Green Days at L.A. Auto Show
With some of the worst smog in the nation-and also some of the toughest emissions laws-it makes sense for California to look towards a "green" future for its trucks and cars. This year's Los Angeles Auto Show was home to a number of environmentally friendly vehicles, some from a very distant future, others here now or right around the corner. Here's a sampling from the truck point of view.
'08 Land Rover LR2
Europe has seen it already (and so have you, if you're a regular "Drivelines" reader), but the '08 LR2 made its U.S. debut at the L.A. Auto Show. Known as the Freelander 2 elsewhere in the world, the LR2 is a premium compact SUV with a 3.2L, 230hp I-6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and full-time all-wheel drive. Land Rover's Terrain Response system, with traction settings for various types of road and trail conditions, is also on board.
'08 GMC Yukon Hybrid
GM, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW are cooperating on a two-mode hybrid propulsion system for cars and SUVs. One of the first results of their efforts, the GMC Yukon Hybrid, will be available for sale at the end of the year. The "two-mode" gas/electric hybrid system is designed to boost fuel efficiency at both low and highway speeds. When working in conjunction with Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and other engine systems, the hybrid technology should improve the Vortec V-8's overall fuel efficiency by 25 percent, says GM. The powertrain should also retain the Yukon's performance attributes, like its 6,000-pound tow capacity.
Fuel-Cell Explorer
How about a gasoline-free SUV? Ford unveiled a hydrogen-fuel-cell Explorer at the show that's capable of traveling 350 miles on a single tank, "more than any fuel-cell vehicle on the road," says Ford. The fuel-cell stack powers an electric all-wheel-drive powertrain, and the hydrogen storage tank is located where the transmission would be in a conventional Explorer, so it retains the SUV's six-passenger seating and cargo capacity. This is a demonstration vehicle, not available for sale.
'08 Ford Escape Hybrid
Ford's Escape has been completely redesigned inside and out, and the next generation will include a gas/electric hybrid model. The "full" hybrid (which can run on electricity at speeds below 25 mph) mates a 2.3L DOHC gas engine with a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor for a net of 155 hp. Look for 0- to 60-mph times comparable with a 200hp V-6, says Ford. If you're looking for V-6-like acceleration the old-fashioned way, the Escape is also available with a conventional 3.0L gas V-6 that produces 200 hp.
Volkswagen Concept Tiguan
VW has announced it will introduce the Tiguan compact SUV-a "small Touareg," according to the company-late in 2007. For the L.A. Auto Show, it unveiled a clean-diesel "concept" version of the Tiguan powered by VW's next-generation TDI. A branch of the DaimlerChrysler/Audi/VW Bluetec family tree, this 2.0L I-4 is fitted with a NOx storage catalytic converter that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent compared to today's diesel engines, says VW. Industry insiders report the production Tiguan will be available with a gasoline engine at launch, but this diesel will probably be available soon after.
HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept
Unlike the Tiguan, this Hyundai crossover concept will likely not see production, though the maker did reveal the Hellion's front-end styling "explores how new organic structural forms could look on future Hyundai trucks." In keeping with L.A.'s green theme, the Hellion is powered by a 3.0L, 236hp, common-rail-diesel V-6 backed by a six-speed trans and running an AWD driveline. One neat feature inside: The bucket seats are equipped with hydration tubes that are fed from removable, refillable reservoirs contained inside the seats. No need for cupholders!
Design Challenge
Future Driving as an Environmental ExperienceFor the past three years, the L.A. Auto Show has been home to the Design Challenge, where local automotive design studios are tasked to present their visions of transportation's future. This year, the designers were asked to create vehicles that are "environmentally aware of their global footprint." Here are two of our favorites:
Kia Sandstorm: We've always been partial to dune buggies, and so, apparently, is Marc Mainville of the Hyundai Kia America Design Center. His Kia Sandstorm looks like a futuristic Meyers Manx, though this one is powered by a biodiesel/electric plug-in hybrid instead of a VW flat-four. The body panels are made from polyethylene terephthalate, otherwise known as PETE, the kind of easily recycled plastic used in soda and water bottles. An aluminum "safety cage" keeps passengers from harm.
Hummer O2: It's rare to see "Hummer" and "green" in the same sentence, yet the Hummer O2, penned by GM's West Coast Advanced Design Studio, is just that: a Hummer that would provide a net gain to the environment while in use. For example, algae-filled body panels take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the atmosphere; the entire body structure is made from post-consumer (meaning recycled) materials; modular hydrogen-powered fuel cells power hydraulic motors at each wheel; and the Hummer's Active Tread tires change shape to provide low rolling resistance on the highway and a light footprint off-pavement. GM's futuristic vision won this year's Design Challenge.
Coolest Press Conference at the L.A. Auto Show
The Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, showed up to tout California's (or, in his words, "Cal-ee-for-nee-ah's") leading-edge environmental policies. He also spotlighted several alt-fuel vehicles on display at the show, including Chevrolet's E85-capable Tahoe. OK, we admit it: We were star-struck at seeing The Terminator in person.