Fab Five Alternative Fuel Cars from the LA Auto Show 2014

Today, we’re talking Alternative Fuel Vehicles, starting with this interesting Toyota introduction. It has a funky hood, and funky front air intakes, but when you get 300 miles on one tank, who cares? The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen-fueled zero-emissions sedan that generates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen, in effect replacing a traditional battery. Hydrogen fuel stations are few and far between, which means that adoption of the Mirai – once it eventually gets here – will likely be a slow process, but you’re looking at the future of alt fuel vehicles.
Not content in reducing its luxury car consumption with diesel, smaller turbocharged engines, and lightweight materials, Mercedes-Benz is jumping on the hybrid bandwagon with the S500 e plug-in hybrid. The badge may say “500,” but this S-class is not powered by a V-8. Instead, it features a twin-turbocharged V-6 generating 436 horsepower when combined with the output from an electric motor.

BMW i8 propels the company’s design language into previously uncharted territory. Power comes from a hybrid system featuring a turbocharged gasoline engine with 231 horsepower. This is teamed with an electric motor capable of generating 131 horsepower. Acceleration from zero to 60 takes 4.2 seconds. The i8 can travel 22 miles, or at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour on electric power.

The first electric Volkswagen offered to American consumers, the VW e-Golf brings all the attributes of the marque’s beloved hatchback to electric motoring. The e-Golf features a 115-horsepower electric motor capable of 199 ft-lbs of torque. Power is stored in a 22kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Standard features include LED headlights, touchscreen navigation, heated front seats, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a rearview camera.
The completely redesigned Volvo XC90 Plug-in boasts 400 horsepower, and 25 miles of zero emissions, electric-only driving, with an 80 horsepower electric motor that drives the rear wheels. What we loved about the XC90 is you don’t have to sacrifice luxury amenities for a smaller carbon footprint – it features a high-tech interior and elegant design for the discriminating buyer.
This is Michelle Naranjo with Autobytel and that’s your Fab Five Alternative Fuel Vehicles of the 2014 LA Auto Show.
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