Autoblog

2013 Infiniti JX crosses over into the big leagues

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Infiniti, Luxury

Few automakers make crossovers quite like Nissan does. And that extends to its luxury division Infiniti, as well. Infiniti crossovers tend to be, well... rather small. The FX combined a sportscar with a crossover long before BMW thought of the X6, and the EX is barely bigger than most hatchbacks. Want something bigger from Infiniti? That'd be the QX, but it's a proper truck-based SUV, and that behemoth just isn't for everyone. Enter the JX.

A new safety system warns the driver and even stops the JX if something scurries across its path while backing up.

Previewed in concept form at Pebble Beach back in August, the JX35 is now set to make its production debut at the upcoming LA Auto Show. Its design incorporates themes laid down by the Essence show car, but in a much larger form that encompasses three rows of seating for seven coddled souls. The JX is also jam-packed with luxury features and the latest technology you'd expect from a Japanese luxury automobile. That includes the usual suspects: adaptive cruise control, cameras all around, lane-departure warning and a Bose sound system. There's also a new industry-first safety system that warns the driver and even stops the vehicle if something scurries across its path while backing up.

All that tech and cabin space is handled by Nissan's 3.5-liter DOHC V6 driving 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque through a CVT to either the front wheels or all four. An independent front suspension handles the load up front, with a multi-link set-up in the back. Vented disc brakes larger than 12 inches in diameter at all four corners work with a host of electronic nannies to keep everything in check and are packed inside 18- or available 20-inch alloys.

Prospective buyers will begin taking delivery of 2013 models next spring, with prices starting at $40,450 - before taxes and delivery - for the front-wheel-drive model. Extra features are bundled into five packages, and together with all-wheel drive, can quickly push the price into the high-$50K range.

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2013 Infiniti JX crosses over into the big leagues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Chevy Spark revealed ahead of Los Angeles show

Dan Roth — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Design/Style

On Wednesday, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The small hatchback has been tweaked for the North American market, and the hope is that the Spark takes off like wildfire with buyers. Chevrolet thinks the Spark will find favor with buyers living in cities, as well as first-time purchasers.

To that end, the entry-level Spark has been designed carefully. Obvious forethought went into the packaging of the virtually hidden rear passenger doors (not unlike its larger cousin, the five-door Sonic), and color choices with names like Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade, and Techno Pink are clearly aimed at a customer looking for something imaginative. Unique to our Spark will be a redesigned front fascia with distinct foglamp housings and airdam. The grille stretches further down the nose, too, and out back there are taillamps and bumper designs specific to the United States and Canadian markets.

Beyond the aesthetic alterations, important Spark details include a 1.2-liter dual-overhead cam four cylinder that spins 15-inch alloy wheels with 85 hp through a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. Chevrolet MyLink is available in the Spark with a seven-inch touchscreen. Mylink features Bluetooth phone integration, and Pandora or Stitcher can be piped through your smartphone and directly into Mylink. Standard air conditioning and power windows, along with a motorcycle-inspired gauge cluster (there's that Sonic influence again) and color coordinated interior serve to spiff things up. It seems the message has sunk in that small cars don't have to be brutally decontented.

Check out the press release after the jump, and stay tuned to our full-court-press coverage of the LA show, where we'll get a chance to climb in and around the 2013 Chevrolet Spark and give you our firsthand impressions.

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U.S. Chevy Spark revealed ahead of Los Angeles show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo rolling in to LA with C70 Inscription edition

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Volvo, Luxury

Never quite capable of keeping its sales in pace with its German rivals, the Volvo C70 doesn't appear long for this world. The joint venture with Pininfarina that produced the C70 is shutting down and we've yet to receive any word on a potential new production site. So what we could be looking at here is the hardtop convertible's swan song.

Called the Inscription edition, this special C70 is set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. It's distinguished by such special features as a painted grille, polished black 18-inch wheels and an interior decked out in special leather trim and aluminum accents. We think it looks rather fetching.

Available with either a turbocharged five or a pair of diesels (in other markets), the Inscription edition can be had in black, black metallic or white. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

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Volvo rolling in to LA with C70 Inscription edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru BRZ concept headed for Los Angeles as new details leak out

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Etc., Subaru

Spy shots and see-through body treatments are all we have to go on when it comes to the upcoming Subaru BRZ. We've had enough of that, however, and it seems Subaru is finally ready to show us a bit more of what's in store for the future sports coupe. According to Car and Driver, the Japanese automaker will unveil a concept version of the BRZ at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, and it will be wearing real sheetmetal this time, albeit with a wrinkle - none of the showcar's panels will be the same as the production car.

The BRZ that you will be able to buy will (finally) make its official debut later on at the Tokyo Motor Show, where it will join its Toyota FT-86/Scion FRS siblings. According to C/D, all three versions of the car will wear similar body panels with the exception of their faces. Subaru will apply its own mug, while the Toyota and Scion versions will be essentially identical with the exception of badging.

Subaru will be responsible for production of all three versions, and the sporty coupe will be built at the Japanese automaker's Gunma, Japan facility. There the cars will be fitted with 2.0-liter boxer engines and paired with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual gearbox.

Subaru BRZ concept headed for Los Angeles as new details leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This year's LA Auto Show Design Challenge is going Hollywood

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Etc., Design/Style

Hollywood and the automobile have had a long and storied relationship together. Iconic vehicles routinely appear on the silver screen, and end up earning a place in the hearts of millions of fans. When you see a highland green Mustang, you think McQueen and San Franciscio. A Delorean will push your throttle foot down until you're driving 88 miles per hour, while a black Audi S8 will remind you to know how to walk out of the place you're walking into.

The LA Design Challenge understands the link between car and star, and has decided to make this the main idea behind its theme for the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Design studios from around the world will compete to bring us their vision of the next automotive icon that should appear on the big screen.

Entries will need to tell the judges how their design relates brand identity to the plot of a film, how it relates to the target audience, how imaginative the design is and how unique their entire project appears. A winner will be announced on November 17th, and we will share all the entries once they're released. Check out the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading This year's LA Auto Show Design Challenge is going Hollywood

This year's LA Auto Show Design Challenge is going Hollywood originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti gets sketchy with JX three-row crossover

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Infiniti, Design/Style

Infiniti JX concept sketch - Click above for high-res image

If the calendar shows that a major auto show is upon us, that means it's time for automakers to release teaser images and video. Since the 2011 New York Auto Show is about to open its doors, Infiniti has taken the opportunity to release a hazy sketch of a vehicle to be revealed... at Pebble Beach?

Called the JX, this luxury crossover teases with talk of three-row seating and flowing lines. Infiniti is mum on the details (diminutive press released posted after the jump) but we're going to bet that this isn't the J30 reborn. Crossovers are still a hot commodity, so Infiniti is looking to add another one to its current lineup.

More details will be available when the concept version is shown at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. We do know, however, that Infiniti trademarked the names JX20, JX25, JX25h and JX30. This means there could be a wide range of available engines, but it also means Infiniti could be taking the proper precautions to ensure the name they want is available once a powertrain is chosen. The production version will bow at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show before heading to dealer showrooms in the spring of 2012, as a 2013 model.

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti gets sketchy with JX three-row crossover

Infiniti gets sketchy with JX three-row crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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