By Nina Russin

Off-road Dreaming

Land Rover enters the alternative fuel fray with the LRX hybrid concept. The concept is slightly shorter and lower than the Freelander 2, called the LR3 here in the states. A turbo-diesel engine runs on bio-diesel, a renewable fuel. Land Rover engineers believe that the powertrain could produce fuel economy improvements of up to thirty percent, compared to gas-powered sport-utility vehicles of comparable size.

An electric rear axle drive system allows the car to run on electric power at low speeds. The electric drive system runs on a lithium ion battery and energy captured through regenerative braking. Just like its gas-powered counterparts, the LRX is designed for serious off-road driving: Land Rover's terrain response system and hill descent control enable the driver to maintain directional control on extremely uneven terrain. A fuel efficient eco-mode, that is part of the terrain response system, optimizes fuel economy when the vehicle is driven on paved roads.

The Hummer HX concept combines Hummer's off-road capabilities with an engine that can run on E85: an ethanol/gasoline mix. General Motors has entered into a partnership with Coskata to commercialize that company's bio-ethanol technology. General Motors hopes to double the number of production flex-fuel vehicles by 2010, and make half of its vehicles flex fuel capable by 2012.

The Mercedes-Benz GLK sport-utility vehicle study is the prototype for a model that will appear in the upcoming “Sex and the City” movie. Actress Kim Cattrall was on hand at COBO hall where Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off the new car. The production car goes on sale in 2009 in two forms: an on- and off-road version. Both are powered by Mercedes-Benz Blutec clean-diesel engines.

A 204-horsepower 2.2-liter engine generates up to 369 foot-pounds of torque at very low speeds, rivaling the low-range performance of much bigger engines. The GLK is aimed at bringing entry luxury customers into the Mercedes-Benz fold.

BMW's X6 ActiveHybrid uses a traditional engine with two electric motors to boost gas mileage up to twenty percent over a traditional car. Hybrid technology comes from BMW's collaborative effort with General Motors and Chrysler.

Saab's 9-4X bio-power crossover vehicle is an all-wheel drive car that runs on bioethanol E85: a renewable fuel. Saab's marketing partner, Salomon, developed an innovative storage system for skiers. A sliding floor in the cargo area has a fold-out aluminum ski holder that can hold up to three pairs of skis and ski poles. Ski boots go under the cargo floor in a heated compartment. The cargo area is covered in a waterproof and scratch-proof rubber skin.

All-wheel drive with active torque management sends power to the wheels with the best traction, giving the car exceptional grip on unpaved, snow and ice-covered roads. The four-cylinder turbocharged engine is as fuel efficient as it is environmentally friendly.

Earth-friendly Small Car

In keeping with its stated mission of developing small fuel-efficient cars for value-minded customers, Ford unveiled the Verve, a compact car concept that should go into production around 2010. Ford will sell two versions of the car: a three-door model in Europe, and a four-door sedan in the United States.

Ford expects the small car market to grow twenty-five percent over the next four years, driven by rising oil prices. The Verve is aimed at millenials: people aged thirteen to twenty-eight, who are entering the work force, or who will be coming of driving age over the next few years.

Features such as navigation, a dynamic sound system and in-car phone controls appeal to tech-savvy buyers.

Designers in Dunton, England and Cologne, Germany developed the small car platform. The car will run on a new compact four-cylinder engine.

EcoBoost engine technology improves fuel economy up to twenty percent.

Ford's new EcoBoost engine technology, also on display, give the automaker's newest family of small engines major fuel economy improvements. The system uses two existing technologies, turbocharging and direct injection fuel systems, to produce gains close to those found in diesel and hybrid engines.

Direct injection delivers metered amounts of fuel directly into the engine cylinders rather than injecting it into the combustion chambers, as with conventional fuel injection. The fuel charge is more accurate and cooler; hence the fuel economy gains. Turbocharging uses blowers driven off the engine exhaust to boost airflow through the engine. Since internal combustion engines are inherently inefficient, any improvements in airflow tend to boost both performance and gas mileage.

The first EcoBoost engine appears in the Lincoln MKS: full-sized flagship luxury car. A twin turbocharged V6 in the car offers the power and performance of a V8, but uses a lot less gas. The all-wheel drive MKS is rated at 340 horsepower, and produces 340 foot-pounds of torque.

Ford hopes to have half a million EcoBoost cars on the road by 2013.

Explorer America concept is an active lifestyle vehicle that's earth-friendly.

For years, the Ford Explorer has been a fixture in the mid-sized sport-utility vehicle segment. A new concept unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show gives the Explorer a twenty to thirty percent gain in gas mileage.

Engineers reduced weight in the car by switching from body-on-frame to unibody construction, using more lightweight construction materials throughout the chassis, and when possible, replacing mechanical components with lighter weight electronic parts.

Two EcoBoost engines, a two-liter four cylinder and 3.-liter V6 deliver 275 and 340 horsepower respectively.

Aerodynamic improvements to the car's exterior add an additional five percent fuel economy gain.