The 10 Best Cars For Techies

The Chevy Volt won countless awards for it's clever powertrain that allowed the car to be used as an electric car with a gas backup, or as a fuel-sipping hybrid. The switching between these two modes is seamless and that adds to the sense of the Volt being a proper luxury car. So many high-tech green cars cost a fortune but feel like $16,000 econoboxes, but the Volt feels like the $40,000 car it is. Well done, GM.

The BAC Mono is one of the coolest cars money can buy. The intent of its creators was to make a vehicle that was as similar to a Formula 1 car as possible while still be road legal (in some countries) and capable of being handled by a mere mortal. It's very adjustable and brimming with what is usually race-only technology.

Not only is the Evo just straight up badass, and a great car for anybody, but there's damn near infinite potential for tinkering with the settings in hopes of setting a better lap time. Seriously, for the guy or girl who always wants to mess with the settings of his or her phone/tablet/computer, the Evo would be a great idea.

Ferrari might be in the business of making extremely high tech cars, but Ferrari goes through great pains to hide that fact. McLaren, on the other hand, embraces its love of high tech solutions. McLarens are built in facilities that look like something straight out of a sci-fi film with an excellent budget, and achieve speed by using as much of the McLaren motorsport teams tech as is feasible. Given that the 12C features a full carbon fiber tub, truly independant electronically controlled suspension, and an F1-derived traction control system that even the best drivers aren't faster without, we're honestly surprised it's only $239,400.

European car buyers with enough money for a Mercedes S-Class and a hankering for a hydrogen-powered Hyundai can get just that. The ix35 is the Korean automaker's foray into hydrogen-powered motoring, and the first viable hydrogen car to hit the open market. While it may not be glamorous, it's certainly cutting-edge.

The Local Motors Rally Fighter is a distinctively low-tech vehicle, but it made its way onto this list for one simple reason: everybody who buys one has to go to the factory in Arizona and build it. There's no better way to understanding exactly how you car works than being involved in building the thing. Here's a car for someone who isn't just interested in what the tech that goes into a vehicle does, but is interested in understanding it, as well.

The Nissan GT-R gets criticized for being too clinical, but what we think is really going on is that a lot of people who spent $300,000 on a Lambo are tired of getting trounced by a $99,590 Nissan. Granted, this Nissan is assembled by white coated technicians in a hermetically sealed laboratory, so it's no big surprise. The GT-R is the kind of car that shows that being anal retentive can, in fact, be a virtue.

• The cabin will feature two 12.3" touchscreens for the driver and passenger.

• 300 LEDs in the cabin mean the cabin can be lit in seven colors and dimmed in four separate zones.

• It's the first car with no traditional light bulbs.

• Front-mounted cameras scan the road ahead so that the computer controlled suspension knows what's coming.

• The S550 will be powered by a 4.7L twin-turbo V8 that makes 449 horsepower and 516 ft-lbs of torque.

• There will be five different seating arrangements, including reclining rear seats or a business console in the back.

• Four zone climate control.

• Media controls can be accessed from any seat.

• Intelligent headlights shine hi-beams all the time, except at other cars.

• Heated and cooled front and rear seats, steering wheel, and arm rests.

• Stop & Go Pilot keeps you in your lane and travelling at a safe speed in traffic.

• 24-speaker sound system.