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Environmentally-friendly motoring does
not have to mean switching to electric or hybrid cars, according to the
UK’s biggest eco-friendly motor show, EcoVelocity.
The show has taken two iconic vehicles
from the 1980s – the petrol-powered Ford Escort RS2000 and the diesel VW
Camper Van – and showed how stuffing them full of the very latest in
green car technology would make them viable, modern cars with
vastly-reduced CO2 emissions and improved fuel efficiency.
EcoVelocity runs from September 8-11th
and is an interactive festival of green motoring, showcasing the latest
electric, hybrid and low CO2-emitting cars.
But, with its virtual creations,
EcoVelocity is seeking to prove that, by using cutting-edge technology
available now, including direct injection systems and stop / start
technology, the venerable internal combustion engine has life in it yet
for the eco-conscious driver.
EcoVelocity’s project cars have been
upgraded virtually only, in order that the experiment was run in the
‘greenest’ possible fashion and in keeping with the ethos of the show.
However, independent engineers have confirmed the mechanical viability
of all the work suggested.
RS2000 original stats
| Power |
110bhp |
Weight |
880kg |
| Max speed |
110mph |
0-62mph |
8.9 seconds |
| Economy |
25mpg |
CO2 |
271g/km |
Camper Van original stats
| Power |
47bhp |
Weight |
1560kg |
| Max speed |
72mph |
0-62mph |
29.8 seconds |
| Economy |
20mpg |
CO2 |
338g/km |
EcoVelocity founder and organiser,
Giles Brown, said: “Both of these vehicles, although iconic in their own
right, had monstrous CO2 emission figures by today’s
standards.
“With a potential price tag of tens of
thousands of pounds to undertake all this work, you’d have to be very
serious indeed about going green. But what we want to show is how it is
possible to make both cars eligible for free road tax (VED Band A),
increase their performance and even enhance their safety features.”
The EcoVelocity Ford Escort
RS2000 features
- Modern counterpart engine (Ford
1.6-litre Ti-VCT) to replace original
- Thermal management
- Direct injection system for
efficiency and performance
- Stop / start technology – up to
5% CO2 saving
- Hybrid engine technology – up to
25% CO2 saving
- ABS / ESP safety systems
The EcoVelocity VW Camper Van
features
- Modern counterpart engine
(Volkswagen 1.6 TDI 90) to replace original
- Thermal management
- Exhaust gas systems for
efficiency
- Stop / start technology – up to
5% CO2 saving
- Hybrid engine technology – up to
25% CO2 saving
- ABS / ESP safety systems
Mr Brown added: “People perceive that
being environmentally sympathetic must mean switching to battery
electric power or full hybrid cars. But EcoVelocity is about all means
of ‘going green’ and this experiment shows that, with the right
application of technology, the good old combustion engine has a good 20
years left in it yet.
“EcoVelocity is about real-world cars
for real-world motorists and this shows that you can take cars destined
for classic status and keep them running on a clear conscious.” |
