Is the auto industry taking the green road?

In terms of emission standards, especially for automobiles, California is always one step ahead of all the other U.S. states and, obviously, the rest of the continent. At the L.A. Auto Show, it was all too evident. Manufacturers want to show the whole world that they are pioneers in the green movement. In 2006, General Motors and all its divisions united their efforts in order to present an impressive host of eco-friendly vehicles. Let's have a closer look at some of the models that were showcased to get a better idea of the upcoming trends in the next two or three years.

At the L.A. Auto Show, not only did GM showed it could build sophisticated and great-looking cars and SUVs, but it also let the world know that its engineers and designers work their butt off to create technologically advanced vehicles in terms of fuel economy. In fact, according to the 2007 EPA Fuel Economy Guide, GM will have the most vehicles (23) with a highway rating of 7.5 L/100 km or less. Compare that to only 14 in 2006.

Chevy Sequel
The Chevy Sequel is a key part of this new philosophy that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating cleaner and higher quality vehicles and by reducing our dependence on non-renewable fuels. With the Sequel, GM wants to prove that the automobile can disappear from the environmental equation.

When it comes to technology, the Chevy Sequel has nothing to envy. First introduced at the 2005 NAIAS, in Detroit, it's the first vehicle to successfully combine a fuel cell drive system with other technologies such as electronic steering and breaking, in-wheel engine, lithium-ion batteries and lightweight aluminum structure. The Sequel runs on hydrogen and only emits water vapor. It offers a range of over 480 kilometers and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in slightly less than 10 seconds. Obviously, we all hope to see more vehicles like the Sequel on our roads in the upcoming years. The only problem, and not the least, is to establish a hydrogen distribution network across North America.

GMC Yukon: technology and design
In 2008, GM plans on hitting the market with its "two-mode" GMC Yukon Hybrid. This vehicle will be motivated by a hybrid powertrain and will use, among other technologies, Active Fuel Management to improve performance and fuel economy. The core of the system will be a small-displacement V8 that still allows to tow a 6,000-lb charge. To ensure the utmost efficiency in terms of fuel consumption, GM revised the design of the Yukon to make it more aerodynamic. Changes include a new hood, front end and grille.

Saturn is also on hybrid mode!
At the L.A. Auto Show, Saturn introduced two new models that will go on sale for 2008: the Vue Green Line and Aura Green Line. The former will make its debut during the second quarter of 2007. As for the Aura, it will most likely become the first hybrid passenger car to be offered by GM. Their hybrid powertrain mates a gasoline engine (4 or 6 cylinders) with an electric motor. To reduce fuel consumption, the system works as follow:

• The gasoline engine shuts down when the vehicle is stopped;
• It comes back to life when the brake pedal is released;
• The gasoline engine can be shut down as soon as the car slows down;
• The energy from braking is used to recharge the batteries.