General Motors kept the surprises to a minimum but continued to push its barrage of green technologies at this morning's press conference. Hydrogen, ethanol, diesels and hybrids all received playing time as Carl-Peter Forster, president of GM Europe, drove home his message that, low emissions and price economy should not be exclusive.
The HydroGen4 is Europe's version of the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. A fleet of about 100 test vehicles will be on the road around the globe by 2008. Just don't expect hot-rod performance...
It'll take 12 seconds to get to 62 mph and you'll have to drive down a sizable hill to get your top speed above the 100-mph limit.
Saab highlighted its continued commitment to ethanol, which it markets as BioPower. Then, to smack all of that green technology back into its place, it unveiled the limited-edition Saab Turbo X. Shown as both a wagon and a sedan and only offered in black, the Turbo X pays homage to the Saab 900 Turbo. The Turbo X features all-wheel drive and a 280-hp turbocharged V6 mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Chevrolet showed off an all-new Aveo hatchback with a gaping grille, low-profile tires wrapped around large wheels and a slick spoiler. While this Aveo is currently only marked for Europe, its fresh looks would serve as a welcome replacement for the dull five-door Aveo that Chevy currently offers in the States. Also for its European markets, GM unveiled the new Opel Agila city car and thewagon version of the small Cadillac BLS.
Globally, GM will offer 25 FlexFuel vehicle lines in 2008, producing more 1 million E85-capable vehicles. 2008 will also mark a ramp up in U.S. hybrid offerings with the introduction of GM's two-mode hybrid system. By offering eight hybrid models, GM will own the claim of offering more hybrids than any other U.S. automaker. -- Eric Tingwall, Inside Line Contest Winner and Citizen Journalist
Saab highlighted its continued commitment to ethanol, which it markets as BioPower. Then, to smack all of that green technology back into its place, it unveiled the limited-edition Saab Turbo X. Shown as both a wagon and a sedan and only offered in black, the Turbo X pays homage to the Saab 900 Turbo. The Turbo X features all-wheel drive and a 280-hp turbocharged V6 mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Chevrolet showed off an all-new Aveo hatchback with a gaping grille, low-profile tires wrapped around large wheels and a slick spoiler. While this Aveo is currently only marked for Europe, its fresh looks would serve as a welcome replacement for the dull five-door Aveo that Chevy currently offers in the States. Also for its European markets, GM unveiled the new Opel Agila city car and thewagon version of the small Cadillac BLS.
Globally, GM will offer 25 FlexFuel vehicle lines in 2008, producing more 1 million E85-capable vehicles. 2008 will also mark a ramp up in U.S. hybrid offerings with the introduction of GM's two-mode hybrid system. By offering eight hybrid models, GM will own the claim of offering more hybrids than any other U.S. automaker. -- Eric Tingwall, Inside Line Contest Winner and Citizen Journalist
ateixeira says:
08:37 AM, 09/11/07
Lots of news here, this should have been multiple blog entries. :-)
Aveo face-lift looks decent. Is it enough to keep up with the Fit, which itself will soon be updated?
Corsa diesel-hybrid sounds intriguing, that should be the next small Saturn.
Saab - finally more than 250hp from a turbo V6, 280hp is still modest if you ask me!
Let's see some BLS wagon pics!
erok says:
02:01 PM, 09/11/07
I'll have some more information regarding the Corsa and the next small Saturn in a post that should appear sometime tomorrow....stay tuned!
-Eric
reillypal says:
06:48 PM, 09/11/07
Go Green - - and I mean that in more ways than one!