[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by hotlap

Focusing solely on acceleration without an appreciation for the fine distinctions that separate the two.

Its like going all in for fortified wine because it has higher alcohol content. It lacks all the other characteristics…

I’ve had supercharged ICE. I’ve had a new automatic. A naturally aspirated V8 with a manual is a better experience.

I watched the Tesla Nurburgring video and asked why bother. All you hear is the chassis creaking.

BEV for a passenger commuter car? Why not.?.? What difference does it make?

But it’s not just acceleration. That’s all that WE talk about on THIS site. Evaluated measure for measure, the new crop of BEVs are simply better vehicles all-around than the vehicles that they will be replacing. There are many advantages from a buyer’s point of view and even more advantages from a manufacturer’s point of view. One of the reasons automakers (except Toyota) are not fighting the shift. And the only reason Toyota is fighting it is because they are significantly behind other automakers in BEV development because of their focus on hybrids and fuel cells.

By going to skateboard platforms, automakers can repackage the interior to provide more room, flat floors, and creative storage and option content. Plus automakers can reduce their vehicle development costs. EPA certification is significantly easier because…no emissions to test. And no engine calibrations to certify. And here’s where the automakers really ring the cash register. Fewer platforms. GM will replace Alpha I and II, Delta, Chi, and Gamma with BEV3. Then they’ll replace T1 and 31XX with BET. Seven platforms reduced to two. Plus they’ll make variants that they haven’t even considered before off of those two platforms. Products like the EV600 and EV410 off the BET platform. They’ve actually started a new company, BrightDrop, off of the BET platform to make BEV delivery vans to compete with Rivian. Reducing platforms saves billions of dollars that can now be redirected to further BEV product development.

Now, back to “better cars”. Compare the styling and content of the Cadillac Lyriq to the Cadillac XT5 and XT6, ignoring the propulsion system. It’s no contest. Lyriq will be a much better car. Pickup trucks will be an interesting comparison. It will depend on whether the buyer is buying a pickup truck because they like the idea of a pickup truck as a primary family vehicle (most buyers) or whether they’re buying a pickup truck because they actual tow and haul stuff more than a couple times a year. For that second group, the transition will likely take longer because of the effect of towing and hauling on battery range and life. But for a majority, an F150 Lightning may be a better all around purchase than an F-150. Especially when you include lifetime fueling costs and routine maintence in the total cost of ownership mathematics.