More photos at source.
Posted on 11/02/2006 12:46:43 PM PST by Cagey
Jay Leno may have made fun of corn farmers and the Toyota Prius, but he unveiled a stunning mid-engine supercar that is environmentally friendly and hopefully an inspiration to young car enthusiasts. The covers were pulled off Leno's EcoJet on Monday at a late-night ceremony in the Wynn's Hotel in Las Vegas where the car will be displayed at the SEMA Show.
"I drive it, wait for the harvest, get some corn and drive it some more," quipped Leno, who told Autoblog that he is also converting his shop to solar power in an effort to be more environmentally conscious.
Leno said he originally wanted a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle but time constraints killed that idea. Bio-diesel was the backup plan, so Leno sought out a 650-horsepower Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine, mated to a Corvette automatic transaxle. Much of the vehicle platform is based on the C6 Corvette, including a special aluminum frame, brakes and suspension components. What was the targeted top speed for the 2,400-pound car? "How much fun can you have with it," answered Leno, noting the exhaust sounds like "a jet engine taking off."
Designer from the GM Advanced Design Studio worked with sketches Leno originally made on a napkin. Leno said there were no constraints placed on the design, like where the golf clubs would go. The idea was built to be a fast, fun vehicle with design cues pulled from Formula 1 and various aircraft. Perhaps the most eye-catching and innovative design elements are the turbine-inspired, Alcoa-built wheels (20x10 front, 22x12 rear) and the massive exhaust slots -- one for each side of the engine. The water-born paint is from BASF and the interior isn't finished, but Leno promises it will be "cruelty free," so Pam Anderson of PETA fame will take a drive with him.
More photos at source.
And, thanks for shrinking those spark plugs. I was seeing them in my sleep.
Clearly the man has no morals, no consideration for the sounds-conscious crowd. How can the man call himself a friend of the environment with a car that noisy? phhht!
Rest in Peace, old friend, your work is finished.......
Diesel "Ping" List: If you want on or off the DIESEL "KNOCK" LIST just FReepmail me........
This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days......
At BASF, we don't make a lot of the typos you see. We make them worser. ;-)
LOL! Excellent point.
Maybe they can somehow change it to sound like a slow freight train.
1962 Caddie Le Mans prototype
ROTFL!
So true. I think he'll keep running high test gasoline in his veins.
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/
Funny GM ad at the site too. I have a feeling GM and Jay have something going on.
By any chance, is her name Sally?
Seriously, if I were ever to buy a classic car I'd have a hard time choosing between that Mustang and a 1966 GTO convertible.
Tough choice, and both the Mustang and GTO really work best in Red.
http://www.psgenergy.com/GTO/1966-pontiac-gto-convertible.html
Autoweek did a story on his first car, a '55 Roadmaster, and the total rebuild he did. By the time he was done, it looked like a cherry '55, but it runs with a current 'Vette, and seats six in style.
Thanks Jay, for doing the work most American Car Companies will not do!
It is guys like Jay who's passion goes beyond a balance sheet and produces the vehicles of tomorrow. Something GM and Ford used to do.
Good work Jay! Keep dreaming, someone has too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.