Listen, I don’t like the “Elon said a thing” story framing any more than you do, but a reality check for all involved is a good and healthy thing to do from time to time. We’ll do that today with the latest claims around Tesla’s forthcoming affordable car, and we’ll look at the EV drama unfolding in Europe, what General Motors is doing with Ultra Cruise, and the reviews of Ferrari’s controversial V12 SUV. Happy Wednesday.
Sure, Elon
Tesla’s Investor Day thing last week was quite light on concrete details, but we’ve known for some time that the company wants to make a more affordable vehicle than even the Model 3 (which, it should be noted, was supposed to be $35,000 and never really has been.) [Editor’s Note: Patrick is right, though I’ll just mention: The Model 3 remains an amazing deal, especially after incentives. The current $42,990 price isn’t much more than $35,000 in 2018 dollars (when the car debuted), and after incentives, it can be had in certain states for under $35,000 in today’s dollars. -DT].
For the record, I think Tesla is fully capable of pulling this off: making a smaller, cheaper EV that’s around $25,000. Its EV manufacturing has gotten to the point where even Toyota is impressed, its profit margins are much higher than other automakers, and China’s doing this all the time with EVs now. It can be done. (Musk has said part of the battle is even further simplifying EV design and modifying construction processes, something I’ve heard Henrik Fisker say as well.)
Now, let’s get to the reality check part. Here’s the newest claim from Musk about the cheap Tesla, via Reuters, emphasis mine:
On Tuesday he said there was a clear path to delivering a car that costs half as much to build as Tesla’s Model 3 sedan, but he offered no details about timing or models.
At the 2020 event, Musk said he was “confident” that Tesla would make a small, compelling $25,000 electric car that was fully autonomous, within about three years.
Oh, honey. With all of the challenges facing Autopilot and Full Self-Driving these days, including the regulatory crackdowns and the lawsuits? Let’s just be more cautious than optimistic there. Also for the record: there’s no way in hell this will happen, full stop.
There’s also this part:
However, in January during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Musk said the automaker had stopped work for now on a compact EV.
“We have enough on our plate right now — too much on our plate frankly,” Musk said at the time.
Hey Elon, is that really “we,” or is it “I”? Because it seems more like the latter these days.
Ultra Cruisin’
Now, let’s chat autonomy (or rather, advanced automated driving assistance) that may actually be something real. GM is soon set to deploy its Ultra Cruise hands-free driving system for city streets on the new Cadillac Celestiq mega-luxe sedan. It’s like Super Cruise, right? But better. Because it’s ultra instead of super.
Anyway, here’s why Ultra Cruise isn’t taking the Tesla approach, from chief engineer Jason Ditman to Automotive News:
The other beta testers are the hapless drivers on the street who may cross paths with an errant Autopilot car, or the people inside the Arby’s where it inevitably decides to park itself. So it’s great to see GM going so very advanced—and cautious—as it levels up its driver-assist systems.
The Inflation Reduction Act Hits Europe Hard
The goal of the Inflation Reduction Act was not only to modernize the outdated EV credit system, but to stimulate EV and battery production in North America. So far, it’s working. Lots of automakers are changing their plans to build both of those things here so that they can take advantage of lucrative tax incentives.
Much of that plan was formed to hit back at China, a hostile peer state that was poised to have a monopoly on the future of electrified transportation. But it’s also having a similar effect on Europe. Volkswagen now says it’s waiting to hear what incentives, if any, Europe could offer before moving forward with more battery plants on that continent. It may prefer to do them here in America instead, reports Reuters:
“De facto it is the case that we are getting ahead far faster in North America,” a person close to the matter said to Reuters, declining to be named.
The Financial Times previously reported that Volkswagen was pausing plans for a battery plant in eastern Europe, the next expected plant in the region, and prioritising building a plant in North America where it could reap 9-10 billion euros ($10.54 billion) in subsidies.
[…] Volkswagen board member Thomas Schmall posted on LinkedIn last week that Europe risked losing “the race for billions of investments that will be decided in coming months and years” to the attractive conditions offered by the IRA.
Given the size of VW’s EV transition—arguably the biggest of any legacy automaker—this is a pretty big deal. It also comes at a time when Europen government officials are increasingly fearful of losing their auto industry jobs; EVs need far less parts and labor to build than ICE cars, and cheap EV competition from China is coming in hot. My guess is the EU will figure out its own version of the IRA soon, lest it be left in the dust.
Blasphemy, Or Just A Good Time?
Finally, reviews are out today for the Ferrari Purosangue SUV, and guess what? It’s good. Of course it is! It’s a Ferrari with a naturally aspirated V12, and I don’t remember hearing anybody complain about the experience in a Porsche Cayenne. Did you think Ferrari would screw this up?
Here’s friend of the site Kristen Lee at Motor Trend about how Ferrari got this thing right:
Ferrari knew its response to the SUV marketplace’s siren song must be different. It gave its creation coach doors, sure, but mostly the appeal is “because V-12.” It’s an engine type as inherent to the marque as the prancing horse logo. Ferrari has twin-turbo V-8s and hybrid setups it could have used; its representatives refuse to comment on whether those powertrains will eventually make it into future Purosangue models. For now, the naturally aspirated V-12 is all anyone will get. Twist our arms.
Like it or not, the Purosangue is here, but at least it’s armed with the best of what Ferrari has to offer. It’s a striking vehicle that’s fabulously athletic and comfortable to boot. There’s no shortage of super SUVs, but this one’s old school, where old school means 12 cylinders and a hell of a lot of noise. This is the Ferrari way.
I, personally, am not offended by the existence of the Purosangue; as someone not apt to spend $400,000 on an SUV, it has no bearing on my life whatsoever. I’m just amazed Ferrari didn’t do this years ago. And the end product is more true to the spirit of the company than whatever Lotus is doing these days.
Your Turn
What car coming out soon are you most excited about? It can be new debuts like the Purosangue (I would not say no to a couple hours in that thing) or even speculative concepts like the allegedly $25,000 Tesla. But what floats your boat lately?
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Despite the ‘Ultra’ bougie aesthetic of that Lyric promo photo, I am buying a Bolt EUV from GM. The last GM I had was a ’65 Corvair Corsa. In between, Internationals, Fords, Volvos, Jeeps, etc.
But back to the Lyric photo ~ where the f%& is she, and where is she going, in the middle of a desert wilderness, that somehow has a lake anyway. Gack!
That’s the Celestiq, and I want one.
sadly the only vehicle that excites me today is one that will not be around next year.
I suppose if it had to be BEV, then the Rivian RIS or perhaps the Ram EV would be in the price range I would want to spend and drive.
No BEV not named Scout excites me. And the Scout only excites me for emotional connections to the original. I remain skeptical that VW can pull off the design, given the fumbly bodge that is the ID.Buzz
at least it is going to be somewhat autonomous and built in the USA. but if they miss the boat with things like removable roof and Agrarian vs Bougie, then I think it will be a big problem.
My Turn:
I was driving to work yesterday (first time in 2023) and lamenting the lack of interesting cars on the road. It was all white/black/grey and boring. I have a passing interest in new cars (like the Purosangue), but about it.
It was a sad moment, but then there it was waiting to turn, sitting in a ray of sunshine. A 57 Chevy, resplendent in teal blue, cream, and chrome. It rejuvenated my enthusiasm, not just for cars in general, but for the day itself. We need cars with color and style to roam the streets again. Cars that sound and look engaging.
I can’t wait for summer.
That’s a hard question, new cars interest me less and less, they’re just too sophisticated, safe, sanitized… and pricey…
I guess the one I am the more curious at the moment is the Renault 5 EV, because the concept was cute and they promised it would be cheap, but you know, promises engage only those who trust them. Also, I’m still curious at whatever Tesla could do cheaper than a Model 3, even if it seems a looooong way in the future, and I’m still waiting to see how bad the Cybertruck will be in production form.
First off, I would like to congratulate Fancy Kristen! That was a fantastic review and vid. Good for her 🙂
Anyway, I just don’t get all the Elon hate on here. I don’t know the guy so I can’t speak to his motivations to do whatever he does, but it’s his money. Whatever. I don’t understand why people care this much. He wants to make EV’s, and they sell. He wants to do wacky space stuff, and they make money on it. He wants to put the internet all over the world, cool for him. He wants to own Twitter. Fine have at it. It’s not like Twitter is real life anyway. It’s beyond my capabilities to comprehend the vitriol towards a stranger. Now, if he shtooped my sister or something…
Read his Twitter feed. If you still don’t get the hatred for him you’re a disgusting person too.
Why would I want to read his posts? I do have a Twitter account, but I only follow a few sports writers, some musicians, some comedians, and a smattering of other accounts that I find interesting.
However, I hardly post(there might be 20 over a couple of years?) anything and refuse to get caught up in whatever jibber jabber happens there. In fact, I have told the people that know me that also have an account to not follow me. It’s added noise in an already complicated world and, quite frankly, a narcissistic and masochistic thing to get all wrapped up in. I deleted Facebook over a decade ago for the exact same reasons.
Thanks for pre-judging my ethics and morals (and the passive-aggressive insult) though, stranger!
Well, you completely missed the point of my comment so, good for you?
Also, if you refuse to educate yourself then maybe you shouldn’t question people’s opinions
There are people that adore him. To ask your same question…why? why do the people that love him care that much about a guy they don’t know?
“Why would I want to read his posts?” because he wants you to. He literally had Twitter employees revise the algorithm so that his tweets would get higher visibility. Ironically, another sentence of your comment seems pretty applicable – “It’s added noise in an already complicated world and, quite frankly, a narcissistic and masochistic thing to get all wrapped up in.”
We’re a couple decades too late on people separating social media from real life, but as far as “It’s not like Twitter is real life anyway,” Musk was also investigated for his tweets about Tesla stock causing significant changes in the valuations.
Both of those items I cited were in the news within the last 60 days, so those are a couple examples if you should choose to do some research as suggested.
User checks out
He supports DeSantis and other enemies of the American people, and some of us choose not to be complacent and complicit with any of the fascist trash afflicting our nation. Willful ignorance such as yours will be end of our society if it goes unchecked, so check yourself before publicly announce you can’t figure out which side of history to be on.
I’m not excited about a specific car. I’m excited that production of BEVs in general continues to ramp up and eventually, I should be able to pick up a good used BEV for not too much money. And the specific models I like the most are the Tesla Model S, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mach E.
I’m excited about the Ionic6.
Well, actually, I’m excited that I even care about the I6. More than a decade ago, I idly guessed that an obstructed bloated, chiseled, and bedecked car I was approaching was maybe a BMW. It was a Toyota. I was done then with even caring about new cars. I couldn’t even.
Then this site started. A few months later I did a triple-take at an Ionic5. Then read about it here. This site-and definitely the commentors-rekindled my interest in new cars. THAT I am excited about. Not that I’m likely to ever buy new, of course
$25K, but Microtransactions whenever you want to drive. That, I would believe.
Ads in the HUD, unskippable preroll when you start the car so you can’t drive until you’ve watched it, and geotargeted affiliate marketing in the navigation app that nudges you towards a McD restaurant when you’re near one.
The 992.2 GT3 Touring is the car I’m most looking forward to. If the 997.2 GT3 is anything to go by, it had widened the capability in both comfort and track performance over the 997.1. I would love to see the same thing for the 992.2 GT3 Touring versus the 992.1 since it may very well be the last pure ICE NA GT3
Talking about 911s is so confusing!
Talk nerdy to me, parsh nerds. HRRRRNG
(I say this as a huge parsh nerd.)
I’m waiting to see specs and price for the North American ID Buzz. The AWD version would fit my future needs perfectly. Since AWD is so dirt simple to integrate on EV’s and my area gets snow (for now), it makes sense. Also hauling a small camper around muddy campsites.
Well, add basically any future AWD electric CUV that’s not tiny. Something compact or midsize would also work. I’m trying to persuade my significant other that vans are fine. It’s not going well so far.
I’m also waiting on the ID Buzz, for basically the same resaons as you. I will also add that the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 7 will be out around the same time, so I’ll be cross-shopping them as well.
In the fantasy garage a cream over green one is charging. The two tone paint is what’s engaging me. Chattanooga is reportedly installing two tone capable paint booths. Please let it come out at a reasonable (for a modern EV) price. German pricing isn’t encouraging, though.
I do not give a shit if the new Tesla was $10,000. Musk is a piece of shit and I will never part with any of my hard-earned dollars to line his pocket.
I’m with you. I was routing for Musk in the early days, and I’m impressed with Tesla’s advances in battery and motor technology.
But no amount of business or scientific success can make up for the train wreck that this man is.
Yeah. There’s a lot I’m impressed with at that company, but it’s one of the places where I won’t apply. For one, they nuked a lot of their comms team anyway because Muskrat can’t stomach that a skeptical press keeps him honest. Two, I’m currently freelance, freelancing is an unpredictable mess, and any other unpredictable mess (such as working for anything connected to Elon Musk) isn’t an upgrade.
The single best upgrade Tesla could make is yeeting the world’s saddest, most toxic divorced dad from its leadership.
But what does Fancy Kristen have to say about the Ferrari SUV?
Asking the real questions ^^^
Why would she care about the car the under-butler takes the trash out in?
Anything with an actual production run isn’t fancy enough.
Weirdly excited for the Honda Prolonge and hopefully a TRD version of the next gen Camry.
I personally don’t get excited about stuff I’ll never be able to afford. Teenage me would’ve lost his mind over the Purosangue or the upcoming Aventador replacement etc. but 32 year old me is indifferent. It’s cool that the stuff exists but I’m never going to interact with it in any capacity other than maybe seeing one on the road or at Cars and Coffee.
When it comes to the stuff I actually can afford there just isn’t a lot going on right now. I’m sure one of the EV stans will chastise me for saying this but I just can’t get too excited about regular EVs yet. Some of the nutso flagship ones are absolutely cool, like the Taycan, E Tron, the upcoming Genesis convertible thing, etc. But I can’t afford them…and all the new commuter stuff just doesn’t inspire me. Sorry.
Pretty much everything new that’s coming out in the 30-60k range where my wife and I can buy is an EV, a family hauler, or an NPC mobile. I was stoked on the GR Corolla and was going to try to buy one but the dealership markups and ridiculous hype machine around it killed it for me. Same with the new CTR. I was very much interested in the Integra Type S until I learned that they were doing absolutely nothing different with it and just reskinning the CTR. I’d be interested if it had AWD, a decent automatic, etc but nope. It’s just another Japanese company telling me I can get their car the way they want it or get lost.
The new Mustang is just kind of…there. What I’m actually most excited about right now is the new Honda Pilot because my wife will need a new car long before I do and apparently it’s downright pleasant to drive for what it is. She wants a Palisade but I have reservations about becoming a two Hyundai house given the fact that their quality issues still haven’t been fully resolved. I’d rather just go Japanese and never have to worry about anything other than consumables.
Other than that? Meh. I guess the rumors of the Camaro coming back as an electric sedan pique my interest. If they find a way to inject some driving character into it it could be an intriguing option for us mid life enthusiasts that need something useful but don’t want to give up on fun altogether. I also really like the TLX Type S for this purpose and I think it’s going to make an amazing user buy in a few years.
Oh and maybe the refreshed Polestar 2. I’m slowly but surely accepting that I’ll eventually have to make the switch and apparently they’re working hard on engineering some driving character into it, plus it looks good. Basically I’m going to want either a full electric or hybrid engaging sports sedan that doesn’t require me to give my money to Musk. Right now there are some good options (I really like the Audi S5 in addition to the TLX Type S) but they probably won’t be available new in their current forms when it’s finally time for me to shop again.
I think the powertrain in my N is a solid ICE sendoff for me but there’s also a part of me that wants to have one more properly special ICE powertrain with more cylinders because it’s not like rowdy turbo 4s are going extinct. A big ole V8 or one of the German turbo 6s would scratch the itch for sure.
My Turn: 2023 Prius Prime
Sadly I expect them to be rare to non-existent. It would seem to me that Toyota could sell every Rav4 Prime they could manufacture, but they appear to be as rare as the Prius Prime.
I don’t really understand car companies. GM develops the Volt and from what I’ve read it was well received. Why didn’t they put it in a CUV? Ford builds the Maverick and the hybrid is the base model, but woefully miscalculates demand.
The Toyota Busy Forks looks like it got in an accident and the owner replaced the front quarter panels with aftermarket parts and didn’t bother to paint them. Either that or the black plastic that has been slathered around wheel openings on CUV’s for decades is actually a biological entity and it has begun to creep over the entire car.
Yeah, I want to get excited for the Prius Prime, but I had previously looked for a RAV4 Prime and there’s just no way I can get excited for a vehicle I’ll have to hunt to find at a massive markup.
As to the black cladding, I think it might be a symbiote. It certainly looks like Venom is starting to take over.
GM’s first mini cars ev all got recalled cause they wouldn’t stop lighting on fire from what I remember. I can’t in good faith bring the predecessor to my house to burn it down and I bet I’m not the only one. I did spec them online and they would be a really fun car for trips to town and shorter commutes…but I like my house.
That was the Bolt, the Volt was just expensive for a small car, though it was a good Hybrid for the time, it just was not a huge seller.
Also, FUCK Toyota for killing off the Prius V
I’ve never seen such intense enthusiasm for the Prius V.
Neither has Toyota, hence dogisbadob’s predicament
I would love a small well built EV at a reasonable price. I definitely would not want a poorly built EV with autonomous capability. It’s not the compromise I’m willing to make. Lower the cost by not including that and spend the savings on making a better EV.
The Bolt is just a wee bit too small, but a possibility. I’m waiting to see the final specs on the new plug-in Prius. That might be the right one for me. Though I think the instrument cluster is a goofy mess. Maybe they will improve that with a styling refresh in a few years.
Wasn’t really interested in any vehicles coming out soon. I was interested in an engine coming out soon.
GM was going to do a twin turbo (I think it was twin) I6 that was supposed to pump out something ridiculous power-wise. I was definitely interested in that, cause… well. I6. Turbo I6.
But of course, it got cancelled
I think you may be thinking of the Hurricane from Stellantis. Currently at over 500hp / 510lb/ft of torque in top guise.
GM has the really damned good dirtymax I6, but you’ve got to love that high-compression ignition life.
The Nissan Leaf already starts at 28k, and the Chevy Bolt starts at 26k. These are electric cars that already exist, from car companies run by adults.
Both of those cars have compromises though.
Either range with the Leaf or charging speed with the Bolt (plus the Bolt is not for tall people).
Hopefully a Tesla product will not have those issues (putting Musk aside)
Define “tall” I’m 6’4″ and fit great.
Yeah, my EUV has loads of headroom & legroom.
I’m not all that excited about anything confirmed to be coming, but the rumors of a PHEV Maverick and/or Santa Cruz keep me watching. And I am waiting to see how the hybrid Tacoma ends up, but I might get excited if they prioritize efficiency.
Honestly I would be excited about an alleged $25,000 Tesla but not because of the $25,000 price though that doesn’t hurt. My problem with the entire Tesla line-up is that I prefer smaller cars and the Model3 is a bit larger than I would like. In my head the rumored Model2 or whatever they call it is a 2door hatch or even a 4door hatch roughly the size of the new GR Corolla. Also in my head the base model is $25,000 so the Performance Model2 is around $35-40K which would fit my garage, budget, and preferences to a T.
Sadly, this only exists in my head 🙁
Nissan Leaf 😉
The Leaf may have it on size but not on range and performance.
I’m going to take anything Elon says with a South African salt mine.
If Tesla does deliver on the promised compact, I hope they name it the Musk Rat after their CEO.
I’d actually softened on Musk/Tesla for a few days upon seeing some of the superchargers open up to non-tesla’s. I know Tesla is getting big $$$ to do it, but it was still a pretty cool development for EV proliferation.
Then I saw him making fun of a disabled employee on twitter yesterday, RT’ing a bunch of right wing January 6th nonsense, and now more of this lying BS.
He’s a terrible person.
This is basically my take these days too. The company isn’t going anywhere now—it’s too big and too successful; I have real concerns over build quality but the EVs are excellent to drive; the Supercharger network is the best thing they ever did for electric cars in general; and it’s an American company with American jobs, so I want to see it do well.
And Elon’s an asshole. See? Nuance!
In my opinion the best thing that could happen for Tesla is for Elon to step down. He’s become a distraction and has done far more to damage the companies perception than anything over the last year. He has recently announced he plans to leave Twitters CEO position by the end of 2023, I think he should leave Tesla as well.
Step down or be pushed out.
Perhaps one designated day per week could be free of Elon Musk and Tesla, in all articles and comments. It’s tiring, because everyone already has their mind made up and no new info will change what you think of him or the company at this point. I’d venture to say nothing causes more friction in the comment section either. Just a thought.
As for upcoming cars I’m excited for, it’s getting harder to find them. If the rumored MR2 Spyder successor ever comes to fruition I’ll be interested. I’m curious about GM’s 6th generation V8s and any non-truck applications they may be used in. The first company to sell a true 500 mile EV (in all weather conditions and at high speed cruising) will have my attention too.
That horse is beaten into a bloody pulp and no one cares. It’s as tiring as the MSM rambling on about ChatGP. Muskless Monday, Tesla free Tuesday, wosey of Tesla Wednesday, Throwback to when automotive journalist had more to talk about than Elon Thursdays, and Free of South African Aristocrats Fridays sounds a like a damn good idea.
If the site stopped covering Tesla, there would be just as many comments complaining about how his genius is being censored.
Just have Tesla Tuesday (and Thursday ina pinch) and concentrate everything that day. The chief twit is just like Donald Trump who lives by saying outrageous things and sucking up all the attention so that the boring, sane, marketing departments of real companies can’t compete.
They’re pretty close to the same person, one just has less ridiculous hair.
I highly doubt that. Not that many Tesla Stan’s on the Autopian compared to other sites.
Eh, Tesla is the 3rd largest US automaker, its kind of hard for a US-based auto blog to ignore them without the omission seriously standing out
Sure, but the comments today are basically nothing but people competing to see who can hate Musk the most. Even if you think he’s annoying or rude, it’s a little much.
The purpose of this site IMHO isn’t to break news, it’s to respond to it in an intelligent fashion. I don’t think much of value would be lost if we took a break from Tesla bashing one day a week. The news would still be there the next day.
The 500 mike range EV is kind of here already. Not in large numbers but the Lucid Air Dream Edition R has a range of 520 miles. https://www.lucidmotors.com/stories/lucid-air-achieves-520-miles-of-range
EPA mileage isn’t what counts in the real world.
Car and Driver got 410 highway miles out of a Lucid rated at 516.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40633791/lucid-air-grand-touring-best-ev-range-tested/
That test was likely done in ideal weather conditions as well, since nothing about freezing temps was mentioned. When an EV can do 500 miles at zero degrees F and 80 mph, I’ll buy it. That will probably require about a 700 mile EPA range.
I wonder about sustained highway speeds in cold weather. There’s significant discharging happening (like 20-30kw constant, probably more if you’re pushing 80mph).
The heat from that could offset the loss in range from the cold. Some at least.
If a battery were to preheat from the grid prior to leaving too, that could also help with winter range.
You must have a mighty bladder. 400 miles is about 5 hours at 80mph. I’d be very much looking to rid myself of beverages by that time.
I’ll knock out 1000 miles a day on a road trip, but I very much look forward to the stops along the way.
” Musk Free Monday” ???