This year's North American International Auto Show was pretty quiet. As car makers continue to re-build following the devastating affects of the GFC, it is not surprising the number of concept cars remained light-on compared with other years.
Just a few years ago we were spoilt for choice, with dozens of sexy dream cars dotted around the stands.
But the GFC forced a number of makers to shelve their concept car plans and the fallout can be felt this year.
Nevertheless, we've come up with a list of 13 cars we think are stars of the show in some way.
Audi showed off its latest green car - the all-new Audi A6 hybrid. From the outside it doesn't look much different to the regular A6 models. The new hybrid is front-wheel drive with Audi's 155kW 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder under the bonnet mated to a 33kW/211Nm electric motor. The A6 hybrid uses an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Audi says the new hybrid uses 6.2L/100km and emits 142g/km CO2.
The hybrid can achieve speeds of up to 100km/h purely on electricity. At a constant speed of 60km/h it has a range of 3km. It accelerates in 7.3 seconds from zero to 100km/h to a top speed of 238km/h.
At this stage there is no definite timing on its release.
The rumors have been circulating for years, but BMW finally took the wraps off an M version off the baby 1 Series Coupé.
Under the bonnet is a 250kW six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The new 1 Series M covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds.
The car is so 'sports' focused the maker has decided to not give the M model the option of a sun roof to reduce weight and maximise head or helmet room.
BMW says it hopes to get younger buyers into the M range: people in their 30s.
In the US, the M Coupé will come with two option packages - one a navigation pack, the other an entertainment package.
Like its M3 Coupé sibling, the new 1 Series M Coupé gets aluminum suspension. It also has an M exhaust system with four ‘signature’ exhaust pipes.
The baby M model comes with 'air curtains', which are designed to "improve airflow around the wheel arches with the benefit of significantly reduced turbulence". The 'air curtain principle' was first shown in the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept study at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.
It might wear a Chevrolet badge, but you are looking at the all-new Holden Barina.
Like the current Australian version, the latest Barina will come from GM's Daewoo plant in Korea.
The Barina will come in both sedan and hatch body styles and will go on sale in Australia in July this year. The sedan is expected to follow about six months later.
As well as the five-door hatch and the sedan, Chevrolet also unveiled a higher performance version called the Z Spec Concept with a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that would compete with the likes of a Polo GTI.
In Australia the Barina is expected to come with two engine choices - a 1.4-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine and a turbocharged version as well.
There is no official word if the Z Spec Concept will go into production, but the concept did look production-ready.
The US Barina comes with a significantly improved safety armoury compared with the outgoing car, boasting 10 airbags and stability control standard, but Holden is yet to confirm if Australian cars will get the same equipment.
The new car is not only larger than the current model but also has more equipment to bring it back in line with the class leaders such as the new-generation Volkswagen Polo, recently upgraded Ford Fiesta, the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris.
Yep. This is the all-new Chrysler 300 (or 300C as we know it). Not that you would guess by looking at it.
Gone is the trademark don’t-mess-with-me grille, replaced by a considerably sleeker design.
While the exterior change is massive, the 300C's overhaul is not just skin deep. There is a new powertrain, more upmarket interior, new headlights and a noticeably lower belt line.
Chrysler brand CEO Olivier Francois told the crowd the company invested US$1 billion on the redesign. For that sort of cash, you'd want to hope there were significant changes.
Francois confirmed an eight-speed automatic transmission is coming to help reduce fuel consumption. The figure is expected to be 7.8L/100km.
Ford Escape/Kuga
Ford is finally set to have a compact SUV that can compete in the Australian market, and it will come in the form of the Vertrek.
The concept signals the direction Ford will take in developing a new global utility vehicle. It is built off the company's global C segment platform (that underpins cars like the new Focus), which the US maker says will underpin more than 2 million vehicles globally by 2012.
Ford's global operation manager Joe Heinrich said that "should" the Vertrek go into production it would be a model that could fit in Ford Australia's product portfolio.
And another good thing for Australia is that it was actually a local, Dennis Sartorello, who designed the interior.
While Ford is officially saying the Vertrek is only a concept, Ford sources said the production version is a regular five-seater and it has not been designed to accommodate a third row.
Executive design director for Ford of Europe, Martin Smith, told NRMA the concept is the latest iteration of Ford's distinctive European kinetic design styling.
"We develop [kinetic design] on an ongoing basis and develop it with every vehicle. This is the latest version of kinetic design," he said.
Ford says at least 10 models will be built on the new global C-Segment platform, which replaces three platforms currently in production regionally.
The concept features the 1.6-litre four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine and by 2013, 80 per cent of Ford's global nameplates and 90 per cent of Ford's North American nameplates will have an EcoBoost option.
Ford also said a diesel option could be applied to a future production model based on the Vertrek concept.
Honda Civic Concept
Honda pulled the wrap off its next-generation Civic sedan as well as a coupé at NAIAS. Both cars are "concepts", although Honda says the Civic Concept shows the "styling direction" of the next-gen small car.
In the US, Honda will sell both sedan and hatch versions of the new Civic, but it is not yet clear if Australia will be able to source a well-priced hatch.
The ninth-generation Civic sedan and hybrid are due for launch in Australia later this year.
The Civic Si Concept coupé is more aggressive than the sedan with a more angular front fascia, mesh grille and a tapered rear roof line. It is equipped with a rear air diffuser, centre-mounted exhaust pipe and a rear deck lid spoiler with dual vents. Both concepts have 19-inch machined alloy wheels.
Honda said the new Civic will be more fuel-efficient, while the Civic Hybrid offers the latest generation petrol-electric hybrid system and features a lithium-ion battery for the first time. Most of the new Civic models will gain Honda's Eco Assist technology, which is already available in the CR-Z and Insight hybrids.
Hyundai Veloster and Curb
The Korean car maker finally unveiled its Veloster concept. And the good news is Hyundai has confirmed the car will come to Australia later this year.
The three-door coupé features a unique third door (in the same vein as the Mini Clubman) for easier rear-seat access. But, unlike the Mini, Hyundai has confirmed the third door will be located on the other side of the car for RHD markets such as Australia so the rear door doesn't open on the traffic side.
Under the bonnet of the small coupé is a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an all-new six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Also on board is Hyundai's US Blue Link telematics system and Pandora internet audio with seven-inch touch-screen display that has features including Gracenote display technology with voice recognition, virtual CD downloading, AVI and MPEG video playback via USB, video game console connectivity with 115-volt power outlet and Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition.
Hyundai said the new model has a highway fuel consumption figure of 5.9 litres per 100km.
Hyundai also had the Curb concept on the stand. The baby SUV was designed at the Korean company's Californian design studio and is believed to point to the styling of a compact crossover that would sit below the ix35.
Hyundai's HCD-12 Curb Concept blends what the automaker calls "tough tech" with "fluidic sculpture" design language.
It's only 10cm longer than the Hyundai's Accent but has loads more space.
It's unlikely that if the Curb does make it into production, however, it will keep the massive 22-inch wheels.
Like the Veloster the Curb has the Blue telematics system.
Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre engine with a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
Kia KV7 Concept
Kia really wants buyers to realise it is hip to be square with the latest in boxy design coolness from the Korean maker - the KV7 Concept.
This van brings a new level of cool to transporting a crowd. Inside, there are clever features like swivel chairs for all occupants (including the driver), and the rear seats are set up in a sort of lounge fashion. There's even a floating table-top computer with full wireless internet capability.
Under the bonnet is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Mini Paceman Concept
Is it a coupé, an SUV or a Mini on steroids? Well, it's all three really. This is the Mini Paceman - which is basically Mini's take on the BMW X6, we think.
It was 10 years ago that Mini re-launched the brand at the NAIAS and a decade later comes what will potentially be the fifth model in the line-up - joining the hatch, convertible, Clubman wagon and Countryman SUV.
While only a concept at this stage Mini says Paceman "could be another building block" in the brand's development.
The Paceman houses the John Cooper Works version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine with 157kW. As with the recently released Countryman, the Paceman drives all four wheels.
Like the X6, the Paceman is a four-seater. There are some familiar Mini styling cues, such as the radiator grille lifted from the Countryman and the oversized headlamps.
At 4.1 metres long, the Paceman is 38cm longer than the Mini Cooper hatch. It is 10cm taller and wider.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell concept
With its bright yellow paint job, the Mercedes Benz E-Cell concept was one we certianly weren't going to miss.
The SLS was one of many 'green' cars the German maker has on this year's stand. The electrified supercar has 390kW of power and 880Nm of torque from the four electric motors.
Official performance figures aren't out yet, but it is believed the SLS AMG E-Cell can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds.
The motors are powered by lithium-ion batteries and regenerative braking helps power the batteries between charges.
The German maker made no mention of how long the E-Cell takes to charge nor how far the supercar can travel on one charge.
Porsche 918 RSR
The 918 RSR is the coupé version of the 918 Spyder that was revealed last year. Power is by way of the hybrid/electric drivetrain from the 911 GT3-R race car to boost performance without increasing fuel consumption.
But while it looks like a race car, it won't appear on a track any time soon as it doesn't meet Le Mans regulations.
While Porsche has confirmed the 918 Spyder will go into production, it is unlikely the RSR will.
Toyota Prius c and v Concepts
The Prius hybrid is not a small car and Toyota often trots out the line that interior space is comparable to a Camry. But, not satisfied with a five-seat hatch, the Japanese car maker now has a green option to carry a large family.
The Pruis family expansion includes the Prius Concept v people mover and the Prius Concept c coupé.
The 2012 Concept v has the same hybrid system of a regular Prius but boasts considerably more space for the average family.
The v is 12.7cm longer, and 2.5 cm wider than the regular Prius hatch and uses the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
"This is no ordinary family. It's a modern family with a Prius for everyone," said Bob Carter, Toyota division Group Vice President and General Manager. "The Prius v is an all-new dedicated hybrid vehicle, and all future Prius family members will be as well."
The Prius v offers over 50 per cent more interior cargo space than the current Prius. The sliding second row seats allow for easier ingress and egress and rear-storage flexibility, with a 45-degree recline for greater comfort. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats present four different seat arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely long cargo.
Despite its extra size, the Prius v will deliver fuel economy rating of 5.8L/100km.
Like the current-generation Prius, the Prius v is a showcase of technology that will include many of the same standard features including four driving modes (Normal, Power, Eco and EV).
Also unveiled was the Prius Concept c, with c representing a city-centric vehicle. Designed to appeal to young singles and couples, the Prius Concept c is a coupe version of the Prius.
The Prius Concept c will go on sale in the US in the first half of 2012.
