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" Volvo ReCharge Concept  Volvo&amp;#039;s ReCharge concept takes a quantum leap in technology by anticipating a world in which rechargeable batteries can be plugged into city power grids, and augment or draw from public utilities. The concept is built on a C30 platform, and features individual motors that operate at each wheel, transferring power as directly as possible with a minimum loss of drag. An added benefit of the transmission-less setup is enhanced crash safety, a feature well-suited toVolvo. Three hour recharges offer a range of over 60 miles on electric power alone, and a four-cylinder Flexifuel engine kicks in when the electric charge reaches 30%. While the ReCharge features a number of intriguiging technologies working in concert, we&amp;#039;re curious to see which of these aspects will make it into future vehicles. --Basem Wasef  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: Volvo Plugs in Their ReCharge Concept in LA      2009 Nissan Murano  The crossover market is hotter than ever before. When we did our category comparison of three-row &amp;#039;utes earlier this year, we never imagined that by year&amp;#039;s end, the number of crossover models on the road would swell to almost 23. The latest entry into the &amp;quot;super station wagon&amp;quot; fray is the all-new 2009 Nissan Murano. But unlike some of its competitors that have gone to seven- or eight-passenger configurations, this Murano remains a five-passenger model. When it hit our shores in 2003, the original Murano was one of the only midsize crossovers on the market. The funny thing is, the design was so progressive, it still looks fresh today. The Murano gets a new body for 2009 that&amp;#039;s more evolutionary than revolutionary. Nissan says it&amp;#039;s curvaceous, but to us it looks rounded. While the jury is still out on the exterior cosmetics, what we&amp;#039;ve seen of the interior is quite nice--elegant and sophisticated. Under the hood, you&amp;#039;ll find a VQ-series 3.5-liter DOHC V6 rated at 265 hp and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. It&amp;#039;s mated to an advanced Xtronic continuously variable transmission with adaptive shift control. A new &amp;quot;D&amp;quot; platform was sourced from the 2007 Altima, giving the Murano a proven base. Lighter and stiffer suspension components should provide a sporty ride. And like before, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The Japanese non-luxury automakers are also starting to enter the infotainment arena, a la Ford&amp;#039;s new Sync. Nissan&amp;#039;s system will have iPod connectivity, a Bose premium sound system, touch-screen nav with a 9.3GB &amp;quot;music box&amp;quot; hard drive and voice control for the sound system, Bluetooth hands-free calling and navigation. The all-new Murano will arrive at dealerships in January. Prices haven&amp;#039;t been announced yet. --Chuck Tannert    2008 Jaguar XF  The XF is a new sedan from Jaguar designated to replace the disappointing S-Type when it hits showrooms in early 2008. Originally unveiled at Frankfurt two months ago to mixed reviews due to its very un-Jaguar-like styling, the five-seater includes some unique features and some serious power under the hood. Absent is the classic J-gate shifter, replaced by a rotary knob shifter on the console as well as steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Engines come in two flavors: a 300-hp 4.2-liter V8 and a supercharged version which delivers 420 horses to the pavement. A future high performance &amp;quot;XFR&amp;quot; version is expected to deliver over 500-hp. --Matt Molnar  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: 2008 Jaguar XF Makes its U.S. Debut      2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid  When it hits the market in late 2008, Chevy&amp;#039;s new Silverado Hybrid, here at the L.A. Auto Show, is expected to be the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup yet--an impressive distinction for the domestic workhorse. Working in conjunction with 300-volt nickel metal hydride batteries that sit beneath the rear seats, the 6.0-liter V8 powerplant is capable of operating on four cylinders for economy, or shutting off completely at speeds of up to 30 mph. The two-mode hybrid system uses regenerative braking for fuel economy, and will be capable of operation while towing up to 6100 pounds. An electrically variable transmission (EVT) rounds out the powertrain setup, enhancing seamless delivery of power for either 2WD or 4WD crew cab models. The Silverado Hybrid should also ride quietly, thanks to low-rolling resistance tires, electrically powered HVAC and steering systems, and internal fans designed to cool the NiMH batteries. Its Z85 suspension is specially tuned for hybrid duty, and a new hydraulic body mount smooths out road surface irregularities. Long-haul drivers might benefit less from the hybrid system, but should appreciate the 26-gallon fuel tank, which enables a theoretical cruising range of more than 500 miles. Underneath its imposing exterior proportions, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid promises to offer a unique combination of fuel economy, rugged utility and cruising comfort. --Basem Wasef  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: Chevy Unveils New Lineup at LA Auto Show      VW Space Up!  With NBA legend Jon Salley by his side, Volkswagen head of technical development Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg unveiled the Space Up! Blue electric-powered concept car to a large crowd here--its first in North America. Small in stature, Hackenberg warned us not to judge a book by its cover: &amp;quot;There is plenty of interior space for four full-size people.&amp;quot; Styled after the classic Samba Bus from the 1950s (a hippy favorite), this slick looking, zero-emission van is powered by an electric drive system that includes a 45-kW motor, 12 lithium-ion batteries with a total of 12 kWh, and a hydrogen fuel cell. It can be recharged via the onboard hydrogen fuel cell or an electric outlet when hydrogen isn&amp;#039;t available. On battery power alone, the diminutive vehicle has a range of 65 miles. The fuel cell extends that by another 155 miles. A large solar panel mounted on the roof doesn&amp;#039;t hurt either. Hackenberg also showed the 2009 VW Tiguan and 2009 VW Jetta turbo-diesel. The Tiquan is a sporty yet capable crossover designed to shake up the category. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s the GTi of crossovers,&amp;quot; Hackenberg Ulrich Hackenberg. It&amp;#039;ll come with a robust 2.0-liter, 200-hp turbo four, a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, electromechanical power steering, an electronic parking brake and all-wheel drive. The Jetta&amp;#039;s two-liter clean diesel engine makes just 140 hp, but promises 35/36 combined fuel economy. --Chuck Tannert     2008 Toyota Sequoia  The all-new, three-row Toyota Sequoia is bigger inside and out and borrows heavily from the technicals of the Tundra pickup truck. Two engines are offered. If you opt for the 381-hp 5.7-liter V8, your SUV can tow 10,000 pounds thanks to 401 lb.-ft. of stump-pulling torque. Mileage isn&amp;#039;t great--14/19 city/highway--though a hybrid option is in the works. Inside, the three-row seats lean, fold, slide and otherwise alter themselves to add to passenger comfort. The center seat can slide a short distance to place a baby seat closer to mom and dad. The way-back seats fit three and have a recline option. And they power-fold flat into the floor. On the road, all is quiet and smooth. Cabin noises are close to sedan-level, even on rutted road surfaces. However, the steering gets almost too light at highway speeds. Prices should start at just more than $33,000. --Jim Dunne    2009 Chevy Aveo5  Though hybrid technology takes center stage at General Motors&amp;#039;s L.A. Auto Show booth, the newly unveiled Aveo5 shows that GM also is taking more traditional approaches to building fuel-efficient vehicles. Expected to be the lowest-priced car in the U.S. when it goes on sale next year, the Aveo5 will feature a 107-hp, 1.6 -liter Ecotec engine capable of 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. &amp;quot;Tall car&amp;quot; styling might have originated in Tokyo, but the 2009 Chevy Aveo5 proves that vertical proportions aren&amp;#039;t a Japan-only phenomenon. The Aveo5&amp;#039;s name is derived from its five doors, and in spite of this hatchback&amp;#039;s diminutive exterior, it can accommodate 6-ft. tall passengers in each of its five seats, which can be configured for up to 42 cubic feet of cargo space. Standard amenities include side- and dual-stage frontal airbags and OnStar, while options include XM Satellite Radio, remote keyless entry, and four-channel ABS. Though its exterior styling appears to combine the scaled-down snout of a midsize sedan and the stubby tail of an econobox, the Aveo5 offers yet another option for the four-figure new car crowd. --Basem Wasef  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: Chevy Unveils New Lineup at LA Auto Show      Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept  The team at Audi, unlike many manufacturers, doesn&amp;#039;t build concept cars as flights of fancy. When they build it, odds are you&amp;#039;ll see it in a dealership in some form. That&amp;#039;s why it&amp;#039;s worth getting excited about the Cross Cabriolet Quattro, unveiled here today and, we bet, headed to you as the Q1 about a year after the A1 hits our shores as a 2010 model. The Cross Cabriolet is a small, open-top SUV powered by a 3.0-liter TDI diesel V6 with 240 hp. Audi is committed to clean diesel, saying that by 2012 the brand will have lowered its models&amp;#039; CO2 emmissions by 20 percent. In line with that plan, the Cross Cabriolet&amp;#039;s powerful V6 is said to deliver 32 mpg and meet Europe&amp;#039;s EU 6 standard, which takes effect in 2014. This concept is completely open, with no roll bars to spoil the view. The windshield, however, remains heavily reinforced, two emergency roll hoops coming pre-loaded and ready pop up in the event of a rollover. Audi says the Cross Cabriolet has the dimensions of a B-segment vehicle, so it&amp;#039;s easy to assume that the concept (presumably with a roof and two more doors) will become the SUV version of the A1 (shown in Tokyo this year as the Metroproject). --Ben Stewart  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: Audi&amp;#039;s Cross Cabriolet Clean Diesel Convertible Concept      2009 Lincoln MKS  Apparently even Mark Fields, Ford&amp;#039;s president of the Americas, is confused by the Lincoln&amp;#039;s new alphanumeric nameplates. As he began to introduce the all-new MKS, Fields stumbled and said &amp;quot;MKZ ... err ... S.&amp;quot; Good to know we&amp;#039;re not the only ones who mix up Lincoln&amp;#039;s models. But the highlight of the news conference was, of course, the car. The new MKS, based on the architecture of the Volvo S80 and Ford Taurus, will come with Ford&amp;#039;s 272-hp 3.7-liter V6. Next year, a direct-injected turbocharged V6 will become available and will &amp;quot;have the economy of a V6 and the power of a V8.&amp;quot; The MKS looks good in person. It&amp;#039;s certainly not what we&amp;#039;d call a daring design, but at most angles, it appears well proportioned. We especially like the rear tail lights, which remind us of those on the Maserati Quatroporte; not a bad design to ape. Because it is a front-wheel-drive-based sedan, the MKS does suffer from a relatively long front overhang, which makes it look less sporty than, say, the current Cadillacs. And speaking of Lincoln&amp;#039;s archrival, Fields says the MKS will compete with mid-level luxury cars like the Cadillac STS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Some fairly sporty and luxurious rear-drive cars dominate the class, so it will be interesting to see how this Lincoln is received. We spent a few minutes elbowing other journalists out of the MKS&amp;#039;s interior and had a chance to sit in the back seat. It&amp;#039;s roomy, and appears fitted with good-quality fabrics and leather. For example, the leather on the seats is softer and more upscale than on other Lincoln products, and the doors and dash are covered in soft-touch materials. In the very limited time we had inside the car, it looks as if Lincoln spent some money where it counts. One cool feature on this Lincoln is the hidden keypad. If you own a Ford, you&amp;#039;re already familiar with the brand&amp;#039;s keyless entry system. Essentially, you type a number code into the pad to open the door instead of hitting a key fob. The new Lincoln doesn&amp;#039;t abandon this feature (beloved by Ford and Lincoln owners). Instead, it simply hides the door-mounted keypad for a cleaner design. Fields says the MKS will start at $37,895 with normally expensive options as standard features such as heated and cooled seats. That&amp;#039;s a good price for this car. However, that deal is a little less sweet when you check all the options. A fully loaded MKS should go for $49,000. You can get a lot of Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz or BMW for that kind of money. --Ben Stewart   RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: 2009 Lincoln MKS Revealed      Kia KND-4 Diesel Concept  Kia knows that great design is the key to getting buyers into its cars, and that distinctive style has the power to move the budget brand up-market. With the pint-sized Kue concept being brought to production over the next year, Kia&amp;#039;s larger KND-4 concept made its North American debut here today. Sculpted with large, flat surfaces of sheetmetal, the KND-4 explores style and technology directions that might find their way into a Kia crossover SUV. A flat, tallish roofline extends to the rear of the car where it ends in a nearly vertical line, and squat greenhouse glass tapers into sharply pointed tips at the A and C-pillars. A 2.2-liter diesel with a variable geometry turbocharger delivers power to Kia&amp;#039;s Active Torque Transfer system, and the concept&amp;#039;s interior experiments with everything from an active-matrix organic light displays to Blu-ray technologies. Nobody knows if this forward thinking concept will evolve into a production model, but like many sky&amp;#039;s-the-limit show cars (especially diesels), we certainly hope it does. --Basem Wasef    2018 Mazda3 Concept  Mazda is using its booth here to show off the winner of the Mazda Design Challenge, a contest with Facebook that enables a regular Joe (or Josephine) to design and execute the construction of a 2018 Mazda3 concept. The twist here is that winner Mallory McMorrow, an industrial design student at the University of Notre Dame, gets to see her vehicle take shape throughout the duration of the L.A. Auto Show. The process of sculpting the full-sized clay model will culminate with an official unveil on November 24. Working with Mazda design director Franz von Holzhausen, McMorrow wanted to create a vehicle that suited her lengthy commute, without forcing her to sit in an SUV. &amp;quot;A decade from now,&amp;quot; McMorrow explains, &amp;quot;I want a car that doesn&amp;#039;t believe in falling into a category. A car that makes sure sedan and hatchback are no longer four-letter words.&amp;quot; Her vision of a sporty hatchback seems like a good match for Mazda&amp;#039;s sporty &amp;quot;Zoom Zoom&amp;quot; philosophy, and the life-size work in progress should create some live entertainment for car-show crowds. --Basem Wasef    2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid  Chevrolet&amp;#039;s all-new 2008 Malibu Hybrid, here at the L.A. Auto Show, joins the Jay Leno-owned, E85-powered Corvette we saw last month-plus a host of other eco-conscious GM vehicles from the past year-to prove that the General is going green. Starting at $22,790, the Malibu Hybrid employs a 2.4-liter Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine in concert with nickel metal hydride batteries and a 36-volt motor/generator unit to produce a total of 164 hp and 159 lb-ft. of torque. Power is channeled through a 4T45 four-speed transmission, and the system is designed to shut down the engine when the vehicle is stopped, use regenerative braking to charge the batteries, then restart when the brake pedal is released. Hybrid-specific instrumentation and badges externally differentiate this from other Malibus, with the hybrid version&amp;#039;s fuel economy rates at 24/32 city/highway. The powertrain is covered with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, while the NiMH battery pack and other key hybrid components receive eight-year coverage at the same mileage. It may not make a radical leap in fuel economy, but with a $1500 hybrid tax credit in place and improved driving dynamics that make it comparable to the Accord and Camry, GM&amp;#039;s Malibu Hybrid should be competitive in an import-dominated landscape. --Basem Wasef  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: Chevy Unveils New Lineup at LA Auto Show      2009 Nissan GT-R  Like a proud dad presenting his newborn to the world, Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn unveiled the GT-R for the first time in North America here today. The high-tech sports car--and PM Automotive Excellence Award winner--caused quite a stir, boasting muscular lines and a hand-built, twin-turbocharged V6 that drives 480 hp to all four wheels. The GT-R can hit 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds, and power is routed through a transaxle-mounted, twin-clutch 6-speed gearbox that can shift automatically, or semi-automatically via steering wheel paddles. While its sculpted and scooped exterior lines styling may resemble an Infiniti G37 on steroids, the real beauty of the GT-R hides under its skin. Electronically adjustable Bilstein DampTronic dampers were developed specifically for the GT-R, and are built around a chassis platform Nissan refers to as a &amp;quot;Premium Midship.&amp;quot; Pop the hood and you&amp;#039;ll find a daunting array of vacuum tubes and plumbing around the engine. It ain&amp;#039;t pretty, but it&amp;#039;s good for some truly brutal performance: One lap of the N\u00FCrburgring takes just seven minutes and 38 seconds in the GT-R, and the video game-like driving experience is engineered into numerous details of the car, including the Polyphony logo that appears when you start her up. A second-generation Murano also made an appearance at the Nissan booth, but it was the GT-R that stole show. The GT-R will be available in June with a pricetag just under $70,000. Start saving now. --Basem Wasef  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: 2009 Nissan GT-R Is a Show Stopper  * AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE: Nissan GT-R Wins Design Award      Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe  Armed with the noble goal of producing the world&amp;#039;s most affordable 300-hp car, Hyundai unveiled their Concept Genesis Coupe here Thursday. This rear-drive 2+2 arrives on the heels of the performance-oriented Concept Genesis sedan concept, and packs the same 3.8-liter V6 powerplant that powers the four-door. Production versions will be available with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. While its louvered carbon-fiber bodywork is strictly for show, Hyundai officials conceded that the Concept Coupe shares the same basic sheetmetal as the vehicle that will grace showrooms in spring 2009. Flaunting a unique greenhouse design that dips at the C-pillar for enhanced outward visibility, the Concept Genesis Coupe proves that Hyundai has the potential to build cars that are both distinctive looking and powerful enough to satisfy budget-minded leadfoots. --Basem Wasef  RELATED STORIES * VIDEO: Hyundai&amp;#039;s Concept Genesis Coupe Unveiled      Honda FCX Clarity Fuel-Cell  The all-new Honda FCX zero-emission, hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle has gone from prototype to production model almost overnight for its North American debut. The second-generation FCX, called the Clarity, is a slick looking, low-slung, short-nose sedan. It features an all-new, compact V-Flow fuel cell (FC) platform that&amp;#039;s reportedly 20-percent smaller and 30-percent lighter than the current FCX model. Even more impressive, Honda claims it&amp;#039;ll deliver 30 percent more power and 30 percent more range (up to 270 miles) than the current model. The Clarity uses a V-Flow fuel-cell stack in combination with a compact (50-percent smaller than previous the model) and efficient lithium-ion battery and single hydrogen storage tank to power its drive motor, which is positioned inside the gearbox for better torque. So you can expect it to get up and go on the highway, instead of operating like the little engine that could. The FC stack is centrally located under the floor between the two front seats, while the hydrogen tank and ultra capacitor are housed behind the rear seat. Positioned vertically, rather than horizontally like other fuel-cell stacks, the V-Flow is capable of output in the 100-kw range. Plus, its compact size allows the passenger cabin to be more spacious. For the performance-minded, this layout also allows the car to maintain a low center of gravity and optimum front-rear weight distribution for better handling. The challenges to getting hydrogen power up and running in the U.S. are real (e.g., cost, fuel accessibility, etc.) and should hamper the mass-market roll out of hydrogen-powered fuel cell. But U.S. Honda president and chief executive Tetsuo Iwamura remains steadfast: &amp;quot;There is nothing experimental about this car,&amp;quot; he says today. &amp;quot;Instead, it speaks to the real potential of hydrogen power as a real alternative to gas.&amp;quot; Honda officials estimate that fuel efficiency will be in the 68-mpg range, which is double what the current gas-powered Accord gets. The new powertrain isn&amp;#039;t the only environmentally conscious enhancement that went into this vehicle. Plant-derived bio-fabrics also are used in the interior. They offer outstanding durability and resistance to damage from sunlight, Honda says. The FCX Clarity is set for limited release during summer 2008 with some leases offered to retail outlets in Southern California. Although nothing is finalized, current plans call for a three-year lease with a price of $600 per month. --Chuck Tannert   RELATED STORIES * TWO YEARS AGO: We Drive Honda&amp;#039;s Hydrogen Fuel Cell FCX - In Manhattan!    Full Coverage from the 2007 LA Auto Show &amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;gt;  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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