Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford Ranger wears pink for UK city]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/ford-ranger-wears-pink-for-uk-city/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/ford-ranger-wears-pink-for-uk-city/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/26/ford-ranger-wears-pink-for-uk-city/#commentsFiled under: , ,



There's a theory that only men comfortable with their manliness can get away with wearing pink. Whether you buy that or not, Ford's tough little Ranger pickup is trading its plaid shirt image for the pink livery of Salford, UK.

The city just purchased a fleet of six pink Ranger 2.5 TDCi Regular Cab 4x2s fitted with tipper beds for their street-cleaning department.

Salford's Public Relations Officer Ian Andrew tells us, "Yes, magenta is our colour! We want our city to stand out and for people to recognise when the city council is providing them with services."

Situated about 200 miles north of London, Salford prides itself on having an eco-friendly image, with 60% green space, 30 miles of rivers and canals and 112 ponds and lakes. And that's why the six pink Rangers will be burning biodiesel for their five years of service.

"The Rangers are superb," said Salford City Council's Transport Manager Terry Dixie. "Our concern is with paper bulk, rather than weight. This provides an opportunity to reduce vehicle size. The Ranger is less expensive than a conventional 3.5-tonne tipper vehicle, provides superior fuel economy and its robust design promises a long life."

Read Ford's press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford Ranger wears pink for UK city

Ford Ranger wears pink for UK city originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bio dieselbiodieselbiodiesel rangerBiodieselRangerford biodieselford rangerford ranger pinkFordBiodieselFordRangerFordRangerPinkpink rangerpink ranger biodieselPinkRangerPinkRangerBiodieselThu, 26 Apr 2007 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Jay Leno's bio-diesel turbine supercar isn't a joke]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/jay-lenos-bio-diesel-turbine-supercar-isnt-a-joke/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/jay-lenos-bio-diesel-turbine-supercar-isnt-a-joke/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/jay-lenos-bio-diesel-turbine-supercar-isnt-a-joke/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


UPDATE: Live shots from SEMA show floor added after jump


Jay Leno may have made fun of corn farmers and the Toyota Prius, but he unveiled a stunning mid-engine supercar that is environmentally friendly and hopefully an inspiration to young car enthusiasts. The covers were pulled off Leno's EcoJet on Monday at a late-night ceremony in the Wynn's Hotel in Las Vegas where the car will be displayed at the SEMA Show.

"I drive it, wait for the harvest, get some corn and drive it some more," quipped Leno, who told Autoblog that he is also converting his shop to solar power in an effort to be more environmentally conscious.

Leno said he originally wanted a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle but time constraints killed that idea. Bio-diesel was the backup plan, so Leno sought out a 650-horsepower Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine, mated to a Corvette automatic transaxle. Much of the vehicle platform is based on the C6 Corvette, including a special aluminum frame, brakes and suspension components. What was the targeted top speed for the 2,400-pound car? "How much fun can you have with it," answered Leno, noting the exhaust sounds like "a jet engine taking off."



Designer from the GM Advanced Design Studio worked with sketches Leno originally made on a napkin. Leno said there were no constraints placed on the design, like where the golf clubs would go. The idea was built to be a fast, fun vehicle with design cues pulled from Formula 1 and various aircraft. Perhaps the most eye-catching and innovative design elements are the turbine-inspired, Alcoa-built wheels (20x10 front, 22x12 rear) and the massive exhaust slots -- one for each side of the engine. The water-born paint is from BASF and the interior isn't finished, but Leno promises it will be "cruelty free," so Pam Anderson of PETA fame will take a drive with him.

Continue reading Jay Leno's bio-diesel turbine supercar isn't a joke

Jay Leno's bio-diesel turbine supercar isn't a joke originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 04:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlcoaBASFbio dieselBioDieselCorvetteHoneywellJay LenoJayLenoTue, 31 Oct 2006 04:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Tokyo is cooking with oil for Earth Day]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/tokyo-buys-cooking-oil-for-earth-day-2006/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/tokyo-buys-cooking-oil-for-earth-day-2006/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/tokyo-buys-cooking-oil-for-earth-day-2006/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

"We want your vegetable oil."

That is what organizers for Earth Day Tokyo 2006 are asking volunteers, for which they'll pay a small amount. The organizers will then create biodiesel from the oil and use the resulting fuel to power the lighting, televisions, speakers, and other equipment for the various planned activities which to be held in Yoyogi Park. Besides the equipment, the fuel will also be used to power a special bus that will be touring the area.

The organizers have been accepting vegetable oil since the beginning of the month. More details, including drop off locations and "Earth Day Money" can be found at the link.

[Source: The Daily Yomiuri]

Tokyo is cooking with oil for Earth Day originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bio dieselbiodieselEarth DayEarthDayTokyovegetable oilVegetableOilVeggie oilVeggieOilyoyogi parkYoyogiParkSat, 22 Apr 2006 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda to build diesels in the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/18/honda-to-build-diesels-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/18/honda-to-build-diesels-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/18/honda-to-build-diesels-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In order to support high demand for diesel vehicles in Europe, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. has announced that it will start building oil-burning engines at its plant in Britain. Currently, its UK plant gets diesel powerplants from Japan, and will initially get the parts for the engines from Japan. Ultimately, however, the company plans to produce the parts in Blighty and assemble 20,000-30,000 engines annually.

The company will also increase output of diesels at its two Japanese facilities, which currently produce over 70,000 engines.

[Source: The Business Times]

Honda to build diesels in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bio DieselBiodieselDieselEarth DayEarthDayOil-burningTue, 18 Apr 2006 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/17/transcontinental-with-a-little-help-from-daryl-hannah-cow-patti/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cable network Outdoor Life Network (OLN) is set to debut a 13-part television series featuring actress Daryl Hannah, a modified Chevrolet S-10, hemp oil, and an AstroTurf-covered 1982 Volkswagen Jetta that runs on bio diesel. Coolfuel: Roadtrip charts the journey of Australian Shaun Murphy (and his Jack Russell terrier, Sparky) as he traverses 30 states on 30 unique vehicles, running solely on alternative fuels.

Highlights include a bio diesel Hummer limousine, an Electra Cruiser electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and a BMW Z3 that runs on corn whiskey.

Coolfuel: Roadtrip premieres Tuesday on OLN at 8 pm Eastern.

Check out the link for the show's website, which includes video clips, images, and alternative fuel educational resources.

Transcontinental with a little help from Daryl Hannah, cow patties and corn whiskey originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelAlternativeFuelBio DieselBio FuelBioDieselBioFuelBMW Z3BmwZ3Chevrolet S-10ChevroletS-10CoolfuelCorn WhiskeyCornWhiskeyDaryl HannahDarylHannahdieselEarth DayEarthDayElectra CruiserElectra GlideElectraCruiserElectraGlidefuel economyFuelEconomyHarley-DavidsonHummerHummer LimoHummerLimoJack RussellJackRussellJackson BrowneJacksonBrowneOutdoor LifeOutdoorLifeRoad TripRoadTripShaun MurphyShaunMurphyTrans ContinentalTransContinentalVolkswagen JettaVolkswagenJettaVW JettaVwJettaMon, 17 Apr 2006 10:02:00 EST