Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[maynard]

I don’t think anyone posted this new story from Scout. Has some great pics from the Hudson event. And enjoyed reading and mentally recapping the event. Another great story SM team

250 Years. One Scout Spirit: Scout Motors Heads to Hudson Valley – Scout Motors Stories

blog.scoutmotors.com

I wish I could have been there…
Both events sound like they were amazing!

 

[rehajm]

VW Could Cut Half Its Global Model Lineup, but That Might Not Be a Big Deal for the U.S. Market

The big changes likely won't have a huge effect on Volkswagen's U.S. lineup, but they could lead to fewer variants and trim levels.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[rehajm]

VW Could Cut Half Its Global Model Lineup, but That Might Not Be a Big Deal for the U.S. Market

The big changes likely won't have a huge effect on Volkswagen's U.S. lineup, but they could lead to fewer variants and trim levels.

www.caranddriver.com

…I recall in B school the cases on VW was largely the same- they sell a lot of models, many overlapping segments in the same market. Cutting production is never good but if it allows the company to focus on the most profitable and/or most popular segments that’s good for them and for customers, including the ‘nascent’ Scout Motors and us fans…

 

[J Alynn]

…I recall in B school the cases on VW was largely the same- they sell a lot of models, many overlapping segments in the same market. Cutting production is never good but if it allows the company to focus on the most profitable and/or most popular segments that’s good for them and for customers, including the ‘nascent’ Scout Motors and us fans…

Makes perfect sense and one more reason not to give VW a Scout variant

 

[J Alynn]

Good news

EV Theft Is Virtually Non-Existent Compared To Gas And Diesel-Powered Vehicles - Jalopnik

Electric vehicles are less likely to be stolen than gas or diesel cars. Some believe this is due to where EVs are parked or the lack of easily removeable parts.

www.jalopnik.com

 

[cyure]

Good news

EV Theft Is Virtually Non-Existent Compared To Gas And Diesel-Powered Vehicles - Jalopnik

Electric vehicles are less likely to be stolen than gas or diesel cars. Some believe this is due to where EVs are parked or the lack of easily removeable parts.

www.jalopnik.com

Well that’s awesome.

 

[J Alynn]

Another article

Everything You Need to Know About Charging an Electric Vehicle

Driving an electric vehicle is relatively simple; however, charging an EV can get complicated. From charging speed to charging-station etiquette, we've got answers.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[J Alynn]

Well that’s awesome.

Yes-I wondered a few weeks ago about this then stumbled on it tonight. Makes sense

 

[speedrye]

Good news

EV Theft Is Virtually Non-Existent Compared To Gas And Diesel-Powered Vehicles - Jalopnik

Electric vehicles are less likely to be stolen than gas or diesel cars. Some believe this is due to where EVs are parked or the lack of easily removeable parts.

www.jalopnik.com

Even the criminals don't want EVs, that's a bad sign for the future market!

Joking aside, this pisses me off. My sedan is a very low-production vehicle with a very high theft rate and it's impossible to get replacement parts for (all discontinued, no aftermarket available). I'd assume higher premiums based on those factors alone. Despite this, getting insurance quotes for a new Bolt or used EV6 showed those vehicles to have 50% higher premiums, despite being worth $20k less than the current car. Are insurance companies screwing EV drivers? Are EVs really that much more expensive to repair? Or are EV drivers just really bad drivers?

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

Haha, I'm upset the EREV version will only do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds while the BEV version will be 3.5 seconds, so I'm really hoping Scout can do better with the EREV numbers... Add 35" mud tires and the EREV will pretty much be a dog in a straight line. My view of acceleration might be a bit skewed though. When your lungs start compressing and you can't get a breath, you know the vehicle is fast.

I have to say though that my Audi Q6 EV which is basically a mid-size SUV in a mid-level trim, does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Honestly? It doesn't brake any better than a big SUV, it doesn't handle better than a big SUV, so in the end the very, very quick acceleration is WAY more than adequate for something this big and heavy. Yes, I've driven lots of EVs with sub 3.5 second 0-60 and I've owned a few motorcycles in my time that were even quicker. I still think 4.5 second 0-60 is pretty darn quick. Let's see where the final numbers come out.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

"A dog" at 5 seconds 0-60 is a hilarious take.

 

[speedrye]

"A dog" at 5 seconds 0-60 is a hilarious take.

My perspective is a bit skewed, undoubtedly.

 

[robothero]

I honestly can't think of many instances where I'd need a 3.5 second 0-60 over a 4.5 second one. At least that I'd be willing to put in writing

 

[cyure]

I honestly can't think of many instances where I'd need a 3.5 second 0-60 over a 4.5 second one. At least that I'd be willing to put in writing

And here’s what I have noticed. The Supra is 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds. Yes when you floor it it’s fast but it’s has to get up to that speed. I’ve never been scared flooring that car to get a burst of power to get out of someone’s way or pass a truck or something.

Being in the R2 when my son floored it, scared sh**less. I agree with @SaraLiz, vomit inducing. Like yell at my kid to slow down, which I never do. It’s instant. 4.5 is fine with me, because 3.5 is stupid fast in a EV, especially as large as the Scout. I can’t even imagine.

 

[speedrye]

I honestly can't think of many instances where I'd need a 3.5 second 0-60 over a 4.5 second one. At least that I'd be willing to put in writing

While "need" is a strong word, my neighborhood is off a busy 2-lane highway and a faster 0-60 time is often the difference between me getting into a gap in traffic vs sitting there for a full 10 minutes, trying to get out (left turn, across traffic). The current car falls between the 3.5s and 4.5s acceleration and it's generally fine for getting out in traffic, but I'd definitely like more if the Scout engineers can squeeze some out. Hopefully in their quest to fix thermal issues and increase the towing rating for the Harvester, they find a little more acceleration buried in there too. I'm also concerned about the inside front tire traction limiting my ability to put power down as that's been a problem in AWD vehicles for me.

 

[Jasco]

While "need" is a strong word, my neighborhood is off a busy 2-lane highway and a faster 0-60 time is often the difference between me getting into a gap in traffic vs sitting there for a full 10 minutes, trying to get out (left turn, across traffic). The current car falls between the 3.5s and 4.5s acceleration and it's generally fine for getting out in traffic, but I'd definitely like more if the Scout engineers can squeeze some out. Hopefully in their quest to fix thermal issues and increase the towing rating for the Harvester, they find a little more acceleration buried in there too. I'm also concerned about the inside front tire traction limiting my ability to put power down as that's been a problem in AWD vehicles for me.

I have lived this experience. Not fun. That said, this sounds like more of a civil engineering problem than a vehicle acceleration one. Even with utlra fast acceleration, human reaction itme and judgement (not questioning yours) play a large role when navigating the scenario you described. I like a fast car but moving 7000+ pounds of vehicle in 3 seconds sounds like a recipe for personal injury. Part of the challenge is the instananeous nature of EV acceleration. We've seen plenty of Teslas (always a Tesla!) run through garages and building walls. Unsurprisingly, you are more likely to die in a Tesla than any other vehicle despite industry leading safety features. Unintended acceleration will be an issue for a while because most people are used to the sluggish performance of gas engines. Now a seperate launch mode enabling 3 seconds for those who like to race their vehicles, that's another story. Or a trim for the sub 3 second Scouts with 26" wheels to accomodate massive brake calipers! A corvette can stop in 88 feet from 60mph. A rivian R1S takes 110 feet. One weighs 3750 pounds the other is near double at 7000 pounds. Its just physics and quality brakes of course.

Part of me wishes industry and the buying public would place equal emphasis on braking distance as they do on speed as a selling/buying point. Something like, "My car has an 85' braking distance. That sucker can stop on a dime!" or "Wow! Look how fast that car stops!" Maybe a brake strip where cars get up to 60mph and shortest braking distance wins! Right now its more along the lines, Is it fast? Cool. Does it have brakes? Check.

 

[cyure]

$1500 for a “Crayola color wrap”.

 

[speedrye]

Part of me wishes industry and the buying public would place equal emphasis on braking distance as they do on speed as a selling/buying point. Something like, "My car has an 85' braking distance. That sucker can stop on a dime!" or "Wow! Look how fast that car stops!" Maybe a brake strip where cars get up to 60mph and shortest braking distance wins! Right now its more along the lines, Is it fast? Cool. Does it have brakes? Check.

As an autocross and track guy in the past, you're so right and it's irresponsible to accelerate as fast as some of these cars do without the brakes or tires to back it up. I run the stickiest summer tires I can get with good rain performance, and run the most aggressive brake pads I can that can still handle a cold stop. Sure, I need a new set of tires every 10k-12k miles, and need to clean my wheels often from all the extra brake dust, but the extra feet those things buy me in an emergency situation is worth every penny. I definitely like some of the valet modes in high performance cars where full power isn't available to a valet, your kids, or anyone without you choosing to give it to them.

Will a 3.5s Scout with brakes that fit within an 18" wheel be irresponsible? Probably, yeah.

 

[R1TVT]

Personally, the best part about a truck that goes 0-60 in 3 seconds with 4 motors is not the 0-60 band at all. It's the linear power band you get for passing or when moving. Sure, blasting off in launch mode is fun for show, but really just adds more wear and tear and gets old pretty quick. Trucks are generally meant to be more chill given their size and weight and stopping distance, but it is nice to have it in the pocket when you need it to pass or be more "safe" when you need to go faster for some reason!

 

[strider]

Even the criminals don't want EVs, that's a bad sign for the future market!

Joking aside, this pisses me off. My sedan is a very low-production vehicle with a very high theft rate and it's impossible to get replacement parts for (all discontinued, no aftermarket available). I'd assume higher premiums based on those factors alone. Despite this, getting insurance quotes for a new Bolt or used EV6 showed those vehicles to have 50% higher premiums, despite being worth $20k less than the current car. Are insurance companies screwing EV drivers? Are EVs really that much more expensive to repair? Or are EV drivers just really bad drivers?

Well, there are 3 components to the cost of insurance:
1) Liability - Based on the driver's record. What has to pay if you hit someone else.
2) Collision - Based on the driver's record and vehicle repair cost. What has to pay to repair your own car if you crash.
3) Comprehensive - This is also known as "not in motion" coverage. This is theft, hail, tornado, tree falls on your car, etc. What has to pay to repair/replace your car if anything happens to it when it's not being driven.

It is #2 that drives the cost of insurance for EVs. They are very expensive to repair. Mostly due to heavy uses of aluminum, frames that use large castings that cannot be straightened, and limited body shops that will work on them.