16 ms·

Rolling the semi down a hill calling it “In motion” in a promotional video is what did it for me. Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAToxJ9CGb8 h

by valine 6y ago

Rolling the semi down a hill calling it “In motion” in a promotional video is what did it for me. Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAToxJ9CGb8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAToxJ9CGb8 Nokola’s admission: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/09/nikola-admits-prototype-was-rolling-downhill-in-promotional-video/ https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/09/nikola-admits-prototype...

wlesieutre 6y ago
When they said “Feels like a luxury car with sports performance” I can only assume they meant it like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoeQdse7aLU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoeQdse7aLU
- dylan604 6y ago
  the engines had to be running so that power steering and brakes would work. yet they sound designed this to make it sound like the engines were not running.
  - wlesieutre 6y ago
    You can also see the tach idling at 1000 RPM, but the "rolling down a hill" part is accurate. I wonder if Nikola had their brakes working or not.
  - djbebs 6y ago
    Why would the engine be required for the brakes and steeri g to function? Am i taking crazy pills here?
    - dylan604 6y ago
      Ever tried to turn the steering wheel when the engine is not running? Power steering[0] uses a hydraulic system to make steering the car nearly effortless compared to cars without it. The weight of the car and the rubber of the tires on the ground causes a lot of friction (the actual force moving the car down the road). That friction makes it difficult to just move the wheel. Power steering is one of the many pulleys the engine belt is threaded. Brakes are also hydraulically operated. Ever pump the brakes in your car when the engine isn't running? That gets very difficult as well without the assist of the running engine. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering
      - TylerE 6y ago
        That is true a parking lot speeds, but power steering is a non-factor above about 15 mph. Doubly true in a mid/rear engined supercar with only about 35% of the weight on the front wheels to begin with.
      - mikestew 6y ago
        Slight clarification: the brakes don't work as well because the vacuum booster isn't operating (no running motor to create the vacuum for the boosting). The reason the brakes get more difficult with each pump (when the engine isn't running) is because you're gradually using what little vacuum boost is left, until there just isn't any. And if you'll allow me just a teensy bit more pedantry, you are also turning against the power steering pump when the engine is off. Our '81 VW camper doesn't have power steering, and it isn't as hard to turn as a car with power steering but a non-running engine.

by valine 6y ago

wlesieutre 6y ago

When they said “Feels like a luxury car with sports performance” I can only assume they meant it like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoeQdse7aLU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoeQdse7aLU

dylan604 6y ago
the engines had to be running so that power steering and brakes would work. yet they sound designed this to make it sound like the engines were not running.
- wlesieutre 6y ago
  You can also see the tach idling at 1000 RPM, but the "rolling down a hill" part is accurate. I wonder if Nikola had their brakes working or not.
- djbebs 6y ago
  Why would the engine be required for the brakes and steeri g to function? Am i taking crazy pills here?
  - dylan604 6y ago
    Ever tried to turn the steering wheel when the engine is not running? Power steering[0] uses a hydraulic system to make steering the car nearly effortless compared to cars without it. The weight of the car and the rubber of the tires on the ground causes a lot of friction (the actual force moving the car down the road). That friction makes it difficult to just move the wheel. Power steering is one of the many pulleys the engine belt is threaded. Brakes are also hydraulically operated. Ever pump the brakes in your car when the engine isn't running? That gets very difficult as well without the assist of the running engine. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering
    - TylerE 6y ago
      That is true a parking lot speeds, but power steering is a non-factor above about 15 mph. Doubly true in a mid/rear engined supercar with only about 35% of the weight on the front wheels to begin with.
    - mikestew 6y ago
      Slight clarification: the brakes don't work as well because the vacuum booster isn't operating (no running motor to create the vacuum for the boosting). The reason the brakes get more difficult with each pump (when the engine isn't running) is because you're gradually using what little vacuum boost is left, until there just isn't any. And if you'll allow me just a teensy bit more pedantry, you are also turning against the power steering pump when the engine is off. Our '81 VW camper doesn't have power steering, and it isn't as hard to turn as a car with power steering but a non-running engine.