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]

Click image for hi-res photos of the Subaru's EV display at Geneva

While the Legacy Boxer Diesel was technically the big showpiece for Subaru at Geneva, a glance at the automaker's booth showed that electric vehicles were given equally prominent billing. The R1e was set up alongside the G4e concept that made its debut at last year's Tokyo Motor Show. The R1e is an all-electric variant of the Japan-only R1 microcar. Right now, 40 of the Pokemon-looking EVs are in service with Tokyo Electric Power Co. in Japan, where they're being field-tested by employees. When connected to a quick charger, its battery power can be replenished in just 15 minutes. Fully charged, it has an operating range of around 100 kilometers. Next year, Subaru hopes to increase the test fleet to 100 cars.

The G4e represents Subaru's longer-term goals. Equipped with Li-Ion battery technology, the lightweight 5-door EV concept should offer double the range of the R1e. In his remarks to the assembled media, Fuji Heavy Industries president Ikuo Mori said, "Subaru's goal is to become the leading brand in the electric vehicle market." He then added that the automaker would continue its EV development programs with an eye towards creating the ultimate zero-emissions car for urban commuters. Something like that G4e with a legit 125-mile range would look mighty attractive with oil prices being what they are today.


[Source: Subaru]

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Škoda Superb GreenLine

The latest version of the VW Passat-derived Škoda Superb is making its official debut in Geneva this week, and the Czech marque's flagship will also be offered in the eco-themed GreenLine trim. Many of Volkswagen's BlueMotion lessions are applied here, meaning a redesigned, more aerodynamic fascia, lowered ride height, reduced weight, taller gearing and an efficient engine underhood. In the case of the Superb GreenLine, power is derived from a 1.9L TDI PD DPF with a diesel particulate filter good for 103-horses and around 184 lb-ft of torque. End result? 46 U.S. mpg (5.1 l / 100 km) in the combined cycle and carbon dioxide emissions of 136 g/km. And no, we don't think you need to take the giant leaf graphic as part of the deal.


[Source: Škoda]

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]

Click image for a gallery of the Golf TDI Hybrid

German buff mag Auto Bild has spilled the beans on the Geneva-bound Volkswagen Golf TDI Hybrid concept. As we reported earlier, the car will average 69 US mpg in the European cycle and emit just 90 g/km of carbon dioxide, but we now know more details on the powertrain itself.

According to the Google Translation, the diesel engine is a 75 PS (74 HP) 3-cylinder TDI, presumably the 1.4L unit used in the Polo BlueMotion (thanks to commenter Eddy for that reminder). It's augmented by a 27-horsepower electric motor what's powered by a trunk-mounted NiMH battery back. As previously reported, a 7-speed DSG is used in lieu of the CVTs commonly employed by other hybrids, which should make for a more engaging experience behind the wheel. The Golf TDI Hybrid is a full hybrid, so it can run on diesel, electric, or a combination of the two. It also employs regenerative braking ad a stop/start system. The driver can keep an eye on the powertrain's goings-on via an Energy Monitor screen on the instrument panel. Visually, the car wears a new paint color called Vivid Blue and sports a lowered suspension, a narrower grille opening, and low-rolling-resistance tires, all in the interests of improved aerodynamics and fuel economy. We'll bring you more on the Golf TDI Hybrid when it makes its formal debut next week.


[Source: Auto Bild via German Car Blog]

Click image for a huge photo gallery

We all had a chuckle at the idea of the Rinspeed sQuba Concept when the initial renderings of the Geneva-bound concept emerged. The Swiss tuner and specialty manufacturer gets the last laugh, however, as it has released photos and video of the actual car operating submerged, and you know what? It's awesome. The sQuba (the "Q" in the name appears to be a nod to the gadget-producing Q Branch in the James Bond universe) is a full EV that relies on three separate electric motors to accomplish its mission. One powers the sports car when it's driving on land, while the others supply juice to the twin screws used for underwater propulsion. Movable fender-mounted Seabob jets appear to serve the same purpose as the diving planes on a traditional sub. Oh, and did we mention that it is capable of autonomous operation on land?

The car features on-board underwater breathing apparatus for its driver and passenger, who sit in a salt water-resistant cockpit fitted with high-friction surfaces designed to help keep them planted in their seats. Rinspeed notes that a roadster was the chosen body style for the sQuba because its open-top configuration is more bouyant and allows for easier egress in the event of an underwater emergency. Some might deem it pointless, but the sQuba is the best kind of concept car: a flight of fancy that just also happens to work. It's fantastic, and we want to steal it and then drive it off a pier at speed, just like 007 did with his white submersible Lotus 31 years ago. Watch video of the sQuba in action after the jump!


[Source: Rinspeed]

From what we've heard, the new 2.0L Boxer Diesel engine from Subaru is quite a powerplant. We've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of these cars in the U.S. Unfortunately, we don't have any hard data on its arrival in the States to report, but we do have confirmation that the Legacy and Outback with the diesel will be shown off in Geneva at the upcoming Motor Show. Autoblog will be present at the event and we'll be sure to bring you all the goods and live photos of both the Legacy sedan and the Outback wagon. There are no real changes to the looks of the car, but under the skin is an engine which makes plenty of usable power while returning as much as 41 miles per gallon. We're salivating at the thought of getting this engine in the new Forester SUV. An affordable, high-mileage vehicle with plenty of versatility in the form of storage and human space with standard all wheel drive will surely fill the needs of plenty of green-minded individuals.

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Legacy 2.0D and Outback 2.0D

[Source: Subaru via Autoblog]