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Bioethanol supercar in London

A bioethanol-powered sports car that claims to be the fastest European production car of all time was unveiled at the MPH motor show in London this weekend.

The Koenigsegg CCXR was unveiled at the Earls Court Show boasting an engine powered by congestion charge-busting bioethanol.

Its 4.7 litre twin-supercharged V8 generates 1,004 brake horse power (bhp), speeding the light carbon fibre based shell from naught to 62 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.

According to the maker, the car runs its best on E85 biofuel (85 per cent bioethanol, 15 per cent petrol), and on regular petrol delivers just 806bhp.

Koenigsegg claims the E85 fuel's higher octane rating and cooling capacity allows the engine to run with higher compression compared to the company's own petrol-fuelled model.

The company founder Christian von Koenigsegg told the Sunday Times: "It affects power output in a positive way and the environment in a positive way, So with two positive effects, why not do it?"

He added: : "It is just a statement to say that if a small company like ours can engineer such solutions, large manufacturers can do it too."

On E85, the car emits 135 grams of carbon per kilometre, significantly less than other supercars, but still just above the level recommended by the EU parliament.

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