Lexus dropped the third-generation RX on the world today here at the LA Auto Show. As before, the RX luxury crossover comes in two forms, the standard issue RX350 and the hybrid RX450h. The 3.5L RX350 gets a power bump to 275 hp while the hybrid engine grows from 3.3L up to 3.5L and 295 total horsepower. Lexus has improved the inverter that converts between DC power from the battery to AC for the motor, making the whole hybrid drivetrain more efficient. The RX450h gets a unique grill and badging to set it slightly apart from the new RX350, while both models get plenty of new gizmos and gadgets including an upgraded navigation and telematics system. For instance, a new controller for the nav system that Toyota calls Remote Touch provides customizable haptic feedback as you use it. A larger brighter OLED display screen also offers an improved angle of vision and a heads up display is available for the first time.

Ford pulled the silk sheets off the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid this afternoon. Sporting new front and rear fascias, an updated interior, and four engine choices, the mid-size Fusion is a direct shot across the bow of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. In fact, in nearly every engine combination, Ford boasts that their Fusion offers faster acceleration and better fuel economy than its Japanese rivals (plus, the automaker is quick to point out, the 2010 Fusion is available in both FWD and AWD configurations). Ford is offering the Fusion with three fuel-efficient gasoline engines: Duratec 2.5-liter I4, Duratec 3.0-liter V6, and the 3.5-liter V6 Duratec bumped to 240 hp for 2010. The hybrid model features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). According to Ford, the combo offers a bladder-busting 700-mile range in the city cycle. Expect the Fusion twins to roll (efficiently, of course) into showrooms in spring 2009.

Infiniti did it. While most manufactures struggle to make their convertibles even remotely as attractive as their coupe siblings, this luxury brand has delivered a drop-top that looks every bit as good (or better) than its fixed-roof kin. In person, even with the top up, the convertible is sleek as it lacks the heavy B-pillar of the coupe (giving it an airy appearance). With its three-piece automatic power hardtop retracted, it screams sophistication and luxury as all of the hardware disappears beneath a flush fitting tonneau cover. Aesthetics aside, motivation for the new convertible comes from a 325-hp 3.7-liter V6 driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. As expected in this segment, the G37 Convertible arrives in the spring with a long list of standard equipment (see the press release after the jump). While Infiniti hasn’t released pricing, our best guess says the G37 Convertible will start in the mid-40’s.

Alongside the facelifted Cayman and Boxster, Porsche brought this gorgeous 1955 550 RS Spyder owned by none other than car nut Jerry Seinfeld. While we love the silver in which we usually see this car painted, the light blue really makes it stand out. The 550 Spyder holds a special place in the hearts of Porsche fans, giving the make its first overall win back in the 1956 Targa Florio. Just 70 examples were produced, making it one of the most valuable Porsches, as well. Power comes from a 1.5L air-cooled aluminum flat-4 producing 110 horsepower and 88.5 lb-ft torque. That might not sound like much, but the motor only had to push around a mere 1,213 lbs. Check out the gallery of high resolution photos below for more proof that Jerry Seinfeld has good taste in cars.

We first saw Hyundai’s rolling CUV shapeship, the HED-5 i-Mode, back in Geneva, but today at the LA Auto Show is the first time the Korean automaker has shown the car in the States. New to the crossover is a 2.0L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine that Hyundai plans to roll out in production machines shortly. The new Theta Turbo GDI engine puts out 286 horsepower, which is very impressive for such a small powerplant. Hyundai puts its direct injection and turbo technology to good effect and combines these new features with its Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to allow for a 15-20 percent fuel economy increase compared with a standard 2.0L four-banger. Expect to see this new engine make its way into a production car sometime in 2010.

According to Hyundai, the HED-5 has been approved for production and a new six-seat production CUV will hit the market in 2010 that’s inspired by its design. Of course, don’t expect to see its far-out future-spec interior make it to production, but the GDI engine and general look of the concept is a lock.

Porsche made it all official today. New European regulations that result in tax credits for diesel vehicles have spurred the automaker to drop an oil-burner under the hood of the Cayenne starting in February, 2009. Audi’s 3.0L TDI V6 gets the call and will give the Cayenne diesel 240 horsepower, a peak torque rating of 405 lb-ft and a 25 mpg fuel economy number. The all-important (in Europe) CO2 emissions number is 244 g/km. There are no visual indicators to distinguish the diesel from the gas-powered base Cayenne. You have to look under the hood, where the engine cover is emblazoned with “3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel Injection” if you’re hell-bent on finding some branding.

While the diesel Cayenne is a Europe-only model for now, Porsche pretty much says that other markets and countries are to follow. Will that include us? Who knows. You can bet that Stuttgart’s going to keep tabs on how well Mercedes’ new Bluetec trucks and Audi’s forthcoming U.S.-market Q7 TDI do in the States before it makes a decision. We don’t see them shipping over the Cayenne diesel unless it’s pretty clear that it’ll find an audience. The full press release from Porsche is pasted after the jump.

[Source: Porsche]

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Gumpert Apollo isn’t the prettiest car. Its garish and over-emphasized styling make it look cartoonish, but what it lacks in the visual department is made up with one of the most capable chassis and motor combinations ever produced. In fact, a pair of Apollos were tucked away in one of the connecting halls at the LA Auto Show, and as far as we know they are the only two examples in the country. We’ve seen the black one tackling speed bumps and taking on the Gumball 3000, and Streetfire featured the orange one a few months back.

The updated Maserati Quattroporte made its debut at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year, but us Yanks are getting our first look at the LA Auto Show this week. The most noticeable new feature is the front grille that mimics the GranTurismo’s vertical slat design. Both front and rear lights have also been updated with LEDs. Inside, the center console has been reorganized and a new Maserati Multimedia System features an upgraded navigation system. The Quattroporte S also benefits from a new 4.7L V8 with 430 horsepower mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission found in the standard model, as well.

Source:carscoop

The “mostly” U.S. version of the “midsize” Lotus Evora was shown today at the LA Auto Show and it looks exactly like the one that debuted at the 2008 British Motor Show back in June. It’s just missing its side marker lights. The Evora follows the ’70s Lamborghini Urraco, Maserati Merak, Ferrari 308GT4 and its follow-up the Ferrari Mondial in being a mid-engine 2+2 sports car. It’s arguably the best looking of that quintet, though.

Two adult American males fit up front and there’s still room in back for a couple of kids, while power comes from a Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 producing 276 hp. With a curb weight of just 2,976 lbs., that should be plenty to scoot this puppy along. Expect 0-60 in 5 seconds, a top speed of 160+ and 30 mpg.

As cool as all of that is, the interior is what will blow you away, especially if you’ve ever served time in an Elise or Exige. There’s leather all around, a proper nav system, an advanced touch-screen multi-media system and, get this, actual human beings can get in and out of it without requiring ridiculous flexibility. The Evora will be built on a new assembly line in Hethel at the rate of 2,000 annually for worldwide consumption. To Lotus’s credit, they designed it from the get-go to meet safety and emissions requirements around the world so all they have to do is put the steering wheel on the proper side.

Talk of a supercharged S model and an even larger Esprit-successor is likely true. And Lotus executives have confirmed that a convertible variant with a power-retractable roof is in the works. Production of the standard Evora will begin in October of 2009, with sales in the U.S. beginning in late November or early December. Six-speed manual-equipped models will be available in the beginning, with an automatic (with paddle shifters) coming to market in April of 2010. But for now, we’re happy with just the Evora. Twice as stiff as an Elise and a little extra room for passengers and cargo sounds just about perfect. One additional note: Although this upsized Elise went by the codename Eagle during development, there’s apparently no truth to the rumors that the upcoming convertible version will be called the Bald Eagle.

[Source: Lotus]