CTMechE

McLaren F1 keeps the kids separated, so that's a big bonus!

CR subscribers themselves only answer surveys about their own cars each year, identifying detailed problems. The survey is carefully guided to make it as easy and accurate as possible.

CR will extrapolate to new cars when they're of the same generation, that is to say if the 2019 model is largely the same as the 2018 model, or based on how similar it is to other products in the lineup.

For example, the new Subaru Ascent is predicted to be reliable based on Subaru's other products that have good reliability data for the past year, but there is no detailed data on the Ascent because it's brand new. It's still an unknown quantity until they get their first round of owner responses for that specific car in the annual survey.

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The data is most useful if you're buying a car that's in the same generation as last year's model, as the big-ticket items like engine/drivetrain etc don't usually change much so last year's data is very accurate.

Hey Jake - I know the team is testing the Jag I-Pace, and said something like how it was one of the first true competitors to Tesla currently available. I'm curious how you think the MPG-e of the I-Pace compares to a Model S or Model X so far? And more importantly, do you think buyers of the car will care if there's a significant % difference in economy as long as they can get adequate range?

^ This. People enhance what they like and have much greater tolerance for the things they don't. I paraphrase the quote from Pulp Fiction about dogs vs. pigs being filthy animals when I talk about cars that have some soul or character despite massive flaws: "Personality goes a long way."

Hi Jake-

I'm curious as to how challenging it has been to set up a consistent set of test procedures for automated driving systems, given how much variation there is in capabilities at this stage of the game. Is there a lot of infrastructure changes or new hardware youlve had to invest in?

And do you anticipate having to revise them frequently (perhaps every year) due to the pace/evolution of the technology?

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Thanks!