G. David Felt

US: Ford Sold Almost 7,000 BEVs In August 2023 (insideevs.com) Very cool for Ford to have increased EV sales.

Toyota Century | Functions & Performance | Driving Performance | Toyota Motor Corporation Website

I know this is supposed to be about watches but wanted to close out our ride discussion. @Drew Dowdell @ccap41 Magneride was bought from Delphi by BWI group and I have to wonder if this is why GM is moving away from Magneride which is amazing. Once you have it, and then ride in a non-magneride there is a noticeable difference. MagneRide® Active Suspension System – BWI Group Back in 2020 GM Authority did a good job on the whole MagneRide or MRC with the comparison of Version 3 to version 4 that I would love to have in my EV Escalade IQ ESV if they build it. Advantages Of New GM Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 | GM Authority Thought this was a good story on the differences between standard and MagneRide. What Is Magnetic Ride Control, And How Does It Differ From Traditional Suspension? | DrivingLine QUOTE: Under BWI's ownership, MagneRide's availability has expanded from its initial internal GM usage and Ferrari-licensed implementation to include applications such as the Ford Mustang, the Lamborghini Aventador, numerous high performance Audi models, the Acura NSX, several Acura SUVs, as well as members of the Land Rover sport-utility vehicle family. GM overview of ARC General Motors Adaptive Ride Control | GM Authority Latest shows that Magneride 4.0 is being used across the Cadillac Family and EVs. Search Results (cadillac.com) I will say that in regard to watches, I love my clock in the Escalade. Simple, easy to read and classy for what it does well.

Guess that is why the Cybertruck is shaped that way, to slide easily out as it is shit.

@ccap41 FYI, this is what the 2006 Escalade ESV Platinum edition looks like and mine is 100% stock.

One you're right the Escalade is Bling and if I could get what I own with no Chrome, I would have. But it comes down to space and comfort and Motor Trend has clearly shown their Bias to attack the U.S. auto companies when they do not spend money advertising in their magazines. I will always challenge professionals who have shown their Bias to always go with a German or Asian brand and no since I have owned plenty of non-GM autos, I do not think I have as big a bias as the rag magazines compared to my own experience of driving them. I have spent far more time behind the wheel on road trips than those magazine editors/writers who get it for a week. Spend 10's of thousands of miles on the road and tell me if you can sit in the German CUVs for 5 to 6 hours on such a short wheel base compared to the wheel base of my Escalade ESV. They can blow all they want that the G-Wagon is superior to the Escalade ESV, but interior space, comfort and time on the road says otherwise. 2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV vs. 2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Cars.com 130 inch wheelbase versus 112 inch wheelbase makes a big difference in comfort of driving down the road and basic laws of engineering cannot change the fact that the Escalade ESV will give a better ride than the G-Wagon. I will also put up my Magana ride suspension against the G-Wagon for comfort on road trips. I have yet to see any German that has built an auto that can handle long road trips including the very common 6 to 8 hours behind a whee. But that is my years of experience driving a large SUV on the roads of America over a journalist who drives it for a few days. You have a right to your opinion on going with the journalist who has driven it for a few days or an owner who has driven it for years in all kinds of weather.

2006 Platinum Escalade ESV with everything so the Magnaride is amazing and yes, on road trips this is one very comfortable and quiet SUV to cruse down the road. I honestly have never sat in the 3rd row bench, take it out all the time for various needs, but never sat in it, but my kids have and even spread out across it to sleep and says it is very comfortable for them. They are both 5'8" tall. I have sat in the 2nd row captain chair on road trips with another couple and slept very well, comfy. Course both front and 2nd row have heated and cooled seats making it even more comfortable. Both seats are pretty much identical as far as I can tell so they really are very comfortable. The comfy seats in this years escalade is very noticeable compared to the Yukon and Suburban and Lincoln Navigators of that time. For being a German heritage man, I am very disappointed in how little space the German brands give in their SUVs. Asian is even worse. I spent weeks driving all of them considering everything before I spent the money on my 6 figure Escalade. I do not spend my money rashly on items, will spend more than others if I feel I am getting the best bang for the buck for long life. Afterall it is 18 years old. Like your Avalanche, when your driving down the road in a serene cruse, it is very comfy to drive for long distance, hours at a time.

Sinatra and a big ol Cadillac El Dorado is what I would pair him up with.

Just in a Jazz kind of mood today as I work.

I for one am not a 1% and do not like the attention it draws so function over flare all the time. Course for me being a big man, comfort is a requirement and so the Escalade does it more so than the Yukon or Suburban. It is interesting to know that in 2006 when I bought my Escalade, it was far more comfortable than the other two GM brands and leaps ahead of what Ford offered in their brands, any European or Asian auto at the time. Now with GM having gone to a standard seat for all models, the Escalade of today is just not very comfy for road trips. Like Drew said, a CT6 Platinum for Quiet Luxury but in an SUV size for me is what I want. Just do not know what that is today.

Gotta keep in mind the Japanese culture of everyone fit in, never be negative and blend with the world. As such, they I agree they have copied and made it more refined of other existing products. Toyota has lost there way in some ways and create crazy Predator autos in others.

Agree that I like the looks of the Fisker Ocean and think there is potential for the base model, but prices jump so fast once you add options or move to the larger battery pack that I think it will be very limited in appeal to consumers. Then you have the whole build it in Europe, Graz Austria to be exact, then ship to America and no tax breaks.

Very Cool Video of a RAM TRX using all it's power to escape the mud at Burning Man. https://twitter.com/brendanmcogbill/status/1698524763994378240?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1698524763994378240|twgr^8ac82528dbffe8d91f101d9430a3b1e52ea30d86|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fram-1500-trx-truck-goes-viral-burning-man-2023-9 Also posting the link in case the Twitter linking video does not show.

This thread is all about discussions on the current and upcoming battery technology. Much is changing and fast in the battery industry as we move from Liquid Lithium-ion to Solid State Lithium-ion. Discuss your thoughts and feelings here about this sector of the industry and how it will play out on EVs moving forward. Latest news is that Ford has signed a long term contract to use the Chinese CATL New Super Charging LFP battery cells. Quote: The new Shenxing battery is an LFP unit, which CATL says is the very first 4C superfast charging battery of that type in existence. It will reportedly be capable of adding up to 400 kilometers (248 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging and 700 kilometers (435 miles) on a full charge, which the company believes will help alleviate concerns regarding range anxiety and long charging times. Ford EV Partner CATL Debuts New Fast-Charging LFP Battery (fordauthority.com) CATL is expecting LFP battery cell production to start at Blue Oval City for use in EVs in 2024. But then we have the concerns of the politicians. U.S. House Expands Probe Into Deal Between Ford, CATL (fordauthority.com) QUOTE: The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently sent another letter to FoMoCo requesting more information from the automaker pertaining to its agreement with CATL, citing national security concerns as the catalyst behind this query. The letter was spearheaded by Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, along with 25 of her colleagues. “While Ford has labeled this project a ‘commitment to American manufacturing’ and asserts it will create 2,500 new American jobs, we are concerned that Ford’s partnership with a Chinese company could aid China’s efforts to expand its control over United States electric vehicle supply chains and jeopardize national security by furthering dependence on China,” the letter reads. Ford has stated the following: Ford has maintained that CATL won’t have any stake in the new plant, and also that it won’t receive any sort of as part of this deal. Rather, the automaker insists that it will merely use technology licensed from CATL to build LFP batteries at its new plant, which will be used to power future all-electric vehicles. So how do you feel about an American company licensing tech from the Chinese and calling it American made due to creation of the end product here in the U.S. by Americans with Royalty paid to a Chinese company? Sound off on the Tech and who owns it and why.

Very interesting story and some interesting name plates on the top 20 list like the S class car and the Miata. Domestic Vehicles Among The Slowest-Selling In America, Whether They’re New Or Used | Carscoops

Toyota has had for the rich and powerful their Century car for the Japanese market only for decades. This chauffeur-driven car was a coveted auto that never was allowed to be exported out of Japan. Today, Toyota has announced a new chauffeur-driven Century for the 21st century in meeting the demands of a new age, new generation while maintaining the inheritance of the history of what made Century so special. The Century SUV while being a new shape, combines elegance, comfort and functionality as demanded in this new age of automotive excitement. Toyota streamed the launch making a statement of the following: A bold design with an elegant and graceful silhouette that incorporates Japanese aesthetic elements. Based on a concept of human-centeredness, the interior space is designed to provide an even more safe and comfortable travel experience for rear-seat passengers as well as the driver. The newly developed plug-in hybrid system, which inherits the quietness of the Century and delivers both environmental performance and powerful, exhilarating ride befitting the future of chauffeur-driven vehicles. The Century chauffeur-driven sedan debuted in 1967 as the premium Toyota executive car. The market had been dominated by U.S. and European luxury brands till now. Embodying the unrivaled spirit of omotenashi, or hospitality, ensuring that the important passengers reached their destinations safely and in comfort. The Century Sedan has been doing this for the last 5 plus decades. Today's Century SUV is launched with the following outline: Majestic, dignified body design with both horizontal and vertical form features. From the hand engraved phoenix emblem to the mirror finish. Interior space designed with the concept of being human-centered to realize comfortable travel time. From the fully reclining rear seats to the finely hones audio system and the rear doors that open to a wide 75-degrees allowing for elegant entry and exit of the SUV. Be it that the Century SUV is chauffer-driven or owner-driven, the cockpit is designed for ease of use by all, allowing focus on their driving with minimal distractions. Powertrain of the 21st century, delivering performance while exceeding expectations. The all new 3.5-liter V6 hybrid system achieves both performance and a quieter drive for both driver and passenger. The all new Century SUV is built on the Toyota TNGA platform with a high-rigidity body. This allows superior handling along with noise-reduction as well as privacy quietness associated with a chauffer-driven vehicle. The 2024 Century SUV has the following specifications: Length - 5,205mm or 205 inches Width - 1,990 mm or 78 inches Height - 1,805 mm or 71 inches Wheelbase - 2,950 mm or 116 inches Couple distance - 1,220 mm or 48 inches Weight - 2,570 kg or 5,666 pounds Capacity - 4 persons While Toyota talks about this as being a Japan only auto, the all-new Century SUV is built on their global TNGA platform, a first for the Century line and it has their global all-new Hybrid system. Both would imply that this auto which is slated for just 30 hand built per month could become a global auto designed to take on the top Luxury SUVs in the world such as the Mercedes EQS SUV, Cadillac Escalade, etc. Check out all the images and details here in the press release folder of images: Toyota Century SUV - Cheers & Gears (cheersandgears.com) Toyota Launching New Century in Japan View full article