AD #2860 – Tesla Model Y Quality Issues; Subaru Legacy Sport Impressions; BMW Updates the M5 Sedan

This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.

GM ASKS FOR MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR GEORGE FLOYD
Yesterday we reported that General Motors is taking action against racism and promoting inclusion. It already committed spending $10 million with organizations that promote inclusion and fight injustice. Now GM president Mark Reuss is asking the company’s employees in its global operations to observe a moment of silence this Friday for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. As you probably know, that’s the amount of time a police officer in Minneapolis kneeled on the neck of George Floyd, killing the African American and touching off protests around the country and around the world. In GM’s U.S. operations first shift employees will start the moment of silence at 8:46 am, while second shift workers will do it at 8:46 pm.

TESLA MODEL Y QUALITY ISSUES
We keep hearing about lots of quality problems with the new Tesla Model Y. Numerous media reports cite issues with poorly fitting panels, missing paint, misaligned rear seats and other issues. The Model Y shares so many parts and components with the Model 3 that this is an alarming development. This shouldn’t be happening. And it shows there are probably fundamental quality problems with Tesla’s stamping shop, its body shop, its paint shop as well as in final assembly. Some of the quality issues are so glaring it’s obvious that they were not missed by quality inspectors, they were shipped out of the plant despite the defects. And that shows Tesla is adopting the worst practices of the old Detroit: just ship the cars and let the customers deal with it. Tesla is in a rush to make up for lost production due to the Covid-19 lockdowns. And it’s desperate to post good earnings for the second quarter which ends in two weeks, so it’s just pushing cars out the door no matter what kinds of problems they have. Our advice to Tesla is don’t do it. Good reputations can take years to build, but they can be destroyed by bad quality in just a matter of months.

HOW AUDI IMPROVED THE e-tron’s AERODYNAMICS
The driving range of an electric vehicle is very important and one way to boost it, is to make it as aerodynamic as possible. So Audi developed a new patented solution for the e-tron S Sportback, which allows it to achieve an impressive drag coefficient of 0.26. The side air inlets at the front, guides air over the wheels and the sides of the vehicle. Narrow horizontal struts in the wheel arches regulate air through the openings and reduce swirling at the wheels. The wheel arches of the Sportback version are 23 millimeters wider than the regular e-tron which helps it achieve the low coefficient of drag. Its aero is also improved by the use of digital outer mirrors, which use cameras, that are smaller and sleeker than normal mirrors.

VW PAYING EXTRA TO TAKE FULL CONTROL OF AUDI
And speaking of Audi, Volkswagen wants to take full control of its luxury brand. VW currently controls 99.64% of Audi but it wants 100%. So it’s spending nearly $270 million to buy out the rest of those shareholders. As of yesterday, Audi shares were worth a little over 1,000 euros apiece but VW will pay 1,500 euros, a nearly 50% premium, just to make sure it gets them.

2020 SUBARU LEGACY SPORT IMPRESSIONS
We just had a 2020 Subaru Legacy Sport roll through the Autoline Garage. On the outside the Sport version differs from the regular Legacy with some trim items: a different rear bumper, a trunk lid spoiler, black side mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. Same on the inside. The difference is just in the trim: a leather wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and red stitching all around. Of course, being a Sport model it offers a Sport driving mode. But even though it’s a sport model, it doesn’t get Subaru’s more powerful turbocharged 2.4L engine. Instead it gets the naturally aspirated version 2.5L. It does have enough get up and go when you need it, though it can be a bit buzzy at lower speeds. But the fuel economy is pretty good, coming in at 30 MPG combined. Not bad for an all-wheel drive vehicle of this size. The Legacy is built on a new, stiffer platform, which not only provides better steering and handling, it’s also quieter on the inside. Speaking of the interior, it comes standard with a new 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A welcome upgrade compared to Subaru’s previous system which is a bit outdated. The Legacy Sport starts at about $28,000 including destination charges. The model we drove had $2,200 in options, which added a moonroof, Blind Spot Detection, navigation system and Reverse Automatic Braking. Overall, the Legacy Sport is a nice vehicle but nothing really stands out about it. And don’t be fooled into thinking this is a performance version of the Legacy. It’s really sporty in name only.

LAMBORGHINI URUS GETS FIRST CUSTOM OPTIONS
Since Lamborghini launched the Urus, it’s sold 8,300 of the SUVs and hopes to attract even more customers with enhanced standard equipment, new colors and a new trim package. What they call the Pearl Capsule edition is the first customization option for the Urus and comes in three colors; green, orange or yellow. Those bright colors are contrasted by a gloss black roof, rear diffuser, spoiler lip, massive 23-inch wheels as well as exhaust tips finished in a matte grey. The interior features body-color accents on the seats, doors, dashboard, cup holders and floor mats. There’s also a number of carbon fiber and black aluminum details. Other improvements not exclusive to the Pearl Capsule edition include more standard and special paint colors, new key design and an updated Park Assist package. The 2021 Urus is available right now around the world and carries a starting price of $218,000 in the U.S., not including destination charges.

UPDATED BMW M5 SEDAN
Speaking of updates for 2021, here’s the new BMW M5 sedan. The twin kidney grille is larger and the redesigned front and rear bumpers look more aggressive than other models. And like the Lambo, black accents all over the car contrast the new red and grey paint colors. Interior improvements are highlighted by a larger 12.3-inch display screen, cloud-based navigation and a new Track mode for M5 Competition models. But the upgrades are more than cosmetic. New shock absorbers are fitted to the car, and the suspension control system is fully recalibrated. The M5 is still powered by a 600 horsepower 4.4L twin-turbo V8 mated to all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic. It will do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. Global market launch is scheduled for August and price starts at over $104,000 including destination charges.

HOW SILICON CARBIDE CHIPS CAN IMPROVE EV RANGE
Most automakers use silicon-based chips for power electronics in their electric vehicles, but Vitesco Technologies, which is part of the giant German supplier Continental, developed silicon carbide chips that are even more efficient. Here Vitesco’s Head of Electrification Technology shares some of the benefits of switching from silicon to silicon carbide.

Beyza Sarioglu, Head of Electrification Technology, Vitesco Technologies
“So, when we use silicon carbide chips in our inverter design we can reduce the conduction losses as well as the switching losses. This is one benefit and this enables us to create a more efficient design. So, we’re essentially using less power from the battery – electrical power – and then our e-Drive system is converting that electrical power to mechanical power, which drives the wheels. The less power we draw from the battery to run our system, the better it is for the electric vehicle because then we could actually use that electrical energy in the battery for an extended range for the electric vehicle. So, (that’s the) added benefit. And, you know, in an e-Drive system the inverter and the motor they kind of need to work together in a perfect harmony. So, sometimes what’s good for the inverter is not necessarily good for the motor and visa versa. So, we have to find this really balanced optimum point so that the system itself is working in a very efficient mode. Silicon carbide enables us to use much higher switching frequencies, which then makes our motor more efficient. It eliminates the harmonic losses in the motor.”

That entire interview is available on our YouTube channel if you’d like to learn more about silicon carbide chips and Vitesco Technologies.

MERCEDES-AMG DEVELOPS NEW ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED TURBO
Mercedes-AMG is continuing its push into electrification, but in this case we’re talking about an electric turbocharger. Mercedes-AMG worked with the supplier Garrett Motion, to develop it. Influenced by its Formula 1 technology, a small 48-volt electric motor, only 4 centimeters wide, sits between the exhaust and fresh air side of the housing. The motor allows the turbine to spool up before it ever comes in contact with exhaust gases. Mercedes-AMG says this reduces turbo lag and improves vehicle response from a standstill and across the entire engine range. Off the line acceleration is better because the electric turbo generates higher torque at lower engine speeds. The new turbo will replace the conventional units currently used on AMG’s 2.0L 4-cylinder and 4.0L V8 engines.

Don’t forget to join us for Autoline After Hours tomorrow when our guest will be the auto analyst Jeff Schuster from LMC Automotive. Join me and Gary Vasilash for some of the best insights into the automotive industry.

And that wraps up today’s report, thanks for watching.