G. David Felt

Sad for those that like a car, but at the rate states, counties and cities seem to ignore fixing and replacing worn out roads, the future seems to be trucks and SUVs. I do not get the attraction for people to buy the Camry or Accord, they are just lemming mobiles to me. Shame the Kia sports car will not survive. RIP cars.

After 190,000 miles the dual cats and O2 sensors needed to be replaced. Dealership wanted almost $6,000 for the SS Trailblazer. Brody's auto repair wanted $2,800 for this using Magnaflow cats and Bosch O2 sensors which the SS has 6 total. Picking up the SS, there was this Cherry Chevelle that had been brought in for a tune up.

True the American Land Yachts could not do it, but the videos do not show some of the worst as there are areas that without my Suburban lifted and 4x4 one could not get past and they have cut outs in the side of the mountain every couple of miles so who ever is closes to the cut out has to backup or forward depending on where you are on the road up. I have seen a few AWD Asian auto's go up and get stuck, the only thing that I have seen over and over is Subaru's AWD make it over some of the rock slides and wash outs from the winter. Most cars especially basic FWD or RWD just do not have the suspension for the ruts, washouts and rock slides. I agree that the low end basic CUVs would not do much better either. This is a road for true 4x4. I do remember seeing a few of the 4x4 eagles up on the road growing up. Really liked the clearance they had and the way they could handle off-road. Shame they did not survive.

We could all use a Smart@ss to liven the mood at times. I understand what you are saying. RJ is a very conservative CEO in regards to releasing features before they are ready. He is on record that the Tank Turn can be done on any Quad R1T, but wants to ensure long life and the experience for those that have bought the truck. I suspect they want to see how it wears on the motors and what other areas could see stress on the truck when the feature is used before enabling it. At least they are not being Tesla in Testing features on their customers with deadly results.

I would be willing to bet on the Rivian as Rivian has stated Tank Turn will come in a near term future OTA Update to the auto for those that own the Quad Motor R1T. Who knows when the EQG will get to production, where as the Rivian is in production and the software is already there, just needs to be enabled according to Rivian.

Will honestly not miss this auto when it goes away. The front reminds me of a catfish and is not appealing to me at all.

@Drew Dowdell Have to say that the look of this CR-V is good and looks very similar to the upcoming Honda Prologue EV. Cool to see that they are getting away from the generic look Honda has had for the last 3 decades.

Jeff Dahn and the team at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada signed a partnership with Tesla in 2016 to be part of the created Tesla Advanced Battery Research division. As a leader in the earliest research into Lithium-ion batteries the Jeff Dahn team had a 5-year partnership with the express focus or primary goal of making batteries last longer with increased energy density, decreased costs at the top of the wish list by Tesla. This team created multiple patents and papers related to Tesla Battery cells and with this came the first talk by Tesla and the researchers of the million-mile battery pack. This has gained additional attention as various Tesla autos have come up for sale that have 400,000 plus miles with only single digit cell reduction loss implying that the battery packs should easily last up to a million miles. On top of this is that Tesla with their work to bring both a full-size pickup truck to market and a class 8 semi-truck to market is how Tesla has moved from their earliest battery cells produced by Panasonic to their latest large energy dense 4680 cell. Today, Jeff Dahn and the team of researchers have now published their latest paper on Li-Ion cells and how they can be built to last 100 years. To quote their paper, link posted at the bottom is as follows: These include vehicle-to-grid storage, stationary energy storage and battery leasing. Li[Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2]O2//graphite (NMC532) pouch cells with only sufficient graphite for operation to 3.80 V (rather than ≥ 4.2 V) are presented as a low-voltage cell type for applications that require massive cycle and calendar-life. Charge-discharge cycling, ultra-high precision coulometry and impedance spectroscopy are used to characterize these cells and form a comparison with LiFePO4//graphite (LFP) pouch cells. The low-voltage NMC532 cells are shown to be superior in both capacity retention and energy density to the LFP cells. Lifetime predictions are made as a function of temperature and charging voltage, with room temperature operation beyond 100 years suggested in certain cases. As with everything, these early research papers tend to still have much work to be done to get the products into mass production. Testing of existing Li-Ion cells was done in a range of 40c to 70c temperature range. This has allowed the researchers to find optimum upper cutoff voltage when designing cells for maximum lifetime. The benefits of this research is that sufficiently high potential capability is necessary to ensure high first cycle efficiency and low fade but too high voltage will result in excessive electrolyte oxidation, impedance growth and inventory loss. This overall research has shown the potential in lifetime and volumetric energy density that with further research should help expand the capabilities of the battery cells as they are designed for fast charge application use while using less to no rare earth elements such as cobalt. Attached research paper for those interested in reading the 13-page paper on Long-Lived Low Voltage Li-Ion Cells. Aiken_2022_J._Electrochem._Soc._169_050512.pdf As with all things, while the 100-year battery cell is not here today, the potential for such a product is clearly in the researchers view of where the EV industry can go with reducing greenhouse gas due to long life battery cells. Li[Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2]O2 As a Superior Alternative to LiFePO4 for Long-Lived Low Voltage Li-Ion Cells - IOPscience View full article

Mercedes in September of 2021 did a preview of the all-electric EQG, the eventual replacement for their famous G-Wagon. To quote their press release: With the Concept EQG, Mercedes-Benz presents the near-production study of an all-electric model variant of its utilitarian off-road icon. Visually, the concept car combines the unmistakably striking look of the G-Class with selected design elements typical of all-electric models from Mercedes as contrasting highlights. The 4x4 qualities of the "G", which have always set the highest standard, will not only find their way into the age of electric mobility, but will be developed even further in some areas. The Concept EQG thus offers a promising preview of what a Mercedes-Benz G-Class with battery-electric drive will be capable of. Mercedes even went and showed their working prototype out on the trails and with a photoshopped in future city. 210709_MB_EQG_Car_Shots_Graded_HD_ProRes4444.mp4 Per their own press release, this is what Mercedes had to say about the EQG: Classic G-Class design language with quotes from Mercedes-EQ design The Concept EQG is also very much in the design tradition of the model series and can be recognised at first glance as a G-Class. The near-production study adopts the G-Class' angular silhouette including its iconic elements. Illuminated stripes make the robust exterior protective strips stand out visually. The separating edge of the attractive two-tone paint finish – gloss black on top, gloss aluminium beam on the bottom – runs in the area of the front end directly under the overlying bonnet, thus emphasising this design feature even more clearly. The front view of the Concept EQG looks familiar, not least because of the typical round headlights. Instead of a radiator grille, as on the conventionally powered model versions, this all-electric variant features a continuous deep black radiator grille. In this Black Panel Grille, the illuminated star with 3D effect sets a striking accent. Around it, the animated pattern of "round squares" (squircle pattern) in the familiar blue of the Mercedes-EQ models creates a visual link. An all-round illuminated band wraps the Black Panel, which, alongside the white illuminated circles in the exterior mirror housings, complements the daytime running light graphic of the headlights. The Concept EQG rides on 22-inch polished aluminium alloy wheels in an exclusive design. Instead of the usual spare wheel cover, there is a lockable box with white illuminated accents on the rear door, whose design is reminiscent of a wallbox. This could be used, for example, to store the charging cable within easy reach. "We're travelling into the future with the new EQG! This car epitomises the fusion of state-of-the-art off-road capabilities with the dawn of electric mobility that we all need to strive for. It stands for our relentless pursuit of the utmost desire and luxury. For us, the most important thing was to keep the full G-Class DNA but beam it into the EQ age: Like the G-Class but different. Modern accents like the white LED technology and a wallbox on the rear of the vehicle illustrate the difference." says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group. Another highlight of the exterior design is the flat roof rack in high-gloss black. The central element of its minimalist design is the centrally shaped "G", which is unmistakable in the top view. The white LED strip integrated into the front edge of the roof rack is a modern interpretation of the searchlight indispensable for demanding off-road adventures – and thus underlines the seriousness of the Concept EQG in this area: not despite of, but precisely because of its all-electric drive. Another LED strip in red finish forms the rear end of the roof rack. "We are proud of the more than 400,000 'G's we have produced to date," emphasises Dr Emmerich Schiller, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz G GmbH and Head of the Off-Road Vehicle Product Division at Mercedes-Benz AG. "In its more than 40-year model history, the G-Class has always used the most modern and suitable drive technology at the time – from the pre-chamber naturally aspirated diesel of the early days to the AMG 4.0-litre V8 in the current top model, the G 63. Against the background of our 'Electric only' strategy, the electrification of this off-road legend is simply the logical next step – and an absolutely fascinating project. Our icon is and remains 'stronger than time' in every respect." An uncompromising off-roader – precisely because of the electric drive system The Concept EQG is clearly a "G" not only in terms of design, but also because of its inner values, making it an uncompromising off-roader. Its body is also based on the robust ladder frame. The chassis design remains extremely off-road capable, as is typical of the G-Class: with independent suspension on the front axle and a rigid axle at the rear, newly developed for the integration of the electric drive. With four electric motors close to the wheels and individually controllable, the vehicle will offer unique driving characteristics both on- and off-road. As with any real 4x4, the Concept EQG's off-road reduction can be activated via a shiftable 2-speed gearbox in order to meet the high "G"-specific off-road requirements with confidence. Equipped in this way, the fully electrically powered version of the G-Class will of course face the legendary test track on the 1445-metre high Schöckl mountain in Graz at the end of its development into a series model. Peppered with gradients of up to 60 degrees, the 5.6-kilometre route has always been regarded in the international off-road scene as one of the world's greatest challenges for man and technology. After successfully conquering it, the electric "G" will also be able to adorn itself with the "Schöckl proved" quality certificate that is obligatory for the 463 series. And like its conventionally driven brothers, it will also shine with a climbing capacity of up to 100 per cent on suitable ground. The design advantages of the electric drive also play into its favour, making it ideally suited for off-road vehicles and ambitious off-road operations. The batteries integrated into the ladder frame ensure a low centre of gravity. Since the electric motors provide their maximum torque practically with the first revolution, an all-electric off-road vehicle like the Concept EQG and the later production model boast enormous pulling power and controllability – which also proves to be an advantage on steep slopes and deep terrain. Yet with no timeline of when the EQG might get to market, the overall industry has been left with little to understand or know about this newest electric auto that is supposed to eventually replace the ICE G-Wagon. While many automakers that are bringing electric autos to market have turned to rear-wheel-steering for tight close quarter turns making this a must-have feature for full size trucks and SUVs to enable a more maneuverability overall, GMC Hummer went one further with their Crab-Walk mode plus rear-wheel-steering. Rivian was the first to really show off Tank Turn mode in their R1T achieving this by applying torque independently to each wheel in their quad motor powertrain. Tesla followed up Rivian's release of Tank Mode by releasing a video of rear-wheel-steering that is barely noticeable in the you tube videos. Mercedes having their preview of the EQG in September 2021 and then a commercial covering the future with the EQG one must wonder what is next for them? The wait is over as the ASV Mercedes-Benz you tube channel released the latest video of the EQG which shows they too will have a quad motor setup with tank turn. Overall, happy to see Mercedes-Benz is making progress, better late than never to the party. Should be a solid sale for them and then a solid aftermarket sales too. EQG Picture Album Stronger than time: Mercedes-Benz G-Class ready for the age of e-mobility - Mercedes-Benz Group Media View full article

Very cool project, the guy has great friends to help and they have some serious mad fabrication skills.

Very cool that you have seen some driving around, have not seen any in the wild yet, but excited to see them and hopefully get a chance to sit in one to see if I fit.

What keeps me young is my kids, skiing and working out and living life in the great outdoors in my awesome SUVs that get me there. After all, not seen a car that can go here at Hearts Pass in Washington. Hart's Pass (fs.fed.us) Must visit place for those loving the outdoors.

Interesting that so many apps are out now to remind us to change focus plan such as the 20/20/20 app for eyesight or this which also can be found on an app to get up and move around. 7 Exercise Apps to Keep You Fit at Your Desk (makeuseof.com) I agree with you as one that has a Dad with Dementia, I will accept my pain and keep exercising both my body and brain to keep from going mush.

Try being 55 with a history of body building and power lifting and now bone on bone. Why get into a low squat position when you can slid your bum into the seat. After all, I figure Raptors, TRD's, etc. is the new performance auto for the X Generation and life style for the Y generation. Hopefully with BEVs we will see America come back with a new stable of Performance SUVs and Trucks. 20 Best Performance SUVs for 2022 - TrueCar Hummer by GMC is a good start. Getting old sucks, but at least the pain reminds you that you are alive!

Welcome back, hope life has been good to you. Look forward to seeing you post again.

Interesting site, nothing of substance yet. 2024 Honda Prologue – Fully Electric SUV | Honda

Slimy

Antman ???‍?

Very cool patent filing by GM, will be interesting to see if it ever gets used. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1135923_gm-patent-electric-trucks-evs-fast-charging-dual-charge-ports

I see Ram already has their first EV out!

Gotta wonder what RAM, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler will do. Will they go the E route, new name or existing name electric like Genesis? ?

I honestly think there should be a national standard of safety inspection to keep the roads and auto's safe for all, I saw today when I ran out to get some errands done at lunch a Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord that both had front and rear bumper facia's missing and also tail/headlights missing. Driving is a privilege earned and not a right and if these people cannot keep the auto in proper working condition and safe, then those auto's need to be removed from the road. Crazy how some will drive auto's that are death traps IMHO. Saw an old Rat rod that @balthazar would have loved all in primer grey, clearly a work in progress, but at least all bumpers, lights functional and windshield wipers were working and there. ? Been a while since we have seen @balthazar posting, anyone hear from him? Hope he is all right and just busy with work.

I think this could very well work to their advantage as they phase out the ICE versions to only have electric and still a GV80 is a GV80 regardless of the powertrain. Will be interesting to see how this plays out against say the Germans that are going with new names versus the Americans that are adding an E, ChevrolEt, Mach-E, etc.