Autoblog

Ferrari FF converted to run on bio-ethanol packs 875 hp

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Ferrari

There are drawbacks to every kind of alternative to burning fossil fuels in our cars. Electric cars don't have enough range.Hybrids are burdened with what essentially boils down to two parallel powertrains. Hydrogen is limited to where it is available. Bio-ethanol has its own drawbacks, but don't tell that to the performance enthusiast. That's because E85 - similar to what IndyCars run on but mixed with 15% pump gasoline - is not only a renewable and cleaner source of energy, it also provides more power.

Take the Koenigsegg Agera R, for example. With 927 horsepower on tap from ordinary 95-octane gasoline, the Koenigsegg is already one of the fastest, most powerful cars money can buy. But fill it with E85 and it offers up almost 1,100 hp. Now a Norwegian firm is offering an aftermarket bio-ethanol conversion for the Ferrari FF that provides a similar transformation.

Whereas the stock FF (which could now just as easily stand for Flex Fuel) already drives a prodigious 650 horsepower to all four wheels, the converted version packs a whopping 875 hp for a sub-three-second sprint to sixty, all the while dropping the car's emissions figures by some 80%. The conversion costs just €1500 (less than $2k) - rather insignificant considering the FF's $300k+ sticker price - and has reportedly been fitted yb an authorized Ferrari dealer to at least one customer's car, though that doesn't mean it's covered by (and very well might invalidate) the FF's warranty.

Ferrari FF converted to run on bio-ethanol packs 875 hp originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senate approves amendment to end ethanol subsidies

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

Just days ago, we reported that the United States Senate rejected an amendment that would have put an end to the the $6 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for producers of corn-based ethanol. Now, we're here to convey the message that the Senate actually approved the amendment. Was our initial report inaccurate? Um, no.

On Thursday, the Senate approved an amendment that could wipe out billions of dollars earmarked for the ethanol industry by voting 73-in-favor, 27-against. The amendment, if passed into law, will eliminate the 45-cent-a-gallon subsidy that the U.S. government hands out to producers of the corn-based fuel. The ethanol-related amendment that passed on Thursday will be tacked on to an economic development bill, which will likely face a tough battle in the Senate.

Turning our attention back to that failed amendment on Tuesday, though similar, it's not identical to amendment that passed through the Senate on Thursday.

On a related note, the House of Representatives voted 283-in favor, 128-against to ban the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from dishing out funds to support the installation of E85 pumps at gas stations across the U.S.

Senate approves amendment to end ethanol subsidies originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senate shoots down proposal to end ethanol subsidies

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Earlier today, the United States Senate rejected an amendment that would have put an end to the $6 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for producers of corn-based ethanol.

Introduced by Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), the amendment was unable to martial the 60 votes needed to end debate in the Senate, failing in a 40-in-favor, 59-against procedural vote as members of both parties joined in opposition to the measure.

Coburn, considered by most as a conservative Republican, framed the elimination of ethanol subsidies as a way to slash the nation's deficit. Coburn stated:

Eliminating the ethanol tax earmark and tariff would be a big step toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington. Ethanol is bad economic policy, bad energy policy and bad environmental policy.

On Coburn's side were environmental advocates who have long questioned the ecological benefit of ethanol, claiming that it simply takes too much energy to produce the corn-based fuel.

In opposition stood the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a group headed by conservative Grover Norquist. The ATR lobbied against the amendment on grounds that the elimination of a tax break should only be considered if it's offset by tax cuts.

The federal ethanol tax subsidy, currently at 45 cents a gallon, is set to expire on December 31, 2011. This failed amendment would have put an end to the subsidy almost immediately.

Senate shoots down proposal to end ethanol subsidies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Automaker group voices concerns over federal ethanol legislation

Chris Shunk — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Lawmakers and car manufacturers often find themselves on opposite ends of debates, and a proposed mandate to make most vehicles E85 capable only proves that point. The Detroit News reports that Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, has sponsored a bill that would force automakers to make 90 percent of their E85 capable by 2016, but automakers aren't taking this proposed legislation lying down.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which includes the Detroit Three, Toyota and eight other automakers, is predictably against the idea, saying that the idea would amount to a $2 billion annual tax on car buyers. Shane Karr, vice president for government affairs, points out that there are already over eight million E85-capable vehicles on the road, yet only two percent of all gas stations feature the corn-based fuel. And most of those gas stations are on the Midwest. E85-capable vehicles will often struggle with new emissions standards in states like California, too. That means still more technology must be poured into vehicles on sale in states with the toughest standards, which will further boost the price of new vehicles.

Bob Dineen , CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, supports the measure even though there is a long way to go before consumers use E85 at a meaningfully increased rate, adding "efforts to expand (flex-fuel vehicle) technology must be a part of our energy future."

While increased E85 usage would likely go some way toward decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, we're thinking that adding all that cost to new vehicles could wind up slowing vehicle sales. And if vehicle sales slow, the amount of research and development money shrinks, which doesn't help the future of hybrids, electric vehicles and other fuel saving technologies.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: General Motors]

Report: Automaker group voices concerns over federal ethanol legislation originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA says E15 is ready for prime time... and your new-ish car

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

A little number on your friendly local gas station pump might be about to change. Instead of 10 percent (E10), America's national gasoline supply can now contain a blend of fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) following an announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency today. The caveat, for now, is that this fuel is only to be used in cars built since 2007.

So, that means that there could easily be five liquid fuels at a single gas station: ethanol-free gasoline, E10, E15, E85 and diesel - and this isn't counting different octane blends of "standard" gas. It also means that some gas station owners are saying they're not too interested in adding E15 pumps right now. USA Today says it is likely the EPA will approve E15 for older vehicles after more tests are conducted this month. The USDA - which cares because so much domestically grown corn is used to make the ethanol - and the ethanol industry support the EPA's decision. The CEO of ethanol company Poet, Jeff Broin, said in a statement that:

The arguments being made right now against E15 are the same as those made about E10 back in the late 1980s, when I entered the ethanol industry. Seventy billion gallons later, we have proven those arguments false, just as research on E15 is proving critics wrong today.

For the past 18 months or so, the E10/E15 story has been hard-fought on both sides, with supporters for the increased biofuel content saying that the fuel will be fine in most any vehicles on the road today and opponents saying there needs to be more testing because of warranty concerns. The Renewable Fuels Association took a particularly strong stand. Feel free to read more from some of the parties involved after the break.

[Source: USA Today, USDA | | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading EPA says E15 is ready for prime time... and your new-ish car

EPA says E15 is ready for prime time... and your new-ish car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mickey Thompson's son building 300-mph Ford Mustang?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ford, Racing

Plenty of us that grew up around a drag strip know the name Mickey Thompson, but fewer of us realize that the guy was more than a name on the sidewall of some seriously sticky rubber. He was also responsible for setting plenty of land-speed records in his day, including being the first guy to break the 400 mph barrier on the salt. His son, Danny Thompson, is no slouch behind the wheel, either. Last year, the younger Thompson managed to set the fastest land speed for any Ford Mustang. With a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 swilling down E85, the Thompson clicked off 252 mph, and this year, he's going back for more.

Danny Thompson will attempt to waltz past the 300 mph barrier with another Mustang owned by Brent Hojek. This car, like the last, will run off of E85, but will pack somewhere close to 1,300 horsepower. The new pony also wears soy-based carbon-fiber body work and unique soy-based yellow paint in an attempt to ecologically justify a supercharged V8. Hey, we aren't complaining. Head over to Stang TV for a closer look at the blown 5.4-liter.

[Source: Stang TV]

Mickey Thompson's son building 300-mph Ford Mustang? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: U.S. House Committee considers 20% reduction in ethanol subsidy

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

Refiners and blenders pocket 45 cents for every gallon of ethanol blended with gasoline. The subsidy, courtesy of the U.S. government, helps the industry stay afloat amidst the dwindling demand for gasoline and increasing costs of ethanol production. It's been argued that, without the subsidy, the ethanol industry would die a quick death. If a report from BusinessWeek turns out to be true, then the industry might soon be dealt a glancing blow.

BusinessWeek reports that the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee is considering a 20-percent reduction in ethanol subsidies, from the current 45 cents to just 36 cents per gallon of ethanol. The reduction would help cut government spending at the expense of ethanol refiners and blenders across the nation. The pressure to reduce the subsidy comes because the Committee is faced with the challenging task of extending the ethanol credit before it expires December 31. The proposal to reduce the credit is a compromise to please members of the committee who would rather see it vanish altogether.

[Source: BusinessWeek | Image: Jan Tik - C.C. License 2.0]

Report: U.S. House Committee considers 20% reduction in ethanol subsidy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible delivers the goods

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Bentley, First Drives, Luxury

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible - click above for high-res image gallery

As we see it, there's one major problem with the 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. No, not the $280,000 asking price, or even the give-us-a-break curb weight of 5,269 pounds. We also aren't talking about the fact that this basic chassis has been around since 2003. Nor are we concerned that there exist very few places on earth where you can even maybe-kinda-sorta properly experience the thrust of the Supersport's twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12's profligate output. Get this: 621 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque available between 2,000-4,500 rpm. Did we mention this one's a convertible?

Furthermore, the topless Supersports' problem does not involve the fact that there are very, very few people in its target demographic. You know, the guy that wants to take three members of his family for a ride at 197 mph with the top down (Bentley would like us to point out that with the top up, the Supersports Convertible will hit 202 mph). Thing is, out of the earth's 6.7 billion inhabitants, there will surely be around 400 folks that fit the bill, coincidentally about the same number of these topless Supersports Bentley intends to build. No, the problem with the Bentley Supersports Convertible is that the preposterously humongous carbon-ceramic brakes feel a bit squishy coming down from 165 mph. Mind you, at 130 mph, the stoppers work like anchors.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible delivers the goods

First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible delivers the goods originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley planning flex-fuel Mulsanne, all-wheel drive and hybrid tech ruled out

Chris Paukert — Wed, 12 May 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Bentley, Diesel, Luxury

2011 Bentley Mulsanne - Click above for high-res image gallery

Greetings from England, where we are attending the international launch of the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne. We've just returned from touring the model's new assembly line in Crewe with Project Leader Ashley Wickham, and we have some powertrain tidbits to share with you.

As the head honcho of Bentley's range-topping line, Wickham informs us that the Mulsanne was designed exclusively as a rear-drive model, preserving the decades-old lineage of the Arnage and its variants. When the new model was being conceived, all-wheel drive and a higher cylinder count were indeed on the table, as the Mulsanne's less-expensive stablemate, the Continental, has both more driven wheels and more firepots (twelve versus eight). However, the decision was made to keep the new Mulsanne as a more traditional grand touring model in the Arnage mold, hence its RWD and identical 6.75-liter V8 engine displacement (despite outward similarities, the twin-turbo engine is, in fact, all-new).

When we asked Wickham about future powertrain possibilities, he acknowledged that flex-fuel is in the cards; a predictable enough development considering that Bentley's high-profile Supersports spearheaded the news that the entire Continental range will go flex-fuel in June. And while Wickham stopped just short of ruling out a future diesel model, he did comment that one isn't presently in the works. Despite diesel's low-revving, torque-rich similarities to the company's gasoline V8, Wickham openly questioned how well such a powerplant would align with the marque's heritage. Equally unsurprising is that Wickham didn't mince words about hybrid technology, making it clear that gas-electric power is most definitely not in keeping with Bentley's flagship model.

For the moment, at least, those planning on commissioning a new Mulsanne will be forced to make do with the traditional gas-fed V8. Given that the new engine offers 505 horsepower and Bentley's famous 'Wall of Torque' delivery (752 pound-feet of the stuff) along with improved emissions and fuel economy, we're guessing that buyers won't find this any great hardship.

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne

Bentley planning flex-fuel Mulsanne, all-wheel drive and hybrid tech ruled out originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 May 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lamborghini's future includes less weight, no forced induction and... no manuals?!

Zach Bowman — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:10:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Lamborghini, Rumormill, Specialty

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Lamborghini has thrown the motoring world a curve ball with a report that Sant'Agata will be leaving manual transmissions to the dinosaurs, just like Ferrari. According to Car and Driver, the decision was part of the company's commitment to increasing the overall fuel economy of its products - something the Raging Bull really hasn't had to bother with in the past. In addition to scrapping the third pedal, the company says it plans to build ever-lighter exotics, which means you can bet your pants there will be even more carbon fiber in Lambo's future line-up.

Don't expect to see any turbocharged Gallardos in the next few years, though. While automakers around the world may be strapping forced induction to their engines as a way to curb fuel consumption and maintain power, Lamborghini says it has no interest in playing with the extra psi. Instead, look for stop/start tech and cylinder deactivation to crop up over the next decade, as well as a mild-hybrid car and an E85-capable V10. The times? They are most definitely changing.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Lamborghini's future includes less weight, no forced induction and... no manuals?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D.C. Follies: Chevrolet HHR and Ford F-150 fueled by government waste debut in Washington

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Ford, GM

Novozymes E85 vehicles - Click above for high-res image gallery

Government waste takes on a whole new meaning today as a Chevrolet HHR and a flex-fuel Ford F-150 powered by ethanol roll into Washington D.C. for the Auto Show. Granted, a couple of E85-powered vehicles in our Nation's Capitol isn't all that interesting in and of itself, but these have their tanks filled with alcohol fuel derived from government office waste paper and waste cardboard.

The demonstration is masterminded by Novozymes, which has partnered with Maryland-based Fiberight to show off that firm's biofuel enzyme technology. This fuel can reportedly be created using a wide variety of materials, including agricultural residues, municipal waste and so-called energy crops - feedstock grown specifically for biofuel use.

Interestingly, Novozymes' research into the enzyme biofuel technology was also fueled by taxpayer dollars: the first DOE grant totaled $2.2 million and was given in 2002; the second for $12.3 million was given in 2008. Why do we care? Well, it's generally argued that biofuels like ethanol reduce overall carbon emissions and don't require drilling for fossil fuels. Deriving ethanol from corn or other food crops, though, isn't exactly an ideal situation. So, the promise of cheap alcohol fuels from waste is a fine one indeed. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Novozymes E85 Vehicles

[Source: Novazymes, The Detroit Bureau]

Continue reading D.C. Follies: Chevrolet HHR and Ford F-150 fueled by government waste debut in Washington

D.C. Follies: Chevrolet HHR and Ford F-150 fueled by government waste debut in Washington originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cobb Tuning GT-R expects 600 HP at the wheels running on E85 with stock turbos

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan

Perhaps going green doesn't necessarily mean you can't have any fun. Evidence of this fact can once again be seen as the performance and tuning communities continue to look at ethanol for increased performance for a relatively low outlay of cash.

Ethanol, which is an alcohol fuel commonly distilled from corn here in the United States, mixed with 15-percent gasoline carries an octane rating of about 105, compared to the low 90s for the best freely available pump gas. This fact means that engines, when tuned properly and especially when using forced induction, can make more horsepower on E85 than pump gas - and sometimes nearly as much as pure race gasoline.

Cobb Tuning claims to be the first company to outfit a Nissan GT-R for use with E85 fuel and is displaying a dyno graph that indicates very high levels of performance is available when Godzilla is tuned properly for ethanol fuels. How much power? Currently with Cobb's catless midpipe, prototype cat-back exhaust, stock intake, twin Walbro 255 fuel pumps and 800cc Deatschwerks fuel injectors, the GT-R is putting down 574 ponies and 585 pound-feet of torque. After some additional fiddling, Cobb expects to see 600 horsepower at the wheels.

Sounds great, right? Well, hold on to those drunk alcohol-hungry horses for a minute. Ethanol, especially when derived from corn, isn't necessarily the pinnacle of green motoring, and modifications (including high-flow fuel injectors in the case of the GT-R) and required to run an engine with high concentrations of alcohol fuel. Still, something tells us that the promise of cheap and easy horsepower will keep ethanol in the ~~greenlight~~ limelight for the foreseeable future.

[Source: Cobb Tuning]

Cobb Tuning GT-R expects 600 HP at the wheels running on E85 with stock turbos originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

There is some ethanol in almost all of the gasoline sold in the U.S. Usually, this amount is no more than 10 percent of the total and, if it's more than that, it jumps all the way to 85 percent and is sold as E85. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was supposed to come down on one side or the other today of a possible increase across the board to 15 percent that Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers asked for, but instead announced that it needs more time.

The EPA has been looking at the E15 issue all year and investigating all sorts of issues, but there are a lot of moving parts in this sort of decision. Everyone from farmers and their subsidies to grow the corn used to make most of the ethanol sold today to car makers who have tuned their engines to run on E10 but not E15 want to have their say. The EPA has heard the comments, and now says that it needs more time to test E15 in vehicles. Right now, it thinks that any vehicle built after 2001 will burn E15 just fine, but there are a lot of older vehicles still on the road. Cash For Clunkers didn't get all of them off the road, after all. A decision is now expected in mid-June 2010.

The postponement was met with approval by the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures, which said they want more government testing "to prove that increasing the allowable ethanol blend limit will not harm vehicle emissions, performance, and durability." Read their full statement after the jump.

[Source: Reuters, Auto Allliance | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars

Feds punt on E15 waiver decision, want to test ethanol's effect on more cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Bentley to delay flex-fuel capability for 2010 Continental Supersports

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Bentley, Electric, Luxury

Bentley Continental Supersports - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the environmental merits of any 621 horsepower, twelve-cylinder behemoth that's capable of traveling at speeds of up to 204 miles per hour are, at the very least, debatable, Bentley hasn't exactly been shy about touting the green angle of its upcoming 2010 Continental Supersports.

Further straining the gorgeous coupe's eco credibility is word from Green Car Advisor that U.S. laws and "engineering challenges" - including the fitment of hardened valve seats in Bentley's W12 engine - mean that the first 200 Supersports imported to the United States won't actually be flex-fuel capable.

Ah well, somehow we doubt that buyers willing to plonk down the $267,000 it takes to park a twin-turbocharged Continental Supersports in their driveway will be all that concerned with pumping ethanol in the tank.

UPDATE: Bentley informs us that there is no delay in the Continental Supersport's getting the flex-fuel treatment. It's been Bentley's plan all along to wait until summer of 2010 to introduce flex-fuel capability in the United States.

Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

REPORT: Bentley to delay flex-fuel capability for 2010 Continental Supersports originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lazareth creates a 500-horsepower E85-powered quad (w/VIDEO)

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, BMW, Motorcycle, Electric

Lazareth Wazuma Bio V12 - Click above for an image gallery

French automobile and motorcycle builder Lazareth has managed to shoehorn an entire BMW V12 engine into one of its crazy Wazuma quads. While there isn't much that's environmentally friendly about a 500-horsepower supercharged V12 from BMW that's powering a rather large and impractical quad platform, Lazareth has decided to attempt to give the machine a bit of eco-cred by running the engine on E85.

Why use ethanol in a decidedly performance-minded machine? We'd guess Lazareth's decision to run E85 as a fuel is due to its superior octane rating, which allows the engine to run a higher compression ratio than with gasoline. If you're interested in adding an ethanol-burning, V12-powered road rocket to your own personal stable of vehicles, all you need to do is write Lazareth a check for €200,000 ($283,000) and await your delivery. Click past the break for a video of the Wazuma Bio V12 in action.

Gallery: Lazareth Wazuma Bio V12

[Source: MotoRevue via Faster and Faster]

Continue reading Lazareth creates a 500-horsepower E85-powered quad (w/VIDEO)

Lazareth creates a 500-horsepower E85-powered quad (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Bentley goes green - really fast - with the Continental Supersports

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Green, Supercars, Bentley

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley has decided to go green, and the fabulously white coupe you see above is how they've done it: "a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience." Sounds green so far, right? It's called the Continental Supersports, and the marque from Crewe hasn't merely pulled out all the stops... they created a few extra stops, just so they could pull them out as well.

Under the hood is the Supersports' main event: the most powerful engine Bentley has ever created, it is a 621 brake horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque, E85-capable W12 that pulls the ghostly looking thing to 60 in just - ready for this? - 3.7 seconds. The engine is fitted with sensors to monitor how much gasoline and/or ethanol is being used, and power and torque stay constant no matter what the ratio is. Speaking of torque, all of it is available at the low, low rpm of 1,750. In case there's a Polaris rocket in the next lane you need to teach a few lessons.

While that engine might take the title card, there is a massively full undercard as well. That 3.7-second 0-to-60 flip is not only about the engine, it's about the fact that the car is 110 kilograms lighter than its 4-seater brethren. The Supersports has rear deck where back seats once resided, and it has also scored a raft of weight-saving components like the wheels and those carbon fiber thrones. It also benefits from Quickshift, which halves gear change times.

Of course, there are a gaggle of additional details, but you don't need us to tell you about it. There's a detailed press release after the jump, and a gallery of high-res photos below. If this is the future of green, *ahem,* yes, over here please.

Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Bentley goes green - really fast - with the Continental Supersports

Geneva Preview: Bentley goes green - really fast - with the Continental Supersports originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol

Noah Joseph — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Green, Ford

Brent Hajek loves racing cars and corn. The Oklahoma corn farmer is also the proprietor of a race car museum, and has managed to combine his two passions in an effort to set a new land speed record.

The idea came out of the record Ford set with a Mustang Mach 1 some 40 years ago. Hajek wanted to commemorate the event by returning to Bonneville, and even got the original record driver's son to pilot his modified S197 Mustang. The idea really gained steam - and support from FoMoCo - when Hajek and co. decided to go for the record using E85 bio-ethanol. They set a top speed of 252.78 mph, which will be a new record if and when they manage to replicate it so it can be etched into the books. In the meantime, Hajek is convinced the initiative will pave the way for Ford to produce an E85-powered Mustang straight from the factory, which may be the corniest Mustang dream we've heard yet. Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: NewsOK via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol

Oklahoma Dreamin': Mustang-lovin' corn-grower chases record with ethanol originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda to cut fuel consumption 30 percent by 2015

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Mazda

Mazda has announced plans to increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles by 30 percent in the next seven years through the use of new engine technology and lighter materials. By 2015, Mazda's entire range of vehicles will roll off the assembly line some 220 pounds lighter compared to the vehicles it offers today, with a diet that includes a new three-layer wet paint system, along with more innovative materials, including carbon neutral bioplastics due to arrive in 2013.

The automaker's goal will also be realized through the use of its new proprietary Smart Idle Stop System that will debut on one of its products in 2009. Unlike other systems, the Mazda start-stop setup injects fuel directly into the cylinder after the engine has shut down and then ignites the fuel to force the piston down. According to Mazda this makes for a smoother, faster and quieter restart and should improve fuel economy by seven- to eight-percent. The Smart Idle Stop System will originally be equipped on models in Europe and Japan, with a worldwide rollout coming shortly thereafter.

In 2009, Mazda will begin offering E85-compatible engines in North America and Northern Europe, and in 2011 all of the automaker's gasoline engines will utilize direct-injection fuel delivery. That same year, Mazda will introduce new diesel engines worldwide that boost fuel economy by 20-percent and in 2010, look for a new 16X rotary engine equipped with Direct Injection Spark Ignition that will increase both performance and fuel economy.

Hit the jump to read Mazda's press release.

Continue reading Mazda to cut fuel consumption 30 percent by 2015

Mazda to cut fuel consumption 30 percent by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford gives 88-MPG flex-fuel, plug-in Escape Hybrid to Department of Energy

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Government/Legal, Green, Ford

The Blue Oval has gifted the U.S. Department of Energy a one-of-a-kind vehicle: a plug-in Escape Hybrid that can run on E85, has a 30-mile range on pure electric power at up to 40 mph, and gets 88 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. Yes, you read that correctly. But you might want to read it again.

The Escape uses a 4-cylinder engine assisted by a 10kW lithium-ion battery pack made by Johnson Controls/Saft. In pure electric mode, the battery pack runs until it is 70-percent depleted, and then the gasoline engine kicks in. The vehicle's emissions are estimated to be 60-percent less than that of a traditional gas vehicle, and that could climb all the way to 90-percent less if the car used cellulosic ethanol.

This is one of 20 vehicles that Ford is giving to government and research bodies in order to help push the growth and penetration of hybrid vehicles. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, said "There's no silver bullet solution, so we're pursuing multiple technology paths - recognizing that commercial viability is an essential component for success." And we say hear hear, well done, and it's about time...

[Source: Ford via GM Inside News]

Ford gives 88-MPG flex-fuel, plug-in Escape Hybrid to Department of Energy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT will be E85 compatible

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Hummer

In Dallas, a businessman has spent half a million dollars to install nine pumps that dispense E85, E10, and biodiesel. The catch: the businessman is a HUMMER dealer, and the pumps are next to his dealership. The station is called Classic Clean Fuels, and it is intended to make a statement for next year's H2 and H2 SUT, which will be the first production models to be Flex-fuel capable.

You won't need to drive a HUMMER to get E85 at the station. The pumps are open to the public, a first for a dealer-owned gas station. By 2010, GM has said all HUMMERs will be biofuel-capable. GM plans to market 15 Flexfuel models next year, but only one percent of the country's service stations sell E85. GM is using that as an opportunity to open the public's (and dealers') minds to putting alternative fuel stations in alternative places.

Said GM's Larry Burns, "Down the road we may even want to consider hydrogen dispensers at dealerships."

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

2009 HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT will be E85 compatible originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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