Geneva showcases best in low carbon car technology
Sat 10 March 2007
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Following the European Commission's proposals for a mandatory 2012 target for new car CO2 emissions, the Geneva Motor Show highlighted some of the technologies that leading manufacturers are bringing forward to help them meet the likely target.
Daimler Chrysler displayed the second generation Smart ForTwo and said that final vehicle certification results showed that the car produced only 88 g/km making it the lowest CO2 emitting car on the market. The Smart For Two's tested fuel consumption was 71.3mpg.
Volkswagen showed the Passat BlueMotion which manages 136g/km CO2 and over 50 mpg - good for a non-hybrid family car. VW is promising that more cars will be introduced into the BlueMotion, lower emissions range. Skoda (a VW brand) has also launched a Fabia hatchback reporting 120g/km.
BMW exhibited stop-start engines and regenerative braking which they are introducing to their 1-series. BMW's Mini brand also announced more fuel-efficient models.
Mercedes’ say that their new C-class will consume 9 tons less CO2 over its lifecycle (from production to scrapping) than its predecessor; a cut of 15%. The improvement is achieved through better aerodynamics, minimal weight increases, and conventional engines that squeeze more power out of less fuel. And Mercedes claims that within a few years, the Vision C220 Bluetec concept will have a diesel engine that gets excellent performance from a 2.2 litre engine at more than 50 mpg.
On the Toyota stand was the Hybrid X Concept which is the same size as a conventional family car but is a one-box design with an all-glass roof but closed-in luggage area. Its made of lightweight components and has an aerodynamic profile, improving its efficiency.
Meanwhile Honda showed its small hybrid sports car concept and its recently re-liveried Formula One racing car and Saab displayed a vehicle from its biopower range, running on E85 bioethanol.
Also on display was the G-Wiz from Reva and the Subaru R1e, both electric battery-powered.
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