The Volcaino

But the Volcaino has proved surprisingly durable in its appeal. It has shown a remarkable ability to run well in the snows of New Hampshire in spite of being manufactured in Arizona.

The Rudolf

This hybrid puts the head of Rudy Giuliani together with the remarkable agility of the Volkswagen Golf. In the case of the Rudolf, not just the nose but the entire face sometimes turns red. This condition appears to surface more or less simultaneously with news reports about Giuliani's discredited associates or his hurrying to the Hamptons to pursue official affairs.

So far the Rudolf has been able to steer adeptly enough to avoid being either racked or pinioned, but at some point soon it must show that it can win a race.

The Backwards

This crossover has the body of a Subaru Outback and the hair of John Edwards. It exudes an undeniable charisma and takes more smoothly to the campaign trail than almost any other choice here.

Like all Subarus, it has standard all-wheel-drive, but the Backwards' ability to generate enough traction to prevail in this race is open to question.

The Mittsubishi Eclipse

Between the pocketbook of Mitt Romney and the chassis of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, it took tens of millions of dollars to develop this hybrid.

Despite all the spending, though, the Eclipse has suffered from a blurred image in the market and has posted disappointing finishes on tracks in both Iowa and New Hampshire. At this point, the Mittsubishi Eclipse seems destined to live up to its name.

The Frodo

Not to be confused with a little man from Middle Earth, this model is a cross between Fred Thompson and an automotive odometer. Frodo the film character displayed remarkable determination in achieving his goal despite overwhelming odds. His political namesake also possesses an entertainment background. As for the vehicle, the level of its determination -- not to mention the breadth of its appeal -- remains suspect.

The Impaula

This hybrid of the Chevy Impala and Representative Ron Paul of Texas seems dedicated to abolishing the rules of the road -- speed limits, stop signs, etc. -- in the name of individual freedom. Although it's been surprisingly successful in the market, thanks to a small but dedicated following, no one is predicting victory.

The Kucible

This blends the features of Dennis Kucinich with the top of a convertible, which flips up and down with amazing ease.

Several vehicles have dropped out of the race very quickly, since they ran out of gas. The first, a cross between Senator Chris Dodd and a Chrysler Sebring, has a self-explanatory name: the Doddering. The second combines Senator Joe Biden of Delaware with the General Motors Hummer and is called the Bummer.

Even this early in the season, many Americans are complaining that the presidential race seems inspired by Infiniti. This sentiment might bode well for sales of one hybrid in particular, the Ford Escape. But after the election in November, another car may perhaps come to the fore, even though it hasn't been sighted often lately.

It is called the Accord.

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