Geneva -- Hybrid or hype?



More and more automakers rolled out their newest hybrids, or announced plans to do so, at the Geneva auto show Tuesday, begging the question: Is the future now, or is this just attention-grabbing while the real powerhouse of the automotive world remains the internal combustion engine?



For now, most automakers are hedging their bets.







Porsche AG kicked off the show with its new Cayenne S sport utility vehicle. French group PSA Peugeot Citroen SA is launching hybrids in 2012. And Toyota Motor Corp. aims to have a hybrid across every model range by 2020.



Executives cite consumer demand for gasoline-electric powered cars and the drive to stay competitive as fuel efficiency standards get stricter.

But while hybrid pioneer Toyota can point to the third generation of its successful Prius for its green credentials, most manufacturers have bet on improving their gas-powered vehicles for the foreseeable future.



Some appeared content to offer hybrids as little more than a moral fig leaf for green consumers.



"Hybrid sales are not booming in any part of the world," said Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson. "One reason being, of course, is it is a very expensive proposition and today's gasoline and diesel applications are getting more and more efficient.



"Many people are asking themselves, for another two miles per gallon or whatever it might be, is it really worthwhile paying $5,000 or $6,000 for a hybrid solution?"

Porsche CEO Michael Macht touted the Cayenne as "a milestone on the way to electric mobility" for the Volkswagen brand, even as Porsche's head of development, Wolfgang Duerheimer, acknowledged the powerful SUV can manage only 2.8 miles in pure electric mode. Selling from $61,000 in the United States, it is the German carmaker's first production hybrid.



Daimler has already achieved that with its F800 Style research vehicle. The striking executive limousine has an electric-only range of 18.6 miles.

 

Chief executive Dieter Zetsche said the hybrid models were a conscious effort to boost Daimler's reputation among environmentally conscious consumers, but they also make long-term sense as the company sees real potential for electric cars.



Zetsche said Daimler AG expects to "easily" invest $135 million in its electric car joint venture with Chinese automaker BYD Co.



The yet to be named brand will target growing demand in China for electric vehicles, he said, and development of the new car will start soon. The car will be positioned above BYD's current products and below the Mercedes premium range.

Audi, Nissan, Chevrolet and Mitsubishi all have various hybrid and electric vehicles in the pipeline, mostly with modest sales figures in mind.





In a world first, BMW unveiled a hybrid version of its new 5-Series sedan at the Swiss auto show. The event was also the first auto show appearance for the 5-Series itself.



The hybrid model combines a six-cylinder turbocharged engine, electric motor and eight-speed automatic transmission. It joins other hybrids -- the X6 and 7-Series in BMW's range -- but it differs in allowing electric-only driving mode.



The 2011 5-Series is new from the ground up, with fresh powertrains, a larger, more refined interior and many driver aids, such as lane departure warning, heads-up display and night vision.

Luxury lines refreshed

Among top-of-the-line vehicles, Bentley revealed its Supersports Convertible, the world's fastest four-seat droptop with a 630-horsepower, 12-cylinder engine. Bugatti rolled out the four-door 16C Galibier concept.

 

But the showstopper was the appearance of the 918 Spyder concept from Porsche, the newest VW family member. A plug-in hybrid with a V-8 engine and two electric motors, the 918 is even faster than Porsche's famous Carrera GT supercar, the company says.

Nissan Motor Co. introduced its fourth-generation Micra model, with Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn predicting the subcompact will be a serious competitor on the world stage.



Breaking with traditions that focused on launching production in established markets like Europe and Japan, Nissan will base production of the new Micra at overseas manufacturing sites such as Thailand, India, Mexico and China.