2009 North American International Auto Show - Detriot, MI.
Detroit, Mich., in January is often frozen tundra. But this year, in the basement of Cobo Hall, the home of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), you’d think it was summer. With the exception of overhead spotlights substituting for a radiant sun, beautiful landscaping surrounded a mini road course where you can drive an electric or hybrid vehicle indoors. Nearly every manufacturer had an electric, hybrid or fuel-cell concept vehicle to showcase their wares. One thing is clear. The electrification of the automobile is the second generation of the industry. Here is a look at what’s to come.
General Motors: The Chevy Volt is the most anticipated car from General Motors that isn’t a Corvette. Unveiled two years ago, the Volt is scheduled for a 2010 release. Volt is a plug-in hybrid that primarily runs on battery power. When the charge is depleted, a small engine automatically engages to finish trips beyond 40 miles. If you have a short daily commute, it’s possible you may never have to burn a drop of fuel in the Volt during its lifetime.
2010 Chevy Volt
Ford/Mercury: Ford expands their hybrid lineup with the 2010 Fusion and Mercury Milan. Both models receive redesigned front and rear fascias in addition to revised interiors. The new hybrid sedans from Ford are expected to deliver as much as 700 miles on a tank of fuel in city driving conditions and can be driven at up to 47 mph on battery power alone. The instrument panel has a special graphic that displays an increasing number of green leaves as you drive more economically. One interesting way the Ford hybrids receive excellent fuel mileage is by using an electric air-conditioning compressor.
Ford Fusion
Honda: Honda’s Insight returns to dealer showrooms this spring in five-door form. The very Prius-looking hybrid hatchback utilizes a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an Eco Assist electric motor for hybrid functionality. Early fuel mileage estimates are 40 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. The Insight features an Econ button that automatically adjusts vehicle functions — such as reducing air-conditioning output — to help maximize fuel economy. Like the Ford Hybrids, the Insight also features a leafy green display to monitor your green driving habits.
2010 Honda Insight
Toyota/Lexus: Prius, the car that started the hybrid craze, is redesigned for 2010 and gets a fuel mileage rating of 50 mpg for a combined city/highway average. The new Prius features enhanced performance, and an interior that is quieter and roomier than the ’09 model. The electric motor is lighter for 2010 and the new body design boasts the world’s lowest drag coefficient (.25) for a passenger car. A plug-in hybrid version of the Prius will arrive in late ’09 to fleet customers. Lexus introduced the HS 250h, the entry-level hybrid for the line. The hybrid drivetrain incorporates a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and other green features such as an exhaust heat recovery system that shortens warm-up time and a windshield that filters infrared rays to lessen air-conditioning use.
2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Plug In
2010 Toyota Prius
Chrysler: Assuming Chrysler is around in the near future, they have a few hybrid models they want you to see, all in concept form. The 200 C is a beautiful sedan that you’d wish were available today, hybrid or not. You’ll have to wait until this concept gets a decision for production. The 200 C will go 40 miles on electric charge alone and 400 miles when the small displacement engine (yet to be determined) helps out. The Chrysler Town and Country mini-van, and Jeep Patriot and Wrangler models all have hybrid powertrains in concept form and deliver the same range as the 200 C. The Circuit is an all-electric sports car with a range of up to 200 miles. Of these five models, the first will be produced in 2010 with three others to follow in 2013. While they haven’t announced which models match the production dates, the Town and Country hybrid is most likely to hit the streets first.
Chrysler Town & Country EV
Fisker: The 2010 Fisker Karma was unveiled and announced with a starting price of $87,900. The luxury plug-in hybrid can travel up to 50 miles from the electric motor alone and up to 300 miles with the help of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Ecotech engine from General Motors. The Karma posts a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125. The four-door, four seat Karma will be the hottest looking hybrid on the road with styling that hints at the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin. Fisker also unveiled the Karma S convertible hardtop concept that shares the same powertrain with the sedan. Sedan models will be available this fall.
2010 Fisker Sedan
2010 Fisker Convertible
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