2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible

The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible open-air design allows the scream of that potent 550-horsepower V8 engine to fill the cabin. It's hypnotic. And thanks to chassis modifications and structural reinforcements, drivers can expect performance similar to that of the hardtop version.


Those who insist on a manual transmission just keep walking; like the 2011 XKR Coupe, the 2012 XKR-S shifts with a 6-speed paddle-shifted automatic only.

No official word on pricing or when the XKR-S will hit dealer floors, but expect it to be soon and the price tag to be north of $100,000.

2012 Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover hit the road in 1970, it put a very different spin on the traditional utility vehicle. Rather than picking up on Land Rover’s focused and even obsessive utility, the Range Rover brought a smattering of luxury and comfort to go along with its off-road ability. Subsequent editions ramped up the niceties without losing sight of its intent — originally, it was embraced by the horsey set because of its ability to amble through a muddy field and tow a horse trailer. Now comes the Range Rover Evoque, a vehicle that’s more on-road ute than off-road brute.

The styling is the first clue that things are a little different — this is the first Range Rover where I have ever been able to look down on the roof without standing on tiptoe. This and the taller ride height pinches the body, which stretches the side profile to the point where it actually looks rather sporty. This initial impression touches the other aspects of design.

Honda natural gas car wins LA green prize

The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas was named Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show on Thursday, beating finalists including European, US and other Asian carmakers.

The Japanese automaker welcomed the award, announced on the second media open day of the Los Angeles show, which opens to the general public from November 18-27.

"The Civic Natural Gas is not only a great vehicle, it also demonstrates Honda's commitment to provide a variety of alternatives to gasoline," said Michael Accavitti, of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The car is the only factory-built, CNG-powered car produced in America, and went on sale in October with prices starting at $26,155, the company noted.

Honda added that it was expanding its retail network selling the car to 200 dealers in 36 states. Previously it has been limited to four states: California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma.

2012 Honda CR-V EX-L

Before Honda Motor Co. pulled the wraps off the 2012 CR-V at the LA Auto Show Wednesday — no doubt touting all of its new features in front of a mob of reporters and photographers — it provided a few journalists the opportunity to drive it.

We were under strict orders to not tell anyone what we thought about the vehicle until after its unveiling.

Now that the world debut hoopla dust has settled, the embargo has lifted.

The problem is, it's hard to remember the new CR-V. When the previous generation arrived, it was radically different, sacrificing its truckiness for a better ride and new, curvy look. This CR-V doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. When you look at it, you hear David Byrne singing "Once in a Lifetime."

2012 Honda CR-V

Price: Unavailable
Type: Five-passenger compact SUV
Engine: 2.4-liter I-4
Power: 185 horsepower
Transmission: 5-speed automatic

EPA gas mileage

FWD: 23 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
AWD: 22 mpg city / 30 mpg highway

Report Card

Overall: ***
Exterior: Good. Slightly more aggressive and smoothed out body.
Interior: Good. Comfortable and cleaned up. Lots of function.
Performance: Fair. Rides well and has enough power but steering is numb.
Cons: Less than exciting exterior and performance.
Pros: Lots of function.

Show Spotlight: Infiniti JX

If you believe that having a family shouldn’t cramp your style, the unveiling of Infiniti’s new JX should be top of your L.A. Auto Show to-see list. This handsome seven-seater is the Japanese brand’s first foray into the fast-growing three-row luxury crossover segment, where it seems set to shake-up the status quo.


The JX is squarely aimed at drivers who need adaptable roominess in a vehicle but don’t want to sacrifice looks, amenities, performance or fuel efficiency. In short, it’s a practical premium alternative to a stodgy minivan or SUV.

BMW To Show Future Electric Cars in Los Angeles

BMW’s electric and plug-in hybrid prototype cars from its BMW i brand will make their North American debuts at this week’s Los Angeles International Auto Show. The car make will present the pure-electric powered i3 compact city car and the hybrid i8 sports car this Wednesday at 4:10 p.m. PST.

The company says the i3 and i8, which it first revealed in Frankfurt last summer, represent the first purpose-built electric and hybrid cars made mainly of carbon fiber. The i3 is slated to go on sale in 2013 with the i8 to follow in 2014.

The BMW i8 Concept — which is also the successor to the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics car featured in the coming film “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” – is low-slung and exotic-looking, with doors that flip upward. The i3, previously known as the “megacity vehicle,” has a small footprint designed for driving in congested city traffic. Its large glass doors are hinged at the rear for easier entry and exit.

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible going to L.A. Auto Show

After Jaguar and Land Rover have joined forces in what can be named only an effort to cut down some costs in order to increase the profit, the British based automaker Jaguar has announced its presence at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, which will officially open its gates next week, with the convertible version of its most powerful model yet, the XKR-S.

According to the British based automaker, the XKR-S Convertible will be officially shown at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, after the model has already been spied on the Nurburgring earlier this year, and the vehicle is expected to be powered by the same engine, while being fitted with an aggressive body kit.

Aston Martin One-77 coming to the 2011 LA Auto Show

The Aston Martin One-77 made its full world and auto show debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The very exclusive Aston will now be making its U.S. auto show debut at the 2011 LA Auto Show next week with dealer partner, Galpin Aston Martin of California.


“The One-77 epitomizes everything Aston Martin; modern technology fused with traditional hand-craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail,” Aston said in a statement. “A culmination of over 98 years of engineering and styling expertise, the One-77 offers supercar performance in excess of 200mph with a functional yet elegant styled form that is distinctly Aston Martin.”