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.

Has Chris Evans bought a McLaren F1?

The rumour on the grapevine this morning is that Radio 2 man and Ferrari nut, Chris Evans, has traded a Ferrari to buy a McLaren F1 Chris Evans is known for many things; Radio 2 presenter, doting dad, one-time enfant terrible of TV, creator of CarFest and, perhaps most of all, the most high-profile collector of classic Ferraris in the UK. But the word on the grapevine this morning is that Chris has chopped in a Ferrari – and we don’t know which of his Ferraris – to buy one of the 64 McLaren F1 supercars in existence. If he has, and we’re digging for confirmation, then he’s obviously been listening to the advice a number of experts at the top end of the classic car world who believe the ‘next’ Ferrari 250 GTO (a car Chris owns) will be the McLaren F1.

Mercedes-Benz OKs the CLS wagon

Mercedes-Benz will launch a wagon version of the second-generation CLS sedan as a rival to the recently introduced BMW 5-series GT and the upcoming Audi A7. The new four-door--presaged by the German carmaker's 2008 Concept Fascination two-door shooting brake revealed at that year's Paris motor show--is among a throng of niche-market models under consideration by Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche. "We're seeking to improve our returns by better utilization of existing platforms," a high-ranking Mercedes source told AutoWeek.