Gordon Murray Creates Fuel-Efficient Car

Gordon Murray, famed designer of the legendary McLaren F1 sports car, is at it again.

Murray has designed a car that gets 96 MPG and can reach speeds of 100 MPH, and is in negotiations with manufacturers to bring it to the public. According to Bloomberg, the car should sell at prices ranging from $11,000 for a gasoline-powered example, to $25,000 for an electric version.

The design is currently thought out in two versions, the gasoline-powered T.25 and the electric T.27.

The T.25 is powered by a 3-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 51 hp that can go the aforementioned 96 miles on a single (UK) gallon of gas (which is about 1.2 U.S. gallons). The electric T.27, powered by a 25 kilowatt electric motor, can go the same distance on what Autonews calls “about $1.06 worth of power.”

"Essentially we've been making motorcars the same way since the Model T, and that model is breaking down. I want to bring Formula One technology to the everyday motorist, with all its advantages," said Murray.

Photo credit Europeanmotornews.com

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Mazda Goes Racing With Turbocharged Diesel

Beginning in the 2013 season, Mazda Motorsports will begin supplying high-performance diesel engines for customer teams competing in GRAND-AM racing, specifically the GX class for advanced/clean technology.

Diesel engines are a rarity for Asian manufacturers in the United States. Called the SKYACTIV-D, the engine will be 2.2 liters in displacement, feature a low (for diesels) 14:1 compression ratio, a two-stage turbocharger, and a 52000 RPM.

"This opens a new chapter in racing for us," said Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "We've won with rotary technology, and now we're looking to again put our customers in the winner's circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen."

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Toyota Launches Le Mans Hybrid

In a sign of the times, Toyota is joining the high-performance hybrid fray.

Two Le Mans TS030 prototypes powered by 3.4 liter V-8 gasoline engines officially debuted at the famous Circuit de la Sarthe this week in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place June 16-17^th.

In addition to the standard gasoline engines, the TS030 features a capacitor that recovers energy at the rear wheels, and powers the car under certain conditions on track and in pit.

"We are continuously adjusting and improving the system, so each test day brings a step forward and that was true again today. The combination of downshifting, braking and charging is really working in harmony; it’s like an elaborate dance," said Hisatake Murata, Hybrid Project leader via a Toyota press release.

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