The New Year is finally here and it promises to be an exciting 12 months for fans of eco-friendly cars. Here we look at the top 10 green cars you can expect to hear a lot more about in the year ahead…
TOP 10 GREEN CARS OF 2010
If 2009 was the year that green cars stopped being a niche topic and burst firmly into the mainstream, then 2010 promises to be the year in which we’re spoilt for choice with so many environmentally themed vehicles to choose from. Here we look at some of those vehicles that will be on display this year and beyond.
10. MINI BEACHCOMBER
Expected to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show later this month, we’re not sure exactly how green the MINI Beachcomber will be – as it will be the largest and heaviest MINI to date – but this concept will take the brand into all-wheel-drive territory for the first time while drawing heavily on the styling of the MINI Moke vehicles, and is expected to be among the most economical in its sector.
9. TESLA ROADSTER SPORT
Tesla Motors is no longer a new name for green car fans having been established in 2003 and taking 900 orders of its original model – the Roadster – by December 2009.
The Tesla Roadster Sport isn’t a new vehicle either because the company started taking orders for it in January last year, but it remains one of the most exciting electric sports cars around. It can rocket from 0-60mph in 3.7seconds and puts out 15 per cent more power than the standard model’s 248hp. The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe.
8. CHEVROLET ORLANDO
This compact people carrier has been around since 2008 as a concept, but will finally go into production later this year.
It’s a seven-passenger vehicle based on some of the underpinnings of the Chevrolet Cruze and while there are no details yet on engines, transmissions, or fuel economy, it is expected to be one of the greenest vehicles in its sector with only four-cylinder models predicted. Reports also suggest that there will be an Ecotec engine available as an option.
7. HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
Hybrid technology no longer feels “new”, yet the number of major car makers producing hybrids is still relatively limited to just Toyota, Honda, Ford, Nissan, BMW, GM and Mercedes-Benz. The latest entrant into the field will be Hyundai with the hybrid version of the Sonata which made its debut at the LA Auto Show.
It features a 2.4litre engine with a 40hp electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. As with most hybrids it is able to run for short distances on electric power only while combining power from the electric motor and combustion engine for the bulk of its operation.
6. FORD FOCUS
Yes the Ford Focus is one of the most well-established vehicles in the marketplace, but the latest version, which will debut in Detroit, is arguably the most important to date.
It is expected that the vehicle will be offered in two body styles in the US – a four-door saloon and a five-door hatchback – with a 1.4litre four-cylinder engine and an EcoBoost version with direct injection and a turbocharger that puts out as much as 180hp. Meanwhile in Europe, the next generation Ford Focus ECOnetic will be made available with technologies including start-stop with smart regenerative charging, Ford Eco Mode and low tension front end accessory drive with target emissions of 99g/km and 74.2mpg.
5. BMW CONCEPT ACTIVE E
There may have been mixed reviews for BMW’s MINI E, but the Concept Active E should be a different story as it contains all the hallmarks of the manufacturer’s classic saloon cars.
Among its features is a 170hp electric motor that sits in the rear axle powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The car can race from 0-62mph in just 8.5 seconds and it has a range of 100 miles with a charge time of just three hours in Europe. BMW is expected to introduce a fleet of the vehicles this year to gain real world data on their performance.
4. TOYOTA DEDICATED HYBRID CONCEPT
Japanese manufacturer Toyota has dominated the hybrid car sector and so any time it promises to introduce a new vehicle heads are sure to turn.
At this point however, little is known about the hybrid concept that will debut in Detroit with Toyota only releasing a teasing shot of some green bodywork. However, speculation suggests it will either be a two-door version of the Prius or a direct competitor to Honda’s upcoming CR-Z sports coupe.
3. VOLVO C30 ELECTRIC CAR
The Volvo C30 Drive stormed to our Green Car of the Year title in 2009, so the sky is surely the limit for an electric version of the vehicle.
The electric C30 debuted in Frankfurt and is still some way from hitting the road with Volvo planning to build a 50 car test fleet for 2011. However, we had to include it here because you’re sure to hear plenty about it throughout 2010 – we already know it has a range of 93 miles, a top speed of 81mph and can race from 0-60mph in under 11 seconds. An updated prototype will be on display in Detroit.
2. HONDA CR-Z
The world’s first hybrid sports car, the Honda CR-Z (Compact, Renaissance, Zero) is a hybrid with traditional sports car elements. It was first shown at the Detroit Motor Show in 2008 and is finally expected to be released in the second half of this year.
Primarily geared at the European market it is expected to cost €25,000 and has the ability to reach 62mph from a standstill in just 9.7 seconds.
1. NISSAN LEAF AND CHEVROLET VOLT/VAUXHALL AMPERA
These vehicles have been so heavily hyped that we simply couldn’t separate them for our number one spot – but, after all the talk, 2010 is the year that these vehicles will finally reach the streets.
The Nissan LEAF has a top speed of 87mph, a range of 100 miles and can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes with a quick charger. It was described by TIME Magazine as one of the best 50 inventions of 2009 and is expected to be at the heart of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s partnerships with governments and utilities around the world.
As for the Volt (to be known in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera), this plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is scheduled for release in November using the GM Voltec platform. It can travel for up to 40 miles on the electricity stored in its lithium-ion batteries before the internal combustion engine takes over giving it a total range of more than 300 miles.
The release of these vehicles alone is reason to be excited about 2010 – a new year with a distinctly green theme. Be sure to keep track of our news section for all the latest on these new vehicles.
