LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Volkswagen Passat CC

A facelifted version of the Volkswagen CC has been unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show. Volkswagen wants the revised CC to take a significant step upmarket. The car features new front and rear styling and an extended range of standard equipment.

The new version will be known in Europe as the VW CC, dropping the Passat monicker. In making that move, VW in Europe has followed the lead of its US marketing department in a bid to raise the car’s appeal.

“The CC is a premium, design-led desirable car and that doesn't sit comfortably with the more utilitarian Passat models,” an insider told Autocar. “The models are separated on price, so separating them by name made sense. Many in the company wish we had never emphasised the CC association.”

A choice of three direct-injection petrol engines will be offered, producing 158bhp, 208bhp and 295bhp. The first two will have an option of a dual clutch gearbox and the most powerful variant will have the dual clutch ‘box as standard, and all-wheel drive. All petrol engines have battery regeneration functionality.

Diesel options include 138bhp and 168bhp units, both of which are equipped with stop-start and battery regeneration. The 138bhp variant will return 60.1mpg and 125 g/km when mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, with the DSG-equipped car will offer 53.3mpg.

The new version will be known in Europe as the VW CC, dropping the Passat monicker. In making that move, VW in Europe has followed the lead of its US marketing department in a bid to raise the car’s appeal.

“The CC is a premium, design-led desirable car and that doesn't sit comfortably with the more utilitarian Passat models,” an insider told Autocar. “The models are separated on price, so separating them by name made sense. Many in the company wish we had never emphasised the CC association.”

A choice of three direct-injection petrol engines will be offered, producing 158bhp, 208bhp and 295bhp. The first two will have an option of a dual clutch gearbox and the most powerful variant will have the dual clutch ‘box as standard, and all-wheel drive. All petrol engines have battery regeneration functionality.

Diesel options include 138bhp and 168bhp units, both of which are equipped with stop-start and battery regeneration. The 138bhp variant will return 60.1mpg and 125 g/km when mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, with the DSG-equipped car will offer 53.3mpg.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Volvo C70 Inscription

Volvo has revealed the new Volvo C70 Inscription edition, which the firm will show at the Los Angeles motor show. The new model is pitched by Volvo as the world's first four-seat convertible car with a three-piece folding hard top as standard and comes with 18-inch alloys, ‘Sovereign Hide’ upholstery and a leather-covered dashboard.

Inside, the new model also gets ‘Inscription’ embroidered on the front headrests, Inscription carpets and handbrake lever and aluminium inlays in the steering wheel, gear lever and centre stack.

Other features include high-gloss paint on the grille and chrome-rimmed LED daytime running lights.

Three exterior colours are offered - Black Stone, Black Sapphire and Ice White – and the C70 Inscription is available with Volvo’s 2.0-litre, five-cylinder 175bhp D4 or 148bhp D3 diesel engines.

Marketing vice president Doug Speck said: "The Inscription is based on our human-centric designed around you philosophy, offering those customers who love convertibles and coupés a beautifully detailed version with a lot of kerb appeal."

Prices start from £33,855 for the D3 SE Inscription, with first deliveries starting in February.

Thanks to: Autocar

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche has launched a harder-edged GTS version of its Porsche Panamera sports saloon at this week’s Los Angeles motor show. Powered by a 424bhp, 383lb ft version of the naturally aspirated V8 motor (up some 30bhp and 15lb ft on the standard car), the Porsche Panamera GTS also gets lowered air suspension, larger brakes and Panamera Turbo styling tweaks.

In addition, a switchable Sound Symposer sound generator (which can feed engine noise into the cabin) makes its debut on the Panamera GTS. The model goes on sale in the UK next February, priced from £90,409.

Despite standard-issue all-wheel drive and a kerb weight of 1920kg, the new engine can propel the car from rest to 62mph in just 4.5sec and on to a top speed of 179mph. Combined fuel consumption is 25.9mpg and CO2 emissions are 256g/km. A seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission is standard equipment.

With the air suspension at its normal height, the GTS sits 10mm lower than regular Panameras and the damping is tauter than normal. It gets 19in Turbo wheels, larger Turbo brakes and 5mm spacers on the rear wheels, widening the track.

The GTS is also fitted with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (active anti-roll bars), an electronically controlled diff lock and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, which varies torque distribution across the rear wheels through the limited-slip differential.

The Sport Chrono Plus package is standard, offering Normal, Sport and Sport Plus modes. In Sport Plus, the air suspension drops to its lowest setting and switches to a harder spring rate.

On the exterior, the GTS has the same front bumper as the Turbo model, the Turbo’s four-stage rear spoiler, xenon headlights and gloss black exterior detailing.

Thanks to: Autocar

BMW 335is

BMW 335is Convertible : 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, 320 horsepower, Rear-wheel drive, 26 mpg hwy, Starting at $60,600.

BMW 335is Coupe : 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, 320 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, 26 mpg hwy*, Starting at $51,900.

BMW 335is rear view

2012 Audi A6

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Explorer

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a completely redesigned vehicle. This redesign starts with a new unibody construction, which replaces the truck body found in the last few model years. The new Explorer also has a 3.5 liter 290- horsepower V6, which greatly increases the vehicle’s efficiency.The 2011 Ford Explorer gets 17 miles to the gallon in the city, and 25 miles to the gallon on the highway. The vehicle will go from zero to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. It goes from 60 to 0 in 122 feet.

Climbing inside the vehicle, buyers will discover that the vehicle has become much more luxurious. The vehicle comes standard with Sync, MyFord Touch and MyKey. This is also the first vehicle on the market to have second-row airbags attached to the seatbelts. Ford has also chosen to include rear parking sensors to help the driver in these tough spots. The vehicle also contains Ford’s Terrain Management system, which adjusts traction for different terrain conditions. The vehicle can also contain an optional blind-spot warning system, collision warning and brake support.

The Ford Explorer can easily tow trailers or boats up to 5,000 pounds.For those needing to haul people and cargo, perhaps while towing a boat or trailer, the 2011 Ford Explorer is a great vehicle. It is equally at home rather hauling kids to the latest event or getting the tough job done. The new V6 engine offers great fuel efficiency. Ford has taken great effort to increase the safety of this vehicle. This vehicle can be highly recommended.