June / July 2008
A little fuel for thought
Recently, I joined a group of automotive journalists for a visit to the Vancouver International Auto Show, which hosts a media preview every year before the doors of BC Place Stadium open to the public.
As we were paraded past various car exhibits and shown presentations on new models, a couple of things caught my attention. First, it’s never wise, if you’re trying to keep the mostly-male-dominated media’s focus on the task at hand, to troop them past the “Supercars” exhibit early in the program. (The poor Subaru marketing folks tried their best to compete with the shiny Italian and British toys right across from their booth, to varying levels of success.) Second, this hybrid technology thing might just be catching on.
We all know that with rocketing fuel costs and environmental issues taking centre stage, there is a growing need to find alternatives to fossil fuels that don’t involve painting the municipal logo on saddles and adding a line item for hay in the next budget. The larger players are leading the charge into hybrid – unsurprising, considering the cost required for the development of the technology is driving smaller manufacturers to explore other clean options. General Motors introduced two new hybrid additions to its line, both of them large SUVs. The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are both being equipped with the company’s two-mode hybrid system, electrically variable transmissions, and Active Fuel Management to cut fuel use by 50 percent. GM is also introducing hybrid pickups in the near future.
Toyota isn’t sitting still after the success of its hybrid Prius and Camry, and were showing a concept they called the Hybrid X – a funky-looking four-seater that looks more like a Star Trek shuttle pod than a car (see photo). It’s a very unique looking machine in design and operation, and I don’t expect it to get to shop floors anytime soon, but it looks fascinating and is, apparently, very environmentally friendly.
Outside of the hybrid department were some other environmentally responsible options. Volkswagen has resurrected its TDI diesel engines for the Jetta, using a common-rail injection system and new catalyst technology to remove NOx from the exhaust. Combined with ultra-low-sulphur diesel, and it’s expected to be very clean burning and very economical. Subaru, on the other hand, is looking at making gasoline engines more clean-burning: its Partial Zero Emission Vehicles will be available through the Outback and Legacy lines in Canada this summer. They have 90 percent cleaner emissions than the average new vehicle, and in certain cases are cleaner than hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles, according to the company.
So, for those looking to change up the fleet, protect the environment and save fuel, there are some options coming along. They’re not as fun as the shiny Italian jobs, but they’re better on the budget.
As we were paraded past various car exhibits and shown presentations on new models, a couple of things caught my attention. First, it’s never wise, if you’re trying to keep the mostly-male-dominated media’s focus on the task at hand, to troop them past the “Supercars” exhibit early in the program. (The poor Subaru marketing folks tried their best to compete with the shiny Italian and British toys right across from their booth, to varying levels of success.) Second, this hybrid technology thing might just be catching on.
We all know that with rocketing fuel costs and environmental issues taking centre stage, there is a growing need to find alternatives to fossil fuels that don’t involve painting the municipal logo on saddles and adding a line item for hay in the next budget. The larger players are leading the charge into hybrid – unsurprising, considering the cost required for the development of the technology is driving smaller manufacturers to explore other clean options. General Motors introduced two new hybrid additions to its line, both of them large SUVs. The Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon are both being equipped with the company’s two-mode hybrid system, electrically variable transmissions, and Active Fuel Management to cut fuel use by 50 percent. GM is also introducing hybrid pickups in the near future.
Toyota isn’t sitting still after the success of its hybrid Prius and Camry, and were showing a concept they called the Hybrid X – a funky-looking four-seater that looks more like a Star Trek shuttle pod than a car (see photo). It’s a very unique looking machine in design and operation, and I don’t expect it to get to shop floors anytime soon, but it looks fascinating and is, apparently, very environmentally friendly.
Outside of the hybrid department were some other environmentally responsible options. Volkswagen has resurrected its TDI diesel engines for the Jetta, using a common-rail injection system and new catalyst technology to remove NOx from the exhaust. Combined with ultra-low-sulphur diesel, and it’s expected to be very clean burning and very economical. Subaru, on the other hand, is looking at making gasoline engines more clean-burning: its Partial Zero Emission Vehicles will be available through the Outback and Legacy lines in Canada this summer. They have 90 percent cleaner emissions than the average new vehicle, and in certain cases are cleaner than hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles, according to the company.
So, for those looking to change up the fleet, protect the environment and save fuel, there are some options coming along. They’re not as fun as the shiny Italian jobs, but they’re better on the budget.
Lee Toop
