The new 2012 BMW i8 Concept Spider

BMW i8 Concept Spyder. The BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is an open-top two-seater embodying a form of personal mobility with equal sporting and emotional appeal.

2012 BMW i8 Concept Spider photoFind more new 2012 BMW i8 Concept Spider pictures in our 2012 BMW i8 Concept Spider photo gallery (45 photos)

Under the banner of its sub-brand BMW i, the BMW Group is developing a range of purpose-built vehicle concepts and complementary mobility services which meet the changing needs of customers and redefine the understanding of personal mobility. As well as adopting intelligent technologies and innovative design, BMW i is pursuing an all-embracing approach defined to a significant degree by sustainability throughout the value chain.

2012 BMW i8 Concept Spider photo

The new 2012 Toyota Prius c hybrid hatchback

Following the U.S. debut of the all-new 2012 Prius c at the 2012 North American International Auto Show here, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., plans to bring this dynamically styled, five-door hatchback to market in March of 2012, and introduce Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to the subcompact segment.

2012 Toyota Prius c photoFind more new 2012 Toyota Prius c pictures in our 2012 Toyota Prius c photo gallery (37 photos)

The letter “c” represents “city” in the Prius c name. Designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and a city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, Prius c offers the highest city mpg rating of any vehicle without a plug. The all-new Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius Liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut in early 2012.

The new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan

Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid photoFind more new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid pictures in our 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid photo gallery (17 photos)

Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid photo

The new 2013 Ford Fusion Energi hybrid sedan

Ford’s all-new Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford and is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions – each expected to deliver top fuel economy and an engaging driving experience.

2013 Ford Fusion Energi photo

Featuring a sleek silhouette and fresh face, the all-new Fusion is the latest in a series of vehicles from Ford – following the 2011 Fiesta subcompact and 2012 Focus small cars – developed to satisfy customers everywhere who want leading fuel efficiency, helpful technologies and game-changing looks.

2013 Ford Fusion Energi photo

The new 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid & C-Max Energi

Ford’s two new hybrid vehicles, the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, are projected to set a new benchmark for fuel economy when they go on sale this year.

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid photoFind more new 2013 Ford C-Max Energi pictures in our 2013 Ford C-Max Energi photo gallery (24 photos)

The C-MAX Energi is expected to deliver a better fuel economy equivalent in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid with a 500-mile overall driving range, more than Chevrolet Volt. The new C-MAX Hybrid is targeted to achieve better fuel economy than Toyota Prius v.

2013 Ford C-Max Energi photo

Both vehicles feature the next generation of Ford’s acclaimed powersplit technology that will allow operation in electric mode at higher speeds than any other hybrid.

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid photo

The new 2012 Nissan LEAF electric vehicle

The 2012 Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car, continues in its second year of production to lead the drive into the “no gas, no tailpipe” zero-emission era.

2012 Nissan LEAF photoFind more new 2012 Nissan LEAF pictures in our 2012 Nissan LEAF photo gallery (45 photos)

Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, the Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of 100 miles (U.S. LA4 cycle) on one full charge to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

2012 Nissan LEAF photo

Enhancements for the 2012 model year include the addition of a standard battery heater, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, heated outside mirrors and rear HVAC duct on all models. Also, a Quick Charge Port is now standard on the LEAF SL.

The new 2012 smart for-us electric subcompact

America is the land of great automotive freedom, great landscapes, a love of outdoor activities and large pickups for thoroughly enjoying the "American dream. Now smart is countering the "bigger is better" mentality with a surprising new vehicle: the smart for-us study is small, agile and does not need any petrol thanks to its electric drive.

2012 smart for-us photoFind more new 2012 smart for-us pictures in our 2012 smart for-us photo gallery (18 photos)

This model, which builds on the smart forspeed and smart forvision concepts presented in 2011, will celebrate its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14 - 22 January 2012). With its exterior dimensions (length/width/height: 3547/1506/1701 mm) it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it also anything but ordinary under the body.

2012 smart for-us photo

The new 2012 Chevrolet Volt extended range electric car

Chevrolet dealers in all 50 states have begin taking orders for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car.

2012 Chevrolet Volt photo

The suggested retail price for the award-winning Volt will start at $39,995 (or $32,495 assuming a full federal tax credit of $7,500, which is subject to the customer’s eligibility). The price includes an $850 destination freight charge but excludes tax, title and license fees. The starting price of the 2012 model is more than $1,000 below the 2011 base model.

2012 Chevrolet Volt photo

The lower base price is possible in part because of a wider range of options and configurations that come with the expansion of Volt production for sale nationally. The 2011 model was available in just seven states and the District of Columbia.

2012 Chevrolet Volt photo

The new 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Mid-size hybrid sedan

Kia Motors America (KMA) is one of the automotive industry's current fuel economy leaders, and that position was strengthened with the launch of the 2011 Optima Hybrid, the brand's first hybrid vehicle in the U.S.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid photo

Designed to appeal to consumers looking for a stylish and well-appointed sedan that does not sacrifice style, comfort, performance or value for fuel efficiency, the Optima Hybrid offers the same combination of head-turning design and modern amenities that earned critical and consumer acclaim for the Optima following its debut, and adds a more fuel-efficient drivetrain and state-of-the-art lithium-polymer battery pack to deliver up to 35 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and a class-leading 40 mpg2 on the highway.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid photo

The new 2013 Chevrolet Spark minicar

The age of the sensible but fun little city car is upon us, and not a moment too soon.

2013 Chevrolet Spark photo -Find more new 2013 Chevrolet Spark pictures in our 2013 Chevrolet Spark photo gallery

With the 2013 Chevrolet Spark, Chevy is taking direct aim at competitors such as the Fiat 500, the smart fortwo, and the Scion iQ with a five-door hatch capable of seating four passangers and featuring a fuel-efficient 1.2L four-cylinder engine. Why it's not being offered as a plug-in electric, with a name like Spark, is anyone's guess.

2013 Chevrolet Spark photo

Be that as it may, the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is seen as the itsy-bitsy tiniest little wee Chevrolet ever produced, a highly efficient economical alternative to gas-guzzling SUVs that's a hell of a lot cheaper to fuel and easier to find parking for downtown.