Meanwhile, in Europe…
By Alex Nunez , Forecast Earth Correspondent Posted Fri Sep 12, 2008 11:34am PDT
The bi-annual 2008 Paris Mondial de L’Automobile (a.k.a. the Paris Motor Show) will go off next month, and as has been the case in recent years at the major European shows, interesting, fuel-efficient, low-emissions vehicles will abound. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the more noteworthy production cars and concepts that will be making their debuts.
For Europe, Volvo will introduce 1.6-liter diesel versions of the C30, S40, and V50 under the DRIVe moniker. Each is optimized for maximum efficiency and achieves the equivalent of at least 53 U.S. mpg and emits under 120 g/km of carbon dioxide. To get those numbers, Volvo incorporated a variety of aerodynamic improvements (those nifty-looking wheels and underbody panels are just two examples); taller gearing; low-rolling resistance tires; enhanced engine management and cooling; and simple stuff like a shift indicator that tells the driver the optimum time to change gears. Naturally, they come in what I like to call “subliminal message green”, too.
Yes, MINI is going to come out with a crossover in 2010. We already know that it’s going to be called the Crossman, and now we have a general idea of what it’s going to look like. Before MINI unveiled the Clubman, it appeared in concept for, too, and it made the transition pretty much intact. If the MINI Crossman stays true to the brand’s form, expect a stylish, small all-wheel-drive 5-door that’ll still pull down mileage over 30 mpg via the existing 1.6-liter engine range.
Okay, this actually premiered earlier this year in Geneva, but I’m mentioning it anyway, because it’s also headed to Paris. Put simply, this is Toyota’s answer to the Smart ForTwo. (Get it? iQ… Smart…) The tiny little iQ has a 1.0-liter three-cylinder that’s good for between 50 and 55 U.S. mpg depending on transmission choice (in the referenced CAR magazine article here, note that the 60 mpg figures reflect the larger Imperial gallon, hence the discrepancy). As for emissions, 99 g/km of CO2 come out of the tailpipe. Toyota calls the seating arrangement “3+1″ meaning you can probably get three adults plus one child in there in semi-comfort. The car’s “face” reminds me of a horsehoe crab, but you know, that’s just me. It hits European showrooms in January.
The Cruze is GM’s new global sedan, and while Europe and other markets get it next year, here in the U.S., we’ll need to wait until 2010, when it’ll go on sale as a 2011 model (if you’re wondering why it’s going to take so long, you’re not alone). The Euro-spec car will launch with 1.6 and 1.8-liter gasoline engines as well as a 2.0L diesel. We’ll likely see a 1.4-liter direct-injected turbo four-cylinder with a 6-speed transmission among the powertrain offerings when Stateside sales begin.
The latest edition of the Volkswagen Golf (Rabbit here in the States) was recently unveiled, and for Paris, VeeDub has dropped an extra-stingy 1.6-liter diesel underhood. How stingy? How does 62 U.S. mpg suit you? That high efficiency is coupled with emissions of just 99 g/km of carbon dioxide, and don’t let that “Concept” tag fool you — VW’s going to put the Golf BlueMotion into production for Europe in the middle of next year.
That’s just a small sampling of what’s on tap. Regular readers already know that the new Honda Insight will also bow in Paris, and there’s a good chance that the Chevy Volt will make an appearance as well. Stay tuned.
Alex Nunez is Associate Editor at Autoblog.com. His blog posts are provided by LifeWire, a part of The New York Times Company.
