(also noteworthy - launching at an art-show, not in Dubai, fully embracing LGBTQ-community, all-in on Electric powertrain… it’s a bold move/gamble that, if it can pull it off, will make Jag look like a hero whereas Audi or Benz feel like dinosaurs standing around, waiting for the Astroid to fall and wipe’em out.
Now if they would havesome products to sell upon the back of this wave, instead of waiting for a year or so …
People might not realize it, but the bottom fell out of significant parts of the car market, and brands have shown that they are unsure how to deal with that — only doing luxury cars only gets you so far as there are people able to afford your expensive toys, a lesson that german carmakers are slowly (and painfully) realizing.
The best answer they have to steep chinese E-competition? So far, mostly Taxes, instead of a product.
Interestingly, the japanese seem to be quicker to embrace that fact and search for solutions, though Nissan and Honda together … who’d have thought.
Yet you can buy a base model 2025 nissan versa sedan with a 5 speed manual transmission in the US for around $18k.
I would unironically pick one up if I needed a car.
Although I read you have to drop the whole transmission to replace the slave cylinder and it likes to eat those apparently. At least it’s not the awful CVT!