Exciting Green Concept Cars at Goodwood

Some of the world's most exciting green concept cars were on display at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex. Models from Toyota, Peugeot, Honda, Ford, BMW, Saab, Smart, Citroen and Nissan were just some of the fascinating exhibits to be found at the FoS-TECH Pavilion. The exhibition was assembled by Clean Green Cars, and demonstrated the scale of research and development dedicated to tackling the environmental problems posed by the car. It also showed that tomorrow's cars, far from being dull little econo-boxes, will be at least as exciting and desirable as the motor car has been in the past.

Every type of alternative propulsion system was featured: bio-ethanol, bio-diesel, electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen internal combustion. Although the show was about the future, it was not just about dream cars: of the 20 concept cars, at least four will form the basis of production models within the next three years.

For a full description of all of the cars at Britain's biggest-ever display of green concept cars, check out these pages...

Generously provided by: Tesla Motors

It's electric, it sprints to 60mph in around four seconds - that's as fast as a Ferrari F430 - and achieves the equivalent of 135mpg. High-efficiency, lithium-ion batteries allow it to be fully recharged in 3.5 hours for a range of over 200 miles. The Tesla's electric motor develops 248bhp at 13,000rpm, a potent force in this lightweight car, providing it with a a spectacular power-to-weight ratio.

California-based Tesla has orders for over 450 cars, from personalities including actor George Clooney, sportswear designer Julie Chaiken and the founders of Google. Prices start from $98,000.

Generously provided by: BMW AG

It looks like a standard BMW 7 Series, but this car is propelled by liquid hydrogen and emits nothing but water vapour. The 260bhp, dual-fuel V12-engined Hydrogen 7 represents over 20 years' worth of research, the car recently entering small scale-production. This year 100 will be built, several of the eight earmarked for Britain operating at the Festival today. This cut-away reveals the hydrogen fuel tank, containing liquid hydrogen chilled to -250deg C - enough for 125 miles. A petrol tank provides another 300 miles, the Hydrogen 7 switching seamlessly between the two fuels via a steering wheel-mounted button.

Generously provided by the Ford Motor Company

This spectacular four-wheel-drive prototype is due to arrive as a production car in late 2008. Called the Iosis X, it's powered by a 1.8 Duratec Flexifuel engine capable of running on E85 bio-fuel, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Note this concept versions' glass floor, providing passengers with an unusual view of the terrain below. The back doors are rear-hinged, and the orange instrument dials are housed in goggle-like binnacles to create an intriguing three-dimensional effect. Although the final version will be a little less flamboyant, the Iosis X is a clue to a major new model coming next year.

Generously provided by Saab Automobile AB

The Aero X is both supercar and eco-car. Its twin turbo 2.8 litre V6 runs on 100 percent biofuel, making this car carbon neutral despite its 400bhp. That impressive power output is channelled to all four wheels via a seven-speed sequential gearbox. The most spectacular element of this concept is its massive canopy door, however, this huge, three-piece panel forward-hinged to allow access to the Aero X's beautiful cabin. This dramatic concept is a powerful symbol of Saab's commitment to bioethanol - it now offers a bioethanol-compatible engine in every model it sells - as well as its rejuvenation as a marque.

Generously provided by Automobiles Peugeot

This dramatic-looking saloon is mid-engined, and propelled by a 700bhp, 5.5 litre V12 powerplant developing an amazing 845lb ft. That might not sound very green, except that this engine is a direct injection diesel, and essentially the same as used by Peugeot's Le Mans 908 HDi race car, itself a mobile test laboratory for the company's diesel engine developments - it even runs with road car particulate filters. The 908 RC's body is made of up of a lightweight carbon composite and aluminium honeycomb mix, like a race car's. This striking saloon is unlikely to see production, but will undoubtedly influence future models.

Generously provided by Automobiles Peugeot

A fuel-cell quad bike, the Quark is equipped with four electric wheel-hub motors developing 295lb ft of torque. They're supplied with electricity from both the fuel cell and a 288 volt nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, providing a range of 80 miles in economy mode - assisted by regenerative braking - a top speed of 68mph and a 0-30mph time of 6.5sec. The hydrogen supply is compressed within a removable 'Plug&Drive' cylinder, and its only emission is harmless water vapour. The Quark has a removable PDA-like communications interface that provides satellite navigation and an MP3 player, besides doubling as an access key.

Generously provided by Automobiles Peugeot

This exceptionally cute fuel-cell fire truck not only generates the energy to propel its auxiliary equipment, but also its own water supply. A major innovation is that H2O can produce its own hydrogen in real time, to supply its actual needs, eliminating the need for a pressurised supply of the fuel. H2O's fuel cell energy supply produces only water vapour as an emission, which in this case is used to provide water for fire-fighting. H20 is propelled by an electric motor and battery pack, potentially making it a zero-emission vehicle.

Generously provided by Automobiles Citroen

The C-Airplay features green technology now finding its way into today's Citroens. It has Stop and Start system, the engine switching off while stationary to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, as well as a Sensodrive semi-automatic transmission. Sensodrive can be programmed to shift gears optimally to reduce consumption. The C-Airplay itself is about the effects of light and the passing breeze on your travels, the windows in the base of its doors letting daylight into the cabin, while the ventilation outlets in the dashboard and doors heighten your awareness of the (cleaner) outdoors.

Generously provided by ItalDesign Giugiaro SpA

Tandem seating, no steering wheel, hydrogen propulsion - this is truly a car of the future. Instead of a conventional wheel the Vadho is manoeuvred via joysticks mounted in armrests either side of the seat, which is electrically adjustable like the pedals. The Vadho's V12 engine comes from the BMW Hydrogen 7, its fuel stored in a tank chilled to -250deg C; it also runs on petrol. On hydrogen it produces nothing more than water vapour. The Vadho - 'vado' means 'I go' in Italian, and the 'h' is for hydrogen - is very much a blue-sky concept, but many of its ideas could see production.

Generously provided by Mazda Motor Corporation

The Hakaze is a compact, cross-over coupe with a roadster feel, whose surfaces have been inspired by the patterns found in sand dunes. It has a removable roof, which can be stored in a slide-out tray within the rear bumper, and upward-hinging scissor doors. Inside, many of its systems are controlled by touch sensors, while the steering wheel has a fixed hub containing an LCD screen displaying navigation data, images from its rear and side cameras and a series of warning lights. This version of the Hakaze is powered by a 2.3 litre petrol turbo engine driving all four wheels, but it has also been engineered for a greener diesel motor.

Generously provided by Honda Motor Company Ltd

This is a model of ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot which uses sensors and cameras to walk, talk, climb stairs and even respond to human instructions. The latest, most physically advanced version - the culmination of over 20 years' engineering - can run at 3.7mph, act in synchronisation alongside people and perform real-world tasks like carrying a tray or pushing a trolley. The next stage is to improve ASIMO's intelligence, allowing it to make pre-determined judgements based on a variety of situations, and enabling it to help people in their daily lives and society at large. ASIMO, by the way, stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.

Generously provided by Honda Motor Company Ltd

A fusion of environmental technology, exciting styling and fun-to-drive characteristics, this sporty concept is powered by Honda's four cylinder petrol/electric hybrid powerpack from the Civic Hybrid. It explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a traditional compact performance machine. The body has been designed to maximise aerodynamic efficiency, by replacing door mirrors with rear cameras, for example. Fluid body lines are accentuated by a steeply raked windscreen which extends back above the occupants' heads where it meets a one piece glass roof, providing passengers and drivers with an unusual overhead panorama.

Generously provided by Honda Motor Company Ltd.

This cutaway of Honda's showroom Civic Hybrid illustrates the car's inner workings. Up front is an advanced 1.4 litre petrol engine that drives a continuously variable automatic transmission. Alongside the petrol engine sits an electric motor which assists the engine during acceleration. Packed behind the rear seats sits a battery pack and an intelligent controller which governs the power contribution of the electric motor. The battery is recharged through regenerative braking. The result is lower CO2 emissions - at 109g/km, the Civic Hybrid is among the very lowest CO2-emission cars you can buy - and reduced fuel consumption, enabling you to travel more than 700 miles on a tank.

Generously provided by Toyota Motor Corporation

The Toyota Prius is the world's best-selling hybrid, with over 600,000 sold since 2003. It's propelled by both petrol and electric engines, the electric motor driving it at very low speeds - when there are no tail-pipe emissions - the 1.5 litre petrol engine at higher speeds and during acceleration. The electric motor also assists when urgent acceleration is required. Toyota calls this Hybrid Synergy Drive. The Prius's battery pack is charged both by its petrol engine and a regenerative braking system. The result, at 104g/km, is one of the lowest CO2 outputs of any car on sale - despite its size and performance - and exceptional fuel economy.

Generously provided by Nissan Motors Co. Ltd

This unique prototype explores the potential of future electrically powered urban runabouts. The characterful egg-shaped cabin seats three, and can rotate through 360 degrees, making a reverse gear unnecessary - you merely swivel the cabin 180degrees to face forward. This unique feature has been achieved using cross-by-wire technology, eliminating the need for mechanical connections. See-through pillars and an Around View Monitor helps to reduce dangerous blind spots. A space-saving, flat, compact lithium-ion battery powers two electric 'Super Motors' mounted on both axles. Each motor drives an independent shaft, creating a four-wheel drive system that distributes torque across all four wheels.

Generously provided by Daimler AG

This plug-in, electric version of the diminutive smart fortwo city car has a 75mph top speed and a 68-mile range. Co-developed with British engineering company Zytek the EV (for Electric Vehicle) is already being produced in small numbers for market trial with corporate clients, and smart is working with green electricity suppliers to find a zero emissions solution from 'well to wheel'. In urban conditions the EV is actually more responsive off the mark than its petrol-powered stablemate, benefiting from the instant peak torque generation of its electric motor. And of course, it's also road tax and London congestion charge-free.

Generously provided by Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota's brief to its design team - create a sports car for the 21st century. The result is this dramatic front-engined, rear-wheel drive hybrid two-plus-two coupe developing a potent 400bhp - sufficient to blast the FT-HS from 0-60mph in around four seconds. Its 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine works in tandem with the an electric motor to produce this excellent performance, that same electric motor enabling it to operate at low speeds with zero tailpipe emissions. Given Toyota's success with hybrids, the FT-HS is far more than a three-dimensional doodle - expect to see this ground-breaking successor to the famous Supra by the next decade.

Generously provided by Trident Vehicles

Trident has come up with a very different method of lowering carbon emissions - by fitting a bigger engine. The Iceni is powered by a front-mid-mounted, 6.6 litre V8 turbodiesel. This General Motors truck engine is 100 percent biodiesel-compatible, and drives an eight-speed paddle-shift gearbox. With 550 bhp and spectacular peak torque of 950lb ft, the Iceni R has a theoretical maximum of 230mph and can hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds. But with such a low-revving engine - at 56mph it's pulling just 800rpm in top - Trident reckons 50mpg is possible. Being run on E100 biodiesel, the Iceni's carbon footprint is potentially significantly smaller.

Generously provided by Vectrix UK

This twist-and-go electric scooter has a top speed of 62mph, can run for 70 miles between recharges and will accelerate from 0-60mph in just eight seconds. Its performance matches that of most petrol-powered 125cc scooters, but without the noise, fuel costs or, depending on its recharging source, negative environmental impact. Regenerative brakes, activated by twisting the throttle forward to slow, recharge the battery under deceleration. When the batteries do run down, the Vectrix can be fully recharged in two hours from a standard mains socket. It is also comes with Bluetooth mobile phone integration and has an advanced digital dashboard.

Generously provided by Kenny Schachter

Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the Z.CAR can shrink to fit those awkwardly small parking bays. An adjustable swing-arm rear suspension enables the aft end of the cabin to rise 10 degrees as the back wheel is pulled in, reducing the Z.CAR's length. The cabin sinks at higher speeds, reducing aerodynamic drag and lowering the centre of gravity. Apart from its three wheels and teardrop silhouette, the Z.CAR is striking for its asymmetric glass canopy. Theoretically a hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle, it could also be powered by more conventional engines. The Z.CAR was commissioned by London-based art dealer Kenny Schachter, who is exploring its production potential.

Generously provided by Concept Climax

This sleek two-seater is inspired by the legendary rear-engined 1950s Cooper Climax F1. But the Concept Climax is also thoroughly modern, being engineered to run on E85 bio-ethanol fuel (85 percent of the fuel is derived from organic matter) and it's ultra-light, its 564kg yielding a potent power-to-weight ratio of 494bhp per tonne. The engine develops 270bhp - enough to hit 60mph in 3.4 seconds and 160mph - but with the potential to achieve as much as 30mpg. Unusual features of the Climax include adjustable aero screens and the opportunity for the owner to adjust its performance via a laptop computer.