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When a Ferrari and a Toyota GT86 get jiggy, strange things happen

Swapping V8s into small Japanese cars is not new. In fact, swapping V8s into small sportscars from anywhere is not new. From the original Cobra to the modern FR-S and BRZ, big V8 power in a light, lithe chassis has been delicious combination rivaling the Reese's peanut butter cup. People familiar with these swaps know that American iron is the preferred source for large-displacement grunt, but Ryan Tuerck and Gumout have taken a different route, specifically from Italy. Replacing the 2.0-liter flat-4 of this Toyota GT86 is a Ferrari F136 V8. Unfortunately that's about the only detail we really know about this project. The F136 was used in the F430, California and 458 Italia, and all with varying displacement and output. So we don't even know which of those variants this engine is. If it came from a California, that'd at least make the front-engine location easier to fabricate. No matter though, it's still a Ferrari engine in a small car, and that's awesome. And Donut Media, the company that produced the video, promises more details down the road. In the meantime, enjoy this video preview of the project. Related Video: Related Gallery 2017 Toyota 86: New York 2016 View 12 Photos Aftermarket Weird Car News Ferrari Toyota Performance Videos sports car toyota gt86 engine swap 86 flat-four

Cleanliness of Toyota Mirai fuel cell exhaust depends on air quality

Is the water vapor coming out of Toyota's first production fuel-cell vehicle drinkable? If you're driving through the Sierra Nevadas? Probably. Cruising through Beijing? Not so much. Toyota executive Seiji Mizuno discussed whether the water vapor emitted from the Toyota Mirai is safe enough to drink and, according to Automotive News, the short answer is "yes," since the slightly-acidic vapor has "fewer organic impurities" than milk. The catch, though, is that the vapor immediately gets mixed with the surrounding air. That means that there's always the chance that something funky gets mixed in with the air intake, especially if the Mirai's driving through a smog-infested city. That makes the idea of swigging off the tailpipe a slightly riskier venture, so it's best to keep that reusable bottle full of tap water handy. Toyota, which recently showed the Mirai off at the Los Angeles Auto Show, confirmed earlier this month that the Mirai would start sales in California in 2015 with lease rates starting at $499 a month. While the model's MSRP will be $57,500, federal and state incentives could bring that number to less than $45,000. Fewer than 200 Mirai vehicles will be available in the US by the end of next year.

Crushing 1984 Ford Ranger to make a point about clean cars

Being a professional politician is often about more than just getting legislation passed, and a little showmanship can go a long way towards getting a point across. California State Senate leader Kevin de Leon recently staged just such a flashy stunt when he crushed a 1984 Ford Ranger at a rally kicking off an EV incentives pilot program. De Leon sponsored a bill last year that, in part, tried to give greater support to low-income buyers who wanted to trade in their old clunker for a zero-emissions vehicle. He hoped to improve the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which has been accused of especially helping the wealthy. After watching their Ranger get destroyed at this event, the Mendoza family that owned the truck drove away in a 2013 Toyota Prius, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. Under the pilot program, buyers in two air districts in the Golden State can take advantage of these incentives. Depending on their income and the vehicle they are purchasing, people can get a rebate of between $1,500 and $9,500, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. For now, the California Air Resources Board has set aside $5 million from the state's cap-and-trade program to fund things in these areas. Later, it will vote whether to adopt the initiative statewide. Not to be outdone, Arnold Schwarzenegger has thrown his prodigious muscle behind this program, and he put out an even more explosive video showing how to get rid of these old vehicles. You can watch a clip of the Ranger's destruction from the Sacramento Business Journal above and the Governator's response, below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Sacramento Business Journal, Arnold Schwarzenegger via YouTube Government/Legal Green Ford Toyota Car Buying Green Culture Electric Hybrid Videos California cvrp kevin de leon