Glitz, glamour and more than a splash of green

One theme has prevailed at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show 2009– environmentally friendly vehicles.

Manufacturers – from mass-market to high-end luxury –were all in on the trend, showcasing their green credentials and concept machines at the 63rd global exhibition, officially known as IAA 2009.

The event, in Germany's fifth city, always attracts the best of the best of the motoring fraternity, with Frankfurt the chosen destination for world premieres – and this year was no exception, despite the economic gloom. There have been 82 unveilings since the exhibition started on September 15, including the Lexus LF-Ch hybrid and Volkswagen's L1 Concept (see panels), which has a super-efficient one-litre engine that can deliver a top speed of an impressive 160kph.

Meanwhile, other manufacturers chose to unveil updated models – Jaguar lifted the cover off its latest XJ, and Ferrari debuted its F430 replacement, the beautiful 458 Italia.

With the event drawing to a close tomorrow, Emirates Business here looks at the tech-specs of some of the most impressive vehicles announced in recent days.


Lexus

Luxury carmaker Lexus chose Frankfurt for the world debut of its LF-Ch full hybrid premium compact concept, a five-door zero-emission model due to its electric engine. The company hopes it will attract a younger audience to the brand more commonly associated with middle-aged executives, as it is pitched against the BMW 120 and Audi A3. Details are sketchy but it will emit less than 100 grams CO2 per kilometre while matching its rivals on performance and price. Lexus also took the opportunity to show revised models of its LS and GS which have new exteriors, the sport package on the IS and limited slip differential on the IS F. The RX450h, which offers the best CO2 rating in its class, was also on display.

Kia

Korean manufacturer Kia Motors showcased a number of models at the show. Like other companies, it showed off hybrid technology under its EcoDynamics sub brand, as the covers came off the so-called cee'd gasoline hybrid auto and Sorento diesel hybrid prototypes and the Forte LPI hybrid sedan. EcoDynamics models will feature additional C02 and pollutant reducing technologies such as streamlined body parts, alternative fuel capabilities, high-efficiency transmissions and hybrid, electric or fuel-cell powertrains.

The flagship model, however, was the Venga, specifically designed for the European market, of which chief designer Peter Schreyer said: "[It] is going to inject much-needed excitement into this compact segment.

"It is such a head-turner and a great driving car that people who don't really need an MPV, will want to get one."


VW

Car giant VW unveiled what it described as the most fuel-efficient automobile in the world.

The L1 Concept is powered by a new high-tech TDI and E-motor. With a maximum speed of 160kph, the one-litre L1 consumes 1.49 litres of diesel per 100km.

Equally impressive, the car produces a reported 39 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The full hybrid weighs 380kg due to its carbon-fibre reinforced body. Much of the efficiencies are derived from the unusual design of the car – the driver sits in front of the passenger, much like a glider's pilot and passenger.

VW said this vehicle, the second generation of the L1 Concept, has witnessed an entire redesign of each component and uses technology typically used in F1 supercars.


Audi

Among the talking points of IAA 2009 was the e-tron, Audi's high-performance sports car with an entirely electric drive system.

Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – produce 313hp and 3,319lb of torque and make the concept a true quattro. The two-seater accelerates from stationary to 100kph in 4.8 seconds.

The lithium-ion battery provides energy of 42.4 kilowatt hours, enabling a range of about 248km.

The e-tron, which highlights Audi's current design flair, is 1.9 metres wide, 4.26m long and 1.23m tall.

The German car-maker also unveiled the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. Among its features are a lightweight fully automatic cloth top, and several key body parts are made of a lightweight carbon fibre composite.

Its V10 engine produces 525hp and launches the two-seater to 100kmp in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 313kph.


Mercedes

Daimler unveiled a number of electric and hybrid cars at Frankfurt, saying it plans to keep its focus on luxury and fuel efficiency.

The Stuttgart-based company presented the Mercedes-Benz Vision S 500 plug-in hybrid, a spinoff of the only existing production hybrid from a German carmaker on the market, the S400 Hybrid.

The Vision is based on a gas-and-electric combination drive and will have gas mileage of better than 4.7 litres per 100km.

Daimler said it would be some time before it could bring the car to series production, but it could be included in the next generation of the S-Class.


BMW

BMW took its native motor show to re-inforce its EfficientDynamics technology as it displayed its concept 2+2 plug-in hybrid vehicle. Even though it has the performance on an M model, it has a standard of fuel economy and emission management exceeding even the current level achieved by small cars. It also has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph and 0-100kph acceleration of just 4.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 3.76 litres/100km and the CO2 emissions of 99g/km. Overall system output is 262kw/356hp, with peak torque of 590lb/ft.

Meanwhile, coinciding with its 50th anniversary, Mini unveiled its Coupé concept, looking ahead to the brands next half century. The two-seater will have the 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged power unit carried over from the Mini John Cooper Works, maximum output of 211hp and peak torque of 191lb/ft.

Sarah Klippert, Manager of Mini at BMW Group Middle East said: "The Mini Coupé Concept is unmistakably Mini in its characteristics but brings a new and exciting extension in design story to the legend. It is a design study that gives a good impression of what future models of the Mini family might look like."


Ford

Ford debuted its next generation high-efficiency low CO2 Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder family of petrol engines in Frankfurt, ahead of production next year.

The engines feature direct petrol injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing to maximise combustion efficiency, resulting in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 20 per cent compared to conventional petrol engines with a similar power output.

"The new family of Ford EcoBoost engines coming is a key element of Ford's global blueprint for sustainability," said John Fleming, Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe.

The initial range of four-cylinder engines for the company's European product range will use the sequential charge turbo injection nomenclature for production models. The line-up will comprise 1.6-litre units for the all-new Ford C-MAX and 2.0-litre units for the company's large car range.

Ford also announced its new frugal Ford Focus ECOnetic, which uses Auto-Start-Stop technology to achieve 99g/km of CO2 and 3.8l per 100km fuel economy.

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