Electricity is in the Air at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

For obvious reasons, the tone at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was decidedly different this year. While critics may paint a grim picture, stripping away most of the glitz and glamour of past auto shows was actually a refreshing change as the major auto manufacturers rolled up their sleeves and got down to business. And despite the dire forecasts, there was electricity in the air in Detroit – quite literally as electric drive becomes common throughout the industry.

Leading the charge were the domestic Big 3, all promising electric vehicles in the near future. GM announced it will produce the Volt battery pack at a new high-tech plant to be built in Michigan, with LG Chem supplying the cells for the lithium-ion battery. Chrysler rolled out two new renditions of its electric vehicle vision in the form of the Chrysler 200C EV sports sedan and the Jeep Patriot EV. Not to be left out of the mix, Ford promised an electric van-type commercial vehicle in 2010, a full battery electric passenger car in 2011, and the next generation of Ford hybrids in 2012. Here are a few of the highlights from the 2009 NAIAS.

2011 Chevrolet Spark
The Beat concept that GM rolled out as part of a trio of microcar concepts more than a year ago at the L.A. Auto Show will come to the U.S. market in 2011 as the Chevrolet Spark. This microcar is a tidy package, in person seeming very close in size to the smart fortwo, but with the addition of a rear seat. No details on the powertrain have been revealed yet, but the Spark has a look and style that should make it a home run for entry-level buyers and city dwellers.

2010 Toyota Prius
Toyota revealed two dedicated hybrid models in Detroit, the Lexus HS250h and the much-anticipated third generation Prius. The new Prius has a shape that’s even more slippery than the original with a super-low 0.25 coefficient of drag and styling cues that update the now familiar profile. Rear seat headroom is improved by moving the roof peak slightly aft. Toyota increased displacement of the internal combustion engine to 1.8 liters, providing more torque at lower rpm. Along with the latest generation Synergy Drive hybrid components, the new Prius will deliver 50 mpg in combined driving compared to 46 mpg with the current model.

Lexus HS250h
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, now has a dedicated hybrid of its own. The HS250h is an aerodynamic four-door sedan that rides on the same 106.3 inch wheelbase as the Prius. A premium hybrid, the HS250h is well appointed with all the popular amenities luxury car buyers expect. Heavier than the Prius, the HS250h is powered by a larger 2.4 liter four cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine and has a combined gas/electric power output of 187 horsepower, 53 more than the Prius. Official EPA fuel economy numbers aren’t available yet, but Lexus expects the HS250h to offer a 30 percent improvement over a similar gas-only model.

Fisker Karma S
Upstart auto manufacturer Fisker Automotive not only pulled the wraps of the production version of its much-anticipated Karma plug-in hybrid, it also unveiled a sportier two-door with a retractable hardtop. Both cars feature Quantum Technologies’ Q-Drive hybrid powertrain, which features two powerful electric motors for exceptional performance and a projected 50 mile all-electric range, after which the 2.0-liter gas engine is required to charge the lithium-ion battery pack. The Karma S is a very appealing package with an aggressive, muscular look and clean grille treatment.

Lincoln Concept C
Certainly one of the most talked about concepts in Detroit was the Lincoln Concept C. The futuristic rendition breaks the Lincoln mold in many ways, most notably with its small size. It’s powered by an EcoBoost 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. Despite the small packaging, the interior is quite roomy with front and rear thin profile contoured bench seats, futuristic controls, and a next generation edition of Ford’s Sync system.

VW Concept BlueSport
Our favorite concept of the show, the Volkswagen BlueSport, is a two-seat sports car. It looks to be based on the Porsche Boxster platform with a mid-engine rear drive configuration. Power, however, comes from a clean diesel 2.0-liter TDI producing 180 horsepower and 258 lbs-ft of torque that’s mated to a six-speed dual clutch transmission. Fuel economy is said to be 50 mpg on the highway, which will allow a driving range of better than 700 miles with its 18.5 gallon fuel tank. This diesel roadster is quick, too, achieving 0-60 mph in just over six seconds. Where do we sign up?