Autoblog

Save the hot hatch for last. That's what we kept telling ourselves as we wandered the Belgian countryside looking for Ford's Lommel Proving Ground. As it turns out, the facility, located next to an air force base – restricted airspace, you know – is so secret, our hosts at Ford could hardly find it. So we had a little extra time to repeat the mantra: save the hot hatch for last.

On our way to Italy to drive the new Fiesta, we took a detour to Lommel to sample some of Ford's European C-segment offerings. A variety of vehicles, including one with the new dual-clutch gearbox, a Kuga crossover and the fire-breathing Focus ST, would be on hand for us to drive around the track. But we knew that if we gave into temptation and drove the ST first, the rest would seem sluggish by comparison, even though the vehicles aren't comparable. So did we resist the urge, or give into the little demon that's always whispering in our ears to go faster? Follow the jump and we just might tell you.

Photos Copyright ©2008 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Click the image above for a host of high-res pics of the AC Schnitzer GP3.10

For over two decades, AC Schnitzer has built its brand on motoring madness with looks to match. Normally, this involves a bevy of modifications to enhance every performance-related aspect of the vehicle, but with the GP3.10, they've made the bold move of trying to balance fuel efficiency with sporting dynamics.

The GP3.10 houses an M5/M6-sourced V10 that runs on liquefied petroleum gas and produces 552 HP and nearly 400 lb.-ft. of torque. 60 comes up in a cool four-and-a-half seconds, and between high-speed runs you can fill up at one of the 2,700 LPG-packing fuel stations sprinkled across Germany. Of course, the Schnitzer folks couldn't leave the GP looking like a standard 3, so they unfortunately took the interior and exterior to an unhealthy extreme.

You can read up on all the details in the press release after the jump, and peruse through the gallery below.

Click image for hi-res gallery

One of AC Schnitzer's Frankfurt debuts mixes very high performance with a little bit of a greenish tint. Behold the GP3.10, a 3-Series coupe that has been completely transformed with a full interior and exterior overhaul (which you will either love or hate). The car's name tells you the rest of what you need to know:

• GP: Gas-powered, as in Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• 3: For 3-Series
• 10: For 10 cylinders

Yes, that's correct. The GP3.10 sheds its stock I6 for a worked-over V10 sourced from an M5/M6, and AC Schnitzer has fitted the motor with an LPG system that turns the car into a dual-fuel monster dishing out 552 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. The driver can switch between fuel sources (gasoline or LPG) at any time, and LPG is readily available in Germany (2,700 filling stations, according to AC Schnitzer). There is the added benefit that CO2 emissions when running on the LPG are 15% lower than when on gasoline. But let's be honest, potential buyers of something like this aren't looking for green-ness. They're probably more interested in the gaudy 4.5 second 0-62 time and 198 mph top speed. As for the equally gaudy multicolor, multi-textured interior and the fully-Schnitzered exterior, we'll leave the judgments to you. We will say that the center-outlet exhaust is pretty nifty, but we are so not crazy about that little F1-style mini roof wing.

Full details on the car are available at AC Schnitzer's website (follow the "Read" link), and we have a gallery full of hi-res images for you below.

[Source: AC Schnitzer]

Click image to enlarge

It's coated in new flat black paint, has a set of driving lights mounted to the fenders, is lifted two inches, and has removable doors. It also has a range of 290 miles per tank of fuel, and a full tank only runs the owner twelve bucks and change. That's because this '86 Samurai's been converted to run on propane, and since its wee little bed is outfitted with a pair of forklift-style storage cylinders. The buyer also gets the original carburetor in the deal. $3,500 cash, a Buell XB motorcycle, or an inboard-engined ski boat are all it'll take to get this LPG 'Zuki into your driveway. It's located in Dalton, GA (32 miles outside Chattanooga, TN; 88 miles outside Atlanta) and you can read the original listing here.

Thanks to "mehugtree" for the tip!

[Source: Craigslist]

Hyundai's initial foray into the consumer hybrid marketplace won't take place here in the US, nor will it use the gasoline/electric config that's become synonymous with the term, from a consumer's standpoint. Hyundai will introduce the car, a version of the Avante (Elantra here) in Korea sometime in 2009.

Instead of gasoline/electric, the Avante Hybrid will feature an LPG/electric setup in order to take advantage of the low price of Liquid Petroleum Gas in Korea (it's half the cost of the dino juice), and the fact that there's a working LPG infrastructure there already. They'll need government help to loosen up some regulations, because right now, LPG is reserved for rental cars and handicapped transport. The fact that Hyundai's moving forward with the plan is a pretty clear indicator that it expects the rules will be modified to allow regular citizens to purchase LPG-powered cars.

When combined with the hybrid system, the Avante is expected to pull down fuel economy in the neighborhood of 47 mpg. A gasoline/electric hybrid is also reportedly planned for 2010. Maybe we'll get that one.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]

Holden's dual-fuel V6 is being offered in the new VE-series Omega, Berlina and select Commodores. The 3.6L Alloytec powerplant can switch seamlessly between LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and gasoline without any serious difference in power. Furthermore, the setup is said to offer an operating range of 1100km (683 miles) or better (assuming both tanks are full at the beginning of a journey).

The dual-fuel V6 produces 235 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque in LPG mode and 245 hp/243 lb-ft when it's running on gasoline. In terms of fuel economy, the Omega and Berlina each get 16 liters/100 km (14.7mpg) in LPG mode and 11.1 liters/100 km (21 mpg) running on gasoline. LPG burns cleaner and costs around half as much gasoline in Australia, which makes it a very attractive alternative fuel on the continent.

In Holden's dual fuel sedans, the 73-liter LPG tank is trunk-mounted (based on the photos, it looks as if a fairly good chunk if space is sacrificed), while the gasoline tank lives in its normal spot. The Dual-fuel option costs $3,900 AUD, which is partially offset by a government rebate of $2,000 AUD.

According to Wikipedia, LPG and/or dual-fuel vehicles are offered by Australia's major auto manufacturers. If you're an Aussie reader who drives one of these types of cars, we'd love to hear your opinions in the comments.

(Press release, photos after the jump)

[Source: GM Holden]