What's your carbon footprint?
(Credit: CNET Networks)One thing that struck me at last week's Geneva auto show was the heavy emphasis that the European car market is placing on emissions rather than on fuel economy. In marked contrast to automakers in the United States, which now tend to extol their models' gas mileage at every opportunity, car makers doing business in Europe (even those from Japan and the U.S.) go to great lengths to provide figures on the carbon emissions that their models expel--given in grams per kilometer, or g/km. A good example of this was the launch of the new Ford Fiesta supermini, which is destined for markets worldwide, but which will be introduced in Europe first. Headline features in Ford's news release on the car noted its engine specifications, the usual guff about "kinetic" exterior design, and the information that "Fiesta will expand Ford ECOnetic ultra-low CO2 range, delivering less than 100g/km emission". There was no mention anywhere in the 2,684-word news release on gas-mileage figures. We saw similar situations with the new European Honda Accord (whose news release noted that all of the engines for the new model are "Euro 5 emissions compliant", but which gave no figures on gas mileage); the Volvo XC60 (CO2 target of about 170 g/km, no figures on fuel economy); and even the two new John Cooper Works Minis, whose news release included details on emissions levels long before mentioning fuel economy.
The difference between the American and European priorities reflects differences in legislation between Washington and Brussels: while the recent U.S. energy bill mandated a corporate average fleet economy of 35 mpg by 2020, the most recent European directive calls for a limit on carbon dioxide emissions from passenger cars of 130g per kilometer by the year 2012. Although there are plenty of noises coming from individual states in the U.S., such as California, that want to set their own greenhouse gas emission standards for cars, these are currently prohibited by the federal government. If this situation remains, it will be interesting to see how products in the European and U.S. car markets evolve to meet the different requirements. While fuel efficiency and emissions are unquestionably linked, it could be that European cars actually become less fuel efficient as manufacturers load them up with technology to reduce emissions, while cars in the U.S. market continue to spew out high levels of pollutants as long as they are going further on a gallon of gas.
Always a mix of fantasy, fashion, and the showroom-ready, Geneva is arguably the most fascinating car show of the year. Here is Brian Cooley's roundup of our favorite gems at this year's show.
At any auto show there is a world of exclusivity that lives just beyond the velvet ropes. Brian Cooley tries to keep his chin off the floor as he checks out the new supercars being unveiled at this year's Geneva auto show.
Positioned in tandem like in a jet fighter, two people can actually ride in this tilting electric-powered, motorcycle-like car. But they'd better like each other.
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The Geneva auto show may be loaded with supercars, design concepts, and alternative-fuel vehicles, but it is also the launchpad for a host of new production models. This year's show saw a bunch of new models from Ford Motor Co., updates from Audi and Honda, and the return of an old favorite from VW. Check out our roundup of real-world models that debuted at the 2008 Geneva show.
From the size to the price--and possibly the build quality--everything about Tata's new two-cylinder ecomobile is "nano." It may not have a radio or power windows, but it proves that four wheels don't need to cost anywhere near five figures.
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One of the more inventive concept vehicles on display at this year's Geneva auto show is the City Car from the unfortunately named Assystem, which touts the project as a way of exploring "different thought strategies on the future of the city car." The most obvious of these strategies from the outside is the layout of the car's wheels in a diamond formation--a principle that has been patented by Franco Sbarro, Assystem's partner on the project. The car's doors open upward in gullwing-style, not just to show that it is a concept car, but to allow the greatest access with the minimum footprint area.
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It is inside, however, that the City Car really gets our attention. In place of a windshield, the City Car has an LCD display, which can apparently be rendered transparent for regular driving (we're not sure how) or turned into a monitor showing camera footage of the road ahead in difficult driving conditions or at night. To help with night driving, the City Car also has an infrared camera. In the latter mode, the system relies on four external cameras that reproduce real-time imagery of the road, onto which is then projected information on key road markers and obstacles, such as traffic lights and pedestrians. According to its designers, the screen can also be connected to the City Car's onboard GPS navigation system to give drivers an "augmented reality" view of the road ahead, complete with turn arrows projected onto real objects.
Assystem also suggests that the City Car can identify specific road signs such as those for speed limits and one-way streets, and give a warning notice if the driver's behavior is contravening them. To complete the futuristic vision, the City Car's designers envisage an iris-recognition system for turning the vehicle on and for detecting when the driver becomes tired. If all this sounds too good to be true, it very probably is--when we first asked for a demonstration of the system, the Assystem rep was having trouble even turning the screen on. Not quite ready for prime time, but an interesting view of the future all the same.
Tired of changing those wipers every six to eight months? Fioravante's wiperless windsheild keeps your glass dry and clean. Brian Cooley showcases this new technology from the floor at the 2008 Geneva auto show.
Why should the smart car have all the fun? Toyota shows they can do a pocket-size ride as well, if not better.
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Small is big in the automotive world lately as new and existing manufacturers scramble to downsize in the face of tough emissions regulations and changing consumer tastes. At this week's Geneva auto show, we took a look at some of the latest micro cars destined for forecourts around the world. Check out our photos.
