If you thought the now dearly departed Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible was bad, wait till you see this. Many thought it to be just a hoax, but apparently Nissan is bringing a Murano two-door convertible to the Los Angeles Auto Show. That’s right, the crossover SUV is getting its roof chopped off.

Inside Line is reporting that the Murano Convertible will go on sale in the spring of 2011, just in time for warm weather and top down driving in your new convertible crossover.

Nissan is having a weird month. They hit it big with the Juke and now they are trying everything in the book of oddness. Vitamin C air vents, sofas for seats,, and now this, a Murano convertible aimed at people who want to feel the wind in their air and still drive an SUV. This is a major risk and we aren’t too sure it’s going to work for them. Give them credit for thinking outside of the box though.

Nissan Set To Unveil Murano Convertible originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 30 July 2010 19:00 EST.

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When Kia unveiled the Sorento at the Los Angeles Auto Show they announced it will be offered in only two trim levels: LX and EX. But today Kia added the third version: SX. This new version adds smart key with push button start, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, telescopic steering wheel, heated side mirrors, automatic up/down driver-side windows and privacy glass, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, electrochromatic mirror with Homelink and a voice-activated navigation system with back-up camera.

For 2011, the Sorento CUV will be offered with a choice of two power plants, the first is a 2.4 Liter four cylinder that delivers 175 HP and 169 lb-ft of torque while a more powerful 3.5 Liter V6 making 276 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque, both coupled to Kia’s new six speed automatic transmission that provide the driver with effortless shifts.

Press release after the jump.

Kia Sorento SX originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 19 March 2010 20:00 EST.

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The Japanese luxury automaker Lexus will reveal their replacement for the GX470 luxury SUV at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show with a model called the GX460. The new full size SUV is based on the European model of Toyota’s Land Cruiser and will go on sale sometime in early 2010.

The main difference between the Land Cruiser and the GX460 is the front end appearance of the Lexus with its new grille, redesigned headlamps, new bumpers and chrome trim on the side windows and lower door moldings. Not to mention the Lexus’ luxurious interior.

Under the hood of the all new GX460, Toyota’s the current 4.7 Liter V8 is being replaced by a more efficient 4.6 Liter unit that delivers a maximum output of 310 HP and 327 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a new fuel saving six speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. One thing is certain with the all new Lexus GX460, not only will it be able to transport an entire soccer team and all their gear, but it will do it with unparalleled refinement.

Press release after the jump.

Lexus GX460 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 23 November 2009 12:15 EST.

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The third generation RX 350 made its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. First launched in 1998, the RX 350 comes completely redesigned and will continue to set new benchmarks in areas that have made it the best-selling luxury utility vehicle: innovation, styling, performance, utility and comfort. The luxury SUV is available in two versions: AWD and FWD, with prices starting at $39,025 and $37,625 respectively.

Under the hood, the 2010 RX350 offers an improved 275-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an electrically controlled, sequential-shift six-speed transaxle. The all-wheel-drive version will feature an Active Torque Control AWD system that optimizes torque depending on driving conditions, resulting in improved efficiency and performance.

The luxury SUV features a strong stance and powerful new body design with the goal of enhancing comfort and maneuverability. The inverted-trapezoid design in the front and the horizontally integrated rear are incorporated together via a pronounced shoulder along the RX’s profile. Stylish molding around the side windows and at the base of the doors provides low-profile strength.

It sits on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and comes with a selection of luxury and sport option packages, which include features like Lexus’ exclusive Mark Levinson® Surround Sound system, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, dynamic radar cruise control, and a Sports Package featuring a sport-tuned suspension.

Press release after the jump.

Lexus RX 350 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 12:00 EST.

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FORMORE CAR VIDEOS & REVIEWS VISIT: www.kbb.com LA Auto Show Preview. Kelley Blue Book’s Micah Muzio takes a look at electric vehicles from Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge that will be shown at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. For more new car reviews, interviews and automotive news visit www.kbb.com today.

The second model unveiled by the Korean automaker Hyundai at the Los Angeles Auto Show is the 2010 Tucson, a model that will compete with entry level SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4 and Subaru Forester with sales beginning this December. The 2010 Tucson will be powered by the same Theta II GDI 2.4 Liter DOHC inline four cylinder engine that will be found under the hood of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata delivering a maximum output of 176 HP, 26% more than its predecessor, and 168 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be mated to either a six speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC manual control or a standard six speed manual transmission.

Following in line with Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, the new Tuscon demonstrates athleticism and sophistication through its flowing lines, full bodied surfaces and muscular profile. Along with the overall appearance, the new Tuscon features details like Hyundai’s new hexagonal front grill and swept back headlights complimented by a sleek greenhouse and wraparound taillights while chrome accents in the grill and door handles gives an added level of sophistication to the top of the line Tucson Limited. The Tuscon will range from $18,995 for a well equipped GLS six speed manually shifted model and go all the way up to $24,345 for a top of the line Limited model.

Press release after the jump.

Hyundai Tucson originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 3 December 2009 13:30 EST.

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Fast Lane Daily on location at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Volkswagen wins the "Green Car of the Year" Award, Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti drops the G37 hard-top convertible, and Derek explores the exotics corner. Also, is the LP560-4 worth the price, can Derek fit in the new Lotus Evora, and how is GM selling cars these days? Find out by watching our last day of coverage from the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 2010MY Fusion made its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. The 2010 model year adds two new versions to the line-up: Hydrid and Sport. The new Fusion features new design (inside and out), improved and new technologies and new powertrains with improved fuel consumption.

The 2010 Fusion features a more aggressive front fascia with new headlamps, grille and fog lamps; the three-bar grille in particular is larger with a more modern look. The fog lamps are housed below in a trapezoidal-shaped lower opening to help complete the more-muscular look. At the rear there are new modernized taillights and decklid to help give the vehicle a more unified look from front to rear.

The hybrid version is powered by a combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 155 hp and 136 lb.-ft. of torque and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The hybrid vehicles can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. Plus, the city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.

The Sport version get a 263-hp V-6 Duratec engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. It is offered as a FWD model, but AWD is also available.

The model line-u include (besides Sport and Hybrid): S, SE, SEL. The S version gets a 2.5-liter I-4 engine that delivers 175 hp; the SE and SEL get a new 3.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 240 hp.

Full details in the press release after the jump.

Ford Fusion originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 5 February 2008 16:00 EST.

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Aside from the 2011 Infiniti M luxury sedan, the upscale arm of the Nissan Motor Company also revealed the 2010 G37 sedan today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For the 2010 model year, Infiniti will offer the G37 in four trims. Starting out with the base model, moving on to the G37 Journey, then the all wheel drive G37x and finally the G37 Sport with a six speed manual transmission. All models will be offered with a revised exterior styling, an enhanced interior and upgraded technologies.

The 2010 G37 sedan is powered by a 3.7 Liter VVEL V6 engine that delivers 328 HP and 269 lb-ft of torque and is mated to either a seven speed automatic transmission with auto blip Downshift Rev Matching, Drive Sport Mode and Adaptive Shift Control for enhanced driving pleasure while a six speed manual is also offered as an option on the G37 Sport model.

The new Infiniti G37 comes with restyled features like new headlights and a reshaped grill, High Intensity Discharge Xenon headlights standard, more angular wide mouth front bumper and integrated fog lights. For the 2010 model year, the G37 receives two new exterior colors, Smoky Quartz and Graphite Shadow and Maple Accent Wood Trim on the interior. The new G will also be available with several packages and options like the Premium Package, Navigation Package, Technology Package, separate Sport Packages for the G37 Journey and G37x AWD, as well as a Performance Tire & Wheel Package.

Press release after the jump.

Infiniti G37 Sedan originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 2 December 2009 09:05 EST.

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