Well, it takes the cake, but it won’t eat it. The VLC has to maintain its svelte and trim form, you see, as it tips the scales at a mere 830 pounds (376 kg). To put that in perspective, a super lightweight car like the Lotus Elise still weighs in at over 700kg, saying nothing of more conventional passenger cars. It also helps that the Edison2 VLC offers remarkable aerodynamic efficiency too, winning the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize back in 2010.

The next generation VLC improves upon its predecessors in just about every way, getting even better aerodynamic efficiency, a roomier interior and larger wheels. You’ll also notice the unique in-wheel suspension, which improves handling, reduces mass and reduces the overall complexity of the vehicle.

No word on when a consumer-ready model will hit the roads, but Edison2 CEO Oliver Kuttner says the architecture has a “promising future” and that the car “opens up the possibility for a whole new type of car… in a much more responsible, sustainable way to the future.”

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At CES in January, GM announced that it is releasing an SDK so that developers can create apps specifically for its vehicles. In fact, there is going to be a 4G-supported app store built into that in-dash screen, allowing you to browse and buy apps from right behind the steering wheel. Of course, they don’t recommend you do this while driving, but you know that inevitably some people will try.

The goal isn’t so much to extend existing apps into the cars as much as it is to build apps that are specific for cars. It’s not about having Angry Birds on there. As Phil Abram, GM Chief Infotainment Officer said, “GM may approve applications that stem from vehicle ownership. For example, customers can choose to download applications that assist them in driving more safely or in a more fuel efficient manner, possibly decreasing the costs of vehicle ownership.” Of course, we can expect the usual suite of weather, music, news and navigation apps too.

The built-in 4G also ensures that you can keep downloading and using these apps even when you’re not tethering off your phone or in the presence of a Wi-Fi hotspot. They have a deal with AT&T for this purpose.

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Although it has a distinctly futuristic look, I almost get the impression that it’s a “look into the future” that we may have had a couple decades ago. The rear tires are covered up for improved aerodynamics, not unlike what we saw with the first generation Honda Insight. Other features include the gullwing doors and LED headlights. You’ll also notice that there are no side mirrors. That’s because they’ve been replaced by a camera-based system.

It is just a two-seater, so don’t expect to shuttle your kid’s soccer team around in this, but the plug-in hybrid system on the Volkswagen XL1 can go 50 kilometres on electric power alone. If you start dipping into the gas, then you’ll go about 100 kilometres for every liter of fuel. Beyond the aerodynamics, the XL1 is also feather light at 1752 pounds, which is about half of a typical American midsize sedan.

Yes, I realize the “XL1″ name is a little misleading, because this Vee-Dub isn’t exactly extra large, but this could be a very real view into the future of commuting. No word on pricing yet, but Volkswagen is saying that they’ll go into commercial production of this vehicle. Hopefully we’ll learn more when it’s shown off in Geneva next month.

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When you think about it, this really makes a lot of sense. So many cars have push-to-start these days where the actual physical key doesn’t really matter all that much. All you need is something that can provide the appropriate signal and the NFC technology in compatible smartphones sounds like a perfect fit. Hyundai is aiming to replace traditional car keys with NFC-based apps by 2015. This wireless technology is likely an option, as some people will still want regular keys, but it is certainly intriguing.

But it’s not just about unlocking your doors and starting the engine. Hyundai wants to make it possible to set specific user profiles based on which smartphone is being used. In addition to opening the door, it might automatically set your seating and mirror positions, for example, and automatically switch to your favorite satellite radio station. And the cars would likely have an inductive charging plate to provide power to your mobile devices too.

I like it. There are already smartphone apps to work with compatible “smart” door locks, apps to pay for things, and apps to replace customer loyalty cards. It’s only a matter of time before we abandon traditional keys and wallets in favor of an all smartphone lifestyle.

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Looking at the picture above, you are probably trying to decide what the heck this thing is. I’m right there with you. The Lit Motors C-1 isn’t quite a motorcycle, but nor is it really a car. This two-person transport has just a pair of wheels and has been gyroscopically stabilized so it doesn’t tip over.

In short, this thing is a crazy hybrid of sorts.

The C-1 is battery powered and has a life of 200 miles, which isn’t half bad at all. Lit Motors CEO Daniel Kim suggests you can get to work and back with the thing for less than a half-dollar a day.
Basically, this isn’t that different than a battery powered motorcycle would be but you at least have a little better protection from the elements here.

The C-1 is expected to arrive in May of 2014 for around $20,000. Before you start saving up your piggy bank earnings for this one, remember that concept cars like this come and go all the time.

I will admit this certainly looks cool, but delays happen and its hard to really say if this will ever see the light of day or not. Providing this does actually become a product in 2014, would you consider one?

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To aid in this effort, the S-Class has been outfitted with a bevy of sensors. You’ve got a pair of short range radio sensors in the front along with two more in the rear, plus a long-range sensor in the grille, a stereo camera behind the rear view mirror, four cameras for a 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. This all works with the Distronic Plus radar-based cruise control system that is getting a major update with the new sedan coming out next year.

In addition to controlling your gas and brake in stop-and-go traffic, there’s also a steering assist feature that will keep you in your lane. It does this by using the various cameras and radar sensors, reading road markings and cars around you at speeds of up to 124mph. Oddly, this “semi-autonomous following” only works when you have your hands on the wheel. The car won’t really “drive itself” unless you’re prepared to drive it too.

Mercedes has also replaced all the light bulbs in the car–both interior and exterior–with LEDs instead. You basically have permanent high beams on, but they’ll dim when the car’s cameras detect another vehicle. That applies to the brake lights too, dimming during the day and getting brighter when you slam on the brake pedal.

There is also Brake Assist Plus with Cross-Traffic Alert to stop the car if you’re about to get T-boned. The front stereo camera will read road signs and display information on your dashboard; the 3rd-gen Night View Assist provides a night vision HUD to avoid nocturnal mishaps; the auto park feature does both parallel and stall parking with complete control of the steering, gas, and brakes; and even the seatbelts have been notched up with added tech, including added airbags and accident energy-dissipating features.

Most of the new features are in the name of safety and while some people may be fearful to relinquish that kind of control to a “smart” car computer, it indicates where the automotive industry is heading. And all those cameras and sensors tell us where we’re heading too.

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Michael Graham Richard of Treehugger says that the i3 “looks like a cross between a BMW SUV, a VW Golf, and a Nissan crossover.” I’m not sure about the Golf part, but I definitely see some Rogue and X1 action going in here, except it’s clearly meant to be a compact coupe.

As far as the technology involved, there is a BMW electric motor generating up to 125 kW/170 hp and a peak torque of 250 Newton meters (184 lb-ft). The concept vehicle is rear-wheel drive and the lithium-ion battery is stored under the floor, both of which should help with handling. The estimated range is 160 kilometers (100 miles).

The interior is unique with a main touchscreen panel in the center console. They’ve used “a mixture of leather, wood, wool and other renewable raw materials here. No word on pricing and availability. For now this BMW vehicle is just a concept and it may not even ever make it to production, but at least it indicates that BMW is actively exploring and expanding on its electric car efforts.

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Have about $100,000 just sitting around? If so, you might want to look into buying a 2013 Viper SRT. After officially debuting  not too long ago, Chrysler is ready to start taking orders for this street monster. With two base models and over 150,000 combinations, you can build a car that is really like no other.

The SRT Viper base model will have a starting price of $97,395 while the Viper GTS starts at $120,395. This year’s model comes in 6 colors: Adrenaline Red, Black Venom, Bright White, Gunmetal Pearl, Race Yellow and Shadow Blue Pearl. In addition, you can add racing stripes for $4,500-$5,000.

Moving to the inside of the car, it comes standard with a 9 speaker audio system. As for the GTS model, it will come standard with a 12 speaker audio system. Both models are upgradeable to a 18-speaker Harman Kardon^® premium audio system.

Under the hood you are looking at an 8.4-liter, 10-cylinder, 640hp engine that tops out at 206 mph and goes from 0-60 in about 3 seconds. Thanks to the removal of about 100 pounds from the car, the drag coefficient has been reduced to just 0.36 to satisfy your speed needs.

What do you think of the 2013 Viper SRT? Will you be visiting your local SRT dealership to check one out and pick one up?

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And that’s what his company, LiquidPiston, has apparently done with its 40bhp LiquidPiston X2 rotary engine. With a name like that, I was really hoping that the engine really used liquid pistons; it doesn’t. Even so, it is very noteworthy that it is able to drastically improve on the thermal efficiency compared to conventional ICEs. In fact, Shkolnik claims his X2 rotary engine has a thermodynamic efficiency of 75 percent. By contrast, an ICE only coverts 30 percent of its heat into work. That’s huge.

Even though LiquidPiston has combined several innovations from more conventional designs, like the Otto Cycle and the Wankel engine, it is actually simpler and more compact. It only has three moving parts–one of the reasons why they went with rotary over a regular piston engine–and 13 major components. The net result is the X2 is only 1/10th the size of a comparable diesel engine. The design, by using constant volume combustion and overexpansion, is better able to burn more of its fuel too; regular ICEs have a lot of unburned fuel spitting out their tailpipes.

As with all of these kinds of innovations, I’m skeptical, especially when it comes to scaling this LiquidPiston X2 design to produce way more than the 40hp it currently generates, but I wish Shkolnik and LiquidPiston all the best. They really need to get this in the hands of a major automaker; otherwise, it’s just another forgotten design. It helps that the X2 can burn a variety of fuels, making it more flexible moving forward.

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The problem is that carrying around that jerry can of gas may not be particularly safe. There are fumes to worry about, not to mention the possibility of leakage and possible combustion, fire and explosions. A much safer alternative, it seems, is a product called Extra Fuel. It works with any regular gas engine in a car (pretty sure it doesn’t work as a diesel alternative), but it doesn’t contain the volatile chemicals found in conventional petrol gas.

The volatile gases–like butane, pentane, and hexane–are really the problem, because they can heat up on a hot day, pop a vent in the jerry can, and fill your car with dangerous fumes. Extra Fuel doesn’t have that, but your engine can still use it. Extra Fuel has an octane rating of 91 and is supposed to give the same kind of mileage as regular gas. Better still, it has a ten-year shelf life.

A half-gallon jug is $24.99, so Extra Fuel is definitely more expensive than the stuff you get at the pump, but it may be a very worthy investment for some road trip peace of mind.

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