Green car preview at Detroit Auto ShowGreen car preview at Detroit Auto Show

Media days for the 2017 Detroit Auto Show begin amidst significant uncertainty about green cars and their future in the U.S.
It remains unclear how the incoming Trump Administration will treat current fuel-economy and emissions standards.
Continued low gas prices are driving a boom in SUV and crossover sales, something reflected in the number new of utility vehicles that are expected to appear in Detroit.
DON’T MISS: Ford Transit Connect Hybrid taxi prototype to appear in Detroit
But autonomous driving is also expected to be a major theme, and electrified powertrains have become intertwined with the development of self-driving cars.
We expect a few notable green-car debuts, or at least debuts of cars that emphasize fuel efficiency to some extent—though no significant global debuts of new, high-volume battery-electric production cars.
We’ve rounded them all up here, but be sure to check our Detroit Auto Show news page for updates.
2018 BMW 530e iPerformance
BMW 530e iPerformance
The BMW 530e iPerformance is the latest in an ever-growing range of BMW plug-in hybrid models.
Like all plug-in hybrids based on existing BMW models, the 530e wears the “iPerfomance” badge to tie it to the i8 and the i3 electric car, BMW’s green models based on dedicated platforms.
This one is based on the redesigned 2017 BMW 5-Series, with a powertrain derived from that of the 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid.
ALSO SEE: 2018 BMW 530e ‘iPerformance’ plug-in hybrid sedan for U.S. unveiled
That powertrain includes a a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a single electric motor fed by a 9.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
Unlike the smaller 330e, the 530e will be available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The 530e goes on sale in the U.S. in Spring 2017, meaning it will likely be sold as a 2018 model.
Chrysler Portal concept, 2017 Consumer Electronics Show
Chrysler Portal concept
The Chrysler Portal all-electric minivan concept that debuted at CES is expected to debut to hometown audiences in Detroit as well.
It features seating for six and a claimed range of 250 miles, courtesy of a 100-kWh battery pack.
The Portal is capable of autonomous driving, but only to Level 3—meaning it can perform all functions in certain situations, like highway driving, without the need for a driver to monitor it.
MORE: Chrysler Portal concept: all-electric minivan for CES offers some self-driving
That’s a couple of steps down from Level 5, in which a vehicle can handle all driving situations without any human involvement—or without any humans onboard at all, for that matter.
To keep its occupants busy, the Portal sports an elaborate infotainment system, including two large screens that take up most of the dashboard.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is working with Waymo, the former Google self-driving car project, and has supplied 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids to that newly-independent company for conversion into autonomous test vehicles.
An example of the self-driving Pacifica Hybrid may be displayed at the Detroit show as well.
Ford Transit Connect Hybrid taxi prototype
Ford Transit Connect Hybrid taxi prototype
Briefly mentioned amid a flurry of recent electrified-vehicle announcements, a prototype Ford Transit Connect Hybrid taxi will make its public debut in Detroit.
The Transit Connect small van is already used as a taxi in many U.S. cities, but Ford doesn’t currently offer a hybrid version.
Ford has not discussed technical details of the prototype, or any timeline for a decision on production feasibility.
The company has 13 new electrified models planned for the next few years, including a 300-mile electric SUV, and hybrid versions of the Mustang and F-150 full-size pickup truck.
Second-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid automated driving research vehicle
Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous-driving prototype
Ford too is promoting its autonomous-driving efforts; it has displayed its second-generation Fusion Hybrid autonomous prototype, and plans to bring the car to Detroit as well.
The company has used Fusion Hybrid sedans for prototype self-driving cars since 2013, including testing them on public roads around its Detroit-area headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
However, the latest version uses more powerful computers, and an upgraded suite of sensors that includes smaller and more efficient lidar units.
Ford plans to put an autonomous car into production in 2021, but will only offer it to ride-sharing services.

2018 Ford Fiesta (European spec)
2018 Ford Fiesta
A redesigned version of the Ford Fiesta minicar was unveiled in Europe last month, and it is possible the new Fiesta could make its North American debut in Detroit.
While the current-generation Fiesta is sold here, Ford hasn’t plans for U.S. sales of the new model—and its recent reshuffle of production facilities for the Focus may indicate a lack of U.S. interest in a car smaller than the compact Focus.
Changes to the new-generation Fiesta include a subtle restyling, with four individual trim lines that add their own special styling features.
The current Fiesta’s 1.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine will remain, and will gain cylinder deactivation.
Teaser for 2018 Honda Odyssey debuting at 2017 Detroit auto show
2018 Honda Odyssey
Minivans have become somewhat displaced by the rise of crossovers, but Honda is standing firm.
The 2018 Honda Odyssey will debut in Detroit as the much-needed replacement for the current-generation Odyssey, which dates back to 2011.
It will likely adopt the 3.5-liter V-6 and 9-speed automatic transmission of the Honda Pilot crossover, and will likely share a platform with it as well.
What remains to be seen is whether Honda will add a hybrid version, to compete against the Chrysler Pacifica (plug-in) Hybrid.
A hybrid minivan would use the two-motor hybrid system now offered in the Honda Accord Hybrid, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Infiniti QX50 concept, 2017 Detroit auto show
Infiniti QX50 concept
The Infiniti QX50 concept previews the next generation of the Nissan luxury brand’s QX50 crossover.
It is based on the QX Sport Inspiration concept that first appeared at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show, but with styling that is closer to production ready, as well as some new technology features.
The QX50 also demonstrates what Infiniti calls a “possible application” of its variable-compression VC-T engine, which the automaker previously said would go into production in 2018.
The VC-T is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that can vary its compression ratio, allowing for more efficiency-focused settings under light engine loads, and more power when needed.
The QX50 will also preview Infiniti’s ProPilot driver-assist system, which will be able to navigate stop-and-go traffic and automatically keep a car centered in its lane,among other anticipated features.
2018 Lexus LS teaser
2018 Lexus LS
The 2018 Lexus LS is a redesigned version of Lexus’ flagship sedan and it will likely include a hybrid powertrain option like the outgoing generation.
The new model is expected to share a platform with the Lexus LC coupe. The LS may get a hybrid powertrain distinct from the LC’s more performance-oriented one, though.
Lexus has also hinted that the next-generation LS will be offered with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, although not until sometime after other versions arrive in showrooms.
More recently, though, parent company Toyota has grown more interested in battery-electric cars, which may affect the future of some of its fuel-cell plans.

Rinspeed Oasis concept, 2017 Consumer Electronics Show
Rinspeed Oasis concept
The Rinspeed Oasis is not intended to be a production car, but rather a demonstration of how autonomous driving could affect car design.
First shown at CES, the pod-like Oasis is built for urban driving, with in-wheel electric motors that include their own steering mechanisms, helping increase maneuverability on tight city streets.
On the inside, the Oasis has the feel of a living room, with a dashboard garden plot, armchair-style seats, and a large television.
Rinspeed envisions the Oasis as a shared vehicle that could serve as personal transportation or as a ride-sharing or delivery vehicle.
2018 Toyota Camry
2018 Toyota Camry
Many manufacturers now offer hybrid versions of their mid-size sedans, but Toyota was among the first.
Now that Toyota is redesigning a car that remains the best-selling sedan in the U.S., you can expect a new hybrid model to be part of the mix.
The 2018 Toyota Camry will share the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform with the current-generation Prius hybrid.
A teaser image of the Camry’s taillight indicates it may adopt elements of the Prius’ funky styling as well.
Teaser photo for next Volkswagen I.D. electric-car concept, to be shown at 2017 Detroit Auto Show
Volkswagen ID Microbus-like concept
Volkswagen will unveil an electric-car concept that it describes as a companion to the ID hatchback it brought to the 2016 Paris Motor Show.
Reports and teaser images indicate this second ID concept will be a van, with a design possibly referencing the classic VW Microbus.
Whatever it ends up looking like, the Detroit concept will ride on the same MEB platform for compact electric cars as the Paris ID concept.
VW has discussed plans to put the ID hatchback into production, but it is unclear whether this new version will be produced as well.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace teased ahead of 2017 Detroit auto show
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
One Volkswagen vehicle that definitely will go into production is the Tiguan Allspace, a 7-seat version of the Tiguan compact crossover aimed at the North American market.
The Allspace should be virtually identical to its 5-seat sibling, but with a wheelbase stretched 4.0 inches, contributing to an 8.0-inch stretch in overall length.
This model is relevant to green-car discussions because of the possibility that Volkswagen will offer a plug-in hybrid version to replace the TDI diesel version that would have been the most fuel-efficient entry in the lineup.
It previewed such a vehicle with the Tiguan GTE Active concept, but has not confirmed the plug-in hybrid model for production.
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