“VW Group of America boss Pablo Di Si said that if the ID2 [a roomy Tesla-murdering hatchback EV with a €25K price, 280 mile range, and 226 HP] were to ever wash up on U.S. shores, it would need to be equipped with costly all-wheel drive for better traction on snow and ice in major metropolitan areas like New York City.
“It would be a niche vehicle for us,” he said.” 😭🤬
https://trib.al/Q6y7fHV?fbclid=IwAR2YlLdSuLd5djnwVdsFNocQdGdDoKkZ84Ux4cBjkL5n4OaYyXj0gokYt34
@samerfarha amen, I’d be all over the ID3. How do you see the Ioniq 5 going for well over its msrp and not think, we should do that too?
@bikepedantic Kinda weird, given that I learned to drive in a car with 45 hp and front wheel drive. FWD and 100HP world be more than adequate (acceleration to highway speeds w/ 45hp required a little patience).
Here's a car, ballpark 2200lbs, 100hp (stock was around 67hp i think), snow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX58kq0G-oM
@dr2chase @bikepedantic and also heavier vehicles do worse on ice, because compression causes ice to be slicker due to water's most dense point being 4°C. Growing up on a hill in a region that mostly got sleet from winter storms, it was not uncommon to see 4WD vehicles get stuck and '80s Honda Civics have no trouble.
@vathpela @bikepedantic An old Ford Taurus station wagon was outstanding in the snow; on a trip to visit cousins in Stowe (VT) weather turned bad after we left, we last saw asphalt when we crossed the Vermont line, then with 10 miles of unplowed snow about 11:30pm to get to Stowe, ending with in a snow covered hill with a curve in it. Had to get out to move a limb out of the road, fell twice walking to it, car was unbothered, just yeah-sure-fine.
@dr2chase @bikepedantic yep. The 4WD/AWD/etc stuff is mostly there to make it sound cool.
@vathpela @bikepedantic
I really wish they'd resurrect the old Saabs, but w/ updated engine (electric, obviously, the old 2-strokes were fun but a pollution abomination.). Suspension would need updating for the weight of a battery, though (the old 2-stroke engine, I could pull with no hoist, and carry it around -- at least I could then).
@bikepedantic The US car industry is insane. AWD is 100% not a requirement and traction is more an issue of tires and some sw tuning.
I would love an ID2.
@bikepedantic VW's product planners keep swinging and missing. Why is the US version of the id Buzz coming with only two rows?
@szeis4cookie yes, a huge blunder
@bikepedantic Kinda like VW will only offer the extended wheelbase ID. Buzz in the U.S. 👎
@bikepedantic i would literally kill for this vehicle