2013 Ford Escape with 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost Engines at LA Auto Show

The rapidly approaching 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show that takes place for the public from November 18 to 27, will play host to the world premiere of the next global Ford model, the all-new 2013 Escape.As is the case with the current Fiesta and Focus, the compact SUV will be offered in the same form worldwide, replacing the current North American Escape as well as the Kuga in Europe and other markets around the globe.
Ford gave us a preview of the 2013 Escape with the Vetrek concept study at this year's Detroit Motor Show in January. Aside from the presentation date, Ford also revealed details about the SUV's powertrain options.
In North America, the 2013 Escape will be offered with a choice of three four-cylinder gasoline engines, including the new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged units and a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Ti-VCT.
In other words, Ford will not offer a hybrid version of the Escape nor a V6 option. However, the Detroit-based automaker said it expects that 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine deliver even higher highway fuel economy than the current Escape Hybrid, which is EPA-rated at 31 mpg highway (2WD).
Ford added that the 2.0-liter variant, which essentially replace the V6, "will have better fuel economy than competitors’ V6 engines while delivering unsurpassed performance compared to those larger six-cylinder powertrains".
Expect all three-engine options to be offered with a choice of front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts.

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2013 Infiniti JX Crossover

There's a new piece to the puzzle that is the 2013 Infiniti JX as today, the Japanese automaker published the most revealing -up until now, that is- teaser photo showing the front end of its new 7-seater luxury crossover.

Infiniti's dedicated Facebook page says that aside from the initial sketch, we're going to see a total of 7 live photos of the JX before it is officially unveiled in concept trim at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California on August 18.
Not counting the sketch, the company has released four photos of the crossover model, so three more to go.

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New Hyundai Azera and Fiat 500 Abarth At LA Show

Ah Twitter; the land of 140-characters where you can follow anyone without creeping them out has lately turned into something like a news board for automakers.

Instead of releasing an announcement on their respective websites, Fiat and Hyundai chose the social network to broadcast their 2011 LA Show debuts, which include the 2012 Azera and the 500 Abarth.
Starting from Hyundai, the South Korean automaker that could, will bring to LA the North American market version of its next generation Azera sedan, which has already been launched in its home market as the Grandeur.
The front-wheel drive Azera slots between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan and will most likely be offered with a 270-horsepower V6 engine.
Fiat's LA Show debut is the sport version of 500 mini called the Abarth. It features an aggressive bodykit along with a tuned chassis and a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine capable of delivering between 140HP and 180HP, depending on the model.

2012 HYUNDAI GRANDEUR

FIAT 500 ABARTH EU

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Has the Detroit Motor Show Lost its Mojo?

With the U.S auto market catching momentum in 2010, most of us had high expectations for this year's edition of the North American International Auto Show. And while Porsche's comeback to the show after a four-year hiatus was a welcome addition, the absence of key players such as Nissan, Infiniti and Mazda continues to worry.

But even the companies that did take part in the show didn't really impress with their offerings. The fact that the first press day was more than enough for the participating [mainstream] brands to announce their new production and concept models at the Cobo Center, says a lot about this year's event.

In fact, if it weren't for the Koreans and Japanese, the 2011 Detroit Salon would have been as exciting as the Brussels motor show... Hyundai and Kia led the way with the Veloster and two more concept crossovers followed by Toyota which expanded its Prius family with a minivan and showcased a concept for a smaller hatchback model, while Honda revealed pre-production prototypes of its next generation Civic.

And how about Detroit's Big Three? Well, GM showed the new Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic(s) alongside a prototype version of the GMC Sierra. Ford displayed the Focus EV and hybrid variants of the C-MAX together with the oddly named Vertrek study, while Chrysler's stand featured the redesigned 300 and Mopar variants of the 200 sedan and Fiat 500. Where are the eye-popping American concept models? Where's Cadillac? Where's Lincoln?

The European or rather the German carmakers opted to keep most of their newcomers for the rapidly approaching Geneva Salon as the only noteworthy presentations concern the U.S. market 2012 VW Passat, Audi A6, BMW 1 Series M Coupe and 650i Convertible, MINI Paceman study and Porsche's 918 RSR Coupe concept.

And there you have it; in three short paragraphs the most notable debuts of the 2011 Detroit Show.

Economic woes aside, another reason that Detroit is steadily losing its role as one of the top players in the international motor show scene could be that many automakers are spreading their new model debuts over more shows in North America, namely the New York and Los Angeles events, both of which experienced increased numbers of world premieres in the past couple of years.

Share your thoughts about this year's edition of the Detroit Motor Show, and what you believe about its future in the comments section below.

By John Halas

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