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2009 los angeles auto show

Allard J2X Roadster Revived at LA Auto Show

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


Reviving old auto marques long deceased has become de rigeur in the car business. But while cases like Mini and Spyker have brought dormant brands back with new interpretations on the classics of yore, Allard takes a different approach entirely.

Rather than remake the legendary J2X in a modern guise, the revived Allard Motor Works has opted to continue the tradition with the J2X MkII. Essentially the same vehicle that was produced in the early 1950s, the J2X MkII – unveiled last week at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show – looks every bit like its forbearer, but with the help of modern propulsion. Buyers can choose from a range of American (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler or Ford) V8 engines. But the exquisitely-crafted leather and aluminum interior is the same, as is the chassis with its unique portals and leather hood straps.

The $138,500 Allard J2X MkII is being built in limited quantities in upstate New York and in Montreal for the time being, until production is centralized at one location.

Range Rover Sport Autobiography Edition Comes Stateside

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


It was a long time ago, but once upon a time the Range Rover was the be-all-and-end-all when it came to luxury sport-utility vehicles. Since then, every premium automaker and its cousin has gotten into the luxo-SUV game, but the Range Rover isn't about to yield the high ground it's held for so long. Hence the Autobiography edition.

The top-of-the-line version of the avant-garde Range Rover Sport has been on sale for a few months now in overseas markets, but has made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The package includes special touches to the interior and exterior, from the 20" wheels and roof spoiler to the two-tone leather upholstery and special wood trim. They'll only be 250 examples on offer, commanding a princely $88,545  – about $14k over the standard Range Rover Sport – but then you can hardly put a price on exclusivity.

All-New Infiniti M Debuts in Los Angeles

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


The new Infiniti M has been a long time coming. While its kid brother the G has been updated a couple of times, and the FX crossover has as well, the outgoing range-topping M has had to soldier on until now.

We first got a glimpse of its design – inspired by the show-stopping Essence concept – at the Monterey concours back in August, and it's finally made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The styling is a vast improvement over the boxy model it replaces, but as with many great Japanese luxury sedans, it's what's underneath all that curvaceous bodywork that counts most.

Available in M37 or M55 guise, the new luxury sedan can be had with a 330hp 3.7-liter V6 or a 420hp direct-injection 5.6-liter V8 (producing nearly 100 more horsepower than the 4.5-liter unit it replaces), both with Infiniti's proprietary valve-timing system. A hybrid system is in the works as well. The M packs either rear or all-wheel-drive with a seven-speed automatic and available four-wheel-steering, and benefits from such safety systems as Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Intervention, Distance Control Assist, Active Tracing Control, Intelligent Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning, all in an effort to keep this svelte new sedan and its occupants safe along the journey.


Infiniti Unveils Updated G37 at Los Angeles Show

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


Infiniti has been busy at work. After charting the course for its new design direction with the breathtaking Essence concept in Geneva last March, Nissan's luxury division has been on a campaign to revise its entire range.

The G37 Coupe and Convertible have been recently revised. The FX crossover recently underwent a complete replacement. The M sedan is all-new for 2011. There's a new QX sport-utility coming early next year. Plans continue ahead for the company's first all-electric vehicle. And just to make sure its bread-and-butter luxury saloon wasn't left behind, they've revised the G37 sedan as well, unveiled just last week at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updates over the outgoing model are subtle, but keep the sedan looking fresh for the next few years. The front end has been updated along the lines of Infiniti's new styling language, along with a subtly revised rear bumper and new wheels. Inside, the cabin has been revised with white instrument gauges, a 7-inch LCD touch screen to operate the sound system and real-time traffic and navigation system. The center console has been restyled, and there's new wood veneers and aluminum trim. Check it out for yourself in the high-resolution image galleries below.


Porsche Boxster Spyder debuts at LA Show

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


The Porsche 911 comes in more flavors than Haagen-Dazs, from GT3 to Turbo, Cabrio to Targa and every permutation in between. Notwithstanding the odd designer edition, however, its kid brother the Boxster has had relatively few iterations. But now the diminutive roadster is catching up with the new Boxster Spyder.

Announced back a couple of weeks ago, the Porsche Boxster Spyder has made its official debut at the LA Auto Show. It packs more power (320hp) in a lighter package (176lbs less than the stock Boxster) with a decidedly upscale if minimalist approach. Deliveries begin in February with a base price of $61,200.


2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Debuts at LA Auto Show

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


Few thought it could really be done, but with the CTS range, Cadillac has proven itself capable of taking on Europe's finest. The original sedan has since been joined by a sport-wagon, and at the LA show this year, by a new coupe.

Taking its cues from the CTS Coupe Concept that made headlines at the show last year, the version you see here is in full production trim. The front end (from the sharp grille to the swept-back windshield) is identical to the sedan and wagon, but from there back it's all new. The coupe is wider in the rear than the others, and has a lower roofline for a more aggressive stance.

Power comes from the same 3.6-liter V6, but will be joined by the 556hp supercharged V8 from the CTS-V shortly after the coupe hits the market late next year.


Porsche Boxster Spyder to Debut at LA Auto Show

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



In the world of high-performance sportscars, lighter means faster. That's why Porsche is preparing to take the wraps off the new Boxster Spyder.

Based on its entry-level roadster, the Boxster Spyder benefits from an aggressive weigh-reduction program to cut some 176 pounds off the stock model's curb weight, thanks in part to a lighter roof mechanism. The German automaker has also pulled an extra ten horses out of the direct-injection 3.4-liter flat six for a total of 320hp, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to drop the 0-60 time down to 4.6 seconds.

Of course the "less is more" philosophy comes with a commensurately exclusive price tag of $61,200. The 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will make its debut early next month at the LA Auto Show, but we've got a sneak preview for you right here in the high-resolution image gallery below.

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