2009 Lincoln C Concept
Few brands are more closely associated with large, hulking cars than Lincoln, so it's a bit surprising to see a tiny concept on its stage - particularly one that looks this good. It's no hybrid, but this Lincoln makes our green list thanks to a direct-injection EcoBoost engine with stop/start technology, a dual-clutch transmission, and a focus on weight-savings. Based on the same underpinnings as the European Focus, the C manages to integrate classic Lincoln cues in a pint-size package. Ford designer Freeman Thomas, whose past work includes the Audi TT, thinks that young luxury-car buyers will increasingly associate small with state-of-the-art. To that end, the C tries to capture some of the appeal of high-tech gadgets like the iPhone. Inside is an advanced computer interface that builds on Ford's Sync technology and is planned for production within a few years.