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The overuse of the word "iconic" has become ridiculous.

Todays land yacht.... "It's a tremendous word, a big word, no one uses big words like I do, and grown men, macular men with tears in their eyes, come to me saying, sir, you are Iconic and we want you back....some say that I am Iconic...I am the most Iconic Iconic man ever...or so they say..." IF I had to have a vintage car right now...an Olds Vista cruiser with a455 dumped in it...preferably in some 1970's color like green, brown, gold, yellow or something. And a 442 hood...

Sure, but none of that is what we're talking about. This started because EVs have the best low-end torque curve, with maximum torque at zero RPM. It also means that peak horsepower is now an irrelevant measurement for 99.9999999% of EV buyers. 250 lb-ft @ 0 RPM = 0 horsepower. The base Kia EV9 has 258 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm which means it moves along nicely as city speeds.

The 2019 GM 6.2 makes 320 lb-ft at 1700 rpm, eventually increasing to 366 at 4,000 rpm. That torque curve at 1,000 rpm lower makes for easier and calmer driving. I don't know which engine you have, but if that torque curve is flat, you're also running turbos, which isn't what we're talking about here. In normal suburban driving around the city, the 5.3 liter in my truck shifts right below 2,000 rpm and I keep up with traffic just fine. Also a turbo, and not what we're discussing. Yes, and the only way they could get away with that is with turbos and three additional gears, but it hasn't improved drivability. A 3.4-liter variable displacement pushrod V6 paired with the current 8-speed auto would have been nearly as efficient while offering better around-town feel. I do think you're right on this one. Putting an advanced DOHC turbo with a 9-speed in a budget auto just isn't feasible in the long term. People buying in that market don't typically maintain their cars as well. The first to market with a budget EV that can charge anywhere and doesn't look like a dorky egg (Bolt, LEAF) could do very well.