Clever cars shine in the spotlights; Steve Hughes on the Detroit Motor Show

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Jan 18, 2008

INNOVATION and the environment are the main thrusts of this week's North American motor show, with the lead being firmly taken by European talent.

Clever cars that can change lanes and park themselves, run on thin air and offer Formula One-style performance are among the stars of the show.

They include stylish newcomers from Land Rover, Volvo, Volkswagen, Ferrari, Saab, Audi and Maserati, which collectively reinforce Europe as the world's foremost source of automotive design and engineering genius.

British company Land Rover is showing its LRX concept crossover, which is a lightweight model powered by a two-litre turbodiesel hybrid engine capable of running on biodiesel fuel.

In combination with other Land Rover technologies, this powertrain could reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30% compared with other 4x4s of comparable size and lower carbon dioxide emissions to as little as 120g/km. Audi and Ferrari are demonstrating that performance can be achieved by supercars that are environmentally friendly.

German car company Audi is blazing the trail for a new generation of diesel-powered supercars with the unveiling of a 185mph oil-burning version of its R8 coupe. The newcomer replaces the V8 petrol engine with a six-litre 12-cylinder twin turbodiesel unit that generates about 500bhp and an awesome 1,000Nm of pulling power.

This translates into a 0-60mph acceleration time of just over four seconds and a top speed slightly in excess of 185mph. Rival Italian firm Ferrari has developed a road car based on the F430 Spider that is powered by biofuel E85.

Determined to cut emissions by 40% within four years, Ferrari says its cars can already run on 10% ethanol. The use of this type of biofuel and the modifications made have resulted in a significant increase in maximum power output and torque with a 5% drop in CO2 emissions.

Swedish company Saab has taken another important step towards the introduction of a new crossover vehicle for the premium sector of the market. The firm is displaying its 9-4X BioPower concept car, which will form the basis of its new crossover model destined for the rapidly-expanding European market.

Optimised for bioethanol E85 fuel, the fourcylinder two-litre BioPower turbo engine generates 300bhp and torque of 295lb/ft. Compared with petrol, E85 produces less CO2 emissions because it is a combination of just 15% petrol and 85% bioethanol, even when using the vehicle's four-wheel drive system.

Saab says the newcomer will be driver-focussed and will offer just four seats inside although there will be a panoramic sun roof. Fellow Scandinavian maker Volvo is displaying a youthful version of the XC90 4x4 model for which it has designed a special sports styling package. The idea is to create a younger image for the vehicle, which is already a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

It is the latest vehicle within the Volvo range to get the R-Design treatment following similar sports packages for the company's C30, S40 and V50 cars.

Italian supercar company Maserati is also showing what it can do in the style stakes with a sexed-up version of its Quattroporte called the Collezione Cento.

Described as a super de-luxe limited edition, it is a real show-stopper with gleaming ivory paintwork, Wenge-coloured wood and mother of pearl interior touches plus sumptuous Cuoio leather.

German mass manufacturer Volkswagen may not boast the same degree of exclusivity for its products but the latest offering is a show-stopper nonetheless. The sleek new coupe version of the Passat is set to become a highly desirable four-seater when it arrives here this summer, having made its world debut at Detroit this week .

Also arriving at the motor show from the opposite side of the world are Japanese newcomers from Lexus, Mazda and Toyota.

Toyota is showing that pick-ups do not have to be dull by displaying its unusually-named A-BAT model that aims to combine the needs of those travelling in the rough stuff with trendy trips to town. It comes complete with its own power-generating solar panels and the latest in wireless communications and entertainment system.

The company's luxury brand, Lexus, has revealed a jaw-dropping supercar in the eye-catching form of the LF-A roadster that aims to play the likes of Ferrari at its own game with 200mph performance.

Mazda's RX-8 sports car may not be in quite the same league but it takes pride of place on the company's stand in Detroit boasting a fresh face and a plethora of engineering enhancements.

Lining up alongside the rotary-powered coupe is a concept car called the Furai, which is designed to run purely on ethanol. Looking more like a high-octane track racer it uses fuel that comes from plants grown in fields rather than fossil fuel excavated from the ground .

The Americans are not renowned for their efforts in preserving fuel or natural resources, but with the eyes of the world focused on their motoring extravaganza for a couple of weeks they are making a show of being politically correct and persuading others to do likewise .