Detroit’s own D Business magazine featured a recent interview and photo session with Cadillac boss Jim Taylor, in which the executive talks about the CTS Coupe that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show this year, as well as a pair of very interesting theme motorcycles.
A motorcycle enthusiast himself, Taylor commissioned the Cadillac chopper in the photo above from Great American Chopper of Clawson, Michigan. More interesting still is a second bike that’s still in the works, which will feature a hybrid engine capable of running on ethanol or in a pure electric mode.
The hybrid Cadillac bike is being built by V20 Consulting of New York City, and has been tasked with displaying “GM’s strength in science and technology.” The bike is purported to be capable of a 0 to 60 sprint of 4.5 seconds, and should be unveiled for the public at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
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This isn’t the only diesel-powered motorcycle that we’ve ever seen, but it might be the quickest. Built by California-based industrial arts group The Crucible, this wildly clad bike is propelled by a BMW six-cylinder diesel engine that burns biodiesel, and can reach speeds upwards of 130 mph. The team is still developing the diesel rocket and hopes to hit 160 mph within the next few months. Watch the BMW bike in action in the YouTube video above.
+ YouTube: DIEsel MOTO High Speed Test Run 2
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All new drivers in Sweden must learn how to drive with the environment in mind. New drivers are being trained to start the car only after engaging first gear, letting off the parking brake, and checking their surroundings. Other tricks like using the highest possible gear when you are driving as well as using engine braking as much as possible are also taught. The Swedes also promote the use of biofuels.
Businesses are signing fleet drivers up for the classes to help reduce emissions because those same driving techniques also increase fuel economy. Parents of the young drivers are supportive of the classes and some students are even critiquing their parents’ driving after they complete the class. Other European countries are considering adding this eco-training to the requirements for obtaining a new drivers license as well.
+ Planet Ark: Swedish Drivers Face Test of Eco-Credentials (via Autoblog Green)
No, seriously, it seems as if every square inch of the CCXR is carbon fiber or woven unobtainium. It’s amazing in person. Not amazing for technical reasons, but amazing like who really thinks the answer to every question is more carbon fiber? Even the wheels are carbon fiber.
Okay, technically it’s pretty cool as well. The twin superchargers produce 1018 horsepower in the CCXR’s V-8 and that’s while burning E85. Supercars that run on E85 seem to be all the rage these days, but we’d still like ours to burn oil. With a total production run of six vehicles, the CCXR doesn’t exactly need to appeal to the masses. Each car will cost you north of $2.7 million, but even the folks living in Dubai aren’t likely to see another CCXR jut down the block.
At the Geneva Motor Show today, Bentley CEO Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgan voiced Bentley’s Commitment to the environment and fuel-economy.
He said in a speech to reporters, “We believe that there are two major issues facing the automotive industry in the 21st century: the security of fuel supply, and climate change. Our strategy seeks to address these two related issues simultaneously, and is based on long-term solutions.”
He said that while Bentley’s cars only contribute a small portion of the CO2 emissions in the world, the company is dedicated to doing its part to reduce its impact. “We are convinced we have an obligation to act, and will be taking significant steps to reduce our fleet’s impact on the environment,” he said.
“What do you think of the 9-X’s front fascia?” “Would you buy a vehicle like the 9-X?” These weren’t the remarks of worried Saab executives, but questions posed to those viewing Saab’s 9-X BioHybrid concept. Computer stations surrounding the car - all using the chouette new Macbook Air - will keep a digital tally, allowing the bosses in Trollhattan to see just how well their show car fared.
As well they should. Although it currently carries the usual show car flare and extravagance, we hear this is a pretty good peek at a forthcoming 9-1 compact. Thus far, the look is rather nice - the front carries the traditional Saab graphic, although the rear form is certainly a break from tradition. The narrow LED taillamps, set within slim bezels in a cyan plastic surround, remind us slightly of the current Subaru Impreza, but moreso of Chevrolet’s conceptual Volt.
(Follow the jump to read more about the Saab 9-X Bio-Hybrid)
Over the past several years there has been a veritable tsunami of press releases from motorsports organizations around the world touting their “green” and/or “renewable” credentials.
In 2004, with no fanfare, Anglo American Oil, the European distributor of Sunoco oil, was supplying fuel with 11 percent bio-ethanol for the British Formula 3 and GT championships. The British EEMS (Energy Efficient Motorsports) initiative now points to ethanol powered accomplishments such as the first racing car to finish the Le Mans 24 Hours running 100 percent renewable fuel; the first hybrid rally car to win its class in a UK national rally championship; the first podium place in UK motorsport for E85 biofuel (British Touring Cars); first UK biofuel win (British GT3 Championship), and first car championship to run on E85 (Formula Woman).
(Click trough to read more about the role of E85 in motorsports.)
Ethanol fires are harder to put out that traditional gasoline fires, according to the Associated Press. They cannot be extinguished with water; ethanol fires require special-purpose foam. And, the major concern is that most fire departments in the U.S. don’t have the foam and aren’t trained in how to use it.
“It is not unusual to find a fire department that is still just prepared to deal with traditional flammable liquids,” said Ed Plaugher, director of national programs for the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
General Motors is looking to get American drivers talking again about its FlexFuel range of vehicles and the potential of E85 ethanol. Now the company is ready to put its money where your gas tank is.
While Los Angeles has some of the highest fuel costs in the country, on February 26th, from noon to 2:00 p.m., the Conserv Fuel station at 11699 San Vicente Blvd. in Brentwood will be offering the ethanol gasoline mixture for a scant 85 cents per gallon. Better yet, GM is planning to pick up the tab.
GM believes that biofuels show some of the greatest promise when it comes to reducing the use of petroleum-based products. So the company is sponsoring the E85 promotion, as a means to raise awareness of the fuel, as well as getting in a decent plug for there own range of eco-happy cars and trucks.
The moral of the story is, if you’re one of the 46,000 FlexFuel empowered vehicle drivers in the L.A. area next Tuesday, get down to Brentwood and have a tank on The General.
(Click through the jump to read the official press release.)
Two scientists from the Los Alamos National Laboratory intend on keeping vehicles gasoline-powered.
The scientists, F. Jeffrey Martin and William L. Kubic Jr., have proposed a concept called “Green Freedom”. The concept involves removing the carbon dioxide from the air and turning it back into gasoline.
The process involves blowing air over a solution of potassium carbonate – which would absorb the carbon dioxide. The solution would then be subjected to a gamut of chemical reactions that would turn it into gasoline or methanol. The process would, ideally, cap CO2 emissions and recycle the output to produce gasoline.
Dino Bernacchi, GM Director of Marketing Alliances and Branded Entertainment, said, “GM’s longstanding relationship with Hollywood and our strong commitment to bringing advanced technologies to market that will help diversify fuel sources and reduce vehicle emissions makes this the perfect time for GM to drive ‘green’ to the Oscars.”
He also noted that we’ll be seeing a lot of GM’s “fuel-friendly” vehicles around the entertainment community in 2008.
Growcom, an Australian horticulture/biofuel organization, has started the pre-construction process of a commercial biomethane plant. The plant will produce biomethane from banana waste to provide fuel to vehicles that run on natural gas.
The process consists in the use of an anaerobic digester to break down the banana’s microorganisms, much like the ones used at landfills to reduce methane emissions. The two-week process is said to produce large quantities of methane – efficiency will depend on new digester technology to reduce the cost in order to produce mass quantities of methane.
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