In this week’s Ask Nathan:
- Tesla Pickup Truck?
- Will the Mustang V8 vanish?
- What’s the deal with TFLnow?
This first question comes from a fan who wants to know our take on a future Tesla pickup truck.
Q: Hi. I have a question regarding TESLA.
I heard they are in the process of developing a pickup truck. I know you guys won’t have any information on this. TESLA has always been a company that makes their vehicles all-wheel-drive. How do you see an electric all wheel drive or even a 4WD pickup in the future?
By the way my name is Ash.
A: Hi Ash!
That’s a great question. The idea of a Tesla pickup truck, or any electric pickup truck seemed absurd a few years back. Now, it’s a tantalizing possibility. Think about it, all that torque and all of that (potential) range.
Recently, in ‘Part Duex’ of the Tesla Master Plan, Elon Musk briefly addresses pickup trucks, “Today, Tesla addresses two relatively small segments of premium sedans and SUVs. With the Model 3, a future compact SUV and a new kind of pickup truck, we plan to address most of the consumer market.” – – Elon Musk
Currently, the Tesla Model X is rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs. While TFLtruck has yet to rate its effectiveness as a tow vehicle, a friend from another automotive site towed a trailer with a Tesla Model X from Los Angeles to Flagstaff, Arizona. While its range was significantly reduced, it pulled well.
Tesla will have to build something that has more than competitive hauling and towing capability with real off road potential. All of that is possible, as long as Tesla can keep weight down. That’s what it all boils down to.
Maximum torque is instantly available for electric vehicles. Could you imagine 400 lb-feet of torque heading to one or all of your tires? Being able to modulate maximum power to a wheel that grips while silently pulling yourself over obstacle seems strangely appealing to me.
Yes, I am looking forward to taking an electric vehicle off-road. Yes, I want to try towing and hauling as well. Finally; yes, I hope it’s the Tesla pickup truck and I hope it’s soon.
N
This next question comes from a fan who’s worried that the Ford Mustang V8 may disappear.
Q: Nathan,
I watch all of the TFL Car, Truck & Now videos on YouTube, pretty religiously, and I haven’t seen this question yet.
I realize you guys don’t have a crystal ball, but with the advent of the Ecoboost Ford GT and the Ecoboost Raptor, do you (or any of the other TFL staff) think that the upcoming S650 Mustang will see the Coyote V8 on the chopping block? Is the S550 the last of the V8 Mustangs?
Josh
A: Hi Josh!
Man I hope not. You’re right, the V6 EcoBoost has all the makings of a V8 killer. We shot a drag race between the V8 and EcoBoost V6 Ford Raptors (below) and it wasn’t even a contest. The EcoBoost engine is hard to beat.
With that being said, there is something visceral to the sound and feel of a V8. Also, consider the fact that Ford is currently updating the Coyote V8 for future truck use and it looks like Ford has need of the V8 – at least in the immediate future.
There is a huge demand for powerful, reliable and efficient V8s, more so than ever before. As long as there’s enough demand, Ford (along with other automakers) will keep building V8s. Perhaps, one day, we’ll see an EcoBoost V8? That would be awesome.
Will the Mustang V8 vanish? Yes, I think it’s inevitable, but I think it’s a long way off.
I hope it’s a long way off.
N
TFLnow is (now) streaming events live! The last series of (abbreviated) questions were collected over the past few months regarding our new YouTube channel, TFLnow.
Q: What’s the deal with the TFLnow channel? Is it just for “Ask Nathan” or is there more to it?
Why do you show reviews on TFLnow which has 20,000 subscribers when you have over a half a million on your other channel?
Is TFLnow going to become something else? Like a TFL motorcycle channel or something?
Will TFLnow take over for TFLclassics?
A: Howdy!
We opened TFLnow about a year ago anticipating YouTube would have the ability to go live like Facebook’s live-streaming feature. Earlier, YouTube’s original live feature was too complicated for us to use regularly, but that’s changed. In fact, that changed the first week of February.
YouTube requires over 10,000 subscribers on a channel before they are permitted to use the new “live” feature. Not knowing their limit in advance, we began programming on TFLnow to populate the channel with subscribers and regular content.
While we now have several episodes of, “Ask Nathan” and a bunch of automotive reviews, the main purpose of the TFLnow channel is to be our sole “live-streaming” channel. Whenever we have an opportunity to show good content live (like unveilings, press events and special events) we’ll broadcast from the spot.
We may even have a daily or weekly live broadcast that could happen at the same time so you can have a direct conversation with team TFL with plenty of warning. Speaking of “warning” you about live broadcasts, we will try to tweet before each live post – time permitting.
No, we’re not looking at creating a TFLmotorcycle channel… yet.
N
Here’s the latest video episode of “Ask Nathan!”
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that,as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.
Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com.
