November 2012

Mitsubishi teams with USC to support smart grid project

(November 30, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is supporting the University of Southern California and the institution's Viterbi School of Engineering as it develops a special campus-wide Smart Grid "Living Laboratory" project including the use of Mitsubishi i-MiEV 100% electric vehicles.

Hyundai unveils Veloster C3 Roll Top concept

(November 30, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Smart design meets urban style as Hyundai unveiled its Veloster C3 Roll Top concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Expanding on the qualities that have made the Veloster a sales success, the C3 (which stands for Convertible 3-door) combines open-air freedom with the style of a coupe and the functionality of a tailgate.

Mazda CX-5 captures Japan Car of the Year trophy

(November 30, 2012) At the Japan Car of the Year awards ceremony inside Zepp Diver City on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, Mazda’s all-new CX-5 posted 363 votes to win Japan’s coveted Car of the Year prize.

Surprisingly, the expected close battle between this year’s two most highly anticipated cars — Mazda’s CX-5 and the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ — did not materialize as the SUV from Hiroshima pulled away from the jointly developed GT86/BRZ sports car to triumph by some 45 votes.

2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS unveiled

(November 30, 2012) LAS VEGAS — Chevrolet this week opened a new chapter in its storied racing history, unveiling its eagerly anticipated 2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS race car. Powered by the legendary small block V-8 engine, the rear-wheel drive performance sedan will be Chevrolet’s newest entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, beginning with the 2013 SpeedWeeks in Daytona, Fla.

Refreshed 2013 Honda Civic unveiled in Los Angeles

(November 30, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — The 2013 Honda Civic debuted Thursday at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show sporting extensive interior and exterior design upgrades, enhanced dynamics, and a host of new standard features.

Honda also announced that the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid earned a class-leading EPA-certified 115 MPGe rating and will go on sale in New York and California on Jan. 15 with an MSRP of $39,7801.

Camouflaged 2014 Corvette offered as free download in Gran Turismo5

(November 29, 2012) DETROIT — When fans fire up their PlayStation3 (PS3) systems today they’ll have a chance to become part of Corvette history. Chevrolet and Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (SCEA) are giving gamers a first-of-its-kind driving experience by offering a camouflaged Corvette C7 Test Prototype as a vehicle download in the critically acclaimed PS3 racing game Gran Turismo5.

The Beetle convertible is back starting at $24,995

(November 29, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Ever since the type 15 convertible from 1949, the Beetle has been one of the most popular open-top cars built. More than 330,000 examples of the first Beetle convertible were manufactured over a 32-year span, while another 234,619 New Beetle convertibles were produced in an eight-year period.

All-new Toyota RAV4 unveiled in L.A.

(November 29, 2012) LOS ANGELES — The all-new 2013 RAV4 crossover SUV made its world debut Wednesday at the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. Toyota's fourth-generation RAV4, the world's original crossover sport utility vehicle, arrives early next year.

Acura takes the wraps of 2014 RLX flagship sedan

(November 29, 2012) LOS ANGELES — Acura took the wraps off its all-new 2014 RLX luxury-performance sedan — the most powerful, spacious, and technologically advanced Acura sedan, ever. In keeping with the Man-Machine Synergy direction of the Acura brand, the RLX utilizes an all-new direct-injection engine, lightweight body structure, and the first-ever application of Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer to deliver a new and dynamic driving experience unlike that of any other luxury performance sedans.

Hyundai showcases 2013 six/seven-passenger Santa Fe

(November 29, 2012) LOS ANGELES — The production version of the new three-row, six/seven-passenger Santa Fe made its world debut Wednesday at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, joining the two-row, five-passenger Santa Fe Sport which has been on sale since August.