Automobile News

Environmentalists would love the fact that there is a growing consciousness among both consumers and the automobile manufactures to address the serious issue of global warming and pollution. Automobile companies nowadays have shifted their focus to invent technologies that will substantially bring down the emission of hazardous gases like CO2. General Motors has come up its fourth edition of its zero emission, hydrogen fuel cell propelled prototype, the HydroGen4, in this spirit.

The mode is based on the Chevrolet Equinox SUV, and symbolises a marked improvement from many previous models Chevy models, like the, say the Chevrolet Nova, which was known for its terrible fuel efficiency. The model is expected to go into production in a large scale, and should have a production run of 100 or so units. Company sources informed that they are setting themselves a deadline to retail hydrogen fuel cell cars by 2015.

The HydroGen4 scores over its predecessor in its ability to start even at sub-zero temperatures, which is quite an achievement considering the many difficulties associated with a fuel cell vehicle. Moreover, you tend to benefit from an increased range from a fill of hydrogen, improved performance, quieter operation and improved durability. Another factor contributing to the appeal of the car is that it is build in a way that you can maintain it in a cost effective and convenient manner.

The initiative taken by General Motors doesn’t mean that hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles is a ready alternative to conventional fuels. It is far from the truth, and the recent initiative is all but a small step before we can start thinking of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as a viable solution.

Tags for this article: general motors, gm, green

If you believe there is no car that can match the charm of the charismatic BMW series and Jaguar XF, then you must check out the Cadillac CTS. It is actually quite difficult to draw your eyes from the stunning car with its stylish and spacious interior.

The sharp creases, wide grille and blazing wheels are attractive enough to make it stand out from the crowd. The spacious cabin and the three sporty looking dials in the front make the interiors equally impressive as the spectacular exterior. The well-laid heating and audio controls are again a desirable feature. All this is just perfect to give you an amazing fit and finish that is good enough to compliment the high quality materials.

If you have a liking for huge kits, the CTS will amaze you with its  xenon headlamps, TV, 40GB surround stereo and sat nav. You can enjoy all this luxury for miles, without stopping at the fuel stations as the car features a competitive carrying capacity of 562-litres. Very impressive! Isn’t it? However, this lavishness is cannot conceal the drawbacks.

First of all, there is no option for a diesel engine that may probe mangy of the potential customers to re-consider the purchase. Until the oil-burner arrives, users will be left with only 2.8 and 3.6-litre V6 powerplants to fuel the vehicle. Moreover, the high CO2 emissions are likely to make an impact on the eco-friendly motorists.

If there is one car brand or model that represents the antithesis of an environmentally friendly and fuel conserving vehicle, then it would no doubt be the General Motors Hummer. In fact, one site called FUH2.com has thousands of user submitted pictures of people hating on the vehicle, and it is often targeted and burned by radical environmentalist organizations.  Among other reasons, this apparent animosity arises from the perception of the Hummer as very bad for the environment. Of course, to many other people the Hummer means something else altogether.

Originally used by the US Military and then popularized by Arnold Schwarzenegger and famous American rappers, the Hummer signifies both wealth and power. Of course, it also happens to be one of the least fuel efficient cars on the market, some models only get around 10 mpg, and most drivers never use the vehicles for their original purpose, namely, off-roading. Then, due to the onset of far higher petrol prices, the Hummer became an especially expensive status symbol to own, and began facing slumping sales. So what has the company done to make the Hummer more marketable and appealing? General Motors has taken an unexpected and surprising turn by unveiling the new green (that is, environmentally friendly, not green coloured) Hummer at the British Motor Show in London.

Yes, you read correctly, the symbol of immense power and terrible petrol mileage is now being made over to symbolize green technology and fuel efficiency. The new car is named the Hummer HX and is currently on display at the Motor Show along with many other green cars, although this model is doubtlessly one of the most surprising. The major technological revolution that causes the car to turn green is its reliance on biodiesel, instead of normal petrol. According to General Motors, this shift will make the cars substantially more environmentally friendly. Of course, other companies have already made the shift to biodiesel, including most notably Saab and Ford with their Ford Focus, so the technology is hardly revolutionary.

The next generation green Hummer will also getter a better fuel mileage because of other factors, including lighter materials and a slightly smaller size. The HX is constructed from light materials like aluminium and carbon fibre, whereas the original Hummer was made firmly of heavy steel. General Motors has also decided to make sure the materials used in the car were themselves environmentally friendly, by, for example, using recyclable fibre for the seats. However, two significant questions still linger. Firstly, how much more environmentally responsible will the Hummer truly be as the result of these changes, and, secondly, will traditional Hummer consumers still want to purchase a vehicle that is smaller, less powerful, and overall more ‘girly’ because of its focus on the environment?