Porsche, Saab, Ford Rev Up Green Cars at N.Y. Auto Show

by Nicholas Kolakowski

The prototype i-MiEV, which Mitsubishi claims can cruise for 80 miles under “ideal driving conditions” on a single electrical charge.

The i-MiEV needs 12 hours to fully charge its lithium ion battery, although a “quick charge” to 80 percent capacity only takes 25 minutes. Sort of like an iPod, only with wheels.

The 3.7-liter Mustang V6 engine, for the 2011 Ford Mustang, provides some 300 horsepower.

With this engine installed, the 2011 Ford Mustang will be able to provide 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Steve McQueen not included.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta, with a 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine, is designed to be fuel efficient, and offers 40 miles per gallon on the highway. It also comes equipped with Ford Sync, designed in conjunction with Microsoft, as an in-car IT system.

Ford is focused on introducing electricity as a propulsion system for an increasing number of vehicles, including the five hybrid cars due by 2012.

Chevrolet is also trying to appeal to the efficiency-minded with its 2010 Chevy Cruze, supposedly capable of 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

By the end of the year, Chevrolet plans on offering two models of Cruze, the Eco and RS.

The Saab 9-5 Aero Sedan features a 2.8-liter, six-cylinder turbo engine capable of producing 300 horsepower.

The Saab 9-5 Aero Sedans interior includes a pilot-style heads up display, an entertainment-and-navigation system with an 8-inch touch screen, and a Bluetooth system for hands-free calling.

The Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet packs a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine (capable of 70 horsepower) into a small package. Top speed is 90 mph, with 0-60 mph achievable in 12.8 seconds.

The Smart Fortwo Passion Cabriolet can speed at 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway.

The new Mini Countryman measures 161.3 inches long with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches, making it Minis largest model but still small when compared with other manufacturers offerings.

The Mini Countrymans interior includes a Central Rail that offers electrical and USB connections for smartphones and other devices.

If you ever made a fortune by starting your own search engine or line of sleek PCs, you too could drive a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is Porsches first fully hybrid vehicle, and is due in the United States near the end of 2010. Seen here: the engine, battery and hybrid module.

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid pairs a 3.0-liter V6 supercharged engine with a 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery, and a hybrid module.

The Lexus entry into the hybrid market, the Lexus CT 200h, includes a 1.8-liter engine paired with a nickel-metal-hydride battery. It is due for release in 2011.

The 2011 Nissan Leaf claims to be a zero-emission vehicle, fully powered by electricity. It will debut in select markets in December 2010, with a wider release the following year.

The Nissan Leafs performance specs are still largely under wraps, but features include energy-efficient LED headlights, recycled materials for many interior fabrics, Bluetooth capability and an optional solar panel spoiler.

Charging the Nissan Leaf will require a 240V/20-40-amp dedicated circuit hard-wired to the charger. Average cost for the charging dock (including installation) will be $2,200. The car itself costs $32,780.

The 1927 SS Jaguar 100, with a 3.5-liter engine, is not a hybrid because it was produced when Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid, equipped with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve Dual VVT-i engine, includes a smart key system and interior display for monitoring energy flow, outside temperature and average fuel economy.

The Camry Hybrid is rated as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEX-II).