thePULSE2010 Concept Cars, Straight from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit
By Steve Henricksen
One thing that was abundantly clear about concept/prototype vehicles coming down the pike is that electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are here to stay. Even Volkswagon, which has not been shy about letting the world know it didn’t consider hybrids a viable long-term solution, finally got on board with the idea and unveiled models like its gas-electric New Compact Coupe Concept. Other car manufacturers are modifying some of their existing models to run on battery-powered electric motors; take BMW, for instance, who showed their Concept ActiveE at the show. Not all the new concepts were hybrids, though ~ Chevrolet, MINI, and Cadillac all showcased vehicles that suggest their future offerings will incorporate traditional engines.
Alright, enough about the broad details. Here are our picks for “Best in Show.”
AUDI E-TRON
If you follow car shows, you’ll probably realize that Audi’s newest electric car has the same name as the one that debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show ~ but the similarities stop there. Whereas the first e-tron is based on the Audi R8 supercar, the Detroit car bears no resemblance to anything in Audi’s current stable. The relatively small 2-seater (250 lbs lighter than the previous e-tron) shoots to 60mph in under six seconds thanks to two electric motors that push the power rating to 204 hp and a killer 1,954 lb-ft of torque. And let me tell you, this car is visually stunning, too.
BMW Concept ActiveE
Based on the 1-Series Coupe, the BMW Concept ActiveE, weighing it at 3.900 lbs., is fully electric. Its 170 horsepower electric motor, mounted at the rear of the car, is powered by lithium-ion batteries. BMW estimates that the car should have a range of about 150 miles. And even though it’s electric, the car apparently still gives that unmistakable BMW feel on the road by maintaining the 50/50 weight distro of the 1-Series. BMW plans to put out a test fleet of these cars soon.
Cadillac XTS Platinum
Cadillac’s XTA Platinum Concept is a [very] full-size plug-in hybrid that will comfortably seat five adults. Once this vehicle goes into production, it will most likely replace Caddy’s DTS and STS, its two largest sedans. The XTS nicely showcases the company’s new design language and strategy for its upper-echelon “Platinum” level that will be incorporated in all future models. The XTS interior also debuts a new control layout with very few buttons and switches. Organic light-emitting diode displays replace the traditional screens and gauges. The plug-in hybrid powertrain uses a 3.6-liter V6 engine and an electric motor for a total output of 350 horsepower and 295lb-ft of torque. Cadillac said that the battery can be fully recharged in approximately five hours and that the plug-in hybrid system can deliver efficiency double that of conventional hybrids in certain conditions.
Chevy Aveo RS
The Chevrolet Aveo RS is General Motors’ answer to the Ford Fiesta. It’s larger, wider, more spacious and cooler than the current Aveo, and takes the model up-market to make room for the all-new Chevrolet Spark minicar, which should make its debut later this year. Although the concept version unveiled at the show has more aggressive styling than the production version that will go on sale as a 2012 or 2013 model, the Aveo RS gives a good idea of what the final product will look like. The show car uses the 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that will be offered in the larger Cruze sedan. Unlike the current Korean-made Aveo, the new one will be produced in the United States.
GMC Granite
The GMC Granite is a cross between a small utility vehicle and a minivan. With aggressive looks and a bold front grille, it is aimed at a younger buyer, and a production version would take the GMC brand into a lower price bracket. The Granite is two feet shorter than GMC’s smallest vehicle, the Terrain. It’s based on another minivanlike model from Chevrolet, called the Orlando, but seats five instead of seven. The side doors open “cabinet style,” with the rear doors opening from the front, not the rear, to reveal an interior with suedelike upholstery and aluminum trim. The Granite pairs a 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Should it be approved for production, the Granite will be marketed as a premium small crossover, priced higher than the Orlando.
Hyundai Blue-Will
Hyundai’s weirdly named Blue-Will plug-in hybrid showcases the Korean automaker’s next-generation electric drivetrain technology, some of which will debut on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that goes on sale later this year. Its “eco-sleek” design, with sweeping character lines, hints at what future Hyundai models might look like. The basis of Hyundai’s new hybrid system is a 152-horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor powered by a lithium-polymer battery. It gets an estimated 50 to 55 mpg. The Blue-Will concept’s plug-in system will reportedly get an estimated 106 mpg thanks to extended electric-only capability that enables it to drive up to 40 miles on a single charge. It can be recharged from regular household power outlets.
MINI Beachcomber
The Beachcomber Concept gives a good idea of what MINI’s new crossover might look like, but you have to picture it with doors and a roof to get the idea. The open-air cockpit theme isn’t slated for production at this point; MINI is gauging people’s reaction to it to see if it holds promise. The Beachcomber Concept’s Jeeplike form was conceived as a way to tie the forthcoming MINI crossover to the classic cool MINI Moke, which was a stripped-down MINI Cooper produced from 1964 through 1993 that looks like a cross between a World War II Willys Jeep and a dune buggy. The Beachcomber Concept’s interior features an innovative rail system running between the front seats to the rear of the cabin, onto which cupholders, bins and mounts for electronic devices can be mounted
Toyota FT-CH
The Toyota FT-CH is a compact hybrid designed to target young buyers and fill a slot just below the company’s already-small Prius. The car has a broad, sporty stance, nearly two feet shorter than that of the Prius, even though the FT-CH is just as wide as its older brother. Toyota didn’t give specs on the drivetrain or mention definitive production plans. The FT-CH illustrates the company’s strategy to expand its hybrid line with multiple Prius variants in a play to remain the leader in the segment. Toyota sold 530,000 hybrids worldwide in 2009; 195,000 of them were sold in the United States.
Subaru Hybrid Tourer
Expect to see more of the Hybrid Tourer’s design cues from Subaru in the future. But don’t expect the concept car’s fanciful gullwing doors to make it onto production models ~ they’re a common concept-only feature designed to better showcase the interior. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and twin electric motors, on the other hand, could find their way into production. The Subaru Hybrid Tourer made its North American debut at the Detroit Auto Show, but was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall.
Volkswagen New Compact Coupe
With its New Compact Coupe, Volkswagen has finally thrown its hat into the hybrid game. Until now, it has largely placed its bets on clean diesel as the fuel of the future. The New Compact Coupe is capable of up to 45 mpg, thanks to an efficient 1.4-liter direct-injection turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a powerful electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery; the combined output should be close to 177 horsepower. The car has an electric-only mode, or it can be powered by the gas engine and electric motor together. While the car is coasting in hybrid mode, the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission disengages from the engine for added efficiency. Volkswagen has yet to announce when it will start offering a hybrid system.
