Green flush at Frankfurt

Motor shows have all had a green tinge for the last few years, but Frankfurt's exhibition this year is the most eco-oriented yet.

The largest show in the circuit, Frankfurt is an opportunity for German auto manufacturers especially to flaunt their motoring might and this year all of them had 'environment friendly' messages. And these messages weren't limited to the show halls themselves.

Several MINIs transporting guests and journalists around the large Messe Frankfurt facility proudly displayed low consumption figures on the cars' doors, such as 3.9L/100km for the super frugal new MINI Cooper D model. BMW had an impressive fleet of EfficientDynamic cars on hand, right up to its X3 and X5, and all showing consumption ratings. Meantime inside the halls BMW's innovation in hybrid-drive systems was displayed to great effect in the striking Vision concept.

Audi took a different angle, instead displaying CO2 emissions for its range of press transport vehicles, all in red duco. The brand's commitment to green motoring goes all the way to its R8 sportscar, revealed in the e-tron model.

Volkswagen's BlueMotion gesture took centre stage alongside the L1 and 'zero emissions' E-Up! model, and Mercedes-Benz kept up its Bluetec banter which was first announced at the last Frankfurt show.

Porsche had its Cayenne Hybrid on the stand and newly installed company president Michael Macht indicated the sportscar brand was even contemplating hybrid technology for its iconic 911. However, sources told the Carsales Network that a green Carrera was not yet in Porsche's product cycle, and research and development was in the early stages, at most.

But perhaps the brightest green display was at French manufacturer Renault's stand. The company revealed four very different low-impact motoring options: the Fluence ZE (zero emissions) sedan, Kangoo ZE, Twizy ZE and Zoe ZE concept electric vehicles.

Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn was in Frankfurt to announce the Alliance's follow-up electric vehicles to the Japanese brand's LEAF. Renault will use battery technology developed by Nissan and is offering three charging solutions: domestic/office trickle and quick charge options, and a 'quick drop' version of some models developed in conjunction with fledgling company Better Place. The automated system allows a pre-charged battery cell pack to be reloaded after the original's driving range is spent.

Renault has committed to 100,000 'quick drop' Fluence ZE models to Better Place's endeavours in Israel.

So much was Renault’s focus on ZE models at Frankfurt, that Ghosn did not even mention the brand’s latest (and expanded) lineup of RS hot hatch models.

Compatriot Peugeot showed off its all-electric BB1 concept. It's small (just 2.5 metres in length), and uniquely styled, but spacious; able to seat four people and designed for city dwellers.

Hyundai keeps getting greener, revealing more Blue Drive vehicles like the ix-Metro and i10 Electric. The zero emissions i10 is slated for Korea in 2010 for test purposes with the government and related agencies. Like Nissan's LEAF, the i10 Electric offers a pure-electric driving range of 160km.

Basically everyone who's anyone had a green car or concept on display at Frankfurt.

The few exceptions to that rule were loftier brands such as Bentley and Rolls Royce. Re-emerging top-shelf maker Jaguar meantime kept its eco cred understated.

Jaguar's recently unveiled XJ is offered with a 3.0-litre diesel engine -- as used by the new XF -- which requires just 7.0L/100km in combined cycle testing and emits 184g/km CO2. This compares favourably to the likes of Mercedes-Benz's S320 CDI, asking 7.7L/100km and emitting over 200g/km.

Jaguar spokespersons told the Carsales Network the company was working on a 'Limo Green' concept and that development is also underway. The company held discussions with Cenex -- a group established with support from the UK government to promote development in low-impact transport solutions -- only a week before the Frankfurt motor show and expects to make further announcements in the coming weeks.

Check out the Carsales Network’s Frankfurt show preview and brand-by-brand summaries. And stay tuned for more Frankfurt show news and first drives in the days to come.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi