Now that we’re into April, we can safely say that 2011 is shaping up to be the year of the green car. Hybrid systems and cars powered fully by lithium ion batteries are making their way onto the UK’s roads sooner rather than later and shaping the future of motoring as they go. But for a look at what else is on the horizon for the industry, we can turn to a number of pioneering, hi-tech designs and concepts from recent years that could blaze a trail into the future of driving.

Opel Insignia

It might seem quite a while since the Opel Insignia picked up the 2009 European Car of the Year award but, two years on, it remains a benchmark for motoring technology. The Insignia was the first production car to offer traffic sign recognition to drivers, thanks to the use of a dual-function frontal camera. Car insurance for the Insignia is not cheap in the UK, but if you can find a good deal then a fine driving experience awaits you.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Winner of the 2009 Green Car of the Year award, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel paved the way for the abundance of hybrids that followed. The Jetta featured a modified ‘Clean Diesel’ engine that produced substantially less Nitrogen Oxide emissions than standard diesels, enabling it to qualify for car insurance groups that benefit from green incentives.

Ford Fusion

Parking assist, fold-flat seats, Bluetooth with voice control and a 1.6 litre TDCi diesel engine that emits just 119g/km of CO2 are all standard in the 2010 of this trailblazing 2006 Ford. 

Volvo XC60

Volvo’s XC60 was released in 2009 with a design to meet the needs of drivers in modern cities. That’s why it features ‘City Safety’ – a closing velocity sensor that anticipates collisions at lower speeds. It also achieves 725 miles on one tank of fuel and protects drivers against whiplash, side impact and rolling.

Lexus RX Hybrid 4-Door Sport Utility

Until relatively recently, people thought of hybrid cars as the less powerful, less glamorous future of motoring. Cars like the RX are changing that perception, offering luxury driving with electric-petrol engines that produce as little as 145g/km of CO2. A V6 engine, road holding performance, air suspension and superb in-car entertainment make this all-wheel drive the high end benchmark for hybrid car technology and a favourite amongst green-minded car insurance companies.