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Bluebird electric car guns for new EV speed record

The grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell is continuing his quest for land speed records - with a new attempt to set the electric car v-max. Don Wales has announced he will attempt a world speed record of 500mph in an electric car in 2013. 500mph?

Ford eyes dandelions as sustainable alternative to synthetic rubber

Ford, in conjunction with Ohio State University, is turning to the humble garden weed as sustainable resource, researching the dandelion's potential use as an alternative to synthetic rubber. While the automaker already makes considerable use of sustainable materials in its vehicles – such as soy foam seat cushions and straw-filled plastic for interior trim – this latest discovery opens up a wealth of new possibilities for automotive applications. According to research conducted by Ford, a milky-white substance that is found in certain dandelion roots can produce a sustainable rubber that could be used to create plastic parts for vehicle interiors.

MINI GP II on its way

MINI GP II on its way (MINI GP pictured) MINI has revealed that they are planning a MINI GP II – the most powerful MINI ever – to be launched at Mini United 2012 in La Castellet in May. When the first BMW MINI was close to its sell by date, MINI churned out the most powerful MINI ever in the guise of the MINI GP. And now, with the second generation MINI nearing the end of its life, they’re about to pull the same trick with the MINI GP II.