Ah, but they specifically said that 50% efficiency required fixed rpm/load optimization. Anything else results in less. You’re right, they will probably have to settle for less.

It’s interesting but there are many challenges with this approach. First, 50% efficiency of the ICE is not the same as 50% efficiency of the system. How much is lost when some of the energy makes a round trip into/out of the battery vs a traditional drivetrain?

TIL what chili crisp is.  I suspect my life will be forever better for it.

Wesley is awesome. I don’t know if it’s been featured on Jalopnik but he also built an homage to 60s F1 cars using a Porsche Boxster engine. Then pulled that to install a Mercedes V12. Because why not?

A high schooler has been parking a friggin ‘19 ZR-1 by my friend’s house when he visits another kid. From what I can heard, he’s not really into cars but his dad has it so he drives it around.  

I traveled just enough to have gold Marriot and United baby-elite. One thing that this year has made clear is that 90% of my own travel was just a waste of time and money. Sales, no question. But a dozen people flying/driving in for a 3 day engineering planning session every 3 months? I don’t see that coming back.

Paint weathers far better.

And it fades and looks like ass after a few years.

They can break your rear caliper bolts (both sides!), then arrange a tow to the service center. At least that was my friend’s experience with his P90D. :)

“Bigger” in this case is just 312mm! Stock GTI size, I think and small enough to keep using 16" wheels in winter. The Sportwagen comes with 288s.

I guessed it was an R. Nice.  They are really cool but I couldn’t bring myself to spend R money on a car that was going to sit outside plus I wanted more room. My little ‘r’ is a Sportwagen 4MO with an is38. With the turbo, an MST intake, 18" prets w/Mich Pilot 4s, bigger front brakes, a TTRS clutch, Unitronic tune,…

Sometimes you just have to suck it up. :) I paid retail for an are-you-f’ing-kidding-me expensive bicycle a week ago. I’ve never paid retail but I wanted it, they could get it, and none of my shops with a hook up sell the brand. I even run their logo on my ‘team’ kit (which is going to change on the next buy if they…

Considering where Blythe, CA is and that he lives in Arizona, you’re probably correct except 85+ is a CRIMINAL offense in AZ, so 80 is probably his maximum. There were several mornings I broke 100 out of boredom in the middle of nowhere, AZ, not realizing the risk. A colleague learned the hard way. Much drama.

Wait, you go TO Blythe, CA? There’s work there? :) I’ve been to Yuma Proving Grounds a bunch of times. Blythe was the nearest place to stay. Everyone stayed there once, then dealt with the long drive from Yuma (which was still ‘only’ 100ish miles IIRC) the next time.

Good point, though going forward, I’m not walking in w/o a contract in hand. Assuming you’re buying from a brand with a lot of dealers, there’s just no reason to engage in hand to hand combat with a salesman anymore.

I’m not sure your last point is the best tactic. Going with (overpriced) dealer financing can get you a better OTD price and you lose that opportunity if they think you’re a cash buyer or bringing your own financing. My last purchase included VWoA financing at 4.5% (LOL) and a handshake deal that I wouldn’t pay it off…

Car and Driver actually put a few cars in a wind tunnel a few years back:

Need to see it in person first. I liked the Taycan in pictures but in person I found myself making calculations to rationalize buying one.

I’ve heard the E39 exterior rubber bits (window trims, etc) suffer a similar fate. All the exterior rubber bits on our ‘91 318is are perfect. I replaced the windshield a few years ago and the gasket was still good as new.

you need...wait for it...the right tool. :). Master link pliers.