Beautiful car.

Business Week has a feature about an MIT Media Lab city car concept, which is inspired by stackable airport luggage carts.

For more information, click here.

I also discovered a Popular Science feature of cool concept vehicles.

A 400 horse power, all electric vehicle with an extendable payload bed:

A 4 seater, high performance, electric vehicle, with hub motors, and aerodynamic design, which takes advantage of high-speed airflow:

A modular family car:

Be sure to watch this video of a solar power plant in Seville, Spain, a glimpse into the future.

Also, Solar Electricity Vehicles is developing vehicle solar technology, so a hybrid vehicle can be 30% more efficient. At a cost of $2,000-$4,000, the cost is estimated to be recuperated within 2-3 years, with tax incentives.

It will soon be possible to send driving directions directly from your computer to your car’s navigation system.

PAL-V, a hybrid tricycle and gyrocopter, will allegedly be available for an undisclosed price by 2009. The vehicle, which has been in development for six years by Netherlands-based PAL-V Europe BV, will fly below 4,000 feet and have a fuel efficient engine for both driving and flying. [via oh gizmo]

HOVER (high occupancy vehicles in express routes) is an efficient carpooling system originally developed in Auckland, New Zealand to reduce congestion.  Hover provides a system that does not require pre-planning for drivers, no commitment to participate everyday, or travel at specific, predesignated times.  Lots of cars commute to similar destinations, and have empty seats, so it’s a great system to reduce highway congestion, and reduce automobile emissions.  The organization advocates that “park and ride” facilities for the “park and pool” system be publicly funded like roads and buses.  Check out the video below.

This is an interesting concept for unlimited purely electric powered vehicle range by swapping the battery at battery exchange stations.  The stations would own the batteries, so the cost of electric powered vehicles would be less, and concern for the cost of replacing expensive batteries when their life is up is mitigated. Be sure to watch until 1:05 for a 3d animation of how it works.

Urban Aeronautics, founded by Dr. Rafi Yoeli, aims to develop a rotorless vertical takeoff and landing vehicle ideal for urban environments.  It’s expected to be available by 2010. [Gizmodo]

Much news this week around CES and MacWorld - other sites like engadget and gizmodo have covered it well, but another big event this week is The Detroit Auto Show, which has been somewhat overshadowed. The most exciting vehicle concept introduced, in my opinion, is the Chevy Volt, a boldly designed plug-in hybrid vehicle. It can run 40 miles on electricity alone, and then the gas engine kicks in as a generator and the vehicle can run for an additional 600 miles. The engine itself can be interchanged for different fuel types, including diesel, ethanol, hydrogen etc. Check out these pictures courtesy of treehugger.

[UPDATE: a close 2nd is the Toyota Hybrid sports car concept for $30k.]

Great ad for BMW featuring amazing kinetic sculpture powered by the wind — “the walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds.”

and, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle concept by Mercedes with several innovative features, including a hybrid type engine that operates via either fuel cells or lithium batteries, depending on the car’s energy needs. Also interesting is how the seats conform to the body, and can rotate to accommodate kid car seats.