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The Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 was packed full of innovative products as major manufacturers compete to produce the eco cars of the future.
Hybrid powertrains were the most popular option, with both petrol/electric and diesel/electric derivatives now on the market.
All-electric cars featured too, alongside a number of super-frugal conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
Here are our top 10 green cars from the show:
1. Toyota's Plug-in Prius
What it is:
Widely-regarded as the first hybrid car, the next stage in the Prius' development sees a vast drop in CO2 emissions thanks to a system which lets you plug the car in at home and charge the batteries in just 90 minutes. This allows for a theoretical range of 620 miles and a 14-mile range on electric power alone.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: 49g/km
Fuel economy: 110mpg
2. BMW i cars
What it is:
The i3 is a city car concept powered exclusively by electricity. It has the equivalent to 168bhp thanks to an electric motor over the rear wheels. Its bigger brother, the i8 (pictured) is a sports car powered by a petrol/electric powertrain. It's capable of hitting 62mph in 4.6 seconds thanks to its combination of 220bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine driving the rear wheels and a motor similar to the i3's driving the front wheels.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: 0g/km (i3) and 66g/km (i8)
Fuel economy: n/a (i3) and 104mpg (i8)
3. Mazda CX-5
What it is:
The CX-5 represents a big shift for Mazda, away from ex-owner Ford's technology and towards its own solutions. SKYACTIV is the result; a combination of the latest technical developments in engines, transmissions and weight-reduction. The result is a range of petrol and diesel engines which are capable of impressive efficiency.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: sub-120g/km
Fuel economy: 62.8mpg
4. Fisker Surf
What it is:
The second car from new manufacturer Fisker follows the same formula as its first, the Karma. Based around a petrol/electric powertrain, the four-door Surf is powered by a 175kW electric motor and a 258bhp BMW petrol engine. There are no figures available for emissions or fuel economy yet, but the Karma is capable of 83g/km CO2 and a claimed 118mpg.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: n/a
Fuel economy: n/a
5. VW Up
What it is:
The Up is Volkswagen's new city car and replaces the Fox. It is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and comes in three trims; ‘take', ‘move' and ‘high'. One of the smallest four-seater cars available, BlueMotion technology means the Up is capable of extremely low running costs.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: sub-100g/km (58bhp version)
Fuel economy: 67.2mpg (58bhp version)
6. Audi A2 Concept
What it is:
An all-electric car capable of carrying four passengers, the A2 Concept has the equivalent of 115bhp meaning it'll hit 62mph in 9.3 seconds. The range is 124 miles, and drivers have the option of a 1.5-hour fast charge or a four-hour normal charge.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: n/a
Fuel economy: n/a
7. Citroen DS5
What it is:
Citroen's first diesel/electric hybrid, the DS5 is effectively a C5 that has been fitted with Peugeot's HYbrid4 system and given the ‘DS' premium treatment. A 2.0-litre, 163bhp diesel engine powers the front wheels, while a 37bhp electric motor powers the rear wheels. This means you can drive through town at a low speed on electric power only, or use the electrical power as an F1-style ‘power boost' for extra performance if required.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Fuel economy: n/a
8. Peugeot 508 RXH
What it is:
Utilising Peugeot's HYbrid4 diesel/electric powertrain allows the firm to produce cars with some very impressive emissions and fuel economy figures. The RXH is effectively a beefed-up 508 SW with a diesel engine making 137bhp, mated to an electric motor which produces 63bhp.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
Fuel economy: 67.2mpg
9. Ford ECOnetic Focus and Fiesta
What it is:
Using a 1.6-litre diesel engine Ford is able to produce two ultra-clean ECOnetic versions of its popular hatchbacks. Stop/start, regenerative charging, low-friction engine oil and a gear shift indicator all help drive CO2 emissions down and fuel economy up.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: 89g/km (Focus) and 87g/km (Fiesta)
Fuel economy: 83.1mpg (Focus) and 85.6mpg (Fiesta)
10. Lexus GS450h
What it is:
The luxury arm of Toyota has refreshed its GS, a competitor for the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In the UK we'll be getting a hybrid version, which promises V8 performance and improved efficiency. While the figures aren't as impressive as some others in this article, this car will also hit 62mph in a blistering 5.9 seconds.
Green credentials:
CO2 emissions: 179g/km
Fuel economy: 36.7mpg
Article Source: Parkers
