1985 Audi Sport quattro Becomes First Car to Run on Solar Gasoline

[Source: Driving.ca]

In a historic first, a 1985 Audi Sport quattro has been successfully powered by solar gasoline. The breakthrough comes from Synhelion, a Swiss company developing renewable fuels using solar energy. The classic Audi required no engine modifications, showcasing the potential of “drop-in” solar fuels that can be used in existing vehicles and infrastructure.

The fuel is created by converting agricultural waste into biogas, which is then transformed into synthetic fuel using solar-generated heat exceeding 1,100°C. The result is a nearly CO₂-neutral fuel with fewer emissions than traditional gasoline.

The Audi, supplied by AMAG Classic, led a convoy during the Supercar Owners Circle Classic Andermatt event. Synhelion aims to scale production to one million tons annually by 2033 and supply half of Europe’s sustainable aviation fuel needs by 2040. “This is a huge milestone for sustainable mobility,” said Synhelion co-founder Philipp Furler, signaling that even iconic combustion engines can play a role in a greener future.