I want this VW!!

This looks awesome. And 260 mpg? Sign me up! Motor Trend article here

Now, Piech’s Volkswagen has combined state-of-the-art technology, from common rail diesel-supplemented plug-in hybrid power to carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer lightweight body material, to create the XL1. The concept consumes 0.9 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers, the automaker says, which translates to an EPA fuel mileage figure of 261.3 mpg.

From Autoblog, some info that a few of these will actually be produced….

According to Automobilwoche (sub. req’d, via The Truth About Cars), Volkswagen will build 100 XL1s as a small batch of regular production machines… meaning they’ll actually be offered for sale to the general populace. No word on what will power the production models, but the concept features a two-cylinder TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All that fuel-sipping goodness is enough to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km – just over 261 mpg.

Solyndra hits ‘rough patch’

Interesting article about troubles Solyndra is having. Brian Harrison is the new (as of July 2010) CEO.

Harrison’s first big move was to shut down Solyndra’s older factory, consolidating production in Fab 2, the newer Fremont factory, and disrupting the company’s plans to add 1,000 jobs.

Now he faces the formidable task of putting Solyndra on the road to profitability and reviving its much-maligned reputation in Silicon Valley.
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“We’re not yet cash flow positive, but we’ve adjusted our spending and slowed the rate of cash we are consuming,” he added.
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Many low-cost Chinese manufacturers, which benefit from massive government support, are manufacturing at costs in the $1.10 to $1.20 a watt range. Thin-film leader First Solar, based in Tempe, Ariz., manufactures at 75 cents a watt and aims to be at 53 cents a watt by 2014. Solyndra says its current manufacturing costs are about $3 per watt.

“Our manufacturing cost per watt is coming down every quarter,” Harrison said. “By the end of 2012 we should be at the $1.30 to $1.40 per watt range, or $2 a watt if you include installation.”
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First US map sells for record price

The “Abel Buell” map (one of seven copies) from 1784 sold for $1.8 million, and will be lent to the Library of Congress. Story here.

The hand-colored engraved map is 43 inches by 48 inches, consisting of four parts united into one.

Created right after the Treaty of Paris, which marked the formal end of the American Revolutionary War, the Buell map shows the new country. “It covers the territory of the 13 colonies and an area east of the Mississippi River. The state boundaries are quite larger. Virginia, for example, extends from the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River,”

Australia takes another body blow

Northeast Australia gets slammed by a cat 5 typhoon after tons of flooding. Doesn’t seem fair. Reports seem to imply that this monster storm has only caused one casualty, which is amazing to me. I guess mandatory evacuations were heeded and worked! Link

Residents and officials were amazed that the death toll was not higher. The storm whipped the coast with up to 170 mph (280 kph) winds and sent waves crashing ashore two blocks into seaside communities.

More reports:

The town of Tully, close to where the cyclone hit land, is a “scene of mass devastation”, resident Ross Sorbello told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Sorbello, who briefly went outside as the eye of the storm passed over, said roofs were ripped from houses, electricity poles were down and the streets were covered with debris.

Tully resident Stephanie Grimaz said that houses in her street had been torn apart, the Queensland Times reported.