Archive for the ‘emissions’ Category

Bentley isn't known for making gas-sippers. In fact, some of its current models rank among the least fuel-efficient in the country (down to the single digits). But that reputation may change a bit when Bentley launches its new, top-secret powertrain in 2011. There's speculation that the engine may be a hybrid and that it will be capable of running on E85 bioethanol like the new Continental Supersports. No word yet on efficiency, but we know that it's set to reduce CO2 from 396 g/km to under 240 g/km -- still far above the industry average, but hey, a 40% cut is a 40% cut. [AutoExpress]

As we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, new fuel efficiency and emissions regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation could have a serious impact on gas-guzzling luxury vehicles. If approved as they stand in draft form, the regulations provide very little room for deviation, which could result in some very uncomfortable mergers and partnerships among brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.

Current regulations allow manufacturers to pay fines on vehicles that fail to meet U.S. efficiency and emissions standards. Those fines are fairly small, and they're passed on to luxury consumers, who...

Fill up at almost any pump today and you're likely to see a reminder that what you think of as gasoline can contain up to 10 percent ethanol.

The effect of that much ethanol on your car is relatively benign; it's been allowed since 1978 and over more than three decades the ethanol, mostly sourced from U.S. corn, has helped reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

Now agricultural lobbies, corn producing states, and some alt-fuel advocates are pushing to boost the allowable ethanol content in fuel to 15 percent, from the current 10 percent. A request filed last March, led by four ethanol-producing states, must be approved or denied by December 1.