Holden's first steps on path to energy diversity

It's Sydney's turn to flock to the Holden stand for a close inspection of the Coupe 60 show car that stunned visitors in Melbourne earlier this year.

With its combination of fuel-saving induction technology (AFM) and the lower reliance on fossil fuel for combustion (E85 flex fuel), such a car in production would use roughly 10 per cent of non-renewable fuel that a conventional V8 of equivalent displacement would.

But despite its handsome looks, the Coupe 60 is not the big news at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

The big news is Holden's announcement that all V8 cars locally manufactured will adopt AFM (Active Fuel Management) from January of next year. It's been a long time coming, AFM first being mooted by Holden with the prototype Sportwagon unveiled in Sydney this time last year. 

Holden calculates the fuel savings in a combined-cycle test would be around a litre for each 100km travelled. Fuel savings at a constant cruising speed would be significantly greater. The AFM technology, which shuts down four of the engine's eight cylinders when not required -- when cruising, for example -- will be fitted as standard on vehicles equipped with automatic transmission, but not manuals.

Not unlike Honda's VCM system in the Accord -- although not as sophisticated -- AFM also relies on the electronic throttle to increase pressure in the operating cylinders when in four-cylinder mode. This ensures that engine torque remains available and all eight cylinders can resume full operation when the driver needs them. With both intake and exhaust valves closed on the non-operative cylinders, pumping losses are kept to a minimum.

"AFM delivers the best of both worlds to performance enthusiasts -- improved fuel efficiency with the power they want in a V8," says Mark Reuss, Holden's Chairman and MD.

And while AFM in itself is a sign that Holden is pushing ahead with redressing environmental concerns, it doesn't end there. The company has announced that select models within the range will be badged 'EcoLine', reflecting their reduced propensity to use fuel or to emit CO2.

Cars that fall within this category include diesel-engined Captiva, Astra, Epica, AFM-equipped Ute, Commodore, Statesman/Caprice and any vehicles running dual-fuel LPG. By pigeonholing these cars, Holden is aiming to make the purchasing decision easier for those with greener sensibilities, offering vehicles that emit fewer emissions and use less fuel without being unaffordable.

"Our vision at Holden is to offer customers a range of options designed to meet their specific driving patterns and budgets, and if you look around our stand today you will see we are already starting to deliver," says Reuss.

"The energy challenges we face require many answers. For Holden, the future of sustainable motoring is a clear strategy of energy diversity.

"Holden EcoLine reinforces this approach by highlighting vehicles that use alternative fuels or fuel saving technologies. EcoLine vehicles suit a range of driving conditions and budgets and provide benefit for customers' hip pockets.

"Holden EcoLine is an easy way to communicate this 'Future Friendly' strategy to our customers. It highlights the ways we are making Holden a smarter choice for Australian motorists."

As well as showcasing new internal-combustion technology in Sydney, Holden also brought out the Chevrolet Volt (see separate story). Mark Reuss revealed that the Volt will be sold in Australia, from 2012. Given the increasing interest in hybrids, the Volt should generate a lot of foot traffic in Aussie showrooms.

The Volt is what's often described as a series hybrid -- propelled by electric motor-drive with a small internal combustion engine filling the role of 'range extender'.

Suiting the purposes of many urban drivers in Australia, the Volt can travel up to 64km on battery power alone, with the internal combustion engine kicking in to top up the battery charge once that range has been exceeded. With MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear, the Volt's specification reads like a typical Opel, until you get to the bit about the lithium-ion battery and the 111kW/370Nm electric motor.

Volt owners who only ever travel short distances could conceivably use the car frequently without the petrol range-extender ever operating. GM has developed the Volt to be a 'plug-in' hybrid, meaning that owners can charge the car's lithium-ion battery overnight from a standard 240V AC/Mains power outlet. According to GM, the 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 refrigerator.

Based on average distances and a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.8L/100km, owners in conventional vehicles would use up to 1892 litres of fuel per year more than if they were to get around in a Volt.

"It is a reflection of the importance of the Australian market for General Motors that a vehicle as significant as Volt has been provided for this show," observed Reuss.

"This technology is potentially the most exciting addition to GM's range of alternative fuels on the horizon. As we move forward, it will be innovative solutions such as Volt that will sustain global motoring by reducing our dependence on foreign oil."

And if we can break our addiction to coal-fired power stations, the Volt could even help us lower our CO2 emissions into the future...

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