German Engineering at Its Best: A Deep Dive into the Volkswagen APP550 Electric Motor
At Munro & Associates, we tear things down to build understanding—and few things excite us more than brilliant engineering that exceeds expectations. When we got our hands on Volkswagen’s new APP550 electric drive system, we knew we were in for something special. We’d like to thank VW for the opportunity to borrow this unit for […]
Pratt Miller: Michigan’s Hidden Gem of Motorsports and Defense Innovation
Tucked away in the heart of mid-Michigan lies a world-class engineering powerhouse that many outside the racing or defense industries may not know about—Pratt Miller. This impressive company is redefining what it means to be a motorsports leader. At the same time, it’s driving innovation in military technology, electrification, and advanced product development. Recently, Munro […]
Underneath the All-Electric Jeep Wagoneer S: Strength, Structure & Surprises
At Munro & Associates, we’ve long emphasized the importance of a vehicle’s foundational design when evaluating innovation, manufacturing decisions, and long-term durability. With the all-electric 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S, Stellantis has unveiled a compelling mix of familiar Jeep DNA and forward-thinking architecture. In this teardown, we explore what’s going on beneath the surface—and there’s a […]
Jeep Wagoneer S: Interior Teardown & Review
At Munro & Associates, we’re known for going beyond the surface—literally. Whether it’s a deep-dive teardown, design analysis, or cost review, our mission is to deliver expert insights that shape the future of lean automotive engineering. Today, we’re putting the all-electric 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S interior under review to answer one big question: does it […]
Inside Tesla’s Next Leap: Cybercab and Robovan Design Revealed
Tesla is pushing the boundaries of autonomous electric vehicle (EV) design, and two standout concepts—the Cybercab and Robovan—offer a glimpse into that future. At a recent event, Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy shared teardown insights and design philosophy behind these prototypes. Here’s Munro’s expert breakdown of what makes these vehicles so revolutionary—and why they […]
Inside Tesla’s Model Y Upgrades – Exclusive with Lars & Franz
At Munro & Associates, we’ve had the unique privilege of stepping behind the curtain of some of the world’s most innovative automotive engineering. But this time, we took it one step further. We sat down with Tesla’s very own Franz von Holzhausen and Lars Moravy to dive into what’s new, what’s different, and what’s quietly […]
How Is This EV Only $30,000? A Deep Dive into the Imperium Skywell’s Interior
At Munro & Associates, we’ve had the pleasure of evaluating some of the most innovative electric vehicles on the market. But every so often, a vehicle surfaces that forces us to ask: How is this even possible? That’s exactly the question we found ourselves asking as we revisited the interior of the Imperium Skywell. Acquired […]
Imperium Skywell: Budget EV, Cost-Cut Chassis
At Munro & Associates, we specialize in teardown analysis to uncover what makes—or breaks—a vehicle’s design. In this review, we examine the Skywell EV underbody, revealing how cost-driven choices shape its engineering. The Skywell, sold under the Imperium brand and sourced from China, is an electric vehicle aimed at consumers who prioritize affordability and comfort […]
How Carbon Fiber & Plastics Are Reinventing Car Design
In the fast-paced world of automotive design innovation, sometimes the most groundbreaking solutions are decades old. In this teardown and analysis, we deliver a compelling argument for the future of electric vehicle (EV) design—by looking to the past. From carbon fiber frames to molded-in-color plastics, these so-called “old” innovations are quietly reshaping the automotive design […]
VW vs. Tesla Bearing Comparison – Engineering Tradeoffs in EV Drive Units
When designing electric vehicles, the smallest components can make the biggest difference. Bearings—those deceptively simple, rolling mechanical elements—are among the most critical for drivetrain performance. In this teardown analysis, Munro & Associates Lead Engineer Paul Turnbull compares the bearing strategies used by Volkswagen and Tesla in their electric drive units. Each manufacturer aims to minimize […]