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Nissan Sentra, Buick LaCrosse to headline LA Auto Show

We're less than a month away from the start of the Los Angeles Auto Show, and automakers have been lining up their debuts for the upcoming left-coast expo. The latest announcement comes from the show's organizers who are eager to tout the global debuts slated for next month. Chief among them will be new versions of the Buick LaCrosse and Nissan Sentra. So far all we've seen of the 2017 LaCrosse is a glimpse at the front grille, but it's already promising to bring elements of the Avenir concept to the street. The original LaCrosse was launched in 2004 and was replaced in 2010 with the current model. The Sentra nameplate has been around much longer, but the current model was launched more recently in 2013. The new version spied recently while undergoing testing is promised to be a substantial update on that model, not a complete replacement, bringing it up to speed with the latest equipment and revised styling. This represents the first official confirmation we've received of when Nissan will be unveiling the new Sentra. Mitsubishi will also be on hand with its new Outlander Sport, as well as the redesigned Mirage. They'll be joined as well by new versions of a couple of high-end models that promise to resonate with the local crowds in tinseltown. Land Rover has chosen the LA show as a suitable venue to unveil the production Range Rover Evoque Convertible that will drop the top on one of the most stylish luxury crossovers on the market. And Porsche, as we know, is gearing up to hit the track with the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport - a customer racing version of the company's little two-seat, mid-engined sports car that's been lightly modified for motorsport competition. Of course these won't be the only new metal on display at the Californian auto expo. They'll be joined as well by the likes of the new Infiniti QX30, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Sportage, and Jaguar F-Pace - many of which we've already seen. Meanwhile companies like Fiat, Ford, Mazda, Mercedes, Subaru, Volvo, Volkswagen, and Elio Motors are keeping their plans under wraps for the time being. But with mere weeks to go, it won't be long before we see what they've got in store as well.

Recharge Wrap-up: Reverse graffiti powered by Nissan Leaf; BMW introduces Wallbox Pro

BMW has a new, faster version of the Wallbox home EV charger. The Wallbox Pro offers 7.4 kilowatts, and can charge the BMW i3 to 80 percent in under three hours. It features a seven-inch touchscreen and proximity sensor, plus an 11.5-foot cord. The Wallbox Pro can also be used with smart home systems such as lighting and heating. The Wallbox Pro is available in Europe, and will come to the US later in the year. Read more at Hybrid Cars. Nissan is using the Leaf to power the creation of "reverse graffiti" in London. The company has commissioned artist Moose to selectively wash dirt off of a wall outside of a subway station, leaving behind a mural of London landmarks. Moose used a jet washer powered by the Leaf's battery to create the piece. The goal is to highlight the amount of pollution in London and other large cities, which is not a new idea. "It is a reminder that electric vehicles don't have an exhaust to emit the kind of air pollution which has stained the wall Moose has created his piece on," says Nissan's Jean-Pierre Diernaz. See the artwork in the gallery, and read more in the press release below. Local Motors used a 3D printer to make the Strati electric car in 44 hours. The car was printed with 212 layers of carbon-reinforced ABS thermoplastic. After printing, the team then spent two days finishing the car to make it run. It is powered by the drivetrain from a Renault Twizy, and is capable of 40 miles per hour. Now the question is if this sort of small-scale car manufacturing using 3D printing technology will catch on. See how a car gets printed in the time-lapse video below, and read more over at Treehugger. Nissan cleans up London with the world's first car-powered graffiti - Nissan LEAF powers "Reverse Graffiti" street art in Waterloo - Mass-scale mural imagines a cleaner London, without car fumes - The artwork is on show in Waterloo, London near popular Southbank LONDON – Nissan is highlighting London's battle with air quality in the UK by using the 100% electric Nissan LEAF – the world's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) – to power a striking piece of street art in Waterloo, London that depicts the capital's iconic skyline. Nissan commissioned Reverse Graffiti artist Moose – the founder of his field – to create the mass-scale mural, which was unveiled today. Unlike traditional graffiti, Moose creates his art by cleaning dirt off surfaces using a jet washer or wire brush, leaving a striking design in negative on the wall.

2016 Nissan Leaf with 107-mile range will start at $35,050* [UPDATE]

Here we go. Without making any huge leap into a second-gen model, Nissan has upgraded the 2016 Nissan Leaf from the 2015 model with a big range increase and a more durable battery. According to the new EPA numbers, the new Leaf will go 107 miles from a 30-kWh battery pack. That's going to get people's attention, since the current Leaf has an 84-mile range from a 24-kWh pack. You will still be able to get an 84-mile Leaf in the 2016 model year, since Nissan is keeping the S trim level with the lower, 24-kWh pack size. If you opt for the more expensive SV or SL trims, then you'll not only get the 27-percent greater range, but also a battery pack that is slightly heavier (by 46 pounds) and has more modules (eight vs. four) but the same number of cells. The two packs are the same size. In the end, the EPA rates the 30-kWh with 124 city, 101 highway and 112 combined MPGe fuel economy, while the S trim keeps the 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined MPGe of the 2015 models. All the new 2016 Leafs keep the same 80-kW AC synchronous motor from earlier models. It still offers 107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. Prices for the new Leaf start at $35,050 for the Leaf SV (up from $32,950 for the 2015), $37,640 for the Leaf SL (up from $35,970) and $28,060 for the Leaf S (no change from 2015). All prices include $850 delivery charge but not the potential federal tax incentive of $7,500. The 2016's exterior is virtually identical to the 2015, aside from some new colors with names like Forged Bronze, Coulis Red and Deep Blue Pearl. Nissan is offering a few upgrades on the inside, though. There's a new graphic interface display on the 7-inch color screen (5-inch on the S trim) and a new "beam forming microphone" that should make the car's voice recognition better. The information that is displayed on the screen has also changed, with the charging screen info being updated every 12 miles. Given that some (but not all) of the rumors of this Leaf range bump turned out to be true, what do you all think of the talk of a 250-mile Leaf in about three years? UPDATE: The original headline quoted the price of the SL model instead of the less expensive SV, and has now been changed to accurately reflect the starting price of the SV. Both SL and SV come standard with the new 30 kWh battery, while the S model comes standard with the smaller 24 kWh pack. Thanks to those who pointed out this discrepancy!