Tuesday 10 January 2012. The Green Piece Column.
The North American International Auto Show 2011 (or the Detroit Motor Show as we like to call it) starts its second day of press previews today, before opening to the public for two weeks of motoring delights (January 9-22, 2012).
Taking place in the city home of car giants, Ford, Chrysler and General Motors (GM), the show is the biggest in the US’ automotive calendar and this year, the 105th show is expected to more than ever display how the car industry is changing and looking to address the transport issues of tomorrow. Look out for an odd mix of both the traditional sort of heavy gas guzzler that Americans love with the new age of light and efficient motors and alternative fuel offerings. Everything goes here.
Top Ten of the greener motoring debutants this week…
1. Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid
Easily one of the most debuts is Volvo’s new XC60 plug-in hybrid. Since its split from US native Ford, Volvo has been boldly venturing forth with an extensive programme to electrify its range. With the V60 plug-in hybrid to launch this summer, the XC60 plug-in hybrid concept is Volvo’s idea on a petrol-electric plug-in more likely to appeal US consumers than the V60 plug-in with its diesel-electric set-up. Europe will love it, but Volvo feels a petrol-electric plug-in will work better in US and China. We don’t know if they XC60 plug-in will actually make it to production yet, but be sure that a plug-in petrol hybrid will at some point. More about the model is available here.
2. Lexus LF-LC
OK so we’re not sure just how ‘green’ this model will be as a sports car, but with a hybrid drivetrain included we’re always to keen to know more about the performance. Details are scant at the moment, but we know that the car is a 2+2 sports coupe that offers both exciting drive and strong economy plus it showcases a ‘further step in the development of Lexus’s design direction’ (read more).
3. BMW AtiveHybrid5
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will make its world premiere in production firm at the show ahead of its launch this spring. Promising to offer an inspiring balance between performance and economy, BMW has already revealed that in the UK it will be rated as emitting 149g/km CO2 and have an electric-only drive of around 2.5 miles. What’s more, BMW has already announced that it is to produce an ActiveHybrid version of its massively important 3 Series, set to make its premiere in autumn 2012. Also at the show will be the BMW i3 electric supermini and i8 plug-in hybrid sedan which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November (read more here).
4. Honda Acura ILX gas-electric hybrid
Honda will showcase a new Acura ILX Concept with three drivetrains including a new gas-electric hybrid. It will be the first time that Honda’s luxury brand has produced a hybrid. But with the ILX based on the Civic, it is sure to be popular.
5. Ford Fusion Energi
Ford has a busy year ahead of it with the launch of its first electric car, the Focus Electric (order books in the US are already open) and the launch of two new hybrid models, the C-MAX hybrid and C-MAX Energi Plug-in Hybrid. By now we’re fairly familiar with the Focus Electric but the world premiere of the new Fusion model (Mondeo as we know it in the UK) is more exciting, with the new model set to be made available as a gasoline car, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid called the Fusion Energi (find out more here).
6. Via size E-REV Pickup Truck
Via may not be a name you know well, but the electric truck maker will make a real splash at Detroit, not least because former Vice Chairman of General Motors, Bob Lutz-now a member of Via’s board of Directors- will make the press presentation of the firm’s three new electric models. Acclaimed to be the world’s first model line-up of range extended commercials, Via will take the wraps of a E-REV Pickup Truck, a full-size four wheel SUV and a three-quarter tonne cargo van.
All three vehicles are expected to offer a driving range of 30 to 40 miles on using their lithium ion batteries, then up to 400 miles using the onboard generator, averaging up to 100 mpg (read more).
7. Toyota NSX concept
Toyota is another car maker with a ‘green’ car line-up so juicy its hard to know where to start. First is the mysterious NS4 concept, of which we know little about at the moment, except that it will be an ‘advanced plug-in hybrid concept’ likely to use similar technology as the Prius plug-in. The NS4 could also be based on the Prius in its body too, and join the growing Prius family, along with the family friendly Prius V and city friendly Prius C, which also appear at the show (read more).
8. Nissan e-NV200 electric van
Not one to rest on its laurels, Nissan reveals a near-production ready electric version of its NV200 van. It is the first electric van the manufacturer has produced, with the e-NV200 making use of the electric vehicle technology developed for the Leaf. Using a lithium ion battery and 80Kw AC motor, the model is expected to offer a range similar to the Leaf’s (around 90miles) and offer the same level of payload and cargo space as the non-electric version of the van (read more).
9. Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid and E300 BlueTec Hybrid
Mercedes is to reveal two hybrid models based on the best –selling E-Class model-one a petrol hybrid for the US market and a diesel hybrid for the European market, where diesels are more popular. Set to be available as both a saloon or estate, the E300 BlueTec Hybrid with its diesel engine is expected to achieve 67.2 mpg (European Driving Cycle) and emit just 109g/km CO2. Performance of the E 400 BlueTec Hybrid, with its V6 petrol (or gasoline) engine is expected to achieve 27mpg (according to US CAFE standards). More available here.
10. Volkswagen E-Bugster and Jetta hybrid?
A study car only, its not expected that the electric E-Bugster, based on Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle model, will actually make it into production. Nonetheless the car is an interesting concept; with its 85kWh motor powering it to 60mph in just 10.9 seconds and its 28.3 kWh lithium ion batteries expected to give it a range of at least 110 miles.
What’s more, Volkswagen is also making the world debut of the new Jetta Hybrid which combines a high-tech 1.4-litre TSI 150 PS petrol engine and a 20 kW zero-emissions electric motor. Together these provide a fuel economy improvement of around 20 per cent over the equivalent petrol-powered vehicle at 45 mpg according to US ratings (around 54 mpg Imperial). The Jetta Hybrid launches in North America in November 2012; sadly though there are no current plans to sell this model in the UK.
Faye Sunderland.
