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From water-fuelled cars to shape-shifting tricycles, finding ways to cut emissions has led to some bizarre vehicle designs over the years.

Now Mercedes-Benz has unveiled what it claims to be the ultimate in 'green driving'- a concept car that doubles up as a huge solar panel to generate energy.

Using something known as 'multi-voltaic' silver paint, the German manufacturer's Vision G-Code is designed to capture energy from solar rays to power a hybrid engine.

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Mercedes-Benz has unveiled what it claims to be the ultimate in 'green driving'- a concept car that doubles up as a huge solar panel to generate energy

It can even generate power using electrostatic charge from the bodywork slicing through wind, as well as kinetic energy from the suspension.

The SUV concept car - or SUC (Sports Utility Coupé) as Mercedes-Benz calls it - was unveiled this week at the company's new research base in Beijing.

As part of its set up, the back wheels are powered by an electric motor while the front wheels are driven by a hydrogen combustion engine.

Mercedes-Benz envisages operating the motor and engine either individually or together, depending on road conditions.

Using something known as 'multi-voltaic' silver paint, the German manufacturer's Vision G-Code is designed to capture energy from solar rays to power a hybrid engine

Mercedes unveils its new Vision G-Code concept

The four-door vehicle is roughly the same size as a Nissan Juke, at 13.5ft (4.1 metres) long. Mercedes has yet to offer other specifics on speed and power.

Instead of B-pillars, the vehicle's doors are hinged front and back allowing easier access to the rear-seat.

The car also features a light display at the front of the car - a reference to Starship Enterprise's glowing warp drive.

The light glows blue when the car is parked, purple during normal hybrid driving and red in sport mode.

The car (interior pictured) can generate power using electrostatic charge from the bodywork slicing through wind, as well as kinetic energy from the suspension

Instead of B-pillars, the vehicle's doors are hinged front and back allowing easier access to the rear-seat

The car also features a light display at the front of the car - a reference to Starship Enterprise's glowing warp drive (pictured) in Star Trek

Just as striking is the continuous glass panel which stretches from the driver's side window around the windshield to the passenger side.

The interior also features anti-dirt fabrics and 3D body scanners that keep an eye on biometrics of each passenger, automatically switching on the massage-mode if the car decides passengers are getting tired.

Meanwhile, oxygen produced by the hydrogen drivetrain is pumped into the cabin to improve air quality.

It even features electric scooters hidden under the trunk floor to complete journeys without having to go on foot.

While this is a concept car, the hope is that a number of the ideas featured in the design could someday make their way onto Mercedes-Benz' models in the future.

The interior has anti-dirt fabrics and 3D body scanners that keep an eye on biometrics of each passenger, automatically switching on the massage-mode if the car decides passengers are getting tired

While this is a concept car, the hope is that a number of the ideas featured in the design could someday make their way onto Mercedes-Benz' models in the future