Toyota Porte 2009 Front Left Caliper [1244360] on 2040-parts.com

LA auto show 2011 review by Ben Pulman

When the automotive industry was in the midst of recession, the LA auto show carved out a niche for itself as the place to be seen to be green. Detroit represented the big, bad gas-guzzling old school, but the forward-thinking culture of southern California meant the relaxed atmosphere of the LA Convention Centre was the perfect setting to preview the smaller, more compact and more fuel-efficient future. This year it was different.

Next Aston Martin V8 Vantage takes Paris in video

Aston Martin added a short promo video to its YouTube channel on Thursday showing the facelifted 2012 Vantage V8 coupe. The least expensive Aston now bears a stronger resemblance to the recently upgraded Vantage S thanks to a new front fascia, new rear styling and redesigned side sills. Wider wheels and tires will be installed along with six-piston competition-derived brakes.

Mercedes SL (2012) first official pictures

All-new SLs seem to come around as often as Halley’s Comet, but here are the first Stuttgart-sanctioned shots of Mercedes’ sixth generation premium roadster – the 2012 Mercedes SL. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s already had more lenses pointed at its disguised bodywork than Pippa Middleton’s derrière – and CAR’s own renderings earlier this year weren’t far wide of the mark. So what’s the big news with the new 2012 Mercedes SL then?