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Steve McQueen was the first choice for the lead role in the movie "The Cannonball Run."

Steve McQueen wrote in Sports Illustrated, “I understand the [Shelby Cobra] 427 can get up to 100 mph and get stopped in just over 13 seconds. That’s motoring. And motoring is kind of a good part of life.”

Steve McQueen’s love of fast cars is legendary. It’s less well known that he was a great humanitarian who regularly donated time and money to help underprivileged children and orphans. If he was alive today, McQueen might want to help humanity by driving a green machine, but it would have to be fast.

If McQueen wanted to save gas and reduce carbon emissions, he might just ride a motorcycle. Steve was a talented motorcycle racer and he did most of his stunts in the World War II movie The Great Escape. The 2009 Triumph Street Triple can go 0-60 in 3.3 seconds and reach 136 mph. It can average over 35 mpg and stickers for $11,299. Even if Steve rode to work as if chased by Nazis, he’d still use less gas than most vehicles on the road.

I’m not worthy of speaking for Steve McQueen, but the following hybrid cars might also make his list. Hybrid or motorcycle, it’s possible to save the earth and still have fun. Steve would approve.

06.05.2009