by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Jaguar I-Pace is but another luxury vehicle to undergo simplification and receive a price cut. In August 2020, we mentioned how recent data showed that 2019 was a great year for used car sales. In particular, used non-luxury vehicles experienced a significant jump in popularity that year. The possible reason for this uptick in used non-luxury vehicle sales is likely because many luxury vehicles have terrible resale value.

However, it’s not only regular combustion engine luxury cars dropping in price—advances in electric vehicle (EV) technology have also helped transform the future of the luxury car market.

Jaguar simplifies its lineup with a cheaper 2022 I-Pace

2022 Jaguar I-Pace Black | Jaguar USA

A recent MotorTrend review states, “Keeping in line with Jaguar’s recent efforts to simplify its lineup in the United States, the I-Pace will be sold in just its top-spec HSE trim for 2022. That said, the price for the HSE has come way down.”

MotorTrend reported the 2022 I-Pace HSE as having a base price of $71,050—after Jaguar’s silly $1,150 delivery and destination charge—$9,950 less than its previous starting MSRP.

Previously, the I-Pace HSE started at more than $81,000 before falling to its current price for its 2022 model year. Limiting the 2022 I-Pace to the HSE trim level also means the model comes standard with goodies such as a power-operated tailgate, premium LED headlights, leather seats, and more.

That means you’ll have nearly $10,000 more to spend on any extras you feel are necessary to make your 2022 Jaguar I-Pace special. For example, you could opt for the $300 Caldera Red or the $700 Caesium Blue paint color option rather than the standard Fuji white. With what’s left, you could even go for the suede cloth headlining in either Light Oyster or Ebony for an additional $900.

The interior of the 2022 Jaguar I-Pace

As stated by MotorTrend, the somewhat affordable 2022 I-Pace does offer quite a few standard goodies. It comes standard with “premium” LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) for the exterior. Your choice of Ebony Windsor, Light Oyster Windsor, or Siena Tan Windsor leather sport seats with matching interior upholstery all come standard at no additional charge. Other standouts include a power-operated tailgate, a heated split rim leather steering wheel, and complimentary Jaguar Elite Care.

The HSE trim aims to please with an additional array of standard luxuries such as a head-up display, a powerful premium audio system, 20-inch wheels, and 16-way power front seats. Additionally, active safety features include lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. However, as we’ve kept pointing out repeatedly, the upcoming Kia EV6 will likely beat even Jaguar in terms of standard safety.

What to expect from the 2022 model

Similar to Tesla models, the 2022 I-Pace comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). This is achieved thanks to its two electric motors (one in the front and one in the rear) that allow it to produce a combined 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque. With that kind of horsepower, you’ll be able to zip between intersections in the city effortlessly and leave almost everyone in the dust while merging onto the highway.

This EV Jaguar has an extra dose of stability and agility thanks to its hefty battery pack that sits beneath the floorboard. This means it has a lower center of gravity than combustion engine models. However, don’t worry too much about the ride quality because Jaguar equipped the 2022 I-Pace with an air suspension—a feature that comes standard across all trims.

On top of that, its steering feedback is said to be on par with what today’s drivers expect, especially from a $71,000 vehicle. However, some reviewers have complained that they experienced uneven braking at times.

According to government estimates, the 2022 I-Pace should get 80 MPGe in the city and 72 MPGe on the highway. When comparing it to other EV models (excluding price differences), the 2021 Jaguar I-Pace seems fairly decent—though likely not as an entry-level luxury EV.

Other more affordable alternatives include the Tesla Model Y (starting MSRP $41,190), the 2021 Volvo XC40 (starting MSRP $34,795), the slightly cheaper 2021 Audi e-Tron (starting MSRP $34,795), as well as future EV models coming soon. The EV market is still growing and changing daily, so take it slow and do your research before locking your sights on a single luxury electric SUV.

RELATED: The 2020 Jaguar I-PACE Has 1 Major EV Flaw You Should Know About

The post The 2022 Jaguar I-Pace Benefits Massively From a Huge Price Cut appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If there’s one thing we know about Elon Musk, it’s that he knows what he’s doing with Tesla. And, even when he doesn’t, he is confident that things will work out. Or they won’t. On Thursday, July 15, 2021, Elon Musk tweeted that the Cybertruck may “flop,” and he doesn’t care. For a company that is constantly forging a new path, this attitude should not be surprising.

Tesla Cybertruck | Tesla

Why does Elon Musk think the Cybertruck may flop?

On Thursday, July 15, 2021, Elon Musk tweeted, “To be frank, there is always some chance that Cybertruck will flop, because it is so unlike anything else.”

If it’s disconcerting to hear the CEO of Tesla so uncertain about the newest electric vehicle to their lineup, it shouldn’t be. One of the reasons that Tesla is such a game-changer in electric vehicle technology is its willingness to take chances. Musk isn’t saying that the Cybertruck will flop, he’s saying it might. And, if it does, it will likely be because we aren’t ready to see something that looks like it came from Doctor Who.

Musk went on to write, “I don’t care. I love it so much even if others don’t. Other trucks look like copies of the same thing, but Cybertruck looks like it was made by aliens from the future.”

This is a perfect description for the Cybertruck, with its sharp edges and robotic structure. it is unlike anything else on the market, which could either be a huge advantage or disadvantage for the upcoming electric truck. 

Why was Musk tweeting about the Cybertruck’s potential failure in the first place?

Musk’s tweet came in response to another tweet about an opinion piece regarding Tesla’s upcoming Cybertruck debut. Mask seems to prefer Twitter over a typical public relations firm as Tesla’s primary form of communication. 

Naturally, Tesla fans and followers had more questions about the Cybertruck’s release, which Musk was happy to answer. When asked whether there were any updates to the Cybertruck, Musk replied with, “In end, we kept production design almost exactly same as show car. Just some small tweaks here & there to make it slightly better.

No door handles. Car recognizes you & opens door.

Having all four wheels steer is amazing for nimble handling & tight turns!”

The Cybertruck will be here before we know it

According to Kelley Blue Book, the Tesla Cybertruck will begin to be delivered in late 2021. They added that Elon Musk has said, “We’ll make a few deliveries of the Cybertruck in 2021, but volume production is set for next year.” That means if you want to order your Cybertruck, now is the time. 

The Tesla Cybertruck has a base price of $39,900 and can go 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds (if you buy the fastest model). Additionally, it gets an astonishing 500 miles of range.

It’s hard to predict just how the Tesla Cybertruck will do. It is such a new truck in both style and design, that it is impossible to compare it to anything else on the market. Only time will tell, but if the cyber truck is like other Teslas, it is unlikely to be a flop. 

RELATED: Did a Lack of Flux Capacitors Cancel the Tesla Model S Plaid Plus?

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

The folks at Tesla are no strangers to innovation. Now, the company is looking to help you further integrate your Tesla into your day-to-day lifestyle. Effectively, the Tesla Powerwall is an extension of what the Palo Alto-based brand already does best: batteries. Albeit, there’s a lot more to the Powerwall than just some batteries hung on a wall. After all, if that’s all Tesla thought you needed they’d be selling duct tape and Duracells, not this.

A backup battery for your home

A Tesla Powerwall battery | Hannah Peters via Getty Images

No, the Tesla Powerwall promises much more than that. The brand’s newest electricity-powered solution promises to put even the Energizer Bunny to shame. Here’s how it works. At its core, the Tesla Powerwall stores energy from a solar panel. This is critical to the first function of the Powerwall. The brand states that the wall will provide “24/7 outage protection.”

So, more or less, the Tesla Powerwall is a really, really big battery. Moreover, you can order and add up to ten Powerwalls to your home, creating a larger and larger network of off-grid power for your home. Of course, that also means the ‘Wall can effectively charge your Tesla with the sun. Not bad.

The Tesla Powerwall promises a lot

The Tesla Powerwall installed in a home in Canada
Three Powerwall units installed in a home in Canada | Andrew Francis Wallace via Getty Images

That’s not all the Powerwall promises, either. In typical Tesla fashion, there’s an associated app for use with the Powerwall and its bigger sibling, the Powerwall+. The Powewall+ offers even more backup power and uses the same app. In it, you can control any number of parameters about how each of your gigantic batteries is operating. The Powerwalls can be operated to produce any number of outcomes, according to Tesla.

For now, there are three options to choose from when it comes to the different Powerwall settings. For one, you can tell the ‘Wall or ‘Walls to save as much energy as possible. Or, you can tell it to keep you totally off-grid, using all of the available battery power. Finally, you’ll be able to gear the Tesla Powerwall towards all-out energy savings.

Chip shortages have hit supply here too

The Tesla Powerwall installed in a home in Canada
Three Powerwall units installed in a home in Canada | Andrew Francis Wallace via Getty Images

Unfortunately, the chip shortage has hit Powerwall production too. It seems that if anything uses electricity, it’s only a matter of time until the semiconductor shortage hits. Now, it’s the Powerwall’s turn for the next while. Elon Musk stated that there’s plenty of demand for the product out there, even with its hefty $41,000 price tag. Currently, there’s about 80,000 orders in, according to Musk.

However, the company is only able to produce around 30 to 35,000 units this quarter, says CNBC. Despite Musk’s propensity for… let’s say ambitious statements, it seems the brand really is trying its best here. Should you have the cash to drop on a Tesla-fied home, it seems you’ll have to wait quite a while longer for yours to show up.

RELATED: Tesla’s Elon Musk Says Self-Driving Is Hard, Finally

The post Just What Exactly Is Tesla’s Powerwall System? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

SUVs are so popular in today’s market because of the flexibility they offer. Designed to be comfortable and roomy, SUVs are hard to beat when it comes to versatility. Can you get that level of functionality without an SUV? You can, with the VW Golf. The 2021 Volkswagen Golf is an impressive hatchback. It offers a roomy interior, generous cargo space, and a quality build for a truly great value.

The cons of the Volkswagen hatchback

2021 Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen of America, Inc.

The Volkswagen Golf’s quality interior

The cons of the Golf are pretty obvious. It lacks power, has just one trim, and this is the last year of the VW Golf in the American market. While overseas drivers in Europe and other markets will continue to get new and redesigned Golf models, only the sporty Golf GTI will continue to be sold in the USA. However, the many pros of the Volkswagen Golf more than makeup for its disadvantages.

The interior of the 2021 Volkswagen Golf earned it a spot on the U.S. News list of the 12 most comfortable cars of 2021. Its cabin is crafted from quality materials to give it an upscale vibe. Furthermore, it has a lot of passenger space, particularly in the back seat, and a generous amount of cargo space.

The latest Golf seats up to five people, and there are 22.8 cubic feet of space behind the back seat. When you fold that down, you get up to 52.7 cubic feet of space. For a compact car, that’s very impressive. 

The interior features faux leather upholstery with heated front seats that can be manually adjusted. There’s faux leather wrapped around the steering wheel too. In the front, the seats offer great support and are comfortable for longer trips. Meanwhile, the back seats offer good visibility and a great amount of both head and legroom.

Unfortunately, one bad point is the infotainment system, a dinosaur with mediocre graphics on its 6.5-inch touch screen that also produces a lagging response. However, there are plenty of good standard infotainment features through the system, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Drivers also get a sunroof, proximity keyless entry, Bluetooth functionality, a USB port, and a six-speaker audio system.

Furthermore, the Volkswagen Golf has standard active safety features, like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alerts. There’s also a rearview camera and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

2021 Golf vs. Golf GTI

While the Golf sits in the GTI’s shadow, it has a lot to offer. For one, it certainly has a better price and better fuel economy.  You might want to get in on its value now, as this is its final year.

The standard Golf isn’t as well-equipped as its GTI cousin and not as powerful. Sure, it has a spacious back seat and plenty of cargo room, but not a lot of power. Furthermore, it also has a boxier shape that some might find less appealing than some of its peers.

However, if you’re looking for a compact hatch, it’s hard to do better than the 2021 Volkswagen Golf. It’s not the rambunctious GTI, granted. However, with its impressive transmissions, plenty of cargo space, and dexterous handling, the latest Golf is more than worth a look.

RELATED: How Safe Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf?

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