G. David Felt

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

Maybe because I'm not a Costco member, but that link didn't show any Hondas. It showed deals on Volvos, Polestars, and the Silverado EV. Also, nowhere close to 17k. The best deal was 2k off for the EX90 and only for executive members. 

Ideally, I'd love the press release green/blue. I'd settle for the other blue or red and would really not want silver, white or black. If I'm being honest though, I'm sure I'd still buy silver, white or black for the right price. Okay, maybe not black. I don't want to deal with a black color and trying to keep it clean. I've had one black car and that was enough to experience the hatred for attempting to keep it clean. 

I am also thinking that maybe not everything shows up as they look at the region your in and what offers are there.

PNW with hitting 30% of new car sales are EVs I think has a much higher support for EV sales and discounts.

Audi is well known for their luxury auto's as well as their performance RS line. The RS5 High Performance Hybrid is a first and one has to wonder do they deliver on that performance or not?

Key Specifications

Let's start by first looking at the basic points of what this RS has:

• Power
  • V6 Twin-Turbo 2.9L & electric motor
  • 470 kW or 630 HP combined
    • Top Speed of 285 km / h or 177 mph
  • 825 Nm or 608 lb-ft of torque combined
  • 8 speed tiptronic transmission
• World-first quattro with Dynamic Torque Control in the rear transaxle
• RS Style
  • Wider body work
  • Darkened Matrix LED headlights
  • RS Sport Exhaust
  • RS Interior
• Plug-in Hybrid
  • 11 kW charging controller
    • 100% charged in 2 1/2 hrs
  • 25.9 kWh battery pack
  • 400V electrical system
  • Pure electric range of combined 84 kilometers or 52 miles
• Intelligent energy recovery

Audi has stated that their first high performance plugin hybrid auto the RS5 will come in two formats, a 4-door sedan or a shooting brake in Europe or what Americans call a station wagon. These canyon carving, highway running marathon inspired cars deliver performance with 21st century new magic.

The RS5 comes with a feature once reserved for electric three or four motor EVs. The Dynamic Torque Control allows electromechanical torque vectoring in the rear of these cars. This feature allows shifting torque between the rear wheels in milliseconds resulting in exceptionally agile, composed, and effortless driving according to their press release.

From a checkered-flag inspired design for the digital day-time-running lights to a well-tuned agile chassis with individual driving modes that tweak and constantly change the suspension setup in these autos. Audi is delivering a driver's experience for every step of the way in life.

The exterior of these auto's delivers on a puristic powerhouse approach that is a clear homage to their legendary Audi Ur-quattro while stirring in a huge portion of RS DNA.

Exterior & Available Colors

Audi has stated that Form follows Performance in leaving an impression. They have started by offering nine colors for the 2027 RS 5 Plug-in Hybrid.

• Progressive Red metallic
• Ascari Blue
• Goodwood Green
• Panther Black Crystal
• Mythos Black
• Merlin Pearl effect
• Matte Paint Plateau Grey
• Gloss Black
• Gloss White

The exterior has an assortment of options that cover paint matching to carbon fiber and even a black out option.

Interior

The interior is equally uncompromising in delivering on the RS sportiness that one would expect. There are five distinct interior designs, each differentiated by unique materials and color schemes. They all share maximum RS differentiation, including full-length color-coordinated seat belts and RS logos on all floor mats matched to each interior color. Complementing each design, the headliner is consistently finished in black across all configurations.

Audi has chosen to appeal to folks of all walks of life in that it offers their interiors with leather free choices to recycled choices which includes color accents. Interior customizable ambiance lighting is placed throughout the interior. Audi has also delivered on what they believe is a balance of desired touch points on the dash screen with a solid mix of real buttons, switches, etc. found throughout the auto and on the steering wheel. This all gets complemented with the ability to choose how one finishes their interior in various choices of finishes from open-pore carbon micro twill, matte brushed aluminum to black lacquer finishes.

Seats are equally important be it leather free materials to nappa leather, the seating in the RS 5 are multi-functional and supportive for spirited driving or long luxury road trips. Audi has even optioned a Sport Package that can step up to meet the available performance of the auto.

More details will be forthcoming closer to launch with pricing.

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4 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Dang, there are no ZDX within 200 miles of me and when I jump to 300 miles, they're more like 34-40k still... 

Do you guys have a link to read more on this Costco discount? 

Buy a Car With Confidence | Costco Auto Program

Crazy pricing $49,879 - $17,000 costco discount = $32,879

SHM is a dead plan walking, but no future imho.

Short sighted vision, GM incurred costs to stop / slow down EV production not because it was costing them money as they were at a breakeven point. 

Honda was smart to team up with GM and could move forward, but again short-sighted view makes me think Honda Automotive is not long for staying independent in this new era.

I also saw that the Sony Honda Mobility EVs have been canceled now too. SHM is a dead thing along with anything EV for Honda. 

Going to be interesting to see if Honda can survive on its own going down the next 10 years for the auto industry. I also see Mazda not staying independant for long especially with the major class action lawsuit on Mazda CUVs.

Idiot47 is not going to win the war against electric autos as the interest is at an all-time high with gas prices hitting all time high's, higher than almost any other time.

https://www.ktnv.com/news/rising-gas-prices-across-las-vegas-are-pushing-drivers-to-consider-switching-to-electric-vehicles?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_CCGV5A7_qSqHZlQFcyH8blELmYh2cmfRDKBomrMd-o1v-ECoY1Tfd5ZWF0Le-jc_MUwT9WGuqAJtvTYejs-71NYcTXc68RV3hWnzpEUqndUs05Zw&_hsmi=410382364&utm_content=410382364&utm_source=hs_email

OUCH, our biggest oil refinery in Texas exploded today taking offline 435,000 barrels of processed oil a day. Get ready for higher gas prices.

Large blast at Valero oil refinery in Texas sends smoke, flames into the air - CBS News

Found this and have to say it is very cool, just wish it was an EV.
https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rxLZo47B/1984-chevrolet-el-camino-gnx-conversion

Awesome change coming, so excited for C&G!!!

Thank you Drew  

@Drew Dowdell Is this the last year for this?

5 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

I think that was “user error” of the person who was driving that particular vehicle.

Interesting, programmable door handles, if you unlock the auto, they will stay out, but if you approach it while locked with the fob, they will pop out and if within 3 min you do not open a door, pull back in keeping the auto locked.

OUCH Apple is paring the tech options.
Apple quietly kills 15 devices - is yours on the list?

3 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

lol no they don't. those retract.

Yes they retract when you get in to drive or lock it, but when the auto sits unlocked, they stay out and I know how easy it is to possibly break them as I was going between auto's at my 24hr fitness this week and thought it weird that they were out and as I went between, the door handle hooked my work out short pocket and bent a bit before I unhooked myself.  As I walked to enter the gym, a person came out and locked it, clearly forgetting they had left it unlocked. 

To me a hook type door handle is more dangerous than the circle loop door handle that pops out of my EV9.

Now I do get the fact that some companies like Tesla have failed to make sure the door handles pop out for emergency release / escape. Cadillac is also guilty of this for both outside and inside door handles.

Kia / Hyundai / Genesis did the following:

Mechanical backup access:

There is a hidden physical key slot behind the driver’s door handle area.

Using the physical key lets you mechanically unlock the door even if the handle doesn’t pop out or during a power outage.

All EVs have a manual interior door release that works without power so that people inside can always get out no matter the situation.

This is all on my quick info card on the EV and I checked online with the Kia digital manuals. Hyundai and Genesis also say the same thing when searching online.

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

There is also Genesis with their 3 sedans (G70, G80, G90) and Lexus still has the IS, ES, and LS. 

Thank you, I updated the list as I totally forgot about Genesis cars.
There are still some options for car folks:

22 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Those damn doorhandles. I understand the aero benefit of them, but I hate them. 

What specifically do you not like about them?

I love the pop outdoor handles on my EV9. They are way better than the stupid approach Cadillac took.

Cadillac leaves them out and are a danger as they are a hook that can easily get broken.

I am really liking the AI generated Kia Pickups  

I forget who it was, but there is a member that loves the El Camino and would probably like these AI generated trucks.

RECESSION
Wall Street sounds alarm that Trump may be leading US to economic catastrophe: report

The RPM of this setup is Crazy and I want to actually take one for a test drive. Be interesting to see what the price is once they are shipping and what it sounds like.

Been awhile since I posted anything here, but saw a mint condition Chevrolet El Camino and thought wow, I would love a modern EV version of this with Kia inspired styling. AWD EV Power path!!!

Korean word for which I would call this truck means the road or path traveled.

I would call it Kia "Gil"

Kia EV9 style with body inspired by Chevrolet El Camino

Kia EV9 style with body inspired by the Ford Ranchero

3 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I don't love the headlight area, but I feel like it is the kind of thing that could grow on my and look better in person. I appreciate them getting the kidney grills going in the correct direction again.

I don't love that screen, at all. However, it may be the kind of thing that just works well for the driver but photographs like crap from straight on, because of the "odd" shape. 

Those damn doorhandles. I understand the aero benefit of them, but I hate them. 

Why is it on the president for the manufacturers to make and sell the vehicles? Our President is a complete idiot, but I also don't exactly think it should be on the people to compensate the manufacturers to make these vehicles. They had like a 15 year runway to establish themselves in this market and all they drug their feet until the last minute. As soon as the government took their(our) $7500 off the table, all the manufactures feel the need to "reevaluate" their EV portfolio and future. 

I agree it should not be on the Government to fund this forever, but as long as they continue to give billions to the Oil industry, then why not give to the green / EV industry.

Biggest problem is that Idiot47 personal HATE for EVs had him waste Billions yanking out all the installed chargers and his personal IQ 79 Stupidity had him then also waste billions more on trying to turn everything around that has been done by past presidents rather than focus on governing and doing the right thing. More taxpayer money has been wasted on him attempting to go back to the 60's in all things and hurting this country.

At this point, HE IS Hurting the auto industry and as long as he is in office, he will do everything possible to hurt the companies that have created jobs and spent billions to design and develop new autos. Getting him out of the way can then under a stable federal hand allow companies to innovate and compete on products.

14 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Altima and A8 are canceled or at the end of their production runs without being replaced.   There is no more challenger, that was a coupe anyway
You missed Ioniq 6N and coming BMW i3 Neue Klasse

Yes, did forget on those points, been a while since I did a car list.  Will edit the list.

Genesis pushing the boundaries of performance in their segment has unleashed the newest performance monster for Luxury EVs. The GV60 MAGMA was stated by Manfred Harrer, President and Head of Hyundai's Motor Group R&D division as follows:

"In a very short period of time, our engineers achieved something truly remarkable. They created a car that is not only fast, but truly Genesis; a car that inspires confidence and provides a true emotional connection."

641 HP Dual-Motor Powertrain

The GV60 MAGMA has extensive enhancements to the powertrain offering the most powerful performance within the Genesis lineup today. This is more than just hardware upgrades, but advanced software refinements too. The GV60 MAGMA delivers the following:

• 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds
• 0 to 124 mph in 10.9 seconds
• Motors delivering combined 641 HP with 582 lb-ft of torque
  • Rear motor 406 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque
  • Front motor 235 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque
  • Maximum RPM 20,920

Five Driving Modes From Range to Sprint

The GV60 MAGMA offers a perfect harmony between luxury and driving dynamics with precision-tuned driving profiles tailored for any situation according to their press release. Five distinct driving modes are offered that can be changed on the fly via their drive mode button.

• Range Mode prioritizes efficiency and maximizes driving range with seamless responsiveness.
• Comfort Mode strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy for everyday use.
• Sport Mode quickens responsiveness, offering a spirited driving experience for routine journeys.
• Sprint Mode unleashes aggressive torque and accelerator sensitivity ideal for track settings.
• GT Mode delivers the performance of a luxury grand tourer, blending effortless cruising with commanding acceleration when needed.

Tuned Pedal Response and Driver Connection

According to Genesis, the MAGMA performance line offers a key element to driving via an innovative pedal response for enhance control. The dynamic range is the specially configured accelerator pedal. Resistance has been adjusted to elevate control and reduce fatigue, offering lower resistance in light pedal applications for daily driving and greater resistance for high-depression inputs during sporty maneuvers. This ensures a smooth and intuitive connection between the driver and the vehicle's subtle power. To put this in a simple defined statement, Teajun Kang, Senior R&D engineer for Genesis EV Performance Test Team made the following statement:

"The pedal resistance was increased across all ranges to enhance control over acceleration."

Genesis MAGMA performance line delivers on their stated belief that customer experiences are focused as "son-nim" or honored guests. The GV60 MAGMA joins the Magma GT Concept and G90 WINGBACK Magma concept in signaling that Genesis is serious about building a performance brand alongside its luxury credentials.

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29 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

The collapse of ICE vehicles can't come fast enough. 

By the time you are ready to retire your truck, you might just have a compact / mid-size EV Truck to replace it.

That is of course we wake up and remove Idiot47, Kia/Hyundai move forward with their electric trucks that are in test mule format now and Ford / GM / Toyota Deliver as all have said they are working on compact / mid-size EV Trucks.