Watch! Interview: MME Chief Engineer Donna Dickson

[JoeDimwit]

I want to see if we can get a custom drive mode option. Doesn't even need super granular control, I'd just love to set a blend between Engage and Unbridle

I’d love to have the throttle mapping/regen of whisper with the steering of unbridled.

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[BigMach-E]

She kept saying that they were only focused on testing the updated software on MY 24 to get it shipped, but they now have time to go back and perform testing on vehicles with older hardware. Hopefully that means the charging improvements can be sent to us eventually.

No, it really means that current owners are stuck with what they have. I am so frustrated. Ford never treated the early adopters right, marketing the product in one way “so fast it makes you sick” and never mentioning the huge performance limitation that was all software based and super conservative. The kind of talk of “we really were focused on getting the 24 right” means that us current owners will be left high and dry.

 

[TheSteelRider]

She kept saying that they were only focused on testing the updated software on MY 24 to get it shipped, but they now have time to go back and perform testing on vehicles with older hardware. Hopefully that means the charging improvements can be sent to us eventually.

I think I'm not holding my breath. For us '21-job-1'ers, we've been through a LOT of consternation about OTAs bringing in things. 3 years for a frunk button is a good example. I know, I know, people will say, "but they did it though" ... yeah ... *3 years later*. meaning, if they bring in charging curve improvements to early models, but do that 3 years from now how many of us will really benefit (our cars will be over 6 years old then).

 

[silverelan]

Donna, please please please give the 21-23 ER packs faster charging and open up the 5 second rule for GT/GTPE.

She said it was software for charging and power delivery. Sounds like there has to be resources given to make sure it’s retro compatible for older cars but the hardware for charging and sustained power output hasn’t changed.

 

[rcechinel]

He owns 3 or 4 of them. Fanboi confirmed.

With the cybertruck, it's 3. He also owns 10 Kodas (not kidding). He doesn't say, but he is probably in the 30 or 40 range...

He complains about the Model S Plaid a lot. And just said the CT pressed the s... button after 7k miles.

 

[Rabidsquirrel22]

I think I'm not holding my breath. For us '21-job-1'ers, we've been through a LOT of consternation about OTAs bringing in things. 3 years for a frunk button is a good example. I know, I know, people will say, "but they did it though" ... yeah ... *3 years later*. meaning, if they bring in charging curve improvements to early models, but do that 3 years from now how many of us will really benefit (our cars will be over 6 years old then).

Yeah they have certainly fumbled on updates like the frunk and Bluecruise. The reasons I'm still hopeful that we won't have to wait an obscenely long time for potential charging improvements are:

1. We've already received the MY 24 update for sync 4A, so some degree of work to bring current software to the rest of the model years has already started.
2. The only other charging curve update they sent out, to improve the speed above 80%, did not take too long to arrive via OTA after it started shipping on cars out of the factory, so it may not be as complex of an update as those other long delayed features.

 

[rcechinel]

Donna, please please please give the 21-23 ER packs faster charging and open up the 5 second rule for GT/GTPE.

She said it was software for charging and power delivery. Sounds like there has to be resources given to make sure it’s retro compatible for older cars but the hardware for charging and sustained power output hasn’t changed.

She did mention that the battery cooling was improved in 23. I actually didn't know that.

 

[Shepherd]

Great questions because they bring a different perspective that I didn't think about.

My short answer, I don't know.

In my very limited interaction with people though, most haven't heard of the Mach-E but that wouldn't necessarily mean that's the majority of the population. However, given that this is a relatively new car, and an EV that is not a Tesla, do you think the owners skews more towards enthusiasts, general non-techy owners or a healthy mix?

After owning mine for a month, I can't imagine a non-enthusiast wanting to buy a Mach-E. Most people want to get in a car and drive it. They don't even crack the owners manual until something goes wrong.

 

[Jimrpa]

I want the car to be able to pull a couple of 2.5 mile laps without pulling power. ??

I also want more, drive mode independent suspension adjustability (it’s way too soft), more mechanical adjustability in the suspension, real limited slip differentials, and some sort of crate motor package to put the new in-house rear motor into the ‘21-‘23 cars. Oh, and steering that is faster and not so numb. ??

I'm sure this is a silly question, but here goes - why not just get a new car if you want the new motor?

 

[Jimrpa]

Yeah they have certainly fumbled on updates like the frunk and Bluecruise. The reasons I'm still hopeful that we won't have to wait an obscenely long time for potential charging improvements are:

1. We've already received the MY 24 update for sync 4A, so some degree of work to bring current software to the rest of the model years has already started.
2. The only other charging curve update they sent out, to improve the speed above 80%, did not take too long to arrive via OTA after it started shipping on cars out of the factory, so it may not be as complex of an update as those other long delayed features.

No, "we" have NOT received the MY24 update for Sync 4A (unless you're using the Royal, instead of the plural "we") ?

 

[Jimrpa]

You could get pretty drunk in a drinking game where you take a shot every time Kyle says "spicy" and "charging monster" in a video.

I thought he just was doing a tie-in with Starbucks new "spicy" beverages ?

 

[HuntingPudel]

I'm sure this is a silly question, but here goes - why not just get a new car if you want the new motor?

I would prefer to keep the ‘21. Lots of aftermarket mods on it. Of course the other benefit of getting a ‘24 would be the 360 cameras that Ford wouldn’t let me order. I just don’t want to be under another loan now. ?‍?

 

[Jimrpa]

15 minutes in and Kyle hasn't said a word. But Tom is asking the good questions. Entertaining.
Btw, ZERO commitments for previous model years. She did say they are working on showing the charging speeds.

Who is "Tom"?

 

[TheSteelRider]

Yeah they have certainly fumbled on updates like the frunk and Bluecruise. The reasons I'm still hopeful that we won't have to wait an obscenely long time for potential charging improvements are:

1. We've already received the MY 24 update for sync 4A, so some degree of work to bring current software to the rest of the model years has already started.
2. The only other charging curve update they sent out, to improve the speed above 80%, did not take too long to arrive via OTA after it started shipping on cars out of the factory, so it may not be as complex of an update as those other long delayed features.

#1 is almost assuredly a completely stand-alone team from the rest of the Ford teams. In other words, modifying an icon on the sync screen has literally no tie-in to the rest of the vehicle. Yes, we got the sync updates "quickly" because it is a dedicated team that can monkey with Sync all day long and not have to interlock with anyone else.

But, as soon as you throw in *ANY* other module in the car, it looks like it takes Ford a minimum of 1 year (based on previous BC releases as well as the brake blend update early on, etc.) for the smallest of changes.

As for #2, with admittedly zero evidence, it is my strong suspicion that code was ready to go before the car even entered production. If you received a car on day-1, you would see a charging curve that was basically a linear line that stair-stepped to a second linear line that stair-stepped to a third linear line. Again, no evidence to support this, but I suspect when the car was ready for launch they ditched the adaptive curves they were working on that based off temperature and went with a static curve based on battery SOC because the buns in the oven had not quite completed baking. In an early Kyle Connor video, he assumed the same.

And, yes, as you can tell I'm pretty ding-dang pessimistic about OTAs! But, don't let that fool you ... I am okay with the vehicle as-is and would buy it again. Also, I am not going to say no to a better charging curve! I am just not placing bets on the car improving at all at this point .... I kind of suspect (again without evidence) early cars are nearing the end of where we are going to keep getting meaningful feature updates.

 

[SWO]

He owns 3 or 4 of them. Fanboi confirmed.

That and the referral codes in every video...

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