Holden walks the EcoLine

GM Holden is displaying its green credentials with the new "EcoLine" badge that is now being applied to cars with a degree of environmental sensitiveness.

The EcoLine badge was first announced at the 2008 Sydney motor show and, according to GM Holden's director of Energy and Environment Richard Marshall, reflects the company's present and future strategies.

"The energy challenges we face require many solutions. For Holden, the future of sustainable motoring is a clear strategy of fuel efficiency and energy diversity," he said.

What the badge points to is Holden vehicles using some form of alternative fuel, or fuel-saving technology.

This embraces diesel and LPG fuelled models, as well as the Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder shutdown technology seen on the latest Holden V8s.

Cylinder shutdown is far from a new technology, and is seen elsewhere on Chrysler's current 300C V8 and Honda's V6 Accord.

But it has the potential to noticeably affect fuel consumption, with Holden calculating AFM fuel savings in a combined-cycle test of around one litre for each 100km travelled. Obviously fuel savings at constant cruising speeds would be significantly greater.

Ultimately, the EcoLine badge will apply to real enviro cars using E85 fuel (in 2010), as well as the upcoming Volt model that takes the hybrid concept some distance further through its ability to charge up on a regular 240 volt powerpoint, then running on a fully-charged battery for 60-odd kilometres.

The Volt is dramatically different to hybrids currently circulating in that it drives purely on its electric motor. The petrol engine kicks in only as a means of recharging the battery and is not connected to the driveline.

According to GM Holden, the Volt's recharge time on 240 volts is as low as three hours and the power consumed over the course of a year is less than that of a "household refrigerator".

The Volt is due to enter the local Holden range in 2012.

Turbodiesels in the local lineup include the two-wheel drive Captiva SUV and the Daewoo-based Epica mid-sizer, while LPG dual-fuel is available in selected Commodore and Ute models. AFM technology is applied to the current 6.0-litre Holden V8.