2009 Yamaha Grizzly 450 Fuel Tank Cover on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-Benz reveals first C-class details

Mercedes-Benz has revealed limited details about its new fourth-generation C-class sedan, more than two months before it is due to make its world debut at the Detroit auto show. Although the new BMW 3-series and Audi A4 rival is yet to official unveiled -- in fact, all we have so far are interior renderings -- Mercedes-Benz says the new C-class will be a significantly more advanced car than its predecessor in terms of construction, with a “best in class” weight figure and a level of structural integrity that it describes as being “unparalleled” in its class. Among its features is a new lightweight body structure that uses a newly developed aluminum hybrid construction process that Mercedes-Benz claims will shave as much as 220 pounds over the current model depending on the engine it uses.

Algae-powered street lights eat CO2

Algae powered street lighting (great Photoshop) A French biochemist – Pierre Calleja – has developed a street lighting system using micro algae that absorbs CO2. The need to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere is contentious - to say the least – but as long as governments use CO2 as a stick to beat motorists and empty their bank accounts it’s sensible to look at ways of ‘balancing’ the CO2 emissions of cars. French biochemist Pierre Calleja thinks he’s come up with a solution that would neutralise CO2 emissions from cars by cancelling it out with his micro-algae lighting.

Ian Callum confirms an XFR Estate – the Jaguar XFR Sports Brake?

The Jaguar XFR Estate - the Jaguar XFR Sports Brake? It’s quite gratifying, after several years of championing the Jaguar XF Estate, for Jaguar to finally decide to add the load-carrying XF to the range. Just last week we had Andrew Whyman, XF Vehicle Engineering Manager for Jaguar, letting it slip that the XF Estate was indeed in the mix and was definitely on its way.