I-Robot, Minority Report, Back to the Future and even the 90s Stallone flick Demolition Man had something in common, besides being bad movies: they featured futuristic-style cars. In spite of the promise of cars that fly and that do not require a driver, car companies have not developed this type of technology yet. But, they are developing futuristic and innovative concept cars that may be seen on the road in a few years. The major concern for car companies has been the issue of gas prices.
The 10-day Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place demonstrated how the car industry has taken a stand on going ‘green.’ With the development of new innovative cars, companies like Honda, Buick, Chrysler, Cadillac and Saab have changed the idea of futuristic cars by adding an eco-friendly twist.
Honda released the hybrid about two years ago. Like Honda, Buick decided to jump on the hybrid bandwagon. A hybrid is a vehicle that has two or more power sources, like fuel power and a rechargeable source. Often, the concept of hybrid vehicles has conjured images of small, powerless cars. To expell that image, Buick released their Riviera concept at the beginning of the Chicago Auto Show.
The Buick Riviera concept car changed the idea of fuel-efficient hybrids. The car is a four-seater, two-door, oval shaped vehicle. Besides the 21-inch rims the Riviera sits on, the doors were made to attract attention. The doors, suicide doors opened upward in semblence of the car in Back to the Future. It took about 10 seconds for the doors to open. Along with the innovative doors, the Riviera had an undercarriage and hood that glowed green. The concept cars did not have prices but Ed Kemper, Buick spokesperson said, “If you had to put a price on the new Riviera, you’d be looking at about $45,000.”
Another realm car companies have leaned toward included plug-in and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. Chrysler’s concept EcoVoyager is plugged into an outlet at McCormick Place. The battery-charged engine on the EcoVoyager is not made for long distances. The maximum limit for a fully charged engine is 300 miles but it is equipped with back-up hydrogen fuel cells. The EcoVoyager is a four-door, four-passenger vehicle with a box-style design. It had a large panoramic windshield, with a split windshield roof. It had no mirrors and, instead, had mini cameras that display the visuals on a navigation screen also featured ‘suicide doors.’
Cadillac, who featured their Escalade hybrid, also featured a luxury crossover SUV called a Provoq. The Provoq is a small SUV with a traditional Cadillac grill. This concept car is also a plug-in, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle. Kristy Bloomberg, a Cadillac spokesperson said, “There has been a 53% increase in eco-friendly vehicles within the past year. The problem that Cadillac is facing is there are 170,000 gas stations in the states. There are only 170 hydrogen stations.”
One more eco-friendly idea that is brought to Chicago Auto Show is a cleaner ethanol diesel fuel. Ethanol diesel is an alternative biofuel that is less expensive and easier to manufacture than traditional fuel. The Aero X by Saab has changed the body style of eco-friendly and ethanol vehicles. It is a two-seater vehicle that has no doors or windshield break. Basically, the doors and windshield were all attached. The windshield offers a 180-degree field of vision, like in an airplane. The doors raise upward while the windshield folds toward the hood. Although the doors got a lot of attention at the Auto Show, it may not be practical and probably won’t be used in the remake. Simulations of the Aero X can be seen on the Saabusa.com website. With Saab’s twin turbo V6 engine and sleek design, it promoted a diffirent image of ‘green powered’ sports cars.
Car companies have decided to take the initiative to combat rising gas prices by developing more eco-friendly vehicles. Saab representative, Joe L. said, “We have to do something and quick. There is no other option.”