Michael McAleer, Motoring editor, looked at some of the Geneva Show's more lively offerings
BMW X5 Vision
EfficientDynamics
BMW showed where it sees the future saving grace for the SUV market with the Vision EfficientDynamics concept car, which essentially is a technology that combines a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, an electric motor and roof-mounted solar panels, all rammed into an X5.
All these technologies combine to give a large SUV that puts out just 172g/km of CO2 and returns 6.4 l/100km of CO2.
The 204bhp/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel is supplemented by a "mild" hybrid motor that produces 20bhp and 210Nm of torque, giving the 2.0-litre the same sort of power enjoyed by the 3.0-litre diesel.
Brake Energy Regeneration is used to capture energy that would previously have been lost, and this energy is stored in efficient lithium-ion batteries in the boot which can power things like the air-conditioning. The power harnessed by the batteries can also be supplemented by roof mounted solar panels.
The new eight-speed automatic gearbox adds to the car's fuel efficiency, as well as changes to the chassis, ride height and even the design of the alloy wheels.
FIAT ARIA 500
Fiat has used the 500 as the basis for a environmentally-friendly concept car by fitting it with a 1.3-litre diesel engine and pairing it with a robotic Dualogic transmission, and Fiat's Stop & Start system that cuts out the car's power when it is idling or stopped.
The offshoot is that fuel consumption is decreased by 10 per cent over the standard 500, and CO2 emissions are just 98g/km. There are also recycled tyres used to make the floor of the car, and many of the interior fabrics are from recycled materials. The concept has received the European Commission's Eco-label seal of approval for its recycled interior materials.
HYUNDAI HED-5
Hyundai's HED-5 is a six-seater concept that is planned for production for 2010. This would be based on the new i30, and the concept uses lightweight materials to reduce CO2 emissions by 29 per cent compared to similar models. Hyundai says that this model is close to production-ready.
KIA SOUL CONCEPT
In Geneva, Kia revealed three themed "concept" versions of its new Soul, designed to appeal to three disparate buyers. The first, Soul Diva, lives up to its name with extravagant usage of gold, black and white throughout, including carpet Kia describes as "begging to be stroked".
In contrast, the Soul Burner is unashamedly targeted at the male buyer, with brooding black paintwork, red detailing and dragon "tattoos" adorning the flanks.
The Soul Searcher offers respite from the other extrovert models with calm colours and tactile surfaces inside and out. The final production version of the Soul will debut at the Paris Show in September, and it's believed that Kia will offer customers a wealth of customisation options in a bid to add cachet to the new model.
OPEL MERIVA CONCEPT
Rear-hinged doors for family cars is the message from Opel at the Geneva show. Showing the Meriva concept, much of which will make it into production, Opel unveiled its new "FlexDoors" system, which has been confirmed for production in the next Meriva, and then on the Zafira.
As reported in Motors earlier this month, Opel is seeking to introduce the reverse-hinged doors in its family cars in the coming years.
The system enables the rear-hinged rear doors to open independently of the front doors - a highly practical feature that sets Opel's design far apart from already existing concepts.
Safety is ensured by additional solutions, such as the doors only opening when the car is at a complete stop.
RENAULT MEGANE
COUPÉ CONCEPT
Hinting at the next generation Megane, the coupé is very much a styling exercise, and much bigger than the actual Megane is likely to be.
SUZUKI CONCEPT A-STAR
The Concept A-Star will be the replacement to the long since gone Alto, and will be the smallest car in the Suzuki line-up. It aims to have CO2 emissions of less than 109g/km, and very low fuel consumption.
This concept was done in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki India and the new car, due for sale in the spring of next year in Ireland, will initially come with a 1-litre petrol engine.
VOLKSWAGEN GIVES US A DIESEL HYBRID. . . CONCEPT
Volkswagen unveiled a diesel-electric hybrid Golf capable of returning 3.3 l/100km (almost 90mpg) and emitting just 89 g/km of CO2. This concept car combines a 1.2-litre 75 bhp diesel engine with an electric motor and the very latest generation of seven-speed DSG gearbox.
Around town, thanks to a stop/start system, this car will revert to purely electric mode where possible, and will therefore be emission-free.
This technology is almost production-ready we are told, and is likely to feature in a number of Volkswagen Group models, including the Jetta and the Audi A3. Volkswagen would appear to have the American market firmly in its sights with these models, but they are likely to play an increased role in our own markets where a car like this would have low VRT, low motor tax and a reduction in VRT because it's a hybrid.