G. David Felt

Very interesting read on the Cadillac CELESTIQ Cadillac Celestiq a Manufacturing Masterpiece | WardsAuto

I enjoyed reading this as the question posted is "What are the 3 best small performance sedans?" As many posted responses and as the writer says, many would says German, with a focus on BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Seems the top 3 are in the following order: #3 Audi S3 #2 Audi S4 #1 Cadillac CT4-V BlackWing The 3 Best Small Performance Sedans According to Edmunds (motorbiscuit.com)

So true, the current coloring scheme is grey, dark blues and blacks. My son's house is all these colors, and it is so dark and gloomy to me.

Very interesting video, sure proves that Mega Stamping of frame parts is a better way to go.

It would seem that even the German Auto Brands could not hold up against Genesis of Korea as they won the German Car of the Year award. That has got to hurt for the German brands. Genesis Media Center : GENESIS GV60 NAMED "GERMAN PREMIUM CAR OF THE YEAR 2023" The "German Car of the Year" (GCOTY) is chosen by an approximately 30-member jury, which selects five class winners through an online voting process. The selected cars represent the top of their respective segments and thus qualify for the final stage, where class winners compete against each other through test drives to determine an overall winner. The all-electric GV60 won in the "Premium" category, which included new cars with a starting price between 30,000 and 60,000 euros. GV60 prevailed in this particularly competitive vehicle class, going up against well-known competition from Germany and abroad. Additionally, the brand’s first dedicated electric vehicle was also nominated in the "New Energies" category, which is dedicated to alternatively powered models. "I am delighted that our first all-electric car, the Genesis GV60 has been named German Premium Car of the Year. The significance is not lost on anyone at Genesis; this is an award from the cream of German automotive media, for a Korean car on sale in Germany, the home of premium automotive brands," explains Lawrence Hamilton, Managing Director of Genesis Motor Europe GmbH. "This award is extremely encouraging for everyone at Genesis; it means we have the right electric cars, the right design and the right technology to help us succeed in Europe – nothing is guaranteed, but this is a very strong indicator."

That is what I am wondering. Would make sense to offer a full EV version, otherwise I feel they are throwing away the marketing capital of the Prius line.

Interesting

So excited for this movie. Love the series. Some very cool movies are coming.

What a blah inside and out car. I see nothing attractive about this car nor desirable.

I hope that was one of the preproduction LYRIQ that he reviewed. I will know for myself as I attend Cadillac's November 17th Grand Opening of the new Showroom and service center for Cadillac PNW by Brotherton where I have bought my past Cadillac's and they are to have LYRIQs there for us to check out. I will be taking pictures and having my wife snap them of me as I do my normal fit check of Me in the front seat, then in the back seat to see if I fit. I am going to check out the charge door and see how it works as well. Thank you for posting.

Yes, I agree that they posted this, and it seems to be right after Fords announcement. But they are saying it, so I printed it. LOL I agree, the first time I read it I actually sat for a few moments to think about it and they are right, Ford and GM does not have anything to compete with the Mega Cab. I love that and it is HUGE. I think they are getting away with it as I feel their bullet list is a "Look at What WE DID for ICE!" and if they are using it as a yard stick on where they want to take the RAM 1500 EV, then that is great for us consumers. Their Dare Forward plan that takes them to 2030. 2022_03_01_Strategic_Plan.pdf (stellantis.com) Dare Forward 2030: Stellantis’ Blueprint for Cutting-Edge Freedom of Mobility | Corporate Communications | Stellantis Long-Term Strategic Plan | Stellantis with videos They are building 4 new platforms that will be used Globally depending on the market from micro compact EVs to Full size Trucks and SUVs. I covered it here in July 2021 when they did their first EV Day. The four platforms are as follows: STLA Small - range up to 500 km/300 miles STLA Medium - range up to 700 km/440 miles STLA Large - range up to 800 km/500 miles STLA Frame - range up to 800 km/500 miles The actual press release from 2021: Stellantis Intensifies Electrification While Targeting Sustainable Double-Digit Adjusted Operating Income Margins in the Mid-term | Stellantis

In 2009 Ram Truck was launched as a stand-alone division, focused on the demands of truck buyers and delivering benchmark-quality vehicles. The full lineup of trucks, Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab and ProMaster, the Ram brand has built a portfolio of solutions that work hard while taking care of both commercial and retail customers and their families. Ram has outperformed the competition in setting benchmarks for: 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel Towing capacity of 37,090 lbs. with Ram 3500 Segment first 1,000 lb.-ft of torque with Cummins Turbo Diesel Payload of 7,680 lbs. with Ram 3500 Most luxurious: Ram Limited with real wood, real leather and 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen Best ride and handling with exclusive link coil rear and auto-level air suspensions Most interior space with Ram Mega Cab The most cargo space available in any traditional full size cargo van Most capable full-size off-road pickup – Ram Power Wagon Ram 1500 TRX is the quickest, fastest and most powerful mass-produced pickup truck in the world Most awarded light-duty truck in America Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup The latest J.D. Power APEAL study which rates the emotional bond between customers and their vehicles, named the 2022 Ram 1500 as the best large light-duty pickup, marking a 3rd straight year Ram 1500 has received the top honor. This has led Ram to look to bring the most advanced technology packed electric truck to market. This reveal will take place January 5th 2023 in Las Vegas at the CES or Consumer Electronic Show that has become the most influential tech event of the year for BEV reveals. Ram Revolution BEV Concept is a visionary roadmap and a glimpse into the future, showing how the leading truck brand will once again redefine the pickup truck segment. Ram’s move toward electrification supports the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan to lead the way the world moves by delivering innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions. Ram will offer electrified solutions in the majority of its segments by 2025, and all of its segments no later than 2030. Ram electric vehicles, including the Ram 1500 BEV production vehicle that debuts in 2024, will push past the competition as leaders in a combination of areas truck customers care about the most: range, towing, payload and charge time. View full article

@Drew Dowdell This discussion has me wondering if it would not be cheaper in the long run and maybe VW has looked at this, as to why they have an AI charging controller that can handle high rates but is variable based on the plugged-in power supply over building slower controllers that are fixed at a set rate. With the U.S. seeing a surge of building new production sites that can supply U.S. made chips to the auto industry here, could we see a standardized controller that has a maximum rate to support the fastest 800V charging yet still downgrade to slower speeds based on the supplied electrical charge coming from the wall.

Course I am sure the power companies would not mind putting in a second power panel and meter to an older home.

Weird that Chevy never mentioned it in advertising and of course for my area, I never saw a manual one, all just autos.

Exterior wise I like the look of this EV. Interior is just too BLAH for me and reminds me of Tesla. If it was not a Chinese owned company, I might actually like it enough to consider buying it if I can fit comfy and people can sit behind me. Looking at this more, I have to say that while I still like the exterior look, it does remind me of a Subaru Forrester. More Station wagon like the Eagles than SUV.

@Drew Dowdell I wonder if the AI auto sensing 22kW controller actually steps down when it has a smaller power supply, and they just are not calling it out in the press release. ?

I understand, the browser auto translated the German press release for me. I get the point you're saying also. This makes me wonder if the homes in Europe have a bigger power load that gets delivered to the home compared to the U.S. I wonder how many states will change home standards for electrical. I know part of the green home building here in Washington state, all new built homes and this includes condos and townhomes have to have a dedicated 220V 50amp outlet for home charging.

I hope GM is able to upgrade their onboard controller soon as per their own website, the GMC Hummer, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado EVs all will use the same 11.5kW onboard controller for home charging that allows 4 miles of charge per hour if on 110, 40 miles of range if on 220. Controller allows 100 miles of range per 10 minutes for Level 2 DC/Fast charger. Audi should be able to maximize sales with their new controller which will also be in the Porche EV products.

Found this on their living with electric section. Have to say that I would have expected better from GM on this. Home Charging for Electric Vehicles | Chevrolet

@Drew Dowdell Now you have my curiosity peaked and as such, looking at other EVs. This has me a bit disappointed in Cadillac. Using Your Dual Level Charging Cord | LYRIQ (cadillac.com) The Dual Level Charge Cord allows a vehicle-controlled electrical connection to your home or charging location. The Dual Level Charge Cord allows you to swap between 120-volt (3-pronged) and 240-volt (4-pronged) plugs to best fit your available wall receptacles. In this way, it supports charging at two levels: Level 1 charging† at 120V (up to 1.4 kW) and Level 2 charging at 240V (up to 7.7 kW). Talk about SLOW. I am now interested in what the GMC Hummer, Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have for controllers.

Audi has standardized with an onboard 22kWh charging controller for use by 110, 220 and DC fast charge. This compares to Tesla that has 110 set at 7kW, 11kW if on 220 or 22kW for DC/Supercharging. Audi engineering did say that the new controllers are auto sensing of the electrical you plug into so that is always maximizes the fastest charge rate for your auto. Tesla has stated they are moving the S & X models to 17kW for home charging either at 110 or 220 and 22kW for DC/Supercharging. Tesla 3 & Y are still on the old 7/11kW charging for home use but 22kW for DC/Supercharging. The one area that can surprise people is if you are not on a modern electrical box, but a single phase 32A connection, Tesla drops you to only 4kW charge rate Tesla has stated they are looking at even higher levels for their cybertruck. My thinking is that Audi using an AI based controller can maximize over older controller tech.

In 2018 Audi introduced the world to the e-tron, the age of electromobility had arrived and this marked the start of the electric future for the four rings. Audi has been setting the standards in the electric luxury-class SUV segment and continues that trend with the new Audi Q8 e-tron family of EVs. The Q8 e-tron moves forward from 2018 to 2023 by taking pre-orders now and deliveries will start in February 2023. Customers will get the following: More battery capacity and higher charging performance Fresh exterior, new brand design and dynamic driving characteristics Net-carbon-neutral production and a first-time use of recycled materials in a safety-related component Markus Duesmann, charman of the board of management of Audi AG had this to say: “With our corporate strategy ‘Vorsprung 2030’, we’ve set a fixed date for our withdrawal from combustion engines and clearly decided that Audi will be a fully electric brand within 11 years,” “The new Audi Q8 e-tron, with its improved efficiency and range and refined design, is another important component in our electric portfolio to get people excited about electromobility with emotional models that are suitable for everyday use.” Audi's press release had plenty of executives talking in many various gray modes of executive speak, but the real meat and potatoes of what has changed came from the engineering side about the new Q8 Family, Audi's top of the line luxury EVs. Audi has decided to elevate the Audi product line to move up stream in luxury with the new corporate identity with a two-dimensional design of the four rings on the exterior. Audi highlights the vehicles face with the projection light singleframe. The Q8 is also the first of the models to feature the new model badging with Audi lettering on the B-pillar. This minor point of change from a bulky badge on the side of the ICE versions of Audi is also focused on the improvements for airstream over and around the auto in maximizing electric efficiency. Audi Maximizing Space and Comfort Q8 Sportback dimensions 4.915 meters long, 1.937 meters wide, 1.619 meters tall = 193.5 inches long, 76.26 inches wide, 63.74 inches tall Q8 SUV dimensions 4.915 meters long, 1.937 meters wide, 1.633 meters tall = 193.5 inches long, 76.26 inches wide, 64.29 inches tall Both are 2 millimeters lower and 39 millimeters wider = .08 inches lower and 1.535 inches wider Wheelbase for both EVs is 2.928 meter = 115.276 inch wheelbase Storage Volume 569 liters (20.09 cubic feet) for the SUV 528 liters (18.646 cubic feet) for the Sportback 62 liters (2.19 cubic feet) in the Frunk Drivetrain Variants - Q8 are driven by dual motors and SQ8 are trimotors with torque vectoring. Audi Q8 50 e-tron 250 kW and 664 Nm of torque and a range of 491 km = 335 HP, 490 lb-ft of torque, 305 miles of range Top speed of 200 km/h = 124 mph Audi Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron 250 kW and 664 Nm of torque and a range of 505 km = 335 HP, 490 lb-ft of torque, 314 miles of range Top speed of 200 km/h = 124 mph Audi Q8 55 e-tron 300 kW and 664 Nm of torque and a range of 582 km = 402 HP, 490 lb-ft of torque, 362 miles of range Top speed of 200 km/h = 124 mph Audi Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron 300 kW and 664 Nm of torque and a range of 600 km = 402 HP, 490 lb-ft of torque, 373 miles of range Top speed of 200 km/h = 124 mph Audi SQ8 e-tron 370 kW and 973 Nm of torque and a range of 494 km = 496 HP, 718 lb-ft of torque, 307 miles of range Top speed of 210 km/h = 130 mph Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron 370 kW and 973 Nm of torque and a range of 513 km = 335 HP, 718 lb-ft of torque, 319 miles of range Top speed of 210 km/h = 130 mph Battery Capacity and Charging Q8 50 e-tron = 95 gross kWh battery pack Maximum charging performance is 150 kW with 80% charged in a few more minutes over the big battery pack Q8 55 and SQ8 e-tron = 114 gross kWh battery pack Maximum charging performance is 170 kW with 80% charged in 31 minutes Home charging Q8 50 charges in 9hrs and 15 minutes (110V) or 4hrs and 45 minutes (220V) Q8 55 and SQ8 charges in 11 hours and 30 minutes (110V) or 6hrs (220V) Comfort and Sportiness The Audi Q8 comes standard with an air-spring suspension with controlled shock absorption. Total height adjustment can be varied by a total of 76 millimeters or 3 inches depending on driving situation. Parking Enhancements The Q8 e-tron's come with 40 driver assistance systems that can use the five radar sensors, five cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The new Q8 e-tron has optionally digital matrix LED headlights, numerous interior upgrades and options such as an air quality package that not only uses filtration but a true 4 zone independent climate control system. Q8 seats come standard with pneumatic seats and backrest adjustments that can also include an optional massage function. Q8 have gone with a totally touch display system with voice control, replacing all conventional switches and knobs. View full article