|
HOME
>
GREEN CARS
> VAUXHALL |
|
Vauxhall introduce low emission EcoFLEX Models
(03/07/2007) |
Vauxhall will unveil
ecoFLEX models at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show in September. These
combine economy and driving enjoyment with low fuel consumption and
reduced CO2 emissions in each vehicle class. The premiere model is a
Corsa 1.3 CDTI emitting only 119 g/km of CO2, which will be launched in
2008. The Swedish premium brand Saab is also expanding its range of
BioPower engines across its entire model portfolio this year. Cadillac
will offer a similar E85 variant as of fall 2007, and in 2010, E85
vehicles are expected to be available for Vauxhall.
Between 2007 and 2012, Vauxhall and
General Motors Europe will also introduce 16 new engine families with a
total of 93 variants, as well as ten transmission families with 48
variants.
"A vehicle's CO2
emissions are an important parameter, but by no means the only
measurement of its environmental compatibility. That's why we are not
restricting ourselves to the production of single, eco-friendly prestige
objects. We want all GME vehicles to protect natural resources as much
as possible throughout the entire life cycle, from development through
to the recycling of materials. The start of
Vauxhall's ecoFLEX
environmental initiative at the beginning of June was an important
step, as this campaign promotes the scrapping of old vehicles which do
not meet today's environmental standards." emphasizes Carl-Peter
Forster, President, General Motors Europe.
In order to further
reduce fleet fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, GM is pursuing a
strategy of short and mid-term objectives. Conventional internal
combustion engines will be made more efficient and economical through
continued development, and greater use will be made of alternative
fuels. Eco-Turbo and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) are the engine
concepts at the core of ecoFLEX models. Engines with larger
displacements are being replaced by new Eco-Turbo units with smaller
cylinder volumes. The Eco-Turbo concept is used in both petrol and
diesel engines.
Long-term, GM is
working flat-out on the introduction of the hydrogen fuel cell –
currently the only zero-emission vehicle option. GM has already invested
more than one billion US dollars in this technology.
The GM HydroGen4 will
be presented at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show and marks the next step
toward fuel cell production readiness. A fleet of ten vehicles will
undergo testing in Berlin as of next year.
|
