Top 10 Green Cars for 2013

Kelley Blue Book picks the Nissan Leaf for the top spot.

By Michael Strong of The Detroit Bureau

 

With gas prices in a constant state of flux, and the federal government offering as much as $7,500 in incentives to buy "green" cars, it would seem the only question for someone buying a new vehicle is which one do I pick?

If it were only that simple; however, Kelley Blue Book's website, KBB.com, took a stab a making that decision a bit easier by putting out its list of Top 10 Green Cars for 2013. The car in the top spot shouldn't be a big surprise: the 2013 Nissan Leaf.

"You won't find an all-electric car that offers a better balance of range, practicality, refinement and value than the Leaf," according to the story on the company's website. "Nissan reduced the Leaf's starting price by $6,000 for 2013, so after the $7,500 federal tax savings, you can go all-electric for about $22,000."

The rest of the list for 2013 in descending order includes: Tesla Model S; Ford Focus Electric; Chevrolet Volt; Toyota Prius Plug-In; Ford D-Max Energi; Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid; Honda Fit EV; Toyota Avalon Hybrid; and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

"A growing number of eco-conscious drivers are going 'green' when it comes to the new car they choose to drive, and auto manufacturers have primed the pump with the widest array of offerings in the 'Green Car' segment than ever before," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

Surprisingly, Ford boasts three vehicles on the list — Focus Electric, C-Max Energi and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. It's a surprise only because Ford is mired in a class-action lawsuit that alleges the maker's mileage claims on its C-Max Hybrid as well as the Fusion Hybrid, which is the MKZ's sibling, are "false and misleading." Ford denies the claims noting that driving styles greatly impact the mileage figures and countered is has seen results that exceed the company's listed fuel economy figures.

Toyota captured two spots on the list with Prius and Avalon. An appearance by the Prius is as expected, but the Avalon, which reaches 40 mpg, captured the luxury title with KBB.com: "If comfort per gallon were a thing, Avalon Hybrid might be king."

Many of these vehicles are well known to eco-conscious shoppers, but none of them are blowing the doors off dealerships. The best-selling model of the group is the Volt, which moved 22,823 units in 2012. The vehicle with the best mileage rating, the Honda Fit EV at 118 mpg, sold just 93 units last year. This is due, in part, because it is available only in California and is only available for lease.
Tesla's Model S topped this pricing list coming in at $62,400, but the site seems enamored with the company's second all-electric offering.

"One could argue that the 2013 Tesla Model S is the electric car most likely to gain mainstream success. With blistering acceleration, distinct but tasteful styling, abundant interior space and an EPA-estimated 265-mile range, the Model S is among the coolest cars available, electric or otherwise."

Gaining mainstream success is the ultimate goal and that goal just got a little closer to reality thanks to Tesla's founder, Elon Musk. He recently guaranteed that the pricey Model S would retain a resale value similar to Mercedes S-Class as part of a financing plan aimed as assuaging the fears of buyers that they may be "stuck" with the Model S if they wanted to trade it in after three years. In fact, he told reporters during the press conference to announce the financing he'll pay the difference out of his personal fortune, which is estimated at $11 billion, if the company goes under.

2. Tesla Model S

3. Ford Focus Electric

4. Chevrolet Volt

5. Toyota Prius Plug-in

6. Ford C-Max Energi

7.Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/2013-volkswagen-jetta-hybrid-first-drive-review

8. Honda Fit EV

9. Toyota Avalon Hybrid

10. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Coche Del Mes Sponsored by Auto Emporium

We have seen many vehicles presented in this column and have had the opportunity
of meeting individuals with exemplary vehicles of luxury, massive size, sports utility
vehicles, and classics full of modifications that make them stand out in our vehicle-filled
roads.
Do you often find yourself upset by the sky rocketing prices of fuel every time you pull
up to a gas station? Don't apologize; we all feel that way! Now pay attention, this will
surely open your eyes and provide the solution for diminishing the hit your wallet takes
every time you need you fuel up at the gas station. This month we present to you our
great friend who recently relocated to Southern Oregon from Mexico City; Nick Herrera
is the proud owner of this great little car. Measuring in at 8 feet long and 5 feet high,
its dimensions are just slightly larger than a golf cart. This vehicle, has a 3-cylinder
Mercedes Benz motor, a fuel tank that only holds 8.7 gallons of gasoline, and weighing
in at 2,315 pounds; significantly less than its economical counterparts. But the most
incredible thing about this car being the mileage, 31mpg in the city and 41mpg on the
highway. Have you guessed which car we are talking about? It is none other than the
Smart Car. These vehicles have quickly become popular with the rising cost of gasoline
across the country. Aside from being cute and peaking our interest whenever we come
across one, they are highly economical in their use of fuel. Our friend Nick is the owner
of Dr. Bit, where he specializes in the sale of computers and cash registers. Being the
owner of the business often has him traveling between 300 to 500 miles on a weekly
basis. Seeing that rising gasoline prices with the combination of his frequent commutes
to assist various clients were hurting his wallet and his bottom line fueled his decision
to invest in the 2008 Smart Car Fortwo. Black and gray with 15-inch rims on the back
wheels and 13-inch rims on the front this vehicle has not been modified, it was perfect
just the way Nick bought it, he tells us, "this car is for only two people but that just
happens to be perfect for my needs, it has the space that I need and it has proven to be
very dependable given the amount of traveling I do."
So, how did we do this month with our selection? It is not often necessary to have
a spacious, luxurious car to be able to travel comfortably throughout our highways.
Nowadays it is often better to travel in a small fuel-efficient car that does not do as much
damage to our environment. This vehicle is completely different from what we typically
present, economical, impressive from any point of view, and that is why it is the vehicle
of the month!

Best of the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show

By Matthew de Paula of MSN Autos

 

It's clear from the vehicles unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show that automakers fully realize the importance of China to the global automotive market. Sales are burgeoning, and some forecast that China will become the world's biggest car market before the end of the decade. So it's no surprise that many of the new production cars and concepts shown in Shanghai are tailored specifically for Chinese drivers, such as a stretched version of the Porsche Panamera, a Ford Escort built to compete in China's compact-car market and the new Maserati Ghibli. Click through for a quick glimpse of quirky and cool vehicles making their debut in Shanghai.

Acura Concept SUV-X

The Acura Concept SUV-X is a perfect example of how important the Chinese market is becoming to global automakers. A future compact crossover based on the Concept SUV-X is being developed primarily for China and will be produced there. Acura plans to launch it within about three years. The fact that the Concept SUV-X was unveiled at this year's Shanghai show is also telling: It marks the first time Acura had a concept vehicle's world premiere outside North America.

BMW Concept X4

The BMW Concept X4 is a nearly production-ready preview of a new crossover "coupe" set to go on sale in 2014. One might dub it a shrunken X6, which is to say it will be based on the X3 SUV but have a lower roofline that mimics the sleek profile of a coupe. The Concept X4's styling hints at what to expect from future BMW SUVs as well; note, for example, the new headlight design. BMW did not say what engines and transmission the production X4 will have, but it's clear from the company's product strategy that the crossover will share all its underpinnings and powertrain with the X3.

Buick Riviera concept

Buick is teasing us with another seductive concept car that will probably never see the light of day, much like the previous Riviera concept it unveiled in 2007. This new one does show the direction Buick will take with styling in the future. Of note is the iconic waterfall "active grille," which incorporates shutters that automatically close at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics. The Riviera also has a hybrid electric propulsion system with inductive charging that allows the battery to be charged without plugging in; drivers simply park the car on a special pad. The setup is purely theoretical at this point

Detroit Electric SP:01

This electric sports car made a splash online earlier this month when startup Detroit Electric, founded by former Lotus executives, released specs and other production details for this racy 2-seater. But its official show debut was in Shanghai. The SP:01 loosely copies the Tesla Roadster's formula. It's based on a Lotus Elise chassis and uses a potent electric motor powered by lithium-polymer batteries to achieve sports-car levels of performance with zero emissions. It has a range of 180 miles and a top speed of 155 mph. Its motor puts out 201 horsepower and enables a sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. The company says it will start delivering the SP:01 to customers in September with a starting price of around $135,000.

Ford Escort concept

This attractive concept previews a new compact sedan Ford is considering for the Chinese market, and we think it's stylish enough to succeed in the U.S. The Escort concept is about the same size as the Focus and would be a less expensive alternative, aimed at China's burgeoning compact-car segment. With the latest Focus already on sale in China, adding yet another compact entry might seem foolhardy. However, in countries with developing markets, automakers typically offer lots of alternatives priced within a few hundred dollars of each other, since a difference of as little as $100 can often be a tipping point for first-time buyers.

Honda Concept M

Not much is known about this mini-minivan, but Honda says it is working on a production version for introduction in 2014. The front end, with its gaping grille, is polarizing. Like many vehicles unveiled in Shanghai, the production version of the Concept M is being tailored to the Chinese market, where commercial offerings comprise the majority of so-called multipurpose vehicles, or MPVs. Honda aims to create a passenger vehicle that offers the practicality of existing commercial offerings, but in a more refined and stylish package that is also fun to drive.

Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA

Mercedes' Concept GLA previews a small crossover based on underpinnings from the new CLA-Class sedan. Mercedes hasn't officially confirmed it will create a production version, but we're betting it will. It has a 208-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the all-wheel-drive system from the CLA250. And like that car, the Concept GLA looks fierce for such a small vehicle, thanks to its bulging fenders and aggressive grille. One of the most interesting experimental features that likely won't see the light of day any time soon are headlights that use laser beams to project images on the road ahead, such as turn signals for navigation directions.

Maserati Ghibli

The success of this midsize sedan is imperative if Maserati hopes to reach its goal of growing sales tenfold by 2015. It is smaller and sportier than the Quattroporte, an all-new version of which was unveiled earlier this year. The Ghibli S will be the most powerful model, boasting a 410-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine. A less powerful version with a 330-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine was developed specifically for the Chinese market. The Ghibli will also offer a 275-horse turbodiesel V6, making it the first Maserati ever to be offered with a diesel engine. The Ghibli will compete with the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Nissan Friend-Me

Nissan created this curiously named concept car in its Beijing design studio specifically to appeal to the 240 million Chinese in their mid-20s — the world's largest customer segment. Having grown up without siblings, due to the Chinese government's law that families can have only one child, these young people put a high value on friends. Thus the car's interior is set up as a social hub, where occupants can download information from mobile devices onto touch screens in the center console to share with friends. The Friend-Me me has expressive, muscular styling that shows where Nissan design is headed. Nissan says the Friend-Me was designed to explore the social dynamics of 20-something Chinese men.

Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid and Executive

Porsche unveiled two new versions of its Panamera sedan: a plug-in hybrid and a stretched model with more rear legroom, designed specifically for the Chinese market, where affluent buyers prefer to be chauffeured. With that in mind, Porsche created the Panamera Executive S and 4S, which have about 6 inches of added length between the front and rear wheels. Porsche also announced in Shanghai the replacement of the Panamera base V8 engine with a 3.0-liter V6 that delivers an additional 20 horsepower. The biggest gain in fuel economy will come from a new plug-in hybrid version of the Panamera called the E-Hybrid. It can drive in electric-only mode for about 22 miles and up to speeds of 84 mph.

Suzuki Authentics

The Suzuki Authentics concept will eventually become a production car. Designed for the Chinese market, it will compete with cars such as the new Ford Escort, a concept version of which was also unveiled in Shanghai. Suzuki released very little information on this sleek 4-door, but from what we saw of it on the show floor, the Authentics is understatedly handsome and should mesh with Chinese tastes, which tend toward the conservative.

Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe concept

The CrossBlue Coupe gives a strong indication of what future Volkswagen SUVs will look like. It seats five and is a follow-up to the 7-seat CrossBlue concept unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Its headlights and taillights look significantly different than the original CrossBlue concept, and the vehicle is much sportier, with a long, low stance. Motivation comes from a 416-horsepower diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain with an electric-only range of 21 miles. It's capable of going from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 147 mph.

Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50th Anniversario Edition

Lamborghini will produce 100 of this special edition of the Aventador to commemorate its 50th anniversary, all of them in "giallo maggio," or May Yellow. The output of the 6.5-liter V12 engine increases 20 horsepower to a total of 720, which enables a blazing zero-to-60-mph sprint of 2.9 seconds. Special aerodynamic enhancements improve high-speed stability. The interior gets unique colors and a special quilted diamond-stitch pattern.

Matthew de Paula wanted to be an automotive journalist ever since reading his first car magazine in grade school. After a brief stint writing about finance, he helped launch ForbesAutos.com and became the site's editor in 2006. Matthew now freelances for various outlets.

2013 Cars that Get 35 mpg-or more

By Kirk Bell of MSN Autos

 

Fuel economy is a growing concern for automakers and buyers alike. With federally mandated corporate average fuel-economy (CAFE) standards rising to 35.5 mpg by 2016 and 54.5 mpg by 2025, automakers have to continue developing more efficient vehicles. For the 2013 model year, buyers have a choice of 18 cars that get an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 35 mpg combined, compared with four such vehicles in 2008. Our search actually turned up more than 18 vehicles that achieve 35 mpg combined, but we aren't including electric cars or plug-in hybrids. If maximum fuel economy is important to you, click through to find cars that should be on your radar.

2013 Nissan Versa sedan

35 mpg combined (31 mpg city/40 mpg highway)
The Versa is offered as a sedan and a hatchback, but the sedan is the newer of the two. It was redesigned for 2012 while the hatchback continues with its original 2007 design. The more fuel-efficient sedan gets a smaller 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine versus a 1.8 liter in the hatch. When paired with the continuously variable automatic transmission, the sedan returns 35 mpg combined. Pricing with the CVT starts at $13,790, but buyers get a sparsely appointed interior and only 109 horsepower.

 

2013 Volkswagen Passat diesel

35 mpg combined (31 mpg city/43 mpg highway)
With an available 6-speed manual transmission, the midsize Passat diesel is the most fuel-efficient diesel-powered vehicle offered in the U.S.; it's even thriftier than VW's own compact Golf and Jetta diesels. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine makes 236 lb-ft of torque; team that with a roomy interior and capable driving dynamics, and the Passat diesel is an excellent family sedan. According to the Energy Department, a year's worth of diesel fuel will cost an estimated $1,700 for owners who drive 15,000 miles with a typical city and highway driving mix (55 percent city, 45 percent highway).

 

2013 smart fortwo

36 mpg combined (34 mpg city/38 mpg highway)
The smart fortwo has been panned by critics, and for good reason. It seats only two, is no fun to drive, has a horrible transmission and costs as much as far more practical compact and subcompact cars. While fuel economy is good at 36 mpg combined, we expected more from this tiny car. The good news is that both the coupe and cabriolet get the same fuel economy. For some reason, though, the fortwo takes premium fuel, so gas will cost an estimated $1,500 per year for owners who drive 15,000 miles with a typical city and highway driving mix.

2013 Scion iQ

37 mpg combined (36 mpg city/37 mpg highway)
With its 37 mpg combined rating, the Scion iQ is the most fuel-efficient car in America that isn't a hybrid. It's a bit of an odd duck — Scion bills it as a "premium subcompact" — and it has "three-plus-one" seating with only enough room for a child to sit behind the driver. With its tiny 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, the iQ delivers only 94 horsepower, but its small size makes it easy to park, and gas will cost only an estimated $1,350 per year.

2013 Acura ILX Hybrid

38 mpg combined (39 mpg city/38 mpg highway)
The new Acura ILX Hybrid, which is based on the Honda Civic, is the most affordable model in the Acura lineup. The ILX uses the same powertrain as the thriftier Civic Hybrid — a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 111 horsepower. We like the looks and interior of the ILX, but it lacks power and is rather loud inside, and it takes premium fuel, so gas is estimated to cost $1,450 per year.

2013 Lexus ES 300h

40 mpg combined (40 mpg city/39 mpg highway)
The first car on this list to crack the 40-mpg figure, the Lexus ES 300h shares its design with the Toyota Avalon, and it gets the same 200-horsepower hybrid system. Although it costs $3,300 more than the Avalon, it is a bit more luxurious and has the convenience of the Lexus red-carpet dealer experience. The ES 300h is priced comparatively to several sport sedans from Japan, Europe and the U.S., but it offers more luxury, although less agility, than those cars.

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

40 mpg combined (40 mpg city/39 mpg highway)
Redesigned for 2013, the standard Toyota Avalon uses a larger version of the Camry chassis, and the hybrid version gets the Camry Hybrid's powerful and effective powertrain. With 200 horsepower on tap, the Avalon Hybrid offers an impressive combination of power and fuel efficiency. It also has plenty of room for five passengers in what is essentially an entry-level luxury car. With a 40 mpg overall rating, gas is estimated to cost $1,250 per year.

2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid

41 mpg combined (43 mpg city/39 highway)
Among the current Camry models, we are most impressed by the hybrid. With this generation, Toyota has managed to improve both power and fuel economy. Its 7.8-second zero-to-60 mph time is close to that of some V6-powered cars, but the car still manages to get as much as 41 mpg overall. The base LE achieves a 41-mpg combined rating, 1 mpg more than XLE trim due to less weight and smaller wheels and tires.

2013 Lexus CT 200h

42 mpg combined (43 mpg city/40 mpg highway)
Billed as a sporty hybrid, the Lexus CT 200h is really a premium, agile version of the Toyota Prius. With its four doors and hatchback body style, the CT 200h is practical for couples or small families, and the $32,000 starting price makes it the entry vehicle for the Lexus brand. Those looking for a sporty hatchback will find plenty of rivals that are more fun to drive, but none will match the CT 200h's fuel economy.

2013 Honda Insight

42 mpg combined (41 mpg city/44 mpg highway)
Honda got into the hybrid game at about the same time as Toyota, but it has never been able to match Toyota for fuel economy. The Insight is certainly more fun to drive than the Prius, but with less space and a combined mileage 8 mpg less than the Prius, it's not as practical a choice for families. The problem is that Honda's hybrid system doesn't power the car on electricity alone as often as Toyota's system. Still, according to the Energy Department, the Insight will cost owners only $1,200 per year for gas if they drive 15,000 miles with a typical mix of city and highway driving.

2013 Toyota Prius V

42 mpg combined (44 mpg city/40 mpg highway)
With its roomy wagon body, the Prius V is better suited for family duty than the Prius hatchback. The longer wheelbase makes for a smoother ride, and the car is surprisingly agile. Combined fuel economy is 8 mpg lower than the Prius and Prius c, but the everyday practicality makes the V our favorite Prius. If you want hybrid fuel economy with the room of a crossover, the Prius V is the choice.

2013 Honda Civic Hybrid

44 mpg combined (44 mpg city/44 mpg highway)
Honda cheapened the Civic with its 2012 redesign, opting for cheesy plastic interior materials as other compacts were becoming more refined. To its credit, Honda has remedied that problem for 2013, and the Civic Hybrid is very fuel-efficient despite the fact that the electric motor can't get the car moving on its own. It has only 110 horsepower, but it's fairly fun to drive, and the Civic still has a reputation for reliability and rock-solid resale value.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

45 mpg combined (42 mpg city/48 mpg highway)
With its unique combination of peppy power, nimble driving dynamics and excellent fuel economy, this new Volkswagen is our favorite hybrid. The unique powertrain teams a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a dual-clutch automated manual transmission, and it all works quite well together. Unfortunately, those looking to save a few bucks won't like that the Jetta Hybrid takes premium fuel, which brings the annual cost for typical city and highway driving to an estimated $1,200.

2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

45 mpg combined (45 mpg city/45 mpg highway)
The MKZ, a midsize sedan based on the Ford Fusion, is the first vehicle in what Lincoln hopes will be a renaissance for the brand. It offers V6, turbocharged 4-cylinder and hybrid powertrains. The MKZ Hybrid is the same system found in the Ford Fusion and Ford C-Max hybrids, and is rated at 45 mpg combined. Buyers can choose the V6 or the hybrid for the same $35,925 starting price, and for their money they get a comfortable, luxurious car.

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

47 mpg combined (47 mpg city/47 mpg highway)
The Ford C-Max Hybrid is a unique vehicle in the American market, combining aspects of a hatchback and a minivan in a configuration that Europeans call a multipurpose vehicle. It seats five comfortably and offers plenty of cargo space. Under the hood, the C-Max Hybrid uses the same powertrain as the Fusion Hybrid and returns 47 mpg combined. That figure may be revised down as the government looks into the fuel-economy ratings of both vehicles.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

47 mpg combined (47 mpg city/47 mpg highway)
With its 2013 redesign, the Ford Fusion becomes one of the better-looking cars on the market, and the Fusion Hybrid is one of the most effective and compelling hybrids. The engine is downsized from 2.5 to 2.0 liters, but it loses only three horsepower to 188, while combined fuel economy increases from 39 to 47 mpg. With careful throttle application, the electric motor can power the car up to 62 mph without the engine.

2013 Toyota Prius c

50 mpg combined (53 mpg city/46 mpg highway)
We were hoping the Prius c would have better fuel economy than a standard Prius, since the c is 500 pounds lighter. But the short wheelbase makes it less aerodynamic on the highway, so — spoiler alert — it matches the standard Prius at 50 mpg combined. The Prius c also rides harder than its bigger sibling and it isn't any more fun to drive. However, for city dwellers it's the most fuel-efficient car you can buy this side of an electric vehicle.

2013 Toyota Prius

50 mpg combined (51 mpg city/48 mpg highway)
And finally, with a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 50 mpg, the Toyota Prius is the most fuel-efficient car in America. It's also the best-selling hybrid. With seating for five and a useful hatchback cargo area, the Prius works well as a family car that will cost little to operate. According to the Energy Department, a year's worth of gas will cost $1,000 for owners who drive 15,000 miles with a typical mix of city and highway driving.

Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experiencetoMSN,andcurrently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

Amazon looking to bring Kindle to your next car?

Maybe so. The online retailer and digital media monolith recently announced the Amazon Cloud Player, an application for Ford Sync that allows users to stream media from their Amazon Cloud account directly to a Ford vehicle. This foray into automotive technology got the minds at Gigaom.com thinking about what could be next for Amazon. As Kevin Fitchard writes, the logical step is to make audio versions of your Kindle library selections available in your car. As he points out, Amazon has already laid the groundwork for such a move.

Amazon pulled the sheets back on Whispersync for Voice last year. The tech pairs ebooks with an Audible book for a small extra fee, allowing users to either read along with a narrator or switch between audio and text versions on command. Fitchard says it wouldn't be some great leap to apply the same principles to a car, where voice recognition software would allow users to pause or select chapters without ever taking their eyes off of the road.

It all sounds just fine to us, but Amazon hasn't said a thing about such a move. Still, we wouldn't be surprised to see the company come down this road in the near future just the same.

News Source: Gigaom.com

Category: Technology, Ford, Infotainment

Tags: amazon, applink, ford, ford sync, ford sync applink, kindle

Repurpose, recycle, reuse.....CARS

After driving around a beat up old 1990 Toyota Carolla, it finally died.  So, we've been trying to figure out what to do with the car, and being that earth day is almost upon us, I thought I'd compile some great ideas for reusing vehicles.

Assembled near Bird’s Nest Stadium, in Beijing, the 10-meter-tall leader of the Autobots is made only from waste materials, brought in all the way from Taiwan. But this awesome Optimus Prime statue goes to show you that just because something is made from junk, doesn’t mean it’s junk.
http://news.asiantown.net/r/15188/super-cool-recycled-optimus-prime-shows-up-in-china

 

In 2009, EMPIDOC posted images of this Volkswagen T1 van that has been awesomely transformed into a Star Wars Imperial AT-AT Walker.
http://laughingsquid.com/volkswagen-imperial-at-at-walker/

The Car-henge sculptures resurrected (to celebrate Skoda’s Citigo launch) out of 18 scrap cars, weigh in at 36 tons each and measure 5 meters tall and five meters wide.This audacious automotive art sculpture by a team of designers led by Tommy Gun is called the Citihenge (because of the Citigo as its centerpiece), and is one collective recycled art exhibition none of us have ever seen before.
http://www.planetcustodian.com/2012/06/19/970/extraordinary-carhenge-made-recycled-cars-mark-skodas-citigo-launch.html

Photo: Terrence Willment

 

You wouldn’t want to come face to face with this monster on a dark and stormy night. Made totally from used car parts, this replica of one of the creatures from cult movie Alien was created by car distributor Terrence Willment. The company collaborates with manufacturers in Thailand to produce a number of similar works, which are then sold in the Willment showroom in Slough, England.
http://1800recycling.com/2010/05/amazing-recycled-car-art/

Sandy Sanderson, a talented crafter living in Hamilton, New Zealand, noticed that those empty beer cans don’t just have the fate throwing away. In an accidental opportunity, Sandy started to build up his incredible model car using dozens of recycled cans and tool kit. And he also added tons of details to his can car like wheel nuts, suspension components, brake hoses, lights, and more, in order to achieve realistic effect.
http://gadgetsin.com/handmade-model-cars-built-with-recycled-cans.htm

the Optimus Prime Metal sculpture which looks exactly same like the one in the movie Transformers. This sculpture is made completely out of recycled products like stainless steel, iron, rubber etc. This 7-foot Transformers Optimus Prime is really a masterpiece.
http://www.greendiary.com/10-gigantic-sculptures-recycled-materials.html

And now for the functional.

 

 

 

 

Used subway cars are normally junked and thrown away. On the other way around, young artists in London are sick and tired of renting high priced studios for them to use and be able to work. However, designer Auro Foxcroft designed a wonderful, innovative studio, and environmentally friendly. The studio is made from recycled subway cars, mounted them on a rooftop and uses it as an office space. This will not only save the artists from spending big amount of money from renting a studio but will also save the environment from the hazards that the used subway car if ever they will only be thrown away.
http://www.igreenspot.com/used-subway-cars-to-studios/

 Maisongomme is a sustainable garden shed made from locally found scrap materials and completely covered with discarded rubber tires. The structure was created for Peter Merry and Marcella Siebert by Refunc as a functional space with room for an office and storage. Already getting a lot of use from the couple, this peculiar and quirky eco-dwelling is also full of playful details
http://inhabitat.com/maisongomme-a-funky-garden-office-and-shed-made-from-recycled-car-tires/


 For the car lover in your life.  Father's day gift?

Corvette desk

And my favorites.

 

 

Peter Meijer, managing director of sakaramenta, and designers Luc Van Hoeckel and Pim Van Baarsen have created  kids' playground on the site of a local hospital in Malawi. the simply intervention considers its site, introducing a  scrapped ambulance, repurposing it as a playground clubhouse, with an integrated - where children patients (and grown-ups) can occupy their time.

http://www.designboom.com/design/childrens-ambulance-playground-for-hospital-in-malawi/

 

 

VW bug turned planter box.

Old car as a chicken coop.