Greener performance cars define Detroit auto show

WATCH ABOVE: As the world’s biggest auto show is set to open, the world’s auto makers are focusing on high performance and bigger vehicles. Sean O’Shea reports from Detroit.

DETROIT — The motor was put back into motor city at the North American International Auto Show, but it’s more environmentally friendly this time around.

The auto show has often put a focus on green technology; hybrid cars, smaller engines and technological advancements to minimize a vehicle’s impact on the environment.

But in 2015, displays at the auto show were dominated by high performance vehicles — just as fuel prices reach an all time low.

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The dipping price of gas makes the high speed and higher price of cars like Ford’s new GT more palatable and appealing to consumers, but even in high performance models, environmental impact still appears to play a role.

BMW’s latest M6 model uses a turbocharged 8-cylinder engine. The previous generation used a much more fuel-hungry 10-cylinder motor. As well, their latest M3 and M4 downsized from a V8 to a turbocharged 6-cylinder.

The trend of downsizing and turbocharging is a way for manufacturers to increase fuel economy while boosting power and daily usability.

“Any time we can increase performance and decrease the cost of ownership for our customers, it’s a good thing,” Ford Motor Company Chairman Bill Ford said in a press conference Monday.

While that trend is apparent to drivers, another trend, the increasing use of lightweight materials, is one that has a major impact, even if consumers don’t immediately realize it.

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Ford’s latest F-150 uses aluminium in its construction as opposed to the steel panels typically used in car manufacturing. The company say this change alone saves over 200 kilograms when compared to the outgoing model.

But lightweight material is just the start: The automotive application of mass produced carbon fibre is where manufacturers like Ford see the industry heading.

With the announcement of their new GT and Mustang 350R at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford says they’re working on a pilot project with the United States government to try to mass produce carbon fibre for automotive use. Both of these vehicles will make use of the materials – with the Mustang’s wheels made entirely of carbon fibre, and the GT supercar incorporating it into its chassis and body.

The material, which is costly and complex to produce, often sees use exclusively on exotic vehicles like the Ferrari 458 Italia where strength and weight savings is key to high performance.

While it’s still used quite sparingly, cars like BMW’s M3 and M4 and Ford’s Shelby Mustang 350R help make it more accessible.

For consumers, mass market use of carbon fibre will translate to vehicles that are lighter, faster, stronger, safer and more fuel efficient.

With fuel prices at an all time low, consumers have flocked to the large-engined luxury cars they might have normally avoided in the midst of a fuel crisis.

“Vehicle companies are hearing it crystal clear from their customers – we want the biggest honking most powerful most appointed vehicle in the marketplace and we don’t really care about fuel efficiency,” automotive analyst Dennis DesRosiers told Global News.

But this year’s North American International Auto Show hints at a near future where fun and fuel efficiency can go hand in hand.