Don't underestimate electric cars either. They may not make a sound and have lithium-ions powering their wheels, but some of them power-wise can rival with popular supercars. For example, this peppy-looking Tesla Roadster was one of the first all-electric cars ever produced. Now, it's currently one of the most powerful with power ratings of 288 horsepower with 295 lb.-ft. of torque. 0 to 60 is done in a blistering 3.7 seconds making it unbelievably quick. So, to put it in short, this car can run fast, save the earth, save your wallet (240 MPC) and scare children, as you shall see in this next video.
2010 Audi R8 E-Tron Prototype
Here's another example: Audi's all electric R8 E-Tron Prototype car. Now I know that this car isn't even out yet, but just imagine driving a no-emissions car with 313 horsepower from lithium-ion batteries and electric motors. And, unless you're Iron Man, or even Superman, just imagine driving such a car with over 1030 lb.-ft. of torque. That's more than you get from a Bugatti Veyron! Unbelievable! And it's fast, too, with a 0 to 60 time of 4.8 seconds! If I were really wealthy, I would buy one of these!
2011 Chevy Volt
My last example: the all-new Chevy Volt, which has just been named the 2011 North American Car of the Year. The electric motors and lithium-ion batteries in this car deliver 150 horsepower. That doesn't sound like much, does it? But, it produces 273 lb.-ft. of torque. That's more torque than you get from some turbocharged V6 car. It might be limited to 100 MPH, but for a 150 horsepower phone on wheels, it's pretty powerful. Not to mention it gets 327 miles per charge (MPC) Electric and Diesel-Powered cars are the future of the automobile. They will save our earth from global warming and at the same time, save you from bankruptcy.
What's with this car? Ever since its release, it's been receiving all sorts of praise. It's the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year for bringing the future of motoring to our doorstep. Automobile Magazine have also named this car their Car of the Year for being a car that is unlike any vehicle they have ever driven. It's the Green Journal Green Car of the Year for being one of the first affordable electric vehicles. It's on the Car and Driver 10Best list for being futuristic; that's the first time C&D ever put an electric car on their 10Best list. It just so happens that this car is in the running for North American Car of the Year against the Nissan Leaf, another electric car, and the Hyundai Sonata. This is truly amazing because this car made it out of a list of really good cars like the Infiniti M, the Audi A8, and even the noble Jaguar XJ! I think I'll have to drive this car for myself to see just what makes it so applaudable. But anyway, Chevy has come a very long way to make it back on the top as one of the best automotive companies on earth. If the Volt wins the North American Car of the Year, it will definitely change the future of motoring.
