VIDEO: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Walkaround with Bryan Nesbitt

Bryan Nesbitt, former vice president of design for GM North America turned Cadillac general manager, walks us around the exterior and interior of the all-new 2011 CTS Coupe that was unveiled at the 2009 LA Auto Show. When sales start in Spring 2010, the CTS Coupe will take on the BMW 3-Series, Audi A5 and Infiniti G37 coupes. Initially there'll only be one powerplant, a 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 that can be combined with rear- or all-wheel drive, but an M3-rivalling V-Series model packing a 556HP supercharged V8 is set to join the range shortly after.

Buick Previews Official Sketch of Premium Compact Sedan [With Video]

During Buick's Los Angeles Auto Show press conference for the unveiling of the Opel Insignia-based 2011 Regal saloon, the company's product marketing director, Craig Bierly, showed a teaser sketch of the next addition to the Buick range, a premium compact sedan.

"And now, I have more exciting news to share with you; the first public showing of a rendering that includes our entire future sedan portfolio," Bierly said at the presentation.

"In addition to the new Regal, which you see on your right, you see our LaCrosse in the center and at the far left, an all-new premium compact sedan with the styling and craftsmanship of Enclave and LaCrosse plus the European-inspired driving dynamics of the Regal - and at a price that will make this Buick our new entry point to the brand.

"Is Buick's transformation complete? No … but we believe we're making steady progress," Bierly added.

While Bierly did not give out any specific details on the car, it's safe to assume that, like the Chinese market 2011 Buick Excelle hatchback, the four-door saloon will also be based on the new Opel Astra (sedan version), which shares the same Delta II platform with the new Chevrolet Cruze.

Our spies have already captured Buick's compact sedan testing in Germany, though at the time, it wasn't clear if GM was developing the car exclusively for China or also for the North American market.

In the States, the new Buick compact sedan will most likely be offered with a similar engine range to the Cruze including a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot, and quite possibly, the Astra's more powerful 1.6-liter turbo unit with 180 ponies.

The Girls of the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

Truth to be said, there wasn't much going on in terms of world premieres at this year's auto show in the City of Angels, and to our misfortune, this had a negative reflection on the presence of booth professionals at the automakers' stands. Nevertheless, we've created a small gallery with the ladies of the 2009 LA Auto Show that you can enjoy after the break.

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Photos: UP

LA Show Debut for Scorching Hot 2010 Mustang Steeda Q550 Streetfighter Edition

Just as the dust settled from the 2009 SEMA show, long-time Ford tuning specialist Steeda Autosports, went ahead and unveiled another member of its Q Series Mustang family at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Q550 Streetfighter Edition. Designed as a high-performance pony car that can be used as a daily driver (at least in theory) as well as a weekend warrior on the racetrack or drag strip, the Q550 packs a supercharged V8 engine.

Along with a series of other upgrades, the supercharged powerplant delivers an output of 550-horsepower with Steeda claiming a 0 to 60 sprint time of under 4,0 seconds and quarter-mile time of around 11 seconds.

These kind of figures require suspension and brake modifications, which is why Steeda has outfitted the 2010 Mustang with numerous performance parts including a Watt's Link Suspension system, new shocks and struts, an adjustable 3rd-link trailing arm kit, new front and rear swaybars, plus a 6-piston brake package with 15-in. crossed drilled and slotted rotors.

Over the top of the discs are some pretty sexy 20-inch HRE Monoblock P40 alloy wheels that are wrapped in Nitto NT05 High Performance tires (275/35 at the front, 315/35 at the back).

Steeda also did a wonderful job with the Q550 Streetfighter's exterior which shares the same aerodynamic body kit with the Q350. Additional upgrades include a rear spoiler, a new vented hood and a rear diffuser.

As for the interior, there's a pair of leather covered bucket seats with a carbon fiber back and a 6-Point safety harness, a thick steering wheel wrapped in alcantara, a steel roll bar with cross bracing that's dressed in leather and a Safecraft fire extinguisher system.

The Steeda Q550 Streetfighter Edition will be available in the 1st quarter of 2010 from select Steeda Autosports authorized dealers. Look for additional updates in the near future regarding pricing and availability of this limited edition performance vehicle.

Prices are expected to be announced closer to the car's launch sometime during the first quarter of 2010.

Source: Steeda

Trio of Mazda2 Concepts Including a MazdaSpeed Custom Debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show

Automakers are trying their best to convince American consumers that size doesn't matter and that small cars can be equally fun and adventurous as their larger siblings. Following the example of Ford with the customized 2011 Fiestas, Mazda also displayed a trio of funky concept models based on the new U.S.-spec Mazda2 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Coincidently, the Mazda2 and Fiesta share the same underpinnings.

The most impressive concept version of the Mazda2 is the 2Evil which gives us an idea of what a potential MazdaSpeed2 (MPS in Europe) could look like.

The supermini has been spiced up with a full body kit that includes an aggressive front spoiler, chunky side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear diffuser that houses the new exhaust tip.

The 2Evil is finished Ceramic Grey metallic with subtle motorsports inspired graphics while wheels, mirrors and other details are accented in Spirited Green.

The MazdaSpeed-prepped hatch rides on 17-inch wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Advan tires while the lowered coil-over suspension by H&R and the Magna performance exhaust complete the package.

The other two concept models are the Active2 Surf and Active2 Snow. Both variants feature 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires, a H&R coil over suspension, special graphics and a Thule roof rack system.