Faraday Future, a name once synonymous with vaporware and near-bankruptcy, is actually delivering its $300,000 electric vehicle, the FF 91, to customers. In the volatile world of Future Cars and EV startups, this is a comeback story that few anticipated. After years of delays, financial turmoil, and skepticism, Faraday Future’s survival itself feels like a plot twist. But does this Lazarus-like revival translate into a compelling future car, or is the FF 91 merely a ghost of automotive ambition?
For any conventional automaker, launching a vehicle would be standard practice. However, Faraday Future’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Beset by layoffs, stock price crashes, and a general sense of impending doom, the company seemed destined for the automotive graveyard, joining the ranks of other failed EV ventures. Yet, against all odds, they’ve emerged, not just showcasing prototypes, but actually handing over vehicles to paying customers. This resurrection act is rare in the automotive industry, especially within the high-stakes arena of future car development. Having witnessed the rise and fall of EV brands like Byton, Aptera, and Lordstown, skepticism was my default setting.
My perspective shifted when I found myself at Willow Springs Raceway, invited by a friend. The scene was unexpected: not a casual car meet, but a full-blown, albeit low-key, automaker launch event, teeming with Faraday Future’s FF 91s.
The question hung in the air: were these future cars truly destined for customers? The invitation to participate in a media drive day confirmed the reality. Driving a Faraday FF 91, a vehicle shrouded in myth and doubt, was an opportunity too intriguing to pass up.
Performance Prowess: Setting Lap Records in the Future Car Arena
Faraday Future seized the opportunity to showcase the performance capabilities of their resurrected model. The event at Willow Springs wasn’t just a static display; it was a dynamic demonstration of speed and power. Professional drivers were enlisted to push FF 91 prototypes to their limits, aiming for lap records. Company executives and potential buyers, adorned in high fashion, watched as the electric SUV blurred past at speeds exceeding 130 mph.
The spectacle was captured on film, highlighting the FF 91’s performance credentials. The outcome was a new class lap record at Willow Springs, clocking in at 1:28.130, surpassing even the Lamborghini Urus. Willow Springs, a track revered in the racing world, served as the stage for Faraday Future to declare its arrival in the performance future car segment. An electric SUV achieving any track record is a statement, and the FF 91’s speed was undeniable.
This raw speed wasn’t entirely unexpected. The FF 91 boasts a tri-motor setup, with some variants exceeding 1,000 horsepower. Furthermore, the motors are sourced from Bosch, a leading automotive supplier renowned for quality and reliability. Bosch components are almost a guarantee of robust performance. The powertrain, therefore, seemed like a safe bet. However, the broader question remained: beyond sheer power, how does the FF 91 function as a complete future car package?
Interior and Design: A Glimpse into the Future Car Cabin?
Stepping into the FF 91’s cabin, the interior design immediately makes a statement about the future car aesthetic. Screens dominate the landscape: a slim driver display, a central tablet, and a passenger-side screen of laptop dimensions. The steering wheel design is noteworthy, and the seats offer exceptional comfort. However, beyond these initial impressions, closer inspection reveals areas needing refinement, especially for a vehicle positioned as a luxury future car.
Piano black surfaces are ubiquitous, covering the center console, door controls, and even the door sills. While visually striking, this material is prone to smudges and cheapens the tactile experience. The air conditioning vents, though resembling metal, are clearly plastic to the touch. In fact, many touchpoints feel less premium than expected for a $300,000 vehicle. Unlabeled buttons on the steering wheel and window controls add to the confusion, a design choice that would be questionable even in an entry-level car, let alone a flagship future car.
Despite these interior shortcomings, the FF 91 had just demonstrated its track prowess. Setting aside initial reservations, the driving experience became the next critical evaluation point. Faraday Future insisted that the vehicles present were not prototypes, but production-ready models, representing the final version customers would receive. This declaration raised the stakes for scrutiny, eliminating any allowances for prototype imperfections.
Driving Dynamics: Track Performance vs. Everyday Future Car Usability
The initial concern emerged with the brakes. The brake pedal exhibited excessive travel, requiring deep depression even at low speeds to engage noticeable braking force. While the braking system’s capability was evident – energy recuperation was palpable, and the components appeared substantial – the lack of immediate feedback and responsiveness was disconcerting, particularly in a 6,500-pound vehicle.
Entering the track, the powertrain’s strength was immediately apparent. A touch of the accelerator unleashed a surge of electric power, pressing the driver firmly into the seat. The hope was that the brake feel might improve at higher speeds. However, this optimism faded as the first turn approached.
The steering mirrored the brake pedal’s lack of feel. It felt overly light, with minimal resistance, requiring significant wheel movement to elicit a response. For a car with such power, a firmer, more communicative steering feel would typically be expected. Despite this, the FF 91 demonstrated surprising agility. The sensation suggested rear-wheel steering, but engineers denied its activation, as well as rear torque vectoring, leaving the source of this agility ambiguous. The car turned precisely, yet the steering input felt disconnected from the vehicle’s response.
Piloting a three-ton, 1,000+ horsepower vehicle with vague brakes and steering created a sense of unease. Cautious throttle inputs became the norm. Paradoxically, even a slight touch of the accelerator resulted in an immediate and potent burst of acceleration, a testament to the Bosch-sourced electric motors.
Positive aspects emerged as well. The chassis felt rigid and stable in corners, defying its heavy curb weight. The cabin was commendably quiet, and the ride quality was smooth, at least on the track’s pristine surface. Testing on public roads would be necessary to validate the luxury ride experience in real-world conditions.
However, the braking and steering feel remained persistently disconnected throughout the lap. Adjusting driving style didn’t improve feedback. The question arose: what is the intended use case for the FF 91? If optimal brake and steering feel require track-level driving, then the vehicle’s everyday usability becomes questionable. Is it a 6,500-pound SUV that demands a professional race car driver to extract predictable handling, even at highway speeds? This raises concerns about its suitability as a practical future car for daily driving.
Quality Concerns and Future Car Viability
Beyond driving dynamics, closer inspection revealed quality control issues. A detached headliner in one vehicle and an unresponsive rear seat touchscreen were noted. Even a simple task like unlocking the driver’s door for racing driver Justin Bell became a prolonged struggle. While the reclining rear seats and generous legroom offered a taste of luxury, fundamental aspects like basic vehicle access appeared overlooked.
The overall impression after experiencing the FF 91 is one of contradiction. It possesses visual appeal, undeniable speed, and a distinctiveness that sets it apart. However, it seems priorities may have been misplaced, with finer details and fundamental usability lagging behind.
Experiences with early Tesla and Rivian models highlight the challenges EV startups face in mastering the intricate execution required for a functional passenger vehicle. Legacy automakers possess decades of experience in these crucial areas. This is why established brands like Hyundai, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz often offer a more compelling and refined package compared to newer entrants, even with innovative technology from startups.
Faraday Future undoubtedly holds potential. However, in its current iteration, the FF 91’s exorbitant price tag is difficult to justify given its shortcomings in build quality, driving feel, and overall refinement. Focusing on enhancing everyday usability and addressing quality concerns could pave the way for a more compelling future car offering.
Setting lap records is a commendable feat, but for the FF 91 to truly succeed, it needs to become more than just a fast track machine. It needs to deliver on the promise of a well-rounded, user-friendly, and genuinely luxurious future car experience.
