This looks like something I might actually drive. More practical and less sporty than Ariel Atom and X-Bow but not a conventional automobile.
I think if I owned one the hypermiler wheel covers would get replaced with covers closer to what is on the atom though.

I think the newer one is a lot nicer than the older one. I would not mind driving the newer one. It has - IMO - a very futuristic look to it. I think the name should be Hammerhead. From above, it has a look of a hammerhead shark (at least the front end does).

Although, I'm not ready to give up the big highway cruiser just yet, I'd go for something like that for local trips to the store. Can you imagine getting T-Boned by an Escalade?
As an afterthought, a couple of those Protean in wheel drive motors in the back would make a great type class. "Gentlemen, push your buttons"

This looks like the Aptera four wheel design with parts of the three wheel design tacked on and the drag coefficient of 0.160 is not as low as the Aptera which is 0.150. The Aptera also makes extensive use of aluminum in the chassis. It would be interesting to see if the weight and mileage approach the Aptera, not to mention the durability of the shell, which on the Aptera is able to withstand repeated blows from a small sledge hammer!

Am I missing something here? Here we have another new and improved Edison 2 (or VLC or whatever) 3 years after the X-prize was awarded. Correct me if I'm wrong - and I usually am - but my understanding of this competition was to enable the winning design to be brought to PRODUCTION at a reasonable price to the general motoring public. A manufacturing and marketing plan was to be submitted along with the vehicle. So where is that car? Where can we purchase it and if it's not yet available, at what stage is the actual production? When is the rollout and how much is the price? What will be the annual operating cost? Inquiring minds - or at least mine - want to know. Better we should pay attention to someone who wanted to enter the contest but dropped out because he couldn't get his car done in time: Jack MacCornack. He has since completed and thoroughly roadtested the MAX, a car designed to achieve 100 mpg (which it does) and made with with mostly off-the-shelf parts so any d.i.y-er can duplicate his efforts for under $10,000. Check out http://www.kineticvehicles.com/MAX/html for FREE info and plans (and no, I am not connected with Jack or Kinetic in any way...just a guy who wants to see lots of high-mileage vehicles on the road and thinks the X-prize folks should ask for their money back).

Oliver Kuttner is a rare visionary in this field, like Steve Fambro (Aptera). He has given me hope that I might see the kind of car I have wanted for 40 years: an efficient, sexy, safe, coupe with a reasonable price. I would take it with an ICE, and replace that with an electric motor when batteries are practical.
I'll buy whichever in available first: Aptera, or Edison2 VLC.

Yup glimpse of Metropolitan future almost zero emission driving. I like it. Lotus all over again!

all fine until the insurace companies say no, and thats the end of it.

Say no to heavy, bulky, mass children/people killing machines on the road (a bit of a hyperbole). Lighter vehicles is truly the future way to go in every aspect.

I think that foam steel should be incorporated into the structure for safety purposes in the event of an accident. External air bags which could be deployed electronically in an unavoidable collision should also be considered. The new technology should gradually be incorporated into present cars to make them both lighter and more aerodynamic but it will take time. My 2003 Echo does 50 mpg (country 90%, city 10%) with only aerodynamic changes such as frontal edge, partial front undercarriage cover, base of windshield cover, fuel fins on top, sides and back trunk, full plastic wheel covers on the back wheels and partials on the front and with holes drilled in the back bumper to ease up the suction at speeds above 45mph.