New Mercedes-Benz Bionic introduced

A boxfish may be an odd animal to base a car upon, but it is the inspiration for a new concept car introduced in June by DaimlerChrysler that may change the future of driving.

The Mercedes-Benz Bionic is strong, aerodynamic and efficient like a boxfish. The car is designed to be the most fuel efficient of its size category - with a city mileage of 70 miles per gallon and a highway mileage of 84 miles per gallon.

And its diesel engine uses what’s called selective catalytic reduction to significantly reduce exhaust emissions, changing nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water.

The engine will help meet stricter Environmental Protection Agency guidelines that go into effect in 2007.

The car should be an important step towards the trend of more fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly cars in the future.