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Ray Massey's column
Everyone feels a bit more secure at Geneva, as it's neutral territory
Funny things, motor shows. Take the Geneva event, which is not just about the cars, but also the gossip. Unlike the massive Frankfurt expo in Germany, it's small enough to get around in a day without having a coronary. It's got all the auto industry big-hitters on tap, is prestigious and punches far above its weight. Switzerland is not exactly the epicentre of the world car industry, but it is neutral territory, so everyone feels a bit more secure.
And this year, the rumour mill was in full flow. Who's stabbed who in the back? Who will buy Chrysler? Toyota? No, according to the Japanese company. But the main topic this year was the battle by car companies to prove themselves 'greener' than thou. They were falling over themselves to show their environmentally friendly credentials.
Britain's Labour Government has put at the heart of its transport policy the principle that 'the polluter pays'. This means the UK's 30 million motorists now fork out for their annual road tax on a sliding scale of zero to £215 - depending on how much carbon dioxide (CO2), the so-called greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, their vehicle emits. Tax on company cars is also now linked to CO2 emissions, and ministers have told councils that pay-as-you-drive road pricing should also take this into account.
So manufacturers are fighting it out to show off a new generation of lean, mean, 'green' machines that customers will actually want to buy. Top marks went to the small but perfectly formed Honda hybrid sports car prototype, a Japanese petrol-electric low-emissions vehicle designed to show that saving the planet can also be fun. The futuristic two-seater delivers 60 miles to the gallon, and is aimed at customers who want an alternative to gas-guzzlers without being branded dull and boring.
Unmistakably Honda, the sports car looks every bit a racer, but is powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric 'hybrid' system, which gives it a top speed of more than
120mph. Yet it emits only 120g/km of CO2, putting it in the second lowest road tax bracket, Band B, which means owners will shell out £40 a year for a road fund licence.
Toyota revealed a prototype for a new petrol-electric hybrid family 'people carrier' codenamed Hybrid X, which surely hints at what's in store for the next Prius. It also showed off its green supercar sports coupé FT-HS (Future-Hybrid Sports).
Saab launched its latest 9-5 BioPower car which runs on biofuel ethanol. Mercedes put its emphasis on a clean diesel called Bluetec, which cuts fuel consumption and emissions.
Driving the green revolution are tough new European Union environmental rules on emissions, which have set an average goal of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre per vehicle by 2012, down from around 163g/km now.
Contrast, then, the no-compromise politically incorrect new £230,000 British-built Bentley Brooklands, chucking out nearly four times the amount of pollution for a quarter of the fuel economy of the Honda hybrid. The
6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 £230,000 coupé, which goes on sale next year with a top speed of 170mph, is a real monster.
Weighing nearly three tons, it barely manages 15mpg, and has CO2 emissions that are off the scale at 465g/km - more than twice the threshold level of the highest tax band limit, and four times that of the Honda. Its engine develops 530bhp - about the same as five Ford Fiestas - and it accelerates from 0-62mph in six seconds.
But tell me honestly, which one would you choose? I think I know. And in any colour, as long as it's (British Racing) green.
Ray Massey is Motoring Editor of the Daily Mail
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| Geneva saw the car makers showing off a new generation of lean, mean, green machines that customers will actually want to buy | |
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And this year, the rumour mill was in full flow. Who's stabbed who in the back? Who will buy Chrysler? Toyota? No, according to the Japanese company. But the main topic this year was the battle by car companies to prove themselves 'greener' than thou. They were falling over themselves to show their environmentally friendly credentials.
Britain's Labour Government has put at the heart of its transport policy the principle that 'the polluter pays'. This means the UK's 30 million motorists now fork out for their annual road tax on a sliding scale of zero to £215 - depending on how much carbon dioxide (CO2), the so-called greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, their vehicle emits. Tax on company cars is also now linked to CO2 emissions, and ministers have told councils that pay-as-you-drive road pricing should also take this into account.
So manufacturers are fighting it out to show off a new generation of lean, mean, 'green' machines that customers will actually want to buy. Top marks went to the small but perfectly formed Honda hybrid sports car prototype, a Japanese petrol-electric low-emissions vehicle designed to show that saving the planet can also be fun. The futuristic two-seater delivers 60 miles to the gallon, and is aimed at customers who want an alternative to gas-guzzlers without being branded dull and boring.
Unmistakably Honda, the sports car looks every bit a racer, but is powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric 'hybrid' system, which gives it a top speed of more than
120mph. Yet it emits only 120g/km of CO2, putting it in the second lowest road tax bracket, Band B, which means owners will shell out £40 a year for a road fund licence.
Toyota revealed a prototype for a new petrol-electric hybrid family 'people carrier' codenamed Hybrid X, which surely hints at what's in store for the next Prius. It also showed off its green supercar sports coupé FT-HS (Future-Hybrid Sports).
Saab launched its latest 9-5 BioPower car which runs on biofuel ethanol. Mercedes put its emphasis on a clean diesel called Bluetec, which cuts fuel consumption and emissions.
Driving the green revolution are tough new European Union environmental rules on emissions, which have set an average goal of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre per vehicle by 2012, down from around 163g/km now.
Contrast, then, the no-compromise politically incorrect new £230,000 British-built Bentley Brooklands, chucking out nearly four times the amount of pollution for a quarter of the fuel economy of the Honda hybrid. The
6.75-litre twin-turbo V8 £230,000 coupé, which goes on sale next year with a top speed of 170mph, is a real monster.
Weighing nearly three tons, it barely manages 15mpg, and has CO2 emissions that are off the scale at 465g/km - more than twice the threshold level of the highest tax band limit, and four times that of the Honda. Its engine develops 530bhp - about the same as five Ford Fiestas - and it accelerates from 0-62mph in six seconds.
But tell me honestly, which one would you choose? I think I know. And in any colour, as long as it's (British Racing) green.
Ray Massey is Motoring Editor of the Daily Mail
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