Turbocharging is likely to be all the range in the next few years as automakers try to improve the mileage of high volume vehicles with downsized engines. Ford has already announced big plans for its EcoBoost engines starting with the 3.5L V6 that launches next spring. Across town at GM, the upcoming Chevy Cruze will get a new 1.4L turbocharged and direct injected engine. Ford will buying turbos from Honeywell for the EcoBoost engines and the supplier is apparently also talking to GM about a supply. Turbocharged engines currently account for about 6 percent of U.S. vehicle sales, split between gas and diesel engines. Honeywell Transportation Systems CEO Adriane Brown expects that share to jump to 15-20 percent of new vehicle sales over the next five years. It seems likely that GM and others will add additional turbocharged gas engine applications over the coming years as an interim step until electrically-driven vehicles become more affordable.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Jay Leno says he originally wanted a hydrogen fuel cell for his one-of-a-kind mid-engine supercar, but such a project wouldn't have been ready for the SEMA Show. So the topic of engine power turned to alternative fuels.

"I wanted to do something with bio fuels to show that we're a little bit responsible," Leno told AutoblogGreen last night during a special unveiling of the car at the Wynn's Casino. "I wanted something fast, something exciting and still environmentally friendly. The jet was the most compatible with biodiesel."

There's more after the jump.