Concept cars rooted in reality

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cadillac's Converj concept at the Detroit auto show.

John LeBlanc

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

DETROIT–With fewer manufacturers, the number of world debuts at the Detroit show was down considerably from recent years. But the concept vehicles that were unveiled had real relevance to what new-car buyers might be interested in for the foreseeable future.

PHOTOS: Concepts at Detroit

Fuel-efficient, small-displacement engines matched to electric motors and even pure electric cars dominated, though whether anyone will be able to afford this new technology is unclear.

VIDEO: LeBlanc's top concepts

Despite the dark clouds around the Detroit Three, GM, Ford and Chrysler had the show's three biggest surprises.

CADILLAC CONVERJ

Just as the Chevrolet Volt concept was the star here two years ago, the Converj concept captured everyone's attention this year.

Designed to be "beautiful first, electric second," the Converj uses the same extended-range gas-electric hybrid platform as the Volt.

Equally appealing was the Converj's aggressive forward-leaning proportions that successfully evolves Cadillac's design language.

GM also claims a maximum 273 lb.-ft. of instant torque for a quick launch. Top speed is 160 km/h.

LINCOLN C

To try to lower its average customer age from 57, Ford's luxury brand Lincoln is hunting for upscale urbanites with its Lincoln C concept, a small four-door based on the European Ford Focus.

As wide as a midsize Lincoln MKZ sedan, designers were able to fit three-across seating in both rows. Upfront is Lincoln's new waterfall grille. Out back, the C looks inspired by recent Renault designs.

Lincoln says the C could achieve an estimated 6.5 L/100 km (43.4 m.p.g.) highway rating with its 180 hp turbocharged 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine and a dual-clutch six-speed transmission.

A production version could be in showrooms by 2011.

TOYOTA FT-EV

Technical details were sparse, but Toyota says its FT-EV concept is confirmation of its plan to launch an urban commuter battery-electric vehicle by 2012.

The FT-EV shares a platform with the tiny iQ urban commuter car, a car similar in size to the Smart ForTwo but with two additional seats squeezed in back, already being sold outside of North America.

In concept form at least, Toyota says the FT-EV can go as far as 80 kilometres before needing a recharge.

CHRYSLER 200C EV

Based on a shortened version of a current rear-wheel-drive platform, the Chrysler 200C EV hints at not only what the next generation of large sedans will look like inside and out, but also a potential hybrid powertrain.

The interior is free of switches and levers, as all the regular dashboard functions, settings and hands-free features are managed via a panoramic multimedia touch screen, a passenger-dedicated "techno-leaf" and a tablet PC.

The 200C EV is powered by a range-extending electric drive system found in several other Chrysler EVs here, including the Town & Country EV minivan, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV and Jeep Patriot EV.

Similar to GM's claims with its Volt and Converj, the 200C EV is capable of driving up to 64 kilometres on battery-only power, while a small gasoline engine and on-board electric generator produce electricity to extend the driving range to 640 kilometres.

FISKER KARMA S SUNSET

The polar opposite to the tiny Toyota was the Fisker Karma S Sunset concept, a retractable hardtop version of the $87,900 (U.S.) production Karma electric sedan that also debuted in Detroit.

Designed by former BMW and Aston Martin designer-turned-automaker Henrik Fisker, the Sunset proves zero-emission driving doesn't have to be boring.

Fisker boasts of 403 hp from two electric motors, delivering 0-to-96 km/h in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 200 km/h.

Similar to the Toyota FT-EV, incredibly, Fisker promises a range of 80 kilometres on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack.

KIA SOUL'STER

Kia has slowly but surely developed a distinct product identity from mothership Hyundai after hiring former Audi designer Peter Shreyer.

The latest bit of fun is the Kia Soul'ster concept, a ragtop version of the new Soul compact wagon the Korean automaker will launch in Canada this spring.

In the spirit of a Jeep Wrangler, modifications from the production Soul include two doors instead of four, and a two-piece top that allows the front and back areas to be opened independently.

VOLVO S60

The Volvo S60 concept, along with the current XC60 crossover, shows Ford's Swedish brand is trying awfully hard to break away from its current design language, which began with the 1999 S80.

With its double-wave shoulder line, curvy lines, highly sculptured lighting and rear parallelogram suicide doors, the S60 concept doesn't look anything like Dad's 240.

While the concept's exterior gives a strong clue to what the 2011 production S60 sedan will look like, Volvo said the concept's interior is actually more futuristic.

Features like the floating centre stack, handmade from solid Orrefors crystal, and floating seats are still years away from production.

MERCEDES-BENZ BLUEZERO

Based on a single architecture, the Mercedes-Benz BlueZero concept allows a trio of different drivetrain options depending on the owner's needs.

Either a battery-electric drive (range 200 km), fuel cell (range 400 km) or a Chevy Volt-like extended-range gas-electric hybrid drivetrain (range 600 km) can be placed in the BlueZero's sandwich-floor architecture found in today's B-Class.

Strip off the transparent cladding for the rear wheels, and Mercedes says the BlueZero hints at the next B-Class due in about two years.

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