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.
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This would be great if they would pass the savings on to us, but I’m sure it will just mean more profit from a diesel car. Anyway, from nationalpost.com
In the precious metals universe, high gold and silver prices get the most attention. But the star performer in the sector is probably platinum - prices are up well over 50% in the last year because of power shortages in South Africa, the world’s biggest producer.
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• Brand with four rings offers chauffeur service in Davos
• Cars are powered by environmentally sound GTL fuel
• Diesel fleet of 81 Audi A8 3.0 TDI models deployed
Audi will premiere a new fuel concept at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 in Davos, Switzerland, from January 23 to 27. The brand with the four rings, which provides a chauffeur service at the World Economic Forum, will power its complete fleet of Audi A8 models with environmentally sound ‘GTL (gas-to-liquid) Fuel’ for the first time. In combination with efficient Audi TDI diesel engines, the fuel will allow CO2 emissions from the Audi fleet to be reduced by about 13 percent compared to last year. “We develop innovative premium cars that are environmentally friendly to drive. Our highly efficient TDI and TFSI engines are proof of this. The fact that our Audi A8 diesel fleet in Davos will be using GTL fuel also shows that we are working intensively toward achieving sustainable mobility,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.
In 1977, the official birth year of Sportservice Lorinser, Mercedes first presented a station wagon named T and, thereby, introduced the first true luxury vehicle in this segment. Who knew that, in 2007, Lorinser would transform this practical body shape into an athletic and muscular powerhouse: the brand new, Lorinser-tuned T model of the C-Class. This vehicle, which has a distinctly brawnier rear than its predecessor, distinguishes itself by the tuning company’s rear apron with horizontal honeycomb grill. Thanks to its three-dimensional shape and cleverly selected contour edges, this upgraded C-Class model can boast unexpectedly dynamic lines. Moreover, the two rear muffler pipes with their sophisticated design and flush fit provide the C-Class with an acoustic arsenal that is second to none. Similarly distinctive design elements from Lorinser’s current Haute Couture of vehicle bodies are the wide fenders with their large air inlets, which guide hot exhaust air away from the brakes and bear a striking resemblance to the flared nostrils of a race horse. However, the first thing the driver in front of you will notice is the striking front apron which the Winnenden tuning company fitted with a honeycomb sport grill. Thanks to the Lorinser suspension lowering kit, this beefier T model will edge its way into the rear-view mirror of the driver in front – just above the asphalt. How quickly it approaches is determined by the question if the customer installed a Lorinser performance enhancement, which is available for most Diesel and Otto engines.
Diesel meets pop culture. One of my favorite blogs to read, BoingBoing, is starting a series covering the greener way of racing starring the Banks Sidewinder. If you like diesel, and somehow don’t know about the Sidewinder already, it’s a 650hp / 800ft-lbs Duramax powered GMC truck that can run at 5000rpms! Watch the video to learn more.
Group Board of Management Member Prof. Jochem Heizmann presents Passat Variant Blue Motion to DKMS (German Bone Marrow Donor Center)
Emden, 09 November 2007 - Today, the 15 millionth Passat produced throughout the world rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen’s Emden plant. Official DKMS ambassador Sybille Beckenbauer accepted the vehicle as a donation from Prof. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Pavel Vacek, plant manager at Emden and Peter Jacobs, Chairman of the Works Council of Emden plant.
From Autoweek
The gap between diesel and gasoline-powered Le Mans prototypes has been narrowed for next season. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans) handed the gas cars a small power advantage and at the same time reduced the minimum weight of all LMP1 cars, a move that appears intended to handicap diesel machinery.
The gas cars will receive a 3 percent increase in air-restrictor diameter, which roughly equates to a 3 percent power hike. The reduction of the minimum weight to 900 kg (down from 925 kg) could actually hurt the diesels further, because they may not be able to get down to that weight due to their engines’ construction. Both the diesel and gasoline camps hit out at the changes.
WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwire - October 3, 2007) - Today, Nuclear Solutions (OTCBB: NSOL) CEO, Patrick Herda, issued a clarifying statement with respect to the business plans of the company and its wholly owned GTL Diesel fuel subsidiary Fuel Frontiers, Inc. (FFI).
“Nuclear Solutions, Inc. and our subsidiaries, such as Fuel Frontiers, Inc. (FFI), are totally focused on the production of ultra-clean GTL Diesel fuel. Quite a few people believe that our companies are involved in the production of Ethanol, we are not.
