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2012 Porsche Cayman R

One year after unveiling the stripped-down, purist-oriented Boxster Spyder at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche is back in L.A. again with its newest mid-engined offering - the Cayman R.
Essentially a more extreme version of the Cayman S, the Cayman R loses 121 pounds and gains 10 horsepower. Curb weight is down to a manufacturer-claimed 2849 pounds, while the 3.4-liter flat-six engine boasts 330 horsepower, good for a power-to-weight ratio of 8.5:1. The result is a 0-60 mph sprint that is claimed to take just 4.4 seconds with the optional PDK dual-clutch gearbox and 4.7 seconds for those who still prefer the involvement of a conventional manual transmission. Those opting for the latter will see an additional mph at the top end, with a maximum speed of 175 mph - 4 mph more than the current Cayman S.
To make the Cayman R feel a little more at home on the track, a limited-slip differential is added (an item also introduced to the Boxster Spyder) and a lower, stiffer sports suspension is fitted. The front and rear spoilers from the factory Cayman Aerokit are lended to the R version, and unique 19-inch wheels sit at all four corners.
2012 Porsche Cayman R Rear Three Quarters
The Cayman R's diet involved several old Porsche tricks - namely, ditching unnecessary components (those "not associated with driving performance," as Porsche puts it) and substituting lightweight materials in the place of heavier ones. In the process, the Cayman R loses its air conditioning and stereo systems, gets a 2.6-gallon-smaller fuel tank, trades the standard steel door skins for aluminum units with simpler 911 GT3 RS interior panels, and gains carbon-fiber-backed seats.

2012 Porsche Cayman R

2012 Nissan GT-R

Overhead it's grey. Underfoot it's wet. In front of me is the 2012 Nissan GT-R, and stretching into the fog is the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife. Gulp.
It's no surprise Nissan chose to introduce the latest iteration of its reborn all-wheel drive super-coupe at the 13-mile, 150-turn "Green Hell."
This is where the twin-turbo V-6 Godzilla often was spied testing before its December 2007 launch, and where it has returned since in search of technical improvement and record production car lap times.
The latter has become a source of intense rivalry with local hero Porsche, which disputed chief Nissan test driver Toshio Suzuki's 7 minutes, 29 secononds lap (later lowered to 7:26) in 2008. "Impossible!" cried Porsche. "Learn to drive; we'll give you lessons," fired back GT-R chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno.
2012 Nissan GT R Front End In Motion 7
And on it has gone. Porsche this year reset the standard at 7 minutes, 18 seconds with its awesome 911 GT2 RS.
But Mizuno was not impressed. "We are developing the GT-R for owners and not for race drivers, and therefore the standard model will be what we continue to do," the Godzilla Godfather said."The customer should be communicated what is the performance capability of the popular, standard model, not in a special edition. There is no meaning in communicating the special-edition speed."
2012 Nissan GT R Front End In Motion 3
Mizuno was the host for our first taste of 2012 GT-R, and he intended to crown the day with a "time attack" on the record. But the inclement weather put that on hold (although now we hear the standard 2012 model reportedly clocked a 7 minute, 20 second time at the 'Ring with Suzuki at the wheel). Despite the setback, we do know that all the good stuff -- power, torque, weight, downforce, fuel economy, CO2 emissions, suspension, brakes -- have been improved (see the last page for more details). The bad stuff? Well, is there really bad stuff when it comes to the GT-R? Okay, okay, second-rate interior, buckboard low-speed ride, and rear-seat space only a gymnast could enjoy are on the list.

2012 Nissan GT-R

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz struck styling gold with the first-generation CLS-Class, creating a new segment that sent rival automakers scrambling back to their design tables. Things are different the second time around, as the new 2012 CLS steps into a market suddenly littered with so-called ‘four-door coupes,’ with more on the way from Stuttgart’s German rivals Audi and BMW.
With the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the automaker has focused on improving the one area that defines its existence: design. The sides of the car feature much more pronounced sculpting that starts with the front wheel well and ends at the fresh set of LED taillights. Love it or hate it, this is one four-door that at the very least will draw your attention.
2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Class Front
Not surprisingly, LED daytime running lights make an appearance, but the 2012 CLS has full LED headlights, as well. The 71 individual LEDs enhance visibility and frankly, they just look cool.
Inside the CLS' cabin, a wraparound dash makes the cockpit feel tailored, while a high-gloss analog clock adds an upscale touch. Design, Mercedes-Benz points out, is only half the story inside. Material quality has been upgraded in a further effort to distinguish the CLS from other segment players. Semi-aniline leather is just 1.6 millimeters thick and has an especially soft feel, according to the automaker.
2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Class Rear Three Quarters
Look to the dash and you'll see matte galvanized air vents and a hand-sewn leather dashboard. High-gloss brown burl walnut and black ash wood trims are standard equipment, but for a bit more cash, Mercedes will be happy to fit your CLS with black piano lacquer or carbon fiber instead. That black piano trim, by the way, is handcrafted and has up to seven layers to make sure it has the right high-gloss look.
The CLS remains a four-passenger car and we're eager to see first-hand how that sloping rear roofline affects rear seat headroom. Perhaps that's a trivial concern for most CLS buyers compared to powertrain options. Mercedes-Benz has been silent on this front, but we expect the CLS to retain a V-8 engine as its bread-and-butter powertrain in the U.S.
Currently, the base 2011 CLS550 is powered by a 5.5-liter V-8 producing 382 horsepower mated to a seven-speed automatic. While that engine may carry through to the 2012 model, we wouldn't be surprised to see the automaker's new 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 under the hood of the 2012 CLS. Producing 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in the 2011 CL coupe, an engine that powerful could finally leave room for a direct-injected V-6 option in the States, which has been rumored. Expect Mercedes-AMG's new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 to power the coming high-performance AMG variant.
2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Class Cockpit 3
So is Mercedes-Benz worried about its newfound four-door coupe rivals? On the contrary, the German automaker thinks its experience with this market niche could help, going forward.
"The new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door coupe," says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, member of the board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales & Marketing.
Premiering at the Paris Motor Show in October, the CLS helps bridge the sizable pricing gap between the E- and S-Class sedans. Until that happens, call the CLS a coupe or a sedan as long as you call it Mercedes-Benz's most stylish four-door. Expect to see the new CLS hit U.S. Mercedes dealers by the middle of next year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2012 Mazda5


2012 Mazda5

There's a "changing of the guard" element to the facelifted 2012 Mazda5 -- in U.S.-spec trim; the car made its global debut in March at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show -- sharing the Los Angeles Auto Show spotlight with the Shinari Concept. The updated 5, you see, is likely the last Mazda to bear the "Nagare" design language while the Shinari is the example of the Japanese automakers "Kodo" language that should begin propagating throughout its lineup shortly.
2012 Mazda5 Interior
Aside from the new sheetmetal, the 2012 Mazda5 gets an updated interior similar to that of the Mazda3 compact and a new four-cylinder engine that provides slightly more horsepower. The 2.5-liter mill makes 157 horsepower in the Mazda5, a 4-horse improvement over the outgoing 2.3-liter unit. Like the old powerplant, it will be offered with a manual or automatic transmission, though we don't yet know if either will be receiving an extra cog. Currently, both transmissions offered on the Mazda5 are five-speed units.

2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Five-Door

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The cute 'ute formerly known as the LRX was unveiled in coupe form at Paris, but the five-door Range Rover Evoque is a natural step for the purveyor of large, luxurious SUVs. To clear extra interior space for its people-carry intentions, the five-door version is 1.2 inches taller inside the cabin (thanks to a higher roofline) and over 2 inches wider to gain more shoulder room. Like the crossover-coupe design, this Land Rover is intended for four total occupants.

Other than the additional interior space, the Evoque five-door shares the same powertrain configurations. Motivation comes from a 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder with either 148 or 187 horsepower; the gasoline option is a Ford-sourced 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-four developing 237 horsepower. Front- and all-wheel drive will move the wheels.
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Five Door Prestige Front Three Quar
Because it bears the Land Rover badge, the Evoque must carry some semblance of off-road utility. The company's Terrain Response system assists on loose surfaces while an optional Adaptive Dynamics with MagneRide dampers help on tarmac. Interior appointments do not disappoint as the usual luxury features will be found, including leather, metallic surfaces, full-size panoramic glass roof, surround cameras, and advanced entertainment systems.
The Range Rover Evoque goes on sale in over 160 markets during Summer 2011 and the five-door model will be available in three trim levels: Pure, Prestige, and Dynamic. The range-topping Dynamic is fitted with striking, 20-inch wheels and contrasting roof and spoiler colors will be up for order. Pricing is expected to start in excess of $40,000.