Concept Cars Make Big Splash at Shanghai Motor Show

On April 20, the 2013 Shanghai motor show kicked off. As The Detroit Free Press puts it, the event served up a high-decibel dosage of fashion, sports and music (oh, and cars) to some 10,000 journalists. More than 100 automakers vied for attention in the world's largest car market, where 94% of consumers don't own a vehicle — and young people dominate the ranks of those who do.

Automakers introduced plenty of concept cars, including Ford's Escort reboot and two small SUV concepts: Mercedes-Benz's GLA-Class (pictured above) and BMW's X4. Check out some others that caught our eye:

Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

• Looks like: A swanky compact crossover from Mercedes-Benz
• Defining characteristics: Layered dashboard, aggressive exterior styling
• Ridiculous features: "Laser-beam projector headlights," temperature-dependent color-changing interior air vents
• Chance of being mass-produced: Built on current Mercedes A- and B-Class vehicle platforms, so probably very good

The last big auto show of the global season is upon us, and it is shaping up to be perhaps the biggest of the circuit. Mercedes-Benz has chosen the Shanghai motor show in China to unveil a new concept: the Concept GLA compact crossover.

Built off of the same platform as Mercedes-Benz' A- and B-Class vehicles, which we will see in the U.S. as the 2014 CLA sedan and B-Class Electric Drive, it uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to make 208 horsepower. That energy is channeled through a seven-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels using Mercedes-Benz' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. So mechanically, the Concept GLA is certainly feasible, and given the Chinese market's thirst for small premium compact crossovers, it makes sense.

2013 New York Auto Show Favorites: Photo Gallery

With so many new cars and SUVs unveiled last week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, it's hard to play favorites. Emotions ran high when Jeep raised the curtain on its 2014 Cherokee — the new crossover's extreme styling definitely earned it the title of the most loved and hated vehicle of the show.

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Cars.com photographer Evan Sears has collected a few of his favorite shots from this year's New York Auto Show. Check out his gallery below.

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI Video

When the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI make their way to the U.S. early next year, they'll look familiar to visiting Europeans, whose continent already has enjoyed both for a while. Then again, they'll also look familiar to anyone stateside who's seen the previous versions of both compact hatchbacks. Getting an up-close peek at the Golf and GTI performance variants at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays was disappointed VW didn't do more to differentiate the new models from their predecessors' appearance.

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That's not to say nothing's changed, of course. Both cars are lighter, longer, wider and more fuel efficient while preserving the interior quality, comfort and technological advancement that's made them so well-regarded overseas. Watch the video below for more of Mays' on-the-scene critique.

2014 Acura MDX Video

Overall, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays seemed underwhelmed by Acura's 2014 redesign of its best-selling SUV, the MDX. The more aerodynamic MDX is longer, narrower and shorter than its predecessor, but a lack of fresh styling provides little exterior excitement.

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Still, the interior is comfortable, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows, and a nifty one-touch feature that powers the second row forward for third-row access is convenient. However, space negotiations will be continual among anyone not in the front seats unless you designate the back row a kids-only zone. Watch the video below.

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Video

Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit? Anywhere he wants to. Well, if the big fella takes a seat in the all-new 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the luxury SUV will see no net weight gain compared with the previous model. Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays, who got to monkey with the Range Rover Sport during its debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, notes that this version shed 800 pounds through liberal use of lightweight aluminum, boosting quickness and fuel efficiency for 2014.

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Also new for 2014 are a supercharged V-6, an auto terrain response setting that senses surroundings and adapts to it, and a platform shared with the Range Rover making it more evocative of its namesake vehicle. Check out the video below.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 Photo Gallery

911 buyers will once again be able to hit the track in Porsche's new high-performance GT3 that's positioned at the top of the 911 lineup and set to go on sale later this year.

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Power comes from a 475-horsepower, 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine, which teams only with a recalibrated seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The rear-wheel-drive GT3 gets numerous aerodynamic enhancements like a large rear spoiler, front and rear lip spoilers, numerous air vents and special 20-inch wheels.

Porsche claims the new GT3 needs just 3.3 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph, and it can reach a top speed of 195 mph. It even has rear-wheel steering for spirited handling and stability, a Porsche first.

Check out photos of Porsche's new 911 GT3 to get your adrenaline pumping, below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Video

If you've felt deserted during the Mitsubishi Mirage's decade-long U.S. absence, the subcompact's reappearance may seem like something of an oasis. The 2014 Mirage, which bowed at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, returns as a hatchback and falls between the Chevrolet Spark and the Ford Fiesta in size.

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Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays observes that the Mirage offers an impressive array of standard features, such as power windows and door locks and remote keyless entry, but skimps on some desirable ones like a telescoping steering wheel and armrests. Still, boasting city/highway combined fuel economy of 40 mpg and a likely price around $13,000, the target demographic may see just what it's looking for in the Mirage. Watch the video below.

2014 Buick LaCrosse: Photo Gallery

Updated interior materials and a new control panel make the Buick LaCrosse's interior easier on the eyes and more user friendly. The updated exterior styling keeps Buick's midsize sedan fresh looking for 2014.

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A bigger, bolder grille and new LED running lights are the big changes up front; LED taillights join the LaCrosse's rear this year. Check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.

2014 Chevrolet SS Video

There, there, performance fans. We know it's been tough for you in recent years as dinky four-cylinder fuel sippers seem to shun you into seclusion like a smoker at a restaurant. GM senses your pain and hopes its first full-fledged performance sedan in nearly two decades — the 2014 Chevrolet SS, debuting this week at the 2013 New York International Auto Show — brings solace to your solitude.

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Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays says the new SS' 6.2-liter "proper V-8," good for 415 horsepower and as many pounds-feet of torque, will help neglected enthusiasts get their groove back. Cool new features include a pounds-shedding aluminum trunk and hood, 50/50 weight distribution and Chevy's first auto-parking system. Watch the video below for more on the SS.