LA Auto ShowNov. 18th-27th 2011

The Los Angeles Auto Show will surpass 50 vehicle debuts when it opens Nov. 16 & 17 for press and Nov. 18-27 for the public. As a bright spot in the overall economy, the auto industry continues its momentum at the L.A. Show, highlighted by more than 22 manufacturer press conferences. It will be clear that automakers have invested significantly to deliver vehicles consumers want, featuring an unprecedented number of technological advancements, improved performance and design, all while decreasing carbon emissions. In addition to the 1,000 new vehicles at the show, a significant number of manufacturers have upgraded exhibit spaces and added enhanced features with more interactive content and experiences. There will also be more than a half-dozen test drives that put consumers in the seats and on the streets in some new vehicles on select days.

Notable this year will be a significant increase in fuel efficiency across the board in all categories. Nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40-mpg-plus vehicles, using internal combustion engines, such as the world debut of the Chevrolet Spark, will be at the Show. A renaissance is underway for the four-cylinder engine, which in an era of rising gas prices and concern for fuel economy has become a powerplant of choice for many automakers. Completely reengineered to deliver the power and torque normally associated with larger displacement engines, four cylinder designs are not just powering compacts, but finding their way into multiple platforms. Most notably, the hotly contested small crossover segment will feature two head-to-head competitive world debuts-the Ford Escape and Honda CRV. Mazda also has a new entry in this category with the North American debut of its all-new CX-5 crossover.

Underscoring that many solutions exist for reducing carbon emissions, a whole pack of electric vehicles are in or entering production and will be highlighted at the show, including Mitsubishi’s all-electric i, the Ford Focus Electric, BMW’s i3 Concept, CODA’s Sedan, Nissan’s LEAF and an import from Croatia, the DOK-ING XD. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids continue to grow and highlights at the show include the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the new Honda Civic Hybrid and the updated Honda Insight Hybrid. BMW will also have its groundbreaking, i8 plug-in hybrid sports coupe concept.

More than half of the 50 L.A. Show debuts fall in the performance and luxury vehicle category like the Audi R8 GT Spyder, Porsche 911 and Jaguar C-X16 sports car concept. Bentley is returning to Los Angeles this year, premiering the marque’s 2012 Continental GTC ultra-luxury convertible. The show will also feature the BMW M5, the fifth-generation edition of the sports sedan, now powered by a 4.4 liter, turbocharged, V8 engine; the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, an open-top power statement with a 563-horsepower, 6.2-liter engine producing 479 lb-ft of torque; and what GM is calling the world’s most powerful production convertible, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, boasting 580 hp produced by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. The AMG Roadster and Camaro convertible are just two of at least a half dozen convertibles debuting at the show.

The performance and luxury category is also noteworthy this year for being a showcase for new entries into the segment, including Hyundai’s continued push upward with the premiere of the 2012 Azera, as well as the U.S. debut of entirely new manufacturers, like the Mastretta MXT from Mexico. And, showing performance attributes are crossing traditional lines, the Fiat 500 Abarth demonstrates the further evolution of the once-overlooked compact category. A modified, 135-horsepower version of the recently reborn Fiat 500, the 500 Abarth, will join other “super” compact debuts including the Ford Fiesta ST and the Mazda3 SKYACTIV.

High-tech systems have become one of the most important features of the car itself. New technology to look for at the show includes advanced applications of Bluetooth, radar sensors,embedded telephony and cloud computing. In use, these high-tech systems give drivers hands-free access to personal data, communications, audio entertainment, social networking and advanced safety measures previously unimaginable. New technology developments unveiled at the show are expected from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen and others.

For more information on the LA Auto Show, check out their official website and/or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Press Release provided by:Jessica Schmidt / Rogers Ruder Finn
*article photos courtesy of Rogers Ruder Finn

In Japan, outstanding craftsmen are referred to as “takumi.” The Samurai sword is an example of a takumi’s skills. A Samurai can tell whether a sword was built with precision just by holding it. Similarily, a driver can feel the quality of his/her vehicle just by sitting behind the wheel. The creation of the Mazda 3 is exceptional and its purpose is to do one thing, and that is to drive. It’s an underrated brand that is often under the shadow of the Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord. But, if you are not looking, the Mazda 3 will whip in and out of traffic.

Why Drive the Mazda 3 S-Sport?

The main reason why any consumer should drive the Mazda 3 is because of the acceleration. Right when you step on the gas, the Mazda 3 moves like a sports car should. It gets 22 in the city and up to 33 on the freeway. It’s been proven to drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco on one tank. It’s a vehicle that’s great on gas. The starting price on the Mazda 3 is $15,800 and can go up to $22,560 depending on the added value packages that you’ll be sure to include.

What’s Good in the Hood?

When building a car for performance and gas consumption, the engine underneath the hood is the most important factor that can make or break a vehicle. The Mazda 3 has a 2.5 liter DOHC (Dual Over-head camshaft) 4-cylinder 16-valve VVT 14 engine. It has 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode option. It has 167 horsepower with 168 lbs-ft of torque. This is cool because when you’re driving on the freeway and you’re in automatic mode, but sometimes it has a slow pick up to keep the momentum of power. Fortunately, you can switch modes and kick it into the shift mode and it will automatically adjust to the gear of the speed you are currently driving on. Its nice because you can feel the power of the engine going up the hills.

How’s the Interior?

There are three main things on the inside that is a must know. The first thing would be the controllers on the steering wheel. You’ve got Bluetooth controllers, AM/FM and satellite radio, CD/MP3 and volume controls. The Mazda 3 creates convenience on the inside for the driver so that they can control sound, navigation, and his/her phone all within the comfort of your steering wheel. The second point on the interior is the bump of the Bose surround sound which is definitely WhatItDo because that adds to the atmosphere of comfort within your vehicle. The third and final point is that the seats are very comfortable while driving. It has a nice hug to your body to wear you feel secure. It’s not a Recaro seat, but it sure feels like it at times. The Mazda 3 seats 5 adults comfortably and the spacing gives nice legroom whether you are sitting in the front or the back.

How’s the Exterior?

The Mazda 3 was aerodynamically designed so that when the wind hits the exterior, it slips through the air with less resistance which achieves less fuel consumption. To thoughtfully think of this, the Mazda 3 is winning because it’s engineered precisely to take you farther when driving. It comes laced with 17” inch alloy wheels with all-season tires and halogen headlights and fog lights to keep your driving nights lit on the massive freeways. It also has a nice sunroof to keep that natural sun shining throughout the interior so that you can feel the hot summer sun.

How’s the safety Features?

It comes fully equipped with six standard safety airbags throughout the vehicle including side impact airbags as well as side airbag curtains. In the front of the Mazda 3 are the halogen headlights which have the adaptive front-lighting system (AFS). The inside headlights move in the direction of your turn. Two other cool safety features are DSC and TCS. DSC is dynamic stability control which allows the vehicle to stay in control when the road conditions get rough due to rain or sharp turns. It stabilizes the control of the vehicle from not spinning or losing control. TCS is traction control system which smooths out and adjusts the traction to allow a more smooth, accelerated traction for your vehicle.

If you are in the market to purchase a car with swag under the hood or crazy bump with the Bose surround sound system, but you want a car that has “eyes” in the headlights to turn corners with you, then think Mazda 3. Once you buckle up and hit the open road and step on it, it’s all gas and no brakes from here on out and that’s WhatItDo!

For more information, you can follow them on twitter, facebook or visit their official website at www.mazdausa.com.

Review by: Elizabeth Lavulo

2010 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring
Bigger. Faster. Better. Click to watch the video.

Theres the old saying, you don’t mess with perfection. Mazda knows this, so they kept a lot of the 2010 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring similar to last year. But it’s all the new minor tweaks that really make this car pop.

This car is packed with features you normally only find on a higher-end luxury car. All-black leather seats that are wider and roomier than before. The 2.5 liter engine gives you more torque, and the stiffer suspension keeps you from getting that body roll when you hit those corners. They didn’t skimp on the technology either. Bluetooth audio streaming? You don’t even need a cable now to play music from your iphone through the Bose speakers. Adaptive headlights that turn with you in the corners. Push button start. Dual climate controls. 5 settings on the seat heaters. 8-way power seats. The list goes on.

This is a hot ride for the price, and it keeps getting better. Check out the gallery and video below.

2009 L.A. Auto Show
Take a peek at some of the new Mazdas. Click to watch the video.

Highlights from the L.A. Auto Show: KMAX will help you get a closer look at the latest Mazda hatchbacks to hit the market, like the Mazdaspeed 3 packed with a blazing 265 HP, or the economical 2011 Mazda2.

Watch the video to get all the details.