Green Cars - Sports Cars

GREEN SPORTS CARS TO BUY NOW

Those cars that are sporty, but still under 120g/km can be found here

1. TESLA ROADSTER (US & EUROPE)

THE STATS

Engine type: 100% Electric motor
0 - 60mph: 3.9 seconds
Top speed: 125mph
MPG equivalent: 256mpg
Miles on a 'tank': 220 miles
Emissions: zero
Cost price: Approx £90,000
Website: www.teslamotors.com

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First conceived on 19th July 2006, the Tesla Roadster has been hailed as revolutionary by some and, with a deeper look into the sports cars specs, it's not hard to see why.

It's capability of 0 - 60 in just under 4 seconds might have caught some people's attention, but throw in that it can clock up 220 miles before needing to be charged again and the idea that electric cars could never come close to it's diesel or petrol powered brothers flies out the window.

THE TESLA ROADSTER:

2. LIGHTNING GT (UK)

THE STATS

Engine type: 100% Electric motor
0 - 60mph: 4.0 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
MPG equivalent: 256mpg
Miles on a 'tank': 250 miles
Emissions: zero
Cost price: Approx £150,000
Website: www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk

The Lightning GT has emerged as one of the closest rivals to the Roadster, and in terms of it's battery technology it seems to have the upper hand.

The GT uses Nanosafe's Li-On Cells, a choice which results in 250 mile range with only a 10 minute full recharge time, and 15,000 charge cycles before any significant drop in performance. That's a standard life expectancy of 12 - 20 years! When you then take into account it's impressive 700 horsepower and 0 - 60 stats (listed above), the GT could be a real force to be reckoned with.

THE LIGHTNING GT:

3. VENTURI FETISH (Principality of Monaco)

THE STATS

Engine type: 100% electric motor
0 - 60mph: 5 seconds
Top speed:105 mph
MPG equivalent
Miles on a 'tank':250 km
Cost price:297,000 Euros

Website: www.venturifetish.fr

With a retail price of 297,000 Euros as of May 2007, this is one of the most expensive cars in this list

While it's statistics haven't aged so well, it was the car's image which attracted attention when it first appeared, and it still looks fantastic. Sacha Lakic, the car's designer, has stated that his intention was to show that there was an exciting alternative to the petrol engine, and one look at the Fetish will tell you that his intention has been achieved.

THE VENTURI FETISH:

4. TOYOTA FT-HS (Japan)

THE STATS

Engine type: V6 Engine & electric motor combination
0 - 60mph: 4 seconds
Top speed:N/A
MPG equivalent
Miles on a 'tank':N/A
Cost price:Under £20,000

Website: www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles/fths.html

While still a concept car at present, the Toyota FT-HS is a planet friendly sports car that isn't limited to those with tremendously deep pockets.

Aimed at the mid priced market, Toyota's car is a hybrid, partnering a hefty 3.5L V6 Engine and an electric motor under their Hybrid Synergy Drive system. With a target power output of 400 horsepower, this is certainly no meek machine. In fact in Honda's own words, this is a suitable sports car for the 21st century.

THE TOYOTA FT-HS:

5. FISKER KARMA (U.S)

THE STATS

Engine type: Plug-In Hybrid
0 - 60mph: 5.8 seconds
Top speed:125 mph
MPG equivalent
Miles on a 'tank':50 miles on battery power
Cost price:£40,000

Website: www.fiskerautomotive.com/vehicles/features/

Expected to be available late 2009, the Fisker Karma is one of the more unique cars on this page.

The vehicle has the ability to run up to 50 miles on its fully charged batteries alone, before alternating between petrol and electric motors. If that wasn't green enough you can even opt for a solar panel to be built onto your property to charge the car, as well as its built in full length solar roof. With 800 European orders already placed, it's seems the hybrid's future is full of good Karma.

THE FISKER KARMA:

Published: 1st July 2008