Production (cars) under way in L.A.; On Tinseltown stage, last year's dreams become this year's reality.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

When moviemakers say they're ``going into production,'' it means they have all the money, stars are signed and filming is about to begin. Likewise, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the stars are the ``going-into-production'' versions of concept cars we've seen in the last year.

Here's what's on the L.A. marquee Jan. 5-13:

Arnold Schwarzenegger's favorite General Motors brand, Hummer, shows the production H2. It comes with a solid-beam rear suspension in place of the concept's fully independent rear and does without the concept's oscilloscope green gauges, night vision and computer and cell phone docking stations. It features a Vortec 6000 straight six, a four-speed automatic, Borg-Warner transfer case, Bosch traction control and Eaton electronic locking rear differential. H2 tires are the biggest ever on an original-equipment passenger vehicle, with a choice of 33- or 35-inch rubber.

Jaguar shows off a new S-Type, which doesn't look at all new from the outside (it's not). But almost everything under the skin is new, including a 390-hp, 4.2-liter supercharged V8 in the new S-Type ``R.'' There's also a normally aspirated version of the 4.2 as well as the entry-level 3.0-liter S. The ``R'' will come with a six-speed automatic while a six-speed manual will be available for the V6. Look for these new cats in showrooms by May.

The 2003 Acura CL premiers its own six-speed manual, along with a refinished NSX similar to the one shown in Tokyo but without the carbon-fiber hood and rear wing of the Tokyo car. Pontiac's Vibe makes its production debut at L.A., at the same show where its assembly-line sibling Toyota Matrix bows. Honda won't show a production version of ...