Category: New Model Introductions

The diminutive smart fortwo was launched in the US this past January, nearly ten years after the innovative microcar was launched in Europe. The car is tiny, seats only two, and looks like it came from another planet, but for early adopters and style seekers, that just makes the fortwo cooler.
smart is launching the BRABUS edition of the fortwo for 2009, and we got an interview with Ken Kettenbiel of smart USA. David Barrett got a thorough walk-through of the car and an explanation of the BRABUS’ role within the smart fortwo lineup. The video is after the jump.

Despite the prevailing economic climate and unstable fuel prices, muscle cars are big news right now. The Camaro and Challenger are all new, but how about the facelifted Mustang? Though similar in profile to the 2005-2009 model, every panel bar the roof is brand new. Perhaps an even bigger story is inside, where the new materials soundly address one of the biggest criticisms of the outgoing model: its cheap, tacky, and plasticky interior.
Stephanie Brinley got an exclusive interview with Robert Gelardi, who was the chief interior designer for the 2010 Mustang. Is it any coincidence that he personally owns an Audi TT, which had one of the finest interiors anywhere in recent memory?

Ford unveiled the new Fusion Hybrid at the LA Auto Show. It’s a very nice piece of work that is able to achieve better fuel economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Stephanie Brinley was able to get an exclusive interview with Gil Portalatin, hybrid propulsion integration manager at Ford. Watch below as Gil takes us on a tour of the car and some of its most innovative features.

Ed Kim got an exclusive interview and drive with Kenichiro Wada, the project manager for Mitsubishi’s innovative i-Miev electric car. Hear Wada-san talk about some of the car’s innovative features as well as his take on some of the infrastructure challenges that face pure electrics.

BMW used the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show to launch its new 2009 7-Series flagship. The primary changes to the 7-Series include revised interior and exterior styling and an improved iDrive system.

For the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts, who raise their noses up at the Continental GT (with a sticker price around $200K), we found your car at the LA auto show. The Bentley Azure T at $350K (yes, dollars). We are way beyond Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Audi now, and we are talking old money, and lots of it. The Azure T is beautiful with the burled wood, natural cowhide leather, thick strips of aluminum and a 6.75 Litre twin turbo with 500 brake horsepower. Whoa Nellie! It’s nice to know somebody still believes in authentic build materials, over engineering and unadulterated opulence. How else can four adults indulge in this kind of open top motoring?

Before the 2010 Mustang galloped into view droves of Mustangs and a massive, passionate owner body converged on the tarmac to pay homage to the original pony car. VehicleVoice contributors were there outside Barker Hanger at the Santa Monica airport (the day before the LA auto show) to take in this Mustang-only car show… and we must admit the turnout was spectacular.

1964.5 and later

1995 – Present Day

Hyundai’s focus at the 2009 LA Auto Show was all about green…er blue technology. Environmentally friendly technology has been a primary focus of the LA Auto Show over the last couple of seasons, and this year is no different. As Hyundai continues to gain mainstream acceptance amongst the US public, the company is striving to prove that it is no longer just a maker of inexpensive-yet-reliable vehicles, but at the forefront of the automotive game.

Underscoring the eco-friendly theme of the LA Auto Show (and arguably many other auto shows over the last few years), MINI unveiled an all-electric version that will be available to 500 lucky individuals and companies. Called MINI e, this plug-in electric car uses advanced lithium ion batteries that will provide good range (for an electric) along with the sort of peppy performance expected from the brand.

Saab Shows off Future of Convertibles with 9-X Air Concept
We noticed that many of the introductions at the 2008 Los Angeles show could be categorized as efficient or fun, with some falling into both categories. Saab 9-X Air is one of those.

If the 9-X Air looks a bit familiar in the nose, it is because you’ve seen it before. The Geneva/New York concept, 9-X BioHybrid, introduced this face, itself an evolution of Saab’s prior concepts. Saab first showed this concept at the 2008 Paris motor show, with U.S. buyers getting their first look in Los Angeles.

Instead of the three-door wagon look of the 9-X BioHybrid, the Air brings us Air, in the form of a flat-folding roof. Called the Canopy Air system, Saab takes their twenty-five years of experience with convertibles [...]