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"  We usually don&amp;#039;t associate Saturn with wildly inventive designs, but they managed to cut loose with their imaginative Flextreme concept, which was built in collaboration with Opel. Using a diesel version of the E-Flex system found on the Volt concept (which is set to debut in 2010), this plug-in hybrid can connect to a standard wall outlet and draw 34 miles of electric-only propulsion from a three-hour charge. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery, and additional electricity can be generated from a 1.3 liter turbodiesel engine for a total 444 mile cruising range. This sporty compact boats slick sheetmetal and some trick functionality. Two Segway Personal Transporters can be stowed below the cargo floor, where the vehicle acts as a docking station by charging the Segways along with the Flextreme&amp;#039;s batteries. Aerodynamic details and lightweight construction abound, including honeycomb structures used in the lower portion of the instrument panel, cabin floor, cargo floor, and above the lithium-ion batteries. The so-called &amp;quot;FlexDoor&amp;quot; system features individual butterfly-style rear tailgate doors that swing upward, allowing access to the trunk when the vehicle is parked close to a wall or another car. The lack of a B-pillar also opens up the sides of the Flextreme, makes ingress and egress easy. Another branded feature is &amp;quot;FlexLoad,&amp;quot; which uses an underfloor luggage compartment that extends and retracts electronically, eliminating the need to heave luggage up and into the trunk. A center tunnel allows cell phones, iPods, and PDAs to be stowed, and the drawer is capable of charging devices using induction\u2014taking the term &amp;quot;wireless&amp;quot; to a new level. Other features include large panoramic configurable screens below the windshield, which can display multimedia functions or a 360-degree view around the car using exterior cameras. A second programmable display responds to touch and operates menu-driven A/C, communication, and navigation functions, while yet another touchscreen enables the driver to shift into drive, park, reverse, and select individual gears.  While the future of alternative fuel vehicles is very much up in the air, nifty concepts like the Saturn Flextreme offer hope that economy can coexist with cool design. \u2014Basem Wasef    "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a2510/4244695/>