Porsche will reveal new mid-engine sports car in LA

Porsche has officially announced its plans to reveal a "mid-engined sports car" next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in addition to showing off its latest crop of 911 models – the GTS and Speedster. It might sound vague, but we're placing bets that the German automaker's big reveal is the much-rumored Cayman Clubsport, a sort of "hardtop Boxster Spyder."

According to earlier reports, the Cayman CS will be motivated by the automaker's 3.4-liter flat-six, with power expected to be around 333 horsepower. Much like its Boxster kin, the Clubsport's main objective will be lightness, with sources saying that anywhere from 162 to 184 pounds will be shed from the stock Cayman S body. This means things like fabric door pulls, aluminum body components and lightweight alloy wheels will be on hand, keeping the Clubsport focused on being a nimble, spirited track day queen.

We'll have the official word live from Los Angeles next week, so stay tuned. To read all of the elusive details, follow the jump for Porsche's press release.

[Source: Porsche]

First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut

We first saw sketches of what Mitsubishi's i-MiEV might look like when it arrives in the United States, and now we have the first official images a week before the car's public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Sure, the production-ready i-MiEV you see here loses many of the aggressive-looking elements of the preview sketch, but Mitsubishi has indeed followed through on its promise to offer more robust dimensions and an upgraded interior.

The U.S.-spec i-MiEV is 11.2 inches longer, 4.3 inches wider and 0.2 inches taller than the JDM version. We're glad that Mitsubishi has added a lot of length and width while only minimally increasing height, since that should beef up the rather narrow i-MiEV's stance here on American roads. Inside, the interior looks substantially more comfortable, with a two-tone color scheme and a redesigned center stack, encompassing updated audio and HVAC controls.

Mitsubishi is still targeting an on-sale date near the end of 2011 for the all-electric i-MiEV, with prices coming in below $30,000 (before government rebates). Hit the jump for Mitsubishi's official press blast.

U.S.-spec 2012 Mazda5 coming to LA Auto Show

We first saw the next-generation Mazda5 when it debuted in Geneva earlier this year, but now Mazda has confirmed that the version destined for the United States will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Badged as a 2012 model, the U.S.-spec Mazda5 won't differ all that much from its European kin in terms of appearance. A good thing, since the mini-minivan benefits from a healthy does of Mazda's swoopy Nagare design language.

Unsurprisingly, the 2012 Mazda5 will be powered by the same 157-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four that we enjoy in the Mazda3 and Mazda6. Happily, Mazda will still be offering the 5 with a manual transmission in addition to the standard automatic, making it more attractive to those of us who prefer the engagement that row-it-yourself gearboxes have to offer. Multi-configurable seating for six is available inside with the usual list of standard and optional features.

In addition to the new 5, Mazda will be bringing its Shinari concept that we had the chance to check out a few months back. It previews the next generation of Mazda styling language and we're eager to get up close and personal with it once again at the LA show. Follow the jump for Mazda's official press release.