EV general discussion

MrRockliffe said:
This i5 would be perfect spec: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601099024700
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That is interesting. I'd take it over the i4, the comfort seats alone are incredible.

In terms of quality, it's a bit hit and miss but I'd rank it above an i4. The glass lighting trim really helps the interior and the 520i you tried wouldn't have had it. Things like the window switches are a bit of a disappointment though.

Could be worth a look but ultimately if you're happy with an i4, they're a solid car.
 
Robbo said:
That is interesting. I'd take it over the i4, the comfort seats alone are incredible.

In terms of quality, it's a bit hit and miss but I'd rank it above an i4. The glass lighting trim really helps the interior and the 520i you tried wouldn't have had it. Things like the window switches are a bit of a disappointment though.

Could be worth a look but ultimately if you're happy with an i4, they're a solid car.
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I'm sure the courtesy car had it as I remember playing around with the settings/colours for it, but don't really care for it over and above normal lighting.


I don't think that for me it's worth the extra over the i4, in part because the boot isn't a very useful shape/configuration, with the i4 being a hatch back.


So I'd need to look at a touring which is even more money.



It's a shame Evolve didn't go through with manufacturing the redesigned front end for the 3/4.
 
casper_uk said:
Huge news if true, but it does sound a little too good to be. Will be interesting to see what some of the more technical youtube channels make of it.

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I’ve not watched the video but it’s my understanding they are still miles off being able to mass produce this so it’s very hard to get excited about it.

It’s far far far easier to build a one off cell than it is to manufacture enough to produce 5 million EVs/year.
 
casper_uk said:
Huge news if true, but it does sound a little too good to be. Will be interesting to see what some of the more technical youtube channels make of it.

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It’s been a thing since CES and they’ve failed to provide any meaningful evidence of the specifications and it actually working.


This video looks to change that but given it’s produced by Donut Lab, it’s a huge red flag for me.


Edit:


This seems to be charging only? Evidence I’ve seen so far seems to describe these as more akin to capacitors so would be interesting to see their output power capability over a period of time (I.e. sustained performance)
 
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b0rn2sk8 said:
I’ve not watched the video but it’s my understanding they are still miles off being able to mass produce this so it’s very hard to get excited about it.

It’s far far far easier to build a one off cell than it is to manufacture enough to produce 5 million EVs/year.
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They are already producing them for the motorbike they sell.

MrRockliffe said:
It’s been a thing since CES and they’ve failed to provide any meaningful evidence of the specifications and it actually working.


This video looks to change that but given it’s produced by Donut Lab, it’s a huge red flag for me.


Edit:


This seems to be charging only? Evidence I’ve seen so far seems to describe these as more akin to capacitors so would be interesting to see their output power capability over a period of time (I.e. sustained performance)
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There is also the linked website in the video, showing the data from the Finnish tests, but it's all a bit too much for me. They will release more info on the 2nd March, so I guess it's wait and see time. Am going to see what comes out on Youtube, as there are a fair few channels following the Donut tech.

idonutbelieve.com

I Donut Believe - Presenting Third Party Results

The place where independent analysis of Donut Lab’s solid-state battery claims, with public test data, reports, and technical commentary is released.
idonutbelieve.com idonutbelieve.com
 
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chanjy said:

Can the longest-range EVs cope in cold weather? Our 370-mile megatest gives the answers... | Auto Express

What does winter do to the capabilities of five long-range EVs? Our brutal 370-mile trip reveals everything - but did they all make it?
www.autoexpress.co.uk www.autoexpress.co.uk

@MrRockliffe relevant?

Pope will be happy as CLA does well here
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WTF? Claim it's a Long range EV test and include the 60kwh entry level Tesla Model Y?
Then almost simultaneously explain the entry level comes with Passive shocks and not the new Frequency Selective Dampers and then complain "Sadly, the new shocks do little to pacify the Model Y’s notoriously unyielding suspension"..
And to top it off,

Grrrr, the quirks of Tesla! Having no external boot release sees me fumbling for the app to stow my bags in the huge boot: it’s of little consolation to me that owners can set up smartphone nearfield communication to automatically trigger it.
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Is that another entry level thing? Because I can only find videos of people using the normal boot release to open theirs, e.g.


If they can't get the basics of the Model Y correct, what hope is there for anything resembling good information for the other EVs listed?
 
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MrRockliffe said:
Well specced i4 by comparison:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601289493108
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you could intercept the i4 market at a nearer £20K price point, with a few more miles on the clock
and feel much better about potential private ownership depreciation on what is a compromise ev, until the right design comes down the pipeline.


lack of 3rd party battery warranty/dc charging report, excepted - not sure whether you can commission one.
 
jpaul said:
you could intercept the i4 market at a nearer £20K price point, with a few more miles on the clock
and feel much better about potential private ownership depreciation on what is a compromise ev, until the right design comes down the pipeline.


lack of 3rd party battery warranty/dc charging report, excepted - not sure whether you can commission one.
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Neither have memory seats or laser lights, which would be a must for me


Happy to pay the extra for the important features but don’t see the value spending the extra on a specific model for little extra value, if that makes sense.
 
Robbo said:
I like the speed limiter, it's often handy when you're in unfamiliar areas with lots of speed cameras. Cruise control pushes on too keenly, and adaptive can be too hesitant. I could live without it, and will likely have to, but it's not a bad feature.

You might like the BYD Seal - I've added it to my shortlist - but I know you said no Chinese cars. You're really limiting your options in general with all those requirements.

The biggest issue with the Taycan is that Porsche are charging extortionate servicing costs for a car that doesn't really need much servicing.
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There's two things that wind me up about my Seal:

- the lack of the speed limiter. I liked the feature on my previous BMW, where the car wouldn't go any faster than the limit I set (unless you mash the accelerator) but would decelerate gently with engine breaking when lifting off the accelerator. With the Seal there's no such option and I don't like it's version of cruise control which activates regen when the car goes 1mph over it's set limit (downhill for example), it's not a subtle deceleration either, and it broadcasts it's silly implementation by illuminating the brake lights each and every drop in speed. Makes you look like a nervous or neurotic driver. It doesn't put the brake lights on when you come off the accelerator in normal driving, so to do so in cruise control is a nanny-step too far.

- it's tiny windscreen washer fluid bottle and the lack of a float switch/sensor in said washer fluid bottle. My previous BMW would go through litres and litres of windscreen wash every winter because of it's incessant need to power wash the lights, but at least it had a sensor and a tell-tale to let me know it was running low - not empty - keeping some in reserve. Not the Seal, no. A piddly 3 or 4 litre tank and no warning as to when I might run out. The tank is under a slab of plastic in the bonnet so I can't even visually check it. The first hint is weaker jets for a squirt or two, then nowt. In such a car packed with so much technology and euro mandated nannyware how could they overlook a £5 float switch in the reservoir for that important safety feature of being able to see out the ******* windscreen :cry:.

Apart from those, it's a cracking car :),
 
Isn’t a speed limiter doing the same thing as a set cruise speed down hill ? Regening just sounds badly calibrated if it’s doing enough for the brake lights to be ok

MEB cruise is by far the best I’ve experienced. Often you can drive with just the steering wheel.

It’s also active in that regen when not on cruise as it responds to road layout, speed limits and other cars. Effectively it’s dynamic regen. Going 60 in a 60 no regen when lift off. But if you over the limit it regens to that. Also if coming up to a junction roundabout or another car it slowly increase the regen if you are just off the pedal (no regen otherwise and it rolls with little drag)

No need for that one pedal rubbish setting. And dont get me started on how bad the Tesla PID is in traffic. It takes ages to realise the car moves off then ends up going too and having to harshly slow again
 
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Simon said:
MEB cruise is by far the best I’ve experienced. Often you can drive with just the steering wheel.

It’s also active in that regen when not on cruise as it responds to road layout, speed limits and other cars. Effectively it’s dynamic regen. Going 60 in a 60 no regen when lift off. But if you over the limit it regens to that. Also if coming up to a junction roundabout or another car it slowly increase the regen if you are just off the pedal (no regen otherwise and it rolls with little drag)
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Agreed, it's a very well set up and implemented system. I miss it when I'm driving the Kona.
 
MrRockliffe said:
Neither have memory seats or laser lights, which would be a must for me
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memory seats no .. but you save £10K , can use carplay for speed (sign reading isn't 100%, exclusive bus lane stuff too),
lights well if I'm on high beams I don't care and otherwise if someones in front of me on nsl, I can see all I need
(laser lights if they break outside of warrant too £££)
real leather seats on one of linked ones would be memory compensation,
HK system - you had dspamp experience I thought so know what it can do with usb input from tidal hifiu on phone.(a fun install?)
even adjustable dampers the 35/40's aren't too heavy and on smaller wheels suspect they'd be fine.
a pragmmatic stop gap purchase.
 
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