I’m starting to wonder if we couldn’t learn a little by making people who drive SUV’s and Hummers pay a bit more at the pump. Call it the idiocy tax or something.

Forget biodiesel and fuel cell-powered vehicles, how about a whip that doesn’t require any fuel whatsoever? The Venturi Eclectic, touted as an “autonomous energy vehicle,” gets its charge from wind gusts and 8.2 square feet of solar cells atop its roof. The four-person ride boasts a 22-horsepower purely electric engine, is powered by liquid-cooled NiMH batteries, and can reach a (yawn-inducing) top-end speed of nearly 32mph. While it’s no Wrightspeed X1, the designers had “daily driver” in mind when the Ecletic was crafted, but considering it’ll only roll 31 miles on a full charge, you best take the scenic route to work if you’re facing a long commute. The car does sport an option to recharge via AC power, should you face darker (and calmer) than expected conditions, but since it weighs just 772 pounds, a foursome shouldn’t have too much trouble using the tried and true “push method” if worse comes to worst. Scheduled for production in June 2007, this oh-so-green automombile will run you €24,000 ($30,511) — if you can manage to score one of the 200 that’ll be built, that is.

Source: Engadget

Don’t worry I wish I was the police tester who gets to drive at ridiculously high speeds in order to prevent future accidents.

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Camry

Honda Accord

Nissan Altima

Ford Focus

Chevrolet Cobalt

As you can see from this drawing, it’s the first model to bring the design themes showcased by the company’s Nagare concept to reality. The sporty look of the 2 supermini is evolved with a taller roofline to boost headroom, but key details including dramatic slashes in the bodywork and short overhangs are retained.

The city car concept is likely to feature Perspex panels, plus sliding side doors and seats, which will increase practicality, too.

Imagine a car for the iPod Generation. That’s what this Mazda City Car Concept looks like to me. Smooth, and urbanesque. I can see this in many cities except for New York where it will only work if there’s a Taxi model.

Source: 24 Blue Sky

Porsche: Top Car Brand

Infiniti: A Close Second

Lexus: Toyota’s Amazing Luxury Brand

Source: JD Power

Honda plans to launch a cheaper hybrid car to go on sale from early next year.

The maker says it expects to sell 200,000 of the entry level hybrid cars a year, although we don’t know if they will be available in Australia.

Honda says the cheaper hybrid will allow more people around the world to adopt cleaner motoring technology and reduce global car emissions.

It anticipates total sales of 500,000 hybrids a year. As well as the new affordable hybrid, Honda will build a Jazz hybrid and sporty CR-Z and Civic hybrids. It plans to reduce its production costs with a new electronic control unit and a thinner, more compact battery. A thinner motor has also been developed.

Source: The Age

According to Matt Damon this Baby Blue Tesla Roadster is a prototype with the two speed tranny but it’s only working in the high gear. “I’m impressed. Matt says this prototype isn’t launching so well of the line but explains, “The 30-60 acceleration is like nothing else.”

Source: Carzi

This just goes to prove ‘Green’ is a more valuable social commodity than the other green. If you get my drift.

Other interesting news included this:
Eighty percent of American car buyers would find someone with the latest fuel-efficient car more interesting to talk to at a party than someone with the latest sports car.

Source: Yahoo

General Motors announced plans Tuesday to shut four truck and SUV plants that employ thousands of workers. It also said high gas prices are here to stay – and, with them, consumers’ growing preference for more fuel-efficient vehicles.

At a news conference in Wilmington, Del., GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced plans to roll out more fuel-efficient vehicles, including approval to start the production process on a vehicle that can run gas-free for trips up to 40 miles.

Source: CNN