I am extremely vocal on the topic of electric cars, especially when it comes to their performance potential. Instant torque is very, very fun—to say the least—and makes a lot more sense on the racing circuit than internal combustion engines (at least in short bursts). Makers of high-end exotics are starting to pick up on this trend, though Ferrari is (as far as I know) the first supercar maker to confirm it will be adding and electric-hybrid to its lineup.

Of course, they claim this is to improve handling and not fuel efficiency. But hey, I’ll take what I can get from the prancing horse.

Read more of this story »

Alternative-fuel supercars really seem to be picking up steam. Hybrid Lamborghinis? Electric Gullwings? All very cool stuff, but the field is quickly becoming crowded by competitors to the eco-supercar crown. A new California-based company called Steenstra GCM has announced the Styletto, “the first 200-mph-plus super sports car to be built in California” according to the press release.

Read more of this story »

Lamborghini is known for many things; sexy sounding V12 engines, outrageous, egregious bodykits, and low fuel efficiency (often in the single digits). But a hybrid?

Even supercar makers are getting into the green game. Hot on the heels of Mercedes announcement that the famous gullwing would return as an all-electric supercar, and Ferrari’s plan to unveil a hybrid of their own at November’s L.A. Autoshow, Lamborghini is now planning a hybrid of their own.

Read more of this story »

The car, which took a year to make, will be smashed with hammers and party-goers will receive bits and pieces to take home in special bags as a souvenir, or snack.

Source: Ananova

PRESS RELEASE:

FIRST AMERICAN 200 MPH PLUS ZERO EMISSION SUPER SPORTS CAR TO BE BUILT IN CALIFORNIA

MISSION VIEJO, CA Sep 7, 2009: Renowned international car designer Cornelis Steenstra has just released the first images of his latest project, a zero emission super sports car called STYLETTO. This first American zero-emission super car offers a low slung, extremely aerodynamic body, gull-wing type doors and ample seating to properly accommodate 2 occupants in a space not normally found in these types of exotics.

Steenstra earned his stripes as designer at Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda’s European Studios, and was Strategic Design Manager Europe for Hyundai/Kia in Germany, before starting his independent consultancy Foresee Car Design, Inc., in California. Aside from his normal consultancy work for Porsche in Germany, Steenstra also executed a myriad of projects for OEM companies like Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, MG-Rover, Peugeot and Fisker, and was involved with several start-up companies, including several “clean vehicle technology” companies.

Combining all this experience, Steenstra teamed up with a group of very experienced automotive industry professionals, and set out to develop a new range of vehicles that would represent the best in American automotive engineering and technology. This range of vehicles, of which the STYLETTO is the first, are targeting the exclusive sports car market currently dominated by Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, with passionate offerings that excel in design, engineering, build quality and are environmentally responsible, producing zero emissions.

“I grew up with a passion for transportation and motor racing, and have always felt that people should and could enjoy driving passionate performance automobiles while still retaining their responsibility toward the environment. These are desires that can very well be enjoyed together” says Steenstra.

Steenstra and his team are currently in negotiations with several investment firms for this ambitious venture, and are aiming to have drivable prototypes of the STYLETTO ready in time for the 2010 Pebble Beach Concourse d’ Elegance. Limited series production of this first offering is scheduled to start in March 2013.

Steenstra GCM, founded in 2009 by Foresee Ltd, is a privately owned American company producing high-end zero mission performance automobiles. Situated in Mission Viejo, California, Steenstra GCM is headed by Cornelis Steenstra as Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bruns as Chief Financial Officer, Hans-Peter Hemmer as Vice President of Engineering and Mario Greco as Vice President of Chassis Development.

Foresee Car Design, Inc., Founded in 2001, is a privately owned American independent design consultancy based in Mission Viejo, California. Founded by Cornelis Steenstra, Foresee Car Design, Inc. has executed projects for Porsche, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, MG Rover, Peugeot, Icon Aircraft, DAF Trucks, Scania, Terex, Honda, Suzuki, Beijing Auto and many more.

Ferrari’s biofuel racecar at the Detroit Auto Show. Hey, I was convinced without the models…

See more on the auto show here.

PRESS RELEASE:

FIRST AMERICAN 200 MPH PLUS ZERO EMISSION SUPER SPORTS CAR TO BE BUILT IN CALIFORNIA

MISSION VIEJO, CA Sep 7, 2009: Renowned international car designer Cornelis Steenstra has just released the first images of his latest project, a zero emission super sports car called STYLETTO. This first American zero-emission super car offers a low slung, extremely aerodynamic body, gull-wing type doors and ample seating to properly accommodate 2 occupants in a space not normally found in these types of exotics.

Steenstra earned his stripes as designer at Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda’s European Studios, and was Strategic Design Manager Europe for Hyundai/Kia in Germany, before starting his independent consultancy Foresee Car Design, Inc., in California. Aside from his normal consultancy work for Porsche in Germany, Steenstra also executed a myriad of projects for OEM companies like Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, MG-Rover, Peugeot and Fisker, and was involved with several start-up companies, including several “clean vehicle technology” companies.

Combining all this experience, Steenstra teamed up with a group of very experienced automotive industry professionals, and set out to develop a new range of vehicles that would represent the best in American automotive engineering and technology. This range of vehicles, of which the STYLETTO is the first, are targeting the exclusive sports car market currently dominated by Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, with passionate offerings that excel in design, engineering, build quality and are environmentally responsible, producing zero emissions.

“I grew up with a passion for transportation and motor racing, and have always felt that people should and could enjoy driving passionate performance automobiles while still retaining their responsibility toward the environment. These are desires that can very well be enjoyed together” says Steenstra.

Steenstra and his team are currently in negotiations with several investment firms for this ambitious venture, and are aiming to have drivable prototypes of the STYLETTO ready in time for the 2010 Pebble Beach Concourse d’ Elegance. Limited series production of this first offering is scheduled to start in March 2013.

Steenstra GCM, founded in 2009 by Foresee Ltd, is a privately owned American company producing high-end zero mission performance automobiles. Situated in Mission Viejo, California, Steenstra GCM is headed by Cornelis Steenstra as Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bruns as Chief Financial Officer, Hans-Peter Hemmer as Vice President of Engineering and Mario Greco as Vice President of Chassis Development.

Foresee Car Design, Inc., Founded in 2001, is a privately owned American independent design consultancy based in Mission Viejo, California. Founded by Cornelis Steenstra, Foresee Car Design, Inc. has executed projects for Porsche, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, MG Rover, Peugeot, Icon Aircraft, DAF Trucks, Scania, Terex, Honda, Suzuki, Beijing Auto and many more.

While the company stopped short of announcing an all-electric model, such additions as regenerative breaking, advanced turbocharged engines, massive weight reductions and biofuels are all on the table. Plans are in place to reduce the weight of every car over its predecessor by 300kg. Engines will be downsized, and future Ferraris will be able to use E80 bioethanol fuel. Average CO2 emissions across the product line will be reduced from 400g/km to 250.

The regenerative breaking scheme will not go towards charging batteries (as happens with hybrids) but will instead be used to assist in shifting, allowing for smoother gear changes. The overall aerodynamics of the vehicle will also be improved to reduce drag and improve mileage.

These are small, but notable changes nonetheless for a car that might otherwise shy away from even admitting green intentions. One prediction: This is only the beginning. If the Tesla Roadster takes off — and battery technology continues to lose weight and gain power — we'll see Ferrari embrace a clean, green model down the road. My inner-child and retirement cash will be waiting.

Hit the jump for more.

PRESS RELEASE:

FIRST AMERICAN 200 MPH PLUS ZERO EMISSION SUPER SPORTS CAR TO BE BUILT IN CALIFORNIA

MISSION VIEJO, CA Sep 7, 2009: Renowned international car designer Cornelis Steenstra has just released the first images of his latest project, a zero emission super sports car called STYLETTO. This first American zero-emission super car offers a low slung, extremely aerodynamic body, gull-wing type doors and ample seating to properly accommodate 2 occupants in a space not normally found in these types of exotics.

Steenstra earned his stripes as designer at Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda’s European Studios, and was Strategic Design Manager Europe for Hyundai/Kia in Germany, before starting his independent consultancy Foresee Car Design, Inc., in California. Aside from his normal consultancy work for Porsche in Germany, Steenstra also executed a myriad of projects for OEM companies like Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, MG-Rover, Peugeot and Fisker, and was involved with several start-up companies, including several “clean vehicle technology” companies.

Combining all this experience, Steenstra teamed up with a group of very experienced automotive industry professionals, and set out to develop a new range of vehicles that would represent the best in American automotive engineering and technology. This range of vehicles, of which the STYLETTO is the first, are targeting the exclusive sports car market currently dominated by Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, with passionate offerings that excel in design, engineering, build quality and are environmentally responsible, producing zero emissions.

“I grew up with a passion for transportation and motor racing, and have always felt that people should and could enjoy driving passionate performance automobiles while still retaining their responsibility toward the environment. These are desires that can very well be enjoyed together” says Steenstra.

Steenstra and his team are currently in negotiations with several investment firms for this ambitious venture, and are aiming to have drivable prototypes of the STYLETTO ready in time for the 2010 Pebble Beach Concourse d’ Elegance. Limited series production of this first offering is scheduled to start in March 2013.

Steenstra GCM, founded in 2009 by Foresee Ltd, is a privately owned American company producing high-end zero mission performance automobiles. Situated in Mission Viejo, California, Steenstra GCM is headed by Cornelis Steenstra as Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bruns as Chief Financial Officer, Hans-Peter Hemmer as Vice President of Engineering and Mario Greco as Vice President of Chassis Development.

Foresee Car Design, Inc., Founded in 2001, is a privately owned American independent design consultancy based in Mission Viejo, California. Founded by Cornelis Steenstra, Foresee Car Design, Inc. has executed projects for Porsche, Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, Subaru, MG Rover, Peugeot, Icon Aircraft, DAF Trucks, Scania, Terex, Honda, Suzuki, Beijing Auto and many more.