Industry committed to green guidance for motorists
The British International Motor Show this week has demonstrated the industry’s rush to go green. An array of environmentally friendly new cars on offer can be found, from new, emerging manufacturers to the established ones; all eager to boast their green credentials.
The simplest way for consumers to compare the carbon footprint of new cars is by looking at the colour-coded label on display in the showrooms. The energy-style colour banding (pictured, left), as used on white goods such as fridges, was introduced by the motor industry on a voluntary basis in 1995 and is now a familiar sight in dealerships up and down the country. The results of a survey carried out in June by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) were announced at a conference held at the Show yesterday when it was revealed that the label was being used in 93% of car dealerships.
Speaking from the Show where he presented at the LowCVP event, Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive said,
“The motor industry is the most honest and transparent sector when it comes to reporting environmental performance and we have cut average new car tailpipe CO2 by more than 13% in the last decade and over the first half of 2008 it has fallen by a further 3%. There have been a number of new technology cars launched here at ExCeL London, so quite clearly, lower carbon cars are becoming commonplace.”
Concept cars at the Show
As well as a host of new car launches which are destined for production and a number of eco-friendly vehicles, the 60 manufacturers exhibiting at ExCeL London also have a host of concept vehicles displayed to give you a real flavour of the future of the car.
Honda is showing its Open Study Model (OSM) a lightweight, low-emission, two-seater sports car. Joining the OSM will be the UK debut of the CR-Z lightweight hybrid coupe which the firm has confirmed will go into production.
Other concepts come in the form of the Lotus Eco Elise which is produced using sustainable materials, the Lightning Car Company is showing the Lightning GT sports car and smart has the ed, electric drive vehicle.
GM has a number of concept vehicles displayed through its brands. Hummer will display a green hybrid vehicle, the Hummer Hx Concept which is biofuel-powered and Vauxhall has devoted a whole area to green vehicles including its Flextreme concept car. Saab has the 9-X BioHybrid which produces 105g/km.
Morgan offers design for LIFE
Among all the new trends and designs on display in the ExCeL halls there is one stand where you can guarantee seeing a familiar shape. Morgan has been building its cars in basically the same way for decades, creating two-seater sports cars crafted mostly in wood. The most recent Aeromax, making its UK show debut at ExCeL and of aluminium construction, retains a very recognisable look.
Even a traditionalist such as Morgan cannot stand still, however, and also debuting at the show is the LIFECar, a concept that its creators believe is as revolutionary as the Morgan three-wheeler launched almost a century ago. The LIFECar uses a hydrogen fuel cell that directs electrical power to a motor in each wheel, and emits only water from its tailpipe.
The LIFECar also captures and re-uses energy generated under braking, adding to its impressive environmental credentials returning figures equivalent to 150mpg and with a range of 250 miles. Yet all this technology is enclosed within a shell that is still reassuringly a Morgan.
Mazdas newcomers are a young crowd
Unveiled on the Mazda stand at ExCeL is the new version of the brands unique rotary-engined sports car, the RX-8. Dubbed the R3, the car has undergone a styling update, gained a new sound system and had its engine developed to further improve its performance.
Finding a wider audience, however, is the latest supermini from Mazda, the Mazda2. Making its first appearance at a UK show, the three-door version is proving as popular with buyers as the five-door launched last year and, according to Mazda, those buyers are getting younger. Marketing director Mark Cameron said that the three-door is already taking 30% of all Mazda2 sales, despite being only on sale for a month and a type of car the brand has not sold before. Much younger buyers are being drawn to the three-door, not only attracted by its sportier look but the weight-saving measures that have improved the cars fuel economy and emissions.
Commercial buyers also have good reason to call at the Mazda stand, the grand unveiling of an upgraded version of its BT-50 with a new look inside and out, upgraded equipment and a new three-litre diesel engine with automatic transmission.
Top name from over there is now over here
Back across the Atlantic Ocean, Cadillac is renowned as a brand signifying refinement and luxury, but the manufacturer is only now starting to gain recognition in the UK market. Likely to make the distinctive Caddy badge more familiar is the CTS, unveiled at the Motor Show.
The CTS is a luxury sports saloon that will certainly stand out from more traditional European fare when it arrives on UK roads in September. The first cars will be available with 2.8 or 3.6 litre V6 petrol engines and a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, and will cost from £26,995. A diesel will join the line-up next year.
Also on show is a coupe concept version of the CTS which its creators say gives a strong clue to how future cars from Cadillac will look. Power for such models could eventually come from a hydrogen fuel cell, the cars emissions being only water. Cadillac is showing a crossover concept vehicle using this technology, which is currently under development in America by sister brand Chevrolet.
Meet the My Car is the Star winner
In the run up to the doors opening at ExCeL London, Show organisers held a nationwide competition to give one lucky car fanatic the chance to exhibit their very own car at the British International Motor Show.
Hundreds of people submitted photographs of themselves with their cars, a selection of these can be seen on the My Car is the Star stand number 351 in Hall S3.
The winner has been picked and hell be at the Show at 0900 on Thursday 31 July with his car and visitors will be able to discover how he followed his beloved car for nearly 25 years across continents and various owners until he could finally afford to buy it himself.
If you intend to go to the show, look out for:
Honda O.S.M
Kia Ecoceed
Hyundai i10
Lightning Car Company
Lotus Eco Elise
Ford’s Econetic
Saab’s 9-4 Biohybrid
Toyota’s IQ
Ford’s Hydrogen 999
Nissan’s Denki Cube
Mini
Smart’s electric range
Seat
Renault’s Eco2 range
Quiet Car Company
For tickets and information, visit: http://www.britishmotorshow.co.uk/
