Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagen.

Alfa Romeo GTA Junior.

Aston Martin Lagonda.

Aston Martin One-77 Concept.

Audi S5 3.2 Quattro Convertible.

Bentley Continental Supersports.

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo.

Bugatti Bleu Centenaire.

Bugatti Bleu Centenaire.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4.

Chevrolet Spark.

Citroen GT Concept.

Ferrari 430.

Fiat 500 Convertible.

Ford Iosis Max.

Honda Insight.

Infiniti Essence.

Infiniti G37 Coupe.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4.

Lexus RX 450H Hybrid.

Mazda Kiydra Concept.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Mercedes-Benz E350 CGI.

Mercedes-Benz E500 Blue Efficiency.

Nissan Qazana.

Opel Ampera.

Porsche Cayenne Diesel.

Porsche GT3.

Renault Zero Emission Concept.

Rinspeed iChange.

Rinspeed iChange.

Rolls-Royce 200EX.

Sbarro Orbital Hybrid.

Skoda Yeti.

Spyker C8 Aileron.

Tata Nano Europa.

Tesla Roadster.

Volkswagen Phaeton.

Volvo S60 Concept.

Perana Z-One.

Photo: Reuters, AP, AFP.

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Dodge Zeo concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Fisker Karma concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Ford Verve concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – GM Corvette 1953

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Mercedes-Benz GLK

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Honda Pilot prototype

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Hummer HX

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Jeep Renegade

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 roadster

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Land Rover LRX concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Lexus LF-A

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Li Shi Guang Ming (Chinese motor-car industry)

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Lincoln MKT

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Mach5 Supercharged Race

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Mazda Taiki concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Mercedes-Benz McLaren Roadster

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Mitsubishi-RA Concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Saab 9-4x biopower concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Scion (Toyota brand)

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Smart Fortwo

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Toyota A-BAT

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Toyota Venza crossover

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Volkswagen Passat CC

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Ferrari 430 Scuderia

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Ferrari F430 Spider

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Cadillac CTS coupe

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Audi R8 V12 TDI

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Audi R8 V12 TDI

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Audi TTS

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Bei Jing Shi Guang Ming(Chinese motor-car industry)

2008 Detroit Auto Show – BMW 1-series

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Chevrolet Camaro Bumblebee

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Chevrolet Volt

2008 Detroit Auto Show – Chrysler ecoVoyage

Photo: Reuters, AP, AFP, DPA, Getty Images, Bloomberg News.

Press Release
DaimlerChrysler Expands Concept Plug-in Hybrid Program
Next-generation plug-in hybrid concept will be built on the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter platform
• DaimlerChrysler is the only automaker to test plug-in hybrid technology in the United States with customers
• Lithium-ion battery research will accelerate future hybrid development
• Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) can drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power
• Industry first: PHEV combined with diesel for maximum fuel efficiency
In a display of commitment to the development of hybrid powertrain architecture and advanced batteries, DaimlerChrysler is expanding its concept plug-in hybrid program to include the all-new 2007 Dodge Sprinter.
Up to 20 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in the United States between now and the first quarter of 2008 as part of a test-fleet program. Four of the vehicles, built on the previous-generation Dodge Sprinter, already are in operation with customers. DaimlerChrysler is the only auto manufacturer currently evaluating a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrain (diesel and gas) configurations in real-world, customer-operation service within the United States.
Battery development is one of the keys to the success of hybrid and fuel-cell transportation. Lithium-ion holds the greatest promise for battery technology. A number of the Dodge Sprinter PHEVs will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries that are about half the weight and have much greater storage capacities when compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries. The vehicles will yield technical information through real-world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries.”For plug-in hybrid technology to move forward, a dramatic leap in battery technology is necessary,” said Mark Chernoby, Vice President – Advance Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler Group. “The energy storage systems in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV concept fleet will provide valuable field experience on the possibilities with lithium-ion battery technology.”Plug-in technology lends itself to commercial applications where the vehicle returns to base after each shift to be plugged into the power grid. In short stop-and-go routes, the vehicle will use very little fuel.
The Dodge Sprinter PHEV has the ability to drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power. It accomplishes this with a switch on the dashboard giving the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed, or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being offered in the Dodge Sprinter PHEV: diesel or gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.
Plug-in hybrid technology is part of DaimlerChrysler’s advanced propulsion technology umbrella that also includes exceptionally efficient gasoline engines, advanced diesel technology, ethanol flex-fuel and zero-emission fuel cell vehicles.