* Mercruiser 3.0 L 3927797 Af Water Pulley Inv#2 on 2040-parts.com

GM expands advanced-vehicle-technology center in California

General Motors unveiled a new technical center dedicated to the development, maintenance and testing of alternative-energy vehicles last week in Torrance, Calif. The company has had local digs for years but recently leased the building next to its existing Advanced Technology Center for an alternative-energy research facility. It now employs a dozen scientists, technicians and engineers to advance the electrification of GM vehicles.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics gets green light +video

The BMW EfficientDynamics is set for production in 2013 Probably the biggest show stopper at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which offered a diesel hybrid setup withn two electric motors, M3 levels of performance and low emissions with 75mpg. In essence, a BMW M1 for the Eco generation. Since BMW revealed their Vision ED other premium car makers have joined the eco-supercar game and announced production of what amount to high-performance hybrids and/or electric cars. Mercedes has confirmed they are working on an SLS AMG E-Cell, with a working prototype already running around.

VW 'to announce its WRC entry' at Rally Sardinia

VW Polo R WRC (2011): Volkswagen enter the WRC High-level sources in an existing World Rally Championship team have told CAR that Volkswagen will formally announce its decision to enter the WRC at Rally Sardinia, which starts on 5 May 2011, somewhat stealing the thunder of Mini’s WRC debut. It’s believed that sister firm Skoda’s Fabia Intercontinental Rally Challenge car will be used as the first step in development. This car currently runs to the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated S2000 rules, so one of the first steps will be to switch to a 1.6-litre turbo.