Currently reading: Beijing motor show: SAIC Leaf
Madcap buggy concept is solar powered

The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation will unveil this odd looking concept car at next week's Bejing motor show to highlight its alternative power source technology.

Although the car is called the Ye Zi, which translates as leaf, it has nothing in common with the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle.

See the SAIC Leaf pictures

Instead, its leaf shaped roof is fitted with solar panels that produce and store energy. The leaf structure can move in order to attract the most powerful sunlight.

The Leaf's wheels are fitted with additional vanes, which are designed to turn in the wind, generating electricity as they do so.

It also has what its makers call "a CO2-absorbing body". Its metal-organic framework is said to imitate photosynthesis, absorbing CO2 and water to generate an electric current and oxygen.

Further details will be revealed at the Bejing motor show, which begins on April 23.

SAIC is China's third largest car maker, and has partnerships with GM and VW in China. It also owns Nanjing Automotive and has a majority share in Ssangyong.

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Monk 13 April 2010

Re: Beijing motor show: SAIC Leaf

Has Sir Clive Sinclair been holidaying in the Peoples Republic recently ?

every thing you... 13 April 2010

Re: Beijing motor show: SAIC Leaf

LOL.

This is not serious, surely?

Jon Hardcastle 13 April 2010

Re: Beijing motor show: SAIC Leaf

Myk wrote:

Yabba-Dabba-Doooooooo

Ha, I just alluded to this on the "Car design in the future" thread elsewhere on this forum. To look forwards you have to look back, but how far back is acceptable? or are we about to go full circle?