A Durban-born former Formula 1 designer has revealed the prototype for what he believes will be the world's most efficient electric car.
Gordon Murray showed off the petrol version of his T.27 at the launch in Britain of a £9-million project to develop a new, all-electric, affordable urban car.
The former McLaren designer will oversee the development of four prototypes over the next 16 months.
The T.27 will be the world's most efficient electric car due to its low weight and "clean sheet of paper" design.
It will be created using a manufacturing process called iStream in which all parts are designed by computer and welded together rather than stamped from metal sheets.
iStream factories, it is claimed, will be one-fifth the size of traditional plants.
The project by Gordon Murray Design and Derbyshire-based Zytek Automotive Technology has received half of its investment from the UK government's Technology Strategy Board.
Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson said: "The T.27 is a great example of smart engineering and sustainable design. It's timely, too, as the UK must demonstrate its readiness to exploit the emerging low-carbon vehicles market.
"The challenge is far greater than simply meeting stricter EU emissions targets. We need to expand our car industry through green innovation."
Automakers in the UK must adapt to strict new EU emissions targets of 130g/km by 2012.
Murray said: "The T.27 is all about sustainable, low-energy process by design. An opportunity to start from a clean sheet of paper combined with our disruptive manufacturing technology will result in a product that truly pushes the boundaries of urban vehicle design and further protects our mobility." - Daily Mail