G. David Felt

Ham and Eggs

Smoothie

A One Off Trick Pony is NOT BETTER. This is NOT MASS Produced. A custom build not a commercial produced product. Apple to Banana comparison. STOP ATTEMPTING TO BULLSHIT HERE. Compare Apples to Apples. Like @Robert Hall Pointed out, if you want to compare, then compare to the GLS to the Durango. Mercedes-Benz HAS NO TRUCKS that compare to RAM, FORD or GM. They are MISSING IN ACTION!

Adam

If it was good enough for Mercedes, then it is even better for Dodge! To Quote @Drew Dowdell has stated about the MB Platforms they over paid for, their pretty much is NOTHING LEFT from the original platform as everything has been re-engineered to be superior. Explorer, Highlander, Pilot and CX-9 are craptastic plastic garbage compared to the current Durango which is NOTHING LIKE the Crap ML was at that time. Way better and has continued to be improved by Dodge. None of those POS CUV's have a V8 Palisade and Telluride have very competitive and possibly better interiors all depending on trim level of the Dodge and yet they also have NO V8. None of them can compete with the DURANGO, Especially the HellCat or any of the other V8 Trim versions. Your trying to compare Unibody CUV's to a True Body on Frame SUV with SUPERIOR V8 Technology! Just like this AWESOME TRX V8 Power Body on Frame Full Size Truck which MB, right has NOTHING to compare with it, What a FAILURE of an AUTO COMPANY when it CANNOT COMPETE in the TRUCK Category and at one time was considering a RE-Badge of an Asian truck just to try and compete.

Obstruction

Will totally disagree with you on this as it is way better than stuff at Ford, Asian or German for the size and what it is capable of doing. Mercedes-Benz has NOTHING to compete with the Durango!

Of which EQA, EQB and EQC are not showing up in North America any time soon. Seems MB has changed to an EQS being the first EV here in a couple years at the earliest. We have no idea what all Cadillac is going to have since they have not shown their hand publicly, so right now Lyriq and Escalade is known, but I would also bet on a XT EV in probably 2 if not 3 different sizes. MB will have more cuts than additions it seems especially here in North America. In regards to this thread on RAM TRX. I doubt MB will have anything to compete against this any time in the next 10 to 20 years.

Have to say I find this very funny!

Seems even in the Pandemic year, research is still ongoing and capturing the new auto before it is revealed happens. Latest reveal ahead of official reveal is the Lucid SUV. Have to say it looks good and seems to borrow some points from Rivian. Sharp capture by someone on the road in capturing both the Lucid Sedan and SUV. Will say that there is nothing special that says this really stands out from the rest, but I will give them credit for having a proper SUV back end. Seems Smooth is the rage as everyone looks to reduce drag by NOT having things stick out. Some big green house windows, but the sides seem very high giving that bunker look that I have not liked on the Camaro to this SUV. https://electrek.co/2020/08/18/lucid-electric-suv-prototype-spotted-ahead-launch/ Seems after the Delay that was considered an embarrassment for Musk, Tesla is finally going to push the Two-Factor authentication out to all Tesla Auto's. https://electrek.co/2020/08/16/tesla-push-2-factor-authentication-embarrassing-delay-elon-musk/

^ Just like how Mercedes-Benz is trimming back models since they have seen a big drop in profits / revenue. Amazing how a drop forces companies to par back model options.

VW has announced major expansion of their Chattanooga manufacturing site and an addition of the EV Engineering site. VW is planning on supporting the greater North American market with all EV production here and expanding from a small roll to a major roll of EV and Battery R&D. A new contract signed with the battery supplier SKI in Georgia has made VW move R&D in house and local into the US. The results of this will then be used through out the VW EV product line Globally. Development, testing and production are now all aimed here. This will go on top of current electrical circuitry development and testing. The expansion of the site even in this Pandemic is that the Engineering area will be fully operational by spring 2021. News Release: Building EVs in America begins with Engineering EVs in Chattanooga. https://media.vw.com/releases/1371

In other News, Mercedes-Benz has agreed to pay a $2.2 Billion dollar fine to the US Government for their 250,000 Diesel cars and vans sold that used cheating software. With this settlement, MB will also set up a $700 million plan to settle with their diesel auto customers. MB has also anounced a shift to EV's for the US market as they drop Diesel and focus in the near term on traditional ICE as they build up their manufacturing to support EV's. Currently MB has said China and Europe will be the first markets to get EVs and some time in the future the US. MB is NOT going to bring their subcompact or compact EV to the US and the EQC is delayed indefinitely at this time. MB first EV will be their S-Class EV for North America. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129259_mercedes-set-to-pay-2-2b-in-us-diesel-settlements-as-it-slowly-pivots-to-evs

California announced today that they have signed agreements with the following 6 auto companies. BMW Ford Honda Volvo Volkswagen Audi They were more lenient than the original required CARB plan, but stricter than the new EPZ rule according to the Green Car Reports write up. These 6 auto companies make up 40% of all auto's sold in California. California also stated that any auto company that does not sign onto their CARB plan will be bared from fleet purchases of which the number one fleet sales company was GM. GM and Toyota tied onto the Current administration plan which had floated a national EV plan which has since failed and even the new EPA rules are now under internal review due to not following the laws of the country. As such, the EPA has frozen the new rules and everything is rolled back to the last administration EPA rules. These current CARB rules will affect all auto's that go on sale in 2026 as a 2027 model year. This also puts an interesting battle between Ford and the State of Michigan which with 23 other states support the CARB standards and the states have all filed a group law suite against the current rewrite of EPA rules. At this point, I think the 6 auto makers and 23 states supporting California CARB have a better poker hand than the current administration and auto companies that are NOT signing on to the CARB plan yet. Honestly, I can see CARB becoming the new national standard as the EPA fails this country in protecting the citizens, but that is another topic for debate. Here CARB 1, EPA 0 in the battle for the largest auto market in the country. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129282_automakers-commit-to-tougher-california-emissions-deal-and-more-evs

OK, totally missed the new features on the SuperCruise system till now. That is very cool including the hands free lane change that is added to SuperCruise.

I have to say that other than the upper half of the rear of this EV, the rest is really sharp and I love the front end. Watching this again just has me very excited for where Cadillac is going. The comment from the Chinese engineer who grew up in China and how people watched movies with Cadillacs and the passion to own the Ultimate American Luxury auto. I can understand why this will be big in China more so than even here. Love the auto open charge panel and the control to set and have the auto customized to the person who will drive it. The interior and the dash just kicks ass over anything German or Asian. Gotta love the AI dual screen Hud system. Up, UP and Away!!! https://www.cadillac.com/showcar/lyriq?evar36=MRM_eml_cad_LYRIQ_Post_Reveal_0820_16600304536 That is just a Freaking BAD ASS AUTO. Just finished watching it again and dawned on me how they talk about the center of gravity in the auto and power distribution and I can se the Hummer by GMC being a big hit as you have a raised up 4x4 truck or SUV. I do question the comment about a aerodynamic backend that is squared off on interior space but still not square. Very weird comment.

Workouts

Love this truck, I think they nailed a Home Run! Would be nice to have a Street Hellcat Truck too that is 2wd, standard cab, totally performance focused. Since they make the standard cab, I do not see why a Hellcat in a 2wd performance focused truck would not sell well and call it the: Ram Copperhead In regards to @smk4565 comments on Cybertruck. Seems there are plenty of interest, but I question just how many really will be sold. Seems some are already building their own as is posted by Jim who loves his ICE but also wanted a Cybertruck and has the skill to build it full size to a high quality standard. https://www.instagram.com/268_others/ I do think it is a cool project that this guy built a decent version of the truck, but clearly not a practical real world usable truck. Musk, the Stoner has people hyped up on his Bud Fried Brain and the future will be very different for Tesla than it is now. Tesla is Cyber Vaporware as of today. RAM for the Win against Cyber Truck! No if's ands or butts about it, this is a production beast.

Opera Browser? ? My 20 year old couch died last night. Since ya all know that I am anything but small, started looking around at the Big and Tall theater couches, chairs and found the two following web sites. https://www.theaterseatstore.com/size/oversized-home-theater-seating https://4seating.com/sofas-and-sectionals/index.html Anyone ever buy from these companies or own these chairs / couches? Since the only time I watch TV is to watch a movie or go through a Season like the AWESOME Season 2 of "The Titan Games" I really do not lay around much, but I do want to be totally comfortable and was thinking might be nice to have charging, and other things built in. So looking at a quality chair or couch. ? Ideas???????

Agree to disagree, as the current solid state batteries are showing anywhere from 4 to 10 times energy density. As we increase density, decreasing the over all number of cell's, I can see a future time where a ICE size 12V battery could easily power an auto for 100 miles. You are right that as of now, weight for existing current tech EVs will have heavy weight, but the future is bright for smaller, denser power packs that will help with reducing EV weight and increase range.

Story is all over the news, but seems Ford has now stated that the next gen mustang will be out in 2022 as a 2023 model and teased with this image which has similarities to the Mach e and makes one wonder, does this mean that the Mustang is going EV only? Nope, Ford did say they will have Hybrid as well as EV versions and some others. At least everyone is saying the same thing, 2022 will be the all new Mustang, Hybrid, EV and some ICE models which many seem to think will be big V8 versions at the top end of the for sale as mid to lower end will be Hybrid with small generators powering an electric power train and pure EV. ? Wonder what GM's answer will be for the Camaro! https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-ford-mustang-s650-s550-news/ https://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/the-next-generation-ford-mustang-will-arrive-in-2022-as-a-2023-model-ar187656.html https://fordtrend.com/2022-ford-mustang/ https://www.thedrive.com/news/32075/the-next-ford-mustang-could-arrive-in-2022-report America's way to get your Chemical Fix on!

Was not thinking of engineering it out of an old car, was thinking of a modern new EV Auto build to be big and roomy like the old ICE cars used to be, but even more room. The info I grabbed off Edmunds web site so that is what has that stated weight.

I honestly will not miss anything on that list. LOL always ready for the bleeding edge of new stuff.

Yes 196" and 4941 lbs for Performance version, 60 pounds less for the Long Range model. They do not use much high strength steel it seems and could go with a weight reduction also.

@oldshurst442 Thank you for the editorial, I knew you would go off on it and this monday of heat, I wanted a good laugh and got it. THANK YOU Agree with the let them be as we have other things to deal with, but of course, random is what we are all about.