Click above for live shots of the Golf TDI Hybrid from Geneva

Remember when Jim Press used vegetables as an illustration for green cars? TTAC writer Alex Kambas manages to make the same comparison, but for completely different reasons. "Like the vegetables of my childhood era, shoving green cars down my throat just because they're good for me won't make me want to buy them," Kambas opines. It seems that he feels that the Geneva Motor Show focused solely on green news, with nothing exciting to show the performance-minded drivers among us. Looking back on Geneva, there certainly were plenty of green cars on display, but we really feel that many of them ought to be interesting to everyone. Take, for instance, the Koenigsegg CCXR Edition, Lotus' Tri-Fuel capable Exige 270E or the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, all of which use an alternative fuel for performance reasons.

Even if you want nothing to do with green cars, many of the vehicles presented in Geneva catered to the go-fast crowd. The beautiful Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, Spyker C8 Aileron and Artega GT, should be enough to make any performance-minded enthusiast happy.

[Source: TTAC]

When Saab debuted the 9-X BioHybrid concept at the recent Geneva Motor Show, aerodynamics was a big part of the equation. The compact 9-X has a smooth, rounded nose, a raked back wrap-around windshield and a downward sloping roof. To help reduce the drag at the back end of the short body, a spoiler that wraps around the roof extends backward up to four inches. A new video featuring some of the designers talking about the aero work that they did has just been posted on the GMnext web site. You can check out the video after the jump.


[Source: GMnext]

Episode 20 of the AutoblogGreen Podcast has us recapping Geneva mere days before we head to New York. There were lots of exciting things over in Switzerland, and we touch on a few of them. Th!nk's new Ox will be a Tesla-magnitude achievement if it hits the market doing what the company says it will. GM rolled out the new version of its mild hybrid system that will be propagating across virtually all models in all brands to help boost CAFE. Better efficiency for about half of what a sat nav option costs? We'll take it. Speaking of hybrids, there was a lot of talk from BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen ,and others about upcoming Euro-branded hybrids, and diesel hybrids at that. Mercedes will debut li-Ion batteries in a production hybrid, while Toyota has yet to see a compelling argument for diesel hybrids. Rest assured that if people want it, Toyota will build it, though. Before closing, we look forward to the couple of things we know about in New York, like the debut of the Acura TSX/Honda Euro Accord which will sport a 50-state legal diesel, and the Automotive X-Prize folks will be holding a press conference, as well. 32 minutes this time around. Stay tuned, we'll surely be abuzz when we return from New York.

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Fiat showed a low emissions and low fuel consumption concept version of their tiny 500 at the Geneva Motor Show called the 500 Aria. The Aria is equipped with Fiat's 1.3L MultiJet diesel and the company's Dualogic transmission. The powertrain is topped off with an automatic start-stop system. The Dualogic transmission is an automated manual transmission that can shift automatically or the driver can determine when to shift. The clutch activation duties are always handled automatically. The full package delivers a ten percent improvement in fuel consumption compared to the standard 500.

[Source: Car and Driver]

The Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept that debuted in Geneva this week has been picked as the Best Concept in show by the crew at AutoWeek. The 9-X is a vision for a new small Saab coupe to slot in under the 9-3 based on the next generation of GM's Global Compact Car platform. Two years ago Saab won the same award at Geneva for their Aero-X concept. The 9-X has a 200hp 1.4L flex-fuel four cylinder engine paired up with GM's next generation mild hybrid system. A production 9-1 based on this design is highly likely within the next couple of years and the updated hybrid system will be all over GM starting in 2010.



[Source: Saab]

Diesel hybrids are popping up everywhere in Geneva this week from Volkswagen to Mercedes-Benz to BMW. One notable exception is Toyota. The hybrid pioneer has never shown a diesel hybrid and according to Katsuaki Watanabe, the company's president they have no plans to offer one. The problem lies in the fact that diesel engines are inherently more expensive than gasoline units and adding in the cost of a hybrid system would make them uncompetitive in terms of cost. Interestingly, most of the diesel hybrids being displayed in Switzerland right now are of the mild hybrid variety rather than the strong hybrid types that Toyota uses.

Mild hybrids have smaller less powerful motors that aren't integrated into the transmission the way a full hybrid typically is. They can be paired up more easily with different engines and transmissions. While they don't offer the potential for as much electric only running, they do provide electric assist and start stop functionality and at a lower cost. Perhaps if Toyota had a less costly (and somewhat less functional) mild hybrid system in their portfolio, they would be considering diesel hybrids. However, just because we haven't seen something like that yet it doesn't mean we won't. Toyota spends a lot on R&D, much of which is never seen in public until they are good and ready. Toyota certainly isn't shying away from hybrid technology in general.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

click the Th!nk Ox for a high res gallery

Th!nk, the Norwegian purveyor of electric cars that used to be owned be owned by Ford, has used the occassion of the Geneva Motor Show to show off their new vehicle platform concept. The Ox is a five-seat monocab design that has a space frame structure that can be used for a variety of different body styles. Besides the four-door body Th!nk is also showing a two-door coupe body. The space frame provides the crash structure and mounting locations for battery packs in the floor. The system is designed to be adaptable to different regions and applications so it can be equipped with either sodium batteries or lithium ion.

The 60kW electric motor should be able to accelerate the 3,300lb Ox to 62mph in about 8.5 seconds. Th!nk is claiming that with lithium batteries the Ox will have a range of about 120miles on the US06 driving cycle. The US06 is the new, more aggressive schedule that was added to the EPA fuel efficiency testing routine for 2008. If the Ox can actually achieve that range on US06 it should do at least as well in the real world (see our interview with GM's Pete Savagian for more discussion on driving test cycles including US06). So far we don't have any information from Th!nk on when we will actually see the Ox or something similar on the road or how much it will cost. Th!nk's press conference is tomorrow so we may get an update then.


[Source: Th!nk, thanks to Sindre and Kristoffer for the tips]

Following the publication of our earlier story on the new generation GM Hybrid system this morning we got some more details from General Motors during their Geneva press conference. Prior to the show, GM declined to say who was supplying the lithium ion batteries for the system. We now know that Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd. will be supplying the batteries, a first for a GM system. The second-generation hybrid system will debut on North American models in 2010 and quickly spread globally, including in the production version of the Saab 9-X that is appearing as a concept in Geneva.

[Source: General Motors]

Green has long been a color associated with Bentley going back to their Le Mans victories in the 1920s. In those days - before race cars became rolling billboards - they were painted in colors specific to their countries of origin, with British cars running in green. These days however, going green means something very different. With limits on carbon dioxide emissions looming in Europe and new fuel economy standards in the U.S., Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen made a major announcement at the Geneva Motor Show today.

In 2009 Bentley will introduce its first flex-fuel engine and by 2012 everything they produce will be capable of running on biofuels. The ultra-luxury British brand (owned by Volkswagen) intends to achieve at least a fifteen percent reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2012. By 2012 they will also introduce a new powertrain that will deliver a forty percent reduction in fuel consumption. That will most likely be a hybrid system that's been rumored for some time, perhaps even a diesel hybrid. Paefgen also said that Bentley will be making a major push to reduce the weight of their cars which have always been rather portly. The bottom line is that Bentley wants to have all their vehicles capable of emitting less than 120g/km of CO₂ on a well-to-wheels basis by 2012 (assuming of course that they are running on biofuels).

[Source: Bentley]

Click the Fiesta for a high-res gallery

We got our first look at the production version of the 2009 Ford Fiesta a couple of weeks ago and most of you were overwhelmingly positive about it. The new Fiesta is coming to America in at least four-door sedan and very likely hatchback form as well. Last fall in Frankfurt, Ford announced that they would create ecoNetic low CO₂ versions of most of their cars starting with the Focus. As Ford shows the Fiesta publicly in Geneva this week, they are expected to announce an ecoNetic version as well. Ford hasn't announced details yet other than that the ecoNetic model will get CO₂ emissions below 100g/km and it would have only a small price premium over the standard model. It will almost certainly use a small diesel engine combined with low rolling resistance tires, low friction transmission fluid, different gear ratios and some aerodynamic tweaks to get those low numbers.


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

Click to enlarge

In mid-2006, General Motors released their first mainstream hybrid vehicle with first Saturn Vue Green Line. Prior to that the company had offered a mild hybrid system in the Silverado pickup but since that was really only offered in limited volumes to fleet and commercial buyers, we'll skip that one. The system in the Vue was dubbed the GM Hybrid system but it's more commonly called the belted-alternator-starter (BAS) system. Since the first Vue, the BAS system has been added to the Saturn Aura and Chevy Malibu as well as the redesigned 2008 Vue.

Last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show GM showed a concept Opel Corsa with an updated version of the BAS system. At the time GM declined to give any details of the system other than the fact it had a lithium ion battery. At the Geneva Motor Show today, GM Chairman Rick Wagoner is announcing that the next-generation GM Hybrid system will go into production in 2010. More importantly, the upgrades to the system will make it more suitable for a much larger range of applications and production of the system will be increased dramatically. Learn more about the second generation of GM's mild hybrid system after the jump.


[Source: General Motors]

Click the 9-X BioHybrid for a high res gallery

Saab is giving the world a preview of their newest model with the 9-X BioHybrid that's debuting in Geneva this week. The new 9-X is a premium compact intended to compete against cars like the MINI. When this car does go on sale in the next couple of years the name will probably change to 9-1 in keeping with brands nomenclature where X typically describes an all wheel drive model and the second digit indicates the place in the size pecking order.

As the concept's BioHybrid name implies, the little Saab carries forward the ethanol flex-fuel capability of most recent vehicles from the Swedish brand and adds hybrid functionality as well. The engine in the 9-X is a 1.4L turbo four cylinder that puts out 200hp. In a first for Saab, the engine is paired up with the next-generation GM Hybrid system which we'll have more about tomorrow. Efficiency is further enhanced by solar power and active aerodynamics. A photovoltaic panel embedded in the roof provides extra charging capability for the hybrid battery.

Aerodynamics on small cars is always tricky as the airflow falls off the trailing edge of the roof. The 9-X tries to address this with active aerodynamics. A spoiler that wraps over the rearmost pillar and roof extends backwards when speeds get over 70km/h. The effect is further enhanced by a diffuser that comes out below the rear bumper. The two components increase the effective length of the car and help improve the airflow off the rear. The 9-X can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.9 sec on E85 and 8.3 sec on gasoline. Carbon dioxide emissions come in at a low 105g/km on ethanol and 117g/km on gasoline. Fuel efficiency is 36.8mpg (US) on biofuels while each gallon of gasoline will take the 9-X 48 miles.


[Source: Saab]

Click the Opel Meriva concept for a high res gallery

For several years GM's European operations have been offering a tiny van-like vehicle called the Meriva. The current Meriva is a pretty conventional looking tall wagon based of the B-car Corsa platform. It's now just about time for a refresh of the Meriva and Opel is showing a concept at the Geneva Motor show that is probably very close to what the next production version will look like. The look of the concept carries all the styling elements of recent Opel concepts including the scalloped side panels and the headlamp shape. One interesting design element of this concept is the rear hinged back doors. Many concepts feature so-called suicide doors because it makes it easier for viewers to the see the interior of the car when it's rotating on a show stand. When this happens though, they usually leave out the b-pillar making it totally impractical for production. In this case the b-pillar is present and the press-release even focuses on these FlexDoors. Based on this it seems likely that the new Meriva will actually feature this door design. The other big question is will we see this car in Saturn dealerships in a couple of years?


[Source: General Motors]

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Q7 V12 TDI

The next stage of Audi's performance diesel onslaught is about to begin at the Geneva Motor Show. A year before we saw the mighty Audi R8 V12 TDI at the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen's premium brand showed the same engine in the Q7 V12 TDI Concept SUV. Just in time for Geneva, Audi has confirmed that they will indeed put the Q7 V12 TDI quattro into production. The monster 6.0L V12 diesel dishes out 500 horsepower and can possily alter the rotation of the Earth with with its mammoth 758 lb-ft of torque. All that twist is transmitted to the 20" alloys via quattro and helps propel the seven-seat SUV to 100km/h (62 mph) in a scant 5.5 seconds.

Even with that performance capability, the big diesel still manages to get 19.8 mpg (US). Of course, it probably won't come near that number if you were to actually utilize all that torque. That mileage is also only good in the context of the vehicle's capabilities, while in absolute terms it's obviously nothing special. Audi will start taking pre-orders in the second half of 2008. So far it isn't saying how much this beast will cost, nor does it say if US buyers will get a chance to partake. We won't hold our breath re: the latter.


[Source: Audi]

Click on the image above for more pictures of the Quaranta

"Nature has never been so powerful." So sayeth Italdesign Giugiaro. Hmmm, nature has a tendency to be pretty darn powerful, but we suppose we'll let that one slide, considering that all they are trying to do is hype up their new eco-friendly concept car, the Quaranta. They have been teasing us with assorted pictures of this car for the last few weeks, but we finally have the whole view to show you. Last year around this time they were showing off their VAD.HO concept, which was powered by BMW's hydrogen V-12. The Quaranta, on the other hand, uses a 3.3 liter V6 and hybrid bits sourced from Toyota, giving enough power to accelerate from 0-60 in just about four seconds flat. The innovative powerplant is situated in the middle of this sportscar concept, and incorporates an electronic CVT transmission and two electric motors in what Giugiaro is calling their E-Four system. There is no driveshaft tunnel, so we suspect that one of the motors is powering the front wheels without a mechanical connection to the gasoline engine. Giugiaro is claiming that the system offers V8 power and lower emissions than a 4 cylinder. Besides charging the battery via the engine and the energy recaptured when braking, the battery can also be charged by the integral solar panels on the roof.

Mimicking the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta concept, the Quaranta features a 1+3 seating arrangement, offering room for the driver, two passengers and a child. The only thing "green" about the Manta concept was the paint, as a large Chevrolet V8 powered that machine. In this day and age, though, concept cars point not only towards future styling direction, but also to future powertrain alternatives.

[Source: Italdesign Giugiaro via Autoblog]