Are you somebody who is always tinkering with your car to get the best mileage possible? If so, you may just be a hypermiler, and should share you finding with the rest of us. In fact, why not share your tip with Popular Science, Instructables and Treehugger in their newest contest. Of course, we are most interested in how you green your car here at AutoblogGreen, but any green projects count for this contest. To see the official rules and all of that jazz, click here.

If you happen to have a cool project that you want to share with our readers, of course you are welcome to do that too. Like, say... electrifying a VW Vanagon?

[Source: Popular Science]

As we reported a month ago, Popular Science magazine gives out their Best of What's New awards every year to what they consider are top innovations of the year. The editors select the top 100 new technologies in 10 categories, out of the thousands of products they evaluate. This year they gave two automotive awards to Mercedes-Benz for their adaptive brake light system and BlueTec diesel emissions reduction system.

All of the award winners will be featured in the December issue of the magazine. In addition, the magazine is showing off all the award winners in Vanderbilt Hall in New York City's Grand Central Station. The displays will also have product experts available to answer questions. If you're in New York City today or tomorrow stop by the station and check out the show. The full Mercedes press release is after the jump.

Related:

• Popular Mechanics' Breakthrough Award green auto winners: Tesla, BlueTec, cheap hydrogen

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

On a recent trip to Honda's research and development center in Utsunomia, Japan, Popular Science got an opportunity to conduct a 10-minute interview with Takeo Fukui, Honda's president and CEO, as well as take the FCX fuel cell concept car out for a spin.

First, the test drive. Joe Brown from Popular Science expresses early trepidation about entering a high-speed bank with a one-off, multi-million dollar concept car, but assures us that even at 92 mph the car felt completely sure-footed. Because of Honda's new vertical fuel cell stack, the engineers were able to significantly lower the car's center of gravity whereas most fuel cell concept cars tend to either look like or be SUVs or tall crossovers. The vertical fuel cell stack also nearly eliminates the need for an active pump to remove the water byproduct as gravity does most of the work.

In addition to its high-speed stability, it sounds like the FCX will command a decent amount of respect off the line as Brown estimates a 0-60 time of 7 seconds.

On the ergonomical side of things, Brown notes a glowing ball display located in the middle of the instrument panel. A Honda engineer informs him that when using the maximum amount of hydrogen, it turns red. I imagine it's the fuel cell equivalent to red-line. While "red-balling" the Honda, though, Brown admits that he was so distracted that he almost put the FCX in the wall.

As for the interview, there isn't anything particularly new, but Honda fans will undeniably enjoy the read. Honda CEO Takeo Fukui pays tribute to the late Soichiro Honda, the company founder, for basing the company's identity on efficient engines starting with 4-stroke motorcycles. He says that Honda "will always be the most fuel-efficient in their respective classes" even when it comes to the upcoming V-10-powered NSX.

When asked about hydrogen, Fukui essentially gives a poetic definition of hydrogen being an efficient energy carrier with a fuel source that he envisions to be solar and notes that Honda is currently working on advanced solar technologies.

The interview ends on the subject of legacy. Fukui invokes a passionate notion of civic duty as he says he would like to be remembered for "making a positive difference in as many ways as possible."

Related:

• Honda unveils diesel, FCX sports car

[Source: Popular Science, Thanks for the tip, Tommie]