AD #3160 – Porsche Breaks Ground on eFuel Plant; Electric Navigator & Expedition Coming; Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a Beast
September 14th, 2021 at 11:46am
Listen to “AD #3160 – Porsche Breaks Ground on eFuel Plant; Electric Navigator and Expedition Coming; Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a Beast” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 10:21
0:07 Porsche Breaks Ground on eFuel Plant
1:04 Ford Hires Lowe’s Online Guru
1:49 Tesla’s Unique Way Around New Mexico’s Direct Sales Ban
2:17 Tesla Patents Laser Beam Windshield Wipers
3:29 Electric Navigator & Expedition Coming
4:23 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Details
5:30 Nissan Launching Limited-Edition GT-Rs in Japan
7:04 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a Beast
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PORSCHE BREAKS GOUND ON eFUEL PLANT
Governments around the world are moving forward with plans to ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines but Porsche is doing what it can to save them. It just broke ground on a new plant in Chile that will produce synthetic fuel. The low-carbon fuel is made from hydrogen and CO2 that is captured from the atmosphere, which produces methanol that is then converted into fuel for vehicles. It reduces CO2 emissions by up to 85%. Porsche will use it in race cars starting next year and afterwards it will be available in Europe at ExxonMobil stations. Could green fuels save the piston engine? Maybe. But it’s going to take massive investments from the oil industry. And it’s going to be much more expensive than today’s gasoline. It will sell for two euros per liter which is about $9 per gallon.
FORD HIRES LOWE’S ONLINE GURU
The Ford Motor Company sees a digital, connected and electric future, so CEO Jim Farley is building a team of experts so it doesn’t get left behind. He just hired Mike Amend, a 43-year-old who helped Lowe’s nearly triple its online sales. At Ford, his job will be to help translate customer needs into software solutions. Like Doug Field, who was just hired away from Apple, Amend will report directly to Jim Farley and will work closely with Hau Thai-Tang, the company’s chief product platform and operations officer. It’s not everyday you see a traditional automaker look for top talent outside the industry and actually get them.
TESLA’S UNIQUE WAY AROUND NEW MEXICO’S DIRECT SALES BAN
Tesla has come with a clever solution to New Mexico’s ban of selling vehicles directly to consumers without going through a dealership. The company partnered with a native tribe and opened a store and service center on tribal land just north of Santa Fe. This is an interesting way to get around the direct sales ban but as Electrek points out it will only work for tribal lands that are close to big cities.
TESLA PATENTS LASER BEAM WINDSHIELD WIPERS
And in other Tesla news, the company just received a patent for laser beam windshield wipers. Yep, you heard that right. Tesla describes the technology as “pulsed laser beams cleaning of debris on glass articles in vehicles and photovoltaic assemblies.” That suggests it could also be used for solar panels. Who knows if this will ever end up on a production vehicle but it’s a pretty wild idea, which is kind of something that we’ve come to expect from Tesla.
ELECTRIC NAVIGATOR & EXPEDITION COMING
We’ve got some important future product updates from Autoforecast Solutions. It reports that the Ford F-150 Lighting officially goes into production in February, 2022. That suggests that deliveries to customers will probably start in April. Then in 2026 Ford is coming out with fully electric versions of the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. They’ll be built at the company’s assembly plant in Kentucky, and will undoubtedly be built on the company’s all-new BEV architecture. To get to the market quickly with the Lightning pickup Ford used the existing F-150 platform to make it. But it also started work on an all-new BEV architecture that will be more efficient, and it will use that platform for the next generation Lightning, as well as the Expedition and Navigator.
TOYOTA COROLLA CROSS HYBRID REVEALED IN JAPAN
As we mentioned in our review of the new Toyota Corolla Cross the other day, there’s going to be a hybrid version for global markets and now we’re learning a little about it as it makes its debut in Japan. Right away you may notice some different styling. We’re not sure if this will be the look of the hybrid for other markets, but the grille is mounted lower in the front fascia, rather than between the headlamps, which is replaced with a body-color panel that features the Corolla logo for the Japanese market. There’s also a mild change in the rear bumper as well. Under the hood of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a 1.8L engine mated to a hybrid transaxle and motor. Electric all-wheel drive is available and the battery pack looks like it’s mounted under the body in the back of the vehicle, so it shouldn’t impact interior space. While power output wasn’t revealed, for comparison, the gas version in the U.S. features a nearly 170 horsepower 2.0L engine that can drive either the front or all four wheels.
NISSAN LAUNCHING LIMITED-EDITION GT-Rs IN JAPAN
Sticking in Japan for a moment, Nissan is launching two limited-edition versions of the GT-R in the country. Called T-spec because they’re inspired by the words ‘trend’ and ‘traction,’ only 100 will be made. The cars are highlighted by unique paint colors, called Midnight Purple and Millennium Jade, but also feature exclusive carbon ceramic brakes, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, unique wheels that are wider, weight reduction below the suspension springs as well as an exclusive engine cover, badge for the front and rear and interior design. Sales kick off in October.
JAGUAR F-PACE SVR IS A BEAST
The Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a beast. When you push the Start button, the engine doesn’t turn on as much as this beast snarls to life with a roar. Everything about this high performance SUV is intimidating, starting with the most basic specs: a supercharged 5-liter V8 with 550 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque, all funneled through the all wheel drive system. Giant 22-inch wheels make sure all that power goes straight to the pavement and propels this thing down the road as fast as you dare take it. And take our word for it, you’ll run out of dare before you run out of power.
Inside, the SVR feels as safe as a main battlefield tank. The body structure is incredibly robust, while the dashboard, console and armrests provide a cocoon of protection around you, and the firmly bolstered seats hold you snugly in place. It feels like you could drive through brick walls and barely notice the impact, especially if you have the excellent Meridian sound system pounding out your favorite tunes.
Yes, for those of you who need to know there’s a bunch of new connectivity stuff. The infotainment system, which Jaguar calls Pivi Pro, responds instantly to the touch thanks to a faster processor. And there’s a long list of standard safety equipment. But if you’re really so interested in touchscreens and lane keep assist, why don’t you go buy a Prius or something like that instead?
The F-Pace SVR is a driver’s car. Poseurs and wannabes need not apply. Please don’t buy a car like this to impress your friends. Buy it to impress yourself. But you better be sure your bank is OK with you making a withdrawal like this. The one we got to test drive cost $97,400.
If you’ve got that kind of money to burn you’ll be pleased with your purchase. Just make sure that you lock this beast safely away in a cage at the end of every day.
Hyundai is on a tear when it comes to bringing out new products. It may have the fastest product cadence in the business. So what’s next on the list? That’s what we want to find out and that’s why we invited Olabisi Boyle, the vice president of product planning for Hyundai Motor America, to join us on Autoline After Hours this Thursday. If you’ve got a question you’d like us to ask her, tweet it to us, or send an email to viewermail@autoline.tv
And that wraps up today’s report, thanks for watching.
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Comments (23)
September 14th, 2021 at 12:03 pm
The current price for gas in Europe is $7 per US gallon, so this synthetic fuel is not that far off, unless Sean’s price is before taxes.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:14 pm
Would the price of e-fuel come down with volume or is that projected price to completely replace conventional gas? Also seems with all things, developments could improve efficiency and bring the price down even further.
But I do find it interesting that when the writing is on the wall that we will stop using ICE soon breakthroughs like this occur. Time for the old oil industry to dig into those patents they squashed over the years.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Ford hiring Lowes online guru! maybe they see the writing on the wall that just maybe the days of dealerships are numbered and are preparing for online sales? Or maybe they see the huge advantage of the low inventory and want to get back to people ordering vehicles rather than take whats on a lot.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:20 pm
“Tesla” coming to a casino near you!
September 14th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
1 If the actual fuel is methanol, it will take twice as much as gasoline to go the same distance. Engines set up specifically for methanol can do better, because it is very high octane.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:35 pm
The e-fuel segment mentions the process of converting H2 and CO2 to form methanol then the methanol is converted to e-fuel; so what is e-fuel? By the description in the article it appears to just replace gasoline one for one; is that true? Do you get the same energy per volume, does the engine need modification (because methanol doesn’t play well, long term, with ICE), so it must be somewhat different from alcohol. Need more input to have a sense for its viability in my mind.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:36 pm
I think online sales good for fleet sales and special order, but believe buyers still like to kick the tires before choosing, plus purchases are often below MSRP.
However, I think many of the mega-dealerships have gotten much too large. The small Mom and Pop dealerships just can’t compete against them.
Once the larger dominates an area, by buying up other brands, they have a greater incentive to set higher prices.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
#4 – I agree but this also solves the problem of getting chargers to casino properties. A bank of L2 or slower DC chargers makes a lot of sense.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
8 Free charging at your hotel, if you lose enough gambling
September 14th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Chuck, Here is a little more info on eFuel
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/08/opinion-over-the-air-updates-bad-owning-the-car-good/
September 14th, 2021 at 1:01 pm
wrong one try again
September 14th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
try this:
https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2021/04/what-is-efuel-how-porsche-s-synthetic-fuel-could-save-the-combusti
September 14th, 2021 at 1:08 pm
12 That link doesn’t work, but I’d like to know what thr fuel actually is. I’ll see if I can find anything.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:16 pm
This article says the methonol is “converted into gasoline,” but doesn’t give any hints about how that is done.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Porsche-s-hydrogen-based-eFuel-turns-gas-guzzlers-into-eco-cars
September 14th, 2021 at 1:53 pm
The only other information I could gather is that Exxon refines the methanol using their methanol-to-gasoline process. The gas then is blended to various grade standards.
It was also reported, engines required no adjustments or retro-fitting.
The price projection in 5 years is $2/liter.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
I had mentioned this scenario several years ago, The Millennials are mostly buying everything online which will cause a huge shift in the way dealerships do business. The OEM will take orders online from consumers and the dealerships will become delivery and service centers. On the lot inventories will be greatly reduced. Those customers in leased vehicles will be asked to configure and order their new vehicle 6 months before lease end. OEM’s will want to retain those customers with discounts and promotions not available to new customers.
September 14th, 2021 at 2:33 pm
16 Will car buying go back to more factory orders? That would be fine with me. I do that now, when I can, like with the Corvette I don’t have yet.
September 14th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
I foresee dealerships becoming distribution centers. People will go online build and price their vehicle and even complete financing. The dealerships will get a prep fee and you’ll go in to pick up your car. Dealership will still be there for service and warranty work and maybe even test drives. Really no need for a sales staff but more like vehicle concierge’s. Be there to let you test drive and assist with drop offs for service.
That would make the dealership visit much more pleasurable without a sales person bugging ya and working on commission. Just a paid staff member to assist customers with picking up their car and getting service.
September 14th, 2021 at 9:25 pm
The car buying process would be a lot more pleasant if the price were fixed, like with Saturn early on, but you’d still have the “negotiating” to deal with if you had a trade.
The thing I really miss about car buying, is no choice of interior color, almost no choice of exterior color, and no individual options. As recently as 1989 I was able to order my Caravan with “Ice Blue” paint, and a blue interior. I’d like my Camry that way, but neither light metallic blue paint nor blue interior is available.
September 15th, 2021 at 3:30 am
From Porsche’s corporate newsroom (in English):
https://bit.ly/2XhXZXt
https://bit.ly/3EbXCyq
And Siemens Energy (in English):
https://bit.ly/3hyTi2q
Quote from the latter: In the pilot phase, e-methanol production will initially reach around 750,000 liters per year by 2022. Part of the e-methanol will be converted to e-gasoline (130,000 liters per year). A further two phases will increase capacity: first to 55 million liters of e-gasoline per year by 2024, and then to over 550 million liters per year by 2026.
September 15th, 2021 at 4:40 am
Saturn would have been perfect as gm’s dedicated EV marque, but that opportunity has sailed.
I thought the super big SUVs currently are best suited to series hybrids – in fact, John’s idea of a dedicated engine supplier makes a lot of sense in that context.
Else it’s more four-ton-strosities like the Hummer, with a battery good for three normal cars.
Incidentally, I just saw one of the very first Model Y’s on the road here in northwestern Switzerland – and I know the guy who bought it.
September 15th, 2021 at 8:27 am
19 I think we may see more interior options in the future as the sedan evolves into this CUV/SUV and they all look the same. The automakers are trying out some radical grill designs to stand out but they can only do so much. I really foresee the interior becoming the deciding factor. A lot more emphasis is going to be put on the interior and body color as that’s all that’s left to stand apart from the pack. So hopefully you’ll start to see more colors offered as manufacturers try and stand out. They are gonna have to do something to attract customers when they all look about the same perform about the same and just fill the sea of look alikes.
September 15th, 2021 at 8:28 am
20 True series hybrids, of any size, would be gas hogs on the highway, with multiple losses of a generator, motor, and battery charge/discharge. I suspect that’s why Nissan “e-power” vehicles are not being sold many places, though they sell very well in Japan, where a much lower percentage of driving would be highway than most places in North America.