The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime: A Stylish Step Forward in Plug-In Hybrid Design
For more than two decades, the Toyota Prius has symbolized efficiency, innovation, and environmental consciousness. With the launch of the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime — the fifth-generation evolution of the world’s most recognizable hybrid — Toyota has not only embraced its roots but also redefined what a Prius can be. The result? A vehicle that […]
Lexus RZ 450e Teardown and Engineering Review
As Lexus enters the fully electric space with its first dedicated battery-electric vehicle (BEV) built on the e-TNGA platform, the team at Munro offers an in-depth teardown and engineering analysis of the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e. This comprehensive review highlights what sets the RZ apart from its platform siblings—the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra—and reveals […]
Ford BlueCruise Hands-Free Update: A Road-Tested Improvement
Ford’s BlueCruise driver assistance technology has come a long way. And based on a recent real-world review in the Mustang Mach-E GT, the latest version delivers an experience that rivals the best in the industry. While it may not yet be on par with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta, BlueCruise has firmly established itself as one […]
Lexus RZ 450e Interior Review: Where Elegance Meets Electrification
When it comes to crafting a truly luxurious electric SUV, Lexus has taken a bold step with the RZ 450e. This interior review dives into how the vehicle delivers tactile luxury and thoughtful design, despite its relatively modest range. Based on the ETNGA platform shared with the Toyota BZ4X, the Lexus RZ 450e elevates the […]
ABB Formula E Charger Powers Portland E-Prix with Lean Mobile Design
Electric vehicle technology is advancing at breakneck speed. And the supporting infrastructure must keep pace. Nowhere is this more visible than in the ABB Formula E Championship, an all-electric motorsport where innovation drives every lap. At the recent Portland E-Prix, ABB revealed its latest engineering achievement: a mobile charging unit built to meet the intense […]
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Center Console Teardown: Complexity vs. Common Sense
When Munro & Associates disassembled the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s center console, they expected a straightforward teardown job. What they found instead was a cautionary tale in overengineering. Led by Senior Consulting Engineer Tyler Schlink, with commentary from CEO Sandy Munro, the teardown uncovered a staggering number of components, design inefficiencies, and violations of lean manufacturing […]
Hummer EV Front Motor Teardown: Torque, Tech & Tradeoffs
In this detailed teardown from the team at Munro, we explore the front electric drive module (EDM) of the GMC Hummer EV—a 9,000+ pound off-road behemoth of a motor engineered for power and durability. This walkthrough highlights design choices made to handle immense torque, shock loading, and thermal management, with expert commentary on gear sizing, […]
Cybertruck Underbody Analysis Reveals Rugged Innovation
Tesla’s Cybertruck is one of the most polarizing electric vehicles in production. And its brutalist exterior is only part of the story. Underneath the angular stainless steel skin lies a uniquely engineered underbody that blends innovation, efficiency, and crash safety. The team at Munro explore a high-resolution image clipped from Tesla’s April Fool’s Day video—a […]
Zeta Energy’s Lithium-Sulfur Breakthrough: A Game-Changer for EV Batteries
The latest Munro interview introduces a potentially revolutionary energy storage solution from Zeta Energy: a lithium-sulfur battery system engineered for safety, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. As electric vehicles (EVs) gain market traction, battery performance, availability of raw materials, and environmental impact are key engineering challenges. Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulfur battery breakthrough offers compelling answers across all three […]
Tesla Investor Day: Sandy & The Team’s Big Takeaways
Tesla’s Investor Day remains one of the most anticipated events in the automotive world. This year, Sandy Munro and the team at Munro & Associates had the rare opportunity to attend in person. Their in-depth observations and recap of Investor Day offer a unique perspective on Tesla’s relentless pursuit of lean design, cost efficiency, and […]