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Exhaust Notes, Salt Lake City, UT (2026)

12/06/2020

Exhaust Notes Quick Analysis- Nissan Z Proto.

Exhaust notes QA are shorter, still informative essays intended to get you up to speed on the most important details of new and upcoming automobiles. ENQA posts will have 6 segments. -overview, powertrain, styling, features/price, market positioning and EN's opinion.

OVERVIEW

Nissan recently unveiled the new Z in what they say is prototype form. The Proto is a the latest iteration of the iconic Z car which dates back to 1969. The Z Proto is a RWD sports coupe featuring the long hood, short deck proportions shared by its predecessors. It will replace the ageing 370Z a Nissans bread and butter sports car.

POWERTRAIN

Badged as the 400 Z, power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a V6TT. Nissan doesn't give specifics on the engine displacement or specs, but i suspect is the 400 hp version of the Infiniti 3.0 V6TT from the Q50/60 red sport. The Proto features a 6 speed manual transmission which will almost certainly be joined by an automatic in production, with my best guess being the 7 speed torque converter unit from the Q50.

STYLING

My favorite car YouTuber Doug DeMuro made the observation that the Z proto may be the first car to use elements from the 90s as inspiration for the "retro" theme of its design(feel old yet?) The classic proportions are 100% Z car, with a long hood, short deck and very short overhangs. The most controversial element of the design is that square grill that has zero chance of making the production model after being nearly universally shat upon.

Features

Not much is known at this time about the tech the Z will feature, but it is safe to assume it will be a massive improvement over the current Z. Expect the latest iteration of Nissan's infotainment, driver aids and safety tech. As for trim, expect the Z to launch with the V6TT, followed by a cheaper turbo 4 base model soon after(like the supra).

Market Positioning

While Nissan appears to be going directly for the Supra, i anticipate both pricing and performance to split the difference between the Supra and 86/BRZ. The market hasn't been kind to 2 door sports cars lately, but Nissan desperately needs somthing interesting in their showrooms right now and perhaps the Z will be the shot in the arm the brand needs.

EN's Opinion

Not the home run many hoped for, but not a dud by any means. I personally like the simplified, classic design and I'm excited to finally see a twin turbo V6 under the hood of a Nissan other than the GTR. Nissan would be wise to play up the GTR connection as much as possible in order to cash in on the cache of that name. Ultimately, we should celebrate Nissan for giving us a car like this at a time when gas powered sports cars are becoming extinct.

01/26/2020

Exhaust Notes Vol 27- 3 Vehicle/Engine Combos That Could & Should Be Produced.

Have you ever wondered why an automaker isn't putting a certain engine in a particular model, like a Hellcat Wrangler? As cool as that would be, the Hellcat is too large to allow the Wrangler's front crumple zone to function in the event of a crash. So while it would fit, it wouldn't pass crash tests.

It is fun to dream of wild possibilities that could be created by combining cool engines with cool cars without considering things like crash testing, engineering costs, logistics ect. Producing a Hellcat powered Wrangler wouldn't make sense for a lot of reasons.

With that said, this isn't a list of far fetched fantasy cars like a Hellcat Wrangler straight from the factory. Instead, these are vehicles that could seemingly be built without compromising safety out bring prohibitively expensive. These are cars that could actually be built.

In order to keep this thing focused, i set a few rules. Each hypothetical vehicle must meet the following criteria in order to be included in the list.

1.All vehicles and components(engines ect) must be currently in production.

2. All componentsmust be from the same automaker(GM, FCA, Toyota ect).

3. The engineering case-The engine must be able to fit without serious modification. It must also fit the cars current layout(no transverse engines in rwd ect).

4. The business case-The new vehicle must fit into the current lineup without being redundant or unnecessary.

5. Logistics- Production must be able to meet demand. Low volume engines can only be used for low volume models.

To keep things simple, ill answer 5 main questions about each hypothetical vehicle.

1. Why should it be produced?

2. Where does it fit in the current lineup?

3. Ideal specs, cost.

4. Main competition?

5. Possible drawbacks

With that said, here are 3 engines/vehicle combos that need to be built(in no particular order)

GMC Sierra + LF3 Twin Turbo 3.6 V6= Sierra Denali TT.

1.Why should it be produced?

Fords popular 3.5L Ecoboost V6 has been a smash hit in the F150. Despite this success, GM has yet to offer a force fed V6 on their full size trucks. Fortunately, GM already has a powerful TTV6 in their arsenal right now- the LF3. Offering the LF3 exclusively on the Sierra would help differentiate it from the Silverado while also giving Ecoboost owners a reason to consider GM.

2. Where does it fit in the current lineup?

The LF3 could be offered alongside the 6.2 as the premium engine choices available on the Sierra, similar to how Ford initially offered the 3.5 at the same price as the 5.0. GMC could even offer the LF3 as the top of the line option. Either way, give all trucks with this engine a TT badge

3. Ideal specs

The LF3 makes 420hp/430tq in the CTS VSport. Four truck duty, the engine would likely be tuned for more torque at the expense of a few rpm at the redline. Realistically, 400hp/500tq is easily obtainable.

4. Main competition-

F150 Ecoboost 3.5.

5. Possible drawbacks-

Very few side from cost concerns. This engine almost certainly costs more to produce than for the Sierra than the 6.2, so it would almost certainly come with a higher price. But again, this one just makes too much sense.

Ford Mustang + 3.0 Ecoboost V6= Mustang Mach 1.

1. Why should it be produced?

Ford currently has 2 NA V8 engines in their lineup, the 5.0 from the GT and the 5.2 in the GT350. While the high revving 5.2, with its flat plane crank and the 5.0 have unique personalities, their power figures and performance are too similar. Additionally, CAFE rules are killing high volume V8 cars like the GT. Ford needs a 3.0TT Ecoboost mustang as the volume engine option instead of the thirty 5.0

2. Where does it fit in the lineup?

The Mach 1 could replace the GT, but I'd like to see them coexist. The GT could move upmarket, being positioned as more of a grand touring car with more luxery features. A softer GT makes sense when you consider the average age of their buyers is nearly 60. The Mach 1 would be more affordable and youth oriented than the current GT.

3.Ideal Specs

400 HP 400Lb ft. This engine produces those exact specs in the Aviator. That would position it well below the GT and GT350, which have 460 and 526 hp respectively.

4.Primary Competition

Camaro Lt1, Challenger RT,

5. Possible Drawbacks

Would mustang buyers accept a V6 as an optional engine? Can Ford actually make it sound like a mustang? There is also the possibility that it could actually be faster than the GT, which then diminishes a more expensive offering.

Cadillac CT4 + 6.2L LT1 V8= CT4VR

1.Why should it be produced?

When the Cadillac ats-v was released, it came with the Lf4 V6. While this engine provided plenty of power, it lacked the roaring engine note expected from V-series Cars. Because the CT4 is based on the alpha2 platform, an evolution of the Camaros underpinnings, GM could use the SS's 6.2 V8 in the new CT4. This engine produces similar power to the LF4, but it sounds better and carries on the tradition of big pushrod V8s in top dog Cadillacs .

2. Where does it fit in the lineup?

A range topping, limitedrib track special.

3.ideal specs

500 HP and 400+tq is a good place to start.

4. Primary competition

Jag project 8, AMG black series, BMW m CS. Caddy could do a whole range of VR series cars.

5. Possible drawbacks.

GM cost cutters would never allow such a car, especially as caddy continues to see their budget clipped.

01/24/2020

Exhaust Notes Vol 26- Make Cadillac Great Again.

Anyone who reads Exhaust Notes has no doubt noticed that Cadillac is a frequent subject for EN essays. Admittedly, this author has a great affection for historically significant American automakers such as, well, Cadillac. How can you be an American car guy and not have at least a small place in your heart for the brand that was once synonymous with the American dream itself?

My love of cars began with cars built in the last 20 years. The glory days of Cadillac that transpired decades before i was born are of no sentiment to me or really anyone else my age for that matter. Millennials don't think of the old land yachts with gaudy wings, excessive chrome and white-walls with the same warm nostalgia as our grandparents did. "El Dorado" has no more relevance to my generation than Walkmans do with kids born in the 2000s.

To my generation, the greatest Cadillacs wear a "V" badge.

I fell in love with Cadillac when i first laid eyes on the gen2 CTS-V. The wagon, in particular, was the apple of my eye. I mean, here was a wagon with gorgeous styling and a ZR1 V8 from the same brand that builds cars for people who value the same qualities in a vehicle as their favorite Lazy Boy recliner. Driving dynamics aren't exactly a priority.

Yet the same company producing the dreadfully dull DTS- The vehicle bought by the type of person who's other vehicle is a custom, extra wide Rascal scooter-was also producing a ZR1 powered station wagon with nearly 600 horsepower. In addition to the wagon, there was the sedan, which was Cadillac's take on the tried and true German formula(mid-size sedan+ powerful V8 engine+slightly more aggressive styling). There was even a rakish, coupe with a bold, futuristic and slightly polarizing take on Cadillac's Art & Science design language.

While the sedan was a sports car in a sport coat, the coupe was about as subtle as a face tat. Still, the wagon was the most audacious of the bunch. Americans buy lots of sedans and stylish coupes, but they don't buy station wagons and those who do typically don't prioritize high performance. Yet Cadillac built a CTS-V wagon knowing all of this because Cadillac was smart. They knew it wouldn't sell very well, but they gave it the green light

So who did they build it for? Auto journalists. It is no secret that car scribes love wagons. They also loved the CTS-V. Motortrend was given a long term tester and they must have wrote 100 glowing pieces extolling the virtues of caddys hot new wagon. This car got more good press for caddy than any other in recent memory. That alone made it worth the relatively low development cost of creating it.

The Wagon and the coupe did not sell very well. They were never expected to. They were meant to get people talking about Cadillac but also show the world that Cadillac was a true competitor to the best German luxery performance cars. This was a solid strategy and one that ultimately brought Cadillac to the cusp of being a true player in the Luxery-sports car game. People were finally taking them seriously again.

Yet here we are, a decade later and Cadillac is now a brand without even a trace of identity. Their own marketing often mentions other directionless brands such as Acura or Infiniti as direct competitors, indicating that they have now given up on beating the Germans and settled for competing amongst the junior varsity of the luxery game.

To make things worse, while Cadillac was busy trying to half heartedly imitate BMW, Ford was cooking up big plans to reinvent Lincoln. But rather than imitate the Germans, Lincoln decided to abandon any pretensions of sportines altogether and focus on a quality, comfort, tech and features.

Lincoln rebranded itself as the modern, American Luxery brand. They ditched alphanumeric names in favor of real names, like Continental. They prioritized hot selling crossovers and SUVs rather than going after the 3 series and E class segments dominated by the Germans. Luxery, tech and comfort took priority over handling and sportiness. They started building vehicles with none of the compromises usually expected from American luxery cars. Not surprisingly, this strategy has been a massive success.

Lincoln's turnaround proves that anyting is possible. They established an identity and revitalized their Lineup in just 5 short years. Lincoln became laser focused on the goal of being the classic American Luxery brand and this inspired their designers to create products which embodied this identity. Top of the line navigators are selling for 6 figures, prices that while unthinkable a few short years ago, prove that the American brands don't need to win exclusively on price.

Cadillac dearly needs to find an identity. They need products that meet the current demands of the market The bad news is that these things take time and brand new, ground up products require massive development money. Cadillac is heavily invested in China and electric vehicles, so it is not feasible to expect a portfolio of new RWD crossover platforms anytime soon.

So what should they do? I don't have all the answers, but i see a few glaring opportunities for Cadillac to make the dramatic changes without spending tens of billions. For starters, they need to build an Omega based crossover like the Xt6 was originally supposed to be. The Blackwing V8 needs to be saved at all costs and the CT6- one of the best Cadillacs of all time- must be spared

I have detailed three basic ideas that would help Cadillac to right the ship.

1. PUT A "V" IN (the marketing)"TEAM"
There is no "i" in "team", and for Cadillac, there has been no V in marketing. That should change immediately.

Notice how Dodge only shows tire smoking Scats and Hellcats in all their commercials? The V6 version of the Dodge Challenger is actually the best selling version of that car. Yet when is the last time you seen a V6 Challenger in a Dodge commercial?

This is called the "halo effect" and it is as old as marketing itself. The idea is marketing your most highly desirable products creates more demand and cache for all of your products.

Caddy needs to market V cars like they are the only cars they make. Every car that appears in any marketing medium should be a V badged, quad exhaust tipped beast with red calipers showing through the wheels as it blasts over a salt flat.

2. V ON TOP OF V ON TOP OF V.

Every car should have at least 2 V trims. I like the new strategy of replacing Vsport cars with a proper V nomenclature and replacing the old V cars with a new moniker(rumored to be blackwing).

Just as Mercedes now offers several AMG variants in nearly all of their products. Caddy should stick a V on everything they have. Purists will hate this, but remember, Porsche purists hated the Cayenne, but without it, porsche may not exist today.

There is already the CT4V, CT5V and CT6V using this new, more accessible V strategy. Soon there will be hardcore variants of the 4 and 5, but i believe the regular V cars are going to be smash hits

They both look like real V cars, with the best interpretation yet of Cadillac modern design. They are both more than powerful enough for anyone who doesn't track their car but more soft and livable than before. They both come standard with super cruise and can be had with magnetic ride control.

3. EXPLOIT THE DEMAND FOR HIGH MARGIN PRODUCING LUXURY CROSSOVERS and SUVS

Caddy should up the ante on crossovers and SUVs. Throw the nicest materials you've got into a range topping Cadillac Best of all, it would be rather easy to make their existing cars fit into this new brand philosophy using existing components. Here are a few examples

1.Start with putting a 400hp version of the transverse 3.6tt from the xts vsport in the XT6 to create an XT6-V. This is the hottest segment in the game right now and crosstown rival Lincoln's new Aviator is superior to the XT6 in every way, with the base Model making 400hp.

The XT6 is a good looking vehicle, but inherently limited by its FWD architecture. But this isn't a supercarwe are talking about, and driving dynamics aren't the biggest concern. While this platform couldn't handle much beyond 400hp, that is more than enough for this segment

Offer the new XT6 at the first refresh intravel and offer a 350hp/350tq XT6 Sport base Model, The 400hp XT6- V as an option and a fully decrked our, fat cat XT6-V Patinum topping the range

This same strategy could be used on all vehicles. Base models are Sport, V is Midlevel, V-platinum, is a top non "blackwing" trim. RWD vehicles would also get hardcore performance variants similar to the upcoming "blackwing" cars.

With that said, none of these cars are going to have much relevance long-term. As the Auto industry as a whole transitions towards EVs, many legendary automakers will have to re-establish themselves in this new market. For Cadillac, this could be a golden opportunity blow it all up and start anew.

Our beloved Cadillac is at a crossroads right now. The brand is like a middle-aged former rock star who still makes good music, even putting out a few hits here and there, but they've never been able to recapture the glory of their heyday. Stuck awkwardly between a illustrious past and an uncertain electric future, the coming years will be crucial to how Cadillac will be positioned moving forward.

Hopefully Cadillac looks to the V subbrand for inspiration as they decide how to transition to electricity. This may be their last chance to reinvent themselves as a brand, so hopefully the ones pulling the strings recognize the opportunity at hand and allow the great engineers and designers at GM the leeway to once again make Cadillac the standard of the world.

01/21/2020

Exhaust Notes vol 25-Analysis Of Tesla's Cybertruck

Part 2/2

In Part 1-EN Vol 24, we discussed the Mach E and explained why it isn't a bastardization of Mustang name. The more I think about it, the stronger my belief becomes that Ford has a total smash hit on their hands. I believe the Mach E is the first EV from a major automaker that Tesla should be worried about.

The Mach E is a crossover that takes everything people love about Teslas and adds the best qualities of the Mustang, which is Ford's most iconic asset. Quite frankly, i believe Ford has created a solid blueprint for how to transition an icon like the mustang to an EV future. Check out EN 24 to learn more.

Part 2, EN V. 25 is all about the Tesla Cybertruck. There are plenty of videos and articles about the cybertruck available online, many of which focus on only one aspect of the truck, such as its styling. There's also no shortage of opinion pieces about the truck, with some writers proclaiming it is the greatest vehicle in the history of the world and others still not convinced it was an elaborate prank.

This isn't one of those articles. My goal was to produce a comprehensive analysis of the cybertruck that is as objective as possible. I've had a couple of months now to learn as much about the cybertruck as possible and I've spent a lot of time thinking about the implications of such a vehicle. My conclusion is that the cybertruck has the potential to be one of the most revolutionary vehicles in the history of the automobile.

So what makes it so great?

I've identified 5 key areas-1.Platform, 2.Styling, 3.Powertrain, 4. Manufacturing and 5.Marketing/Branding- where the Cybrtrk is significantly different than traditional pickup trucks. I've broken down each area, explaining its advantages and disadvantages as well as a breif conclusion. Those conclusions are about the only thing brief about this. Hang in there, get you a cup of coffee it's going to be a long one. But after reading my analysis, hopefully you will know everything you need to know about Tesla cybertruck.

Platform

Tesla designed the truck to be a unibody, cut and folded from a single sheet of stainless steel. According to Elon Musk, the decision to go unibody was inspired by the design of fighter jets in which the wings and fuselage are both load-bearing. Mr. Musk compared traditional body-on-frame designs to biplanes, in which only the wings are load bearing. Like all Teslas, the cybertruck sits on a "skateboard" platform

According to Tesla, this approach improves structurally rigidity, allows for a lower center of gravity, decreases weight and eliminates many NVH issues inherent to body on frame pickups. Other benefits, such as better handling and reduced body roll are inherant benefits of using such a platform instead of body-on-frame, which is why most modern SUVs abs crossovers are now unibody.

While body on frame designs have traditionally been regarded as superior for off-roading, modern tech has negated most of the shortcomings of a monocoque. Same goes for the Cybrtrk's adjustable independent air suspension. Until recently, serious off road vehicles required solid axles, but modern independent suspensions are now often more capable than live axles for most off-road situations.

In addition to their superior ride quality, independent air suspensions can be adjusted to allow for varying ride heights and settings. The Cybrtrk can be raised or lowered a full 3 inches, depending on the situation. In its highest setting, the cybertruck has the highest ground clearance of any full-size pickup truck.

Conclusion- All other full size trucks currently on sale use a BOF design, just as trucks have used for over a century. If the Cybrtrk is as capable as Tesla claims, it will effectively make BOF platforms and solid axles obsolete.

Styling

The most controversial aspect of the Cybrtrk's design was the exterior atyling. While the truck we've seen lacked many features needed to be globally homologated, the overall design language shouldnt require many changes prior to production. The production Cybrtrk will have side mirrors(or possibly cameras), smaller, less knobby tires which can't exceed the width of the fender flares and road legal lighting at both front and rear.

But none of those changes are going to adress the most polarizing aspect of the design-the Pythagorean roofline. Tesla says the design was necessary because the thick stainless steel panels cannot be stamped like traditional body panels, leading to the planar design of entire truck.

The Cybrtrk won't require traditional paint because these panels don't rust. Instead, it'll be offered with vinyl wrapping. Tesla cab offer an infinite variety of colors as a result and owners can change the color of their cybertruck whenever they want, or remove the wrap all together to show off the stainleess steel bodywork.

The overall shape is is similar to the Toyota A-bat concept from awhile back, with high walls on each side of the bed which descend from the peak of the roof. The bed itself is hidden by a retractable cover that disappears into the body at the push of a button. The tailgate has an integrated ramp for loading cargo.

The interior is a slightly different take on Teslas signature minimalist theme, complete with a massive 17 inch tablet infotainment screen in the center. The dash is a faux marble that i don't expect to make production as is the case with the steering "wheel" used on the show truck. A folding front middle seat allows for up to 6 passengers.

Conclusion- slyling is subjective, so while i personally like it, you may need a bit more time to let it grow on you. As for the materials, I believe this is where the cybertruck is most revolutionary as you'll read in section 4.

3. Powertrain

The big news here is that Tesla cybertruck will be offered with the new "plaid" tri-motor Powertrain. Think of it as two rear axle mounted electric motors and one front axle mounted electric motor. This is the same setup that will be featured in the new Roadster as well as the Model S's which have been shattering electric sedan records on the Nurburgring recent.

In addition to the top-spec tri-motor option, there will be a dual motor and a single motor option as well. 0 to 60 times range from about six seconds all the way down to under 3 seconds for the top-spec tri-motor. As usual, those Motors will be fed into a one-to-one, one speed gearbox, as electric motors do not need drop gearing like internal combustion engines.

Tesla has quoted range for the top models are up to 500 miles and that's what they stacked battery setup. As of now, it appears this option will only be available on the trimotor but I expect to see it trickle down the lineup. Entry level trucks should get anywhere from 250 to 300 miles of range. As usual, batteries are of the lithium ion variety, with packs consisting of an arrangement of hundreds of smaller batteries in order to mitigate the obvious issues posed by having one giant lithium ion battery.

Conclusion- the single motor should be more than enough for 90% of Tesla buyers out there, but for those of you who demand a bit more, the dual motor should be more than enough. I don't see why anyone would need to try another set up, especially if Tesla offers a long-range package with the dual motor.

4. Manufacturing and materials

The big news as it concerns the cybertruck is the materials it will be made up as well as the manufacturing implications. Because the truck uses flat stainless steel body panels, they do not need to be stamped like traditional body work. This will save time and money, and I would anticipate the cybertruck maybe the first Tesla to be delivered on time as a result.

If you're not familiar with the stamping process, giant machines basically smash sheet metal under into various shapes and forms. Machines that do this are massive, extremely expensive both to own and operate. As an example, when Tesla purchased the old Toyota / GM plant, the stamping machines they purchased required 72 train cars to deliver.

The Cybrtrk uses what Elon Musk jokingly called "transparent metal" prior to head of design Franz von Holzhausen breaking both drivers side windows with ball bearings at the unveiling. People much smarter than me have attributed the weakened state of the glass to the sledge hammer strikes to the door earlier in the presentation. A video of the glass surviving the same test prior to the unveiling backs up that theory.

It isn't yet known where the Cybrtrk will be built, but Tesla will face several engineering challenges as a result of the design. The planar body panels must fit precisely at all stages of production, as their thickness will make corrections nearly impossible.

Then there is the design itself, which must be modified in order to meet regulations. Offhand, I noticed that rear view mirrors(which decrease range significantly) will have to be added, the wheels and tires are not a legal set up, the front bumper is too high for pedestrian safety standards and the third tail light aka the brake light must be on a static surface, meaning it cannot be on things like a tailgate or a trunk lid. Surprisingly, that's about it. Everything else appears to be legal. All very minor issues really.

Conclusion- Tesla has found a way to eliminate the two most time and money intensive processes of automotive Manufacturing- metal stamping and paint. Most EVs are sold at a loss, including Tesla. Tesla may have figured out a way to produce electric vehicles cheaply enough to make them profitable.

I have a suspicion that Tesla may be planning to build a much cheaper cybertruck for developing markets. The manufacturing costs should be extremely low compared to other vehicles, so by eliminating the air suspension, the retractable bed cover and other luxuries, perhaps Tesla could offer a sub 30K version of the cybertruck for developing markets, such as India.
I believe the cybertruck is only the beginning for this radical new approach to building a vehicle. It isn't far fetched to to envision Tesla's entire lineup of next generation models utilizing materials that do not require stamping or paint. Expect other automakers to follow suit.

5. Marketing/Branding

Most of the automotive press have when comparing the cybertruck to other full-size pickups and speculating as to how it will be received by traditional truck buyers. Many critics belive the radical design won't appeal to pickup buyers, as pickup styling has traditionally been conservative.

But i see the cybertruck appealing more to the type of people who buy a Toyota 4Runner, Range Rover, Land cruiser, Jeeps and even Raptors. These are what are often referred to as lifestyle vehicles, as they project a specific image- outdoorsy, youthful, active- in the minds of their owners.

But there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, all vehicles are lifestyle vehicles in a way. No one buys sports cars because they are practical. Vehicular styling wouldn't even matter if people didn't care what others thought of their choice of Transportation. Some believe this isn't as important in the truck world as in other segments, but again I do not feel like the Cyber truck needs to operate within the typical parameters of the segment.

Tesla famously spends no money on Advertising. So how does an electric vehicle company sell a pickup truck? More importantly, how does the truck fit within Tesla's brand? To answer that, first you must determine what the name of your company, Tesla in this case, means in the eyes of the consumer?

Their brand is "the company of the future, now." All of their vehicles main appeal is that you can have the future now. Listen to any of Elon musk's various talks or debuts and I guarantee you will hear numerous references to the future. This isn't an accident. This is what Tesla wants consumers to associate with their brand. Just like Ford wants you to think of "built Ford tough," Tesla wants you to think them as being the car of the future.

So while a pickup truck might not seem to be the most natural fit for an EV company, if you're a EV company whose positioned itself as the makers of the vehicle of the future, it seems like the Cyber truck couldn't be more on brand.

Conclusion- What you buy says a lot about you. Those who buy the Cyber truck will do so to make a statement, just like those who buy Hellcat Challengers and Porsches.

So that's my five point analysis of the Tesla cyber truck. I was going to post this sooner but I did not want to make quick conclusions. I've had a little bit of time to think about this and I'm still convinced today just as I was at the time of the debut that Tesla has hit home run. It'll be interesting to see the final form of the vehicle as it will almost surely face a few regulatory hurdles. As for now, we can only hope that what we seen is what we will get. Whether or not the Cyber truck is a crystal ball into the future of the segment is yet to be seen but make no mistake about it, the future of Tesla will be very much impacted by the success or failure of this revolutionary new truck.

With that said, I believe the future is bright for Tesla

***the following is a few corrections from EN reader Greg Milligan. as usual, the point of this page is to provide the best information possible, and occasionally my readers provide such good feedback that i feel it should be included. This is one of those examples.

"Couple of points...'As usual, those motors will be fed into a one-to-one, one speed gearbox, as electric motors do not need drop gearing like internal combustion engines'.
This is completely incorrect.
No production EV uses a 1:1 final drive.
Electric motors spin at high speed quite efficiently, unlike internal combustion, and always use drop gearing.
Most use a reduction of around 10:1, including Tesla.
It is a one speed transmission, because an electric motor will give full torque from zero to full speed, usually in excess of 10,000rpm.

You also say that most EVs, including Tesla, are sold at a loss.
That is also untrue.
Tesla the company mostly operates at a loss, as they have a huge R&D cost while developing a new model.
History shows however, that when they pause to regroup before launching into the next model development, they have a quarter or two of company profit, something impossible if they were selling the vehicles at a loss.
This is why Tesla started at the top, in the luxury segment where profit margins are high and have been working downwards.
Tesla are selling their cars for a profit.

Otherwise, great article"

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