Using Formula 1 technology to keep things light, the big brains at French company Venturi have released the Astrolab. With a top speed of 120 kmh and a range of about 110 km, the two seater is now available to European consumers for only 92,000 Euros (roughly $117,000). The entire upper surface is covered in photovoltaic cells that recharge the batteries. There doesn’t seem to be any mention of a roof, so things might be a tad damp on rainy days.
For all the techie details and more pics visit Gizmag

Those fun and wacky guys & girls at google want to take over save the world. They have shifted at least part of their focus away from creating cool computer things and towards doing good for the world. The have created a philanthropic arm which plans to curb poverty, disease and global warming. Pretty lofty stuff, but if anyone this side of Bill Gates has the cash and brains to do it, then google may be a contender.

As part of the global warming bit, google wants to develop 100 mpg cars. Apparently they are already working with hybrid engine specialists and automakers to design a platform that will run on ethanol, gasoline and electricity. Soon, we may be lining up to buy a google mobile. Maybe they should call it the moogle!

Source NYT via Kicking Tires

Honda has just announced it’s future plans for north America, including a new US auto plant and a new Canadian engine plant that will be in operation by 2008. Also detailed in the press release are plans to improve fuel efficiency including a new hybrid car and clean diesel technology.

The plan includes:

• Construction of a new auto plant in the U.S. with an investment of approximately
  $400 million to begin production in 2008, with employment of more than 1,500 associates at full capacity.
• Construction of a new engine plant in Canada to begin production of four-cylinder engines in 2008 with an investment of $140 million and employment of 340 associates.
• Expansion of U.S. engine, transmission and powertrain component production in Ohio and Georgia, with additional investment of $125 million and additional employment of 80 associates.
• Introduction in the U.S. and Canada in 2009 of a new, more affordable, dedicated hybrid car.
• Introduction in the U.S. and Canada within the next three years of new diesel engine technology that meets U.S. EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards.
• Establishment of a goal to increase American Honda’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) by five percent over 2005 levels by the year 2010.

This ties in with Honda’s plans to build more environmentally friendly vehicles world wide, by increasing fuel efficiency on exisiting models. Perhaps the best news here is the creation of new jobs at a time when many North American manufacturers are cutting back. Way to go Honda!