Brad Pitt to play Steve McQueen in new biopic? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Switching a racing series to ethanol? Smart. Shipping the ethanol around the world to show how green that racing series is? Less so.

A1GP has announced that its upcoming race in New Zealand will mark the inauguration of the series' switch to E30 Hiperflo ethanol-gasoline blend, which, as organizers point out, cuts CO2 emissions by 21% and, of course, reduces the use of fossil fuels. The mixture is specially made for use in A1GP and consists of 30% ethanol and 70% gasoline. While IndyCars and Champ Cars have run on methanol since the '60s, both series are based in the US and have to ship their fuel to fewer races abroad than A1GP.

Logistical considerations aside, overall we say it's a good thing that motorsports are shifting to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly fuel sources. At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show this week we heard all about the American Le Mans Series and its green intentions. Ferrari, which is set to begin supplying the engines for A1GP in two years, revealed its bio-ethanol-powered 430 Spider in Detroit, as well. Meanwhile, the FIA has revealed a preliminary timeline for introducing a new F1 engine formula that's anticipated to include environmental measures.

Excerpt from the press release after the jump.

[Source: A1GP via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand

A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Automotive enthusiasts (racing fans in particular) and environmental lobbyists don't always see eye-to-eye. Make that seldom, if ever. But greener motorsports is something over which we can definitely sit down with our compatriots at sister site AutoblogGreen. In fact, we'd go as far to say that it's the one thing that could stand to keep automobile racing relevant in the modern era, and we'll applaud any series, team or supplier that moves the cause forward.

Audi, then, is a particular favorite, for their milestone achievement of fielding the diesel-powered R10 in endurance racing series and events - and winning, sweeping the field, in fact, despite the self-imposed oil-burning handicap. But the boys at Ingolstadt aren't about the rest on their proverbial laurels, they're pushing forward, together with their sponsors over at Shell. They've announced that at next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, they'll not only be racing on diesel, they'll be racing on biodiesel! Don't expect to see Audi engineers rummaging through the trash bins behind the local greasy-spoon, though. Audi will be using a synthetic derivative of plant-based oil (though we have no idea how something synthetic can be derived from something natural) produced by a subsidiary of team sponsor Shell.

Now that the announcement has been made, it seems such an obvious move, but then, all great developments seem so simple once they're done. Our hats go off to Audi and Shell for this, and we'll be looking forward to Le Mans next year.

[Source: German Car Blog]

Audi to run on bio-diesel at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Dec 2006 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hybrid Saabs by 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.