May 25, 2008

Willies Willys is pure biodiesel

Named for country music singer and biodiesel advocate Willie Nelson, the“Willie’s Willys” is a biodiesel-powered recreation of a 1941 Willys pickup truck (shown here).

Each Willie Willys is powered by a 6.5-litre, twin-turbo diesel engine with the production version generating 350 horsepower. The transmission is a six-speed automatic.

The truck has spark plugs, unusual for a diesel engine, which the designers state will help reduce particulate emissions. Tests indicated the truck should average thirty-eight miles per gallon.

While the frame is made of conventional stainless steel and the truck bed is oak, the body is made of a soy-based resin.

Treehugger would say: “this bright red truck is pure green.”

Each of the 500 limited-edition Willie Willys trucks will cost $97,000.

Link here.