Auto Shows (Page 72)

For two model years, Mazda denied U.S. buyers of its Mazda5 a standard transmission, but for the 2012 model year it once again comes in a manual transmission. Forget all the hoopla about it having elements of the Nagare design in its DNA. A mini-minivan with a six-speed manual transmission is going to be a hoot to drive.

The Honda Fit EV concept introduced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show is probably going to succeed like no other electric vehicle on the market, except possibly the Ford Transit Connect EV, because its base vehicle, the Honda Fit, is so practical it will deliver utility combined with fuel independence. It will appeal to both small business owners and second-car commuters who want to be able to run to Home Depot on the weekends with their Fit EV.

Cadillac has introduced its Urban Luxury Concept, which is best described as cool, compact elegance with seating for four, scissor-type doors that extend outward and rotate forward when opened, and a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that gets a projected fuel economy of 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway.

Just like there are three major domestic manufacturers in the U.S., there are three major auto shows: Detroit, New York and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles show opens Friday, Nov. 19, after two jam-packed media days, with major debuts coming.

Porsche is taking a new mid-engine sized sports car to Los Angeles Auto Show. The company is keeping it secret, but experts have some ideas.

According to the Russian language car magazine Za Rulem BMW has the biggest stand at the Moscow Auto Show and is featuring this new concept car BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics.