This is the VW UP! Lite concept, debuting moments ago at the LA Auto Show. It's a four-seat, front-wheel-drive, diesel-electric hybrid with 70MPG fuel economy. While it's not production-intent, Ze Germans have announced plans for an ultra-efficient compact by 2011.

Though we saw leaked images of the 2011 Ford Fiesta yesterday, today we've got complete details on Ford's second Europe-to-US entry. The Fiesta hits our shores as either hatchback or sedan with a new dry-clutch automatic transmission and 40MPG highway.

The 6th Annual Design Challenge winner will be announced at the LA Auto Show, picked from this selection of six radical concepts designed for sale in thirty years to appeal to the cell phone, internet and Guitar Hero generation.

TricPlate is a $550 electrochromic license frame designed to obfuscate license plates for "car show use" and "off-road applications." Definitely not designed for on-road applications like avoiding ticketing by speed camera. No way. Available for show motorcycles and show cars.

MotionLites are servo-actuated, multi-colored LED lights which extend from the wheel wells to light your giant chrome wheels. It's $400 for a set and it'll probably be the next customization making you hate everyone. Video and gallery below.

The aftermarket crowd used to dress up a young, talent-heavy booth professional in a tight n' skimpy outfit to pass out leaflets and smile for the cameras. Then the Carpocalypse hit. Now, sadly, mannequin is the new "booth babe."

Ford's bringing a lot of cars to SEMA and one of the coolest will be this all-steel reproduction '34 Ford sporting a 400HP Ecoboost V6. The car's being built by Detroit Street Rods and represents the first RWD Ecoboost application.

Just because there'll be a slew of custom 2010 Ford Mustangs at SEMA doesn't mean the rest of Ford's lineup won't be represented. Some custom Taurus SHOs, Transit Connects, Fusions and Foci will also get the tuner-car treatment.

At the Tokyo Motor Show the latest Honda CR-Z Hybrid concept has debuted along with news of a production debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Yes, the compact pocket-rocket will return, complete with a manual transmission.

We've seen the Toyota FT-86 for a couple of weeks, carefully dissected the delicious, metallic red sports car in any way we can, but now we've actually seen it in the flesh and Toyota's got some serious hotness here.

The first sketch of the Subaru version of the Toyota FT-86 came out a year-and-a-half ago, but now we get more than just a look at its hiney in these leaked-straight-from-Japan sketches.

The Toyota FT-86 Concept is an exciting step forward for the vanilla automaker, blending cues from the past (the Toyota AE86) with hints of ToMoCo future. We dissect the design below to see how they've accomplished this delicate feat.

A joint Toyota/Subaru sports car project has been in the works for what feels like forever. Now, finally, here's the first look, a heavily production-based concept called the Toyota FT-86 set to debut this month at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Last weekend we found ourselves amongst the Achievers in Louisville for the 8th Lebowski Fest. Among the attractions was the ringer fling, a green Plymouth Fury acting as a stand-in for the Dude's Gran Torino.

We've got hot live photos from this year's New York Auto Show - and nothing is quite as hot as the 2010 VW Golf GTI Mark VI.

Troy Trepanier took a Chevy Nova, added a 572 cubic inch V8, a Procharger supercharger, blacked out everything and called it Notorious. This car will happily beat you up and take your lunch money.