Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Green Machines at International Auto Show Nov. 9-18


MIAMI, Oct. 23 -- As consumers look for more ways to soften the hit at the gas pumps, the auto industry is responding with innovations for both cars and trucks. The best of those efforts will help fill the Miami Beach Convention Center at this year's South Florida International Auto Show, November 9-18.

Hybrid has caught on, but now drivers can consider ethanol, flex-fuel, biodiesel and other options that include engines designed for new lower-sulfur diesel fuel. Even drivers looking for better mileage from conventional vehicles can benefit from industry efforts. They've reduced curb weight on some models by using lighter parts such as electric power
steering motors. Or they may be tweaked with turbochargers on engines that are smaller and lighter. In their trimmer tonnage, some can almost match hybrids' performance at sipping gasoline.

General Motors is among the leaders in hybrid trucks, and GM's derivative in a tuxedo, the Cadillac Escalade, is the newest hybrid model being introduced at this year's South Florida International Auto Show. By 2010, even the Porsche store will let spirited drivers go green when the Stuttgart maker offers a hybrid Cayenne SUV. By then, according to J.D. Power and Associates, there may be 65 hybrid models on the market, and more than half will be trucks. The South Florida event typically displays a great selection of the industry's latest green machines.

Enthusiasts can see other expressions of new technology at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Mercedes-Benz offers clean, quiet and powerful performance in its new Bluetec diesel technology found in the E320 sedan and GL 320 CDI sport utility. Jeep has added a diesel Grand Cherokee CRD 4x4 to its green mix. These common rail direct injection engines have been engineered to take advantage of lower sulfur diesel fuel now available across America. And don't forget ethanol and flex fuel models.

Fuel cell vehicles are still experimental. They burn hydrogen, nature's most abundant element. They generate electrical power and they exhaust only water, but the fuel is difficult to store. The industry is making headway, but existing technology is in demand in showrooms.

As always at this annual auto extravaganza, the Miami Beach Convention Center will be full of the industry's latest engineering innovations, showing off what's red hot in green rides.

SOURCE South Florida International Auto Show

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