The reluctance of many car buyers to consider a hybrid vehicle has often stemmed from their unwillingness to sacrifice performance for fuel efficiency. In addition, the current generation of hybrids rarely achieves their advertised fuel efficiency targets.
Most consumers however, are unaware of the amazing new, fuel-saving technologies making their debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this week. These vehicles, arriving at showrooms across North America in 2008, promise to deliver real-world fuel efficiency on par or better than that of the current crop of hybrid vehicles while delivering performance that will satisfy even the most ardent of driving enthusiasts.
BMW 123d
This week marks the debut of not only the 1 series in coupe guise, but also heralds the introduction of the 2.0 liter new-generation twin-turbo diesel engine to the 1 series range. The engine is the world's first all-aluminum 4-cylinder diesel engine with Variable Twin-Turbo architecture. Producing 204 bhp, this engine is not only one of the most powerful diesel 4-cylinder engines—being the first to produce over 100 bhp/liter—it is also one of the most fuel-efficient.
The EU test cycle rates the BMW 123d fuel consumption at 54.3 mpg. Delivering this power to the rear wheels, the 123d is able to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 7.0 seconds, a performance figure beating many sports cars. To achieve the outstanding figures, the 123d comes with Auto Start-Stop technology, Brake Energy Regeneration, third-generation common-rail fuel injection, a diesel particulate filter, active aerodynamics, Electric Power Steering and low rolling-resistance tires. In addition to performance and efficiency, the 123d also emits one of the lowest amounts of carbon in the industry, with only 138 g/km.
Mercedes-Benz S 300 BLUETEC Hybrid
The S 300 BLUETEC is one of the world's first luxury vehicles that couples a diesel engine with hybrid technology. With a 4-cylinder diesel hybrid module, it delivers a combined system output of 224 hp and an astonishing 413 lb.-ft. of torque—a figure typically found in large V8 engines. Despite the effortless performance, this vehicle consumers only 50 mpg and produces only 142 g/km of CO2, 30 percent lower than any competing vehicle in its segment.
Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid
The ML 450 Hybrid marks the first production German vehicle to utilize the joint two-mode hybrid efforts of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and GM. The combined system output produces 340 hp and 354 lb.-ft while consuming only 30 mpg. This powertrain allows the ML450 Hybrid to maintain CO2 emission levels as low as 185 g/km. The ML 450 Hybrid is expected to arrive at dealers in 2009.
These are only a handful of some of the latest vehicles showcased at the Frankfurt International Auto Show. Many fuel-saving technologies making their debut at the show will eventually show up in the vehicles destined for North America. For those who desire to see these exciting products in person, the show is open to the public from September 13-23, 2007, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
James works for a leading company in the automotive industry and has analyzed the market for many years.
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