The list of manufacturers working on green, fun-to-drive cars grows by one. According to CAR magazine, Lotus Engineering, the consultancy arm of Group Lotus, has teamed up with Continental to see if it can create a cost-effective, fun, but low-CO2-emitting family car. "To prove the system works it's been fitted into the current shape Vauxhall Astra," the report said. "Welcome then to the aptly but unimaginatively named Lotus Low CO2 car."

The car's engine is "a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder block of Lotus's own design. The three-pot also features direct injection, variable cams using the same system as Porsche's VarioCam Plus, and an integrated exhaust manifold that reduces weight by 20 percent and the part count by 35 percent. There are also "smart" coolant and fuel pumps that can reduce fuel consumption by up to two percent, and a mild hybrid system with stop/start."

The result is a 15 percent CO2 reduction when compared with a garden-variety Vauxhall Astra--149 g/km CO2 versus 175, according to the report. More impressive, the prototype Lotus makes 158 hp and 177 lb ft of torque, compared with the regular car's 138 hp and 129 lb ft. Unfortunately, the article said that no mpg figures were given or even considered—the point was to show how cheaply CO2 emissions could be reduced without sacrificing (or, in this case, while even increasing) power.

It's also fitting that Lotus is involved; many folks may associate them with the brute-force Esprit of the 70's, 80's, and 90's, but they're also known for efficient, lightweight, 4-cylinder sports cars like the original Elan and the current Elise.