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The CVT comes to the Infiniti brand beneath the 2013 JX35

LOS ANGELES--The JX crossover that took a bow here at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is a platform for a few firsts for the Infiniti brand.

It's the first model with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the first implementation of the automaker's Backup Collision Intervention system, and the first model to incorporate the styling cues that debuted on the Infiniti Essence concept.

The JX35 will be the first model in the JX series and will be powered by a 265-horsepower version of Infiniti 3.5-liter workhorse V-6. That engine will send 248 pound-feet of torque through a

2012 Porsche 911 is all-new, but still a 911

LOS ANGELES--Despite changed proportions, the new 911 retains its iconic look.

By now the 2012 Porsche 911 has been unveiled more times than we can keep track of, but the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show marked the seventh-generation 911's large-stage debut in North America (it had been shown at October's Rennsport Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, but to a much smaller crowd). It was displayed alongside the latest variant of the Panamera, the GTS, which will be available as a 2013 model.

Perhaps the most intriguing single feature of the latest version of Porsche's most familiar more

2013 Ford Escape: Gone global

LOS ANGELES--Ford's new Escape uses the company's latest tech, under the hood and in the cabin.

In the U.S., Ford has been selling the Escape for many years. In Europe, it sold another small SUV, the Kuga. Taking advantage of economies of scale, Ford has now combined the vehicles into one, launching an all-new, modern, small SUV designed to appeal to buyers around the world.

The new car will keep its Escape and Kuga names in different markets, but in most other regards will be identical. The 2013 Escape unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show benefits more

Subaru unveils BRZ concept, confirms that new WRX is coming

...and then there were three.

LOS ANGELES--The Toyota FT-86 II and Scion FR-S concepts are joined today by Subaru's vision for the lightweight, rear-driven sports car platform with the unveiling of the Subaru BRZ concept STI at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. This marks our first official peek at the BRZ in the sheet metal; the previous offerings showed off the drivetrain, but not the external styling.

As a bit of a hat tip to enthusiasts who have been eagerly awaiting the BRZ, Subaru decided that the first concept should showcase what an STI variant of the sports

2012 Hyundai Azera: The sincerest form of flattery

LOS ANGELES--If you've ever criticized Hyundai for derivative design, you'll want to have your torches and pitchforks at the ready for this one.

The first thing I thought when Hyundai pulled the wraps off of its new 2012 Azera here at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show was that it looked just like a Toyota Camry. Perhaps that's not totally fair, because as the large sedan spun slowly on its turntable, I also saw hints of Mazda6, Nissan Altima, and BMW 6-Series. For a brand like Hyundai that's been building a ton of steam over the more

Volkswagen's superhot Beetle

LOS ANGELES--Volkswagen is keeping the specifications of the Beetle R concept a secret, but the production Golf R, coming out next year, should give some clues.

Letters like GTI and GLI used to spell performance in Volkswagen terminology, but the German carmaker is introducing a new letter, R. The company now has an entire performance division tuning up existing Volkswagen models and slapping an R badge on them. The first effort hitting production is the Golf R, and now Volkswagen is showing off a concept version of a Beetle R.

Based on the 2012 Beetle, the Beetle R concept has more

2013 Cadillac XTS: Caddy tries its hand at a large sports sedan

LOS ANGELES--Cadillac killed two old birds with one stone today.

The old birds in question are the aging DTS and STS luxury sedan that will likely both be replaced by the new 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan unveiled here at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show this morning.

The XTS gets a healthy dose of Cadillac's Art and Science design language, so it's no surprise that the sedan ends up looking quite a bit like a larger, more upright version of the automaker's popular CTS sedan. The XTS also shares the 3.6-liter, direct-injection V-6 engine that lurks more

Ford electrifies the station wagon

Ford is partnering with Azure Dynamics on a five-seater station wagon version of its Transit Connect all-electric vans.

Both companies announced the project Wednesday in time for the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric Wagon will be available in North America immediately, with plans to eventually sell it in Europe as well.

The Transit Connect vans, which went into production in 2010, are already in the fleets of AT&T, DHL, FedEx, and Post Norway, to name a few. The vehicle won the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award, to the surprise of more

Mastretta MXT: Mexico makes a sports car

LOS ANGELES--Using a rigid aluminum structure and a Ford-sourced engine, the MXT looks good and should feature excellent handling.

The MXT should go a long way toward changing perceptions in the U.S. about Mexican craftsmanship. This little sports car, the brainchild of Daniel Mastretta, uses a rigid, lightweight chassis made from aluminum and a short wheelbase, which should give it excellent handling.

This week kicks off the Los Angeles Auto Show, where automakers show off their latest models and concepts in the city known for its car culture. CNET will be at the show during press preview days this week, getting a first-hand look. Here are some of the cars we are looking forward to seeing at the show: