The Weirdest Branded Car Merchandise

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car enthusiasts can sometimes take that enthusiasm to strange places. That enthusiasm is sometimes magnified when someone is particularly fond of a specific automaker such as Lamborghini or Porsche. It is those people that the CMOs of car brands love the most.

Why? Because if you’re an automaker and some people are fiercely loyal to your brand, they will buy just about anything that has your logo on it; Even if that product has absolutely nothing to do with the cars you sell. It sounds funny, but it’s true! Here is some of the weirdest branded car merch that people can buy right now.

Dodge gaming headset

Dodge gaming headset | Dodge

Competitive gaming is a billion-dollar industry. Naturally, it makes sense that tech companies would want to get involved and sell peripherals to that audience to capitalize on the trend. But what about an automaker?.

For some reason known only to Dodge’s marketing department, anyone can go to Dodge’s website right now and buy a Dodge branded gaming headset. The product page doesn’t even have a description beyond the fact that it is a gaming headset and it has the Dodge logo on it. We suppose if someone really loves their Dodge Charger Hellcat but also loves to “own noobs” in Fortnite, this would be a great gift for them.

Carbon fiber Lamborghini Bluetooth speaker dock

A red Lamborghini Bluetooth speaker featuring metal exhaust piping.
Lamborghini Esavox Bluetooth speaker | Lamborghini

This is not the weirdest product on the list, but it is shocking in a whole other way which we’ll get to later. What you are looking at is the Lamborghini “Esavox” carbon fiber docking speaker. This looks just as aggressive and unconventional as a Lamborghini limited edition car, so this product has the right vibe if nothing else.

This Bluetooth speaker uses real Lamborghini exhaust pipes to help transmit sound. It also has a monocoque carbon fiber body hand-built by the same people who build Lamborghini’s cars. Anyone interested in purchasing one will have to put up a wallet-melting $25,870 for it.

Porsche Design kitchen knife set

Porsche Design kitchen knife carving set . Three knives in a protective box.
Porsche Design carving knife set | Porsche Design

Porsche comes through in the clutch to blow our minds just when we thought we have seen it all. How much does someone have to be completely in love with their Porsche 911 that they would feel compelled to buy this kitchen knife set? We are struggling to find the connection between canyon carving a GT3 RS and slicing tomatoes for a BLT.

Yet, there is enough consumer data to tell Porsche that their customers will pay $279 for this carving set. It is made from “pure” Japanese 301 stainless steel, so it seems to be high quality. Though, we wonder what a set like this would cost if it didn’t have Porsche branding on it.

As weird as all of this merchandise is, we have to admit that we would probably buy all of it. The Porsche carving knives, the Dodge headset, even the ridiculous carbon fiber Lamborghini speakers! Please don’t judge us too harshly; sometimes, being a car enthusiast means being fiscally irresponsible on occasion. We are who we are.

The post The Weirdest Branded Car Merchandise appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Meet the Zetta CM1: a Small, Cheap, Russian Electric Car

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Everyone’s on the hunt for bargain electric cars, but how deep down the EV penny-pinching rabbit hole are you willing to go? Zetta (or Zero Emission Terra Transport Asset) is creating Russia’s first mass-produced electric car, called the CM1 (City Module 1), and it’s dirt cheap. Granted, unless you live over there, you won’t be able to buy this electric car. But would you even want to?

Zetta CM1 Electric Car | Zetta

The Zetta CM1 is Russia’s first mass produced electric car

Set to release before 2022, the Zetta CM1 is being built at the Togliatti plant in Samara. If you don’t know where that is, or why that’s important, don’t worry, I didn’t either. The Togliatti plant is one of the largest in the world, producing such cars as the Lada Granta and Renault Logan today. But more so, the Samara region is home to AvtoVAZ, Russia’s largest car manufacturer.

Zetta, while not owned by AvtoVAZ, aims to produce and sell 10,000 CM1s per year, accounting for Russia’s limited electric car network. Though experts hope that number will rise as EVs become more mainstream. And while this isn’t Russia’s first electric car, it is the first serious attempt at one.

And we do mean serious, as the Zetta isn’t actually a terrible vehicle. At least not on paper.

The specs and speeds of the Zetta CM1

Zetta CM1 Electric Car
Zetta CM1 Electric Car | Zetta

For starters, this little EV is all-wheel drive. With one 27 horsepower motor per wheel, the Zetta is a 108 horsepower screamer. And that surge of strength can get the CM1 up to a top speed of 74 miles per hour. Okay, that’s not the fastest, but it can actually handle highway speeds. An impressive feat for such a tiny EV.

And we do mean tiny, as the Zetta is only about a foot longer than a Smart car. But that small size and sizable power add up to an impressive 124-mile range. To put that into perspective, a base model 2022 Nissan leaf gets around 149 miles per charge. But what sets the CM1 apart from more mainstream EVs is the price.

Set at 550,000 rubles, that equates to about $7,500 here in the states. That’s a cheaper EV than the Kandi K27, which is $10,000 after the $7,500 tax credit. So the Zetta is an honest attempt at a cheap electric car in Russia. But will people buy it?

The Russian population has very little interest in electric cars

Zetta CM1 Electric Car
Zetta CM1 Electric Car | Zetta

According to Reuters, 45 million cars are buzzing around Russia’s roads. But only 11,000 of them are electric. To do a little comparing, let’s take the United States, which is home to 276 million cars. Of that large chunk, 1.8 million cars are electric. So we have more EVs by far, but what about the percentage of EVs per gas car?

The 11,000 electric cars in Russia make up just .0002% of the cars on the road. Whereas in the states, EVs make up .006% of all cars registered. Not only does this put into perspective how small Russia’s EV market is, it puts into perspective how much further we need to go if we want to see an all-electric future.

There are still plenty of folks who don’t think electric cars are worth it, both in the US and abroad. But cheap EVs like the Zetta CM1 may invigorate consumers to make the switch, especially since the cost of ownership drastically goes down with an EV.

RELATED: Lada Made an Electric Car and Boy Was It Ugly

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In the US it’s Jeep Compass: In Latin America it’s Commander 7-Seat SUV

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The last time the US saw a Jeep Commander was in 2010. The SUV was large by Jeep standards, and not too popular based on sales. And in China, the Commander SUV line lists both Commander and Grand Commander. The Supreme commander would be President Xi Jinping, but that’s a different story. We’re here to talk about Latin America’s Jeep Commander. 

Is Commander just a longer Jeep Compass?

2022 Jeep Commander Brazil | Stellantis

You may recognize it as a longer version of our Jeep Compass, and you would be right. It is a stretched-out Compass. Stretched to accommodate seven passengers with its third-row seating. But there are visual differences besides the stretch.

Those Commander headlights are different from our Compass. Daytime running lights boast an LED light bar. The new soft bumper features all of this. Other bits of trim brightens up the Commander’s fascia. In all, we’d say the front has been softened up a bit from its US counterpart and integrated better with no blackout grilles and cladding. 

The window lines make the Jeep Commander look like a Jeep Cherokee

2022 Jeep Commander Brazil
2022 Jeep Commander Brazil | Stellantis

The bottom of the window line takes a straight shot back to the rear without the kickup of the Compass. It is cleaner and gives it the look of a Cherokee in a side profile. Making our way to the rear there are more differences showing.

The Commander has eliminated all of the whoops and sweeps of the Compass. Thin taillights dominate at the beltline. Gone are the large, wrapping taillights of the compass. The tailgate is wider and hides the handle to open it. A big handle is bonked onto the Commander’s tailgate.

The bumper is body-color, and it too is toned down from the busy Compass bumper. Black running along the rockers of the Compass is now body-color, too. And the wheel arch trim goes with body color as well. A “TD” and “4×4” mark this as an all-wheel-drive, turbo-diesel powertrain according to Brazil’s Motor1. 

In Latin America, it will have a 2.0-liter diesel, but what it would have if sold here?

2022 Jeep Commander Brazil front view
2022 Jeep Commander Brazil | Stellantis

Specs have not been published as the Commander is still set to launch. We can assume it will come with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine. Power will be at 200 hp spinning a nine-speed automatic transmission. It could also receive a 1.3-liter turbocharged gas engine with around 185 hp. This would be tied to a six-speed automatic. 

Inside, it should stay relatively similar to the Compass though interior shits have not been released. With slightly more power this seems like a no-brainer for the US market. But as of right now there are no plans for Jeep to make that happen. 

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$70,000 Sure Seems Like a Lot of Money for the Loki Basecamp Icarus Camper

by Gabrielle DeSantis

$70,000 is a lot to spend on camping. Granted, I’m coming to you from the perspective of a young person just starting their career. However, $70,000 goes a very, very long way. We’re talking about two brand-new Toyota GR86 sports cars. Or a down payment on a home. Hell, you can have your pick on just about any life-changing purchase for $70k. I went to college for under $70,000. Moreover, I camp, and I’d estimate my entire camping setup, stoves, tent, chairs, the lot, cost under $1,000. So, the question is, can the Loki Basecamp Icarus justify that big ol’ price tag?

The Loki Basecamp Icarus gives you it all for the money

Off-road equipment must be mounted outside for maximum cool-guy points | Loki Basecamp

To be fair, this is clearly Loki Basecamp’s world. I mean, they sell water bottles for (sit down for this one) $72.00. I’m not Basecamp’s target audience here. Their website looks like something you’d see on the side of a building in a trendy-yet-shockingly-expensive part of Seattle. Well, that’s all of Seattle but you get my point. So, let’s talk about what this trendy camper gets you. First off, things are focused heavily on off-grid reliability.

Loki Basecamp says that the Icarus is designed to keep you off-grid as comfortably as possible. There’s an available 300W solar power system, as well as an “up to” 600 ah battery bank, per Loki Basecamp. Oh, there’s also a 2000 W inverter and charger. So, clearly enough to keep you plugged while you’re switching off. Thankfully, like the Ford Bronco, there’s also a lot of thought that’s put into the usability of this thing.

Cheaper ways to camp? Yes. Cooler? Maybe not.

The front of the Icarus camper, mounted on a Ford F-series truck, with roof rack and lightbar
Maybe you get a matching truck for your $70k? | Loki Basecamp

There are all sorts of roof rails and bars, including a spare tire rack, to keep your stuff secure and you on the road. Additionally, you can roll out the retractable canopy for some shade outdoors. Of course, all that sounds great, but it’s not so great if you’re always uncomfortable while using it. In light of that, Basecamp has included a shower/”mudroom” (to use their marketing lingo) for your $70,000. You’ll also have access to plenty of charging points, storage, and a drinking and grey water tank.

However, like the Ford Bronco, there’s also parts built by supplier Webasto on the Loki Basecamp Icarus. More specifically, the heater. You’ll likely remember that Webasto is currently the cause for the most recent round of delays in the Bronco, brought on by hardtop quality issues. Thankfully, it’s just the heater and not the roof that Webasto is making.

Perhaps we’ve lost the plot

The stars over a campfire in Crested Butte, Colorado
The point is, get out there money or no money | RJ Sangosti via Getty Images

Webasto quality aside, the Loki Basecamp Icarus looks to be a very competitive camper. However, it is still $70,000 for a camper that doesn’t exist yet and a $5,000 deposit. Frankly, I’m a little more cautious after the whole Cybertruck debacle. Perhaps it’s best to wait for a few reviews before I go out and spend 70,000 of my nonexistent dollars on a camper for my nonexistent truck.

RELATED: This Overland Camper Is Clearly Apocalypse Ready

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