The Coolest Cars Detroit Never Built

Photo: Michael Graham Richard

To Compete Against the Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, Ford Focus Electric, Etc..?
GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz (yes, he's still around) said that GM would make a 100% battery-electric version of the Chevy Volt by removing the gas engine and expanding the battery pack. He wouldn't say when that will happen, but it's apparently "trivial" to do from a technical point of view (after all, the Volt is already a battery electric car for the first 40 miles).

Hottest cars from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

The Audi E-Tron Concept made its debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. It uses "two electric motors (versus four driving all four wheels on the previous concept), making a total of 204-hp and 1,954 ft-lbs of torque. The new design gives the vehicle a front/rear weight distribution of 40/60. Audi has also used its Space Frame technology to keep the E-Tron’s total weight down to 2,976 lbs," NAIAS.com reports.

2010 Renault Clio S Photos

2010 Renault Clio S Photos

2010 Opel Corsa Color Race Edition

Remember the glory days of racy-looking, muscular car outfits affordable for young drivers? Opel hasn’t forgotten them and spices up the new Corsa with an exclusive Color Race edition that features a winning checkered motif, along with a traditional, vibrant motor sport Sunny Melon Yellow color – as well as with Casablanca White and Magma Red. Corsa Color Race is available immediately in Germany starting at 15,560 Euros.

To keep its performance as exhilarating as its exterior, the Corsa Color Race boast significant chassis and steering improvements that start in the full Corsa range with the Model Year 10.5 and that improve comfort, handling and steering and keep the Corsa fun to drive.

The Corsa Color Race can be powered by a range of new engines that are at the same time powerful and fuel efficient – like the new 1.4 gasoline engine with 64 kW87 hp (only 5.3 l/100 km for the wide range version; 5.5 l/100 km when equipped with the close range gearbox) or 74kW100 hp (which only requires 5.5 l/100 km). The powerful 96 kW/130 hp 1.7 CDTI combines 300 Nm torque with a fuel consumption of 4.5 liter/100 km. All in all, the re-worked powertrains – the latest example of Opel’s pledge to focus on environmentally compatible solutions – offer higher torque while boasting up to 13 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Color Race line fits the 3-door models particularly well, with its sporty contour and exciting, coupéish design. It comes with a standard black hood as well as side and tailgate appliqués with a checkered flag motif, black painted roof and black 17-inch alloy wheels. These racing accents coupled with the yellow, white, or red exterior lacquer turn every model into a winning combination. Especially in yellow, this bi-color look is reminiscent of such legendary sporty Opel models as the Rallye Kadett B Sprint from the early 70s.

The Color Race interior features special matching color highlights, like special seat stitching and vent bezels, a Panorama sunroof and a leather-clad steering wheel.

The Opel Corsa Color Race is also available with innovative technologies like halogen AFL curve and cornering lights and heated steering wheel.

2010 Tata Indica Vista Sport Concept

The Tata Motors Group has unfolded the full scale of its product portfolio and the breadth of its technology capability with a display of 37 vehicles, from the Tata, Jaguar and Land Rover brands, at the Auto Expo 2010, which opened here today. Among them are three new Tata vehicles - the Tata Aria, the Tata Venture, the Tata Magic Iris - and the all new Jaguar XJ, which were unveiled by the Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Mr. Ratan N. Tata.

In passenger vehicles, the Group's displays range from Jaguar luxury saloons and Land Rover SUVs to Tata Indigo Manza sedans, Tata Indica Vista hatchbacks, the Tata Safari, the Sumo Grande MK II, the Xenon XT, and two specially conceived Tata Nano cars. The Nano has been declared as the 2010 Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY). The Tata commercial vehicles range displays include a brand new Starbus platform, the Prima range of world standard trucks, CNG-fuelled truck pick-up vehicles, and a Winger-based special application.

Tata Indica Vista Sport: The Tata Indica Vista Sport, a concept, reiterates the versatility of the Vista platform. The flared wheel arch trims and accentuated fog lamp slots exude power. The carefully contoured bonnet flares and the black treatment on the Vista's distinctive petal-shaped headlamps assert its feline poise, made complete with a trendy aerofoil rear roof spoiler. The youthful Alphanso Orange body colour, contrasted with a dark shaded roof, highlights the car's sportiness, matched with ebony black interiors and black leather seats. Tata Nano for her, and for him: Demonstrating the Tata Nano's adaptability to customer desired look and personality, two specially conceived LX cars are on display. The Cocktail Red Nano, with attractive floral patterns on the door and the bonnet, is dressed for women. The theme has been replicated in the interiors too - on the seats, door pads and the centre console. It is also fitted with a stop-start feature. The second specially conceived Nano, in Wild Lime colour, will appeal to male sensibilities with interiors of leather seats and leather door pads. Being derivatives of the Nano LX, both are air-conditioned and equipped with electronic trip meter, music system, mobile charger point, central locking, tinted glasses, front power windows and fog lamps.

2010 Tata Magic Iris

The Tata Magic Iris is a four-wheel small passenger carrier in the public transportation space. In keeping with the company's objective to offer safe and comfortable mobility, the Tata Magic Iris aims at upgrading the quality of travel for those who depend on three-wheelers.

Its spacious car-like cabin can comfortably seat four passengers - three at the back and one in the front beside the driver. The four wheels - either in options of 12-inch radials or 10-inch cross-ply - controlled by a steering provide car-like on-road stability, while the hard roof, made of sheet metal, provides car-like safety. In addition, car-like clear lens headlamps and tail lights also enhance safety.

The steering and the cable shift transmission offer car-like driving ease. The 611-cc water cooled diesel engine, backed by a 10-litre fuel tank, is capable of running larger distances with a top speed of about 55 kmph and yet higher engine life. With a power of 11.3 PS (higher than small three-wheelers), the engine provides higher pulling power, gradeability and faster trips, resulting in higher earnings for the operator. The aggregates ensure lower maintenance cost. With its bouquet of features, the Tata Magic Iris will be the ideal small passenger carrier which will upgrade both the quality of public transportation and also the income of their owners.

The Tata Magic Iris will be commercially launched during 2010.