Future Hybrid & Electric Cars


2012 Cadillac Converj
The 2012 Cadillac Converj will use the Chevrolet Volt's drive system, now named "Voltec." The Cadillac Converj Concept is shown here. See more pictures of concept cars.

2011 Chevrolet Volt: A big-buzz plug-in hybrid car (GM calls it an extended-range electric vehicle) is on the fast track to showrooms as General Motors races to trump hybrid-leader Toyota. But it won't look like the racy Volt concept, and a carload of costly and complex "clean tech" could mean a stiff un-Chevy price.

2011 Coda EV: The Electric Avenue parade adds a battery-powered midsize sedan that may be the first China-built vehicle sold in the U.S. The American-engineered Coda bows for California only, but this "all-electric vehicle for everyone" could go nationwide.

2011 Ford Focus: Ford is redesigning its compact car with a renewed focus on "whole earth" appeal--in more ways than one. International style, high-efficiency powertrains and green-tech engineering should make it a strong competitor from Boston to Beijing.

2011 Nissan Leaf: Nissan makes a strong bid in the electric-car race with an all-new, battery-powered compact that could cost around $30,000. The Leaf may look like another planet-friendly econobox, but it's totally emissions-free, full of bright ideas--and a huge gamble.

2011 Hyundai Sonata: A mainstream midsize sedan gets a timely redesign featuring increased size, swanky coupe-like styling, and a first-ever gas/electric hybrid option. It's all part of a plan to steal even more sales from the class-leading Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

2012
2012 Audi e-tron: Look out, world. Audi plans to sell an electric sports car that looks--and goes--like its V10 R8. The e-tron won't be cheap, but it will be super high-tech, super green, and super rare.

2012 Cadillac Converj: Is GM's flagship brand headed down Electric Avenue? A striking concept coupe suggests it will. Converj is Cadillac's take on the Chevrolet Volt, and it could be out in a couple of years--if GM can get there from here.

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV: While other automakers focus on hybrids, Mitsubishi runs the green-car race with a pure-electric minicar. Pokemon cute and sized for the urban jungle, the i-MiEV could recharge this ailing brand's U.S. sales and image.

2012 Tesla Model S: An electric vehicle for the masses? Not quite, but this $50,000 sedan from Silicon Valley is a practical battery-powered midsize car that's also sleek, fast, and luxurious.