Frankfurt showcases low emission cars but makers also unveil performance models
Sat 15 September 2007
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A wide range of 'greener' cars from most manufacturers were on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show but several also unveiled larger, performance cars including a number of sport utility vehicles.
The Frankfurt event showcased the latest environmentally-focused offerings including:
- VW's range of cleaner diesels tagged with the 'BlueMotion' environmental badge. VW exhibited the top-selling Golf with CO2 emissions of only 119g/km (down from 135g/km previously). To cut down on the car's emissions, VW optimised rolling resistance on its tyres, nearly enclosed its grille, and improved its engine management to reduce its engine idling speed. The lowest emission car available is the Polo BlueMotion at 99g/km.
- Citroen's C-Cactus concept car, which it describes as an "ecological hatchback". With a hybrid diesel drivetrain, the car will be made largely of recycled or recyclable materials, and weigh just 1,306kg. Citroen says it will have CO2 emissions of only 78g/km.
- General Motors' latest concept vehicle; the plug-in electric "E-Flex" range - the Opel Flextreme. Like the Chevrolet Volt GM unveiled in Detroit, the car promises to deliver a pure electric drive for the average commute.
- Ford's range of low-emission cars with Ford ECOnetic badging. The first, to be launched by the end of 2007, will be a version of Ford's Focus compact car with emissions of 115g/km CO2. Alongside this range, Ford showed the Verve, a concept version of its new global subcompact car.
- Ford's Volvo cars division's ReCharge Concept, which the company says will be equipped with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged through electrical outlets. The ReCharge Concept was installed in a Volvo C30 for Frankfurt. The plug-in hybrid should have a 66% lower emissions of CO2 compared with the best hybrids available today the makers claim and a full recharge will take 3 hours. However, even a one-hour quick charge should provide enough charge to drive about 50 kilometres.
- BMW's main 3-Series models with new engines and CO2 emissions as low as 123 g/km. Other new vehicles include a 1-Series coupe, featuring one of the smallest, most fuel-efficient BMW-brand motors. The company still has one of the highest average CO2 emissions for its fleet of any big manufacturer. BMW says, however, that 40% of its cars sold will emit 140g/km or less by 2009.
- Nissan's concept Mixim, an all-electric model and Porsche's hybrid Cayenne SUV. Meanwhile, Toyota announced that it is aiming for the next-generation Prius to have carbon dioxide emissions of less than 100g/km.
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