry-luxe blood with design and equipment set to turn some heads. More »