|
There's a lot of new automotive
technology on the drawing boards, but buyers may
have to wait a few more years before some of it
becomes available. For consumers who may be wondering
whether to buy what's out there now or wait for
something truly revolutionary, here's a brief
rundown of what's coming soon and what's not.
Despite the recent retreat of gasoline prices, manufacturers
continue to concentrate on electric hybrids and other alternatives to a conventional
gasoline engines. • General Motors continues to tout its
Volt concept car, which is designed to run on a plug-in electric motor as well
as an internal combustion engine capable of running on a wide variety of fuels.
What's holding that car up is a significant advancement in lithium-ion batteries,
which are necessary because they can be more easily recharged, deliver more power
and take up less space than the nickel metal hydride batteries used in today's
hybrids. It's doubtful that any variation of the Volt will appear before 2010,
if then, GM insiders say. • Toyota, which has said it
wants to have gas-electric hybrids throughout its lineup by 2010, also is working
on hybrids with lithium-ion batteries, but says that in current form the heat
generated by such batteries continues to be a concern. Recent reports of cell
phone and computer fires from rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that overheated
show such a concern is understandable. Battery technology companies say they are
confident they can overcome such issues -- but aren't sure when. And even though
there are small companies offering plug-in conversions to its Prius -- which can
greatly extend fuel mileage -- Toyota is leery of offering plug-in hybrids because
of safety and liability concerns until a reliable lithium-ion battery is
developed. • Chrysler is due to start tests of Sprinter
hybrid plug-in vans with lithium-ion batteries, and Ford is testing plug-in Escape
hybrids, but there's no word on when showrooms may see such vehicles. •
More immediately available from Honda will be a clean-burning diesel that is expected
to be offered in the Accord by 2009, and there will be greater availability of
hybrids in Honda's smaller vehicles. Widespread use of more
exotic means of propulsion, such as hydrogen fuel cells, is at least a decade
away -- hindered by both technology and the lack of roadside refueling infrastructure. Honda
expects to have limited availability next year of its FCX hydrogen fuel cell concept
sedan. It makes hydrogen to run its electric fuel cell by filling up from a pump
attached to your home's natural gas supply. There's no word on price or exact
availability, but it's likely that a few buyers in California will be the first
to have a crack at the four-door FCX. One new technology that
has nothing to do with saving fuel or the environment, but may well amaze buyers
nonetheless, comes from Nissan's upscale Infiniti division. The
paint on the new 2008 Infiniti EX35 small crossover will be able to literally
erase small scratches on its own. Called fluid finish technology,
the EX35 carries a clear coat that contains a fluid resin that can flow back into
shape and erase minor scratches. The process can take anywhere from a few hours
to a few days to work, and Nissan says the scratch erasing ability of the EX35's
skin will work for the first three years of the vehicle's life.
Expect prices on the EX35 to start
around $39,000, but think of what you'll save
on touch-up paint!
 |
| This week | |
| |
| 
