The illustration looks like a photo of a Playmobile car, but it's a drawing of a prototype solar-powered car out of Taiwan, which may hit the market within a year. Created by a team at Taiwan's National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences to participate in the 2007 Panasonic World Solar Challenge, this car's design is based on a one-seated race car model, but modified for the consumer market. The final product will be capable of speeds up to 70km/hr (about 43.5 miles/hr, half the speed of the race car version).

The lightweight vehicle will run for three hours on several hours of sunlight exposure through its solar panels. And, unlike some existing European solar-powered cars, the Taiwan model will be half the weight (250kg) at half the cost ($25,000). At a diminutive 3.5m by 1.3m, it'll be easy to park on city streets.

Via Inhabitat and Tapei Times.