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Jeep explores its past and future with 7 Easter Safari concepts

The Easter Jeep Safari is an annual celebration of the past and future of the Jeep brand. Each year, Jeep presents a series of concepts that explore new ideas for possible new model variants, new aftermarket parts, and what can be done with existing aftermarket parts.

Early Thursday, Jeep presented its seven concept vehicles for 2023, including five that explore the brand’s past and future and two more that show off ideas inspired by the wide array of Jeep Performance Parts. All of the concepts are drivable and some of Jeep’s ideas could see production. They’ll be shown off at the 2023 Easter Jeep Safari taking place in Moab, Utah, from April 1-9. Here’s a breakdown of each.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Concept

This concept is a serious off-roader with flair. It features a new as-yet unnamed magenta color that’s a follow-up to the Tuscadero pink Jeep introduced a few years ago. Jeep says it’s more intense and looks purple indoors and bright pink in the sun. It’s offset by gloss-black accents. The custom interior has a fur-lined glovebox because why not.

The off-roading features include 37-inch BFG mud terrain tires on AEV beadlock wheels, an AccuAir suspension (available for the Wrangler and Gladiator) that can raise the ground clearance between 1.5 and 5.5 inches, AEV bumpers and spare tire carrier, and a Warn Zeon winch. Half doors and a power top are also used for greater access to the outdoors.

Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept

Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept

This marks the third iteration of a battery electric Wrangler, thus the name. Jeep calls it a laboratory on wheels. Magneto first appeared in 2021, and each year Jeep has upped the power. Magneto 3.0 features a more efficient axial flux motor that produces 285 hp in its standard mode (the same as the V-6 it originally replaced in 2021) and 650 hp in a “full beans” mode. Torque increases from a max of 273 lb-ft in 2021 to 850 lb-ft last year to 900 lb-ft this year. Magneto 3.0 keeps a 6-speed manual transmission from the Hellcat Challenger, though it has been beefed up to handle the torque of the upgraded electric motor. It all rides on beefy front and rear axles, which are Dynatrac ProRock 60 and ProRock 80 units, respectively.

Sitting up front where the engine would be, the motor shows under a clear cover on the hood. Batteries are scattered throughout the Wrangler platform, and Jeep says the concept has 20% more range and energy this year, though range isn’t the point of the concept. The vehicle also has a selectable regen switch and offers a one-pedal setting that acts like 4WD Lo and allows for more precise control when driving off-road.

The 40-inch tires on 20-inch wheels would certainly hinder range but improve off-road capability. The body also has some modifications this year. The two-door’s door openings have been pushed back 6.0 inches for easier exit and entry, the B-pillars were moved back 2.4 inches to fit a custom roll bar, the front fenders were extended 2.0 inches rearward, and the windshield was laid back 12 degrees for a chopped look.

Jeep says this is the last version of Magneto.

1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept

1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe Concept

This resto-mod is a 1978 Cherokee body adapted to a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe chassis and fitted with 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud terrain tires. The modern underpinnings include the 4xe powertrain, which consists of a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and two electric motors to make 375 hp. The body was modified to fit the chassis, to work with the big tires, and to improve the overall look. It uses the Wrangler Rubicon’s metal bumper with a winch, and the tires are mounted on ’70s-style slotted mags but in a modern 17-inch size.

While it’s new underneath, it keeps a 1970s vibe inside with an 8-track hi-fi player, a “secret stash” box, a graffiti painting on the roof, and a retro look for its custom interior. It only seats two and has a roll bar.

Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept

Jeep Scrambler 392 Concept

This is Jeep’s fourth concept with the aim of removing weight, after Pork Chop in 2011, Stitch in 2013, and 4-Speed in 2021. It’s based on a four-door Rubicon but gets a new body that turns it into a small two-door pickup truck, or a Scrambler in Jeep parlance. Carbon fiber was used for the hood, front flares, rear quarter panels, and roof, and the rear of the vehicle and tailgate came from the Gladiator, though the rear fender flares were widened. Like the Magneto, the Scrambler 392 Concept has a windshield that’s laid back 12 degrees for a chopped-top look. It’s painted Sublime green.

This concept also uses the AccuAir suspension with adjustable ride height. Its 40-inch tires on 20-inch wheels certainly don’t offset any of the 375 pounds Jeep took out of the vehicle. The interior gets a custom look with blue plaid seat inserts, but it loses the rear seats, carpet, and trim to save weight. More weight was saved by removing the power hardtop and doors. With its lighter weight, the standard 470 hp from the 6.4-liter V-8 (392 cubic inches) should make this one fast off-roader.

Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept

Grand Wagoneer Overland Concept

The first Grand Wagoneer to appear at the Easter Safari is an overlanding concept that the brand also referred to as Camp Lux. The full-size SUV sports radiused and flared wheel openings to fit 35-inch BFGoodrich mud terrain tires that provide a 1.5-inch lift. Under the hood sits the high-output 510-hp version of the Hurricane twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6. The exterior sports custom front and rear fascias and Industrial Green paint with gunmetal accents. Up front, it’s outfitted with a Warn winch and laser lights.

The draw is the solar-powered RedTail Overland Skyloft camper tent with heating, air conditioning, lighting, internet connectivity, a 6-foot mattress for two, and an exterior ladder. To make way for it, Jeep removed the second- and third-row seats, replaced the interior carpet with a bedliner material, used bedliner material on the roof as well, and repurposed the rear sunroof to act as a trap door to get into the camper tent. The tent itself is hard-sided carbon fiber on one side and has glass windows.

The interior is also part of the overlanding lifestyle. The SUV retains the rear entertainment system, and occupants can watch it in comfort from a pair of beanbag chairs. Jeep also adds a plush throw rug, pillows, and ambient interior lighting.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Sideburn Concept

The Sideburn Gladiator was built to show off Jeep Performance Parts. It’s buttressed up front by a headlight and grille guard that folds down to act as a bench, and it’s packaged to work with a Warn winch. The doors are replaced with half-doors, and 11.0-inch TYRI rectangular LED lights sit on the windshield header. A 2.0-inch lift kit with Bilstein remote-reservoir shocks improves off-road capability and makes room for 37-inch BFGoodrich tires.

The bed has a concept Gladiator sport bar made from carbon fiber and steel. The bar has bed steps on each side and incorporates a mid-shelf with tie-downs to store boxes, plus T-track rails on top to mount bikes or kayaks. Also found in the bed are Molle panels for storage, RotoPaX containers for liquid storage, a mount for a 37-inch spare tire, and a new tailgate. Jeep even includes sideburn badges for the concept.

The interior is upholstered in Viennese Replicate (red-brown) nappa leather to contrast with the Solar Flash Yellow body. Power comes from Jeep’s 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Departure Concept

The Departure is a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe with flat fenders that increase clearance for the 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. It also has rock rails, a Warn winch, Molle panels in the rear, the 11.0-inch TYRI lights, a headlight/grille guard, and 2.0-inch lift kit from the Sideburn.

It uses Jeep Performance Parts’ available tube doors and has a matching tube tailgate. The tailgate has front or rear facing positions. When facing rearward, the spare sits high so it doesn’t interfere with the departure angle, and facing the spare forward actually improves the departure angle.

Inside, it’s upholstered in Katzkin leather in light Acorn Squash and darker Carnegie Hall brown colors. It also has an easily washable vinyl floor with drains and a task bar on the dash to mount a phone, GoPros, or dash cams. The Departure sports Dark Harbor blue paint.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: Jeep Wrangler Magneto 3.0 Concept

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Pick of the Day: 1988 Dodge Ram 4×4

Many full-size pickups from the 1980s have been put out to pasture by now after living a life of labor at construction sites or farms. A few have been lucky enough to survive and even go through restoration.

The Pick of the Day is a 1988 Dodge Ram 4×4 pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Romeo, Michigan. (Click the link to view the listing)

“First generation, beautiful rust-free truck,” the listing states.

The Ram pickup line was born in 1981 on the Chrysler AD platform (taking the place of the previous D-Series) and was available in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab configurations. Bed lengths were offered in 6.5-foot and 8-foot variants, and this pickup is a regular cab with a long-bed.

Despite being in Michigan where vehicle corrosion is commonplace, this Ram is said to be rust-free, and the underbody photos in the listing support that statement. The most striking attribute of this Ram is its vivid orange paint job with black accents on the hood and the tailgate. The exterior is accented by a hood ornament, a sliding rear window and aftermarket polished aluminum wheels to complete the look.

Mechanically, this truck has a lot to offer. Power under the hood comes from a remanufactured 318cid V8 mated to a column-shifted automatic transmission. This was a mid-range engine for the first-generation Ram, bridging the gap between a 225cid inline-six and a 360cid V8.

The seller states that this truck has upgrades including an Edelbrock intake, long tube headers, and a dual exhaust system. Ratings when new for this truck’s powertrain were 170 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. On paper, those numbers are not very impressive for a vehicle of this size, but this pickup comes with a tow receiver so it must be capable enough to haul with a certain level of confidence.

This generation of Ram pickup was sold through the 1993 model year, after which an all-new second generation debuted in 1994. Worth noting, in 2011, Ram Trucks became a standalone brand outside the Dodge umbrella. All pickups from then onward have been called simply “Ram.”

“Has been completely gone through,” the listing concludes. “Outstanding inside and out.”

The seller is asking $27,000 for this well-kept Ram.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Pick of the Day: 1988 Dodge Ram 4×4

Many full-size pickups from the 1980s have been put out to pasture by now after living a life of labor at construction sites or farms. A few have been lucky enough to survive and even go through restoration.

The Pick of the Day is a 1988 Dodge Ram 4×4 pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Romeo, Michigan. (Click the link to view the listing)

“First generation, beautiful rust-free truck,” the listing states.

The Ram pickup line was born in 1981 on the Chrysler AD platform (taking the place of the previous D-Series) and was available in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab configurations. Bed lengths were offered in 6.5-foot and 8-foot variants, and this pickup is a regular cab with a long-bed.

Despite being in Michigan where vehicle corrosion is commonplace, this Ram is said to be rust-free, and the underbody photos in the listing support that statement. The most striking attribute of this Ram is its vivid orange paint job with black accents on the hood and the tailgate. The exterior is accented by a hood ornament, a sliding rear window and aftermarket polished aluminum wheels to complete the look.

Mechanically, this truck has a lot to offer. Power under the hood comes from a remanufactured 318cid V8 mated to a column-shifted automatic transmission. This was a mid-range engine for the first-generation Ram, bridging the gap between a 225cid inline-six and a 360cid V8.

The seller states that this truck has upgrades including an Edelbrock intake, long tube headers, and a dual exhaust system. Ratings when new for this truck’s powertrain were 170 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. On paper, those numbers are not very impressive for a vehicle of this size, but this pickup comes with a tow receiver so it must be capable enough to haul with a certain level of confidence.

This generation of Ram pickup was sold through the 1993 model year, after which an all-new second generation debuted in 1994. Worth noting, in 2011, Ram Trucks became a standalone brand outside the Dodge umbrella. All pickups from then onward have been called simply “Ram.”

“Has been completely gone through,” the listing concludes. “Outstanding inside and out.”

The seller is asking $27,000 for this well-kept Ram.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

AutoHunter Spotlight: Duramax-powered 1955 GMC Flatbed

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this five-window Duramax-powered 1955 GMC flatbed truck. It is based on a later-model GMC Topkick chassis and drivetrain, the latter being a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 backed by an Allison five-speed automatic transmission. Features include power steering and brakes, aftermarket climate control system, power four-wheel disc brakes,electric brake controller and 22-inch aluminum wheels. Finished with a brown patina over a brown interior with cowhide-style accents, this custom GMC truck comes with a clear title.

The exterior’s rusty patina finish is complemented by a white grille, front bumper and headlights. Additional items include polished aluminum windshield visor, folding mirrors, flatbed with side rails, B&W gooseneck turn-over hitch, dual fuel tanks and smokestack-style exhaust pipes, among others.

A set of polished aluminum 22-inch wheels is wrapped in radial tires.

The captain’s chairs are upholstered in brown fabric with cinnamon and white cowhide-style accents. Features include center console with storage compartment and cup holders, floor-mounted automatic shifter and cowhide-style seat, door panel, under-dash and headliner trim.

A more modern GMC TopKick has donated its gauges, which include a 85-mph speedometer, 5,000-rpm tachometer and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure, voltage and coolant temperature. The digital odometer reads 192,000 miles, which the selling dealer reports to be the true mileage on the chassis and drivetrain.

Power is provided by a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 and backed by an Allison five-speed automatic transmission.

The 1955 GMC cab has been fitted on what the selling dealer believes to be a 2005 GMC TopKick chassis. The suspension consists of a leaf spring-mounted solid front and rear axles. An onboard air system with electric pump and storage tank has been fitted to the chassis.

The auction for this five-window Duramax-powered 1955 GMC flatbed truck ends on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 4:20 p.m. (PDT)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Smart Buys: Affordable Cars That Somehow Never Go Down In Price

Some cars were once very expensive but are now affordable bargains. But when they’ve reached a certain point in time, they won’t depreciate anymore. They can actually become affordable cars like the 1998 Porsche Boxster and the Acura Integra, cars that fundamentally changed the game. These cars were everything that drivers wanted for the right price.

The Integra, in particular, defined the era of tuner cars and culture in the early 2000s. But many other cars made a great impression as well. The Toyota Land Cruiser, for example, is a versatile vehicle that holds its value no matter which generation you pick. We looked at several affordable cars that will never go down in price no matter how the automotive market fluctuates. Check out these incredibly smart buys below.

Porsche 911 Carrera RS
Photo Credit: Silodrone

1978-89 Porsche 911

The 1978-1989 Porsche 911 is a legendary sports car that has become an icon in the automotive world. With its sleek and timeless design, the Porsche 911 is instantly recognizable on the road. The rear-mounted engine and classic silhouette give it a unique driving experience (via Drive).

Porsche 911 Carrera RS
Photo Credit: STV ID

The interior of the car is also noteworthy, with a driver-focused cockpit and high-quality materials. The 1978-1989 Porsche 911 is a true classic and an icon in the automotive world, with a timeless design that continues to turn heads today.

The post Smart Buys: Affordable Cars That Somehow Never Go Down In Price appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Will Synthetic Fuels Keep Old Cars on the Road?

As the industrialized world moves haltingly toward a zero-emissions future, gas-engine automobiles – especially older cars and trucks – face an uncertain fate. Despite advances in engine technology, they’re still responsible for a not-insignificant amount of tailpipe emissions, and drilling for oil remains a hot-button political issue. While some advocate for the electrification of cars both new and old, synthetic fuels have entered the conversation in recent years, to the point where major legislation intended to convert automotive fleets to electric propulsion are now being amended to include provisions for the fuels.

So what are synthetic fuels, are they as clean as they claim to be, could they prove viable alternatives to electrification, and will they allow older cars to remain on the road indefinitely?

What Are Synthetic Fuels?

Synthetic fuels have been around for more than a century and the term covers a wide range of processes that return everything from jet fuel to diesel. Broadly, any liquid fuel not derived from crude oil is considered a synthetic fuel. Specifically, however, investment into producing synthetic fuels for automotive use centers around three main categories: e-fuels, biomass-derived fuels, and fuels developed from plastic.

E-fuel, at its most basic, requires just two ingredients: carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Those two can be combined to synthesize methanol, which can then be converted into gasoline using a process that ExxonMobil introduced in 1975. While the carbon dioxide and hydrogen can be obtained from a number of sources – some not as climate friendly as others – the practice of extracting hydrogen from water via electrolysis using wind or solar power (and of pulling the carbon dioxide straight from the atmosphere) leads some to describe e-fuels as a carbon-neutral fuel, only emitting as much carbon dioxide when it is burned as was used in its creation.

Biomass-derived fuels can come from pretty much any biological source, including wood processing waste, manure, agricultural residue, and even sewage. Subjected to pyrolysis, the biomass can produce methane, which can then be converted into gasoline in a process similar to e-fuel production.

Plastic-derived fuel proponents see their technology as the solution to another environmental problem: plastic waste pollution. Via a pyrolytic process, the collected plastic waste is then essentially converted back into petrochemicals resembling what the plastic was made from in the first place, which can then be refined into gasoline.

Ian Lehn, the founder of Boostane and the current chair of SEMA’s Emerging Trends and Technology Network, said that the end results for synthetic fuels, especially e-fuels, present almost zero molecular differences from fossil fuel-derived fuels. “With synthetic fuels, you’re starting from a clean slate,” he said. “All we’re doing with synthetic fuels is creating some sort of long chain hydrocarbon, but we’re getting the carbon and the hydrogen from somewhere else other than petroleum.”

VWs filling up with Blue Gasoline

Who Is Producing Synthetic Fuels?

Porsche has generated plenty of headlines over the last couple of years for its efforts to save the internal combustion engine with synthetic fuels. According to Porsche press materials, the company’s search for a synthetic fuel “that would allow combustion engines to be operated in an almost CO2-neutral manner” led it to invest more than $100 million in Highly Innovative Fuels, an e-fuel company with a wind-powered plant in Chile that started producing usable synthetic fuel in December relying, in part, on Exxon-Mobil’s methanol-to-gasoline technology.

“If you want to operate the existing fleet in a sustainable manner, eFuels are a fundamental component,” Porsche research and development head Michael Steiner said in 2020. And as TechCrunch noted, keeping the existing fleet operable is of particular importance to Porsche, considering that 70 percent of the vehicles it has built in its 75 years are still on the road.

Ferrari and Lamborghini have announced their intentions to use e-fuels, but appear not to have invested as much into the development of synthetics as Porsche. Mazda just this week announced that it is joining Toyota, Suzuki, and Subaru in the Research Association of Biomass Innovation to look into the biomass process.

Bosch has also partnered with Shell and Volkswagen to create what it calls a “low-carbon” gasoline dubbed Blue Gasoline, which consists of up to 33 percent synthetic fuel using renewables produced from the byproducts from production of pulp wood for paper.

While other existing petrol companies like Repsol have also stepped into e-fuels and other synthetics, interest and investment in synthetic fuels is also spurring a number of startups. Prometheus Fuels, which rolled out the commercial-scale design of its Faraday Reactor in October, has visions of distributing the reactors all across the country. Synhelion similarly looks to produce e-fuels using solar energy. Select Fuel, meanwhile, has partnered with Bertone to get its plastic-to-fuel technology into use in motorsports and high-end sports cars and Norwegian company QuantaFuel is looking to do the same. P1 Performance Fuels has introduced a hybrid of biomass and e-fuel processes.

Lehn noted that European companies have taken the lead on e-fuels over those in the United States because the dominant conversation here concerns gasoline versus electric vehicles. “Nobody’s really saying there’s a third option we should be looking at here,” he said. “So if e-fuels were to land anywhere with the best chance of survival, it’s going to be Europe.” That said, he noted that there is a big push in the United States to develop synthetic aviation fuels to replace the 100-octane low-lead that’s still dominant in general aviation, and that lower-octane synthetic fuels will inevitably follow should a successful high-octane fuel be developed.

Why All the Investment in Synthetic Fuels Now?

Synthetic fuels have been a topic of discussion among engineers for a long time, Lehn noted, but never got much media scrutiny because of their cost prohibitiveness. “It was always such a stretch goal,” he said.

Automotive electrification, however, appears to be the main driver of the sudden investment in synthetic fuels. It’s no coincidence that synthetic fuels were barely making headlines until major carmakers started to introduce their own battery electric vehicles on a wider scale a few years ago. Whether the investment in synthetic fuels is intended to supplement or forestall electrification, however, is the question.

As Steiner noted in that same 2020 conversation, “electric mobility… is taking us towards out sustainability targets at a slower pace than we would like.” Porsche remains committed to electrification, he said, with a target of 80 percent electric car sales by 2030, but he also notes that internal combustion cars will remain viable for decades to come and that synthetic fuels can offer a greener alternative to conventional drilled oil.

The investments in synthetic fuels can also be seen as a response to the many bans on internal combustion vehicles that governments around the world have proposed. Germany, for instance, where Porsche, Bosch, and the eFuel Alliance are based, had been on board with the European Union’s ban on new car sales of internal combustion vehicles set to take place in 2035. Just within the last month, however, it led a group of EU member countries (including Italy) in lobbying against a complete ban and for one that would make exceptions for vehicles designed to run on synthetic fuels, demands that the EU appears to have met this week.

“I think with those 2035 rules coming into place, all of a sudden people started to realize that the internal combustion engine has a shelf life unless they start lifting their heads up and looking for another solution,” Lehn said.

Can Synthetic Fuels Be Burned in an Older Car?

As synthetic fuel proponents note, the fuels are considered “drop-in” replacements for fossil fuels, indistinguishable down to the molecular level from the gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel they are designed to replace. They are expected to produce no more and no less energy than conventional fuels.

“I don’t see any catastrophic drawbacks to synthetic fuels,” Lehn said. “The switch should be somewhat seamless for both current and older vehicles.”

To prove that, P1 spent much of 2022 driving a Volkswagen Type 2 T1 around Germany using its e-fuel and reported no hiccups during the test.

Still, Lehn said he understands where the apprehension about synthetic fuels comes from, especially among ones of collector cars and other much older vehicles. “A lot of that comes with their experience with ethanol,” he said.

The EU exemption for e-fuels stipulated that any internal combustion engine vehicles permitted would require some device to distinguish between synthetic fuels and fossil fuels, but exactly how that is possible nobody has yet addressed.

Lehn figures that will most likely be accomplished via an additive that governments will mandate for either conventional or synthetic fuels. “No sensor that you can affordably put on a vehicle can distinguish synthetic fuel from conventional fuel,” he said.

Whether synthetic fuels would also be subject to ethanol blending requirements in the United States and other countries remains to be seen as well. “Governments might force ethanol in, but I don’t see any benefit,” Lehn said. “I mean, if the real purpose of ethanol supplementation is to offset the carbon footprint (of conventional fuels), then a true synthetic fuel created from renewables doesn’t need any supplementation.”

What Are the Drawbacks of Synthetic Fuels?

For all the talk about the carbon neutrality of synthetic fuels, that does not mean internal combustion engines will emit any less carbon by burning them – they will just emit the same carbon that was captured to produce the fuels (and, theoretically, the same carbon that could once again be made into synthetic fuel). Nor will synthetic fuels – if they are true drop-in fuels – produce any less of the other emissions like NOx found in the exhaust of internal combustion engines unless those emissions result from the burning of impurities like sulfur found in conventional fuels.

In addition, as James Morris wrote for Forbes, “the elephant in the room comes from how synthetic fuels are made.” In particular, with how hydrogen is made. The vast majority of hydrogen these days is produced by a process called steam reformation, a process that is still dependent on fossil fuels, while hydrogen production via electrolysis uses about four times as much electricity as what would be used to directly power a battery-electric vehicle. Add in the number of stages required to turn that hydrogen into e-fuel and to transport it around the world and the efficiency continues to dwindle, Morris wrote.

The case for synthetic fuels made from plastic waste may be even harder to prove after recent reporting by ProPublica revealed that chemical emissions from a plastic-sourced fuel that Chevron intends to produce under an EPA biofuels program poses a cancer risk for one in four people.

Biomass synthetic fuels, according to comments that Robert Freaks of Strategic Biofuels made to SEMA, can easily replicate diesel and jet fuel as well as gasoline, but replicating the latter results in “a yield loss” at this time.

Whatever the environmental impact of synthetic fuels, they are expected to cost far more than conventional fuels. Early estimates that Morris cited had synthetic fuels costing as much as $13 per gallon. A more recent estimate from Transport and Environment pegs the cost at €2.80 per liter, or about $11.50 per gallon. Meanwhile, Porsche’s figures show that synthetic gasoline at this early stage costs as much as $40 per gallon to produce. Steiner told TechCrunch that the price to produce fuel (not including taxes, fees, and other add-ons) is expected to drop to €2 per liter, or about $7.50 per gallon, once production ramps up.

Highly Innovative Fuels, Porsche’s partner in the Chile plant, claims that e-fuels can be competitive with fossil fuels when sold in markets with carbon pricing structures. More direct incentives may be needed to make e-fuels competitive too: The International Council on Clean Transportation estimated that incentives of no less than €1.50 per liter (about $5.70 per gallon) “would be needed to deliver significant volumes of electrofuels.”

Michael Steiner

When Can We Expect Synthetic Fuels?

While Porsche has made much hay about the recent start of e-fuel production and the pumping e-fuels direct from its plant in Chile into a 911, it’s not likely most owners of internal combustion engine cars will be able to start burning synthetic fuels anytime soon. Highly Innovative Fuels claims that mass production of e-fuels is expected to begin in 2026 while Bosch more optimistically claims that by 2025 synthetic fuels could be in widespread use. Porsche plans to produce 130,000 liters (about 34,500 gallons) of e-fuel per year during its pilot phase, ramp up to 55 million liters (about 14.53 million gallons) per year by the middle of the decade, then scale that up to 550 million liters (about 145.3 million gallons) before 2030.

To put that into perspective, the United States alone consumes 369 million gallons of gasoline per day. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects global liquid fuels consumption to top 100 million barrels per day in 2023, or 4.237 billion gallons per day. It’s likely for that reason that Porsche has earmarked much of its e-fuel production for motorsports use rather than for everyday commuters or cars and coffee runs for older vehicles. Formula 1, by the way, has already committed to switching to synthetic fuels for the 2026 season while the World Rally Championship has already switched to synthetic fuels using P1 Performance Fuels products. The eFuels Alliance doesn’t expect synthetic fuels to constitute more than half the liquid fuel market until the late 2030s, which Morris and others decry as far too late to make a substantial inroads against climate change.

So Will Synthetic Fues Save the Internal Combustion Engine?

Both Bosch’s Use Gackstatter and Porsche’s Steiner admit that synthetic fuels aren’t going to solve all of our mobility needs and that EVs remain critical to meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Paris Climate Accords.

“There’s nothing as efficient as an EV, period,” Lehn said.

Even the most ardent EV enthusiast will admit, however, that there are issues with the technology, from sourcing the raw materials for the batteries to the lack of affordable EVs on the marketplace, preventing their widespread adoption before the 2035 bans on new internal combustion engine vehicles.

Synthetic fuels, on the other hand, can be implemented without any significant changes to the vehicle fleets or to the existing fuel distributor infrastructure, which makes them appealing to those ardent gas-powered car proponents.

“I believe synthetic fuels are the future if the internal combustion engine is to remain relevant,” Lehn said.

And if that’s the case, then synthetic fuels may be the best hope for keeping internal combustion cars – including the vast majority of collector cars – from becoming static museum pieces after the middle of the 21st century.

Collector Cars in the Crescent City: Barrett-Jackson’s Inaugural New Orleans Auction

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions today announced that it is bringing its world-renowned automotive lifestyle event to Louisiana in 2023 for the auction company’s inaugural New Orleans Auction, September 28-30, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The inaugural event marks Barrett-Jackson’s first auction in the state of Louisiana and will feature all the excitement and amenities the auction company is famous for, including an exceptionally diverse docket of collectible vehicles, live auction action, VIP hospitality options, the vast exhibitor marketplace and exhilarating hot laps and thrill rides with leading automotive manufacturers.

“The city of New Orleans is a perfect location for a Barrett-Jackson auction, and I’m thrilled to bring our automotive lifestyle events to the Crescent City in September,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Barrett-Jackson is all about creating the highest level of excitement around the collector car hobby and bringing it to multiple generations of guests, both current and future automotive enthusiasts. The city of New Orleans is a destination that embodies the same level of excitement and will elevate our events particularly for the tens of thousands of guests that will travel to the great state of Louisiana from around the world.”

Similar to Barrett-Jackson’s other auction locations in Scottsdale, Palm Beach and Las Vegas, New Orleans has long been a popular destination for travelers worldwide and is a community familiar with hosting major, world-class events. In addition to its famed annual festivals like Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the city has also welcomed ten Super Bowls, which is the second-most of any city in the United States, nine Men’s and Women’s NCAA Final Four events, five college football national championship games since 1999 and has annually hosted the iconic Sugar Bowl since 1935.

“The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a leading event destination for visitors from across the world and we are delighted to welcome the iconic Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction to New Orleans this fall for the very first time,” said Convention Center President Michael J. Sawaya. “For more than 50 years, this event has brought together millions of devoted automotive enthusiasts and I’m certain their energy and excitement will be well suited for the lively, fun-loving culture we cultivate here in the Crescent City.”

The inaugural New Orleans Auction will be held at the award-winning New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the sixth largest convention facility in the United States. Blocks away from the must-see National WWII Museum and nestled within the heart of New Orleans’ festive atmosphere, the world-famous French Quarter and several architecturally significant and distinct neighborhoods are just minutes away, as well as dozens of hotels and hundreds of shops and restaurants representing the best of New Orleans culture and cuisine.

“I can’t wait to see the level of excitement that New Orleans and Barrett-Jackson collectively will bring together as we ignite this hobby once again for our inaugural event in September,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “This city is such a vibrant and culturally rich community. Our guests traveling from all over the world, as well as the millions tuning in to the event around the world on television, have something truly special to look forward to.”

VIP Experience packages for the inaugural New Orleans Auction are available here. Advance tickets and hotel package information for the event will be available soon. Those interested in consigning their collector vehicle may learn more here and guests looking to register to bid may find additional information here.

Join Barrett-Jackson’s online conversation with #BarrettJackson and #BJAC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Find of the Day: Is the Fastest Factory ‘60s Muscle Car a B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda?

When posed with the question, “What was the fastest factory muscle car of the 1960s and ‘70s?” One might consider the 1964 Pontiac GTO, 1964 Dodge Polara 500, Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet, the Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake or the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, but rarely does the B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda get a mention.

If the ‘68 Super Stock Barracuda didn’t come to mind, all is forgiven. After all, Plymouth only made 50 examples of this brutal muscle car. Would you believe it if I told you one example is currently listed for sale on Hemmings?

Plymouth built the Hemi-powered Barracuda race cars to keep up with the escalating Super Stock competitions of the late- ‘60s. All 50 of the factory-built, stripped-down race cars had VINs starting with the “B029” designation. Each was equipped with a 426-cu.in. Hemi V8 engine with a cross-ram-style dual-four-barrel induction system, along with a number of performance upgrades. Total output was publicly rated at 425 horsepower, but it is suggested that the setup is capable of at least 170 more horses.

According to the seller of this 1968 Plymouth Barracuda, it is an authentic B029 car with a rich racing history, and it has been driven by some of the best-known Super Stock drivers, including Harry Holton, Jim DeFrank, Judy Lilly and others. It has set several brag-worthy national records and earned many NHRA event wins.

As the listing states, it appears to be a well-documented B029 factory race car with a successful competition history and a legacy as one of the ultimate factory-built weapons in the historic take-no-prisoners Super Stock wars of the ‘60s. Check out the full details here.

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

B029 Hemi-Powered 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock Muscle Car

Interesting Finds: $1,000,000 Porsche Baja 911

The AutoHunter Cinema feature today takes us through a Russell Built Fabrication Baja 911. Russell Built Fabrication specializes in customizing Porsches inspired by the road racing success from the 1980s. The SoCal shop, which has produced and fabricated components for Singer Vehicle Design for years, based this Baja 911 on the 964 Porsche 911. Power comes from a Rothsport Racing 3.8-liter flat-six producing 365 horsepower. A novel feature includes Ford Raptor levels of suspension travel to handle both rattlesnakes and moguls. While prices start around $500,000, this particular vehicle was bought for $1,000,000.

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