Slate first drive review video - Jay Leno's Garage!

[bloo]

Fine video, nothing too groundbreaking or new to come from it that I observed, perhaps someone else picked up something. Jay and Doug are two of the biggest "car guys" online, so this review will certainly get more eyes on the car. Comments were a mixed bag. The in-car driving portion seemed a bit loud from a road noise perspective, but could be attributed to mic setup, prototype, no music, etc.

Only new bit of info I got about the car truck was the extended battery range has been reduced to 230 miles. I learned more about railroad wristwatches than about the car truck.

Jay rambled and waxed nostalgic. He threw softball questions and obviously did very little research before the interview. But he was happy to tell us about the radioless British car in his garage. We don't care about a 70-year-old car from an extinct manufacturer. We want to learn about the new Slate.

Ask questions, FFS.

 

[cadblu]

About what I expected. What we've learned:

Extended range is now down to 230 miles.

 

[motorolas]

About what I expected. What we've learned:

Extended range is now down to 230 miles.

That stood out to me too. Not something I was expecting to have the extended range go from 240 from the beginning to quoting 230. I don’t take it to be a mistake, but we’ll have to see.

 

[cadblu]

Judging from its driving characteristics, I’m really dreading hitting a pothole. On the bright side, it may help me pass this nagging kidney stone…

 

[E90400K]

About what I expected. What we've learned:

Extended range is now down to 230 miles.

Agree. Exactly what I expected. Jay talking up the made-in-the-USA angle. But, as expected, a prototype with inadequate suspension damping and near nonexistent suspension bushings. And, "I have no gauges in front of me."

What was new to me was (1) DIY warranty repairs, and (2) the app will have the software for showing trouble codes. We'll have to wait for what the extent of DIY warranty repairs actually means; I doubt that means DIY remove and replacement of battery/charging/EV driveline components, but does mean replacing broken mirrors, window mechanisms, etc. Simple stuff.

What is really eye-opening is the Slate App having diagnosis capability. That's great!

 

[thommeigh]

Agree. Exactly what I expected. Jay talking up the made-in-the-USA angle. But, as expected, a prototype with inadequate suspension damping and near nonexistent suspension bushings. And, "I have no gauges in front of me."

What was new to me was (1) DIY warranty repairs, and (2) the app will have the software for showing trouble codes. We'll have to wait for what the extent of DIY warranty repairs actually means; I doubt that means DIY remove and replacement of battery/charging/EV driveline components, but does mean replacing broken mirrors, window mechanisms, etc. Simple stuff.

What is really eye-opening is the Slate App having diagnosis capability. That's great!

Just watched! Thought it was a good video and about what I was expecting. Definitely curious about the DIY warranty repair piece - seems like that could be challenging to implement, and/or costly for Slate. What if I have a problem with my truck, they mail me the components to fix it, but I screw it up? Would they be on the hook to keep sending me new components until I do it properly? I guess we'll see.

 

[E90400K]

Just watched! Thought it was a good video and about what I was expecting. Definitely curious about the DIY warranty repair piece - seems like that could be challenging to implement, and/or costly for Slate. What if I have a problem with my truck, they mail me the components to fix it, but I screw it up? Would they be on the hook to keep sending me new components until I do it properly? I guess we'll see.

Exactly why the rest of the industry doesn't do it. Cost control and customer satisfaction. "Ms. Barman, my truck broke and you want ME to fix it for you?"

 

[E90400K]

I'm still not believing the manual window mechanism is less expensive than electric.

 

[cadblu]

“sorry Tisha, you’re going to have to stay behind…no room…”

Another reason to love this truck. No third wheels allowed!

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

My takeaway was Jay was impressed with the American made price, but not so much with the NVR (noise, vibration, and roughness) but expecting it to improve before production

 

[Orley]

EV newbie here, the battery will be liquid cooled, but the cab will be electrically heated?

 

[fubarbloke]

I'm still not believing the manual window mechanism is less expensive than electric.

Plastic and metal bits that can be pumped out of the factory, rather than electric motors and switches that have to be sourced externally. Manual window cranks are dead simple.

Easy to repair. Chasing down an electrical fault somewhere in the wiring system can cost hundreds – happened to me. To fix a manual crank you just remove the door panel and look to see what's wrong. Done that too.

 

[bloo]

Judging from its driving characteristics, I’m really dreading hitting a pothole. On the bright side, it may help me pass this nagging kidney stone…

I noticed excessive ride noise as well as primitive handling over the speed platforms. Did Slate get the suspension components from the Model T, as well? I hope these traits don't make it into production.

Disappointed adjustable regen braking isn't available. The feature is quite easy to implement.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

EV newbie here, the battery will be liquid cooled, but the cab will be electrically heated?

Yes

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

I found out the app would give us the error code that was interesting I wish my ford did that I swear XD