Now tell me this thing doesn’t look like a futuristic Mini-van. Seriously, I could have totally seen Harrison Ford rocking this thing in the movie Blade Runner with a few child seats in the back. What we have here is a very interesting vehicle that has been designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to train Mr. Ed.

Looks almost stock!

Your neighbor’s candy apple red Tri-Five Chevy with a Corvette-derived smallblock might be a pretty sick way to update a tired, neglected jalopy, but not everyone wants to roll in such conspicuousness. And to be honest, as long as it’s a big-ass engine stuffed into an unlikely place, one really shouldn’t be picky. So if your tastes run more towards sleepers (or Q-ships, for you Bond aficionados), and especially if you have a thing for oil-burners, this Mercedes 190D might have your number. What it doesn’t have is it’s original mill, discarded by some mad-scientist types at Mercedes in favor of a modern OM651 diesel out of the current C-Class, good for 204 HP and 368 ft-lbs of torque. That’s torquier than a phalanx of tractors, so it’s no wonder it is swift. How swift? Make the jump to find out.

Using a supercharged BMW V12, the Lazareth quad makes a ferocious 500bhp on E-85 Ethanol. But even though it’s defined as a quad (having four wheels and all) it is shaped more like a trike, which is good news. It’s diminutive rear end keeps the preposterous amount of torque from flipping the vehicle, while the wide front track keeps all four wheels planted as you counter-steer around every corner.

Aesthetically the Lazareth is unquestionably menacing, with the twelve exposed headers purging environmentally friendly exhaust fumes from the pulsating engine. But before you assume the use of Ethanol was an environmentalist statement, think again. It’s more likely that Ethanol was used for its superior octane performance, since E-85 has an octane level between 100-105, compared to typical gasoline octane ratings of 85-93.

However, make no mistake, all this coolness will cost you a cool $283,000–meaning it’s more likely you’ll see it in the next Batman movie than in your garage.

For a gallery of the Lazareth, along with a video of the beast in action, follow the jump.

Based out of West Philadelphia high school, the West Philly Hybrid X Team is making headlines for their impressive engineering ability in the creation of the K-1 Attack hybrid supercar. Designed and produced entirely within the walls of West Philadelphia High School’s Automotive Academy, the student-built K-1 Attack is an impressive demonstration in alternatively-fueled performance.

Equally impressive is the group itself, founded in 1998 by physics and math teacher, Simon Hauger, and responsible for giving inner-city students a valuable opportunity they otherwise might not have been afforded. In addition to offering a chance for West Philly students to demonstrate a mental acumen far beyond their years, the Philly Hybrid X Team also provides a unique preparatory course for a career in the automotive industry. Charged (no pun intended) with designing and executing an 100-mpg automobile, the Philly Hybrid X Team is vying for the prestigious Progressive Automotive X Prize and, despite the odds, are considered a Top 10 contender.

Hit the jump to check out exclusive video footage of the Hybrid X team, and the K-1 Attack, in action.

Baard Eker, designer and 49 percent owner of Koenigsegg, spoke briefly about the future of the brand Born From Jets. “Saab has to refine their quality level, their soul and spirit and we believe that this is something we can help with. The most interesting thing is that GM thinks the same.” You think, GM? I guess the existing 10-year product life cycles just weren’t cutting the mustard. But what does the future hold?

Green motor oil. Green as in environmentally friendly. You knew this one was coming. It’s not a bad thing, really, and by that I mean it won’t be a bad thing when it’s well established and reliable. But for right now… Well, I’m not so sure I want to pour a few quarts in any of my vehicles.

Say goodbye to lubrication via pulverized tyranasaur and hello to lubrication via bovine fat.

Which one would you rather see with a Turbo-Diesel powerplant?

am-biv-a-lence
-noun
1. Psychology. the coexistence within an individual of positive and negative feelings toward the same person, object, or action, simultaneously drawing him or her in opposite directions.

Lamborghini is taking its own steps to save the environment through the kissing of environmentalist-ass!

Like most companies, the Italian manufacturer finds itself under pressure to make-nice and reduce C02 emissions and increase the fuel-efficiency of their cars. Though Lamborghini is technically exempt from the harshest wave of Emission Laws in the European Union per a clause pertaining to “manufacturers of ’specialty’ vehicles (with fewer than 10,000 new cars made per year) who run their own production facilities and design centres, even though they are part of a group of associated producers,” Lamborghini nonetheless is doing their part to at least look like they care.

In a new press release, Lamborghini details their plans to clean-up their factories by attaching solar panels to the roofs of their plants, really a smart move considering factories make up the portly midsection of those Pollution Pie Charts.

But their plans involve the possibility of Lamborghini Hybrids as well.

Don't hold your breath.

Volvo has issued a press release laying vague claim to an upcoming series of plug-in diesel hybrids (PHEV “DRIVe” in Volvo’s “Bork Bork” corporate marketing lingo) that will maybe, sort of, probably be coming in 2012 (give or take a decade). We hear lots of elaborate claims by automakers about their upcoming products, and we’re not doubting that Volvo CAN make these hybrid cars … we’ll just believe it when we see it.

If you fancy a lift, bring coal and lithium-ion batteries!

You’ve seen steampunk laptops, steampunk guitars, steampunk iPods, pretty much everything under the sun. But how many steampunk vehicles have you seen outside of Howl’s Moving Castle? Slap on your goggles, work up a head of steam, and take a gander at these 10 steampunk vehicles, ranging from modestly altered to completely bespoke.

The Mosler MT900 GTR XX Twin Turbo by IAD. Got that?

A company that lives up to its moniker, Intense Auto Design has crafted a frighteningly purposeful version of the MT900 GTR XX to attack the production top speed record currently held by the SSC Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo. Some of you might remember Mosler as evil genius who created the Consulier, a car so ugly that the ugly stick would cross the street rather than beat its offensive sheetmetal.