Although most of the auto industry is using billboards and Twitter feeds to announce the oncoming battery-powered revolution, German automakers have been more circumspect. At various times, they’ve pooh-poohed the viability of electric vehicles and, at others, tantalized us with green supercars that will, at best, be extremely expensive and extremely limited in production. But make no mistake, the Germans are coming around, if somewhat belatedly, to the idea of electric vehicles for the masses, and to that end, they are developing a veritable alphabet soup of electric small cars that you may or may not have heard of. Here’s your cheat sheet on the affordable electric cars we expect from the Fatherland.

Photo Gallery: The Deep Drive: German EV Cheat Sheet – Automobile Magazine

A couple months ago, I had the opportunity to drive an M3 very much like this test car on the Lightning course at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Driving on a racetrack is always a fun, but good God, the M3 was amazingly fantastic and super fun at NJMP. The V-8 engine is so rev-happy, so powerful, and it sounds incredible. The dual-clutch gearbox (although a pricey option at $2900) is a thing of beauty, and that comment comes from a guy who adores traditional manual transmissions. The steering is telepathic, and the chassis is near perfect.

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW M3 Sedan – Automobile Magazine

Months in service: Four
Miles to date: 9004

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 535i – August 2010 Update – Automobile Magazine

Months in service: Four
Miles to date: 9004

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 535i – August 2010 Update – Automobile Magazine

Who says you can’t appease the slushbox-loving American public while still providing some manual control over gearchanges? Those skeptics likely haven’t driven a properly tuned dual-clutch gearbox, like the one in this 135i. For 2011, BMW dumped the six-speed automatic option in the 135i, and instead pairs this seven-speed doppelkupplungsgetriebe to the new, single-turbo N55 engine.

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 135i Coupe – Editor’s Notebook – Automobile Magazine

Who says you can’t appease the slushbox-loving American public while still providing some manual control over gearchanges? Those skeptics likely haven’t driven a properly tuned dual-clutch gearbox, like the one in this 135i. For 2011, BMW dumped the six-speed automatic option in the 135i, and instead pairs this seven-speed doppelkupplungsgetriebe to the new, single-turbo N55 engine.

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW 135i Coupe – Editor’s Notebook – Automobile Magazine

They were tempted to badge it M1. But the original M1, codeveloped with Lamborghini, was a much more special machine, a successful brand-shaper, exquisite and expensive enough to qualify as a true supercar. The 2012 BMW 135i M coupe is, on the other hand, a straightforward 1-series derivative — more straightforward, in fact, than M3, M5, and M6, all of which boast a bespoke engine.

Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 135i M Coupe Sneak Preview – Automobile Magazine

High-performance SUVs seem to be the answer to a question no one asked. An ultrafast vehicle with a center of gravity higher than some sports cars’ rooflines and weighs as much as several sports cars combined? Sounds like a recipe for a rollover. Nonetheless, automakers have found the concept rather popular — and profitable — and we can’t deny that these vehicles can be impressive performers.

Photo Gallery: Driven: Five High-Riding, Sports Car Beating Tuner SUVs – Automobile Magazine

Driving pleasure doesn’t get much more involving than this. The Porsche 911 alerts your sixth sense even in basic Carrera form, but you can, of course, upgrade according to your budget: Carrera S, Turbo, Turbo S, GT3, GT3 RS. Last in line is now the GT2 RS, which musters an awe-inspiring 620 hp. BMW tells a similar story, with the six-cylinder 3-series models meeting their master in the V-8-engined M3, which in turn is eclipsed by the brand-new 450-hp GTS. Both top-of-the-range coupes are track-oriented, featuring adjustable wings and suspension elements along with race seats and roll cages. On the road, they feel firm, look loud, and make a fair bit of noise, but if you don’t mind extra tramlining and a harsh ride, these German sportsters are perfectly acceptable everyday stimulants from spring through autumn. Feel inclined to sign on the dotted line? Hold your breath. After all, the $245,000 Porsche is limited to 500 pieces, and BMW will assemble only 136 units of the fire-orange GTS, which costs about $140,000 in Europe and, unlike the Porsche, will not be sold in the United States.

Photo Gallery: Porsche 911 GT2 RS and BMW M3 GTS First Drive – Automobile Magazine

Despite essentially inventing the compact luxury SUV segment with its X3, BMW watched as the competition quickly countered with a flurry of similar offerings. Munich is finally fighting back with the reworked 2011 BMW X3. Will the updates be enough to get it back to the top of the class?

Photo Gallery: 2011 BMW X3 – First Look – Automobile Magazine