At the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, nearly every manufacturer is showing new models that use less fuel and run cleaner, including high-performance models. Here’s a preview:
Smaller, more powerful engines — The big news is smaller and more powerful four-cylinder engines, which mean there will be more cars that are not hybrids which get 40 mpg or better. It’s called the “40 plus club” and current members include the Chevrolet Cruze and new Chevrolet Sonic, the Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta, Honda Civic, Hyundai Accent, and Smart ForTwo. The Hyundai Veloster, Mazda 3 and Kia Rio join the club with their 2012 models. Best of all, most of these models are under $20,000.
Even sportscars are getting more fuel efficient. BMW is introducing new, more-powerful, four-cylinder engine technology for its popular performance cars, the Z4 two-seater and 528.
Diesels — There also are several TDI clean diesel models in the “40 plus club”, including the Audi A3, and four Volkswagen models, the VW Jetta, Jetta Sportwagon, Passat and Golf. Both the Audi A3 diesel and the VW Jetta diesel are previous winners of the LA Auto Show’s Green Car of the Year award; the 2010 winner was the Chevrolet Volt.
Electric cars — There’s also a garage full of new electric cars, like the Nissan Leaf, and extended-range hybrids, like the Chevrolet Volt.
Mitsubishi is introducing its all-electric i subcompact, with the equivalent of 112 MPG and a single-charge range of 62 miles. The world’s best-selling hybrid, the Toyota Prius, will show the new plug-in hybrid version, which has a total all-electric range of 14.3 miles and an expected total range of 475 miles. Toyota expects the Prius Plug-in to be rated at the equivalent of 112 MPG.
BMW is introducing two all-new concept vehicles that are part of their new sub- brand of electric and hybrid cars, simply called i, designed specifically for city use. The all-electric i3 Concept is actually scheduled to enter production in 2013. The i8 Concept, scheduled for production in 2014, is a plug-in hybrid sportscar with a unique design. The front axle is driven by the vehicle’s elecgtric motor, and the rear wheels by a conventional 220hp engine – although this is a decidedly non-conventional three-cylinder engine.
Alternative fuels – Fuel efficient new model choices are not limited to fas, electric, hybrid and diesel. There also are a growing number of fuel cell models, including the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell, and the Honda Clarity FCV. Honda also gets high marks for its natural gas Civic GX, one of the members of the 40-Plus Club.
Most definitely, the color of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is bright green.
The 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is November 18-27, 2011, at the LA Convention Center. I’ll be there, taking notes, photos and video.