detroit

The Dodge Dart returns to the road.

A First Look at the 2012 Coda Sedan, the workman's electric car.

Get a hands-on look at Nissan's electric utility vehicle.

A First Look at a mini Mini

DETROIT--If you're a Bug fan, chances are you might dig an electric version.

Volkswagen has been showing off its zero-emission E-Bugster concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, as well as a Jetta Hybrid.

The storied Beetle, which recently had an update for the third generation since its launch in 1949, gets a Blue-e-motion drive unit with a 114-horsepower (85 kW) electric motor and 110 miles of range with its lithium-ion battery.

It does 0-60 mph in a laid-back 10.9 seconds.

The Bugster has a low-slung roof like the 2005 Ragster concept and fat, … Read more

DETROIT--Throw the ebikes in the back and head for the hills.

That's what Smart wants drivers to do with its zero-emission For-us pickup concept, a larger and more functional ride than the gas-powered ForTwo microcar.

Smart unveiled the Tron-styled two-seater at the 2012 North American International Auto Show along with the Smart e-bike, an electric bicycle with a battery-powered motor that can recharge off the car's power supply.

It's an interesting idea if you want to hit some bike paths outside the city but wouldn't mind a little help with the pedaling.

And in this age of high gas prices and parking spots that seem to dwindle every day, the tiny, all-electric Smart seems perfect for active urban lifestyles. … Read more

Some years, automakers show off fanciful design concepts never meant for the road at the Detroit auto show, but 2012 features significant new launches people can actually buy.

The big three came loaded for showrooms, each showing off impressive new models or updates. Cadillac came out ready to seriously take on the BMW 3-series with its all new ATS. This small sport luxury sedan sounds like it's got the right stuff to compete with the eternal champion from Munich.

The new Dodge Dart is less ambitious, but looks like a credible revival of a popular nameplate. And it aims … Read more

DETROIT--Sexy new cars should come with some sizzle, but when they start to smoke, caveat conceptor.

That was the case at the 2012 North American International Auto Show when the new Lincoln MKZ sedan concept began puffing away while on a tilted stage.

It happened while a lovely lady was posing for photos by the MKZ's driver-side door for a New York Times photographer. Tendrils of smoke suddenly began wafting up from the panel.

I hate to say cherchez la femme, but perhaps she was a little too lovely.

The smoke turned into a veritable column, and in moments Lincoln staff were all over the MKZ, ushering journalists away from the vehicle. … Read more

DETROIT--Chevy wants the nation's youth, and it built two Hot Wheels-esque concept cars to use as bait.

The two concepts, unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, go by the names Code 130R and Tru 140S. Chevy cites the potential market of 80 million people in their '20s as the impetus for these two design studies.

The Tru 140S is intended to evoke an expensive exotic car in its styling, although its profile brings the old Pontiac Sunfire to mind. And based on the Chevy Cruze platform, with front-wheel drive and a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, it is unlikely to provide supercar performance. … Read more