Fathom top trim model will be priced @ high $30K range

[Furai]

Andrew Frick, president of Ford’s Model e division, recently told the Detroit Free Press that the top Fathom model will be priced under $40K.

“The starting price of $28,350 is just that,” Frick said. “We’ll have a range that goes to the high $30,000 range. And we’ll have a couple of different offerings within that."​

Frick said more details on the various trims / models will come closer to launch.

Public version of article (via Apple News):
https://apple.news/A7o5ygz_wRFqmYAz9tD1rbw

 

[commadorebob]

If "fully loaded" is in the $38K range, I'm still interested in seeing what's not included to reach that price.

 

[klossfam]

If "fully loaded" is in the $38K range, I'm still interested in seeing what's not included to reach that price.

That's my concern. I drive a 2022 Lightning Lariat with the 511 and every option...plus all the Forscan mods I could muster... I'm used to having lots of THINGS! I'd pay $50k if the platform is truly good and loaded with useful options.

 

[red_blazer]

I have a Honda Accord Hybrid Touring and the MSRP for the top trim is just over 40k. The base MSRP is 28,500 plus destination. It is possible the Lariat or whatever the best trim Fathom will be is fairly well equipped.

 

[graycorgi]

If "fully loaded" is in the $38K range, I'm still interested in seeing what's not included to reach that price.

The longer they go without mentioning specs, the more I suspect that a big omission to hit that price point is going to be decent DC charging speeds.

 

[klossfam]

The longer they go without mentioning specs, the more I suspect that a big omission to hit that price point is going to be decent DC charging speeds.

As long as 150kw, then only the charging curve matters. The battery will be relatively small. I've had 800V Hyundais, 400V GM/Honda, 400V Fords. The best charging: the 400V Lightning due to a good curve and a battery able to absorb amps.

That being said, assuming the max battery size in the Fathom is 70kwh-ish, that will impact its ability to handle the highest amp outputs. Still, a small battery averaging 120kw pull charges quick.

 

[commadorebob]

Several dealers have mentioned that we will be pleasantly surprised by what is included in the base price. I suspect most of the cost of a "top trim" will come from a larger battery. It makes sense for Ford to flatten the feature curve as much as possible to keep costs down. I'm just curious how the top trim compares to the Maverick's top trim.

 

[paneubert]

Several dealers have mentioned that we will be pleasantly surprised by what is included in the base price. I suspect most of the cost of a "top trim" will come from a larger battery. It makes sense for Ford to flatten the feature curve as much as possible to keep costs down. I'm just curious how the top trim compares to the Maverick's top trim.

Extended range battery and AWD for sure. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the other extra cost is a charge for a special tri-color paint and leather this/leather that. Fancy rims. Heated everything. Etc...

 

[graycorgi]

The best charging: the 400V Lightning due to a good curve and a battery able to absorb amps.

The charging curve on any 800V HMG vehicle is still better than the Lightning's charging curve. Lightning with larger battery takes almost 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. EV6 takes 18 minutes. Average speed during that time is 139kW vs 173kW. The Lightning is not terrible, but it is not better than 800V Hyundai vehicles.

Now the measurement that actually matters: I can get over 200 miles of range in 20 minutes in my EV6. From 10-80%, it charges at 10.66 miles / min (Lightning is only 5.64 miles / min). The Fathom will need to be able to do 200 miles in 25 minutes or less, otherwise I'm gonna have to pass.

 

[klossfam]

The charging curve on any 800V HMG vehicle is still better than the Lightning's charging curve. Lightning with larger battery takes almost 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. EV6 takes 18 minutes. Average speed during that time is 139kW vs 173kW. The Lightning is not terrible, but it is not better than 800V Hyundai vehicles.

Now the measurement that actually matters: I can get over 200 miles of range in 20 minutes in my EV6. From 10-80%, it charges at 10.66 miles / min (Lightning is only 5.64 miles / min). The Fathom will need to be able to do 200 miles in 25 minutes or less, otherwise I'm gonna have to pass.

You aren't factoring in the real world conditions. In summer, 800V charging adds a ton of heat, so your 10-80% which is real in 18 mins causes you to jump back on the highway with pump and fans going full blast. 2.0 mi/KW for 10 miles.

Charging speed advantage tricking away. I've owned and road tripped all these. I know the reality.

Plus comparing 3.2 mi/KW on an EV6 vs 2.2 or less in the Lightning is irrelevant. Real world, yes a EV6 or Ioniq 5 is much more efficient but not apples to apples.

 

[Snakebitten]

I've had a Leaf, Mach-E GTPE, and currently a Denali Sierra EV truck.

For my personal use case, the charging curve rarely even determines my enjoyment because I can charge at home. Where my sleeping curve is far more crucial to my happiness.

Having said that, I admit that DCFC matters on the long rides from home. But with the monster sized battery in the truck, I still don't have to stop very often. And when I do, I don't mind lalligagging for a few minutes, if that's what it takes to get the range I'm needing before heading back out.

 

[Maverstang]

The Frick statement pretty well confirms Ford will stick with the conventional low/mid/high model tiering rather than one model with some options as was speculated with so many standard features.

The tier names may change, but it seems they will follow the XL/XLT/Lariat trim level model, possibly with specialty versions like a Tremor.

But with so many standard features, including the infotainment system and Blue Cruise, there aren't that many things to differentiate the trims. I can only think of battery, AWD, fancy seats, wheels/tires, maybe a moon roof.

The base model may end up being the best bargain…

 

[graycorgi]

In summer, 800V charging adds a ton of heat, so your 10-80% which is real in 18 mins causes you to jump back on the highway with pump and fans going full blast. 2.0 mi/KW for 10 miles.

I dd a 1700 mile trip this past summer, much of which in 90+ degree sunny weather. I did not experience any noticeable impact in my range or efficiency from the AC cooling the battery. I can safely say it would have been a miserable trip if I had to camp for 40 minutes at every stop.

And yes it is apples to oranges, I realize the Lightning is a much larger vehicle - my main point was when comparing the actual speed of the energy being delivered, the Lightning is ~20% slower. The larger battery and lower efficiency just compound that. You definitely don't lose anything close to 20% range from the AC cooling the battery on my EV6. Maybe 5% tops.

For the Fathom, if Ford can sustain the same 139kW they do with the Lightning, it will still be competitive since the battery will be smaller and the efficiency will be much better than the Lightning. I still think they should squeeze everything they can out of their 400V architecture and try to shoot for numbers closer to what the R2 does or maybe even better. That's around 150kW average from 10-80%.

 

[Snakebitten]

It would be strange to me to see an XL trim vehicle with 360 Camera, Adaptive cruise control, and perhaps with Lane Centering. (along with Bluecruise hardware suite)

It'll be interesting if the non-legacy platform uses legacy trim labeling.

 

[bob zimmerman]

It would be strange to me to see an XL trim vehicle with 360 Camera, Adaptive cruise control, and perhaps with Lane Centering. (along with Bluecruise hardware suite)

It'll be interesting if the non-legacy platform uses legacy trim labeling.

I completely agree. I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. Ford did tease with statements about all the fun add-ones being standard to the Fatham.

They won’t give anything away. I would bet that a lot of people will be disappointed what the real trim levels come out and we find all the omissions we ‘assumed’ would be standard on the sub 30k model.

Just like the Maverick XL, it has four wheels and a motor. If you want more then you have to pay.

The base model might look a lot like a Slate. WE DON’T KNOW!

Bob