Five Offbeat Cars Coming in 2011

Strange experiments are happening in the auto industry.

Companies are cross-pollinating different types of vehicles to create new breeds, and the results are sometimes perplexing.

For example, Nissan has turned its pudgy Murano into a convertible. Meanwhile, Range Rover is trying to show some concern for the environment by offering its smallest, most car-like SUV ever, the Evoque.

The New Year’s Coolest New Cars

Like the dawn of a new year, the 10 cars in this list are full of promise and potential. From high-powered exotics to nimble family sedans and sporty hatchbacks, the class of 2011 has something for everyone. These cars are cooler than a red-nosed Times Square reveler at 12:01 a.m. on January 1st. They’re also the cars we’re most excited to drive in 2011: 

Most Beautiful Cars in The World

To compile the list of this year's most beautiful cars, forbes asked some of its most trusted experts for their nominees: Tamara Warren, automotive journalist and creator of the car blog Go Tryke; Mike Caudill, an automotive analyst for DrivenMedia; Gary Flom, CEO of Manhattan Automobile Company; and Noah Lehmann-Haupt, CEO of Gotham Dream Cars. Cars on the list must be new and in production for 2010--no pre-production models. Cars are listed in alphabetical order.

The Next Generation Of Green Cars

The first mass-market electric vehicles are about to go on sale in selected cities, kicking off the beginning of a wave of new green vehicles hitting showrooms over the coming year.

The Chevrolet Volt, from General Motors, and the Leaf, from Nissan, both launching in December, are just the beginning of the electrification trend. At least eight hybrids and 12 plug-in electric cars in every price range are planned for 2011, with another batch of electric vehicles (EVs) expected in 2012.

Subaru Impreza Concept

Subaru today unveiled the Impreza Design Concept, which previews the carmaker's new "Confidence in Motion" design and brand strategy. The Impreza has been Subaru's global compact car since 1992.

Ford reveals Police Interceptor Stealth concept

After unveiling nine customized versions of Mustang, Ford has revealed the special police interceptor ahead of its SEMA debut. The concept will be on display in Las Vegas this week and is designed by ford designer Melvin Betancourt. The inspiration for the police interceptor concept came from the SR-71 stealth airplane used in the 1950s and 1960s to create a Taurus-based Police Interceptor that manages to be flashy yet still able to fly under the radar.

Top Head-Turning Concept Cars at the Paris Auto Show

This year’s Paris Auto Show has vehicles of all shapes and sizes, along with a sense of optimism that has been lacking in the industry since the economic meltdown of 2008. How else can you explain an ultra-lightweight Lamborghini, a Jaguar powered by micro-turbine technology, or an Audi that looks ready to go rallying?

20 Electric bikes riding to the green future

About a decade ago, not many would have expected bicycles to be a rage in time, but with the rate at which fossil fuel sources are depleting today, we’re left with no option but to head back to the bicycles. They’re clean, don’t require any visits to the gas station, are easy to maneuver in traffic congested streets and are far safer than their speedy counterparts. The only thing they lack is some speed that makes them a viable option for a daily commute to the office.

2010 Paris Motor Show: Lotus unveils Esprit concept, the ultimate Lotus

Lotus grabbed the opportunity at Paris Motor show and comes out as a champion. Well, yes. Five cars all of a sudden, empowering the lurking beast roar yet again. The second one unveiled at the Paris Show was Esprit sports car which is described as the ultimate Lotus. The vehicle has the same 5.0 liter V8 engine as in Elite hybrid concept good enough for 620hp and 720 NM of torque. Engine is mated to 7 Speed DCT transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

2010 Paris Preview: Radical Citroën Lacoste unveiled

With the intention to bring the fashion flair to the Paris Motor show, Citron has tied up with the French fashion house Lacoste to create a funky looking city car concept, Citroën Lacoste. The new concept car is a small buggy that Citroën claims is “stylishly minimalist and elegantly laid back”.

Xenova’s Terryman is the future of eco mobility

The first prize winner in the ‘ground-breaking innovations in concept and small vehicles’ at ÖkoGlobe, Xenova’s Terryman is a fully electric powered van which offer an innovative added value in terms of environmental and resource protection. The aim behind designing this new all electric van is to optimally implement the drive technology and the result appears in the form of a free distribution in the interior cargo space and high efficiency in the use of the electric-utility vehicle.

Mazda’s Shinari Concept Car

Surprising everyone, Mazda has put the wraps off to its new four-door coupe concept, christened as Shinari. Unveiled at a private press event held in Milan, Shinari sets a precedent for Mazda’s design language for all the future vehicles to come. This new design language is the fruit of collaboration between Mazda’s US, German and Japanese design studios.

caravans to pimp your adventures with luxurious comfort

Nomadic life full of adventurous and surprising elements has always attracted humans toward itself. The only difference being, earlier it was an unfortunate compulsion, but now courtesy caravans or mobiles homes, this has become an activity for leisure for the modern nomads. These caravans provide that much need homely-comfort in the wilds, without secluding the man from the nature.

Brabus launches iBusiness S-Class with 740 bhp

mobile office is finally here!

Steve Jobs and all the Apple fans, your luxury mobile office has arrived. Brabus has created a very powerful luxury saloon with integrated Apple products, like two iPads, Bluetooth keyboards that allow you to control Mercedes COMAND system, a Mac Mini, 64 Gb iPod touch, 15.2 inch TFT display and internet connection of course.

Porsche's 918 Spyder

Here you go, have your cake and eat it too. Porsche is looking to prove that the best of both worlds don't have to be mutually exclusive with the 918 Spyder concept debuted  at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

2010 Jaguar XJ75 Platinum Concept Car

As a way of celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary, Jaguar has created this special edition; the Jaguar XJ75 Platinum Concept, which will be on display at Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance Concept Car Lawn this upcoming weekend.

The car is colour coded in the very clean and modern scheme of black and pearlescent white, comprising of a glass roof set upon a black backdrop. Also adding to the ‘platinum’ experience is the addition of dark chrome inserts and trimming throughout the exterior and interior.

Spain's Izaro Motors presents GT-E electric sportscar

A new name in the world of sportscar, Izaro Motors from Spain presents GT-E electric sportscar that targets the Tesla Roadster. The model is to be unveiled by the end of this month and will be available in two engine options – a hybrid powertrain and a fully electric version. Whereas the hybrid engine will deliver a total of 416hp and a range of 690km, the fully electric powertrain will have an output of 495hp and a range of 250km.

15 shape shifting cars for the future

Over the period, we have witnessed a great shift in the means of transportation, from public to personal, catering to the varying needs of modern commuters. However, the convolutions of present era have urged, rather forced, automobile designers to think out of the box and come up with some flexible modes of commutation to withstand the needs of commuters that keeps changing with each passing moment. Here are some of the most amazing cars with shape shifting capabilities that will make you drool over their genius makes and force you to wish they were real.

Robust and Awesome Carbon Fiber Made Vehicles

With the advent of motor sports, carbon fiber has become an important part of the modern sports cars, which makes them lightweight as well as robust to resist the bumps during competitive racing events. However, modern auto designers are using carbon fiber profusely in their contemporary as well as futuristic autos, making vehicles slim, swift and sturdy while ensuring fuel efficiency. Have a look at some of the sturdiest vehicles made in carbon fiber.

Movie-Based FireBreather Camaro Signature Series

A Michigan based tuning and performance Parts Company, Classic Design Concepts (CDC) has come up with a 50-unit ‘Signature Series’ limited edition car, dubbed the FireBreather. The concept was unveiled at the Detroit AutoRama earlier this year, and is based on the new Chevrolet Camaro SS. This car was originally designed for the supernatural thriller called Jinn, which is written and directed by Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad. The film is to be released next year.