Although this does not really qualify the car to be labeled green, Ferrari is already on the green wagon with announcements coming in about their plans to reduce emissions by up to 40% and improve fuel efficiency 30% in comparison with 2007 levels.

This is seen as the outcome of the stricter government standards that have been responsible for axing the Honda Civic Type R and the Ford Focus ST. It is hoped that more details on the green California will emerge in the countdown to the Paris Show, if not, all will be revealed in the end of September!

(Via WCF)

Do not confuse the Nissan Leaf with this because this concept comes from the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. The original name of the concept vehicle is Ye Zi which means ‘leaf’ and this concept probably gathers energy for mobility from the surrounding environment. Amazingly, the Ye Zi isn’t just a leaf in the name; the concept vehicle is shaped like a leaf too. Interestingly SAIC Leaf isn’t a zero emission vehicle but a negative emission automobile and SAIC will have to explain that bit in detail. The car body is itself made of metal-organic framework that can absorb CO2 and water to generate an electric current and oxygen.

Toyota’s Prius is now a popular name across the globe as it was one of the first green cars that went mainstream and even registered record breaking sales. Embarking on that success, Toyota now plans to extend the lineage and the latest addition is the Prius G Sports Concept that was unveiled at the Auto Salon in Tokyo. The concept is blessed with design traits that make the car aerodynamically sound and fuel efficient at the same time. The G concept houses the same 1.8L 4 cylinder engine which is found in standard Prius. Features like a revised bumper and side skirting, LED Daytime running lights and a dual exhaust system is what separates the concept from the basic model. The interior is also a tad different with RECARO sports seats, a revised steering wheel, info display, aluminum pedals and a black piano trim.

The new Citroen C-Zero EV only takes 6 hours to fully charge at 220V and only 30 minutes on a 400V plug if you can settle with only 80-percent. Fitted with ABS, electric windows, air conditioning, ESP and six airbags, the new C-Zero is expected to hit the road by the end of 2010. [via WCF]

Alpina is an automobile manufacturing company based in Germany, specialized in maximizng the sporting potential of existing units. Recently they got their hands on a twin-turbo diesel powerplant from the BMW 123d, tweaked it to output 214 hp and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, to create their own D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe. It does 0 to 62 mph in just 6.9 seconds and should go as fast as 152 mph.

That’s not the best thing, though. Eco-geeks should love that car because Alpina managed to build an eco-friendly sports car that has a combined EU fuel economy rating of 52.3 mpg with a manual gearbox and 50.4 mpg with an automatic. Interested in this Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Coupe, then prepare to pay some £32,950 (about $64,500).

via AutoBlog