Cadillac’s beautiful plug-in hybrid concept car will remain a great idea, but nothing more. According to a report by Automotive News, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz wrote in a text message that the Converj, first shown at the Detroit Auto Show in 2009 and well-received by the media, won’t be headed for production.

Lutz wrote that, “priorities and the conviction that the Volt and Ampera will use all available capacity for years to come,” mean that the Converj project has been canceled. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as it was thought that a higher output version of the Volt’s motor, fitted into a Cadillac, would not only be appealing to consumers, but would also make for a profitable business case. The higher profit margins and higher dollar value of a Cadillac would help cover the cost of the expensive high-technology powertrain.

Instead, Chevy and Opel will mark forward with the Volt and Ampera, while the Cadillac brand seems poised to tackle the lower end of the market, with plenty of resources being poured into the brand’s upcoming rear-drive BMW 3 Series competitor.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

Along with the launch of the new Audi A1 at the Geneva Auto Show, the automaker unveiled an E-Tron electric vehicle concept.

The A1 E-Tron is powered by a 102 hp electric motor with a range of 31.07 miles. A compact Wankel rotary engine kicks in when needed to recharge the lithium-ion battery, potentially extending the range to 124.27 miles.

According to Audi’s calculations, the fuel A1 E-Tron’s range extender gasoline engine has a fuel consumption of 123.8 mpg and produces 72.42 g/mile of CO2 gas.

Gallery: Audi A1 E-Tron Concept

As expected, Audi is unveiling a new A1 model to its e-Tron family of electric vehicles at the Geneva Auto Show.

The A1 e-Tron is powered by an electric motor with an internal combustion engine that is used only to recharge the motor’s battery. The motor has a continuous output of 61 hp but can peak at 102 hp in short bursts. The motor also provides 110.63 ft-lb. of continuous torque with a peak output of 177.01 ft-lb.

The T-shaped battery pack weighs less than 330.69 lb. and is rated at 380 volts. The battery provides enough power to travel 31.07 miles on a single charge, though that range can be extended by using the rotary engine.

We’ll have more including live photos when Audi officially reveals the A1 e-Tron.

Gallery: Audi A1 e-Tron

Official release after the jump:

With Audi having already provided all the details and pictures on its new A1 model that’s set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show this week, the German automaker seems to have a little surprise up its sleeve. And we do mean little.

Having shown the E-tron concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show and a very different version at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, rumors suggest Audi will display an A1-based E-Tron – something that certainly makes a lot of sense. After all, a small, premium electric city car isn’t much of a stretch for the European market.

There’s not word on power or recharge information, but we expect Audi to provide those details at the vehicle’s debut on Tuesday, March 2nd. It will most certainly be a concept, but look for an actual production model in the next few years.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

[Source: LeBuzzAuto]

With Chevy set to begin selling the Volt later this year, Nissan will be ready to compete in the ultra-green category with its Leaf electric car. Nissan will begin taking orders for the car in August, with deliveries in December. Those eligible will have to live in an area where Nissan is working with local authorities to build an electric-car infrastructure. This includes the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. Funding provided by the Department of Energy will go towards creating the world’s larges EV infrastructure project in the five regions, with 6,510 public charging stations and 4,700 home charging stations.

The Leaf can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge, and can be charged up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes using a special quick charger. Traditional charging takes about 8 hours. Power for the car comes from a lithium-ion battery pack with 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque).

Pricing for the Leaf will be released in April.

See below for a quick glimpse at Nissan’s marketing campaign for the Leaf or see after the jump for more on the car. Those interested in keeping up to date on the Leaf and who might be interested in owning one of the world’s first mass-market electric cars, can sign up for more info here:

http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/opt-in/en/index.jsp

Official release after the jump:

Ford has just announced two new versions of its Transit Connect commercial vehicle, which recently won the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award. Up first is the Transit Connect Electric, the first electric vehicle Ford will offer, using a lithium-ion battery. It can travel up to 80 miles on a charge, which takes about 6 to 8 hours to complete from either a 120-volt or 140-volt outlet. Ford claims a similar acceleration time to the gas-powered model although storage space is reduced somewhat to 135 cu.-ft. The vehicle is designed for fleets where driver’s have a pre-set route and a centralized location for recharging.

The Transit Connect Electric will go into production later this year, with a Focus Electric planned soon after.

Ford will show the TC EV at the Chicago Auto Show later this week, alongside another new Transit Connect model, the TC Taxi. Set to go on sale later this year as well, the TC Taxi features as second row seat that has been moved back by 3-inches for added legroom, while the engine has been converted to run on either natural gas or propane. Ford says the TC Taxi should deliver a 30 percent fuel economy improvement over traditional taxis. Other highlights include rear-seat climate controls, rear power windows and a touch-screen in the rear that can show things like maps, TV shows or payment info.

Both the Transit Connect Electric and Transit Connect Taxi will be officially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday, February 10th.

For complete 2010 Chicago Auto Show coverage click here

GALLERY: Ford Transit Connect Electric

GALLERY: Ford Transit Connect Taxi

Official release after the jump:

With no official presence at the Detroit Auto Show, Nissan couldn’t resist showcasing its new Leaf electric car. On display alongside several other electric models in an area of the show dubbed Electric Avenue, Nissan claims that the Leaf is no concept, but an actual production model. It certainly looks the part, with a production quality exterior and interior, high-tech features and plenty of functionality.

The Leaf is powered by lithium-ion battery packs and is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers

Next year 5,000 vehicles will be available in five U.S. markets: the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. Fleet sales will also be offered in 2010, while full retails sales are planned for 2012.

GALLERY: Nissan Leaf

Tesla has a significant presence at the Detroit Auto Show and shared its section of the show floor with such revered brands as Audi and Lotus. Displaying three models, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company’s latest project, the Model S, is expected to be on sale in two years.

This fully-electric luxury sedan has a range of up to 300 miles and can hit 60 mph in just over 6 seconds. With room for five adults and two children, Tesla has previously announced that it hopes to sell the Model S for a retail price of 49,900 after a $7,500 federal tax credit. Both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive versions are planned.

In addition to the Model S news, Tesla displayed a Roadster model (the company’s original car), that recently drove across America.

Finally, an additional Roadster model is the brand’s 1,000th vehicle produced. Musk announced that the car will be auctioned-off with the proceeds going to help several environmental groups.

GALLERY: Tesla Model S

Audi has just unveiled a significantly updated version of the E-Tron electric sports car concept that originally debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year and the new look is much improved. Looking far more like a street car, this E-Tron is smaller, rear-wheel drive and a little less powerful.

The rear-drive E-Tron uses two electric motors (versus four driving all four wheels on the previous concept), making a total of 204-hp and 1,954 ft-lbs of torque. Let it be known, however, that Audi isn’t measuring this electric car’s torque like a normal gasoline engine. Still, acceleration is impressive, with a 0-62 mph time of just 5.9 seconds. This is due, in part, to the car’s low curb weight of just 2,976.24 lbs. Impressively, that low curb weight is possible, even when the electric battery weights almost 900 lbs.

In total this revised concept isn’t nearly as large as the last E-Tron with a wheelbase of 95.67-inches, compared to 102-inches for the original E-Tron.

As for the sports car’s range, Audi claims a distance of 155 miles on a single charge, with a charge time of 11 hours through a conventional household outlet.

Audi has said it will build an electric sports car, possibly named the R4, and this new model certainly looks ready for the road.

GALLERY: Audi E-Tron Concept Debut in Detroit

BMW introduced its 1-Series Coupe-based Active E electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Powered by newly developed lithium-ion batteries, the Active E has a claimed power output of 170 hp with 184.4 ft-lb. of torque.

As per BMW tradition, the Active E is rear-wheel drive, testing an early version of the electric powertrain system which will eventually be used in BMW’s upcoming Megacity Vehicle (MCV).

The Active E will also use BMW’s ConnectedDrive system, using newly developed features including the ability to check the car’s battery level via cell phone, and using mobile devices as a remote control for heating and air conditioning.

BMW will produce  a trial fleet of the Active E in 2011, providing further real-world data following the MINI-E trial currently underway.

Gallery: BMW Concept Active E