2013 Saleen 351 Mustang announced in Los Angeles

This is the first new Saleen model announcement since Steve Saleen got back to leading the brand which bears his name. It is called the Saleen 351 Mustang.

Previewed by the above rendering at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the 351 Mustang is powered by a Saleen-engineered supercharged 351 cubic-inch V8 engine that produces 700 hp and 887 Nm of torque. It is mated a six-speed transmission with a performance clutch and a 3.73:1 final drive ratio. The brakes have been upgraded with 15-inch disks for improved stopping performance.

On the outside, the car features a functional butterfly hood scoop, carbon fiber front and rear splitters and carbon fiber side sills. There's also a carbon fiber rear diffuser, an F-1 style tail lamp and 20-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires.

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2012 Los Angeles Auto Show Girls

Our US reporter has visited the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and photographed a nice series of the finest girls and booth babes. Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the girls.

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Los Angeles 2012: Honda Civic facelift

A facelifted version of the 2012 Honda Civic has recently been unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to the Japanese carmaker, the sedan has been revamped for a "more youthful and premium feel", including an updated lower bumper, a more sculpted hood and a black honeycomb mesh grille. There's also restyled headlights, additional chrome accents and a new set of alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the coupe doesn’t benefit from the exterior styling tweaks.

Inside, both models come with leather upholstery, new soft-touch materials, silver accents, a thicker windscreen, front-side window glass and more sound-deading materials in the trunk, doors and floor. Standard equipment includes an i-MID display, a rearview camera, an exterior temperature gauge and Bluetooth/USB/iPod connectivity.

The Civic also features a number of newly optional safety tech like traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, a lane departure warning system and a forward collision alert system.

Under the hood, the engine lineup remains unchanged, but the car will get an updated suspension with stiffer springs and a retuned electric power steering system.

The 2013 Honda Civic sedan can be ordered right away and U.S. pricing starts at $18,165, while the Civic coupe costs $17,965 and will be launched on December 5.
 

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Los Angeles 2012: Tuning Cars

Thanks to our colleagues at GTspirit, we are sharing with you a great gallery of tuned sports cars, supercars and hypercars at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. In the images below, you will find tuned cars from Forgiato, Mansory, Lorinser and GAS.

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Los Angeles 2012: Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the 2013 GL63 AMG to the US public at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to the German carmaker, the GL63 AMG marks a historical moment in the brand’s lineup, because this is the first official AMG-induced version for the GL-Class. It is distinguished by its larger air intakes on the front fascia, LED daytime running lights and 21-inch alloy wheels. There's also a unique rear bumper, a cool rear diffuser and the quad exhaust layout at the rear.

Motivation is provided by a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 engine which produces 550 hp and 760 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the permanent four-wheel drive system via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G Tronic transmission. This allows the car to sprint 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 280 km/h.

Set to compete with the BMW X5M, Range Rover Supercharged and the Toyota Land Cruiser, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG will go on sale early next year and pricing starts at $116,925.

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MINI John Cooper Works GP US pricing announced

MINI has just announced the pricing for the John Cooper Works GP at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to the British carmaker, the GP is available exclusively in Thunder Grey metallic and equipped with an aerodynamic body kit, tinted xenon headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin features Recaro seats, a new steering wheel, an anthracite roof line, piano black trim and metallic accents.

Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which produces 211 hp and 280 Nm of torque. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission that allows the car to accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 5.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 241 km/h.

Only 2,000 units will be available worldwide, out of which 500 will be imported into the United States. The John Cooper Works GP has a starting price of $39,950 and first deliveries will start in March, 2013.

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Los Angeles 2012: Jaguar XFR-S

The 2013 Jaguar XFR-S has made its official debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. It was showcased through a promotional video you can watch below.

As we have reported, Jaguar's most powerful sedan is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine with 550 hp and 680 Nm of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed gearbox from ZF, allowing the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h is in 4.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 300 km/h. In terms of efficiency, it can return an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city / 23 mpg highway / 18 mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 270 g/km.

Only 200 units will be offered in the United States next summer at a base price of $99,000.

For more information on the 2013 Jaguar XFR-S check our official story right here!

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Los Angeles 2012: All-new Kia Forte

The 2014 Kia Forte has officially made its North American debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

According to the South Korean carmaker, the sedan measures 4,560 mm long, 1,780 mm wide and 1,435 mm tall, which makes it 30 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 25 mm lower than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also been lengthened by around 51 mm to enhance passenger and interior space.

It features a prominent front grille, LED infused headlights, distinctive taillights, a rakish windscreen and 15-inch or 16-inch alloy wheels, along with some chrome accents. While the cabin comes with upscale features like dual-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, a cooled driver's seat and two LCD screens.

Under the hood, two engines are available. The 1.8-liter engine produces 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0-liter engine develops 173 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque. All engine will be mated to six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

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Los Angeles 2012: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

Dear readers, this is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series live at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. It has just made its public debut today.

According to the German carmaker, the Black Series family member is 70 kg lighter than the standard SLS AMG to 1550 kg due to the use of carbon fiber, including carbon fiber rear diffuser, side skirts and front splitter as well as a titanium exhaust system and 20-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels with standard carbon ceramic brakes.

Under the hood, the 6.2-liter V8 engine has been fitted with a new air intake, custom-build camshafts, improved oil and water cooling, producing 622 hp at 7,400 rpm and 634 Nm of torque at 5,500rpm from the standard 583 hp and 648 Nm. Thanks to the extra performance, the supercar can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 315 km/h. In terms of efficiency, the car returns 13.7-liter per 100 km (20.6 mpg UK or 17 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 321 g/km.

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series will hit the market next summer as a 2014 model.

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Los Angeles 2012: Volvo S60 Polestar Performance concept

Volvo has officially unveiled the S60 Polestar Performance concept at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Developed by Volvo Cars Official Motorsports, the street-legal sports sedan study features a conservative body kit that includes a lowered front splitter, larger rear spoiler to reduce high speed lift and a carbon fiber diffusor. It has also been equipped with a specially-made Öhlins suspension, larger anti-roll bars, a beefier brake system and 19-inch Polestar alloy wheels wrapped in 265/30 R19 tires.

Inside, the cabin has a lower center console, while the steering wheel, gear knob and seats were fitted with Alcantara to ensure maximum grip.

Motivation is provided b a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine which has been equipped with a Garret 3171 turbocharger, a new cylinder head, modified combustion chambers, an upgraded air intake and a Ferrita stainless steel exhaust system. This allows it to produce 508 hp at 6,500 rpm and 575 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels through a fourth-generation Haldex XWD system and close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox.

According to the Swedish carmaker, the sedan can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 300 km/h.

The Volvo S60 Polestar concept has been bought by an individual client for $300,000 (€236,130 / £190,295) once all promotional duties were done.

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