BBC News Online: Sci/Tech

Veggie car takes a spin

It goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under six seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 miles per hour (209 kilometres per hour).

Tests have shown that 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of smelly rubbish will power the car for 100 km (62 miles).

The car, known as the Advantige R, has been developed by a Swiss manufacturer. It is being displayed at motor shows around the world.

Chief Executive Officer of Rinspeed, Frank Rinderknecht, said the model was a concept car "meant to give input for future technologies and possibilities".

One-off

The car runs on two sources of power. As well as conventional petrol, it uses kompagas, a renewable fuel source made from rotting greenery.

"Even sports cars can be environmentally friendly," Mr Rinderknecht told BBC News Online.

"Kompagas is made of natural waste, " he added. "As long as there's greenery, there's natural waste."

However, the car is not yet ready for mass production. There is only one in the world and it comes with a half-a-million-pound price tag.

The car was unveiled on BBC Television's Tomorrow's World.