Taylor Welden and a team of designers have come up with Stauro, a three-wheeled car that can run on a citrus-based fuel that burns almost completely clean.

The Stauro, that boasts a 700 horsepower engine, has a shell made of 100% recycled aluminium and its body panels use a resin that is mixed using up to 40% recycled materials.

The Stauro’s sleek design makes it appear a lot sportier than regular eco-friendly cars, while the three wheel design enables it to fit in tight spaces and turn sharp corners with ease.

There are no current plans to mass-produce the Stauro but designers say that it could easily be implemented.

Many manufacturers have been pushing the design of electric cars, but the Aptera is surely the most futuristic looking vehicle of them all. In fact, you almost feel a little disappointed that the Aptera has got its three wheels firmly on the ground; its futuristic curves wouldn’t look out of place zipping about an intergalactic space port – it’s the car George Jetson would drive had he been born an Earthling.

Clean and quiet, the Aptera comes as a fully electric model, or hybrid version with a range of around 120 miles, which is double that of most available plug-in hybrids and triple that of the typical American daily commute.

At US$26,900 (£13,031) for the all electric Typ-1e, or US$29,000 (£14,048) for the plug-in hybrid Typ-1h, the bubble car of tomorrow doesn’t come particularly cheap – but the Aptera does do 0-60 in under 10 seconds and has a top speed of 95mph, plus it will save drivers thousands of dollars in fuel costs over the duration of its lifetime (it’s being touted as the most fuel-efficient vehicle the world has ever seen).

And don’t let its slim, shapely, sexy body deceive you, the Aptera carries some weight; there’s room in the boot for a couple of surf boards, albeit small ones.

Those looking to buy this high-tech green machine can join the growing list of Aptera fans who have put down a $500 preorder, and the car has been very well received by gadget lovers and treehuggers alike.

The Aptera is set to begin rolling off the production line in October 2008 – the takeoff countdown continues…

(Picture from Aptera)