The InEVitable

Tesla FSD v14 1-HOUR+ Live Test + Rivian R2 First Drive Impressions

In this special live-drive episode of The InEVitable, Ed Loh takes MotorTrend Technical Director Frank Markus on a real-world test of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Version 14.2.2.3 in a Model Y — while diving deep into Frank’s first-drive impressions of the highly anticipated Rivian R2. This episode kicks off a new MotorTrend series on semi-autonomous driving systems, comparing Tesla’s camera-only approach against upcoming competitors from Mercedes-Benz and Rivian.
Topics covered include:
Tesla FSD v14 real-world freeway and city performance
Mad Max mode, lane changes, and aggressive California traffic
Rivian R2 pricing, specs, suspension tech, and autonomy roadmap
Level 2 vs Level 3 autonomy explained
Vision-only vs radar/LiDAR debate Autonomy in harsh winter conditions
The future of hands-free and eyes-off driving
Does Tesla’s data flywheel give it an insurmountable lead?
Is Rivian’s R2 the true Model Y competitor? And what happens when autonomy reaches Level 3?
Watch (or listen) as the system handles freeways, city streets, four-way stops — and almost parks itself.

How Rivian Designed the R1, R2 & R3 — Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer

On this episode of The InEVitable by MotorTrend, we sit down with Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer at Rivian, to unpack the full design story behind the Rivian R1T, R1S, R2, and R3.
Jeff shares his journey from Chrysler and Jeep to joining Rivian in its earliest days—when there was no logo, no brand, and barely a prototype.
We dive deep into how Rivian’s iconic design language was created, why the trucks look friendly instead of aggressive, and how real-world use cases (like motorcycles, garages, and families) shaped the vehicles.

From CES: Solving SDV Complexity With QNX + Vector’s New Alloy Kore Platform

Live from CES, MotorTrend’s The InEVitable sits down with Justin Moon (VP, Core Product Engineering, QNX) and Dr. Marc Weber (VP, Product Management, Embedded Software & Systems, Vector) to unpack what it really takes to build software-defined vehicles—without drowning in integration complexity.
They explain why “doing it all in-house” can slow OEMs down, how Alloy Kore aims to reduce duplicated effort across vehicle domains, and why safety and cybersecurity can’t be guesses—especially as regulations like the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act come into focus. Plus: a plain-English breakdown of hypervisors/virtualization, SDV org structure pitfalls, and what the path to faster, safer series production could look like.

From Audi TT to Electric Dune Buggies: Freeman Thomas on Design, EVs & Automotive Icons

Freeman Thomas returns to MotorTrend’s The Inevitable for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on automotive design, electric vehicles, and what it really takes to modernize an icon without losing its soul.
 
Now Vice Chairman of Meyers Manx, Thomas explains why the company made the costly decision to pause and completely rethink its electric Manx before launch—redesigning the vehicle around new battery chemistry, safety priorities, and packaging from the inside out. The discussion moves from EV realities to the enduring relevance of fiberglass, California car culture, and why some designs are meant to last forever.
 
Along the way, Thomas reflects on his career shaping cars like the Audi TT, his work with RUF, the rise of bespoke and experiential vehicles, and the boundary-pushing LFG off-road supercar developed using augmented reality. The episode closes with an unvarnished critique of legacy brands, modern automotive leadership, and where design succeeds—or fails—when history is ignored.

Singer’s Founder & New CEO Explain Why Analog Cars Still Matter

In this episode of MotorTrend’s The Inevitable, we visit Singer Vehicle Design’s headquarters in Torrance, California, for an in-depth conversation with Singer founder Rob Dickinson and CEO Raj Nair, former Ford executive and Multimatic leader.
The discussion spans how Singer scaled without sacrificing craftsmanship, why quality trumps speed, what it takes to run a low-volume automotive manufacturer, and why analog driving experiences still matter in an EV-dominated world. Rob and Raj also share insights on hypercars, motorsports, customer obsession, and Singer’s future—from Porsche 911 restorations to Willow Springs Raceway.

Rivian’s AI Master Plan: Hands-Free Driving, R2 + LiDAR, and the Road to Personal Level 4 Autonomy

Rivian is making a bold bet on autonomy—and it’s very different from Tesla’s approach. In this episode of MotorTrend’s The Inevitable, Jonny Lieberman and Ed Loh sit down with James Philbin, Rivian’s VP of Autonomy & AI, following Rivian’s Autonomy & AI Day. Midway through the conversation, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe joins unexpectedly to dive deep into LiDAR, sensor strategy, and why Rivian believes more data—and better data—wins.
Topics include:
• Universal Hands-Free driving across 3.5M+ miles of roads
• Rivian’s Large Driving Model (LDM) and AI-defined vehicles
• Why Rivian chose cameras + radar + LiDAR
• The roadmap from hands-free to eyes-off driving • Personal Level 4 autonomy vs robotaxis
• Ground-truth fleets, edge cases, and safety at scale
• How autonomy could fundamentally change car ownership
This is one of the most technical, candid, and forward-looking autonomy conversations we’ve had—and a rare look inside how a modern automaker is building an advanced driving system from the ground up.

Designing the New Scout: Chris Benjamin on Rivian Comparisons, EVs, and the Future of Off-Roading

In this episode of MotorTrend’s The Inevitable, hosts dive deep with Chris Benjamin, Chief Design Officer at Scout Motors, to explore his remarkable journey—from growing up in Queens and Miami, to working nights at Taco Bell while designing for Mercedes, to leading the rebirth of one of America’s most iconic off-road brands.
Chris reveals how the new Scout SUV and truck were designed, what he changed the moment he arrived, how Scout differs from Rivian and Jeep, what the EV vs. range-extender split looks like, and what the future holds for Scout Motors.
Expect raw career stories, hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk about design, automotive culture, EV adoption, and off-roading.

Karma Automotive President Reveals the Future of American Ultra-Luxury EVs

In this episode of The InEVitable by MotorTrend, hosts Jonny Lieberman and Ed Loh sit down with Marques McCammon, President of Karma Automotive, to talk about the company’s reboot, its American-made ultra-luxury vision, and why the future isn’t fully electric—it’s EREV.
Marques traces his incredible career from creating the Dodge Neon SRT-4 to pivotal roles at ASC, Saleen, Aptera, Wind River, Ricardo, and ultimately Karma.
He reveals what he found when he arrived at Karma, why he shut everything down to rebuild quality and identity, and how Karma’s new vehicles—including the upcoming Sera, Amaris, Isvara, and the four-motor Kaveya supercar—aim to blend emotional design, handcrafted luxury, and range-extended electric performance. Karma’s goal? To become America’s counterpart to Aston, McLaren, and Ferrari, built in Southern California with an experience-centered philosophy.
Featuring deep cut industry stories—from SRT beginnings to Aptera’s shutdown to why EREV is primed for a comeback—this is one of the most wide-ranging and insightful conversations we’ve had.

The Battery Future: Recycling, U.S. Lithium, and the Next Big Leap

In Episode 122 of The InEVitable, MotorTrend welcomes one of the smartest guests we’ve ever had on the show: Ryan Melsert, CEO of American Battery Technology Company — former Tesla Gigafactory founding engineer, award-winning innovator, and a leading voice in U.S. battery materials, recycling, and critical minerals.
Ryan dives deep into the real future of EVs, battery production, battery recycling, domestic lithium sourcing, and what America must do to compete globally.
He also shares unbelievable behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of Tesla’s Gigafactory, how his team patented Tesla’s first battery-manufacturing tech, and why next-generation batteries could be 10× more energy-dense. Whether you're into EVs, engineering, geopolitics, or the future of clean energy — this is one of the most important conversations we’ve ever recorded.

Reviving Willow Springs and The Future of LA Car Culture, with Singer's - Mazen Fawaz

In this episode of The InEVitable by MotorTrend, hosts Ed Loh and Jonny Lieberman sit down with Mazen Fawaz, Chief Strategy Officer at Singer Vehicle Design, to talk about Singer’s bold new venture — the acquisition and revival of Willow Springs International Raceway, the fastest track in the West.
Fawaz shares how the deal came together, Singer’s plans to modernize the historic circuit, and how it could transform Southern California into the next global motorsport and car culture destination. From FIA-grade upgrades and private driver clubs to a new multi-day car festival inspired by Goodwood, this episode dives deep into the future of track culture, car events, and performance driving in LA and beyond.
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