83 Honda Shadow Gas Tank on 2040-parts.com

E85 makes inroads on cost and availability

Three years ago, we embarked on a Midwest road trip in search of what was then the Holy Grail of fuel: E85. Our findings weren't too positive--there were far more E85-compatible vehicles on the road in 2006 (5 million) than there were E85 pumps to fuel them (about 700 out of some 200,000 fuel stations nationwide). In addition, those burning the mix of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol were paying a pretty penny for their earth-friendly ways, losing about 15 percent in fuel economy while often paying the same price as regular unleaded.

Volkswagen working on new VR6 engine

Volkswagen is pushing ahead with development of a new narrow-angle V6 direct-injection gas engine, sources from the German carmaker's engineering headquarters based in Braunschweig reveal. Engineering for the new engine is being overseen by Volkswagen's new head of engine development, Fritz Eichler -- who in a previous position led the development of the current generation of Mercedes-Benz AMG powerplants -- continues with a swept volume of 3.0-liters and an unfashionable 15-degree cylinder bank angle. It has been conceived for transverse mounting.

Digital repreive for drivers as FM switch-off postponed

MILLIONS OF CAR OWNERS have been saved from missing out on listening to the radio in their cars as the Government has delayed switching off FM transmitters in favour of digital radio. The move comes as the Government admits that more needs to be done to convince radio users to switch to DAB digital radio instead of sticking with FM. Ed Vaizey, the communications minister, said: ‘We have to support digital radio, but we also respect people’s passion for radio and not being made to do something they don’t want to.’ At present, digital radio accounts for about a third (36.5%) of all radio listening, but take up has been lower among car drivers who are used to FM.