The Detroit Auto-show, one of the world's largest motor-show's, has opened with an environmentally friendly theme.

The US auto giant, General Motors (GM), has displayed prototypes of its so-called 'green' vehicles and says it hopes to compete with its Japanese rivals, particularly Toyota, in the race to develop the environmentally friendly car of the future.

Toyota's new Prius sedan, the world's first commercial petrol-electric car, went on sale in Japan last month, offering a fuel efficiency which is double that of petrol-powered models.

At the show, GM unveiled a prototype of a petrol-electric car and said a "production-ready" version described as the "world's first eco-friendly hybrid sports car" would be developed by the year 2001.

The vehicle, which should travel upto 80 miles per gallon, is to be powered by an electric motor and a turbo diesel engine.

By 2004, GM says it also hopes to have developed a low emission, fuel cell vehicle, which will cut back on pollutants blamed for creating inner-city smog.

Beetlemania sweeps show

The new version of the Volkswagen Beetle, one of the world's favourite cars, has also been launched at the show.

The 1998 version is bigger than the original but retains the familiar bug-eyed headlamps. The largest change is in the engine, which has been moved from the back to the front.

The Beetle was first launched in Nazi Germany in the 1930s and quickly established itself as one of the most popular models of all time

Volkswagen paved the way for the 1998 launch by producing a concept car based on the new Beetle at Detroit in 1994.

The new version will be launched in the United States in March. But British drivers may have to wait until 1999.

In the UK the Beetle will be powered, either by a 1.9 litre diesel or a 2.0 litre petrol engine. The new vehicle will feature air-conditioning, central locking and a compact disc player.

It is expected to cost around £14,000.

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