2013 Dodge Dart 03

Not that long ago, car shows were the place where concept cars ruled the "red carpet". New and unusual cars were easy to find. In today's economy, with fuel prices still rising, you've seen more emphasis placed on hybrid and electric cars especially at the Denver car shows which feature new automobiles. This sea change is brought about not only by high fuel prices, but also to accommodate more stringent fuel economy regulations.

Some of the most popular Denver car shows, in general, include the Denver International Auto Show, Tour de Classics, Eastern Star Car Show, Fat Summer Nights Car Show and Rocky Mountain Rod and Custom Show.

The experts are predicting a continuing rise in fuel prices, as developing countries increase their demand for fuel. So it is with an acceptance of reality that the automakers will be as focused on fuel economy as are their buyers. And those buyers found many options of fuel-efficient cars in the Colorado Convention Center this past March. There are always the truly unique concept cars, too, but a lot of attention was focused on the cars that can help your wallet the soonest.

Officials at the popular Denver Car Show (or Denver International Auto Show as it is formally known) have estimated that 20-percent of the cars displayed this year featured an electric, hybrid or other alternative-fuel system. Two prime examples are the Acura NSX hybrid concept car and the Ford Fusion Energi Plug-In hybrid.

Concern for the environment and the seeking of cars with better fuel economy are also the reasons why GM's Buick Encore was at the show. The Encore is a compact SUV. In addition, people saw a radical look on an old model name with the 2013 Dodge Dart, which is an aerodynamic compact car.

Most of the cars seen at the car show had smaller engines, if they were not hybrids or electric vehicles. For example, you can purchase a Ford Fusion now with a V-6, but after this year, they will only offer several 4-cylinder engines. The Dodge Dart also only comes equipped with a 4-cylinder engine.

Range Rover's Evoque only gets 22 mpg combined, but that is a good figure when you take into account its 4-cylinder, turbo-charged engine. This vehicle promises a quality level of driving performance. Hyundai's Elantra, which is a compact car, can get 40 miles per gallon and it's still fun to drive, according to reviewers.

Mercedes has introduced an electric vehicle for 2013, the SLS AMG E-Cell. It sports more power than standard electric vehicles, and in soft mode, it only uses 40% of the capacity of the four motors. With charging time of only an hour, this speedy electric car has a 90 mile range.

Volkswagen introduced its VW CC this year as well, with a direct injection engine that is even turbocharged. It gets 31 mpg highway. Reviewers have commented that the price is still too high for this car to be truly competitive, at $35,000. It would compete more with other cars in its class if VW had priced it in the 20's instead of the 30's.

We saw plug-in cars at the Denver car shows, too. Since standard vehicles that run on gasoline are getting higher fuel economy ratings, though, it may not be the day of the plug-in car just yet. But it's getting closer, if current fuel prices are any motivator.