Here’s how a car manufacturer press launch works: the manufacturer invites motoring journalists to an event, either regionally or internationally. International press launches are usually crowded with motoring journalists flown in like cattle.

At the launch, motoring journalists from various European countries attend. Each group of journalists from different nations takes turns to hear a brief presentation in their respective language. The German press is followed by the Spanish press, who are then followed by the Italian press, and so on. It’s like a carousel.

During these events, journalists drive, eat, drive some more, and then fly home. Everything is provided, including accommodation, return flights, and food. However, journalists don’t actually get much time with the car, which is why we, here at DCB, have decided that national and international press launches are not really worth it.

Motoring journalists have essentially become mouthpieces for car manufacturers. When you live in this privileged bubble, you tend to engage in groupthink, and your ability to deliver independent thought is slowly eroded. It’s akin to George Orwell’s 1984.

Every review we have watched and read is similar to the Fully Charged Show’s review of the Volvo Polestar 3. However, we have to give credit to this particular reviewer, Imogen, who actually revealed the efficiency data of the Volvo Polestar 3. Autocar didn’t, and neither did Top Gear.

How difficult is it for the established media to do their job and report the very basics? My main interest in EVs is efficiency and range. I want to know about the real-world range, not just how the Volvo Polestar 3 drives or what materials are being used or the size of the fucking boot.

Anyway, Imogen is a former automotive engineer; she knows her stuff and reveals that the Volvo Polestar 3 has an efficiency of between 2.7 and 3.1 miles per kWh. With a 107 kWh battery, the Volvo Polestar 3 has an estimated real-world range of between 288 and 331 miles.

Imogen rightly points out that the efficiency of 2.7 miles per kWh isn’t the best on the market, before going on to contradict herself by saying that the estimated WLTP range of 390 miles is really excellent. The WLTP is an extremely unreliable test procedure.

By her own contradictory statement, Imogen has revealed that she is influenced by the dreaded groupthink. We pray for Imogen every day.