A new company called Velozzi has released the first image of its future “green” crossover model. Dubbed the SOLO, it is designed to be “the most environmentally efficient, lightweight, luxurious, and attractive car of today.”

Some of the Velozzi vehicles’ main attributes and benefits are their modularity and light weighting capabilities capitalizing on new ways to manufacture vehicles. Most of the new EV/Hybrid electric vehicles being built today are using the same type of construction as in the past.

The Velozzi vehicles are being designed and developed to take advantage of the modularity that lightweight materials can provide. Modularity and the usage of lightweight materials allow for easier assembly and reduction of manufacturing cost, bringing the savings to the consumer. Velozzi will be using innovative materials that allow the designer the freedom to create its vision without being limited by traditional automotive materials. In addition, the Velozzi vehicles will be the first production cars to utilize carbon-fiber nano-tubes in their construction. Carbon nano-tubes can increase the mechanical properties of the components by 40%, improving the parts’ performance while reducing weight. Most of the materials applied in the Velozzi cars construction are reusable, which decreases the Velozzi vehicles carbon footprint.

Luxury is apparently a requisite in Velozzi vehicles. Velozzi will work with its team members to create a most exquisite interior to match the exterior styling of the Solo.

The SOLO, while spacious like an SUV, will have the performance of a sedan. Velozzi claims to bring Formula 1 technology and know-how to build its crossover to reach a level of performance comparable only to high-end exotic vehicles.

The Velozzi super car and the SOLO will be in the first production cars in the world to use a multi-fuel micro turbine battery charger to re-charge their bed of super capacitors and Lithium ion batteries. A brief description of the Velozzi vehicle technology is as follows. The Velozzi cars are Plug-in Multi fuel Hybrid Electric vehicles. The vehicles are true electric cars in nature and are powered by a combination of lithium ion batteries and super capacitors, which in turn, are recharged by an on-board multi fuel micro turbine battery charger or by the electrical grid. Some of the fuels that could be used by the Velozzi vehicles include gasoline, diesel, ethanol, methanol, butanol, biodiesel and natural gas to mentioned a few. The vehicles will also have the ability to reverse its polarity and serve as a power generator, able to power equipment and even a home if necessary. Regenerative braking will capture kinetic energy when slowing the vehicles improving its range. Embedded computers, operating transparently to the user, will control all functions.

The driving experience will be identical to a gas power vehicle. The SOLO is being designed to achieve 100 mpg and 0-60 mph time in the 6 seconds range, as well as a top speed of 130 mph.

To accomplish this lofty goal, Velozzi has assembled a “world-class” team of scientists, designers and car builders. In addition, top OEM tier-one suppliers have joined Velozzi in its efforts. The idea is to engage and involve the suppliers early on, from the concept-design stage. Velozzi has 17 global OEM suppliers as part of its incredible accomplished team to help build the Velozzi SOLO.

Velozzi is setting up to start mass production of its cars by late 2011 or early 2012. But the company is still actively pursing investments and governmental assistance to build the cars.