Thread: EV general discussion

Originally Posted by BradC

Yep, but the ugh-mericans will love it.



I was over at the folks on the weekend and Dad mentioned this. My brother was there (he owns a Prado, as do all his mates - but they call them a 'cruiser') also. Dad has a 200 series. They both pointed out the maintenance cost on the D3 compared to theirs and the latest RACQ blurb.

My brother's "cruiser" now looks like a dragster because he had a "GVM upgrade" done, and it's 100mm higher in the back than it was, and 25mm higher in the front. The suspension guy suggested he put 300kg in the boot while he's not towing to level it out but it will still give a rougher ride. My old man spent >$2k on an electronics package upgrade plus more crap on his 200.

I asked them what annoyed them about their cars (aside from the engine noise, wind noise and tractor'ish ride) and they both trotted out a list. I pointed out :

• I don't need the "GVM upgrade"
• My headlights don't need aligning every time I put the van on the back
• I don't need to fart around with the jockey wheel on the van because the suspension does it for me
• I have an order of magnitude less wind and engine noise
• They both routinely comment they love my car because it's quiet and comfortable
• It has rear seats that comfortably seat 2 adults
• Plenty of luggage room
• I don't need to swing my spare out to open the tailgate
• I can fit in any underground carpark
• I don't and didn't have to fit bright yellow aftermarket "recovery points" to the chassis
• It doesn't have hemorrhoids hanging off the back bumper because when I'm not towing the tow bar takes 10 seconds to remove
• It does cost me more to maintain, but that's because I do all the preventative maintenance stuff up-front
• I haven't needed to be snatch recovered on the beach because it drives nicely in sand even with road tyres
• Nothing annoys me. I can have a conversation with the wife and kids with the van on the back going up hill with it pegged in 3rd gear.

That sorted that.

To at least nod to the topic, When they bring out a comparable EV with a range of > 600KM fully loaded, in 42 degree heat with a van on the back I might consider it.

I’d also like to see them punch a 200 series past a B double to overtake it and come out the other side at 160…

Originally Posted by Homestar

I’d also like to see them punch a 200 series past a B double to overtake it and come out the other side at 160…

I dunno, dads 200 goes like **** off a shovel. Admittedly I've never pushed 160, but it doesn't seem to stop pulling when I put the boot in at 110. Even though it's an elephant of a car, it's not a little motor with a little turbo in there.

For me, If the B double is going that quick that I have to work to overtake it, I'll happily sit behind and get the tow.

Originally Posted by BradC

I dunno, dads 200 goes like **** off a shovel.

If its the updated model,have you tried it with the "PWR" button pushed?

Dunno how they go against the 3.0L D4,the 200 is quite a bit heavier,but against our old D4 2.7 which was "tuned",the 200 left it in its dust,no hope keeping up with it.

Originally Posted by scarry

If its the updated model,have you tried it with the "PWR" button pushed?

Dunno how they go against the 3.0L D4,the 200 is quite a bit heavier,but against our old D4 2.7 which was "tuned",the 200 left it in its dust,no hope keeping up with it.

Something not quite right there.

My 2.7 can easily outdo a 200 on a traffic light sprint.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Something not quite right there.

My 2.7 can easily outdo a 200 on a traffic light sprint.

I'm with Tombie on this, 200 series are not bad IMMEDIATELY off the line, but then get lost in mediocrity.

Also 200 series quite a bit heavier? Ummmm.......

Yeah, I've driven multiples of both and the D4's I've driven would all outdo any 200 series I've been in or driven. Also, a 200 series at 140 doesn't feel nearly as planted on the road or as solid as a D4 at 160 (Done on a test track under controlled conditions obviously... )

Originally Posted by Tombie

Something not quite right there.

My 2.7 can easily outdo a 200 on a traffic light sprint.

Yours must have more go fast parts than mine did.

I recon the 3.0L would absolutely smoke it.

As for the published weights of the two,LR are not far away,but the other brand seems to be very optimistic,as many have found out.

Base spec 3.0 makes less torque than mine and easily does the LC200.