Bonefish Blues
Banging donk
- Location
- 52 Festive Road
The i3 is a hoot. So was the just- departed Panda 4x4. They hooted in a very different way, but hoot they both did
EV Owners Thread
- Thread starter icowden
- Start date
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figbat
Former slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
The R5 is on my radar for the next car. I’ve seen a few about now and they look great (albeit quite big!).
We tried the Mini EV, many things to like about it. Wasn't a practical car for 6ft men, women yes. It was quite quick, but when setting off hard the Mini's front wheel drive would torque steer terribly. It either needs AWD in all models or an easy to set, eco mode which softens acceleration.
We opted for the least powerful petrol engine, which you could nail it on setting off, it would keep smooth traction
We opted for the least powerful petrol engine, which you could nail it on setting off, it would keep smooth traction
figbat
Former slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
I’ve recently seen someone else complaining of torque steer on the MINI Electric but I have either grown accustomed to it, drive around it or it isn’t noticeable. I very rarely mash the ‘throttle’, instead opting for a progressive application even for a quick getaway - it’s pointless giving it full beans from a standstill as it’ll spin up a wheel and the traction control will knock it back.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
I’m currently on holiday in Canada.
I have seen my first Cyber Truck IRL. It’s absolutely insane when you see them on the road. They are so ugly and massive.
I can see why they are not road legal in UK. They look lethal in a collision. And that’s comparing other massive US vehicles.
I have seen my first Cyber Truck IRL. It’s absolutely insane when you see them on the road. They are so ugly and massive.
I can see why they are not road legal in UK. They look lethal in a collision. And that’s comparing other massive US vehicles.
one of the benefits of the Born is that it’s RWD, makes the steering much more direct
Coming from AWD cars for over 15 years, we are used to scalded cat launch off the line, no scrabbling of tyres or torque steer.
We have a 200hp Nissan Leaf, which does have torque steer issues too, but it also has an eco button, which reduces power, so vast majority of the time never experience TS
The mini EV has a setting called Pull away assist ( traction control) which goes along way to suppressing the TS. Trouble is it defaults to off everytime you start the vehicle. Now this could be a demo feature or something that requires user profile on the car, but Mini sales could not confirm it was configured that way
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figbat
Former slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
What, the older F56 model? Never heard of it!
No it's the 2025 model EV 2 door.
Well, it's another major achievement for VW software tech on the ID4.
Software V3.8 takes two hours to install following which, when you enter the car, a fanfare goes off and the touchscreen starts detailing all of the amazing new upgrades and features that have been installed.
Not.
In fact, this is better than that. When you enter the car, you won't be able to tell that anything has changed. This is a USP of VW tech.
I imagine the discussion at the VW software developer HQ must go something like this:
Sam; Mr Wagon sir? I have some great ideas for the next software release. We are going to get rid of the user login and tie it to the users smartphone! Not only that but we have updated the entertainment so it remembers what volume android auto and apple carplay were on - no more deafening radio! Plus, we have added some easter eggs - you'll be able to set your indicator tone to slegh bells at christmas! Also we added a setting so that the air con comes on as soon as you approach the car, and the doors lock as soon as the key is outside the car!
Mr Wagon: Sam, Sam, Sam. I know you're new here. I know you used to work for Tesla, but that's not the way we do things here. Our customers want our cars to stay exactly the same. They don't want new functions or doodads. No easter eggs for our customers. We are sticking to 3 hour updates that make absolutely no visible difference to the car. Our focus group consisting solely of test dummies says that's what our customers want. We don't even develop the software to keep the customers happy who bought a £50k car in 2021 and now don't get the latest software updates because we realised the touchscreen was crap. No retrofitting for them Sam. Keep It Simple. Invisible.
We don't want a repeat of that incident a year or so ago where someone got trigger happy and added 5 more pointless games to the touchscreen software, No-one wants to play those on a laggy touch screen. Remember - Stealth is our watchword.
<sam exits, with a depressed demeanour>
Software V3.8 takes two hours to install following which, when you enter the car, a fanfare goes off and the touchscreen starts detailing all of the amazing new upgrades and features that have been installed.
Not.
In fact, this is better than that. When you enter the car, you won't be able to tell that anything has changed. This is a USP of VW tech.
I imagine the discussion at the VW software developer HQ must go something like this:
Sam; Mr Wagon sir? I have some great ideas for the next software release. We are going to get rid of the user login and tie it to the users smartphone! Not only that but we have updated the entertainment so it remembers what volume android auto and apple carplay were on - no more deafening radio! Plus, we have added some easter eggs - you'll be able to set your indicator tone to slegh bells at christmas! Also we added a setting so that the air con comes on as soon as you approach the car, and the doors lock as soon as the key is outside the car!
Mr Wagon: Sam, Sam, Sam. I know you're new here. I know you used to work for Tesla, but that's not the way we do things here. Our customers want our cars to stay exactly the same. They don't want new functions or doodads. No easter eggs for our customers. We are sticking to 3 hour updates that make absolutely no visible difference to the car. Our focus group consisting solely of test dummies says that's what our customers want. We don't even develop the software to keep the customers happy who bought a £50k car in 2021 and now don't get the latest software updates because we realised the touchscreen was crap. No retrofitting for them Sam. Keep It Simple. Invisible.
We don't want a repeat of that incident a year or so ago where someone got trigger happy and added 5 more pointless games to the touchscreen software, No-one wants to play those on a laggy touch screen. Remember - Stealth is our watchword.
<sam exits, with a depressed demeanour>
I'm willing to bet it also tells you what's in the update. With VW you just have to guess - which is tricky as nothing changes.
Of sorts yes, but it does completely forget the existing customers who now have £50k vehicles with obsolete and unsupported software and who may be less minded to get another VW once their PCP runs out.
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