I’ll believe it when I see it though.

From autonews.com

It looks a lot like the outgoing model, but BMW says the fifth-generation 7 Series is all new.

The car, which will make its world premiere at the Paris motor show this fall, takes styling cues from the CS concept BMW showed in Shanghai in 2007, though the new 7 can best be described as evolutionary rather than revolutionary as the last generation was.
(more…)

LSU will be putting on one-day workshops in its AgCenter. Get there early because it’s standing room only and last time got filled quick. Dates are July 29-31.

Advanced biodiesel workshops will be held in the fall.

It will take at least $800 in equipment to make batches of 25 to 30 gallons of biodiesel. The fuel is made in those larger quantities, generally in about 48 hours.

A gallon of biodiesel can be produced from a gallon of used vegetable oil, and the hardest part might be finding a restaurant willing to provide its old oil.

In what I’m sure is true nationwide, fuel usage dropped in California nearly 12.5% in March. Airlines are flying less. The Middle East is opening more supply. China raised it’s fuel prices 18%. And all the other ripples that have happened from high oil prices. All of this begs the question…Why are oil prices still breaking records daily?

From mecurynews.com

Californians continue to drive less, trying to save a few bucks from gas prices that remain at near record levels.

The use of diesel fuel dropped nearly 12.5 percent in March from the same month a year ago, the largest monthly decline since 2004, according to figures released today by the Board of Equalization. This is the second consecutive quarter diesel consumption has declined.
(more…)

From autonews.com

Bruce Crower has lived, breathed and built hot engines his whole life. Now he’s working on a cool one—one that harnesses normally-wasted heat energy by creating steam inside the combustion chamber, and using it to boost the engine’s power output and also to control its temperature.

“I’ve been trying to think how to capture radiator losses for over 30 years,” explains the veteran camshaft grinder and race engine builder. “One morning about 18 months ago I woke up, like from a dream, and I knew immediately that I had the answer.”

Hurrying to his comprehensively-equipped home workshop in the rural hills outside San Diego, he began drawing and machining parts, and installing them in a highly modified, single-cylinder industrial powerplant, a 12-hp diesel he converted to use gasoline. He bolted that to a test frame, poured equal amounts of fuel and water into twin tanks, and pulled the starter-rope.
(more…)

I would be curious to know how the stop-start technique affects the lifespan of the starter, or if that’s never taken account of because they just want to see the mpg’s. Anyway, the damn leftists wasting oil is a pretty interesting find.

From tampabays10.com

Clearwater, FL– UPS drivers are trying to save some gas by only making right turns. So- how do they do it? Tampabay’s 10 news reporter Dave Balut explains.

UPS is known for its brown trucks. But here’s something you may not know: the drivers of those trucks make it a point to only turn right.
(more…)

Rising from the ashes of it first attempt, Earthrace has smashed the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by speedboat. The biodiesel-powered trimaran sailed into the Spanish port of Sagunto yesterday, just shy of 61 days since it set off. That took 14 days off the previous world record. Earthrace traveled the 24,000 nautical miles fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative fuel sources.
(more…)

HERNDON, Va.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for their eagerly anticipated Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen starting at $21,990 and $23,590, respectively. Fuel efficiency, performance and convenience all come standard with the 50-state compliant Jetta sedan and SportWagen TDI, which meet the most stringent emissions standards in California and the world. Both models will be available this August.

“Our clean diesel vehicles offer consumers a true value with the fuel efficiency that drivers are looking for while providing power, utility and performance,” said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The Jetta TDI’s offer a no compromise alternative fuel driving experience.”
(more…)

There’s really not much to talk about lately besides truckers losing their trucks and people thinking of new and creative ways to steal fuel.

The latest in stealing fuel targets you and I now. It’s nearly impossible to find a fuel station that will let you pump anything without prepaying now so that eliminates the pump and run method. The other way is to siphon fuel out of the tank by opening the gas cap and sucking it out, but that’s been hindered by flaps and balls in the tank. Now that those aren’t really options anymore, thieves are just going up to your car and putting a hole in the tank and letting it drain, or cutting the fuel line to let it drain. If they puncture your fuel tank you’re probably looking at at least $400 or so for a repair bill. This is happening mainly to trucks and SUV’s since they have bigger tanks, but obviously it could happen to anyone so be aware.

To end this short update with a little good news diesel prices went down for the second straight week with this week dropping about 1.5 cents. Summer generally means a drop in diesel prices because we’re not really using heating oil any longer. Unfortunately that’s no longer a sure thing since there is no logic in oil barrel futures, just irrational speculation.

If you happen to be in Austria you should go check this out and send me pictures. It’s supposed to be a huge event going on now! Here’s Audi’s press release:

• Audi at the big “GTI meet” in Kärnten
• A3 TDI clubsport quattro concept with 224 hp
• Attractive program with numerous highlights

Audi is again presenting spectacular showcars at the Wörthersee Tour in 2008. The big meet for horsepower-loving Audi and VW enthusiasts runs from May 21 to 25 in Reifnitz (Kärnten), Austria. The brand with the four rings is showcasing its high-performance and highly efficient TDI technology.
The highlight is a showcar, the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro, whose two-liter diesel engine churns out 165 kW (224 hp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque. The concept car is a driving machine loaded with innovative solutions.

The A3 TDI clubsport quattro sprints from a standing stop to highway speed in 6.6 seconds and tops out at 240 km/h (149.13 mph). A six-speed transmission transfers the torque to the quattro all-wheel-drive system; 20-inch wheels deliver it to the street. Sitting behind the front rims are carbon-fiber-ceramic brake discs.

Another highlight is the Audi drive select dynamic control system, which allows the driver to alter the throttle response characteristic, exhaust note, power steering boost, ESP response and the damping of the shock absorbers, which use Audi magnetic ride technology to instantly adjust to current conditions. Numerous modifications to the interior and exterior round out the dynamic image of the A3 concept.
Besides the A3 TDI clubsport quattro, Audi is presenting another high-end showcar in Reifnitz, the R8 TDI Le Mans. Its diesel V12 produces 368 kW (500 hp) and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque – enough to accelerate the supercar from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of well beyond 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The open Audi TT clubsport, whose purist character made it the star of the Wörthersee Tour 2007, is also making a return appearance in a further-developed form. Audi is also showing 24 production vehicles, including the recently introduced Audi TT TDI. The coupe’s 125 kW (170 hp) two-liter diesel delivers sporty performance while setting new efficiency standards in the sports car segment by consuming only 5.3 liters of diesel/100 km (44.38 US mpg) on average.

The Wörthersee Tour, also known as the “GTI Meet,” is a magnet for horsepower-loving fans of the Audi and VW brands and last year drew roughly 200,000 visitors. This was the first time that Audi had taken part in the event – and the response was overwhelming.

This year the brand with the four rings is going full-throttle. The Audi Genuine Accessories division and quattro GmbH have their own stands where they are presenting their accessory, upgrade and customization lines.

The interactive highlight of Audi’s presence is the “quattro mountain.” Paraphrasing the Wörthersee motto “The lake is calling,” the motto here is “The mountain is calling.” The structure is reminiscent of the ski jump in Kaipola, Finland, on which the legendary advertisement with an Audi 100 CS quattro was filmed in 1986. The Reifnitz mountain may only be 12 meters (39.37 ft) high, but it is still spectacular thanks to a 30% slope and a rocker board at the peak for the transition to the equally steep descent. And the fans can experience it first-hand: Professionals drive a series of demo cars over the mountain, and passengers are wanted.

LAS VEGAS, May 13 /PRNewswire/ — When consumers understand the advantages of today’s clean diesel power, it turns conventional thinking about diesel on its head, explained Gale Banks, chief executive officer of Gale Banks Engineering, and a featured speaker at the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo. The conference runs through Wednesday, May 14, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel.

“With clean diesel power, drivers can have approximately 30 percent better fuel economy and 50 percent more torque, as well as reduce emissions by up to 25 percent, when compared to gasoline-powered passenger car engines. With clean diesel no longer are fuel economy and performance mutually exclusive,” Banks said.
(more…)