I spotted a NEW (insert make/model) today!

andres3

My colleague got a shot of a Tesla Cyber Truck out in the wild here just SE of San Diego.

ab348

I saw a preview video of the soon to be introduced new Chevy Traverse SUV yesterday:

https://youtu.be/6vQij6vv3B4?si=SPYVUP_c0SpnjKdX

They have ditched the GM 3.6L V-6 in favor of a new turbo 2.5L 4-cylinder, different from the 2.7 4-banger turbo they use in the Silverado. The 2.5 puts out just over 300HP.

They also previewed the new Toyota Crown Signia, the replacement for the Venza. The video is interesting for the unique way co-host Andrea had to access the front seat:

https://youtu.be/6vQij6vv3B4?si=SPYVUP_c0SpnjKdX

This has 243 total HP. Nice-enough vehicle, but I wonder if that is enough horses.

JustinS

Saw my first INEOS Grenadier the other day.

ab348

Just realized I made a rookie mistake with the wrong link for the Toyota Crown Signia video! Too late to edit it now, grrr. Here’s the correct link:

https://youtu.be/LDU_xS58eao?si=uOP7_hwJey4MWn-y

texases

Thanks for the Signia link. I'll be looking at it, don't need the 3 rows of the Highlander, was thinking about the Venza, but might like something a bit bigger. This is pretty much a Toyota RX 350h, it seems.

fintail

The C-pillar on the Traverse is at least a low grade war crime.

The Toyota's headlights aren't far off. Ooh such a leery and intimidating marginally posh appliance.

ab348

The C-pillar on the Chevy is indeed heinous. Cannot believe that got a thumbs-up from someone.

Speaking of new SUVs, here’s their review of the new electric Honda Prologue, which does not impress me much.

https://youtu.be/S3HGtbES2f8?si=XLCSwJFSmONKRLJG

EfrainCooke

I just spotted today the new Audi RS, it looks amazing and is really fast, the guy was driving for all the money

explorerx4

Was at the playground with the grandkids yesterday when the Rivian R1S I'd seen before showed up to get their mail, which means it does live in our sub.
A few minutes later, a someone in a new Lightning stopped to collect their mail, too.

fintail

Saw a Cadillac Lyriq in traffic today, maybe my first in the wild.

explorerx4

Every month when I get my blood drawn, I drive by 4 charging stations next to the hospital.
Until today, I've never seen an EV charging, just ICE vehicles parked in the spots.
The parking lot is always crowded.
Today I finally saw an EV charging, a Hummer EV and it wasn't even white, kind of a blue/green color!

thebean

That’s pretty sorry for the ICE vehicle owners to park in those spots.

andres3

Is anyone manufacturing faux vehicle charger ports so you can park in EV spots with ICE cars without suspicion?

explorerx4

Went by the same chargers today and there was an old Ford PHEV plugged in. In the other 3 spaces were ICE vehicles.
The parking lot looks like it belongs to a Residence Inn.

laurasdada

Well, when you can't find a handicapped space to illegally/immorally take, try an EV only spot.

texases

What I don't get are the handful of charging spots at the Dallas Love Field airport parking lot. Cars get parked for days, doesn't make much sense to leave a car plugged in for that period.

laurasdada

texases said:

What I don't get are the handful of charging spots at the Dallas Love Field airport parking lot. Cars get parked for days, doesn't make much sense to leave a car plugged in for that period.

I guess a similar context as those that park inappropriately in handicapped/EV only spaces: Entitled and inconsiderate "I'm important" types.

Michaell

Spotted today running errands - not one, but two, Toyota Crowns. One white, one black.

tjc78

I haven’t seen one yet

fintail

I saw a Crown over the weekend too. Its stance reminds me of an AMC Eagle sedan somehow.

Michaell

Huh - if I close my eyes and picture 70’s chrome and appliqué, I can see it too.

edmunancy

I spotted a brand new 2024 Porsche Cayenne in a stunning red color today!

stickguy

I should stop at the Toyota dealer someday when I have free time (so September, maybe.) and look at one of those, and a new Tacoma. I miss stopping to browse.

sda

There must be 30 EV charging parking places in the company parking lot. I work on a hybrid schedule and have to be in the office every other week. I get to the office fairly early around 7:30 am. The overall parking garage is empty. However almost every EV parking place is occupied. Often I will take something to my car at lunch time. I am fairly observant and note few cars in the EV area have moved. When I leave the office after 4 pm, some of those cars are still there. So much for EV etiquette and moving the car after it’s charged and making way for someone else. Selfish, inconsiderate and rude.

ab348

I watched Jay Leno's recent video of him driving the new version of the Tesla Model 3. He had 2 of the chief people involved in its development, the Chief of Design and the Chief Engineer, accompany him. The car, according to Jay's cursory drive, seems impressive. The two Tesla guys looked and sounded like they were scared to say anything off the cuff and looked half-scared to death at saying anything that could get them into trouble.

texases

To go with the Ranchero in the other thread, I saw my first Cybertruck. Not a fan of the design, but this one was especially odd - painted gunmetal grey. ??

explorerx4

I think most CT's that are not the bare metal are wrapped.

imidazol97

My favorite complain'n topic is handicapped space parkers. From the ladies at Walmart and Kroger who park in one so they can keep a real person with handicapped out of it to the young folks who have grandma/grandpa's hangtag and use it--teenagers.

Our local police have someone in a parking enforcement car checking hangtags in the parking spaces, sometimes. They often get out to check the date punches.

Best story I have is a private EMS transport box medical van service parked in one of 3 handicapped spaces at a Chick Fil A. Company's office is on a road by the airport. I called and talked to the owner and told him two ladies ran in and got togo orders. There didn't seem to be a patient in the back who might have wanted CFA on the way to the hospital or wherever.

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when those two youngsters got called in.

imidazol97

Maybe the EV chargers should have some kind of system that drains the battery if left connected past a certain number of charging hours?

laurasdada

I try to be most courteous when publicly charging. As I get a full charge in ~2.5 hours (L2), I almost always move my car shortly thereafter.
Parking in a handicap space when not required? See Seinfeld episode, "The Handicap Spot..."

andres3

sda said:

There must be 30 EV charging parking places in the company parking lot. I work on a hybrid schedule and have to be in the office every other week. I get to the office fairly early around 7:30 am. The overall parking garage is empty. However almost every EV parking place is occupied. Often I will take something to my car at lunch time. I am fairly observant and note few cars in the EV area have moved. When I leave the office after 4 pm, some of those cars are still there. So much for EV etiquette and moving the car after it’s charged and making way for someone else. Selfish, inconsiderate and rude.

This is where FSD (full self driving) ability makes sense, once charged, move your car to a parking spot. No one inside to kill.

andres3

imidazol97 said:

Maybe the EV chargers should have some kind of system that drains the battery if left connected past a certain number of charging hours?

How about a dollar per minute bill?

kyfdx

At the automatic car wash, today.

Guy yells for me, to drive my car out. Seems the only guy that can drive a stick is on the input end. Not the first time, so wasn't surprised.

5 minutes later, they are yelling for a Bronco owner. Lady walks back into the car wash, and drives out a 4-door Bronco (current model). Shockingly, it's a stick-shift. I told her I was surprised it was a stick, and she said she had to special order it.

ab348

Interesting review of the electric BMW I5 M60:

https://youtu.be/1n37lxoF-VI?si=cDmEEDzgcWHgS_01

stickguy

an automatic car wash? Never!

do the cars go through without a driver in it? how do they do that, leave it running?

Michaell

Has anyone seen the pix of the new Rivian R2 and R3?

The R3 looks like a reincarnation of the 80’s Lancia Delta Integrale

stickguy

I love that car! Actually the new Kia EV reminds me of the Lancia also.

fintail

R3 looks cool there will be a hell of a waiting list for that one. Also reminds me of the mk II VW Golf "Country" (4x4).

kyfdx

stickguy said:

an automatic car wash? Never!

do the cars go through without a driver in it? how do they do that, leave it running?

I know they won't let you pump your own gas in NJ, but you've never seen an automatic car wash?

No, it isn't running. The car is in neutral, the channel is on the left, and a block pushes the left rear wheel from behind.

This is the best one in town. I actually took the Porsche through there. The best part is the work done by the attendants. Wiping down the interior, vacuuming, and doing the inside windows. Then, wiping down the alloy wheels, and drying the car. I've seen Bentleys go through this wash.

stickguy

I e seen them. My car isn’t going through one though. I dont trust the people anyway. There is a huge convoluted process to go through to put the car in neutral (tow mode). Otherwise (or if you hit the wrong thing and it comes out of neutral lock mode) as soon as door opens it goes into park and would be getting dragged through.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I e seen them. My car isn’t going through one though. I dont trust the people anyway. There is a huge convoluted process to go through to put the car in neutral (tow mode). Otherwise (or if you hit the wrong thing and it comes out of neutral lock mode) as soon as door opens it goes into park and would be getting dragged through.

I bet they could figure out your car..

Also, the line stops if the car stops rolling

explorerx4

I've read that some Mercedes have a car wash mode.

tjc78

@explorerx4 said:
I've read that some Mercedes have a car wash mode.

Mine does. It turns off all the sensors (wipers, parking, etc), folds the mirrors and some other stuff I can’t remember.

fintail

explorerx4 said:

I've read that some Mercedes have a car wash mode.

Yep. Also deactivates the foot activated trunk/hatch. I've never ran my car through one however, the DIY one about a mile away is super cheap and fine - I mostly just use the high pressure wash a few times a year.

stickguy

@kyfdx said:
I bet they could figure out your car..

Also, the line stops if the car stops rolling

I am not as confident the way ford worked it. No chance unless they were specifically trained on that model. And I really don’t want the line to stop because my car was dragged in park for a while.

Not that it matters because I would never use one of that style!

sda

I think the ability to drive a manual transmission should be a mandatory skill and requirement to obtain a driver's license.

kyfdx

sda said:

I think the ability to drive a manual transmission should be a mandatory skill and requirement to obtain a driver's license.

That would kill the automobile industry..

fintail

sda said:

I think the ability to drive a manual transmission should be a mandatory skill and requirement to obtain a driver's license.

I think most drivers out there can barely handle an automatic.

texases

A waste of time for a near-extinct technology.

sda

@texases said:
A waste of time for a near-extinct technology.

Sadly. I do think knowing how to drive a manual makes a driver more in tune with how a car performs and handles.