2006 L.A. Auto Show: Saturn Aura Green Line

L.A. is the perfect place for a car company to roll out a hybrid vehicle and GM just introduced its latest, the Saturn Aura Green Line. The car is fully functional and will go on sale this spring with a four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. The resulting fuel economy is said to be 25% better than the standard Aura XE that gets 20/29 mpg while maintaining the same performance as the standard V-6.

All that green goodness will come at a price under $23,000. Saturn didn’t give away the exact price but if the past is any indicator it will come in right under at a figure like $22,995. That’s roughly a $3,000 premium over the XE. Keep reading for more photos and the full report should be live shortly.

Cars.com 2006 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Saturn Vue

We’ll have a full report on the all-new Vue shortly over on the main L.A. Auto Show page, but that doesn’t mean we can’t bring you a ton of photos now and explain a few basic facts.

The new Vue is based on a European GM SUV and is new from the ground up compared to the current Vue. While we’re sure the ride, handling and engine choices will be far superior as well, we’re most looking forward to a better interior — and the outside’s not too shabby, either.

Does it wow you? If so, you’ll only have to wait until the spring of 2007 to get one. A hybrid version called the Vue Green Line will go on sale later in the year. 

2006 L.A. Auto Show: VW Tiguan Concept

We hate the name but everything else about this concept sure looks good. What is a Tiguan you ask? It’s Volkswagen’s attempt at a compact SUV to be slated above a Honda CR-V but below a BMW X3. The company calls it a “small Touareg” but that’s not really accurate. The Touareg is based on the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne while the Tiguan is based on the VW Golf, a small economy car. The concept is powered by a clean diesel engine.

If the Tiguan makes it to production — and all indicators say it will — it should sell well. We’re a bit surprised VW didn’t come out with something like this sooner. More on the Tiguan later today.

Cars.com 2006 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Nissan Altima Coupe

When we first heard Nissan was building a two-door version of its popular Altima sedan we weren’t really sure it made much sense. After seeing it here we’re pretty impressed with the looks. The coupe is based on the new Altima sedan and will feature all the same powertrains as the four-door. However, because of the lighter weight, shorter length, and lower height the company promises a sportier driving experience than the sedan.

A full breakdown of this new model for Nissan will follow later today. For now enjoy the pictures below and expect to see the new Altima two-door on sale this summer.

Cars.com 2006 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Nissan Sentra SE-R

Tonight, Nissan hosted an event near the Los Angeles Convention Center to unveil two new production models the Altima Coupe and the Sentra SE-R Spec-V. The SE-R is the high performance version of the economy sedan we’ve been seeing some guy live in via non-stop commercials. The SE-R — and especially the Spec V — aims at the driver who wants to drive, not live in his car.

The top of the line SE-R Spec V will have a 200 hp 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine while the standard SE-R will feature the exact same engine but most likely a few less horses. Nissan didn’t want to give out that info out tonight but supposedly we’ll hear more tomorrow.

Spec V buyers will also get the option of adding a limited-slip differential and the transmission is a six-speed manual. Stick with just the plain, old SE-R and it comes with a CVT instead. Prices are said to be near the $20,000 mark when it goes on sale in April of 2007. More photos below.

Cars.com 2006 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is still the best-selling compact SUV on the market after debuting in 2001. That’s a considerable achievement, especially with competition like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V in the same segment. Ford has redesigned the exterior and interior of the Escape and given it new electric power steering for the 2008 model year, but the engines, suspension and almost all the underpinnings remain unchanged. The popular hybrid version is getting the same refresh and debuts alongside the standard Escape.

The 2008 Escape will still come with a choice of a 153-hp four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 200 hp. Even the hybrid powertrain is exactly the same for ’08, with its combined 155 hp from the four-cylinder and an electric motor.

Big changes are almost all design-related. Check out the beefier exterior – obviously meant to take on the more masculine Dodge Nitro rather than the Japanese cute-utes – and updated interior. We’re not sure if the redesign is perfect, but the simple change from Ford’s traditional green instrument lighting to blue here in the Escape is a much-welcomed end to a major nitpick of ours. 

More pictures can be found below.

Cars.com’s L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Chrysler’s Sebring convertible has been one of the most consistent sellers in recent automotive history. The Sebring sedan underwent an underwhelming redesign earlier this year, and today Chrysler will unveil the all-new convertible, seen here, at the L.A. Auto Show. The company is joining the retractable-hardtop market, which also includes the Pontiac G6 convertible and Mazda MX-5 Miata, but Chrysler is going to produce two soft-top versions as well, one in vinyl and one in cloth. All will open automatically and feature a hard tonneau cover.

The cars will meet various price points, with the soft-tops dominating the lower end of the price spectrum and the hardtop being most expensive. Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date, in the second quarter of 2007, but Chrysler says they will be “surprisingly affordable.” The current base Sebring convertible starts at $26,115, and we don’t expect the price of the new model to be significantly lower than that. 

Engine and trim options will match the new sedan with base, Touring and Limited models, and engines ranging from a 173-hp four-cylinder to a 235-hp V-6. 

More images can be found below. 

Cars.com’s L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Ford Explorer Fuel Cell

Ford is debuting what looks like a standard Explorer SUV in L.A. this week, but it actually packs a hydrogen powertrain; a tank of the alternative fuel can take the Explorer 350 miles on a single fill-up.

The fuel cell prototype is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy in order to show a viable alternative to petroleum. We’d have to assume the government wouldn’t want to invest in any hydrogen infrastructure without seeing some real working samples on the road.

The fuel cell Explorer has been tested over more than 17,000 miles, and traveled 1,556 miles in a 24-hour period. Ford will also launch its next-generation Escape and Escape Hybrid compact SUVs tonight at midnight. Check back here for more.

Cars.com 2006 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Mustang Giugiaro Concept

Ford has gone Italian for some inspiration. The future of the Mustang may look something like this concept designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro of Italdesign. This may be just a concept — a flight of car-designer fancy — but many think it portends the next Mustang, arriving sometime near the end of the decade. We think it looks a lot like the Chevy Camaro concept shown at Detroit last year. The designer does deserve credit, however, for making it a fully functional 500-hp Mustang that can be driven on any street.

What do you think? Check out the slew of pictures below and check back on our full L.A. Auto Show coverage tomorrow for a full report and photos of the car in the flesh.

2006 L.A. Auto Show: Cadillac XLR, STS, DTS Platinum Editions

Cadillac is using the platform of the L.A. Auto Show to launch a trio of new limited-edition models: the XLR Platinum, STS Platinum and DTS Platinum. There aren’t exact numbers to tell us how limited the Platinum editions will be, but there will likely be only a hundred or so Platinum XLRs, and numbers for the STS and DTS Platinum editions will be in low-four-digit territory. Prices have not been announced, but we do know each car will get a handcrafted interior. The XLR and STS will be available in early 2007, with the DTS arriving in August.

XLR Platinum

The hardtop convertible roadster adds some bling with 15-spoke 18-inch wheels, a brighter chrome grille and a Liquid Amethyst paint job. The interior is decked out with real ash wood, hand-stitched leather and an Alcantara suede headliner.