Photos: XR-3 build-it-yourself hybrid car

As if electric cars weren't weird enough already, Robert Q Riley Enterprises has just unleashed the XR-3 Hybrid -- the automotive equivalent of Michael Jackson's face. Don't reach for the sick bag quite yet, though -- it's got personality.

On first impressions, it looks like Doc Brown from Back to the Future went ape on a Robin Reliant. That solo rear wheel is powered by an electric motor and batteries that give a claimed range of around 40 miles. Its front wheels, meanwhile, are powered by a diesel engine from a tractor, which can achieve a claimed 125 miles per gallon. When used in conjunction with the electric engine, a whopping 200mpg is promised.

The oddest thing about the XR-3 -- other than the fact it shares its name with a type of Ford Escort -- is that you have to build it yourself. Parts for a duplicate of the prototype model will cost you $25,000 (£14,200), but swap the standard lithium-ion battery pack for a lead-acid pack and it'll cost $19,000 (£10,800). A diesel-only version will cost $9,000 (£5,100).

If your Ikea self-assembly skillz are super-l33t, you can buy the XR-3 Deluxe Plans Package for $200 (£115), which consists of drawing sheets, templates, manuals, photos and a DVD with instructions. Using these, you can either build an XR-3 or modify your existing car to use the XR-3's electric motor. We'd think twice about doing it yourself though -- you don't want a wheel coming loose because you mistakenly attached grommet 4 to the wrong flange.

Those without sheds might want to stick with something like the G-Wiz, or wait patiently until Opel releases its Flextreme Concept. -Rory Reid