this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2024
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[Dormant] Electric Vehicles

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Yeah, I don't know why everything is moving toward that ugly crossover form. They're ugly as sin IMO.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I think it's worse than them being ugly. I think the dimensions and visibility for crossovers makes people worse drivers. Massive blind spots, zero rear visibility, huge amounts of body roll in curves, and the danger of rollover are all worse in this body scheme.

It's so bad that they have to add technology like rear cameras, BLIS, and traction control to attempt to fix it because they can't just make a car with reasonable dimensions and good sight lines.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The MachE doesn’t really suffer from any of those issues. I had no major blind spots, in fact smaller than what I’ve been used to. Rear view mirrors were very effective, it’s a “Mustang like suspension” so it was super stable, to the point of uncomfortably stiff. With the battery pack underneath, the center of gravity makes a roll over extremely unlikely.

Your points are accurate for many other CUVs, especially ICE ones. But not the MachE. It has its own issues mind you. Specifically the suspension being so bumpy it induces car sickness. A, frankly, obscene amount of power which tempts bad driving habits. And the worst central control system I’ve ever experienced.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

I'm glad the MachE doesn't have those issues, but you raise a good point about it having an obscene amount of power. A lot of EVs have way too much power for the average person.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You just listed a bunch of features that are standard on most vehicles these days.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

And the reason they're standard is because the cars aren't built correctly

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Rear cameras were mandated after a bunch of kids playing behind their parents car were run over, traction control exists because road conditions change throughout the year in most areas and blind spot monitors exist because all cars have blind spots and it reduces collisions. Saying all cars are built incorrectly with zero supporting argument isn't much of an argument. Cars are safer than they've ever been and much of the sight line issues are related to reinforced pillars to protect occupants in a crash.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Sorry, I forgot the Internet is Serious Business™

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

lmao you really pulled a "it's just a prank, bro!"

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Well nobody forced you to make unfounded declarations as if you're a subject matter expert.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm not going to argue with someone who doesn't know what traction control does

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Is that more of your expert analysis? I'm really curious what you think it does and why "it's installed on CUVs because all cars are built wrong."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

At a time when there's added scrutiny on the rollover potential of sport utility vehicles, automakers are turning to technology to improve their handling and safety performance.

All major automakers will offer advanced stability systems on large SUVs in the coming model year, using technology that helps ensure a smoother ride on their upscale vehicles in the hopes of instilling better confidence in their SUVs. Source

I'm old enough to remember SUVs and Ford Explorers specifically being death traps because they rolled over at the drop of a hat. Traction control (ESC) is designed to prevent that.

If they weren't so top-heavy, they wouldn't roll over so easily and wouldn't need traction control.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Traction control and stability control are two different things. Traction control checks for wheel slippage and either brakes or cuts power to the wheel that is slipping so that you maintain traction in inclement weather like rain, snow, and ice.

Stability control adjusts your suspension on the fly to prevent G-forces from causing you to lose control of the vehicle.

Your mention of Explorer and other SUV rollovers has little to do with modern CUVs as those were body on frame vehicles built with 1980s technology. CUVs are just taller modern sedans with unibody construction.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, definitely not arguing with someone who doesn't know what traction control is.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Well, it's a good thing you're not then, right?

Your own source calls this system "stability control." Can you explain what traction has to do with rollovers? Adding more traction to the tires when you're sliding sideways makes a rollover more likely...

[–] [email protected] 24 points 7 months ago (3 children)

It's the carcinization of automobiles. Tall station wagons are simply the most practical shape for cars to be.

Frankly, the thing that bothers me about the Mustang Mach E isn't the shape, but rather the fact that they desecrated the name of what's supposed to be a low-slung coupe.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

As much as I hate it, having a 50 year old blue collar welder with 2 Chevy trucks parked out front come over and get excited about "The new Mustang" made me realize how perfect that decision was. People can complain about it all they want, but I don't think it would have been anywhere close to being as successful otherwise.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Nobody lost money underestimating the American consumer

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Frankly, the thing that bothers me about the Mustang Mach E isn’t the shape, but rather the fact that they desecrated the name of what’s supposed to be a low-slung coupe.

The shape bothers me a lot, but this bothers me more. They could have just called it the Bronco. Or the Fairlane.

But if cars are all going to look like that in the future I guess I'm never buying a car again.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Ford should launch a sub-brand called Denver and then launch it as the Bronco. And then sell it exclusively in the UK.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

No, they should relaunch the Ford Prefect and it should come with a towel

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago

I would hate this car much less than I do if they had called it anything BUT a Mustang.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

It's much more like a mustang than a bronco. Regardless, If Ford wants to call it a mustang, it's a mustang.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Frankly, the thing that bothers me about the Mustang Mach E isn’t the shape, but rather the fact that they desecrated the name of what’s supposed to be a low-slung coupe.

That...that right there.