Smart is one company that is relatively new in the world of automobiles and is only now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Now that is a very young age for a car making company and it is almost akin to an infant still in his first year. Then how is that Smart is this awesome and fancy with its work and so confident about its market? For those still wondering, Smart is a joint venture of Swatch and Mercedes. That is quite simply a phenomenal combination, which ensures that there is neither in shortage of funds or skill or even technical support.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary Swatch has released a Limited Edition car that it quite aptly calls the Smart Edi10n and the car is a perfect urban commuter in every sense of the world. Style and automobile finesse aside, Smart is a diesel-powered vehicle for two. Before you even shout about how it still spills out fumes and is not good for the planet, just remember that it only holds two people. This saves on space, energy while engineering the car and putting it together, parking space, fuel consumption and costs.

With most urban commuters using cars either all on there own or just for a couple, it is time every carmaker starting making this ’smart’ choice. While it might not be appealing for all, it does its job to perfection and saves the roads from plenty of messy jams and fumes. The rest of the car is simple impeccable with world-class interiors, top-notch styling and great design. It comes with the 0.8-cdi engines or the 1.0-liter 84hp gasoline engine and is priced at €16,850 - €19,790. That is no surprise at all either.



Via Leblogauto

Fisker Automotive noted for its handcrafted, exotic, high-end performance sports cars is all set to deliver a super sexy yet green hybrid car Karma in late 2009. This plug-in hottie sedan was public’s eye candy at its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The verdict: Fisker has already received over 500 orders for this luxurious four-wheeler!

Features:

1) Karma’s Q-Drive- plug-in electric hybrids drive system (provided to Fisker by Quantum Technologies); it uses a small gasoline engine to drive a generator. The latter charges the car’s battery pack and the energy thus released, powers the electric motor driving the rear wheels.

2) Regenerative braking- contributes in keeping the car’s batteries in a charged state.

3) Frisker Karma is an emissions-free car with an all -electric range of up to 50 miles!

What’s more you can charge its batteries from a 110-volt household source over nightly.

4) To facilitate daytime battery recharging the company will also provide optional solar panels for roofs.

5) No need to run for batteries in the third-fourth year of purchase as Karma’s batteries

last for 10years.

6) The stylish sedan can pick up from zero to 60 mph under 6 seconds! Wow!

7) Present two drive-modes: ‘Stealth Drive’ mode- max speed 95mph and ‘Sport Drive’ mode – max speed 125 mph (is a full power mode!)

Karma’s a la mode interior comprises four and comfortable individual first class seats,

a spacious trunk with room for two golf bags & luggage, DVD system integrated into the seat backs, a navigation system and state-of-the-art pushbutton controls. Also, you can opt for climate control system with a full-length solar roof to provide interior cooling while the car is parked.

9) Estimated Price: $80,000

Incase you are not comfortable with the price tag then wait for the future cars by Fisker Automotives which will use Q-Drive technology. The price range of such models would be around $40,000.

Via GreenCar

In less than a fortnight’s time an enchantress will make her debut at the London Motor Show. She is Lotus’ new Eco Elise – the nouveau eco friendly cousin of Sports Elise. An entirely environmental-friendly concept, the car is inside out green! Don’t be confused. What I mean to say is, unlike, other green cars being launched by biggies of the motor world which primarily focus on cutting back the CO2 emission and switching over to hydrogen and biofuels; Eco Elise is a holistically green concept with every thing from the materials used to the tailpipe emissions is being taken care of with eco-concerns kept at the back of the maker’s mind!

A quickie on its USP’s:

It’s constructed from sustainable stuff - eco wool, sisal and hemp.
Even the car color comes from water-based paints.
Has a gear change display system integrated into the dashboard- so designed to advocate greener driving; changing gears at optimum point saves fuel and reduces emissions
To power ancillary electronic features, solar panels are installed on Eco Elise’s roof.
Weighs 32kg less than the standard Elise S!!! (in sync with Lotus’ “performance through light weight” philosophy).

I wish I could tell you the price as well but we all have to wait for more details about Eco Elise till the show begins. Till then, do ponder on this green baby over any other car. Don’t forget Eco Elise could become your own Zen garden for a peaceful Lotus Meditation!

Via MotoAuthority

Enough talks about stylish two-wheelers and racy four-wheelers. Now, let’s talk about an odd-numbered wheeler. Yup, let’s talk about three wheelers! My most obvious connection to the most common variety of three-wheeler found in this side of world is the famous green-n-yellow combo auto! I admit I don’t like them much. I always wondered - is there going to be a three-wheeler that will pop-out my eye balls? Well, now there is one and it’s the sexy looking Peugeot + (Peugeot plus).

The vehicle is born out of a nuptial of a car and a scooter. It is designed by David Vargas (for the Peugeot Design Contest 2007). His creation uses a smaller electric engine; thus, saving on energy. This also means, less pollution.

Its design and size is such that you can simply cruise through the heavy traffic on roads (esply. I’m dreaming about being on one with my beloved and going vra vra vroom on our Indian roads!) Yes, it’s agile and perfectly cozy for 2 people. So, forget about those area-consuming cars and all, lay your eyes on Peugeot +!

Via CowCube

Touted as the greenest endeavor of Toyota, Prius is all set to pep-up its eco-friendly quotient. The super sexy vehicle will now be available with a set of solar panels. These panels will be fitted on the car’s roof. Prius is already an efficient Hybrid cars well established in the market. It is believed that the solar panels thus installed will power the car’s AC (air-conditioning) unit. This further addition not only reflects the car’s potential to remain number one in the world of Hybrid cars but also the company’s smart move to polish its image many folds by becoming more and more eco-savvy.

This hybrid synergy drive vehicle can be yours at $21,500 (starting price). Start booking it today!

Few More:

Via Inhabitat

The German giant Mercedes Benz is determined to kick diesel out of it way and produce cars that are run by greener technologies. The company envisions a line up hybrid and green cars by 2015. In its efforts to minimalize the harmful effects of petrol and diesel combustion products on nature, Mercedes is already working on technologies that are utilized by the hybrid cars of this age. It plans to incorporate highly efficient internal combustion engines in its future models. Such engines can feed upon biofuels like bioethanol. The latter is made from grains and as per the studies conducted by UK government agency Central Science Laboratory; it produces 65% fewer greenhouse gases. Battery operated electrically run cars are will also be introduced in the market in coming years as per Merc’s plans. Another option taken up by the company is that of natural gas, which is now, mush preferred over gasoline, diesel and petrol in Europe. Next year, Mercedes-Benz B-Series will be seen running on roads using this alternative fuel.

Although, the company may be able to phase out all its diesel-based models from Europe in coming decade, what remains to be seen is the widespread availability of such cars in overseas markets.

Via AutoBlogGreen