Why the Mustang Mach E is better than the Tesla Model Y

[Mach-E VLOG]

Tesla is 0 for 7.
Mach-E is 3 for 3.

Sponsored

 

[abr]

Tesla is 0 for 7.
Mach-E is 3 for 3.

The photo shoot from these articles was done at my local park . . . happened to pull up in my FE RR as they were working about a month ago. The MME sure looks pretty against the beautiful backdrop!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Tesla is 0 for 7.
Mach-E is 3 for 3.

Yeah that’s a tough choice Patrick, “Underperform or Over Deliver?” I dunno … this is hard ….

 

[ChasingCoral]

And pretty soon you're only going to get half a steering wheel....

Tesla delivers first Model S Plaid models without a steering wheel

BENGT HALVORSON JUNE 12, 2021

The yoke is most definitely no joke. Some or all of Tesla’s first 25 deliveries of 2021 Model S Plaid sedans on Thursday evening featured one of the automaker's most controversial details: the yoke-style steering wheel.

The feature set off plenty of debate when it was revealed in first photos of the Model X Plaid and Model S Plaid in January. Although it was expected to join the lineup at some later date—when it had been given more of a third-party safety blessing, perhaps—there it was, in the first models built for sale.

Earlier this year, the yoke surprised everyone—even U.S. regulators at NHTSA, who told CNET then that it "cannot determine if the steering wheel meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard." Then in March it released a statement confirming that it was "actively engaged" with Tesla.



Stalkless steering wheel in 2021 Tesla Model S

Now NHTSA is unwilling to confirm whatever might have resulted from those discussions with Tesla—potentially suggesting that they're ongoing.

The agency reminded Green Car Reports Friday that current federal FMVSS standards don’t prohibit what the federal government calls “non-circular steering controls.” NHTSA also said that manufacturers are responsible for certifying compliance and ensuring that vehicles meet all safety standards. And so Tesla would have had to go through some extra due diligence in assuring the design met the same safety needs.

In addition to the obvious questions about how to turn the steering wheel rapidly at parking-lot speeds, or what happens if power assist fails (a realistic concern if you look at recall campaigns), it still begs a lot of questions. Most notably, how will airbags deploy? Driver-side frontal airbags have a different design than those on the passenger side, in part because while a pyrotechnic device provides the initial inflation and impact support, the steering-wheel rim helps maintain the bag’s location for secondary loads.


2021 Tesla Model S Plaid

The kinematics could suddenly be quite different. An engineer at a German automaker that used to stand out for its particularly large steering wheels told me in 2016 that changing to a smaller-diameter steering wheel involved such a level of safety and durability retesting that it might as well be saved for a new body structure.

In the presentation of the Model S Plaid, Musk pointed to the unobstructed visibility of the gauge cluster and the road ahead. The “stalkless” layout also omits turn signals (moved to steering-wheel buttons) and the shift lever (now tied to Autopilot).

IIHS spokesperson Joe Young said that the IIHS “doesn’t have any relevant research on a yoke-style steering wheel like this,” and thus couldn’t offer anything on the safety implications.

It appears that Tesla made these early deliveries to a combination of employees and high-profile Tesla fans—a forgiving group, and one likely to be far more positive about the yoke.

Tesla might need the power of its influencers on this one. In February, Musk told Joe Rogan that “they use a yoke in Formula One.” Not even Rogan seemed to be convinced; and you don’t see F1 drivers needing to maneuver around driveways and parking spaces.

Green Car Reports has reached out to Tesla for clarification on whether customers have a choice between the yoke and the steering wheel. Tesla’s order tool for the Model S doesn’t indicate a choice, and all of its photos currently indicate the yoke setup.

Tesla shows no lack of willingness to innovate on its initial Model S formula. But look for more later this year as U.S. safety agencies, Consumer Reports, and other publications—us, perhaps—get some firsthand experience with this outside of the Tesla-fan circle of bliss. Only then will we know whether it looks like the future or not.

 

[RonTCat]

Formula 1 steering yoke rotation lock-to-lock is prolly only 240 degrees, or 120 in either direction. You don't have to remove your hands from the yoke for any turn. If the plaid has only 240 degrees, no issue, but if it has more, then... ??? I'm sure NHTSA thinks this yoke is an awful idea, but their regulations don't strictly prohibit it. Interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[silverelan]

Formula 1 steering yoke rotation lock-to-lock is prolly only 240 degrees, or 120 in either direction. You don't have to remove your hands from the yoke for any turn. If the plaid has only 240 degrees, no issue, but if it has more, then... ??? I'm sure NHTSA thinks this yoke is an awful idea, but their regulations don't strictly prohibit it. Interesting to see how this plays out.

At best, it's terribly awkward. I am not convinced it's not dangerous. Just check out the clip below.

https://osultan.smugmug.com/Cars/Refresh-Model-S/n-jF42tn/i-MqTr9SD

 

[ab13]

At best, it's terribly awkward. I am not convinced it's not dangerous. Just check out the clip below.

https://osultan.smugmug.com/Cars/Refresh-Model-S/n-jF42tn/i-MqTr9SD

This is just residential 90 degree turn it seems, but the person had to take their hand off one side of the yoke. Not good. Not mention they put all those controls on small touch points for the thumb to activate. Want the horn, use your thumb to touch that tiny thumb point. I know they allow you to put your hand over that right side for the horn, but when the yoke is turned you may not realize when to put your hand.

 

[All Hat No Cattle]

Check out that clip starting at 00:50, LOL. That is going to be interesting to watch the videos with that thing in snow, heavy rain, rough road, etc.

For $130,000 you get half a wheel. What does the full option cost?

Definitely going to be fun to watch, unless you happen to get in their way. Then it won't be so funny.

https://osultan.smugmug.com/Cars/Refresh-Model-S/n-jF42tn/i-MqTr9SD

 

[Mach-E VLOG]

Don't forget the vastly superior SuperCharger network. ?

 

[abr]

Don't forget the vastly superior SuperCharger network. ?

How long is that line? You might be able to walk over the Grapevine before even getting a charge. Good exercise also.

 

[Illinibird]

Honestly, I feel like CarPlay and Android Auto wouldn't be necessary if OEM's infotainment software (Ford's included) wasn't hot garbage by comparison. Tesla seems to get it right in this area, but takes it too far - they've over-indexed on aesthetics at the expense of human factors. Not everything in a vehicle should be controlled by a menu tree. I would find that annoying.

I'm really disappointed by the choices of blue on the MME (I picked Infinite Blue, but I'm questioning my choice - like, every day). As someone else pointed out, Ford has some gorgeous blue color options in its palette (including Blue Candy on the EcoSport) and this is what they picked?

Finally, range on the MME misses the mark - this is Ford's first, true EV (Focus doesn't count) but the industry's in its third gen. It should have 300 miles of usable range, period. Lacking a decent charging network with DC, it is not a practical car to take on a road trip unless you enjoy the "getting there" more than the "being there."

The only reason I'm not in a Y already is that Tesla's build quality is unacceptable, and there is no such thing as local support. If I bought a brand new, $60K vehicle and the first thing I had to do after taking delivery is get someone to park a service van in my driveway to fix panel gaps, paint issues, etc., I would be seriously pissed off. Tesla's build quality is 1970s Big Three bad.

How do the batteries compare? I heard from a guy looking at my car yesterday that he was talking to a Tesla owner and he was told the Tesla battery lasts over 300 miles. I told him a RWD model of MME has a 300 mile range with Extended Range Battery. He also told me Teslas chargers are Plug and Charge and I told him EA is bringing that out to many sites today and keeps on building more charging stations everyday with P&C capability.

 

[kltye]

Don't forget the vastly superior SuperCharger network. ?

To be fair, Elon did reply to that tweet directly. I can't imagine EA being quite as forthcoming or as committed to expanding their network's footprint or reliability. I do agree, however, that all this proprietary crap is annoying. With Plug and Charge, there's no real reason Tesla should be building out a closed network of chargers. I'm even fine with them making it a profit center for non-Teslas - just bill non-Tesla cars a higher fee! Elon's so-called mission to build a "greener future" shouldn't only include a single brand of EVs.

 

[Mach-E VLOG]

To be fair, Elon did reply to that tweet directly. I can't imagine EA being quite as forthcoming or as committed to expanding their network's footprint or reliability. I do agree, however, that all this proprietary crap is annoying. With Plug and Charge, there's no real reason Tesla should be building out a closed network of chargers. I'm even fine with them making it a profit center for non-Teslas - just bill non-Tesla cars a higher fee! Elon's so-called mission to build a "greener future" shouldn't only include a single brand of EVs.

Yeah, Elon gave a vague answer. He's been much more specific about FSD and we know how that has turned out.

I agree they could easily add a CCS plug at their charging stations and charge for the use. Or like in Europe where they use CCS on Teslas.

 

[pt19713]

Yeah that’s a tough choice Patrick, “Underperform or Over Deliver?” I dunno … this is hard ….

I'll take the faster one.

 

[timbop]

Don't forget the vastly superior SuperCharger network. ?

How long is that line? You might be able to walk over the Grapevine before even getting a charge. Good exercise also.

Yeah, Elon gave a vague answer. He's been much more specific about FSD and we know how that has turned out.

I agree they could easily add a CCS plug at their charging stations and charge for the use. Or like in Europe where they use CCS on Teslas.

I hate to say this, but with half a dozen or more manufacturers jumping into the BEV game with CCS ports, EA chargers are going to get much more crowded. EA's 4 chargers at a site is nowhere near adequate.

Sponsored