New concept cars for 2009

Rising fuel prices, global warming, economic uncertainty: the experimental or "concept" cars hint at how automakers might cope with those and other aspects of a changing world. Here, in alphabetical order, is a rundown of this year's crop at the New York International Auto Show:

BMW Concept CS. Being shown for the first time in this country, the CS is a large luxury sedan, almost 201 inches long, built primarily as a study in design.

Buick Riviera Concept. Unveiled at the 2007 Shanghai auto show, this also is a design exercise, reprising a familiar Buick name and showcasing what the General Motors division says is its new styling direction. It was designed in China and features gull-wing doors and a three-dimensional speedometer.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept. This two-door version of the CTS sedan appears to have a good chance of mass production for sale. The coupe is designed to accommodate a range of engines for the global luxury market, including Cadillac's 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6, as well as a new, 2.9-liter turbodiesel now in development.

Cadillac Provoq Fuel Cell Concept. A crossover powered by electric motors whose energy comes from hydrogen and oxygen, the Provoq can go 300 miles on a single fill of hydrogen in the twin tanks located beneath the rear cargo floor. It has all-wheel drive and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. A solar panel in the roof collects energy to help power accessories such as the interior lights and audio system.

Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept. This four-door, four-place passenger car is a plug-in electric, with a hydrogen fuel cell to extend its range to about 300 miles between fill-ups or rechargings.

Chrysler 300C "Hollywood" Concept. A tuned and customized vehicle conceived and designed by Chrysler Llc's Mopar Underground design team. It's inspired by the chauffeur-driven and coach-bodied vehicles of the 1920s and has a saffron leather-trimmed interior with a built-in bar and two 15.4-inch video screens for entertainment.

Dodge ZEO. A four-passenger, 2+2 sport wagon powered similarly to the plug-in electric ecoVoyager mentioned above but lacking the range-extending fuel cell stack. Its range on a lithium-ion battery pack is about 250 miles.

Ford Explorer America. Does America's onetime favorite sport utility vehicle have a future in a world of high energy costs? The "America" explores that. Built as a unibody like most modern crossover SUVs, rather than body-on-frame in the traditional SUV way, the America has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder 275 hp. engine, with a 3.5-liter 340 hp. V-6 available.

Ford Verve. A strong hint at a small car that will replace the Fiesta in Europe and slot into Ford's American model lineup below the Focus in 2010. Naturally, it has a four-cylinder engine, but its styling and interior suggest something with more pizazz than a bare-bones economy car.

GMC Denali XT Concept. Said to have a good chance of going into production within a couple of years, the XT Concept is a small, four-door pickup truck with a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain, delivering 326 hp.

Honda FCX Clarity. A sedan designed from the start to run on hydrogen fuel cells, the Clarity will be available for leasing to some customers beginning in summer. The latest in a series of fuel-cell cars from Honda, this one is said to be the most drivable.

Hummer HX. A compact, E85-capable, two-door SUV, the HX is designed to be Hummer's price leader some day. It has roof panels, fender flares and doors that all are removable. It's powered by a 3.6 liter V-6.

Jeep Renegade Concept. Looking like a dune buggy, this two-seater is designed for off-roading on trail or beach and, says its manufacturer, runs on a pair of electric motors powered by a lithium ion battery pack that's recharged from a household electric outlet. A small diesel engine can produce more electricity to extend its range.

Land Rover LRX. Looking more like a coupe than the SUVs we're used to from Land Rover, this three-door concept is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbodiesel hybrid. Luxurious and off road capable, the LRX is smaller than a Freelander and was designed to be relatively lightweight for better fuel economy.

Lincoln MKT. A premium SUV powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and fitted for the sake of environmental friendliness with body panels made of recycled plastics.

Mazda Furai. A high-performance exotic based on an American Le Mans Series racecar, the Furai has a 450 hp. three-rotor engine.

Mitsubishi i-Series. The automaker best known for fun-to-drive small cars is showing off three little ones -- the i (gasoline), the i MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle), and the i MiEV Sport concept. The i family employs a "rear mid-ship" layout that locates the engine in front of the rear axle and pushes the wheels to the corners of the vehicle, maximizing interior space. The i MiEV Sport concept is based on the i MiEV, which is an electric version of the i minicar that went on sale in 2005 in Japan. The MiEV has a 330-volt lithium-ion battery system powering a 64 hp. electric motor for a range of about 100 miles. It's to go on sale in Japan next year. Mitsubishi also is showing another concept car, the CX, a small SUV with a 1.8-liter clean diesel engine.

Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept. A crossover SUV, it is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that's turbocharged, delivers 300 horesepower and is designed to run on an E85 ethanol/gasoline blend.

Saturn Flextreme. An electric car with a 34-mile range on a plug-in charge. The range can be extended by an onboard 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine that generates additional electricity. The Flextreme comes with two Segway personal transporters packaged below its cargo floor. Other unusual features include cameras replacing the outside mirrors.

Scion Hako Coupe Concept. The youth-oriented unit of Toyota hadn't released any details of this car by this section's deadline. Speculation is rife that this is the replacement for the Scion tC.

Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3. Being shown in New York for the first time anywhere, this upscale sport sedan is to one day be this automaker's flagship.