Rocking down to Electric Avenue

CODY STORM COOPER FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Some might love the look of the Lexus LF-CH, but the gold might be too much for the rest of us.

Brian Early

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

DETROIT – Hybrids and battery-electric vehicles have moved from the fringe to the mainstream in the past decade as many in the auto industry acknowledge they will play an important part in our future.

In the meantime, the greater accessibility of electrical control systems has allowed smaller companies and privateers to try designing and producing "greener" transportation solutions.

This year's Detroit auto show featured "Electric Avenue," an area intended to highlight these emerging technologies. Here are some highlights from the show floor.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept

What: A sporty four-door hatchback said to be powered by Lexus's existing 2.4-litre four-cylinder-based hybrid system as seen in the HS 250h. Designed in Toyota's California studio and intended to appeal to Europeans, as it first showed in Frankfurt. LF-Ch stands for "Lexus Future Compact hybrid."

Plausibility: The driveline exists already, so the question is whether Lexus or parent Toyota would take the risk of producing a vehicle with this kind of styling – especially a hatchback. I give it a 50/50 chance.

Commuter Cars Corp. Tango

What: Shaped like a phone booth on a roller skate, the all-electric Tango puts its two occupants in-line to maintain a width that's just under one metre. Twin electric motors make it ludicrously quick, and a 1,500-kg curb weight that's mostly low-mounted batteries and electric motors make it unexpectedly roll-resistant.

Plausibility: It is available in Canada as a kit, but its $150,000 price tag(all figures U.S.), awkward rear seat access and questionable collision protection will likely condemn it to being no more than an oddity. We can't benefit from the lane-splitting it allows anyway.

Green Vehicles Triac

What: A closed-body two-passenger tricycle (single wheel at the rear), the Triac qualifies as a motorcycle in the U.S. Propulsion is purely electric.

Plausibility: Not certified for Canadian use, and really would be practical for only part of the year in most of the country. The roughly $25,000 cost could buy a lot of fuel. With only five produced so far, the Triac faces an uphill struggle.

Hyundai Blue Will

What: A concept hybrid with a four-door hatchback body. Its plug-in charge is capable of up to 65 km, with a 1.6-litre gasoline-fuelled four-cylinder engine that can extend its range and recharge its batteries. Solar cells on the roof augment the charging system in park.

Plausibility: This one's a combination of proof of concept and experimental styling, so don't expect to see this at your local Hyundai dealer just yet. What you will see is the hybrid driveline, which is planned for use in the 2011 Sonata.

Nissan Leaf

What: A dedicated electric car based on the Nissan Versa chassis. With a 160-km range, it's intended primarily for urban use, but is capable of speeds up to 140 km/h.

Plausibility: Already announced for limited production in Smyrna, Tenn., Nissan and Renault have partnered with cities in multiple countries to provide charging facilities for the eventual lessees.

Nissan Mixim Concept

What: An electric-powered concept vehicle, propelled by twin motors that effectively make it all-wheel drive.

Plausibility: While the mechanical pieces may have a developmental purpose, the Mixim is likely more of a styling exercise than a glimpse at a near-future model.

Toyota FT-Ch Concept

What: Looking very much like a Toyota Prius in profile, but almost 58 cm shorter, the compact FT-Ch is aimed at a younger demographic.

Plausibility: Think Prius-lite. This car's basic concepts – expanding the breadth of Toyota's hybrid model line and attracting young buyers – are sound. Doubtless the production car would look far less radical, but I can imagine Toyota building it.

VW NCC Hybrid Concept

What: Volkswagen has done the full-hybrid thing slightly differently, mixing engineering ideas like a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, small (1.4-litre) displacement turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor in a conservative but handsome coupe body.

Plausibility: Yes and yes! The fuel economy returns might not be as great as in a Prius or Insight, but the execution suggests this hybrid would be more enthusiast-oriented. The NCC Hybrid Concept's body is probably offering a look at the next generation Jetta, even if a two-door version of that model isn't a certainty. I'd also expect to see this hybrid system make it to production, though possibly only for Europe.

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