Next month's North American International Auto Show in Detroit promises to be greener than ever before.
That's a recognition that more fuel-efficient and smaller cars are a permanent part of the U.S. automotive landscape, but it's also desperation to fill space in a show that's losing exhibitors.
Padding out the new cars on display: Not only the return of last year's basement Eco Xperience ride-and-drive, but a main-floor area called "Electric Avenue" just for electric cars, of any variety.
Our bet: You won't see a Tesla Roadster, a Chevrolet Volt, or a Nissan Leaf anywhere near what will likely be a somewhat motley collection of low-speed neighborhood-electric vehicles, prototypes, and whatever else they can round up.
GM and Nissan in particular need to stress that their electric cars are real cars. Being displayed next to glorified golf carts does nothing to help that.
In any case, here's our roundup of the newest green cars we expect to see at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
2010 TOYOTA PIRUS PLUG IN
Toyota dedicated hybrid concept
Given Toyota's dominance of hybrid cars--it's made two-thirds of the world's population of them--this may be the most important green concept at Detroit. Toyota's being coy about details, issuing just a teaser shot of some green bodywork.
Speculation runs from a two-door version of the Prius to a hybrid Yaris, both rumored as competitors to Honda's upcoming 2011 CR-Z sports coupe and current 2010 Insight, respectively. A hybrid version of the upcoming 2011 Scion iQ mini-car is also a possibility. We'll keep you posted.
BMW Concept ActiveE
Following mixed reviews for its test fleet of electric Mini E conversions, BMW's newest foray into all-electric cars--the Concept ActiveE--embodies the rear-wheel-drive handling characteristics of its iconic sporty sedans.
Its 25-kilowatt (170-horsepower) electric motor sits in the rear axle, powered by a lithium-ion battery pack (of unspecified capacity) that gives 0-to-62-mph acceleration of 8.5 seconds. Range is 100 miles, and charging time is said to be 3 hours in Europe and about 4.5 hours in North America.
BMW plans to put everyday drivers behind the wheel of a fleet of these emissions-free compact sports sedans, to gather actual data on how drivers use electric cars in real-world travel.
Volvo C30 Electric Car
Volvo, too, plans to display an electric concept that will be tested with real-world drivers. The electric C30 debuted last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but this version is drivable and shows off a full interior.
Unlike the BMW, the electric Volvo hatchback is front-wheel-drive, with its battery pack split between the spaces for the previous gas tank and driveshaft. Range is 90 miles, with a top speed of 80 miles. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes less than 11 seconds.
MINI Beachcomber
While we expect to see the Mini Coupe Concept at Detroit, following its debut last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the latest news from the busy Mini brand is the unveiling of the new Beachcomber Concept.
We're not sure how green it is--it's the largest and heaviest Mini to date--but it previews an upcoming Mini compact crossover, which takes the brand into all-wheel-drive territory for the first time ever. The concept runs on a conventional gasoline engine.
The Beachcomber concept has a few echoes of the Jeep-like Mini Moke from the Sixties, but if you add some doors, it's an all-but-production version of what might be called the Mini Countryman.
source: greencarreports
