Will.i.am does some heinous things with Mercedes-Benz styling, Lucid Motors isn’t having a great time, Ferrari lines up V12 fury for the whole family. All this and more on today’s issue of The Morning Dump.
Welcome to The Morning Dump, bite-sized stories corralled into a single article for your morning perusal. If your morning coffee’s working a little too well, pull up a throne and have a gander at the best of the rest of yesterday.
Will.i.am Continues His Streak Of Bizarre And Ugly Custom Cars
It almost feels like Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am went to the Mercedes-Benz design studio and crashed the clay model of the AMG GT four-door into the clay model of the G-Wagen to create the styling for a new one-off. Honestly, who’d have expected anything else? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of bad taste when it’s executed well. Yellow leather in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, mint green paint on an Alpina B7 and Lambo doors on an S13 Nissan 240SX are all good in my books. However, the WILL.I.AMG (yes, seriously) is bad taste with bad execution. It’s like nobody took a step back and realized that none of these lines work together. I know that will.i.am isn’t a designer, but come on now.
Strong rectangular fenders and a rectangular upper front fascia are cool, but they really don’t work with the PT Cruiser-esque domed hood, the curvy lower fascia inspired by the E 63, or the entire silhouette aft of the cowl. Speaking of things aft of the cowl, it’s painfully obvious that this thing is just a hack-and-slash AMG GT four-door, except now with two doors with open to the rear in true will.i.am fashion. Honestly, this car’s so hideous that the special bear-inspired three-pointed star that will.i.am calls “BEAR WITNESS” (yes, really) almost seems classy. Almost.
There is some good news though. According to a press release issued by Mercedes, all activities surrounding the WILL.I.AMG including a BEAR WITNESS merch line will partially benefit will.i.am’s i.am.angel foundation that offers STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) scholarships and opportunities to students from disadvantaged communities. Honestly, that’s a pretty noble cause. Honestly, between the very charitable cause and his bizarre feature on Eazy-E’s Christmas song, I don’t have beef with will.i.am. The ugly custom cars are definitely not to everyone’s taste, but will.i.am said on Season 18, Episode 1 of Top Gear that his first car was a Fiero, so questionable restyling is almost expected. Let’s hope his next creation is more Jalapeno and less Fierri.
[Editor’s note: I don’t hate that G-Wagon face on a sports car body… -DT]
Lucid Motors And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Quarter
While making cars is hard, Lucid Motors seemed to be in fairly good shape for the job. They have an experienced team, they already have EV powertrain manufacturing experience through their Atieva Formula E division, and they’ve always had a philosophy of doing things first and announcing them after. Unfortunately, it seems as if the American luxury EV maker is having a really rough go at things.
According to Automotive News, Lucid Motors delivered just 360 EVs in the first quarter of 2022 and saw an operating loss of $598 million dollars. Now I’m definitely not a financial professional, but this seems bad. Fortunately, there does seem to be some good news among the gloom. Despite only managing 360 deliveries, Lucid produced 700 cars in the first quarter and early second quarter news is hopeful with 300 cars delivered in April. While this steady ramp-up should help boost sales through the end of the year, not all is set in stone.
See, in the same Automotive News report, Lucid cites supply chain difficulties all the way down to components as basic as carpets as the reason why production is slow. With general parts in short supply across the automotive industry, prices for certain components are rising. Anyone with a twin-turbocharged N54 inline-six-equipped BMW has watched pricing for a set of Index 12 fuel injectors shoot through the roof. To claw their way back against shortages and operating losses, Lucid issued a press release announcing some price hikes that start in June for new orders of their Air luxury sedan. Pricing for the Grand Touring trim rises to $154,000 from $139,000, the Touring sees a price hike from $95,000 to $107,400, and the base Pure trim sees a rise from $77,400 to $87,400.
Honestly, with Polestar announcing price hikes yesterday and Rivian’s ill-planned price hikes earlier this year, it just felt like a matter of time before Lucid raised its prices. Mind you, even if you do place an order before next month, it’s not like you’ll see a finished car soon. With a backlog of 30,000 cars and a 2022 production forecast of 12,000 to 14,000 units, ramping up production is going to take time.
There’s A Chance That Ferrari’s SUV Might Be Really Good
When Ferrari announced that it would be making an SUV called the Purosangue (that’s Italian for thoroughbred), it felt like the end of times. Did expensive shirt sales get to the Italian brand’s head? Quite possibly. Would Enzo spin quickly enough in his grave to power Modena for an entire century? Almost certainly. However, as this super SUV edges closer to production, more and more tidbits are dropping to suggest that it might actually be good.
Automotive News Europe is reporting that the Purosangue won’t initially feature a plebeian V8 or a Polar Bear-friendly plug-in hybrid powertrain. Instead, it’s getting a full-fat V12, joining a very exclusive club of mass-produced SUVs with more than ten cylinders. There’s the Lamborghini LM002, the Volkswagen Touareg W12, the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, the Mercedes-Benz G 65 AMG, the Bentley Bentayga W12, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and that’s about it. More importantly, only the LM002 has a V12 anything like what could be in the Purosangue. While there’s still a remote chance that Ferrari’s SUV will get a bespoke V12, the Italian marque’s only current V12 is the F140, a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated unit that produces 829 horsepower at 9,250 RPM in top current road-car spec. Ooh yep, that would do the trick. What can I say? More cylinders is still more cool.
Mercedes-Benz Opens The Taps On Level 3 Autonomy In Europe
As of May 17, European Mercedes-Benz customers will be able to option Level 3 autonomy on the S-Class executive sedan and EQS electric luxury Dodge Intrepid. Honestly, I feel like everyone hates traffic, and the rich and powerful just gained a way of easing the stress of commuting without having to pony up for an Uber helicopter, Lyft autogyro or Bird jetpack. I may have made those last two up. Still, although Level 3 autonomy, dubbed Drive Pilot by Mercedes-Benz, will be cheaper than air travel, it still won’t be as cheap as chips.
While German pricing normally includes a Value Added Tax, Mercedes issued a press release citing pricing for Drive Pilot without VAT. On the S-Class, Drive Pilot will run a European customer 5,000 Euros, or around $5,282.85 at the time of writing. If you want your Level 3 autonomy on a vehicle that doesn’t produce tailpipe emissions and has more screens than a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise, you’ll have to pony up an eye-watering 7,430 Euros to get Drive Pilot on the EQS. That works out to $7,850.32 at the time of writing, a nutty sum that still manages to undercut Tesla’s absurdly-priced $12,000 Level 2 FSD Beta option. While Level 3 autonomy sounds neat on the surface, I’m not entirely sure it’s worth it.
Editor Jason Torchinsky and I generally agree that Level 3 autonomy is confusing garbage as you still have to be alert to pick up hand-off requests. Don’t pay attention until you have to is such a dangerous approach that I’m honestly not sure if Level 3 is any safer than a good Level 2 system. Plus, newer Level 2 systems are so good in stop-and-go traffic that since you’d need to monitor your environment to stay safe anyway, you may as well just save some cash. Regardless, Mercedes’ Drive Pilot is a notable advancement in autonomous tech because Mercedes-Benz assumes legal responsibility so long as the system is active. Expect to see Drive Pilot approved for use in California and Nevada by the end of this year.
The Flush
Whelp, time to drop the lid on this edition of The Morning Dump. Happy Friday everyone, we made it! You know, this upcoming Ferrari SUV begs a very good question. If you were given an unlimited budget and had to buy a new or used SUV, what would you add to your stable? I’ll admit, SUVs generally aren’t my cup of tea. Living in a major city, smaller cars have huge perks from easy maneuvering around underground parking facilities to generally brilliant visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. If I must have an SUV, it should be very pleasant to drive, able to tow my 3-Series and have a locking differential on at least one axle for when a set of Nokian Hakkaliittas or Bridgestone Blizzaks simply aren’t enough for Snowmageddon. With that in mind, I’d probably pick up an old Cayenne Turbo with the locking rear diff and the tow bar. It may be thirsty, but it’s quite pleasant to drive, not excessively huge, properly capable, and surprisingly reliable once the coolant pipes and center support bearing are sorted. I’d love to hear what SUV you’d pick up on an unlimited budget, be it as ridiculous as a G-Class 4×4 Squared or as lovely as an immaculate K5 Blazer.
Lead photo credit: Mercedes-AMG
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All I can think of with that Will.I.Am car is the one Homer Simpson designed. I’m not sure which one is uglier.
The obvious answer for me is that I would have my 80 series completely rebuilt, stem to stern. Maybe an engine swap, but honestly the slow is all part of the charm. My ideal build would be lightweight overland. 2-3 inch dual-rate springs, extended length remote res bypass shocks with hydrostops. 35’s on 16’s. Minimalist bumpers front and rear. Interior would get a full sound package for noise and heat. so on and so forth.
For my SUV, I’ll take a Willys Rural – a Brazilian version of the Jeep SUV of the fifties. It was built like a tank, and had a country specific weird styling that I can’t help but love.
As for the AMG teleport accident, I’ll say this: I LIKE IT! Sure, it is weird and janky, but I’m old enough to own up to the guilty pleasures that I enjoy – and I like that face in that coupe! Looks like the stillborn VW SP3 🙂
This is the Rural, for those curious about it: https://petrolicious.com/articles/this-willys-rural-is-the-perfect-family-jeep
My ultimate cost no object SUV? Send a 1965 or thereabouts Dodge D200 Crew Cab to Icon (see https://www.icon4x4.com/reformer/pastprojects/18 ) but with one critical twist: coachbuild it into a 3-row Suburban killer.
I think ’78 was the only fullsize Bronco with round headlights. Before that was the first generation, but everyone and their mother has realized how cool they are, so they’re in the stratosphere now.
I went back and forth on a base Bronco or a Black Diamond with the MGV seats and rubber floors. Only thing is, they paint the steelies black on that trim. It would be lucky if I found a dealer who would swap the silver steelies onto a Black Diamond 2d 7MT. I don’t see why they wouldn’t, if they had both and each vehicle kept its original tires.
Not sure why this reposted here! I opened up the comment window to mention something about a mid 60s Dodge Town Wagon. Google 1965 Dodge Power Wagon Town Wagon.
Again, not sure why it reposted my response to another commenter before I realized what was going on.
Can we get one of the captive design guys to take a swing at that Will.I.am thing? A nice long article with detail and lines drawn on things?
Cannot believe this has not been mentioned yet:
Late obs (dash refresh) HD suburban. Preferably manual LS swapped but even v8 auto ones last way longer than they should. Evidence: my step father has had 3 go over 750k.
That feels like a weird take to me as I am a Ford obs guy but I feel like a obs bronco just doesn’t cut it as a SUV for most qualifications.
Sound like someone needs a Centurion Bronco.
Dream SUV? New – probably the Aston Martin DBX 707. Vintage – a restomodded FJ60.
If they were real I’d love to have a Canyonero! Who wouldn’t want a truck that smells like steak and seats 35?
Restricting myself to real vehicles, if money were no object I think I’d buy some of the BMW-era Range Rovers. My thought is that if I had enough of them (and enough dough), hopefully at least one would be working at any give time. Always loved the idea of those L322’s and the way they look, but never brave enough to face the repair bills and time in the shop.
You beat me to it with the Canyonero.
The teddy bear Mercedes logo in the grill is amazing. Want one for my W123.
Easily the best part of that thing.
New SUV: 2-door Bronco. Not sure of what level of trim I’d like
Old SUV: 2-door Bronco, something in the 70s era with round headlights (so pre-1979), mechanical issues are acceptable, electrical and rust are not acceptable. Just give me some extra funds to build it how I want.
I think ’78 was the only fullsize Bronco with round headlights. Before that was the first generation, but everyone and their mother has realized how cool they are, so they’re in the stratosphere now.
I went back and forth on a base Bronco or a Black Diamond with the MGV seats and rubber floors. Only thing is, they paint the steelies black on that trim. It would be lucky if I found a dealer who would swap the silver steelies onto a Black Diamond 2d 7MT. I don’t see why they wouldn’t, if they had both and each vehicle kept its original tires.
[Editor’s note: I don’t hate that G-Wagon face on a sports car body… -DT]
Know what? Same. Has a kind of Jensen FF look to it that does something for me.
Overall there’s a bit like if you took a Jensen, 80s Audi Quattro, and Maserati Biturbo and mixed them up, then tried to badly update them.
Good-bad taste with bad execution is correct, for sure.
For my SUv, if I must, I would go for the ( yet to be announced) Brabus Unimog.
A new Suzuki Jimny (damn you 25-year rule!). With a manual for row-your-own fun. It’s cute as hell, and can handle jumping curbs and the odd snowday without difficulty. Has a back “seat” for the kids. It would be strictly for city driving, so a short length for parallel parking is a plus, and I wouldn’t care how it feels on the highway or how it does on high-speed collisions.
Unlimited budget? I’m going to Wagonmaster for a perfectly restored Grand Wagoneer in Spinnaker Blue.
I know I’m in the minority here… but I like the Will.I.AMG…
The design isn’t as cohesive as that one-off Ferrari Jalopnic was hating on the other day (I also like that), and I’m not a fan of the wheels, but it still looks “cool” and it’s certainly less “out-there” than some of his previous cars.
From his existing garage, it’s obvious he likes taking older designs elements and mashing them into newer ones, especially where it doesn’t make sense. I think that’s exactly what this is. It may not be a cohesive design in and of itself, but I think it’s a pretty natural evolution of his normal “vision” for a I.AM.AUTOmobile, and a great art piece in a similar way to that banana taped to a wall was.
Maybe I’m giving him too much credit here, but in my head it makes sense as an art piece, and I like it.
You are not alone friend – I like that weird face as well!
I like the fenders, headlights and grill, what’s below should have been left behind. Maybe some foglamps, but not that.
Yes, that is a good point. There are many things wrong with the car, but overall I think it works, even if by accident. Like a broken clock that gets it right if you look at it at the right time 🙂
I like everything about the will.i.AMG except the greenhouse, which is the only part that can’t easily be redesigned by a third party stylist like Will.i.am.
If the concept wasn’t limited by hard lines that can’t be changed, I think the whole design would be much coherent, and therefore more interesting and even more appealing.
That said, the limits imposed do prevent me from actually wanting it.
We really don’t have to acknowledge Bill-he-is’ Mercedes. But if we must, we should at least be grateful that it’s benefiting a STEAM foundation. And hopefully it will bring some good.
As for the Ferrari SUV, it’s just going to prove that crossovers are hatchbacks and wagons with better marketing. Leaks and teasers make it look like a four door Ferrari FF.
“Bill-he-is”
This made me literally laugh out loud.
I’d tell Mr. I.Am to not quit his day job but I don’t think he’s much good at that either.
Not sure about you but I’m willing to bet Mr. I.Am made more at his day job in the past year than I’ll make in my entire life. He must be doing something right.
From what I’ve seen the Ferrari SUV is by far the best looking and least SUV-ish of all the supercar manufacturer’s attempts. Glad they’re doing it right and not just selling another Tiguan
The will i am car looks like a Mustang and a Charger had an ugly baby and then tried to cover it up with weird decorations.
Also I am not fluent in Italian but I can recognize Latin word parts when I see them. “Purosangue” sure looks like it should be translated as “pure-blooded” rather than “thoroughbred”. Do people translate it as the latter to avoid implications of eugenics or something? They’re talking about a car so that seems a bit much.
I would guess it’s because the terms thoroughbred and purosangue are used for horse breeding in the respective language, but I definitely had the same thought when I read it.
Ok, that makes sense if it’s a technical term not to make a direct translation when there’s an equivalent in the second language. Thanks. I thought Ferrari might have been worried about people on Twitter calling them Nazis over the name. Which seems laughable but also not impossible.
MB just fell for the Sunk cost fallacy. Even though they spent money on a partnership with Will.I.Am, they never should have released this to the public. Should have been destroyed by fire when it was just a digital rendering, but to release this hideous monstrosity to the world just makes me question everyone involved in the process at MB.
New SUV: Bronco base 7MT 2D in Cactus Grey.
Will.i.am is as terrible at cars as he is at music. Hate to be hateful, lol, but I hated the black eye peas, their music rubbed me like a wire-wheel attachment on an industrial power tool.
HOWEVER, I actually do see some potential in this coupe. For one, it really is a coupe. It’s not a 4 door coupe or an SUV coupe or anything else pretending to be a coupe. It’s a fuckin’ coupe. And, it’s not just a coupe, it’s a Personal Luxury Coupe. It doesn’t get much more personal than this. Sure it has the front end of a ’73 Monte Carlo, but that’s okay. Like I said, it has potential. I think it can be fixed. It’s not a lost cause, but the body shell, and even those round headlights with the blocky front end can stay, it just needs a different take on it. I think there’s some value here.
Yeah, I’m trying not to like this, but it really is intriguing to me. I can’t even say why. It just is.
Exactly! The concept is there, it just needed someone with actual talent to see it through.
I mostly like it. It is much better than the DeLorean monstrosity he “created”. Not sure why MB would let him near anything but this is fine.
Things that people spend that much money on SHOULD look terrible and be worthy of ridicule. Might shame them into not wasting so much money next time.
Any SUV, new or used, huh? First choice: 1979 Monteverdi Safari, the one with the Chrysler 440 in it. Or, as a more practical option: any WD21 Nissan Pathfinder, as long as it’s a manual.
You know, just yesterday I spotted an immaculate 60-series Land Cruiser. That’s a good looking SUV. Screw it, I’ll go with that one for the SUV I’d pick. What the hell.
His designs tend to, somehow, make something from Mansory look appealing by comparison.
“EQS electric luxury Dodge Intrepid” is an inspired phrase.
I was wondering when those were coming to market, since MB dumped Chrysler over a decade ago.