The Frankfurt International Motor Show or Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) is the world’s largest car show, and we were thrilled to discover a slew of incredibly clean machines this year. Without further ado, feast your eyes on our Top 5 Green Motors from the show
5. Audi E-Tron
Audi’s R8-based all-electric sports car boasts four electric motors — two on each axle — and a lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the two-seat cabin for gravity and load distribution. The liquid-cooled pack weighs around 1,000 lbs (470 kg) and offers 42.4 kWh of usable capacity; the vehicle overall weighs just over 3,500 lbs (1,600 kg) with an estimated combined-cycle driving range of 154 miles (248 km). Some auto enthusiasts scream about the E-Tron’s massive torque for “insane” acceleration, while others hope Audi actually produces the car.
4. BMW Vision
Autoblog calls this aerodynamic 2+2 seater a glass-topped Hot Wheels, and BMW touts the Vision’s EfficientDynamics: 1 turbo diesel engine + 2 electric motors (one on each axle) = 3-cylinder plug-in hybrid with lots of power and fuel efficiency and fewer emissions. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) with acceleration to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds and average fuel consumption of 62.6 mpg (3.76 liters/100 km) in the European Union’s test cycle. The lithium-polymer battery delivers 8.6 kWh and adds 31 electric-only miles to the combustion engine’s 400, for a total of 431 miles (693.6 km).
3. Renault Fluence ZEC
Apparently just one of Renault’s four EV designs at this year’s show, the Fluence displays the company’s zero-emissions concept (ZEC) as well as its catchy eco marketing. Little info and leaked images have left world car fans guessing. A panoramic sunroof may promise solar power, a successful Franco-Japanese alliance could mean driving technology shared with Nissan’s Leaf EV, and one picture’s battery station might suggest more collaboration with Better Place, also making its debut at this year’s IAA.
2. Volkswagen E-up!
The VW up! series has led to the E-up! city slicker sporting a 500-lb (227 kg) 18 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, zero emissions, 3+1 seating and touchscreen controls. Solar panels on the roof as well as the sun visors help power the car’s electric motor that can reach 0-60 mph (100 km/h) in 11 seconds and 0-30 (50) in 3.5, with a top speed of just under 85 mph (135 km/h) and a range of about 80 miles (130 km). The solar cells also help cool this “21st-Century Beetle” while parked.
1. Volkswagen L1
The VW L1 turbodiesel hybrid claims 170 mpg or a 100 km on a little more than one liter (hence the name). The Telegraph (UK) reports rear-view TV cameras instead of mirrors, and a small 800cc engine that gets up to 99 mph (160 km/h) and 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 14.3 seconds. Lightweight materials totaling 840 lbs (380 kg) with a streamlined body and aircraft canopy that seats two in tandem may offer the most aerodynamic and “most fuel-efficient automobile in the world.”
+ International Motor Show (IAA)
Via Autoblog
