Top 10 green cars at the Detroit auto show

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BMW i8: The BMW i8 will look familiar to anyone who's seen 'Mission Impossible 4' but to everyone else it is an electric/diesel hybrid supercar that can go from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 160mph (250km/h). Photo:AFP

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BMW i8: The BMW i8 will look familiar to anyone who's seen 'Mission Impossible 4' but to everyone else it is an electric/diesel hybrid supercar that can go from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 160mph (250km/h). Photo:AFP

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Cadillac ELR: Due to go into production later this year, the Cadillac ELR is a plug-in hybrid sports coupe, which means it pairs an electric engine with a gasoline engine to extend range while reducing pollution. Official performance figures are currently unavailable. Photo:AFP

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Cadillac ELR: Due to go into production later this year, the Cadillac ELR is a plug-in hybrid sports coupe, which means it pairs an electric engine with a gasoline engine to extend range while reducing pollution. Official performance figures are currently unavailable. Photo:AFP

3/10

Smart ForStars: Although just a concept, the ForStars' striking design reflects what the next generation of Smart cars will look like. One design feature that probably won't make it onto production models is the movie projector hidden behind the front grille that can screen a film onto a white wall and pump the sound out of a set of external hidden speakers. Simply plug in a smartphone or tablet and select the film and the owner has their own drive-in cinema. Photo:AFP

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Smart ForStars: Although just a concept, the ForStars' striking design reflects what the next generation of Smart cars will look like. One design feature that probably won't make it onto production models is the movie projector hidden behind the front grille that can screen a film onto a white wall and pump the sound out of a set of external hidden speakers. Simply plug in a smartphone or tablet and select the film and the owner has their own drive-in cinema. Photo:AFP

4/10

Tesla Model X: Described as a crossover sport utility vehicle, it is destined for production before the end of the year. Available with 4-wheel drive, the Model X is electric only and has a range of 210 miles (340km) between charges. It will also feature rear gull-wing doors which will look dramatic but could cause problems in carparks. Photo:AFP

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Tesla Model X: Described as a crossover sport utility vehicle, it is destined for production before the end of the year. Available with 4-wheel drive, the Model X is electric only and has a range of 210 miles (340km) between charges. It will also feature rear gull-wing doors which will look dramatic but could cause problems in carparks. Photo:AFP

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Nissan Resonance: Winner of the 2013 Detroit motor show concept car of the year, the Resonance Concept is expected to go into production as a replacement for the existing Murano SUV and will feature a range of hybrid as well as more traditional powertrains. Photo:AFP

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Nissan Resonance: Winner of the 2013 Detroit motor show concept car of the year, the Resonance Concept is expected to go into production as a replacement for the existing Murano SUV and will feature a range of hybrid as well as more traditional powertrains. Photo:AFP

6/10

Toyota FCV-R Concept: What makes this concept so special is that it uses a hydrogen fuel cell, which gives it a range of over 400 miles (640 km) and when the battery dies, simply pull into a service station and fill up with hydrogen as a driver would traditional fossil fuel. That's the theory but unfortunately the reality is that outside of Japan, South Korea and California there is still very little hydrogen infrastructure. Photo:AFP

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Toyota FCV-R Concept: What makes this concept so special is that it uses a hydrogen fuel cell, which gives it a range of over 400 miles (640 km) and when the battery dies, simply pull into a service station and fill up with hydrogen as a driver would traditional fossil fuel. That's the theory but unfortunately the reality is that outside of Japan, South Korea and California there is still very little hydrogen infrastructure. Photo:AFP

7/10

VW CrossCoupe: A full-sized SUV with a diesel/hybrid powertrain that combine to deliver a range of 800 miles (1285 km) without reducing the car's off-road credientials, the CrossCoupe is expected to go into production in 2014. Photo:AFP

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VW CrossCoupe: A full-sized SUV with a diesel/hybrid powertrain that combine to deliver a range of 800 miles (1285 km) without reducing the car's off-road credientials, the CrossCoupe is expected to go into production in 2014. Photo:AFP

8/10

Honda Acura NSX Concept: Still more than a year away from a final decision regarding production, the Honda Acura NSX Concept is the ultimate demonstration of how hybrids can improve sports performance. Combining a V6 engine with three batteries and an electric motor powering each of the front wheels, the motors work together to improve road holding, performance and handling while trying its hardest not to pollute the planet. Photo:AFP

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Honda Acura NSX Concept: Still more than a year away from a final decision regarding production, the Honda Acura NSX Concept is the ultimate demonstration of how hybrids can improve sports performance. Combining a V6 engine with three batteries and an electric motor powering each of the front wheels, the motors work together to improve road holding, performance and handling while trying its hardest not to pollute the planet. Photo:AFP

9/10

Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class Electric Drive : A full electric version of Mercedes's small family station wagon, the car can be charged at any domestic electric terminal and can travel 124 miles (200km) between charges. Though not the fastest electric car ever (top speed 93mph or 150 km/h) it does benefit from the power and torque inherent in electric motors. Photo:AFP

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Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class Electric Drive : A full electric version of Mercedes's small family station wagon, the car can be charged at any domestic electric terminal and can travel 124 miles (200km) between charges. Though not the fastest electric car ever (top speed 93mph or 150 km/h) it does benefit from the power and torque inherent in electric motors. Photo:AFP

10/10

The GAC Group E-Jet Concept: China's Guangzhou Automobile Group E-Jet concept turned more than its fair share of heads with its hybrid electric/1.0-litre four-cylinder engine powertrain that can take it 372 miles between recharging and refueling stops. What separates it from others in the same category, except for looks, is that on battery power alone, it can manage 62 miles (100 km) before the gasoline engine has to kick in. Such a long distance means that around the city at least, the gasoline engine could be redundant. Photo:AFP

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The GAC Group E-Jet Concept: China's Guangzhou Automobile Group E-Jet concept turned more than its fair share of heads with its hybrid electric/1.0-litre four-cylinder engine powertrain that can take it 372 miles between recharging and refueling stops. What separates it from others in the same category, except for looks, is that on battery power alone, it can manage 62 miles (100 km) before the gasoline engine has to kick in. Such a long distance means that around the city at least, the gasoline engine could be redundant. Photo:AFP

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