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Green Cars Steal the Show in Washington
The Washington Auto Show ran from January 28 to February 6, and showcased (as usual) a range of exciting new cars, both the wild, wacky and innovative concept cars, and the more down-to-earth production cars that were unveiled for the first time. And down to earth is the word, as many of the feature cars were “green”. Green seemed to be the focus of the show, especially after President Barack Obama announced a vision in his State of the Union Address to the House of Representatives for making the USA the first country to have over a million electric cars on the road by 2015 (he may mean hybrid cars rather than pure electric cars, but those count!).
The real show-stopper in this respect was the “world’s fastest electric car”. This was the Venturi Buckeye Bullet, built at the Ohio State University. This car isn’t exactly scheduled for imminent release on the roads as a production vehicle, but it is capable of getting up to 307.7 miles per hour (on those salt flats in Utah where all the land speed records tend to get set) thanks to a 600 kilowatt electric engine.
However, not all the green cars were concept cars striving to prove that electric vehicles are capable of matching the oomph of petrol vehicles. One new production car that was launched at the Washington Auto Show 2011 was the hybrid Dodge Ram ute put out by Chrysler. This hybrid ute combines a 5.7 litre V8 engine with a potent electrical motor with a 20 mile range. A test fleet of 140 vehicles is due to hit the roads in the USA thanks to a government grant. However, the car that scooped the Green Car Vision Award was the Ford Focus Electric, which is an all-electric car rather than a hybrid. This vehicle is due for general release in the USA in late 2011, and with any luck, we’ll get it over here in Australia.
The “” was the section of the show that showcased the environmentally friendly cars and technology, and exhibitors in this section included BMW, Chrysler, Honda (with the CR-Z hybrid and a range of other hybrids), Fiat, Mazda (with the RX-8 Hydrogen RE), Nissan and a host of other well-known names and some lesser-known ones who are part of developing new technologies in the area of sustainable fuels and petrol-saving technologies.
According to The Atlantic news service, the coolest green cars (electrics, hybrids and otherwise) on display at the Washington Auto Show 2011 were:
- Honda FCX Fuel Cell
- Honda Civic Natural Gas Vehicle (hey –we’ve had LPG powered vehicles for ages!)
- Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid
- Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Plug-in Hybrid (the one mentioned above)
- Fiat 500 Sport (petrol-powered but very, very small and frugal)
- Li-Ion Inizio (don’t hold your breath to see this one in Australia, but it looks very hot)
- Li-Ion Wave
- Lexus CT 200h (due in Australia March 2011)
- Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 Electric Vehicle
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Volkswagen Jetta Clean Diesel
- Volkswagen Supercharged Hybrid Touareg
- Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
- Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
- Chevy Silverado Hybrid
- Chevy Volt (named Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine)
- Nissan Leaf
- BMW Efficient Dynamics X5
- BMW Active Hybrid X6
Of course, all this was in the USA. It still remains to be seen which of the showcased green cars will make it over here – certainly, some of them will and some already have – but it’s quite encouraging to see that electric and hybrid cars are not just the domain of a few tree-huggers but are respectable vehicles worthy of consideration by everybody.
Big cars with small appetites.
It’s curious to note the impressive improvements – all of a sudden –- by car manufacturers to ensure that their cars are super-efficient and green. Now company cars are becoming much more fuel efficient and emission conscious than ever before. But what’s it like for the potential new car buyer on the lookout for a large family vehicle that can carry the luggage and occupants with space to burn? Oh…and it might need to, actually, be capable of towing a good sized trailer or caravan now and then. What new large car are we going to find in early 2011 that is going to fit this job prescription – and is actually going to keep the fuel bill down or improve it?
With the help of Australia’s Ecocar magazine (www.ecocarmagazine.com.au), let’s take a look.
The Germans always have a trick up their sleeves. And in early 2011, we find Audi offering the reasonably roomy A6 with three excellent diesel power plants to power the luxury sedan. The 2.0 TDI (5.8 litres/100 km), 2.7 TDI (6.4 litres/100 km) and 3.0 TDI (7.1 litres/100 km) engines are effortless, quiet and, most importantly, fuel efficient. If you don’t mind the 103k price tag for the Audi A6 Allroad (7.1 litres/100 km), then the extra load carrying ability of the crossover stationwagon design has got to be a drawcard.
Bigger and even more luxurious, BMW offer the beautiful 730d. You are not going to find a sedan much more spacious and comfortable than this one. And with a 7.2 litres/100 km combined efficiency figure, this has to be one of the most desirable big motorcars that will offer the room with the economy – and the style. With 540 Nm of torque available from just 1750 rpm, towing the yacht is not going to be much of an ordeal.
Citroen has the spacious C5. Always a comfortable drive, the C5 is also very big on safety and flair. Attach a 6.8 litres/100 km fuel consumption figure, and the diesel Citroen C5 models look decidedly charming.
Sadly, Ford hasn’t really got an option for space and economy, yet. The big LPG Falcons put up a reasonable standing. But do keep your eye out for the four cylinder petrol Falcons, due shortly. Also the diesel powered Territory models are worth the wait.
Holden has their range of LPG Commodores. But you might like to consider the Epica CDX and CDXi. These are roomysedans with diesel engines providing 7.5 litres/100 km. At just over 40k, they aren’t going to send you broke in a hurry, either.
Have you thought about the Hyundai Grandeur CRDi? The Grandeur is a classy tourer with room and luxury that foots it with some of the high end vehicles from Europe. At 7.9 litres/100km, it is still reasonably frugal for such a big sedan. It’s only 41k, too! Hyundai’s Santa Fe is a great buy, and the diesel donks are superb motors. The Santa Fe SLX CRDi boasts a 6.7 litres/100 km fuel economy figure.
Jaguar is next on the list. And what awesome cars these are. If money wasn’t a concern, then the Jaguar XF 3.0 D S and the Jaguar XJ 3.0 D models are as good as it gets for a complete combination of grace, pace and economy.
Kia’s Sorento Si is a great possibility. An under 40k price tag, 6.7 litres/100 km from the diesel donk and reasonable room makes it a very sensible option. Don’t forget that this SUV comes with a 5 year/ unlimited kilometre warranty.
Hybrid technology is the way ahead for many of the top brands. Lexus have mastered this technology for some time now, and that is why you best take a look at the RX 450H (6.4 litres/100 km), and the GS 450H (7.9 litres/100 km). It’s the GS that gives the BMW 730d a real run for its money.
Mazda’s CX7 Diesel Sports is one of the hottest looking SUVs on the market. Five star ANCAP safety, style and plenty of room marry with a reasonable 7.6 litres/100 km fuel efficiency figure.
It’s great to see a big Mercedes Benz putting its hand up. The S350 CDI is massive on room, massive on luxury and massive on style. Impressively, a 7.7 litres/100 km efficiency figure ain’t too bad for the massive 218k price tag.
The French also offer the Peugeot 407 sedan models that are very roomy and very safe. You can’t beat the ST 2.0 L Hdi’s 5.7 litres/100 km, either. If you like the SUV style and safety, then the 4007 is a must for checking out.
The best buy might be reserved for Ssangyong’s Actyon SUV. Reasonable interior space, solid handling and diesel donks that provide mid-sevens for fuel efficiency make the 26k price tag of the Actyon A200 XDi look like a real steal.
Suzuki’s Grand Vitara can seat seven and offer tenacious off-roading prowess. Fuel economy is excellent, and the AWD traction is going to be a bonus both on and off the tarmac. A 7.0 litres/100 km fuel economy figure starts to look really good when you combine the Grand Vitara’s wide variety of useful skills.
Toyota’s Camry hybrid models are relatively roomy, always robust, comfortable and quite safe. The 6.0 litres/100 km efficiency looks very good, too.
I’ll end with Volvo. You’ll find the Volvo S80 D5 a satisfying drive, particularly when a 7.4 litres/100 km is a reality for the big and very safe S80 luxury sedan. The XC60 D5 is roomy, but if you still want more, then the XC70 D5 might be the pick of the Volvos. A very solid engine provides efficient, smooth performance for both XC variants. Mid-sevens can be expected for average fuel consumption.
So, there you have it: a summary of the best large family vehicles in Australia that are going to provide you with plenty of room and excellent economy.
Is Your Car The Ideal Mum’s Taxi?
Secondary and primary schools are going back after summer, and it’s that time of year when parents get back into the grind of doing the school run (unless the kids walk, bike or take the bus, of course). Cars that have taken the family to the beach or on holiday go back to being Mum’s Taxi (or Dad’s Taxi), if they’re appropriate.
But is your car the best possible Mum’s Taxi out there? Take the quiz to find out:
1: How many seats does your car have?
(a ) Five
(b) Four – two bucket sports seats in the front and two very small ones in the back
(c) Seven
(d) Three, one right by the driver’s elbow where the occupant will get bumped during a gear change.
2: How many doors does your car have?
(a ) two or three (rear hatches count as doors)
(b) two
(c) Four, or else two plus a sliding panel van-style and a rear hatch.
(d) two, but if you open the passenger’s side, several tools, an old newspaper and a hat will fall out on top of the opener.
3: What comfort features does your car have?
(a) Air-con and electric windows, and the front seats can slide forward and back
(b) Dual-zone climate control, leather seats, rake-and-tilt adjustable sports steering wheel, automatically retracting hood
(c) Dual-zone (or even three-zone) climate control, filters, electronically adjustable seats, tinted glass, heated seats front and rear, anti-pinch electric windows, etc.
(d) The seats are padded and you can open the window most of the time– does that count?
4: What passive safety features does your car have?
(a) A few airbags, inertia reel or pretensioned seatbelts, child restraint preparation in the rear
(b) A roll cage and front air bags
(c) Anti-submarining seats, pretensioned seatbelts, airbags for Africa, crumple zones,
(d) Seatbelts, but you’ll have to fish around to find the bit you plug them into and use that bra-strap adjustment to get it them the right size.
5: What other bells and whistles does your car have?
(a) a CD player/radio, keyless entry, trip computer
(b) Check out my stereo and the extra-big after-market speakers in the back! If it’s to do with the sound system, I’ve got it.
(c) GPS, hands-free phone, keyless entry, follow-me-home lights, rear seat DVD, trip computer with the works…
(d) A radio that picks up AM frequencies only when you’re travelling in an east–west direction and a horn that works.
6: How big is your boot?
(a) Average
(b) How big a boot do you expect in a coupé?
(c) Massive (in a sedan), or else it varies depending on whether the rear seats fold down.
(d) The ute deck’s enormous, but I hope it doesn’t rain or your stuff’ll get wet.
7: Your car can be described as a…
(a) hatchback (e.g. Suzuki Swift), sedan (e.g. Toyota Corolla or BMW 3-series) or smaller SUV (e.g. Isuzu MU)
(b) roadster or sports coupé (e.g. BMW Z4 or Mazda MX-5))
(c) MPV (e.g. Honda Odyssey), large 4×4 (e.g. Hyundai Santa Fe) or van (e.g. Ford Transit)
(d) workhorse (e.g. Toyota Hilux)
Mostly As: Your car is a reasonable Mum’s Taxi. It has a few drawbacks that hold it back from being the perfect car for the school run, but you’ll get there in one piece and with everyone’s sanity and temper reasonably intact.
Mostly Bs: Your car is the one the adolescent boys love to have used as Mum’s Taxi. One word of warning, though: better hide the keys once they learn to drive, or they’ll nick it to impress their mates.
Mostly Cs: Your car is the epitome of Mum’s Taxi – a perfect vehicle for taking large numbers of children and adolescents from A to B in comfort and style. Expect to be in demand for school trips, sports club outings, Boy Scout/Girl Guide camps, etc.
Mostly Ds: You have the perfect excuse for not ferrying the kids to and from school because your car probably isn’t the best for the job – except in emergencies.
A Global Picture On What the Big Boys Reckon
There has to be a number of things on the mind of a car manufacturing high flying exec. But one of the forefront thoughts a top “car buff” would have to be pondering over is what effects the booming Indian and Chinese economies will have on their car industry closer to home. Leading motor industry managers and experts have recently spent time together at Barcelona’s IESE discussing and mulling over this big topic. But also a talking point was the consideration of the future of the car. Surely electric cars are the way of the future.
A prime speaking candidate from the European motor industry, Bernd Gottschalk, worked over the Indian and Chinese growth on traditional car-making nations. On the one hand, strong demand from India, China and other emerging nations has been regarded as relief for established manufacturers at a time when orders from Europe and North America have very much become non-existent. What these manufacturers must be dreading is that these nations will be emerging as strong future competitors as well. Dr Gottschalk did, however, emphasise that Europe still holds formidable strengths in strong branding and a capacity for innovation. For the time being, these two strengths would be hard to match. (But I’m not so sure. Just look at the latest Kia, Hyundai and Great Wall vehicles!)
Another fellow, this time from Germany – and the former head of the VDA, Ivan Hodac – showed his heart-felt emotions when he shared on how he saw the European industry having an increasingly disadvantaged position through “unbalanced” trade agreements between the EU and emerging countries. He also described the recent blending with South Korea, in particular, as disastrous. I wonder why!
India was represented by Abhijit Gajendragadkar, Vice President of TATA Motors. TATA now owns Jaguar and Land Rover in the UK, and this man spoke on his company’s success in addressing specific Indian market demands with vehicles such as the inexpensive Nano car and the ACE. These vehicles are simple small delivery vehicles – useful for the Indian domestic transportation logistics system.
From China, Henry Li, General Manager of the export trade division of BYD, noted China as a fast-growing manufacturer of electric vehicles. Mr Li said that BYD produced just 20,000 cars in 2005, but made 448,000 in 2009! Scary extras included his perception of this rate of growth completely eclipsing any experience felt by European manufacturers. In fact, he noted that the level of volume of output would very soon overtake established brands from Skoda, Seat or Volvo. Mr Li said that the Chinese market would top 17 million cars for the year, 2010. Industry estimates of 24 million sales by 2015 might well be a little on the conservative side.
A huge bonus for Spain saw them producing 2.2 million cars last year, despite the global economic recession. Spain was second only to Germany among the car-making nations of Europe. Spain’s fortunes came about when post-Franco Spain became more closely integrated with the rest of the European economy. The big manufacturers such as Ford and GM looked for low-cost manufacturing locations, and decided to establish plants in Spain.
Electric vehicles were also a topic of big interest at the gathering. Nissan is the manufacturer of the Leaf, the first Electric Vehicle to emerge from a full-scale development effort by one of the major car manufacturers. Nissan is designing these with big production volumes in mind. And I don’t blame them, as I think the manufacturers who are in first will benefit first.
As far as marketing went, researchers have found that customers will often research their car choices in detail via the Internet. This was an interesting addition to the meeting’s discussion points, and it was greeted with full acceptance – being a topic which was a little lighter to handle.
Level 2, 9 Help Street