Today’s Quick-Shift Brief: A 1,001-hp “Company Car,” a Spicy Tiguan R on the Horizon, and the $20K EV Truck That Wasn’t

I’ve had some surreal press cars turn up in my driveway, but a 1,001-hp patrol car? That’s a new one. Meanwhile, Volkswagen looks set to ladle some extra chili onto its family-sized SUV—just not necessarily the one in your local showroom. And on the EV truck front, another startup is finding out the hard way that twenty grand won’t buy you much battery in 2026. Let’s get into it.

Dubai’s Latest Patrol Car Is a Mansory-Touched Lamborghini Revuelto (Yes, 1,001 hp)

Dubai’s police fleet has long doubled as a rolling auto show, and the latest addition turns the volume way up: a Lamborghini Revuelto, fettled by Mansory, assigned to traffic duty. The “duty” bit is doing some heavy lifting there—this is as much public-relations magnet as patrol tool—but I’ve sampled a standard Revuelto on battered Italian backroads and it’s no mere museum piece. The thing feels like it’s inhaling the horizon.

The headline numbers still read like sci-fi: a screaming naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 paired with three electric motors for a combined 1,001 hp, routed through an 8‑speed dual-clutch. Lamborghini claims 0–62 mph in about 2.5 seconds and a top speed beyond 217 mph. Even if a traffic officer never sees that, the instantaneous e-motor shove makes short sprints almost comically easy. Mansory’s involvement likely means visual drama—think carbon garnish and bold aero—though the core hybrid hardware is what steals the show from behind the wheel.

• Powertrain: 6.5L V12 + 3 e-motors (plug-in hybrid), 1,001 hp combined
• Performance: 0–62 mph ~2.5s; top speed 217+ mph
• Transmission: 8‑speed dual-clutch; AWD with e-axle trickery
• Use case: Rapid response, tourism charm, and, yes, Instagram gold

Practical? In its own Dubai way. There’s something to be said for a police fleet that can actually catch what it chases—at least until the chase hits a speed bump.

A 330-hp Volkswagen Tiguan R May Be Coming—Just Not to Your Neighborhood (Yet)

Spotted testing overseas is what appears to be a bona fide Tiguan R with around 330 hp. The twist: indications point to a China-focused variant, not the global model we’re used to. That tracks with VW’s current China playbook—unique trims (think “L Pro” or Tayron-adjacent models), tailored to local tastes.

If the badge and estimated output hold, expect the familiar EA888 2.0‑liter turbo, a dual‑clutch gearbox, and the brand’s torque-shuffling AWD. When I drove the last Tiguan R (Europe-only), its party trick wasn’t just straight-line speed; it was the surprisingly eager back-road balance once you leaned on the rear axle with the ESC relaxed. The new‑gen Tiguan’s platform feels more refined, but I still wish VW would fast-track proper knobs for climate—haptic sliders are better than before, still not perfect when you’re wearing gloves at 70 mph.

Where It Would Land Among Compact Performance Crossovers

Notes: Manufacturer claims and typical test results; Tiguan R details are unconfirmed and subject to change.

• What to expect if it’s real: DCC adaptive dampers, torque vectoring, serious brakes, and the usual R-blue trimmings
• What to watch: Market exclusivity (China-only?), steering calibration, and heat management under repeated hard use
• Everyday stuff: The latest Tiguan’s cargo space is generous; cable storage and load-floor height matter if you’re juggling strollers and track-day tires

EV Truck Reality Check: Slate Teases Pricing as the $20K Dream Fades

A startup called Slate has been hyping an affordable electric pickup, and now it’s hinting at pricing that effectively closes the door on the once-floated $20,000 target. No shocker. Batteries, crash structures, and modern infotainment stacks don’t magically discount themselves, especially if you want livable range and usable payload.

Context helps. Today’s EV trucks tend to orbit much higher price points: Ford’s F‑150 Lightning hovers in the mid‑$50Ks and up, Tesla’s Cybertruck kicks off around the $60K mark, and the Rivian R1T has largely lived north of $70K. Even with tax credits or fleet deals, the math is stubborn. If Slate can hit genuinely affordable numbers, it’ll likely be by leaning into:

• Battery right-sizing: 200–250 miles real-world range instead of headline-chasing packs
• Work-first design: Simplified interiors, steel wheels, and clever modular beds
• Charging pragmatism: 150–200 kW DC capability and robust thermal management
• Fleet focus: Volume contracts that stabilize pricing and service networks

I’ve run a few small moves in early EV pickups, and the reality is simple: aero and weight punish highway range, especially with a bed full of garden stones or a two-axle trailer punching a hole in the wind. If Slate keeps the cab compact, the software clean, and the pricing genuine (think low-to-mid $30Ks to raise eyebrows), it could still land a punch. But the $20K fantasy? Time to recycle that brochure.

Bottom Line

Dubai just reminded everyone that policing can be part theater, part deterrent, and occasionally a 217‑mph spectacle. Volkswagen might be cooking a market-specific Tiguan R that, on paper, would stack nicely against the segment’s spiciest family haulers—even if most of us won’t see it at the local dealer. And as for the $20,000 EV truck: romantic, yes; realistic, no. Smarter packaging and honest specs will win more customers than moonshot promises.

FAQ

How fast is the Lamborghini Revuelto that Dubai Police added?

The Revuelto’s hybrid system delivers 1,001 hp. Lamborghini quotes 0–62 mph in about 2.5 seconds and a top speed beyond 217 mph.

Is the new Tiguan R coming to the U.S. or Europe?

Unclear. The prototype making noise appears geared toward the Chinese market. VW hasn’t confirmed global availability—watch this space.

What powers the rumored Tiguan R?

Expect a 2.0‑liter turbocharged four with around 330 hp, paired to a dual‑clutch automatic and AWD—consistent with VW’s recent R models.

Will Slate’s EV truck still be “affordable” if it isn’t $20,000?

“Affordable” is relative. If Slate lands in the low‑to‑mid $30Ks with usable range and real work capability, that’s compelling in today’s market. Final pricing hasn’t been announced.

Why is a $20,000 EV truck so difficult to build?

Battery costs, safety requirements, modern electronics, and the physics of hauling all conspire to keep costs up. Cutting too far compromises range, capability, or both—none of which buyers will tolerate.