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.