NovaEnergia

we're already tired of all the "green" concepts from makers from audi to zap — mostly because we'd like some real alternatives rather than just pie-in-the-sky concepts — but with the one-two combo of gas prices and "the green marketing movement" it's not likely to end any time soon. then there's fiat — an automaker breaking the mold of creating new concepts and just recycling concepts first rolled out in 2002, almost down to the system. back then it was called the gm autonomy. this time it's named the fiat phylla, and it boasts a "split-frame" design (not a skateboard), roof mounted photovoltaics, motors at each wheel and a flexible design capable of supporting power sources like batteries, super capacitors, fuel cells and the like.
on top of the energy usage side, the phylla is completely recyclable and made with a mix of aluminum, biodegradable plastics and all kinds of other green stuff. though it is a joint effort from multiple design schools along with fiat research center, we can't help but think this baby needs a heaping helping of hayabusa engines. they still have time to make the necessary changes, it's still all digital at the moment. fiat, listen, you used to make turbine-powered concepts, why not go retro? who knows, perhaps we can actually make a real alternative see the light of day, rather than just the lights of the show floor and concept studio

the phylla prototype is a 2+2 seat sub-a-segment urban car that captures solar energy in order to power electric motors that drive all four of its wheels. the car is 1980 mm high, 2995 mm long and 1618 mm high, with a luggage capacity of 142 litres (2+2 seats) 584 litres (2 seats).

riding on a lightweight split-frame aluminium chassis, the phylla weighs just 750 kg (of which 150 kg is the battery weight) and it boast a 145 km range when using lithium ion batteries, or 220 km with lithium polymer ones in situ. the 0 to 50 km/h dash is achieved in six seconds, while top speed is 130 km/h.