Confirmed: 4x4 all-wheel drive AWD planned for future Slate version!

[1yeliab_sufur1]

This thread has many users posting strong negative concerns about Slate's lack of 4WD and their disappointment in Slate not offering 4WD. (Some users have even used foul language.) Therefore, I'm bracing myself for the negative feedback I expect will come.

No Slate 4WD? I say "Yay for Slate"! Yes, I am registering my gratitude that Slate does NOT waste time on 4WD design efforts.

The Blank Slate could have been front or rear wheel drive -- I don't care. As long as the Blank Slate does not force me into extras that I do not need or want -- such as, 4 doors, large infotainment console, luxurious interior, AWD, sunroof, hands-free driving, push-button parallel parking, or even a fancy paint job. (And yes, I do understand why Slate is RWD.)

I am an example from a market of frustrated auto buyers seeking that simple light utility vehicle that we can no longer get. (Please note: Many carmakers no longer sell any sedans or coupes in the US -- only SUVs and luxurious 4 door pickups.) I am not alone. I have many friends that have for years wished for a return to simpler vehicles. Slate knows me and my friends. I commend Slate's polite reply telling forum this Slate Forum users that Slate will not meet their 4WD requests nor many of the other design distractions from this Forum.

BTW, I DO live in a climate with long snowy winters. I learned to drive a RWD in slippery conditions. Furthermore, I have no intentions of ever taking my Slate off-roading.

There are 4WD electric SUVs available today. So if you seek an electric 4WD off-road vehicle, your wait is over. Go buy your eJeep today. No lines, no waiting. The dealership down my street has a bunch of them sitting on their lot.

ok bud we just want it as a option not a requirement that’s all and we were thinking of how they could do it

 

[Sparkie]

ok bud we just want it as a option not a requirement that’s all and we were thinking of how they could do it

I understood that.
I think you missed my point (and Slate's point in their reply.)
The effort to design that option is not cheap.
The cost, the engineering time, and manufacturing configurations will add significant delays to the delivery of the first Blank Slate.

 

[Letas]

This thread has many users posting strong negative concerns about Slate's lack of 4WD and their disappointment in Slate not offering 4WD. (Some users have even used foul language.) Therefore, I'm bracing myself for the negative feedback I expect will come.

No Slate 4WD? I say "Yay for Slate"! Yes, I am registering my gratitude that Slate does NOT waste time on 4WD design efforts.

The Blank Slate could have been front or rear wheel drive -- I don't care. As long as the Blank Slate does not force me into extras that I do not need or want -- such as, 4 doors, large infotainment console, luxurious interior, AWD, sunroof, hands-free driving, push-button parallel parking, or even a fancy paint job. (And yes, I do understand why Slate is RWD.)

I am an example from a market of frustrated auto buyers seeking that simple light utility vehicle that we can no longer get. (Please note: Many carmakers no longer sell any sedans or coupes in the US -- only SUVs and luxurious 4 door pickups.) I am not alone. I have many friends that have for years wished for a return to simpler vehicles. Slate knows me and my friends. I commend Slate's polite reply telling forum this Slate Forum users that Slate will not meet their 4WD requests nor many of the other design distractions from this Forum.

BTW, I DO live in a climate with long snowy winters. I learned to drive a RWD in slippery conditions. Furthermore, I have no intentions of ever taking my Slate off-roading.

There are 4WD electric SUVs available today. So if you seek an electric 4WD off-road vehicle, your wait is over. Go buy your eJeep today. No lines, no waiting. The dealership down my street has a bunch of them sitting on their lot.

My personal desire for AWD or 4x4 is purely based on Caltrans requiring chains on 2wd vehicles in winter storms- and enforcing it.

95%+ of consumers dont ever "need" AWD or 4x4, so I get why slate left it out. It does have me feeling left out, though

 

[HiSlate]

Maybe Slate will sell 4x4 as a kit , you can install at home.

 

[Sparkie]

My personal desire for AWD or 4x4 is purely based on Caltrans requiring chains on 2wd vehicles in winter storms- and enforcing it.

95%+ of consumers dont ever "need" AWD or 4x4, so I get why slate left it out. It does have me feeling left out, though

Yup. I completely understand.
I have been on Interstate 80 and Route 60 during snow storms and witnessed it myself when my SF friends and I took trips to go skiing in Sierra Nevada and other resorts.
Furthermore, I have also watch some of those drivers still behave stupidly even with chains or 4WD with M+S tires.

 

[Sparkie]

Maybe Slate will sell 4x4 as a kit , you can install at home.

It's not that easy "kit" to install another motor/axel assembly, modify the power supply, high voltage controller, regenerative braking, and host of other critical monitoring systems....

 

[Letas]

Yup. I completely understand.
I have been on Interstate 80 and Route 60 during snow storms and witnessed it myself when my SF friends and I took trips to go skiing in Sierra Nevada and other resorts.
Furthermore, I have also watch some of those drivers still behave stupidly even with chains or 4WD with M+S tires.

Yep. I want AWD to meet the requirement. If it's so bad that I don't think I can drive, I don't. Hasn't failed me yet, perhaps some day it will.

 

[sodamo]

Not that many years ago, I had a basic, 4 banger, 5 speed Tacoma. After getting stuck over on my cane road, I said, no more without 4wd.
Every truck since has had 4wd. I may have driven over there 3 times since, once to pull out my tractor. I think I can readjust to my rwd only Slate. 😁

 

[cadblu]

Don’t expect an AWD version for at least 3 years. Since the basic Slate is being introduced as a MY2027 that means an AWD Slate in 2030. I think I will be thoroughly disinterested by then.

 

[SlateModGarage]

glad it is not available at launch. The price would be too high

 

[Blackspots76]

In my ignorance I have no clue what that would involve in an EV, but that would be great.

Basically that just means putting a motor up front.

 

[Adam W]

From what I've read, RWD with a heavy ICE engine in the front will handle much differently than RWD with a heavy but evenly distributed battery pack. Most RWD fears are probably outdated.

 

[atx_ev]

Not that many years ago, I had a basic, 4 banger, 5 speed Tacoma. After getting stuck over on my cane road, I said, no more without 4wd.
Every truck since has had 4wd. I may have driven over there 3 times since, once to pull out my tractor. I think I can readjust to my rwd only Slate. 😁

airing down tires can help a lot.

I got stuck in the sand on a beach in my rwd 2000 tundra. It was one of the reasons I sold it. In 15 years of owning it, I really needed my 4wd in my 2010 tundra for only one week during an ice storm in texas.

 

[sodamo]

Basically that just means putting a motor up front.

Can’t imagine it being that simple. but what do I know.

 

[evtruth]

From what I've read, RWD with a heavy ICE engine in the front will handle much differently than RWD with a heavy but evenly distributed battery pack. Most RWD fears are probably outdated.

This is absolutely true. I have not experienced an RWD EV in the snow myself, but I have read countless stories talking about how amazing they are in the snow because of 1) the extra weight helping the tires "cut" through the snow (if they don't put silly rubber band tires on it like so many trucks are) and 2) the evenly distributed weight of the vehicle.