NORFOLK, England — The Trident Iceni, a two-seat sports car with a biodiesel-capable engine and huge aspirations, may be getting closer to reality — if its manufacturer can secure sufficient funding to get the vehicle into production.In a press release issued this week, Trident Performance Vehicles said it is still seeking financial backing for the Iceni, which dates to 2006. Trident released updated performance specifications on the car, and the claims have escalated considerably from the original specs. So, too, has the projected price tag, which has jumped 25 percent from the $111,000 quoted on the company's Web site to $139,000.One thing that hasn't changed is the power source: A front-mounted General Motors Duramax 6.6-liter V8 turbodiesel — used by GM primarily in its heavy-duty pickups in the U.S. — drives the rear wheels through a rear-mounted eight-speed sequential automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.However, Trident's performance claims have grown quite extravagant. The engine, which is said to be biodiesel-capable, originally was pegged at 375 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque. Now Trident is claiming output of 550 hp and torque of 950 lb-ft. An earlier projection of 0-60 acceleration in 4.0 seconds has been adjusted downward to 3.7 seconds.Meanwhile, the fuel-economy claims are also climbing. Earlier, the company estimated fuel economy at a respectable 42 mpg, with a projected range of 1,000 miles. Now, Trident is claiming the Iceni will return up to 58 mpg at highway speeds and a nearly unbelievable 90 mpg at a steady 30 mpg, while traveling up to 2,000 miles on a tankful of diesel.Curiously, one earlier projection has been revised downward. Top speed, once pegged at an implausible 230 mph, has been restated at 'over 200 mph.'The company's most recent statement said: 'The team at Trident have invested ($4.25 million) in the project, which has enabled the completion of all the development needed to get the Iceni into production. They're now seeking funds to make this happen and satisfy their growing bank of customers.'What this means to you: We're as intrigued as anyone by the notion of mega-performance on biodiesel, but if it sounds too good to be true... — Paul Lienert, Correspondent