2011 L.A. Auto Show Debut: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

Following the introduction of the 2012 Chevrolet  Camaro ZL1 at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, Chevrolet took the obvious next step and unveiled a drop-top version of this super Camaro in L.A. which will debut later next year. The hardtop version of the Camaro ZL1 will go on sale early next year for $54,995 while fans of open-air driving will have to wait until at least the third quarter of 2012 to buy a ZL1 Convertible with a base price closer to the $60,000 mark.

The 2013 Chevrolet  Camaro ZL1 Convertible is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V-8 that produces an impressive 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft of torque, but the ZL1 Convertible will also receive ample improvements to ride and handling thanks to the use of the Magnetic Ride feature and plenty of structural upgrades to give the car a more rigid body without the roof. These upgrades include a strut tower brace under the hood and a beefed up transmission support brace as well as multiple reinforcements inside the windshield frame, A-pillars and rocker panels. Magnetic Ride is an advanced feature that allows for active suspension damping that uses a computer to adjust the damping level at all four wheels up to 1,000 times per second. The Camaro ZL1 Convertible will offer the Performance Traction Package which adds a launch control system to the car while enhancing the magnetic ride control, traction control and stability control systems.

2013 Chevrolet Spark

Also debuting at the L.A. Auto Show was the North American version of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark although the car is already on sale in Europe, Australia, Mexico and South America. Slotting in below the subcompact Chevy Sonic, the all-new Chevrolet Spark mini car will go up against cars like the Scion iQ, FIAT 500 and Smart fortwo when it goes on sale sometime in mid-2012. Standout features for the U.S.- and Canadian-spec Spark models include 10 standard airbags and the option Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system that comes with a seven-inch touch screen display.

Sitting on the stage at L.A., the size of the Spark is surprising. It isn't a very long car coming in at 144.7 inches (about two feet shorter than the Sonic), but it is deceivingly tall (only six inches shorter than the Equinox) which helps make the cabin roomier than most consumers probably expect from this segment. Powering the Spark is a 1.2-liter inline-four that puts out 85 horsepower and 82 lb-ft of torque; not a lot of power is needed to motivate the 2,269-pound hatchback. The four-passenger Chevy Spark features a unique appearance thanks to hidden rear door handles making it look like a three-door hatchback. A wide range of a pastel exterior colors will be available to consumers including blue, green, yellow and pink which were all on display at the show.