30 Environmentally Friendly Vehicles to Appear at NextCruise

13th August 2008 5:36 pm

The public will be able to get a different take on cruising at the 2008 Inaugural NextCruise(TM) which takes place on August 15-16, when more than 30 of the latest environmentally friendly and future-looking vehicles from nine auto manufacturers will be available for viewing and, in many cases, riding in or driving. In addition, two “Green” race series will provide rides,
driving simulators and autograph opportunities with a star driver.

Staged in the City of Pleasant Ridge, NextCruise(TM) will demonstrate that many of today’s and tomorrow’s “Green Machines” challenge the stereotype that environmentally friendly automobiles require customers to make significant sacrifices: in size, features, comfort and, especially, performance. Today’s environmentally friendly vehicles are roomy, well-equipped and, in keeping with the spirit of the Dream Cruise, able to deliver surprising performance and fun.

“Auto manufacturers have been remarkably receptive to the chance to participate in an event that brings an environmentally friendly and future-looking dimension to the Woodward Dream Cruise,” said Paul Eisenstein, NextCruise(TM) Chairman. “The public will have an unprecedented opportunity to engage the manufacturers in a dialog on the latest green technologies and to take a short ride or drive in Pleasant Ridge’s beautiful streets.”

“NextCruise(TM) marks a number of important firsts,” Eisenstein said. “It’s the first-ever public event that brings together such a large array of leading automakers, specifically to display environmental vehicles and technologies; the first-ever event where the public has the chance to drive such a wide assortment of clean, high-economy cars, trucks and crossovers; and it’s the first-ever official Woodward Dream Cruise event that is specifically future-focused.”

Nine of the world’s largest automakers have confirmed their attendance and highlights of the list of the super-high-mileage and ultra-low-emission vehicles, technologies and displays include:

New Technologies
– Hydrogen-powered BMW 7-Series
– Hydrogen-powered Ford shuttle buses (for transportation between the NextCruise site and parking on the east side of Pleasant Ridge)
– Fuel Cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox

Hybrids
– Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
– Ford Escape E85/Hybrid
– Chrysler Aspen Hybrid
– Toyota Prius Hybrid
– Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (Two-mode)
– Nissan Altima Hybrid
– Toyota Camry Hybrid
– Saturn Vue Hybrid (Two-mode)
– Dodge Durango Hybrid
– Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Clean Diesels
– Audi Q7 TDI
– Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec
– VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI
– Jeep Grand Cherokee
– Mercedes-Benz GL320 Bluetec
– Bosch Clean Diesel Classic Corvette
– VW Jetta TDI
Other
– VW Tiguan
– Chrysler GEM
– Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car E85 Z06
– Two-seater IndyCar Demonstrator
– IndyCar Show Vehicle
– IndyCar Series racing simulators (where attendees can climb in the
cockpit of an Indy car and test their driving skills on the various
race tracks where the IndyCar Series competes)
Displays
– GM Two-mode hybrid engines and transmissions
– GM LNF engines (used in Saturn Vue Red Line, Pontiac Solstice GXP and
Chevrolet HHR SS)
– Bridgestone Green Initiative

NextCruise(TM) also will include a look at the next generation of “green” motorsports, including the ethanol-fueled IndyCar Series, and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which features a unique Green Racing Challenge this season. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix — which takes place on Labor Day weekend — includes both IndyCar and ALMS races in the booth it shares with Firestone. The motorsport display will include race cars and a special autograph appearances by star IndyCar Series driver
Graham Rahal.

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