Melbourne Motor Show: Yep, It's a Car

It’d be an understatement to say that the Aurora 101 is remarkable car. Built by a group of volunteers “dedicated to achieving extreme efficiency in transport,” the Aurora is no conventional family sedan, though it’s got some pretty interesting features. The frame is constructed from carbon fibre while the upper body is made from polystyrene and composite materials. It weighs in at 160kg, with 30kg of batteries and no driver. Powered by an electric motor that produces a continuous power output of 1.8kw, it harnesses the sun’s rays using solar panels that take up a surface area of 5.9 meters. All of this technology was put to good use last year with the team, taking 3rd place at the 2007 World Solar Challenge. They also won the “Spirit of the Event” award.