SYDNEY - A car powered primarily by wind and kites has made it across a vast swathe of Australia, enduring searing heat and freezing cold along the way - and all for roughly $10.

The more than 5,000 km journey of the "Wind Explorer" was the first major test for the prototype car, which its German inventors hoped would show that the technology already exists to power cars with renewable energy even through tough trips like this one.

"It is the first 'road worthy' wind-generated car that can travel these distances and definitely the first kite-propelled car to drive on the roads anywhere in the world," said Dirk Gion, who built the vehicle with Stefan Simmerer.