SAIC Leaf: 2010 Beijing Auto Show

SHANGHAI, China — Pushing the concept of sustainable transportation to the limit — and borrowing a name from another automaker — Shanghai Auto (SAIC) will unveil its quirky Leaf concept next week at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.

The Yezi (Chinese for leaf) looks like a wacked-out dune buggy from the future, which seems appropriate given its cutting-edge green technologies, including solar and wind power.

SAIC, which is partnered in China with General Motors and Volkswagen, thought the name was appropriate, considering its eco-friendly design and reliance on renewable energy sources.

One of the car's more curious features is its CO2-absorbing bodywork, which SAIC says is similar to photosynthesis in plants, emitting oxygen as a byproduct and thus contributing to "negative emissions."

Another is the leaf-shaped roof, which incorporates photovoltaic cells and can position itself toward the sun for maximum efficiency. Spinning turbine blades in the wheels use the wind to generate additional electricity, which is stored in the lithium battery pack.

The SAIC concept has nothing in common with the Nissan electric car of the same name.

Inside Line says: At least they didn't call it Prius. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent