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2018

2019 Ram 1500 eTorque, Getting Mildly Hybridized

At the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Fiat Chrysler’s Ram Division unveiled an all-new generation full-size light-duty pickup truck with a bit of a surprise. Along with the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, the 2019 Ram 1500 is adopting a 48V mild hybrid system, the first such systems on high volume vehicles in North America. In an American market where consumers regularly respond to surveys that they want better fuel economy, but rarely act with their dollars to that effect, adding a 48V system and branding it as eTorque may well be the route to truck buyers hearts. Read the rest of the review here   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

2018 Lexus LC500h, Is The Hybrid Tour Still Grand?

When I first drove the Lexus LC500 nearly a year ago, I came away with the impression that it was an incredibly striking and surprisingly engaging grand tourer. This impression was reinforced when I had a chance to lap the big V8-powered coupe at Road America earlier this year and found it to be remarkably capable when thrashed on one of the country’s greatest race tracks. Since Lexus is the premium brand of Toyota Motor Corporation, it should come as no shock that there is also an electrically-augmented version of the LC with an h suffix. Does it live up to what it’s sibling delivers? Read the rest of the review at Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

2018 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring, A Stylish Midsize Sedan With A Mild Thirst

  Despite the ever growing number of hybrid electric models available in the U.S. market, the share of these dual powered vehicles has remained stubbornly flat, at least in part due to relatively low fuel prices. Despite only accounting for about 2% of total sales, Honda is expanding availability of electrified propulsion in its vehicles with more options to come in the near future. With the new Civic-based Insight just starting to hit American Honda dealers, the brand’s currently best selling hybrid remains the midsize Accord which I just took on a road trip to northern Michigan. Read the rest of the review at Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

2018 Ford Mustang GT With Performance Pack Level 2 Is Fast And Livable

Cars are apparently a dying breed at Ford Motor Company with one distinct exception, the Mustang. While domestic Mustang sales have declined since the debut of the current generation for the car’s 50th anniversary in 2014, the expansion of its global availability has kept overall numbers high enough to justify its continuing existence. Plus as chairman Bill Ford likes to say, the Mustang is the heart and soul of the company. As a Mustang fan since childhood, I was pumped for another opportunity to drive one and experience the latest batch of tweaks. Read the rest at Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

2019 Honda Insight

I got a chance to drive the new 2019 Honda Insight this week, but we can’t talk about driving impressions until next week. In the meantime, check out the photos. Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Photos from the 2018 MAMA Spring Rally

Every May, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) hosts a huge drive program for members at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. This year numerous automakers brought out nearly 90 cars to drive on the track and street. Here are a few of them   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Mazda’s Engine of the Future is Here in 2019 – SkyActiv-X Preview

There is no shortage of people around the world today who seem pretty certain that the days of the internal combustion engine (ICE) as the primary form of propulsion for transportation are effectively over. Mazda North America senior vice president Robert Davis and his colleagues are not among that group. In fact, Mazda staff seem to be pretty certain that humans driving ICE-powered vehicles will be around for some time to come. They even have a brand new engine that they are showing off as evidence, the SkyActiv-X with spark-controlled compression ignition (SPCCI). Read the rest of the article on Forbes Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia