General Motors has official introduced the Chevy Cruze in a debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. European consumers can purchase the Chevy Cruze starting in March 2009. The Cruze will likely be added to the North American lineup as a 2011 release alongside the 2011 Chevy Volt.

“At launch in Europe, Cruze will be available with 16-valve, 1.6-liter (112 hp/82 kW) and 1.8-liter (140 hp/103 kW) gasoline engines featuring variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust sides, giving more power as well as better fuel economy and lower emissions. A new 2.0-liter turbo diesel, developing 150 hp/ 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque adds power with even greater frugality.” (Source: GM Media Online)

In addition to the Chevy Cruze, guests were also presented with the Chevy Orlando, Chevy Volt and the European premiere of the Chevy Camaro.

“Media and guests got a first-hand look at the arching roof-line of the Cruze that extends from the steeply raked windshield to its sloping rear pillars and short rear deck, bringing coupe-like proportions to a compact sedan.” (Source: PR Newswire)

Tychy, Poland was the location of the first new Ford Ka volume production vehicle, which rolled off of the assembly line earlier this week. The Ford Ka is not new to Europe having originally been manufactured in 1996. However, this new and completely redesigned Ford Ka is being met with much acclaim, as it is a result of cooperation between Ford and Fiat. Some of the parts used in the Ka are also used in the Fiat 500.

“The new Ka is unmistakably a Ford. It captures the same youthful and cheeky spirit of the model it replaces and retains all of the qualities which made the Ka so popular – its compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh new package.“ (Source: Ford Media Site)

Although the Ka is already being produced, consumers will have to wait until early 2009 before they will be able to purchase the vehicle. Ford has plans to produce 120,000 Ford Kas each year.

Readers of The Green Motorist know that many of the world’s largest car manufacturer’s have made some exciting announcements about additions to their European lineup. From the Volvo models featuring the 1.6 DRIVe engines to the Ford Ka, car companies are gearing up for the Paris Motor Show with exciting debut announcements. Today, while reading autobloggreen, I saw an entry that alludes to the fact that Ford is likely going to be bringing some of its most popular European models stateside.

Blogger Xavier Navarro had this to say of the prospect, “Those cars most likely will be the new European Focus four-door, five-door and coupé-convertible; the new Fiesta (old new); and the C-Max minivan and Kuga crossover.”

Of the cars that Navarro listed, I am most excited about the prospect of the Ford Kuga being available here in the states. The Kuga debuted in Europe as a model year 2008 vehicle and was Ford’s first crossover available in Europe. In addition to a unique design and a Euro NCAP five-star safety rating for adults, the vehicle averages over 35 miles per gallon. In my opinion, this would be a great addition to Ford’s North American lineup.

The convertible Saab’s history is long, dating back 25 years when Saab introduced the first four-seat convertible car to the market. Fast forward to 2008 and Saab will be revealing its newest convertible concept at the 2008 Paris Motorshow – the Saab 9-X Air. Designed alongside the Saab 9-X BioHybrid, the 9-X Air is a flex fuel concept running on E85.

“Running on E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/15% petrol), the engine delivers a sporty 200 hp (147 kW), giving zero to 62 mph acceleration in 8.1 seconds and projected CO2 tailpipe emissions of just 107 g/km over the combined cycle. Compared to normal petrol, the overall environmental impact on a source-to-wheel basis of using E85 is even more beneficial” (Source: Newspress.)

Personally, I love the lines of this concept car. Infiniti is coming out with a convertible G37 in the summer of 2009 and although it is not a green car, it is definitely a car I am excited to see. However, this Saab is equally as attractive as the G37 convertible but the green aspect is highly desirable. I hope that this concept makes it to production.

Here is some more exciting Paris Motor Show news for our European readers; Volvo will be showing their new, greener models featuring the 1.6D DRIVe technology. The C30, S40 and V50 will be available in 2009 across Europe with the cleaner DRIVe system. Fuel consumption on the C30 will be 4.4 liters/100 km and 4.5 liters/100km on the S40 and V50. The 1.6D DRIVe meets the European NEDC standard.

From the September 9, 2008 Volvo Press Release:

“Reducing fuel consumption and dropping below the 120 g/km CO2 emission level offers a range of benefits, both for the environment and the buyer’s economy. With lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, these cars reduce the net contribution to global warming. All new diesel models from Volvo are also fitted with a maintenance-free particle filter that traps about 95 percent of all soot particles.

With the cars’ good environmental performance, the driver can count on various financial incentives in the form of subsidies in the 13 European markets that have implemented a CO2-based vehicle taxation system, for instance with a “green grant” that is paid to the owner, lower road tax, registration tax exemption or other similar forms of financial encouragement.

Rising fuel prices also make our 1.6D DRIVe offer very attractive. The fuel consumption has been reduced by 0.5 l/100 km and is as low as 3.7 l/100 km at highway speeds.”

Continuing with the European envy, Mercedes-Benz has released photos as well as details on the engine that is being used in the C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition. Mercedes-Benz will be limiting the initial production to 5,000 units with an optional AMG Sports Package available.

From the official Mercedes-Benz press release:

“For its world premiere, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer will unveil a C-Class model with this new four-cylinder engine. In the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition, this engine produces, with its 2.2 litres of displacement, 150 kW / 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The premiere model can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds, on the way to its top speed of 250 km/h. Notwithstanding these exceptional performance figures, the Prime Edition only consumes an average of 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km (NEDC), with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.”

Now for a little math for those of us here in the United States – the fuel efficiency will come out at about 45 MPG. Again, no plan to release this in the US – MBUSA is instead focusing on the BlueTEC line for our market.