I was walking by and saw the folks from KNIGHT pulling the sheet off the $295,000 XV in the middle of the SEMA parking lot. As they were pulling it off I noticed them trying to start the uber-luxurious black barge but it sounded like the engine wouldn't turn over. Perhaps the battery was dead? Frankly we don't know; however, we were manhandled and pushed away from taking any more pics by a short swarthy man with a ‘stache, so we won't be returning to find out if they got their act together in time for the official unveil.

But first, we need to talk about stereotypes, just to head off a lot of annoying Berkeley/hippie cracks in the comments, like what we saw yesterday. I'm allowed to make Berkeley jokes, and those of you who have spent at least 10 years living in the East Bay are also allowed to make such jokes. The rest of you haven't earned the right, and your cracks about paving superhighways with the bones of ground-up hippies get really old really fast. Here's why: Berkeley is an ungodly complex stew, flavored with silly-ass hippie shit and blustery radical 60s flashbackers and crackpot utopian schemes and omnidirectional anger and gutter punks and and all that stuff that populates the stereotypes the rest of the country loves to get all frothed up over, and it's a maddening fucking place to live or work and I avoid it for the most part… but that stew is also loaded with the kind of honest-to-god freak geniuses who make cool stuff for the rest of us. Do you like the personal computer with which you are viewing this site? Thank the freako Berkeley computer geeks of the 60s and 70s for that. How about the novels of Philip K Dick? Berkeley. The atomic bomb? Berkeley. OK? Right, so let's take a look at some real-world, junkyard-style applications of alternative-fuel technology by some more of these guys:

First, we've got a whole bunch of bio- and veggie-diesel-powered Mercedes-Benzes and Volvos; no need to go into great detail here. The teams will be begging used fry grease from restaurants, or maybe doing hit-and-run shoplifting raids on grocery stores for fresh jugs of cooking oil. Might be some interesting social engineering involved, but the technology is proven and therefore not all that exciting for us.


Then we've got a variation on that theme, with the MAX, a Kinetic Vehicles Locost equipped with a 30-horsepower Kubota 3-cylinder diesel running canola oil. These guys feel that the future does not belong to waste oil (not enough of it to run all our vehicles), so they're going to stand on principle and shoot for donations of fresh canola oil from potential spur-of-moment sponsors (Costco was mentioned) along the way. The car looks well-made and the team has its act together, so the only drama will likely involve fuel scavenging hijinks.


Here's my pick to take the win: the Green Team, which runs on gasified wood chunks. This setup was created by a bunch of engineering brainiacs at Auburn and they've already driven their Dodge pickup to Berkeley from South Carolina without mishap.


They've got a great setup: wood (or any carbon-containing material) is heated in the reactor and turned into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which is then piped to the engine and burned like any other fuel. The Green Team has a table saw powered by a generator, which is fueled by the same stuff that runs the truck's engine; this makes it a snap for them to take any ol' scrap wood and cut it into the 2" cubes that the reactor likes best. Downed tree branches, heaps of wood chips, busted-up-pallets- if they can get it in the reactor, they can drive the truck at highway speeds.


The gasification idea sounds great to All Power Labs, so they put together this '86 Accord with hacked ECM that allows switching between gasoline and "any solid carbonaceous material." Unfortunately, even after an all-out 24-hour thrash before the race, the bugs hadn't all been worked out and the Accord wouldn't be making the race… this time. Check out the power-window motor that runs the fuel-feeding auger.


Then you got your bike riders. Tried and true technology, not much to go wrong, slow and steady wins the race and so on… but shouldn't these guys have to scrounge their own "fuel" (i.e., food) on the route? Apparently they're allowed to buy food at will, which was the cause of some grumbling among the other teams. Wild blackberries, possum innards, and hobo-style handouts, we say! This tandem bike has a small internal-combustion engine on the back to help the pedalers; the team members were too busy to explain the fuel type, but the non-diesel appearance of the engine leads me to believe it's alcohol.


Then we've got the machine that, were there any justice in the world, would chug its way to checkered-flag glory on the Vegas strip: the steam-powered Kristie's Flyer. Built by the Neverwas crew out of an old carriage and the contents of many junkyards, this fine machine burns vegetable oil and can attain a top speed of a blistering 15 MPH. Sure, that's pretty pokey, but look at all the shiny brass and hissing valves, and it's got an insanely loud steam whistle right out of the Industrial Revolution! The "suspension" looks pretty harsh, and the steering gear seems to have been something of an afterthought, but we're rooting for the Kristie's Flyer to make a good run.

With "Eastbound And Down" cranking on the PA, the race officials got the crowd all fired up for some racing action. I couldn't be there to watch the havoc these vehicles will play on local streets, however, because I had to get back to Alameda to shoot more emblem and hood ornament pr0n at the annual Park Street Classic Car Show. Come back later to check it out!

We've heard all the arguments before: lack of infrastructure, high development costs, unproven technology, bad leadership; but here are vehicles which, as we speak, are being driven to Washington DC in climate-controlled comfort by their student creators

Yes, GM is developing the Volt, a car that's essentially electric on a platform allowing for production-swappable powertrain technology to eliminate the limited range. Basically, it allows for every powertrain under the sun including diesel, petrol, hydrogen and probably poop — but we don't want to wait until 2011 to drive it, we want it now damnit. Yes, even the poop-powered version. The company intends for Challenge X to highlight possibilities, and it does. However the unfortunate flip-side is it also highlights the lack of foresight in their past, a mistake they're only now trying to fix. After all, if a bunch of kids can build a fleet of alternate-fuel cars, why can't one of the world's biggest companies? And no, a limited-run fuel cell Equinox fleet does not count.

Saab 9-X BioHybrid: Boosting Efficiency in Compact Design and Performance

The Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is a vivid vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package.

Exploring design themes from Saab's award-winning Aero X and earlier 9X concepts, the 9-X BioHybrid also demonstrates the potential for ultra-efficient power from a 200 hp (147 kW), 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine backed by GM's next-generation Hybrid system. Projected combined cycle CO2 emissions of just 105 g/km on E85 fuel are testimony to the promise of this package (see separate release for details).

The interior showcases an entirely new expression of Saab's driver-focused cockpit design, together with innovative, seamless connectivity for personal nomadic devices and a rear cargo deck with a 'low friction' loading system.

"This car is all about efficiency in design and performance," says Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, who led the 9-X BioHybrid design team in co-operation with the Saab Brand Center in Sweden.

With its 'turbine' wheels placed at all four corners, minimal bodywork overhangs and an extended roof line, the proportions of the three-door Saab 9-X BioHybrid bring a dynamic, new dimension to conventional compact 'hatchback' looks.

The smooth 'fuselage' bodywork, now without any visible handles or door mirrors, the bold 'wraparound' window graphic and deep front grille are all themes inspired by the Aero X coupé concept shown at Geneva two years ago.

The car's distinctive 'shooting brake' silhouette and rear functionality are developed from the 9X multi-role concept shown at Frankfurt in 2001. "You could say we designed this car from back to front, "says Lo. "The shape of the 9X is right for a car of this size, and the longer roof line helps the aerodynamics as well as providing more rear headroom and interior space."

Echoing Saab's roots in aircraft design, the 9-X BioHybrid also explores the potential for using active aerodynamics to reduce drag - and fuel consumption - at cruising speeds. Above 70 kph (43 mph), the upper and lower bodywork is reshaped as the roof spoiler automatically extends to further lengthen the roof line and an underbody diffuser is deployed from the bottom of the rear bumper.

The four-seater cabin introduces an entirely new execution of Saab's driver-focused cockpit design. The central, floor-mounted console, with its angled controls and displays, is now eliminated. Instead, the driver- focused layout incorporates a main instrument panel that sweeps out from the top of the door moulding, arching across the driver. The embedded 3-D graphics appear to be 'frozen' in ice, continuing a Scandinavian design theme first seen in the Aero X.

Reflecting the needs of youthful customers, who expect easy access to multi-media both inside and outside the car, Saab has co-operated with Sony Ericsson in providing seamless in-car connectivity for a range of nomadic devices. The result is a wireless interface for streaming data, entertainment and satellite navigation functions for display and use. The interface also allows the simultaneous use of multiple devices when passengers are in the car.

At the rear, the cargo deck features an electrically-powered slide-out floor, which is activated when the bottom half of the split tailgate drops down The floor, and the back of the folding rear seats, is covered by 'high friction' rubber carpeting, which 'grips' items and holds them securely in place. For easy loading and unloading, aluminum bars automatically rise up and down as the tailgate is opened and closed.

The treatment of light is an important part of Scandinavian design and this is evident in the use of variable, white ambient lighting inside the cabin. The level of suffused illumination can be changed in intensity from bright, cold to warm and soft. It's a personalized feature that could even be programmed, for example, to reflect the pattern of the changing seasons

"This car shows how our concept work can be carried forward into a compact format," adds Anthony Lo. "It has a number of features which we will be developing further, such as the new driver-focused design theme, the importance of clean, uncluttered surfaces and the easy, seamless connectivity inside the car."

Technical Specifications

BioPower Engine:
Transversely-mounted, front wheel drive
1398 cc. Four cylinders Bore/stroke: 73.4/ 82.6 mm. Aluminum cylinder head, cast iron block
DOHC, chain-driven. Four valves per cylinder.
Forged steel crankshaft, steel connecting rods. Aluminum pistons, oil spray cooled.
Direct Injection with centrally-mounted injectors. VVT, inlet and exhaust
Sodium-filled exhaust valves
Compression Ratio: 10.2: 1
Intercooled turbocharger. Max. Boost Pressure: 1.6 bar
Dual-mass flywheel. Saab engine management

Max power (E85): 200 hp (147 kW) @ 5000 rpm.
Max.torque (E85): 280 Nm (207 lb.ft) @ 1750-5000 rpm
Max power (gasoline): 170 hp (125 kW) @ 5200 rpm.
Max.torque (gasoline): 230 Nm (170 lb.ft) @ 1500-5200 rpm

Hybrid System
Electric motor/generator with lithium ion battery pack.
Electric power boost, regenerative braking, fuel cut-off, automatic engine re-start

Transmission:
6-spd manual gearbox, automated clutch, sequential gear selection, steering wheel controls

Suspension:
Front: Damper/coil struts, aluminum lower A-arm. Anti-roll bar.
Rear: Torsion beam, two trailing links, coil springs and dampers. Anti-roll bar
Steering:
Rack and pinion, Electrical power assistance.

Wheels, Tires:
21inch, 245/35R21
Brakes:
Hydraulic, dual circuit, vacuum booster. Discs: 345 mm / 345 mm (all ventilated)

Performance Data
(projected figures)

0 - 100 km/h (0-62 mph): 7.9 secs (E85)
8.3 secs (gasoline)

80 -120 km/h (50-75 mph), 5th gear: 8.8 secs (E85)
11.2 secs (gasoline)

Top Speed, 6th gear: 216 km/h /134 mph (E85)
192 km/h / 119 mph (gasoline)

Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 6.4 l/100km (E85)
4.9 l/100km (gasoline)

CO2 emissions 105 g/km (E85)
117 g/km (gasoline)

[source: Saab]

"To reach that goal [1,000 biofuel pumps by 2008], the governor announced a $250,000 grant program to help service station owners defray the costs of installing or converting infrastructure at public service stations to provide ethanol and biodiesel fuel to Michigan consumers."

Well, it sure as hell ain't much — and it actually leverages funds from the U.S. Department of Energy. Still, it's a creative way to address the issue — and in all honesty, we're just glad to see at least one public servant's out there trying to help a few of the nation's largest employers. We'll even bet she won't hesitate meeting with the Big Three's bosses, either. Full press release is after the jump.

Governor Granholm Announces Goal of 1,000 BioFuel Pumps by 2008; Announces $250,000 Grant Program

Second round of grants to help defray costs

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the state of Michigan will work to have 1,000 biofuel pumps by 2008 to make ethanol and biodiesel fuel more accessible to Michigan motorists. To reach that goal, the governor announced a $250,000 grant program to help service station owners defray the costs of installing or converting infrastructure at public service stations to provide ethanol and biodiesel fuel to Michigan consumers. This is the second round in a series of grants being made available by the state.

"Michigan is moving aggressively to increase production and use of both ethanol and biodiesel fuels," Granholm said. "Ethanol and biodiesel production facilities are coming on line. We've cut taxes on the purchase of these fuels, and now, thanks to this grant program, we will greatly expand access. Expanding access and use will help reduce the cost of gas for all of us."

Five ethanol plants are already in production in Michigan, with two more under construction. Two biodiesel plants are also beginning production, with another plant in the works. In addition, the legislative package signed by the governor in July cut the gas tax by 36 percent for the purchase of ethanol and 20 percent for biodiesel.

Granholm said that Michigan's investment in alternative energy production and use will benefit consumers in the long-run as increased use of ethanol and biodiesel helps reduce the demand for foreign oil. In the short-term, Granholm said the state is doing everything in its power to protect consumers at the pump, including doubling the number of inspections this year to ensure that consumers are receiving the quantity and quality of gasoline they are paying for. The governor said that President Bush could provide short-term relief, as well, by capping outrageous oil company profits.

"It's time for President Bush to stand up for Michigan citizens and cap big oil's outrageous profits," said Granholm. "That will provide our citizens immediate relief from high gas prices, while our long-term solutions take route and end our dependence on foreign oil once and for all."

Legislation signed by the governor in July called for the creation of this program to increase the number of retail outlets throughout the state that provide ethanol and biodiesel to fleet owners and the public.

To implement the grant program, the state is seeking proposals from 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporations for state projects to provide incentives to service station owners to convert existing pumps or install new ethanol and biodiesel pumps. Ethanol and biodiesel are clean burning fuels that can be made from renewable resources grown in Michigan. Most ethanol is made from corn, and biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and waste grease. Over the last two years, rising oil prices and an increased number of biofuel production facilities in the U.S. have helped reduce the price difference between petroleum fuels and bio-based alternatives.

Today's announcement is the second phase of the grant program. In July, NextEnergy received a $62,500 grant to provide the first round of grants to service stations. The initial grants are expected to be awarded in September.

"This program will greatly expand the availability of ethanol and biodiesel to consumers throughout Michigan," said Bob Swanson, director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, which will oversee the program. "Michigan farmers will benefit through increased demand for corn and soybeans, Michigan citizens will enjoy cheaper gas prices and a cleaner environment, and Michigan's economy will be strengthened through increased investment in infrastructure and a decreased reliance on foreign oil.

Funding for the Biofuel Infrastructure Incentive Program was made available through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (www.energy.gov). The program will be administered by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) Energy Office, (www.michigan.gov/energyoffice) in cooperation with the Michigan Strategic Fund.

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Related:
George W Bush: Bad For Cars, Good For Motorcycles [internal]