Under a new research directive at Ames National Laboratory, scientists are honing in on a way to perfect a process called gasification to create cheap ethanol from almost any carbon source without fermentation.

If they’re successful, crops, agricultural waste, lawn clippings, raked leaves, sewage sludge and garbage could all be turned into ethanol using the same efficient process, in the same facility, under one roof.

[SOURCE: gas2.org READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

At Washtenaw Community College near Ann Arbor, MI, you can take algebra and English lit. You can also take Custom Cars & Concepts, where your assignments might include building a mid-engine Ford Five Hundred with a supercharged 5.3-liter Ford GT engine putting out 550 HP. What course would you choose? Instructor Scott Malnar told us this beast was entirely student-built and took first place at the Autorama show two years ago in the "street exhibition and performance" category. One look at the gallery below will tell you it was well-deserved. More Photos below...

Zele International has just received their intake manifolds back from polishing and fitted them up with their Zele Dry Carbon Engine Cover. I think engine bay polishing is going to be pretty rampant come TAS2009.

[SOURCE: gtrblog.com READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

Infiniti just released this image of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible. Not pictured is the folding hard top, the four seats or the complete and utter lack of trunk space. Power will be from the same 3.7-liter, 320 HP V6 as the coupe, which should easily move the extra weight. Expect more details and photos as the November LA Auto Show draws closer. [SOURCE: jalopnik.com READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

A major new report has claimed that by 2020 all new cars sold will be hybrids of one form or another, and that battery technology will be commonplace in most cars.

Byron Cancelmo of the DeLorean Motor City car club showed off the first arrivals of about 12 expected Belfast-born sports cars on Woodward Avenue today. The club sometimes has as many as 20 cars show despite the fact they've grown primarily from word of mouth with no real organization. Additionally, James Espey from DMC down in Humble, TX was on hand to share the gullwing love and talk up their upcoming RHD DeLorean; stay tuned for more, and click through for a full gallery...

Initially only available for the Sky, AMP will add other Saturn models as company growth allows.

The company is currently taking orders for a limited run of 300 “signature series” Sky conversions. The Sky EV will be able to go from 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in 5.7 seconds, will have a top speed of 90 mph (145 kph), and can go 150 miles (240 kilometers) before needing a recharge. More Below...

Pro Stock Racing, based in Misato, Saitama, Japan has produced a good range of original and packaged aftermarket parts for the R35 GT-R.

Let’s start off with their packaged PSR RDD big rotor kits. Identical to the Mine’s big brake kit these rotors from RDD come in 400mm sizes front and back. Priced at 240,000 yen per front set and 255,000 yen rear they also share their price tag with the Mine’s items.

Here we are, months and months away from the sales-floor launch of the 2010 Chevy Camaro, and already those persuasive salesfolks are prepping, poring over this conveniently leaked sales guide, readying their pitch to get you into GM's new hotness. We took a look at the nine-page talking points memo and found it unsurprisingly chock full of marketing-speak. Things like "world-class cupholders" and a "Reverse mohawk roof" prove to us that GM really put a lot of effort into the sales strategy here — just look how hard they're trying.

[SOURCE: feeds.gawker.com READ THE FULL ARTICLE]

Thanks to Honda's proactive dealer direct mailings and an enthusiast with a scanner, we now have a good look at the upcoming 2009 Honda Civic sedan. The biggest change is up front, where the new Civic will get the family smile thanks to a redesigned grille and front fascia. Out back, the lighting has been tweaked, but not substantially. Two trim levels have been added: The DX-VP and LX-S, presumably a value and sport package, respectively, helping Civic tweak its price points for broader appeal.The whole thing has an "incremental improvement" quality about it, which — along with "incremental weight gain" — is the same formula that's worked for Civic for about 30 years now. Click through for a full gallery...