Straight out of left field comes news of an offer from German solar energy company SolarWorld to acquire Opel from General Motors. The company has apparently made a formal offer to GM to the tune of $1.3 billon. “It’s a serious offer,” CEO Frank Asbeck told Reuters. “It’s not a gag.”

When Honda begins deliveries of its 2010 Insight hybrid this spring, it will come with a technology designed to help owners improve their driving habits to maximize fuel efficiency. Called Eco Assist, the system consist of a driver-activated ECON mode that automatically optimizes fuel use, plus a set of gauges to encourage “environmentally responsible driving.”

When Lamborghini unleashed its Gallardo LP560—4 coupe earlier this year, we knew it was only a matter of time until the convertible Spyder variant would arrive. That moment finally came today with the unveiling of the LP560—4 Spyder at the Los Angeles auto show.

Dutch automaker Spyker revealed its latest limited edition sports car at the Los Angeles auto show on Wednesday. The road-going C8 Laviolette LM85 is a mid-engine two-seater based on the C8 Laviolette GT2R race car. Production will be limited to just 24 units.

With the help of California governator Arnold Schwarzenegger, Volkswagen unveiled its all-new Touareg TDI - powered by a 221-horsepower V6 engine. Unlike the last diesel-powered Touareg to visit North America, the new V6 is intended to be a diesel-sipping, mass-market model.

Even though the top dogs at Detroit’s Big Three battled it out today over federal funding in Washington, D.C., nowhere was the domestic automakers’ collective plight more obvious than the Los Angeles Convention Center, site of the 2008 LA Auto Show. Though the three CEOs might have taken individual private jets from Detroit to D.C., we noticed a bit of crimping from General Motors and, especially, Chrysler.

After several months of teaser photos, Infiniti fully unveiled its 2009 G37 Convertible at the Los Angeles auto show. Based on the popular G37 Coupe, the drop-top model features a folding metal roof and unique interior treatment. It marks Infiniti’s first endeavor into the convertible market.

Bentley has taken the wraps off its high-performance Azure T at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. Featuring a twin-turbo V8 putting out 500 horsepower and 450 lb-ft. of torque, the Azure T is Bentley’s highest-performance Azure convertible and also its most well-equipped.

General Motors has released some photos of its revised Pontiac G6 sedan, coupe, and convertible models. The mainstream lineup has received a number of minor styling tweaks intended to keep G6 relatively fresh for a few more years, though the revisions aren’t skin deep.

Alongside the entry-level RX 350, Lexus today revealed the 2010 RX 450h hybrid. Visually similar to the 350, the 450h has a few of its own unique styling features, including an exclusive grille, hybrid badging including blue-trimmed Lexus logos, unique front bumper, special 19-inch wheels, blue-tinted headlamps and taillamps, and optional LED headlamps.

Lexus today revealed its all-new, next generation RX 350 crossover at the Los Angeles auto show. The new RX is powered by an improved 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an electrically controlled, sequential-shift six-speed gearbox. Styling is similar to that of the previous model, but every aspect of the exterior has been reworked for the new model year.

Like its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan cousins, the Lincoln MKZ has received a complete overhaul for the 2010 model year. Arriving in showrooms in early 2009, the luxury sedan has a more aggressive split grille design, new headlights, an updated tail end, and an improved cabin. It also features an upgraded V6 engine and new SelectShift automatic transmission.

BMW used the LA auto show on Wednesday for the first unveiling of its MINI E electric car. The modified Cooper was previewed last month by the automaker with a series of studio shots. MINI’s range is already one of the thriftiest on the planet – with the brand’s biggest gas hog still achieving 34 mpg on the highway. But the legendary marque is preparing to one-up the competition with this new zero-emissions hatch.

With the debut of Honda’s FC Sport concept car the the LA Auto Show today, car enthusiasts can rest assured high-performance vehicles will have a place in a world without carbon emissions. Honda surprised us with the launch of the new hydrogen-powered concept car, which seats three and employs the technology from the FCX Clarity sedan in a decidedly exotic package.

Ford today took the wraps off its modestly revised 2010 Mustang range, which includes updated hardtop and convertible models. On display this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the new ‘Stang has a thoroughly updated exterior and an improved cabin.

Following the release of a single photo in late October, Ford on Wednesday took the wraps off its 2010 Fusion sedan at the LA auto show. The restyled Fusion and its Mercury Milan sister boast new and improved powertrains, plus some significant exterior and interior changes.

In a town where plastic surgery is a spectator sport, one might think the Ford Fusion’s fresh new look would give the Dearborn automaker enough to talk about. But Ford is using the Los Angeles auto show this year for more than a beauty contest. The automaker is launching a new hybrid-electric version of its Fusion sedan, a product that couldn’t be arriving at a more opportune time.

Alongside the updated Boxster, Porsche on Wednesday uncovered its facelifted 2009 Cayman and Cayman S models. Like the new 911, the Cayman range will receive Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox, which promises better performance and efficiency. Two updated engine choices are also more powerful and fuel efficient. The exterior has been reworked with new headlights and taillights.

Porsche used the Los Angeles auto show Wednesday to launch updated versions of its Boxster and Boxster S for the 2009 model year. Mechanical improvements include more powerful and fuel efficient engines, the new PDK dual-clutch transmission, and a revised exterior with new headlights and taillights.

Like the Ford Fusion, Mercury’s Milan has received a complete overhaul for the 2010 model year. At the rear, the taillight cluster has been handsomely reconfigured, though the overall shape remains the same. Up front, the Milan has a larger grille, restyled headlights, and a more aggressive front fascia.