Chevrolet HHR

Chevrolet introduced the production model of the new 2006 HHR, a design that fuses elements of the 1949 Chevy Suburban – which GM refers to as 'the original utility vehicle' – and the SSR roadster. It is built on the same platform as the Chevy Cobalt. Like the SSR, the HHR features deep-draw, flared fenders which tuck in at the rockers for a solid, firmly-planted stance. A one-piece, stamped metal hood is reminiscent of the ’49 Suburban. The twin-taillamp design was chosen for a look that GM calls 'half street machine and half vintage Corvette'. Stamped door and window appearances with a one-piece wraparound molding contribute to a clean, detailed design and are uncommon in contemporary vehicles.

The interior combines the high visibility and cargo flexibility of an SUV with the comfort, driving ease and ergonomics of an upscale sedan. The high roof provides excellent headroom and creates a more open, airy environment, while the instrument cluster carries the heritage theme of the vehicle, with jewel-like instrument displays and chrome accents. Interior color combinations feature darker colors on upper sections of the interior and lighter colors for lower sections.

Also shown was the WCC HHR concept vehicle, a radical vision of the new Chevy HHR by West Coast Customs, stars of MTV's 'Pimp My Ride'. The concept features a 3 inch chopped top, shaved door handles, huge sunroof, custom rear roll-pan with center-mounted exhaust, an all-new front fascia, and a silver/blue pearl paint with mica-finish. The interior features a 10” monitor molded in the dash with a touch computer screen controlling all of the necessary functions including audio and video controls. A molded center console runs from the front to the rear and houses four, seven-inch monitors molded into a rear custom subwoofer enclosure.

“WCC and GM Design worked on giving the WCC concept HHR an outrageously different attitude and the front and rear really deliver on the WCC flare,” said Clay Dean, Director of Design for Small/Midsize Cars. “There are so many styling possibilities on how this vehicle can be personalized. This WCC vision may be over the top, but it demonstrates the creativity HHR offers to personalize it your way.”

The HHR has an overall length of 174.5 inches (4472 mm) and a cargo capacity of approximately 63 cubic feet (1787 liters).

  Read our full Design Review...

Volkswagen Jetta

Southern California is the top sales market in the world for Jetta, and the Los Angeles debut is only the second Volkswagen worldwide reveal in the U.S. The New Beetle debuted in 1998 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Jetta is the number one selling European nameplate in the U.S. with more than 2.2 million units sold in the U.S. and Canada since 1980, accounting for about 40 percent of overall brand volume in the markets.

The all-new Jetta is larger than the previous model and offers improved dynamics and a fully independent rear suspension. The 2005 Jetta will be built for worldwide distribution in Puebla, Mexico, and goes on sale in the U.S. and Canada in March.

Pontiac G6 Coupe/Convertible

Following the debut of the G6 sedan at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2004, Pontiac introduced the G6 coupe and convertible in Los Angeles. The convertible features a Karmann-designed retractable hardtop which takes less than 30 seconds to transform from coupe-like styling to top-down convertible. It is the world’s largest retractable hardtop, necessary to enclose the four-seat interior. When the top is stowed, the trunk provides 1.8 cubic feet (61 liters) of cargo space. With the top up, trunk capacity increases to 5.8 cubic feet (164 liters).

Both the coupe and convertible deliver 2+2 seating suitable for four adults, enabled by the G6’s class-leading 112.3-inch (2852 mm) wheelbase. Compared with the G6 sedan, the coupe and convertible models have all-new body panels rearward of the A-pillars.

GT models are powered by the 200 horsepower (149 kw) 3.5L V-6, and GTP models are powered by a new 240 horsepower (179 kw) 3.9L HO V-6.

Bentley Arnage Drophead Coupe

Bentley may be newly incumbent in the Volkswagen household, but that doesn’t stop them wheeling out a new concept car with underpinnings that stem directly from the Bentley T1 (nee Rolls Royce Silver Shadow) launched 40 years ago! The latest evolution of the Bentley facial identity, large wheels, deep front valance and side sills in a lighter colour, light wood interior and a flying B bonnet mascot (not seen for decades in its country of origin) make this a very west coast concept. It is seen as the potential successor to the Bentley Azure, whose eight-year lifespan raised the marque's status as a prime provider of four-seater convertibles to this sector of the market.

The vehicle shares the Bentley Arnage's wheelbase and powertrain with a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine.The front end is shared with the current Arnage range. The cabin and rear section of the car are all-new, with an interior that has been influenced by contemporary furniture design.

Operated hydraulically, the three-layer canvas roof is stowed beneath the rear parcel shelf in 25 seconds. Because the roof is held in a separate well area, there is no impact on the boot space which was designed to be able to hold two sets of golf clubs and hand luggage.

The Arnage Drophead Coupe show car is more than just a conceptual design study. The Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen said: "We had such amazing success with the Bentley Azure, which has developed a cult following, although production stopped in 2003. There's no reason why this new Arnage derivative couldn't fill the gap left by the Azure. If customer demand is there, it could go into production as early as Spring 2006."

Pontiac Torrent

Pontiac's first SUV, the Torrent is based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox and Saturn VUE. The Torrent is differentiated from the existing GM models with a higher level of luxury, sporting character and more car-like agility. The exterior features a unique front and rear end design, as well as a number of minor Pontiac design and equipment features.

The interior features leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, heated driver and front passenger seats, and a power-adjustable driver seat. Interior color palettes include all-Ebony or Ebony with Light Cashmere inserts. The steering wheel takes its design cues from the upcoming Pontiac Solstice roadster, and the instruments and gauges have Pontiac’s signature red backlighting.

Torrent features a 185-horsepower (138 kW) 3400 V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission, and is available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models. It has a 112.5-inch (2857 mm) wheelbase, 61.8-inch (1569 mm) track, and almost 8 inches (203 mm) of ground clearance.