By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

You know we're already fans of the Mazda CX-5, what we consider to be one of the company's most important new vehicles. And - for the most part - Mazda really nailed it: great styling, clever use of space, fun to drive, and amazing fuel economy. The biggest gripe, however, has to be its lack of grunt. The normally-aspirated 2.0-litre SKYACTIV four-cylinder has an adequate amount of horsepower (155) but definitely felt like it could use a little extra oomph.

During the original launch Mazda execs essentially confirmed that the new up-level engine would eventually be the equally impressive 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D - or turbodiesel - with 170 horsepower and over 300 lb-ft of torque. Sounded good to us. Well, that's not happening quite yet; turns out the third-generation Mazda6 that's arriving in North America soon will debut Mazda's diesel tech, meaning we'll have to wait a little longer for a hot-rod CX-5.

However, Mazda understands that it was probably losing some potential sales over the perceived lack of power and has reacted appropriately. The 2014 CX-5 will now offer an optional 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder engine - basically an enlarged version of the 2.0-litre - in mid- and top-level trims.

With 184 horsepower and more importantly 185 lb-ft of torque, the bigger engine should make the CX-5 more attractive to customers. It will only be available with a six-speed automatic transmission is GS and GT models in either front- or all-wheel drive. The bigger engine uses a little more fuel than the 2.0-litre (8.3 city/6.2 highway L/100 km vs. 7.7/6.1) but with a slightly bigger fuel tank (58L vs. 56) Mazda expects any CX-5 to have an ideal maximum range of 900 km.

One piece of new technology debuting on the 2014 is the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), which Mazda says works to avoid a head-on collision when driving between five- and 30 km/h. It uses a windshield-mounted laser to detect potential problems and preps the brakes in anticipation of the driver taking corrective measures. 

The best part? The 2014 CX-5 will be on sale at Canadian Mazda dealers in January 2013.

By Andrew Stoy, AutoWeek

It's official: The new 2014 Mazda 6 sedan is getting a diesel engine for the North American market.

Finally coming clean on one of the worst-kept secrets of the year, Mazda officially announced the Skyactiv-D version of the Mazda 6 at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday. When it goes on sale next summer, the 2.2-liter turbodiesel 6 will become the first non-German-powered diesel sedan in American showrooms since the late 1980s.

Make no mistake: This is a big deal. But why?

Join us as MSN.ca Autos hits the auto show floor November 28th, during the press preview day! Get expert updates and opinions on vehicle announcements throughout the press days. You can also submit comments on what you'd like to see and share your thoughts!

By Greg Kable, AutoWeek

BMW has provided the clearest hint yet that its lineup of i-brand electric vehicles will expand beyond the three models already confirmed for production with the unveiling of a three-door version of the i3 for the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Lower and wider than the five-door i3 due to go on sale late next year, this version is officially billed as a concept.

However, senior BMW officials say cost and feasibility studies are already being carried out on the new car with the view to adding it to the i lineup, which also includes the futuristic i8 coupe and roadster.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

The high-performance Ford Fiesta ST will make its American debut at the Los Angeles auto show this week. The five-door Fiesta ST will get 197 hp and 214 lb.-ft. of torque from its 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. The most impressive part is the car's expected 34-mpg highway fuel mileage rating. A six-speed manual is the only transmission available.

The Fiesta ST and Focus ST cars are the result of combined efforts from Ford's Europe and American performance car teams.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Jaguar and Land Rover will debut three new vehicles at the LA Auto Show later this month. The Jaguar XFR-S will join the new F-Type in Black Pack trim and the 2013 Range Rover.

The Jaguar XFR-S is said to be the fastest sedan the company has ever produced, with only 200 available for the U.S. market. We assume the XFR-S will sport the same supercharged V8 as in the XKR-S, making 550 hp and 502 lb.-ft. of torque. We doubt adding a few doors to the equation will make the powertrain any less fun.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Ford confirmed Monday its three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine will arrive next year in the 2014 Ford Fiesta. The unit is expected to achieve an output of about 123 hp and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. The Blue Oval says the engine has a higher specific output than any engine in its stable.

Several technologies will help the three-cylinder get more than 40 mpg, Ford explained.

It starts with the advanced cooling system that accurately manages engine temperature at different points in the system. A variable-speed oil pump and offset crankshaft reduce noise and vibration while external balancing helps keep the three-cylinder smooth. The primary cam belt runs through an oil bath to reduce noise; it also becomes maintenance free.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander and 2013 Outlander Sport (sold in Canada as the RVR) will make their debut at the Los Angeles auto show on Nov. 29. The two vehicles will ride on different platforms and were developed separately, hence the two model years.

As you can see from the picture above, the full-size 2014 Outlander takes a dramatic new styling turn, ditching the Lancer Evolution front end for something more futuristic. It also takes a lot from the 2009 Outlander Concept that we saw at the Tokyo motor show.

The Outlander will feature a new version of the company’s MIVEC engine, which Mitsubishi says will make the CUV one of the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger vehicles available. They declined to go into specifics. Last year’s big Outlander combined for 22 mpg with the V6. We assume the new one will do better than that.

By Jake Lingeman, AutoWeek

Fiat has issued a few teaser photos of the 2014 Fiat 500e battery-electric vehicle ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Changes include a sleeker all-around look, new wheel choices and a redesigned front.

Instead of a body-colour-surrounded grille, Fiat goes with an accenting color that stretches from the bumper to the lower front lip of the car. In the teaser photo this is white, making the change stand out even more.

By Mark Vaughn, AutoWeek

The Mercedes Energ-G-Force, which will debut at the Los Angeles auto show, could be the shape of Mercedes SUVs to come — if you like it.

“If people really like it and reaction is good then yeah, we might have to think of making it happen in reality,” said designer Huey Lee, who was part of the team that penned the Energ-G-Force at Mercedes' Advanced Design Studio in Carlsbad, Calif. Metalcrafters built the carbon fiber composite roller you see here.

Now, you could say about any concept car ever made that it or elements of it might go into production. And those elements just as easily might not. But think about where Mercedes has to go when such a G-Wagen successor would bow in 2025. Things will be different then. Mercedes notes that while the roads of 2025 will be much more crowded with electronically monitored and guided traffic, people will still want to get out of the city to recreate and they're going to want to use the G-Wagens to get there. But they'll want to do it in an environmentally friendly way.