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.

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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)

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