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Researchers have genetically engineered one of the most common bacteria on the planet - E. coli - to digest simple sugars from plant waste and turn it into valuable biofuel.
They said their study, published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, is the first demonstration of a one-step conversion of a renewable nonfood plant to fuel.
The technology could lead to low-cost, low-carbon, high-performance renewable fuels, researcher Stephen del Cardayre said in a telephone interview.
"We looked at the ideal feedstock, which is biomass, and then looked at the product we wanted to make, which is diesel, then we engineered this E.coli to contain the genes that catalyzed all of the chemical reactions required to convert that feedstock into that fuel," del Cardayre said.
"It's a one-step process, so there's no need to have to do two or three buckets of chemistry," he said. "You put in your feedstock, the bug converts it to fuel, which is an oil that you can just scrape off the top."
Del Cardayre of privately held industrial biotechnology firm LS9 worked in collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
The work represents the next step forward in biofuel technology developed by the South San Francisco-based company.
Alternative to fossil fuels
Biofuels, made from plants and animal fat, are alternatives to petroleum-based fuels.
Energy Secretary Stephen Chu highlighted the research in remarks to a Capitol Hill forum on clean energy, jobs and security.
"The bacteria we find in our guts, E.coli, they've taken and reprogrammed (with) simple sugars and made diesel," Chu said.
Chu said he was interested enough in the research to e-mail the article's authors and ask how soon the fuel might be available. He said they responded, "We'll know in two years."
Del Cardayre said his company expects to begin commercial production over the next two years in Brazil, where there is an abundant crop of cheap sugar cane juice that could be converted to diesel.
Canada, which has invested heavily in the biofuel industry as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has ordered a study of the environmental impact of making biofuel.
A Canadian Environment Ministry document said there is evidence that biofuel production facilities in the U.S. and Brazil may be responsible for a range of new air and water problems.
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Most of the R900m that General Motors South Africa (GMSA) will spend on expansion over the next three years is related to future products like the new generation Isuzu KB and Corsa Utility, the current generations of which are both assembled in Port Elizabeth.
Edgar Lourençon, president and managing director of General Motors Africa, says this forms part of an approved investment plan in the region and is linked to recent years' expenditure of R4bn on facilities and systems to serve GM dealers better.
Meanwhile, construction of GMSA's new R250m parts distribution centre at Coega is well under way. The centre should be operational by the fourth quarter.
Lourençon, a born and bred Brazilian, began his career at GM in 1977 as an engineer. Before starting in South Africa in November he was, inter alia, GM managing director in Chile, Bolivia and Peru, concurrently with the same role for GM in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
After three months in his new position he notes a positive sentiment among workers following the economic turmoil of the past two years, when GMSA cut its workforce by about half.
The mood among dealers is also very positive. Despite the recession, very few GMSA dealers have closed their doors, he comments.
The Chevrolet brand has performed well in South Africa over the past year and has increased its South African market share from 4.5% to 5.8%.
With regard to new vehicle sales, GMSA does not expect an "explosion" in the market in 2010, but rather a 5%-odd improvement up to 412 000 units compared with last year's 394 000.
The vehicle industry is concerned about Eskom's proposed price hikes because South Africa's electricity tariffs have so far favoured the manufacturing industry. If the increase is approved, the industry will lose one of the few elements helping South Africa in an exceptionally competitive industry.
Lourençon says Africa is a developing region with great growth potential. GMSA is already exporting vehicles to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique and Botswana - especially the Isuzu KB. Competitiveness remains the key to success.
He cautions that Africa still has a way to go before emulating Brazil, especially in light of its infrastructural challenges, political instability in certain African countries and trade agreements that are not always practicable.
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B&B Gives VW Golf R 266kW
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Available in three different configurations, the Golf R can be modified to produce 228, 238 and 266 kW. While details are limited, the range-topping model features a larger turbocharger, a sports exhaust system (with a larger downpipe and a racing catalyst), revised engine electrics, a new air intake, an optimized intercooler, and a Slim-Line oil cooler. Thanks to these tweaks, the 266 kW B&B Golf R can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and top out at more than 280 km/h.
To make the most of the added power, B&B installed an adjustable coilover suspension (with sport springs that reduce the ride height by 30mm) and a high performance braking system.
While the company normally outfits their cars with Caractere body kits, B&B stated the only styling change will be the addition of exclusive 19 and 20-inch wheels.
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Volvo Announces New GTDi Engine with Unique Turbo
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Featuring a turbocharger, direct injection, and twin variable camshafts, the engine offers "a unique combination of low fuel consumption, low emissions and high performance across a wide rev range." More importantly, the engine is outfitted with the world's first exhaust manifold and integrated turbine system made of sheet steel. While this sound pretty boring, Volvo says "The sheet (steel) is lighter and more compact and, above all, this system generates less heat owing to its extra insulating layer. This allows high gas flow temperature and thus more efficient combustion. "
Jointly developed with Borg-Warner and Benteler Automotive (a steel component manufacturer), the engine produces 149 kW and 300 Nm (320 Nm with overboost). While Volvo declined to release full performance data, they stated a GTDi-equipped S80 would consume 8.3 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers.
According to Magnus Jonsson, head of Product Development at Volvo Cars, "We've succeeded in making a four-cylinder engine that is as powerful as a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and it's also much more energy-efficient. This is a very welcome both for those customers who want high performance as well as supreme driveability and for the environment that benefits from the improved fuel efficiency. One of the most important reasons behind the results is our new, patented turbo system that has been tailor-made for smaller energy-efficient engines."
The GTDi engine will be initially launched in South-East Asia, the Netherlands, China and Japan. It will be available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission.
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VW to Introduce R GmbH Performance Group at Geneva
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At the European driving event for the Volkswagen Golf R, company representatives confirmed that they would be setting up a new performance orientated division. Intended to compete with similar divisions at other automakers, an unnamed executive told Inside Line, "BMW has its M, Mercedes has AMG, and our sibling Audi has Quattro. This new R division will be our Quattro."
R GmbH, a limited liability company, will be set up inside the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany. In addition to representing the sportiest models in the VW range, it will be an expanded version of the VW Individual programme, which currently offers sporty add-on accessories and styling components under the R-Line brand in Europe. Some of these parts and accessories are currently available in North America through the VW GearStore, but it's only a small portion of the entire catalogue. It is not clear if the R-Line will be available worldwide.
The new company will sell the 266-horsepower Volkswagen Golf R, and the similarly-powered Volkswagen Scirocco R. The rumored Jetta R Sport would probably also be sold through the new company.
The division will be officially confirmed at the Volkswagen presentation during the Geneva Motor Show in March.
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