Volvo Looking to Claim Title of World’s Fastest Hybrid Truck

After improving a previous world speed record for the standing kilometer in June 2010 with a diesel model, Volvo Trucks is now developing a new diesel-electric hybrid version called "Mean Green" to claim the title of the World's Fastest Hybrid Truck in spring 2011.

A well known Swedish truck racing ace, Boije Ovebrink, is going to be the one to drive the hybrid and he's already very confident of a positive outcome. "I'd go so far as to say that 'Mean Green' is the world's fastest hybrid truck," Mr. Ovebrink said.

"I started building the truck from two half frames that had been earmarked for the scrap yard and the American VN cab came from a crash-tested chassis whose cab was totally intact," explains Volvo engineer Olof Johansson.

Conventional oomph comes from a 16-liter Volvo engine, fitted with Volvo Penta twin turbos that increase peak output to a whopping 1,900 hp (1,417 kW). The electric motor adds another 200 hp (149 kW) and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque to this explosive cocktail and can interact with the driven wheels through a modified I-Shift automated gearbox.

Weight reduction is crucial when you want to set these kinds of records, so Volvo engineers milled a new, 43 kg (95 lbs) lighter front axle and also removed the gear set for the first gear, as it was rendered useless by the huge amount of torque. That shaved off another 7 kg.

Even Mr. Ovebrink takes part in these weight-saving efforts. " They made me promise to lose 20 kilos and, so far, I'm half-way to my target," said the truck racing driver.

The first test runs will take place this month, so we'll be keeping an eye open for any updates.

By Csaba Daradics

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Philadelphia High School Students Build Automotive X Prize Contender [with Videos]

Some people are just meant to go places. In the case of 16-year old Azeem Hill and the rest of Simon Hauger's West Philadelphia-based high-school hybrid team, that place is somewhere into the vastly expanding world of alternative fuel technology.

The West Philly Hybrid X Team, builders of the EVX GT and EVX Focus, is the result of an after-school program at the Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering meant to educate youth about the future of hybrid tech and transportation. What's more impressive is that this young underdog team was in the running for this year's Automotive X Prize.

After besting some really heavy hitters (like MIT, for one), the EVX team was eventually disqualified. Still, let's give a digital round of applause to these guys for going out there and doing the damn thing with the big boys.

Azeem and other members of the program started out at ground level and learned everything necessary in order to create a hybrid car with the goal of returning 100 mpg in the city, 70 mpg on the highway, and still being able 60 in under 5 seconds. Check out the vids below to learn a little more about the program and its goals.

By Phil Alex

Link: EVXTeam , Via: Green.Autoblog & Treehugger

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Porsche to Fully Restore 1973 911 T Coupe and Raffle it off

Under the "Revive the Passion" motto, Porsche Classic began a 12 month restoration project of a 1973 911 T Coupe (US model) on behalf of the Porsche Club of America (PCA) in August 2010. The fully restored classic will be raffled off among PCA members and presented to the winner at the U.S. Porsche Parade in August 2011. The video after the break explains what Porsche Classic is all about and how the cars are being brought back to life.

This T Coupe is a "narrow body" 911, known as the F model, and it's a favorite amongst collectors. It was also delivered in the classic color combination – silver exterior/black interior – and, since it was built in the last model year, its value performance is considered especially high.

In its better days, the 2.4-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine was good for 140HP at 5,600 rpm. Tipping the scale at just above 1 ton (1,050 kg or 2,315 lbs), the 911 T can (and will, once restored) reach a respectable top speed of 205 km/h (127 mph).

By Csaba Daradics

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30-Meter Wide Sinkhole Opens up and Swallows Car in Germany (with Post-Event Video)

Here's some recent global infrastructure news from Thuringia, Germany: a 30-meter wide, 25-meter deep sinkhole recently opened up in an unsuspecting neighborhood to swallow up some property. In this case, the only losses were a car, some road, and a driveway and garage door.

The sinkhole, which is one of the largest ones to form in Thuringia, is suspected to be the result of "a salt column, calcium sulphate or limestone [dissolving]". According to reports, the region averages twenty smaller sinkholes a year.

No one was hurt this time, but people were still evacuated as a precautionary measure in case more dirt started to cave in. By the time you read this, service crews should be at work repairing the road, filling the sinkhole, and ensuring that peoples' homes are still habitable.

By Phil Alex

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No Mr. Bond, I expect you to buy: 007’s DB5 fetches US$4.6 Million at auction

Well, it's done. The world's most famous Aston Martin was sold last week for a whopping £2,912,000 (US$4,608,500) by RM Auctions of London. The price includes a £30,000 tailored suit by Gieves & Hawkes of Savile Row (who dressed Sean Connery from Dr No to Diamonds are Forever) and a 7 night stay for 10 guests at Ian Fleming's former estate in Jamaica, valued at £40,000.

The new owner is an American business man by the name of Harry Yeaggy, who plans to put the car on public display in Ohio. Don't feel too sorry for the Aston's seller and only other ex-factory owner, Philadelphia radio broadcaster Jerry Lee, though. He's got a good return on his original investment of $12,000 in 1969 (equal to around US$71,400 in today's money, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics), all of which will be going to his self-named charity.

The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 should need no introduction. It was driven by Sean Connery's James Bond in Goldfinger and Thunderball and is probably one of the most iconic cars to ever grace the silver screen. This particular example comes with the trademark Silver Birch exterior and dark grey (not black) interior trim and a 282 bhp (210 kw) 4.0 L inline six mated to a 5sp manual transmission.

It was originally the Road Car, used for chase scenes and beauty shots, with no gadgets fitted. When you see James Bond chasing Tilly Masterson's white Ford Mustang along Swiss mountain roads in Goldfinger, it's this car you see. It has done just 30,000 miles (48,280 km), mostly from its pre-production touring days.

After Thunderball, Aston Martin asked that the Road Car be fitted with the full complement of gadgets so that it could go on tour with two special-built Press Car siblings. It has all the Ken Adams / John Stears Q Branch mods you would expect including revolving numberplates, machine guns behind the indicators and the concealed ejector seat button in the gear knob.

Jerry Lee bought the Road Car direct from Aston Martin in the late '60s, placing it in a purpose-built, climate-controlled room where it spent the next forty-one years. It only left to make a handful of public appearances, the last of which was in 1992.

Before the sale, RM's own Auto Restoration Shop returned the car to roadworthy condition, a process which included a full engine service, clutch work, rebuilding of the brakes and a new exhaust - all done to factory specifications.

Apart from the suit (which has thread made of solid gold, would you believe) and the hotel stay, there's the usual plethora of memorabilia - some of which is collectible and/or autographed - including period photographs, a copy of the original bill of sale and a certificate of authenticity from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

So there you have it. One very special car, sold for a very special price. Harry Yeaggy is one lucky (former?) millionaire.

By Tristan Hankins

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