AWD! Please!

[Mark Falls]

I think it has to be mandatory to have an option for a four-wheel-drive all-wheel-drive for a truck. I think I would be on the fence and would mostly like bail on my reservation without all-wheel-drive and I think there are many others that feel the same.

 

[GaRailroader]

I think it has to be mandatory to have an option for a four-wheel-drive all-wheel-drive for a truck. I think I would be on the fence and would mostly like bail on my reservation without all-wheel-drive and I think there are many others that feel the same.

They have hinted that 4WD will be coming down the road. For initial production it will be RWD.

 

[Letas]

I agree with the statement, but it seems to be a near zero chance we see one at release. This forum has lectured ad nauseam that "this truck (which has never been driven by any of us) will handle great in snow or offroad due to it's balanced weight"- but the fact of the matter is in some states, legal requirements make owning a non 4wd/awd vehicle a downright pain. California, Utah, Colorado, etc. all have chain control laws that heavily punish 2wd cars. It would take some serious convincing for me to but a 2wd car again, in my current state.

 

[Bayfire2441]

I think it has to be mandatory to have an option for a four-wheel-drive all-wheel-drive for a truck. I think I would be on the fence and would mostly like bail on my reservation without all-wheel-drive and I think there are many others that feel the same.

I think its far from mandatory to have some sort of 4wd on a vehicle. Its a nice peice of mind but I haven't once needed to use the 4wd in my SUV. I suppose it depends on what you do with the truck though.

 

[beatle]

Yeah, I'm not aware of too many places that require more than 2wd with chains. Some will let you by with 4wd and snow tires as a substitute, but we're talking a very small part of the population that travels on those roads anyway.

Snow tires and a balanced 2wd vehicle are even more capable than they were before, and an EV's ability to regulate torque a lot faster than an ICE vehicle makes it even more capable.

Nice to have, sure, but not required in all but the most remote mountains. You're more likely to see the road closed to all traffic more than you will see it restricted to 4WD. I think the initial Slate's relatively low stance will put it at more of a disadvantage in these areas than will its lack of a motor on the front axle.

 

[Letas]

Yeah, I'm not aware of too many places that require more than 2wd with chains. Some will let you by with 4wd and snow tires as a substitute, but we're talking a very small part of the population that travels on those roads anyway.

Snow tires and a balanced 2wd vehicle are even more capable than they were before, and an EV's ability to regulate torque a lot faster than an ICE vehicle makes it even more capable.

Nice to have, sure, but not required in all but the most remote mountains. You're more likely to see the road closed to all traffic more than you will see it restricted to 4WD. I think the initial Slate's relatively low stance will put it at more of a disadvantage in these areas than will its lack of a motor on the front axle.

Chaining up is bad for the car, bad for the road and a time suck. Not bad if you do it once a year, but frequent travel in these areas makes it a total drag. I drive i80 through Northern California a dozen+ times a winter. Not to mention the last two years I’ve spent 35+ days skiing.

I’ve done most of it in a FWD sedan. Which is the exact reason I’m not inclined to buy another 2wd car