Jalopnik: LA Auto Show

West Coast Customs builds life-size Mario Karts

Wes Siler — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

To mark the release of Mario Kart 7, Nintendo commissioned West Coast Customs to build life-size replicas of Mario and Luigi's actual karts from the game. Do they actually drive? ~~Of course not~~ they actually do drive, and they are capable of making grown men smile like little boys. More »

Doking XD: Croatia’s finest track-ready electric automobile

Wes Siler — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EST

"Designed as a luxury city car, build for race track," says Zagreb's newest car company in broken English. The 240 HP Doking XD will allegedly transport three human beings to 62 MPH in 4.2 seconds, all while sitting McLaren F1-style. More »

Auto journalists flee L.A. Auto Show ahead of Occupy L.A. takeover rumor

Wes Siler — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST

The buzz on the LA Auto Show floor this morning isn't about 650 HP Mustangs or smokin' booth babes. It's about the Occupy protests. Word is, they're marching toward the LA Convention Center, so out-of-town journalists and PR people are fleeing for the airport, fearing they'll be trapped if they wait too long. More »

Porsche Panamera GTS: Faster, lower, better

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST

For Porsche, the Los Angeles show wasn't only about the 2012 Porsche 911. They also showed the long-awaited Panamera GTS. Like the design or hate it, this is the one we've been waiting for — the one with the more powerful naturally-aspirated V8 and sport-tuned suspension. More »

Cadillac XTS: Copping a feel of Cadillac's biggest butt

Wes Siler — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

This booty belongs to none other than the Cadillac XTS, the long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long overdue replacement for the ancient STS/DTS white elephants. It's going to be notable for its spacious, luxurious interior, but what really sets it apart is that fat ass. How many dead snitches could you fit in there? More »

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder: A rear-wheel-drive arachnid

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST

It all started (or re-started, rather) with the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni. Now the two-wheel-drive Lambo is a solid part of the company's Gallardo lineup, with the base-model LP 550-2 coupe and now — debuting in Los Angeles — the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder. More »

2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series: Cheap(er) speed

Wes Siler — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST

If you know anything about expensive cars, you know that "Black Series" is German for "crazy expensive." The 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series, however, is only moderately expensive. Figure sub-$100,000, making this the fancy fast Merc for plebes. Engine parts from the SLS AMG mean it's still plenty fast though. More »

2013 Mazda CX-5: Not completely terrible for a crossover

Wes Siler — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:30:00 EST

Remember the Mazda Tribute? Of course you don't and it's gone and you don't care. In its place is the Mazda CX-5. It might be a boring crossover, but it's still a worthy one thanks to some solid new engines and an optional six-speed manual. More »

The 2013 Mustang's taillights look better in person

Ray Wert — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:30:00 EST

After running that B-Roll earlier, we finally got a chance to check out the 2013 Ford Mustang GT's LED sequential taillights down on the LA Auto Show floor. They're even more cool seeing them in person. More »

Jaguar C-X16: White is the new silver

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST

You know you've built a gorgeous product when the eye candy designed to stand next to your car stands off to the side to admire it. Such is the Jaguar C-X16, seen here in its new white-as-uncut-cut-cocaine paint job. More »

Land Rover DC100 Concept: Are you the new Defender?

Wes Siler — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:20:00 EST

Not so much here in the colonies, but everywhere else in the world, the Land Rover Defender is the iconic vehicle to end all iconic vehicles. But, aluminum-on-steel construction and tired diesel engines are finally being put to pasture. Can one of these concepts become a new icon? More »

2013 Ford Mustang: Even the taillights are cool

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:05:00 EST

Our collective crush on the 2013 Ford Mustang mostly centers around Ford being smart enough to not screw with already outstanding product. With the exception of the gargantuan power boost for the 2013 Shelby GT500, most of the changes are minor, like these killer taillights. More »

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept: I'm so super serious right now

Wes Siler — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:20:00 EST

Can "R" be to VW what "AMG" is to Mercedes and "M" used to be to BMW? VW seems serious about making it just that. So serious, in fact, that they've named this color "Serious Grey." But can a cuddly new, new Volkswagen Beetle R be taken seriously? More »

MotorTrend's 2012 Car of the Year is an epic win for mediocrity

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST

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I've just picked Golden Corral as the 2012 Mike Spinelli Restaurant of the Year. Oh, I don't give a damn about quality, technology, product-use experience or any other childish bullshit like that. I care about profits, dude, big friggin' profits. More »

Chrysler 300 426S: Because Mopar

Ray Wert — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST

Just for fun, Chrysler shoehorned their 426 Hemi Gen III all-aluminum crate engine beneath the hood of a Chrysler 300S. They're calling it the "426S." While there's no plan to build a production version, they are interested in knowing what you think about this almost-CTS-V-level 540 HP, 530 lb-ft of torque monster of a mobster-mobile. More »

2012 Hyundai Azera: Forgettable crap no more!

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST

The Hyundai Azera is a car you've probably forgotten existed. It's a product of the old Hyundai where value trumped style, performance, and build-quality. The newly-unveiled 2012 Azera's still feature-laden, but now it's got enough aesthetic presence to get potential buyers to second-guess spending their coin on a Toyota Avalon. More »

2013 Ford Mustang: Live from L.A.

Wes Siler — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST

650 HP, 600 Lb-Ft and 202 MPH. In a Mustang. Try and get your head around that while we sit here live at the LA Auto Show with our jaws on the floor. In addition to the 2013 Shelby GT500, there's updates to the Boss 302 and 5.0 too. More »

Subaru BRZ Concept STI: Almost the real thing

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST

Subaru's opening its kimono at the LA auto show today, revealing the Subaru BRZ concept STI for the first time. That's the concept car on which the company's oft-mentioned "Subieyota" BRZ rear-wheel-drive compact sports car will be based. More »

The 2013 Shelby GT500 actually has a top speed of 202 MPH

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Say what? Yes, the 2013 Shelby GT500 has reportedly topped out at 202 mph on Italy's Nardò test track. If true, it means the 650-hp hellhorse is as fast as a Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera. That's kind of a big deal. More »

Mini joins the B-Spec class that will save auto racing

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST

If you haven't heard about B-Spec racing yet, you will. Every major racing sanctioning body in the U.S. — SCCA, Grand Am, NASA and World Challenge — will host B-Spec races in 2012. Honda, Mazda, Kia and Fiat are already in. And now, so is Mini. More »

2012 Fiat 500 Abarth: Finally, we get the good one

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:59:00 EST

Fiat's been promising a Fiat 500 Abarth for those of us who don't own capri pants, but we've wondered if it would be the wimpy 135-hp lame one or the Bunga Bunga 160-hp version. Wonder no more. This new econobox is as wicked as Berlusconi. More »

2013 Ford Escape: Your mom will love it

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:03:00 EST

All those years spent pining for the Euro-only Ford Kuga crossover were not in vain for Ford has finely deigned us worthy with the Kuga-twin 2013 Ford Escape. Now we suddenly realize we never really wanted a crossover in the first place. Oh well. Our moms will buy them! More »

Cadillac XTS: Lord Vader, your cool uncle's luxury sedan has arrived

Ray Wert — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:00:00 EST

With the 2013 Cadillac XTS, the General's luxury brand finally has a full-size sedan that fits in with its CTS-led future. Not only does it share the CTS' nouveau Art & Science exterior design language, but they manage to take things even further once you step inside. The XTS looks like it has the highest-quality interior of any car General Motors has ever built. More »

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible: This is it

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:53:00 EST

The Los Angeles Auto Show's a great place to show a convertible because L.A. is a great place to drive a convertible roughly 357.4 days a year. And what better drop-top to unveil early than the Jaguar XKR-S convertible, the fastest, meanest Jaaaaaaag convertible ever? More »

2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible: First Drive (Technically)

Scott Burgess — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:30:00 EST

You always remember your first — and in the land of automotive firsts, they're few and far between. But today, I was the first automotive journalist to turn the key, push the clutch in, and rev up the most expensive production Camaro ever: The $54,995 — hey, that includes $900 shipping — 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible here at the LA Auto Show. More »

Nintendo's LA Auto Show Car is by West Coast Customs

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:30:00 EST

Nintendo's debuting a gamer-themed car at this year's LA Auto Show assembled by the crew at West Coast Customs. There's a 10% chance it'll be awesome and a 90% chance it'll be the typical Pimp-my-Ride nonsense. More »

The Jaguar XKR-S Convertible will be the most powerful topless pussy ever

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST

The XKR-S is the most powerful production car ever built by Jaguar, squeezing out 550 hp from its 5.0-liter V8. The Jaguar XKR-S convertible will thus become the most powerful production Jaaaaaag convertible when it debuts at next week's L.A. Auto Show. More »

Dodge brings back Super Bee Charger, Yellow Jacket Challenger

Wes Siler — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST

Chrysler is reviving its classic Super Bee and Yellow Jacket monickers at next week's LA Auto Show. Based on the Charger SRT8 and Challenger SRT8 respectively, both cars get a fresh coat of "P***y Magnet" yellow paint, and a slew of badges and similarly-colored interior bits n' pieces. More »

The Hollywood Cars of Future Present

Raphael Orlove — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST

For next week's LA Auto Show, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru and Mercedes designers let loose with what they imagine the movie cars of the future will look like. More »

Ford Fiesta ST Five-Door Concept wants you inside it

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EDT

I wonder what the five-door Ford Fiesta ST concept foretells? Could it be a five-door, 180-hp EcoBoosted Ford Fiesta? Although we'll find out at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month for sure, but, yes, of course it does. More »

Subaru BRZ STI concept: More photos!

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:30:00 EDT

We got our first look at the upcoming Subieyota earlier today. Now, Subaru's released more photos of the Subaru BRZ STI concept headed to the LA Auto Show. Will it be all we hope it will be? All signs point to yes. More »

Subaru BRZ STI concept gives first look at Subieyota

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:45:00 EDT

This bright blue backside belongs to the Subaru BRZ, Subie's variant of the Scion FR-S — or Toyota FT-86, depending on where you live. It's the right end to show given it's Subaru's first modern RWD sports car. More »

The Camaro ZL1 is now the most powerful Chevy convertible ever

Ray Wert — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EDT

Chevy announced today the most-powerful convertible ever built with a bowtie — the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible — will debut at next month's LA Auto Show. Because when the good Lord created burnouts, he wanted you to smell 'em too. More »

Don't Touch Will Arnett's GMC Pickup

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST

Will Arnett, the voice of GMC, was at GM's Advanced Design Center to see the unveiling of the GMC Granite CPU last week. As an old friend of Jalopnik, he spent some time answering a few questions. More »

Volkswagen Design Chief Says New Microbus Concept is in the Works

Tom Joslin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST

Volkswagen's Microbus could be making a comeback according to comments made by Volkswagen's design chief Klaus Bischoff this week at the LA Auto Show. More »

The Ritz Carlton Found My Pants

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST

The Ritz Carlton, stealer of pants, have located mine. They were lost at the dry cleaners. Now a nice woman named Cristina is Fed-Exing the pants to my house. Should probably warn my wife about that... More »

Lotus Wants To Build Fatter Cars

Justin Hyde — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST

We wanted to hear from Lotus about why their new lineup appears to contradict Lotus tradition of lightweight sports cars. Instead, Lotus CEO Dany Bahar told us Lotus was making its cars fat because it wants to. More »

A Tale Of Two Cupcakes

Ray Wert — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:45:00 EST

One is the type of cupcake AMG makes. The other? The type of cupcake Cadillac makes. Both are designed to be small, pretty to look at and completely devoid of value to us. More »

Audi A7: The Humpback Of Ingolstadt

Justin Hyde — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:15:00 EST

Audi calls its A7 a "large five-door coupe." We could get all doctrinaire and note that "coupe" comes from a French term for a single-seat carriage with one or two doors. Why is the word "hatchback" so bad? More »