Manufacturers unveil concepts at Frankfurt

A concept Mini Cooper powered by hydrogen is to be unveiled at the Franfurt motor show. It runs solely on hydrogen and is designed to show the potential for a 'virtually' zero emissions vehicle that is also affordable.

Its engine is based on the current 1.6-litre, four cylinder petrol engine. The hydrogen fuel tank takes up the space of a conventional fuel tank.

Mini Cooper Hydrogen is the next chapter in BMW Group's search for alternatives to conventional fuels. The company unveiled the first of its production hydrogen powered 7 Series models in 2000 and announced that it would be the world's first manufacturer to sell hydrogen cars.

##Mini hydrogen--none##

Two new 'SW' concept cars are to be exhibited by Peugeot at the Frankfurt show. The first is derived from the new 307 and the second from the 206.

The main feature of the 307 SW is a glass roof. In the rear the seating is 'multi-adjustable' with the three seats moving forwards and backwards and reclining. Each can be removed and are interchangeable.

The 206SW features front and rear sports skirts, a double exhaust, light alloy wheels fitted with 17-inch tyres, aluminium-effect roof bars and GT-style fuel filler cap.

It's most unusual feature is a rear screen opening independently of the boot.

##206 SW--none--206 SW##

Volvo has given its award winning V70 a racing feel in the guise of its Performance Concept Car 2 (PCC2) – a vision of a possible future high performance Volvo estate car.

Like Volvo's first Performance Concept Car (based on an S60), PCC2 has a 300bhp, 2.4-litre turbo engine producing a mammoth 400 Nm of torque, with a 6-speed gearbox, electronically controlled four-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels, and a "continuously adjustable" chassis.

Its advanced Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (FOUR-C) system offers three modes (comfort, sport or advanced sport).

FOUR-C aids driver control and safety by monitoring the position of each wheel 500 times per second to optimise the car's handling and suspension by constantly adapting the suspension's settings and damping characteristics.

"We're not using four-wheel drive for enhanced off-road ability in this application, but optimising it for superb roadholding and dependable stability," said Hans Nilsson, project manager of the Volvo Performance Concept Car.

"The work we have done with the Performance Concept Car will help us to choose the right path for a feasible high-performance estate model in the future."

##PCC2--none--Volvo PCC2##