In an effort to complement its world-leading ethanol production, Brazil is looking to embrace biodiesel and meet a goal of producing 855 million liters per year by 2011. To do so, Petroleum Brasil (more commonly known as Petrobras), the state-owned oil company, is looking to build 15 new biodiesel plants in several different regions of the country. Petrobras stated it has already received environmental authorization to build three.
Monday must have been "Engine Tech" day at Honda, seeing as they released info about their new clean diesel, Advanced VTEC, and the topic we're about to discuss: the new FFV system that'll be rolled out in Brazil later this year. Before we do that, we should mention that it isn't just automotive powerplants that received the laboratory love, as Honda also announced innovations for its motorcycle and power equipment engines
Lots of eyes are turning to Toyota these days as word gets around that they're poised to take the top automaker slot from GM over the next few years. With that specifically in mind, Paul Eisenstein from The Car Connection sat with Jim Lentz, executive vice president for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., and chatted at the media presentation of the new Tundra.
Among the interesting concepts we'll be seeing this week at the Paris Motor Show is the Renault Nepta, an innovative four-seat gull-wing cabrio, images and details of which we brought you earlier this month.
Fourtitude has nabbed some spy shots of the upcoming Audi A5 wearing original skin for the first time, and clearly its design will be the spitting image of the Nuvolari concept that appeared at the 2003 Detroit auto show. The A5 also looks like it will be a longer, more accommodating coupe than the TT, which can be cramped for those who are gifted in physical stature.
Chevy might be tapping coeds for its upcoming Super Bowl ads, but Scion is seeking help in the showroom. ScionZone's Nick 06 tC reports that Scion has recently launched a competition for up-and-coming architects and interior designers to develop a complete design concept for a next generation 750-square-foot Scion dealership. Call it Scion 2.0. First prize is five grand so it might be worth a try if you'
Alex Zanardi won his first race this year in the 15th round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship held in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday. Nothing special for a former F1 driver? It is when you remember that he lost both his legs in a Champ Car crash in Germany in 2001.
