AUTO SHOW 2006: Los Angeles

Porsche
Porsche, coming off record U.S. sales in '05, had two introductions at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. Making its world debut was a high-performance version of the already potent Cayenne Turbo SUV. Dubbed Cayenne S, it uses twin turbochargers to boost its 4.5-liter V8 to a massive 520 hp--sufficient, Porsche says, for 0-60-mph runs of 4.8 seconds and a 167-mph top speed. Larger brakes and other underskin upgrades help control the power, while standard 20-inch wheels and other unique cosmetic touches provide the appropriate Sunset Strip bling. The Turbo S goes on sale in mid February with a $59,800 base price. Click here for more.

Mazda
Ford Motor Company's Japanese affiliate is solidly back in the pink, thanks to strong U.S. demand for its midsize Mazda 6, compact Mazda 3, and just-redesigned Miata sports car, now known as MX-5. The company also hopes to win some new converts with its Mazda 5 mini-minivan, though that's billed as another of those "active lifestyle" vehicles that seem targeted at no one we know.

With all this, L.A. 2006 seemed a good place for Mazda to unwrap its second car-based SUV. Click here for more.

Volkswagen
With little new to sell and a growing price disadvantage vs. Asian rivals, VW has lately lost lots of sales and lots of money in the United States. But the "affordable European" hopes to turn it all around with a parade of new models.

The redesigned 2005 Jetta compact sedan kicked things off, followed by a clean-sheet midsize Passat sedan for '06. Volkswagen also presented a pair of funmobiles at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. Click here for more.

Toyota
This Japanese juggernaut just keeps rolling on, piling up sales and profits all over the world. In fact, Toyota has become so strong that many analysts believe it will pass General Motors as the world's largest vehiclemaker in 2006. Could that mean a consumer backlash in America? Probably not, but you never know.

For now, Toyota continues to benefit from its high scores for resale value and customer satisfaction, not to mention rabid demand for its Prius hybrid car and mainstream models like the midsize Camry, now reaching dealers in redesigned 2007 form. Toyota also keeps rolling out new ideas, like the high-style '07 FJ Cruiser SUV. Click here for more.

BMW
This past year, BMW overtook rival Mercedes-Benz as America's top-selling luxury brand. In the past three years, the company has completely overhauled its lineup and added a few new models like the X3 and 6-Series coupe and convertible.

And the fun doesn't stop there. BMW confirmed a high-power M Roadster and new M Coupe based on the company's U.S.-built Z4 sports car. Click here for more.

Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz may have lost the luxury-car sales race to rival BMW, but the German brand still posted its best year ever in the U.S. selling a tad more than 224,000 vehicles.

Los Angeles is a huge market for Mercedes-Benz, it is no wonder Mercedes chose this year's L.A. show to unveil, for the first time in North America, a completely redesigned flagship. Click here for more.

Bugatti
Purchased by Volkswagen a few years ago, the Bugatti name earned fame on sports and racing cars built by Ettore Bugatti in France during the 1920s and 1930s. The nameplate was gone by the mid 50s, and though several revivals were attempted since, they went nowhere.

But VW has spent a ton of money and redirected engineering talent to ensure success for the Veyron (named for a famous 1930s-era Bugatti race driver). The result is arguably the most fantastic road car ever built. Click here for more.

Ferrari
Italian supercar-maker Ferrari built its reputation as much on the track as it has on the street, but that doesn't mean it can't compete for top fashion honors as well. At this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, the fabled marque adds a bit of glitz and glamour to its top model. Click here for more.

General Motors
What do GM and the Chicago Cubs have in common? They're always saying "Wait'll next year!" But GM can't wait any longer. With 2005 losses totaling near $4 billion, a plummeting stock price, and increasing talk of asset sales to stave off bankruptcy, GM needs an inning with at least nine home runs. Click here for more.

Hyundai
South Korean automaker Hyundai has been on a sales high in the U.S., posting record gains for the past three years. In addition, its Sonata was recently named one of the most reliable cars in its class.

However, the brand has never been known for stunning styling and hopes to change that with the concept it showed at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Click here for more.

Lotus
Until now, boutique enthusiast-car manufacturer Lotus offered just one model for sale in the U.S., the Elise. That's due to change later this year, when Lotus adds a second model called Exige. In addition, Lotus adds a competition focused "Track Pack" suspension package for both models. Click here for more.

Maserati
Maserati, Italy's other premier performance-car maker, was recently split off from Ferrari and paired with Alfa Romeo. All are part of the vast--and still greatly troubled--Fiat Auto Empire. But Maserati is doing well too, with over 5600 worldwide sales last year. U.S. deliveries jumped 53 percent from '04 to 2100, of which over 1500 were Quattroporte sedans. Click here for more.

Mitsubishi
With slipping sales and a shrinking dealer network, this Japanese automaker has been on the rocks in the United States. However, one model that continues to garner top dollar and the kudos of enthusiast magazines has been the Evolution.

In addition, Mitsubishi's new Eclipse sport coupe has also seen a pleasant jump in sales from last year. Hoping that combining some of the sport with the style of the Eclipse will maintain the buzz, Mitsubishi presented the Ralliart Eclipse concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Click here for more.

Auto Show Video Coverage