motoring guide

New green vehicles for 2008

Concerns over the effects of climate change and calls to halt the increase of global warming have rapidly pervaded almost every sector - and none more so than the motor industry. Although the development of an environmentally-friendly vehicle may seem an almost impossible task, last month's Geneva Motor Show displayed just how inventive manufacturers are becoming in their production of 'green' cars.

Volkswagen used the event to showcase its new EcoFuel, a natural gas-fuelled version of the Passat, which combines "the seemingly contradictory virtues of performance and economy" and will be on sale in Europe around the end of the year.

Autobloggreen.com reports that unlike most natural gas-fuelled cars, which tend to be less powerful than their gasoline counterparts, the Passat EcoFuel uses one of Volkswagen's turbocharged direct injected TSI engines, which can be powered by both conventional fuel and compressed natural gas (CNG).

Optimized for running on CNG, the 1.4 litre TSI engine has an output of 150hp, and fuel consumption of 5.2l/100km and is fitted with both a supercharger and a turbocharger.

In order to allow the engine to cope with the additional loading encountered through the burning of natural gas rather than gasoline, changes have been made to the vehicle.

The valves, piston rings and the pistons are all uprated, while the turbocharger has also been replaced with a smaller unit. Controlling the switch between conventional fuel and natural gas is a new engine management computer.

Natural gas is stored in three tanks, with a combined capacity of 22 kg, underneath the floor of the boot and is supplemented by a 31-litre tank for conventional petrol. Between the two tanks the vehicle can cover more than 490 miles.

Ford also used the Geneva Motor Show to display the green credentials of some of it's own products.

"Sustainable mobility imposes a huge challenge for society and the automotive industry, and there is still a long journey ahead of us," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe president and chief executive.

The company claims to be able to provide "technically viable and affordable ways to reduce the burden on the environment without giving up basic needs such as personal mobility".

Ford is currently focusing on a line of low carbon dioxide emitting cars called ECOnetic and bio-ethanol powered Flexifuel vehicles as well as developing a range of affordable new petrol engines under the brand name Ford EcoBoost.

"These use a combination of direct fuel injection and turbocharging technologies to deliver better performance, emissions and economy from smaller displacement engines," Mr Fleming continued. "In addition to our dedicated lines of low-CO2 vehicles, our current standard range of vehicles is highly competitive in terms of CO2, as well. This demonstrates how serious we are in our commitment to reduce continuously the carbon footprint of our cars."

"And this without sacrificing any of the other trademark qualities customers expect from Ford vehicles: style through 'kinetic design'; excellent driving dynamics and dependability throughout the lifetime of the vehicle," he added.

Meanwhile, Motor Trend reports that Hyundai is also seeking to affirm its commitment to green technology with its HED-5. The six-seater, which uses existing technology to reduce carbon dixoide emissions by up to 29 percent – received its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. A revived version of Hyundai's European-market MPV, the Matrix was also on display at the event.

Fiat was yet another car maker to join the swelling ranks of environmentally conscious manufacturers at the show.
The company's 500 Aria and Panda Aria models are both low-emissions vehicles that will be exempt from road tax in the UK, Yahoo News reports.

The 500 Aria uses a retuned version of the 500's 1.3-litre turbodiesel engine, producing just 98g/km of carbon dioxide, a new Duologic semi-automatic gearbox and Stop&Start - a device which switches the engine off when the car is at a standstill to reduce pollution.

In addition, Fiat has reduced the weight of the 500 Aria, fitted low rolling resistance tyres and used recycled materials for the inside.

The vehicle will be on sale before the end of 2008, although Fiat has not confirmed prices.

Fiat said emissions will be reduced to just 69g/km for the Panda but added it will take longer to enter the showroom than the 500 Aria, however.

28 May 2008