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LA Auto Show 2011

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    lincoln

  • Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
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    2013 Porsche Panamera GTS

    Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
  • Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
    3/16

    2013 Porsche Panamera GTS

    Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche Panamera GTS is unveiled by race car drivers Romain Dumas (L) and Patrick Long at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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    Los Angeles Auto Show Previews Latest Car Models

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche Panamera GTS is unveiled by race car drivers Romain Dumas (L) and Patrick Long at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
    5/16

    2013 Porsche Panamera GTS

    Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
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    Subaru BRZ STI Concept

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    Subaru BRZ STI Concept

  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is displayed at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    8/16

    Los Angeles Auto Show Previews Latest Car Models

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is displayed at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is displayed at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    9/16

    Los Angeles Auto Show Previews Latest Car Models

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is displayed at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
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    2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible

  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Fiat 500 Gucci car is displayed during the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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    Los Angeles Auto Show Previews Latest Car Models

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Fiat 500 Gucci car is displayed during the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing Officer of Chrysler and Fiat, unveils the Fiat 500 Abarth car during the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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    Los Angeles Auto Show Previews Latest Car Models

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing Officer of Chrysler and Fiat, unveils the Fiat 500 Abarth car during the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Honda 2012 CR-V is unveiled at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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    Los Angeles Auto Show Previews Latest Car Models

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Honda 2012 CR-V is unveiled at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Getty Images
  • <h2 class="desc">Only in the rarefied world of auto shows would a 184-mph car seem just a touch slow, but that’s what Chevrolet faces with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — until it drops its top.</h2>
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    2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible

    Only in the rarefied world of auto shows would a 184-mph car seem just a touch slow, but that’s what Chevrolet faces with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — until it drops its top.

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    2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible

  • <h2 class="desc">Only in the rarefied world of auto shows would a 184-mph car seem just a touch slow, but that’s what Chevrolet faces with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — until it drops its top.</h2>
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    2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 convertible

    Only in the rarefied world of auto shows would a 184-mph car seem just a touch slow, but that’s what Chevrolet faces with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — until it drops its top.

Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche Panamera GTS is unveiled by race car drivers Romain Dumas (L) and Patrick Long at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Porsche trotted out racing drivers Romain Dumas and Patrick Long to unveil their latest variant of the brand’s first saloon car. It’s the Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport, if anyone asks), trading on a name that dates back to the fabulous, lithe Type 904 of 1963, a car also known as the Carrera GTS. Which, of course, is not to be confused with the current 911 Carrera GTS or the 924 Carrera GTS of 30 years ago.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is displayed at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is displayed at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Fiat 500 Gucci car is displayed during the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing Officer of Chrysler and Fiat, unveils the Fiat 500 Abarth car during the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: The new Honda 2012 CR-V is unveiled at the LA Auto Show on November 16, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through November 27. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
<h2 class="desc">Only in the rarefied world of auto shows would a 184-mph car seem just a touch slow, but that’s what Chevrolet faces with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — until it drops its top.</h2>
<h2 class="desc">Only in the rarefied world of auto shows would a 184-mph car seem just a touch slow, but that’s what Chevrolet faces with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 — until it drops its top.</h2>

There’s no better illustration of the gulf between auto enthusiasts and everyday car buyers than this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Few automakers rolled out the hybrids and electric vehicles that dominated past shows; those that did were overshadowed by 180-mph sports cars and hot hatchbacks. But the new stars with the best box-office prospects were a trio of boxy small SUVs: the Honda CR-V, the Ford Escape and the Mazda CX-5. Americans demand for tall wagons with all-wheel-drive — the cross-training sneakers of the auto world — has never been more fervent, and for their makers, high stakes.