Hybrid Westfield prepares to clean up

A flood of contenders in the green arena means there will soon be new rivals for the class-leading Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid.

But it's sports car maker Westfield that has caught the imagination, after shaping up to offer a hybrid version of its replica Lotus Seven. The Midlands marque has teamed up with Warwick University's manufacturing group to add the new power system to its existing car and bike engines. Elsewhere, General Motors is set to use Saab to showcase its petrol-and-battery-powered units, which could be ready in time for the 9-5 replacement in 2009. And Nissan has also announced plans to develop green vehicle technology.

"It's the shape of things to come," a spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders told Auto Express. "Green factors are becoming as important to car buyers today as safety features were 10 years ago."