December To Remember: Vibe Check
Welcome to another edition of Vibe Check! As the blog is young, so is my schedule to find time to post on here and keep the wheels turning on what I hope to keep going. As much as this is a hobby for now, I would love to see it turn into something great someday.
But this is where we are. While I work on things career-wise, the news cycle doesn’t stop. This week saw the high anticipation of two trucks finally get into people’s hands. There’s also a tinge of sad news confirmed but a long time ago. Let’s dive in.
1st Gear: The Cybertruck Reaches Customers
It’s here. It’s finally here. 4 years after the initial launch of a new electric pickup truck by Tesla, of course the Cybertruck had to be different in Elon’s eyes. The launch event for the production model kicked off Thursday on Twitter (which I’ll continue to say because ‘the site now known as X doesn’t have a nice ring to it). Remarkably, it virtually carries over all of the cues that make the Cybertruck what it is.
The promise of epic range for a low price didn’t come. It’s not $40,000 and it will not go 500 miles on a charge. Still, the final numbers presented for 2024 are competitive when you start to compare apples.
The Cybertruck is capable of towing up to 11,000 lbs, matching the Rivian R1T in pull capability. It can also allegedly take up to 2,500 lbs in the truck bed, commonly referred to in the industry as payload.
Of course, the biggest questions concerning electric vehicles; what’s the range and what’s the cost? The RWD model, as called on the website, is estimated to have 250 miles of range and start at $60,990. This won’t come until 2025 so if you want a Cybertruck sooner, prepare to fork up more cash.
Next is the AWD variant which comes with 340 miles and expected to set you back $79,990. This should use a tri-motor setup to connect to the batteries although mechanical details are scarce. As of now, we know only what the Cybertruck should realistically do.
That means to finish it off, there is a top-of-the-line performance model dubbed the Cyberbeast. Commanding $99,990, this promises a ridiculously fast 2.6-second zero-to-sixty time while still achieving up to 320 miles. I’m also curious of the ‘Range Extender’ option which is a portable battery you can bolt onto the back designed to give you more miles, supposedly. Supposedly.
So the promises don’t meet the expectations. However, the expectations are more realistic compared to what we’ve seen from Rivian and Ford. The talk of the town remains the stainless steel construction and Tesla maintaining the truck’s chaotic shape. The question is, with only a dozen or so cars delivered as of yesterday, how is Tesla going to fulfill the preorders of 1 million people who placed a deposit?
While that’s mulled, I’m going to be excited now because my generation finally has a modern DeLorean to gawk at.
2nd Shift: New Tacoma Gets A Lot Of Love
A new Toyota pickup comes out once every 1-2 dog years. The Tundra got refreshed for 2022 after a 15-year run. The Tacoma is less archaic, sporting a new face for the first time since 2016. And by all accounts, it’s a good one.
Available with eight different trim packages, there’s a Tacoma for everyone. New turbocharged and hybrid options lie underneath depending on what you go for. It’s still a pickup truck but first impressions indicate it to be a damn good one. Let me paste some praise for you to scour over:
For the first time in a long while, the Tacoma is a thoroughly modern truck. — Gear Patrol
The cabin is better insulated from engine noise, and a higher seating position means you no longer feel like you're sitting on the floor. — Car And Driver
(the) Tacoma’s sterling reputation lives on, but now backed by a solid driving experience, even better off-road capability, good fuel economy, and a cabin that feels modern enough. — Road &Track
It is essentially a ground-up redesign, sharing the same chassis platform with the other Toyota trucks, as well as some Lexus SUVs and the new Land Cruiser.
The new Tacoma won’t have class-leading capabilities compared to Chevrolet or Nissan. But Toyota pitches this more of a toy, not for hauling duties. That is why there is a new Trailhunter model to go with the off-road orientated TRD variants that sit atop of the Tacoma range. Most importantly, a manual transmission is still available.
Another positive early impression for a new truck.
3rd Gear: The End Of An Era
Three blokes from England-land have called it quits. It only took 20-odd years, two show titles, a number of television specials, and numerous journeys abroad; but the boys’ adventures are coming to a definite end.
Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond were inseparable, and drummed up what’s arguably the most successful TV show ever produced. Clarkson relaunched Top Gear in 2002, with Hammond in tow. May would join them from the second season onwards in 2003. The wit, banter, and chemistry came together like chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker made the s’more. You looked forward to what they did next no matter how little you cared about cars.
And even when it was about cars, it was informal and entertaining, whether you put them on their own or if they piled together for a big adventure somewhere on the African continent. Peak Top Gear came quickly when they traversed to the North Pole in 2006. It was far from their last destination.
You only have to watch it to get the gist of it, as they made 22 seasons together until Clarkson’s tenure ended with the BBC in 2015. Promptly recruited by Amazon, Hammond and May quickly followed to produce The Grand Tour, which was basically the last epic adventure. Initially following a format similar to old Top Gear, the focus quickly transpired to trips they took to exotic destinations for any numbers of reasons.
Now knowing that The Grand Tour is coming to an end, it’s fitting that the final journey they took together takes place, once again, on the African continent. After trekking in Botswana and Uganda for Top Gear in years past, the trio are in Zimbabwe. Who knows what shenanigans they get up to this time, but now it’s just a little bittersweet.
I’m not surprised at the news. Jeremy Clarkson is 63, James May is not far behind at 60, and Richard Hammond will turn 54 later this month near Christmas. I’ve followed these guys since I was a kid and am approaching 30 myself. Times change and some things must come to an end, no matter how much we enjoy it.
You can always stream Top Gear somewhere. The Grand Tour is on Amazon Prime, as well as each of the guys’ own shows. It might be the end of them formally broadcasting on television, but who says it won’t be the last time we see them together?
Weekend Getaway: Drive A Prius
I tried a Prius this week (finally!). It’s the same beautiful car that everyone’s raving about on the grapevine that somehow, it being a hybrid is no longer the punchline. That’s why they’re flying off the lots and why I ended up driving a 2023 Prius that was already bought by somebody.
The one I drove was a Prius Prime XSE, a plug-in hybrid with a larger battery pack to go with that 2.0-liter motor. That means it was quicker because of the electric torque, and excited me about the prospect of actively never having to plug it in.
Here’s what I mean. There’s an EV-only mode where you’re only driving it on the electric battery, and an EV charge mode where the engine kicks on and actively charges the battery while giving you more smiles for miles. There were the usual Good Car attributes like communicative steering, supple ride quality, and comfortable seats. Even the stereo was decent for not being the premium JBL stereo option.
I had high expectations and based on a roughly 30-minute encounter, the Prius did not disappoint. It’s on my short list for the next new car, whenever that time comes.
I recommend you try it. The 2024 Prius is coming out now.