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 […]
Audi Q4 e-Tron Hoist Review & Engineering Insights
Hoisted high in the Munro shop, the Audi Q4 e-Tron reveals the truth beneath its sleek Sportback body — a premium EV built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform but refined with Audi’s own engineering fingerprints. For automotive engineers, EV enthusiasts, and investors, it’s a masterclass in tradeoffs, cost control, and design nuance. Every bracket, fastener, and […]
Reset Your Expectations: Inside the Audi Q4 e-tron Interior
The Munro team’s review of the Audi Q4 e-tron interior offers a revealing look at the balance between cost control, material selection, and driver-focused design in this $50,000 electric SUV. For automotive engineers, EV enthusiasts, and investors, it’s a reminder that the electric powertrain’s cost impact ripples deep into cabin choices — affecting everything from […]
Audi’s ID.4 Twin Misses the Mark — Sandy Munro’s Candid Critique
In the electric vehicle (EV) market, differentiation is key. Consumers expect each brand to bring unique engineering, user experience, and design innovations. That’s why Sandy Munro’s recent teardown-based observations carry weight — they call out when manufacturers fall short of creating something distinct. In his latest review, Munro turned his attention to an Audi EV […]
Audi Drops Heat Pump in Q4 E-Tron — What It Means for EV Owners
Recently, the team at Munro tackled a surprising development in the EV world — Audi’s decision to eliminate the heat pump from its Q4 E-Tron, replacing it with a resistive heater. Officially, the automaker cites supply chain and semiconductor shortages. However, Munro & Associates takes a deeper look at whether technical performance and cost considerations […]
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Review — PHEV Pros and Cons
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe showcases how Jeep’s flagship SUV embraces plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology without abandoning its heritage. In this Munro review, we examine how this fifth-generation Grand Cherokee is the first to feature an electrified powertrain, offering a blend of efficiency, torque, and capability that targets buyers seeking a transitional step […]