Volvo Enters WTCC with Ethanol-Powered C30 Green Racer

[Akatosh]

Following its debut at the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC), Volvo has decided enter its new ethanol E85 powered C30 Green Racer in the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) at Brands Hatch on the 26 - 27th of July. Although the C30 Green Racer will not be eligible to race for points since it uses Ethanol E85, the Swedish carmkaer wants to evaluate the car against the strongest of competition. In STCC, the C30 Green Racer has managed so far to secure three out of seven pole positions and has led close to half of all laps driven.

“We are naturally excited to come to Brands Hatch. This race was on the ‘to-do-list’ in our plan for the C30 from the start. We wanted this as a check point to see how far we have come against the best,” says Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director at Volvo Cars. “We are climbing up the development curve of this car and we strongly believe the Volvo C30 may become a very competitive car in any FIA Super 2000 championship. However, it is important to stay pragmatic and do things in the right order.”


http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/07/volvo-enters-wtcc-with-ethanol-powered.html

[Tastesicle]

When are companies going to learn that it's time we had a revolution in technology that will push us into the next age? Every 12-15 years over the entire 20th century there was something that pushed the boundaries of science and made life entirely better (for the most part) for the human race. We're due something, and it better be good if we're to continue this overpopulated pace into the future.

What you might ask? Our method of transportation is by far the most revolutionary thing we can change. Biodiesel and alcohol will not cut it, there's simply not enough room to farm enough to fuel our cars; it's a step in the right direction, but a baby step.

Go electric! We HAVE battery technology that will enable cars to pass the 400km per charge mark and the power grid to sustain such a venture. Hell, the world's first fusion reactor is to be in operation in France by 2020. I like the article, and appreciate that companies with billions of dollars to throw at it have actually taken a small interest in the idea, but let's face it, unless another Thomas Edison comes around, these aren't going to be very viable solutions for the immediate future.

Great post though :D