Update: Green Cars at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

By John Voelcker

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Detroit skyline, by jdurchen [Flickr] http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdurchen/

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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 or a Chevrolet Volt anywhere near what will likely be a somewhat motley collection of low-speed neighborhood-electric vehicles, prototypes, and whatever else they can round up. The Nissan Leaf will be there, though.

Chevrolet  in particular needs to stress that its 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 Detroit Auto Show: Green Concept Cars

2010 Toyota hybrid concept

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Toyota dedicated hybrid concept

Given Toyota's dominance of hybrid cars--it's made two-thirds of the world's supply 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.

The latest speculation is that it will be a hybrid version of the 2011 Scion iQ mini-car (sold in the rest of the world as the Toyota iQ). It is said to be a new five-door hatchback iQ model, possibly followed by a sedan. The existing iQ three-door will come with a 93-horsepower, 1.3-liter gasoline engine, as will a tiny two-seat retractable hardtop model.

Power for the iQ Hybrid supposedly pairs a 1.5-liter engine to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, giving 100 horsepower or more, and fuel efficiency as high as 60 miles per gallon. Cost is rumored to be $15,000, meaning the iQ Hybrid would undercut not only the 2010 Toyota Prius ($22,600) but also the 2010 Honda Insight, currently the lowest-cost hybrid ($21,400).

Speculation has also centered on a two-door version of the Prius, rumored to compete with Honda's upcoming 2011 CR-Z sports coupe (see below). A hybrid version of the Toyota Yaris subcompact is also a possibility. We'll keep you posted.

[Inside Line]

2009 BMW Concept ActiveE

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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 12525-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 concept, 2010 Detroit Auto Show

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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.

Micro-Vett electric Fiat 500 from NICE Car Company, 2008 London Motor Show

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Electric Fiat 500

Neither Chrysler nor its new partner Fiat will hold a press conference in Detroit. Still, persistent rumors say that not only will the Fiat 500 be on display, but so will an electric version of it, very much in the spirit of the Mini E electric two-seater.

The British magazine AutoExpress says it will have more than 5,000 small lithium-ion cells, giving it up to 150 miles on a charge (better than the Mini E's 100-mile range).  Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is quoted as about 10 seconds, with a top speed of 90 mph. Recharging from empty could exceed 10 hours, though that time would fall by half with a U.S. 220-Volt dryer circuit.

[AutoExpress]

2011 Chevrolet Aveo (RS Concept, 2010 Detroit Auto Show)

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Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept

The Chevrolet Aveo RS concept is mostly a styling exercise for the car that will replace the current, aging 2010 Chevrolet Aveo sedan and hatchback. Chevy released little information on the car's performance or fuel efficiency, but to stay competitive, it must meet or beat the 2011 Ford Fiesta's ratings, at 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway.

The RS concept has a "European-inspired hot hatch look," Chevy says, meant to "appeal to young enthusiasts." It is longer, wider, and has more interior space than the current model. That will allow GM to bump up total transaction price from a starting sticker of $14,000 or less. It's the same tactic that lets Ford start prices for the 2011 Fiesta at $14,000, but offer models as high as $23,000.

The 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder engine, estimated at 138 horsepower, is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, with power delivered to the road through the giant 19-inch, five-spoke wheels and tires. Chevrolet will build the new Aveo at its plant in Orion Township, Michigan, starting in 2011; the current Aveo comes from South Korea.

2010 MINI Beachcomber Concept

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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.