Motown is paved in green at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

DETROIT: Even the racecars were green at the 2011 North American International Auto Show held in Detroit.

With a handful of exceptions, placards on the show stands were all touting fuel ratings battery cars and hybrids, a far cry from just three years ago when it was still all about performance. 

Spurred by the growing environmental concerns and pending tough, new fuel consumption laws, automakers at Detroit went out of their way to stress this year how hard they are working to make this a greener world.

Another sign of sweeping change in the U.S., seen at the show, was the move to smaller, but much better equipped vehicles.

Here are some of the significant reveals this year in Detroit.

 

Buick has entered the burgeoning compact luxury sedan segment with the 2012 Buick Verano compact luxury sedan, the brand's third new model in the past two years.

Going on sale in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Verano features 10 standard air bags, an available heated steering wheel and a next-generation radio system with OnStar-powered connectivity that enables seamless communication between the Verano and the driver's smart phone.  

An Ecotec 2.4-litre and six-speed automatic powertrain combination is standard and delivers an estimated 177 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque.

With 0-60 mph performance time of 8.0 seconds, it gets an estimated (US) 31 mpg on the highway. A 2.0-litre turbo engine will be offered in the future.

 

Chevrolet premiered the Sonic sub-compact that is the new name for the former Aveo.

The Sonic is offered in two body styles: a stylish four-door sedan and a sporty five-door. Each delivers claimed class-leading rear-seat roominess and cargo space. A variety of connectivity features enhance the driving experience.

Sonic will be available with two engines, an Ecotec 1.4-litre turbo with an estimated 138 hp and a standard Ecotec 1.8-litre engine paired with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. The Ecotec 1.4-litre turbo is available with a six-speed manual transmission.

Standard equipment includes electronic power steering and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing.

 

Built at the Brampton Assembly Plant, the 2011 Chrysler 300 arrives in showrooms in the first quarter of 2011.

The all-new Chrysler 300 sedans provide customers with elegant style, grand-touring performance, best-in-class seat comfort and the precision, refinement, premium materials and quality of the world's best E-segment luxury sedans.

The new 300 features a flex-fuel 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine that delivers 292 (claimed) best-in-class horsepower and an eight per cent improvement in fuel economy while the legendary 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with Fuel Saver Technology delivers 363 hp and 0-60 mph in less than six seconds.

Also featured is state-of-the-art connectivity, infotainment and more than 70 safety and security features to keep passengers of the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 connected, comfortable and secure.

 

The debut of C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, on the heels of the newly unveiled Focus Electric, builds on Ford’s electrified vehicle portfolio, bringing expanded choice to customers and further strengthening the company’s sustainability strategy.

The fuel-free, all-electric rechargeable Focus Electric passenger car will launch in North America in late 2011 and Europe in 2012.

The C-MAX Energi is the company’s first-ever plug-in hybrid production electric vehicle that comes to market beginning in 2012, targeting AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status. The C-MAX Hybrid is a next-generation full hybrid version of the five-passenger multi-activity vehicle.

The all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission in the Focus provide immediate responsiveness and smooth acceleration when the driver pushes down the accelerator, up to a top speed of 84 mph (136 km/h).

The Vertrek concept is Ford’s vision for a utility vehicle that will appeal to customers around the world and signals the direction Ford will take in developing a new global utility vehicle.

It features a stylish design, outstanding cargo space and a 1.6-litre EcoBoostengine equipped with Ford Auto-Start-Stop technology that could deliver best-in-class fuel economy.

The Ford Vertrek concept is built on Ford’s global C-segment platform, which will underpin more than two million vehicles globally by 2012.

 

 GMC

The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept is an exploration of heavy-duty truck capability combined with greater off-road versatility.

It is highlighted by a bold exterior design, enhanced all-terrain suspension and premium details expected of a GMC and all designed to enable greater access to off-road destinations.

The Sierra All Terrain HD features a unique five-foot, eight-inch Crew Cab/short box body configuration that supports a wheels-at-the-corners proportion.

 

 HONDA

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and Civic Concept sedan, making their world debuts in Detroit, gave the first official glimpse at the styling direction of the all-new, ninth-generation 2012 model set to go on sale this spring.

The Civic's family of engines with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology have become even more fuel-efficient for 2012.

The upcoming Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation of the compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline-electric hybrid system and features the first application of a lithium-ion battery in a Honda hybrid.

All 2012 Civics are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) as standard equipment. Additionally, the ninth-generation Civic continues to provide Honda's exclusive and innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure for frontal collision energy management.

 

Hyundai’s cutting-edge Veloster three-door coupe had its world debut at the North American International Auto Show. The 2012 Veloster delivers innovation in the compact coupe segment with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, a standard seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai’s first six-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).

Veloster is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in 24 months), following on the heels of the all-new Tucson, Sonata, Equus, Elantra, and soon-to-be released Accent.

 

The new 2011 Jeep Compass made its worldwide auto show debut in Detroit.

The new 2011 Jeep Compass has a distinct family resemblance to the all-new, premium 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Interior upgrades for the 2011 Jeep Compass include new soft touch front-door trim panels with a padded upper surface; a new center armrest; a new Jeep steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, available hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; new cloth interior with premium cloth bucket seats in the front; standard speed control on all models; new backlighting of door switches, door locks, windows and power mirror controls.

 

Conceived as a modern-day “activity van,” the Kia KV7 concept challenges the notion that vans are strictly for family transportation and reveals a vision for a vehicle with the functionality to transport a large number of people and their belongings while also serving as a connected social hub for groups of friends and adventure-seekers.

The KV7 concept’s most interesting feature is its passenger-side gullwing door, which creates a massive point-of-entry to the lounge-like interior when opened in conjunction with the pillar-less front passenger door.

A series of near-continuous windows starting at the A-pillar provide uninterrupted views for a day at the beach or a night out on the town. 

Despite its non-traditional look, the KV7’s length (191.85 in.), width (80.0 in.) and wheelbase (122.0 in.) are consistent with the van segment allowing for flexible seating configurations and a multitude of storage options.

 

Without doubt, the most outrageous “green car” at Detroit was the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell.

With four electric motors and a battery system pumping out 400 volts, the E-Cell has a torque rating of 650 lb/ft.

Calling it “the most advanced electric sports car in the 125-year history of the automobile”, it will go on sale beginning in 2013.

MINI

The MINI says the Paceman Concept is the first Sports Activity Coupe in the premium small segment of the market. 

The Paceman combines the classical MINI concept with the styling features of the MINI Countryman with the look of a coupe.

The result is a MINI with visual ‘muscle car’ design cues, displaying its dynamic capability from every angle.

Although no decision has been made about a future production version, Paceman could form yet another building block in the development of the MINI brand.

The familiar MINI shoulder line that rises towards the rear of the Paceman Concept also hints at its sporting intent.

 

The Porsche 918 RSR “racing lab,” is seen as combining ultimate performance and high efficiency in the field of hybrid technology.

The fourth hybrid vehicle presented by Porsche in the last twelve months, the extreme two-seat coupe reveals what happens when the technology fitted to the 911 GT3 R hybrid and the design of the 918 Spyder are fused to a modern, innovative super sports car.

The 918 RSR’s mid-mounted V8 engine is a development of the direct-injection engine from the successful RS Spyder race car, and now offers an output of 563 hp at 10,300 rpm.

Two electric motors powering the front wheels each contribute 75 kW; leading to a peak power output of 767 hp from the hybrid system.

 

Toyota unveiled the Prius family of vehicles in Detroit.

In addition to the current third-generation Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV), the new Prius v midsize hybrid-electric vehicle and the Prius c Concept vehicle joined the iconic hybrid brand, broadening the appeal of Prius to all ages and lifestyles

More than 21,000 Prius’ have been sold in Canada since it was first introduced in 2000, and Toyota Canada’s share of the Canadian hybrid market is 60 per cent.

The Prius has also been a technological flagship vehicle, offering new features to the Toyota brand like the world’s first beltless engine, plant-derived, carbon neutral plastics, a Touch Tracer Display, an Advanced Pre-Collision System and Intelligent Parking Assist, as well as Toyota’s first use of a moon roof with solar panels that power a smart air conditioning system.

 

Volkswagen staged the world debut of the all-new Passat, a transformational car in Volkswagen's ambitious growth plan for North America.

The all-new Passat offers three drivetrain options: a responsive 2.5-litre gasoline engine, an eco-friendly 2.0-litre TDI Clean Diesel and a powerful 3.6-litre VR6.

The four-cylinder 2.0-litre TDI Clean Diesel (140 hp/236 lb/ft) is expected to deliver (US) 43 miles per gallon on the highway, with a range of approximately 800 miles. Optional on the Passat TDI will be Volkswagen's six-speed DSG transmission.