| With the price of gas steadily climbing around the | | | | miles before the fuel cells kick in to recharge the |
| country, more and more drivers are looking | | | | lithium ion batteries that give power to operate |
| forward to the next wave of cars that will look | | | | the car. With a screen for entertaining and setting |
| great, serve their needs, and save them money | | | | the mood inside the car, this is a family vehicle |
| at the pump (or take them away from the | | | | that looks great and is great for the environment. |
| pump). At auto shows around the country this | | | | Ford hasn't said whether you'll be able to find this |
| past year, more and more auto makers were | | | | at your local dealership yet (be that a Kansas |
| showing concept cars that were green, ones that | | | | Ford dealership or someplace in California), but |
| used little to no gas. Here are a few of those | | | | with the demand for family vehicles that are |
| cars that you may be driving in the next five | | | | environmentally friendly, be on the lookout for it in |
| years. | | | | the near future. |
| Mazda Nagare | | | | Toyota FT-HS |
| Offering a sleek style and futuristic look, the | | | | A sports car for the next century, the Toyota |
| Mazda Nagare features gull-wing doors that open | | | | FT-HS features seating for between two and |
| up to reveal space inside for four passengers, | | | | four passengers (depending on whether or not |
| with the driver sitting front and center, and three | | | | the roof is retracted), and 400-hp or engine |
| passengers sitting in the rear lounge style seat. | | | | output from its Hybrid Synergy Drive. With a |
| While Mazda hasn't confirmed exactly what type | | | | dedicated drivers cockpit that has all of the |
| of drive-train will be used on the Nagare, they | | | | instruments and readings necessary centered on |
| have said that it could use a hydrogen-powered | | | | the driver, this sports car features sleek lines to |
| rotary engine. No time table or production | | | | help reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. |
| numbers have yet been given for the Nagare, as | | | | Toyota hasn't said when or if the FT-HS will see |
| Mazda is currently using it mostly as a design | | | | production, but do keep an eye out for some of |
| experiment. | | | | its features to start appearing in Scions. |
| Daihatsu UFE-III | | | | Honda FCX |
| A third generation concept from the Tokyo auto | | | | One of the closer vehicles to seeing production, |
| show, the UFE-III features three seats (a 1 + 2 | | | | the Honda FCX features a fuel cell system, but |
| configuration), and an aerodynamic body that is | | | | that's only the start of what makes this concept |
| part of the root of its fuel economy. Powered by | | | | so impressive. Speed sensitive adjusting |
| a diminutive 660cc Atkinson 3 cylinder engine and | | | | instrument panels move according to speed to be |
| two electric motors, the UFE-III has a fuel | | | | more effective, biometric systems adjust the |
| economy of 203 miles per gallon. It's unclear if this | | | | mirrors, wheel, and pedals to your settings as you |
| car will ever be seen in the United States, but the | | | | approach the vehicle, and line of sight operated |
| design and fuel economy are exactly that US | | | | switches allow you to control things like audio and |
| drivers are currently looking for. | | | | air conditioning without removing your hands from |
| GM Saab Aero X | | | | the wheel. All of this, coupled with a spacious |
| Taking a cue from their aviation roots, Saab has | | | | interior made from new-age light-weight materials |
| created a concept car without traditional doors, | | | | and you have a vehicle that provides 21st |
| instead opting for a canopy opening similar to | | | | century technology and green efficiency into a |
| what one would find on a fighter jet. This two | | | | vehicle that suits the needs of most drivers. |
| seater is made from lighter materials to help with | | | | Chevrolet Volt |
| fuel economy, and uses ethanol instead of | | | | Looking to see production in 2010, the Chevy Volt |
| standard gasoline to fuel its 400-hp twin turbo V6 | | | | drew rave reviews at the most recent car shows |
| engine. No word on when or if this car will ever | | | | due to its design and E-Flex propulsion system |
| see production, but more than one car enthusiast | | | | that utilizes a combination of plug-in electricity and |
| is already drooling over the possibility. | | | | gasoline to provide a car that can attain an |
| Volvo 3CC | | | | estimated 640 miles on a single tank of gas. All of |
| Featuring an electric powertrain that can quietly | | | | this on a car that is rumored to range in price |
| propel the car to a top speed of 85mph, the | | | | from $20,000 to $35,000. |
| Volvo 3CC is what many drivers are starting to | | | | With most people commuting less than 40 miles, |
| look forward to - a car that doesn't rely on | | | | Chevy designed the Volt to travel up to 40 miles |
| gasoline. Initially designed with 3 seats (2 in the | | | | without using a single drop of gas, and then using |
| front, one in the back), the current design is | | | | gas only to recharge the batteries that actually |
| offering a more traditional four seat layout, while | | | | move the wheels. With space for five and a |
| maintaining the futuristic look of many concept | | | | futuristic design that is both appealing and |
| cars, including upswing doors for easy entrance. | | | | aerodynamic, the Volt is well on its way to being |
| Included in this concept car, are added safety | | | | the first of many vehicles that are |
| features such as steering wheel, instrument panel, | | | | environmentally friendly and stylish at the same |
| and foot pedals that all shift forward during a | | | | time. |
| collision to reduce impact. | | | | More to Come |
| Ford Airstream | | | | Every year more and more manufacturers are |
| Taking a page from the classic airstream trailers, | | | | offering concept cars that are stylish, spacious, |
| the Ford Airstream pays homage with its classic | | | | and fuel efficient to a more and more demanding |
| colors and body design, all the while offering a | | | | public. While this is certainly not a comprehensive |
| family car for the next century. Powered by an | | | | list of green concept cars, there will certainly be |
| electric fuel cell that gets the equivalent of 41 | | | | more shown in the years to come. |
| miles per gallon, the Ford Airstream can travel 25 | | | | |