General Motors Corp.'s European division will present several new vehicle models at the upcoming International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. Some of these vehicles will make their world and European debut. In addition, General Motors Europe (GME) will also showcase its environmental initiative such as reducing CO2 emissions.
According to Carl-Peter Forster, President of General Motors Europe:
"The multi-tiered approach includes accelerating the development of electrically powered vehicles, stepping up efforts to replace fossil fuels and increasing the efficiency of gasoline and diesel engines."
Carl-Peter Forster added: "Opel's surprise for this year's IAA also symbolizes the versatility of our extensive environmental initiative. A concept car which combines electric propulsion and a turbo diesel engine in a way that is fundamentally different to previous hybrid propulsion designs."
Here is what GME got in store for European car fans at IAA.
The GM HydroGen4.This model is the European counterpart of the Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell vehicle (FFV), according to GME. The GM HydroGen4 comes with a fuel cell stack that produces 93 kW, along with an electric motor producing 73 kW/100 hp. This can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 12 seconds.
The GM Volt Concept. Based on GM's electric vehicle platform called the E-Flex system, this concept also embodies the characteristics of an electric powered vehicle. This concept is equipped with a second engine to produce additional power output.
GM's Opel division will present the ecoFLEX versions of the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. The IAA will be the stage for the world premiere of the Opel Agila. Other Opel models that will be displayed at IAA include 2008 Vectra, Zafira CNG, and Combo CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) models.
Chevrolet will debut the Aveo and will make the German premiere of the Chevrolet HHR. Saab will be displaying the new 9-3 range; another world premier for GM. Saab will also showcase the special edition model Turbo X "Black Power".
Cadillac BLS Wagon. The very first Cadillac station wagon is also heading to IAA Frankfurt this September. The car is equipped with a high-tech diesel 1.9 TiDe engine under the hood. The Cadillac CTS luxury sedan will join the BLS during the presentation. Other Cadillac models that will make their appearance at IAA Frankfurt include the 2008 STS luxury sedan, 2008 SRX crossover, 2008 Escalade full sized SUV, and the 2008 XLR-V roadster.
Finally, GM will take the star of "Transformers" in IAA Frankfurt. Autobot Rachet (a HUMMER H2 search and rescue vehicle) is expected to stir the European crowd at the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA). GM did not confirm if they will showcase the other Autobots in the film like Ironhide (a GMC TopKick truck with ).
