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The Right Vehicle for the Job

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Right Vehicle for the Job
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We’ve got a bit of a split show this week since Dan was busy painting his house before Rebecca had to attend to some family business. Sam and Rebecca kick off the garage with the 2021 Toyota Sienna hybrid and the Audi S5 Sportback. Dan spliced in the garage segment he recorded with Sam on the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt. Spoiler alert, Dan loves the Bolt. Following the garage, Rebecca and Sam share their perspectives on Genesis’ first crossover, the new GV80. The GV80 is built on a new read-drive platform dedicated to Hyundai Motor Group’s premium brand and shared with the new G80 sedam. We also discuss the reveal of the GMC Hummer EV pickup, the first vehicle to be built on GM’s new Ultium electric architecture. Sam and Rebecca wrap up with a couple of listener questions on the… Read More »The Right Vehicle for the Job

Green Dragons and Organs

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Wheel Bearings
Green Dragons and Organs
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This week in the garage we have an array of crossover utility vehicles at sharply different price points. Sam was in the new entry level model from Hyundai, the Venue SEL. Dan also had a vehicle from the other mainstream branch of Hyundai Motor Group, the 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo. Rebecca had to make do with the most premium of the trio, the Audi Q7. For the rest of the show we had a very special guest join us for a wide ranging conversation that all ultimately always came back to driving. Jonathan Klinger, VP of Car Culture at Hagerty Insurance hung out to talk about cross country drives in 100+ year old cars, teaching youngsters to drive manual transmissions, restoring classic machines and playing the organ. Links A year of the Ford Model A as a daily driver Hyundai Venue SEL Hagerty Magazine… Read More »Green Dragons and Organs

2020 Chevrolet Corvette stingray coupe

The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette is a Supercar Bargain

For more than half a century, the automotive world had its very own mythical creature akin to Sasquatch, Yeti and Nessie. Every few years there would be evidence released purporting to prove that this beast really existed, but yet no one actually managed to capture one in the wild. Even the great Don Sherman, long-time technical editor of Car and Driver and other publications virtually made a career of tracking this automotive myth. But it wasn’t until GM CEO Mary Barra emerged from a lightly camouflaged prototype in New York in April 2019, that we knew for sure that the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette was real.  A condensed version of this review originally appeared on Forbes Wheels I recently got to spend a week with the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and I’ll jump right to the chase. Even in its base form, it is every bit as… Read More »The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette is a Supercar Bargain

2020 Hyundai Venue SEL

2020 Hyundai Venue SEL

While not a direct replacement, the Venue effectively takes the place of the now discontinued Accent hatchback in the lineup. It shares a lot of hardware with the Accent but in a taller, more upright stance that fits in with what American consumers are after today The Venue’s design is more conservative than the Kona which may appeal to some customers. It’s about 5-inches shorter overall and has about 2 cubic ft less passenger volume at 91.9 cu ft. Despite that, its taller stance makes it comfortable for 4 adults as long as they aren’t NBA stars Under the hood is the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 121-hp found in the Accent. It’s paired with a CVT. It’s no powerhouse but with just 2,700-lbs to move, it’s adequate for use as a daily driver and it won’t struggle to merge on the highway. An 8-in touchscreen… Read More »2020 Hyundai Venue SEL

Keeping it Running

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Wheel Bearings
Keeping it Running
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This week we have the whole crew back together again with a diverse array of machinery in the garage. Rebecca started off with what is arguably the best driving (if not the most attractive) hot hatch today, the Honda Civic Type-R. From there she transitioned to another small hatchback, the Hyundai Kona EV. The Kona is a really impressive electric crossover with 259 miles of driving range. Sam spent the week with the Toyota 86 GT, an awesomely fun little sports car. And now for something completely different, Dan drove the Ford Transit 150 cargo van. Sam also got a first taste of the redesigned 2021 Nissan Rogue, a thoroughly updated entry into one of the hottest segments in the market. Then the team delves into the practical realities of what needs to happen in order for California and potentially other states to go all… Read More »Keeping it Running

How Much Is Too Much?

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Wheel Bearings
How Much Is Too Much?
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This week it’s back to old school as Rebecca is busy baby sitting a couple of young nephews. That means it’s just Dan and Sam. Since we last spoke, Dan has been in the Lexus ES350 F-Sport and the Mazda CX-30. Meanwhile Sam was getting reaquainted with the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid. In news Sam got to take a farewell drive in the 2020 Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang Heritage Edition as production of this high-revving pony draws to a close. The guys also discuss Sam’s diatribe on the ridiculous performance being put into today’s vehicles, especially EVs. Ford also released full specs on the 2021 F-150 including the PowerBoost hybrid. As usual we wrap up with listener questions such as what minivan to buy. Links Final drive in the GT350R Heritage Edition 2021 F-150 specs EVs are Getting Too Fast Wheel Bearings has… Read More »How Much Is Too Much?

Who Gets to Sell the EVs?

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Wheel Bearings
Who Gets to Sell the EVs?
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As Dan was busy to battle with a server, Sam and Rebecca took the reins again this week with lots to talk about. Rebecca did a couple of media drives, first in the new Subaru Crosstrek before returning home to take a journey in the Land Rover Defender. In between she had the Toyota Avalon hybrid that drew a surprising amount of attention from residents of Greenwich. Meanwhile, Sam had the Cadillac CT4-V (those stupid alphanumeric names can’t go away soon enough) and the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid. In the news, Michigan legislators are trying close a loophole that enabled Tesla to start sort of selling cars in the state before any other interlopers like Rivian could do the same. After months of showing its new electric crossover with only the mildest of camoflague, Volkswagen has revealed all the details on the ID.4. We wrap up… Read More »Who Gets to Sell the EVs?

Into the Air

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Wheel Bearings
Into the Air
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In the garage this week, Sam discusses the smoothest diesel he’s ever driven, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with GM’s new 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder compression ignition engine. Dan shares his impressions of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Black Label and where Lincoln has come in recent years. Rebecca tries out both extremes of the Toyota product lineup with the CH-R compact crossover and the Lexus LC500 Convertible. The conversation then goes off on a bit of tangent as the ponders why people buy convertibles and the drive them with the top up all the time before getting back on course with the GM-Nikola strategic partnership that was announced this week. Our heros finish up with the reveal of the Lucid Air electric sedan before diving into some listener questions. Links 2021 Lucid Air GM and Nikola Motors Electric turbos and boosters Wheel Bearings has launched a… Read More »Into the Air

Jeep Plugs In

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Wheel Bearings
Jeep Plugs In
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This week, Rebecca shares her thoughts on the Volvo XC90 T6 and how it compares to the similarly sized Cadillac XT6 she had a couple of weeks ago. Dan shares his thoughts on the limited edition Series.White Subaru WRX and how it makes him feel like he’s back in high school. Sam took his first road trip in many months with the Cadillac CT5 and it didn’t break his back. In the news, Jeep is getting electrified. The promised Wrangler 4XE plug-in hybrid is finally going into production this fall and promises 25 miles of electric only operation. The Wrangler is the first of multiple models with plug-in capability (actually the Compass and Renegade PHEVs are already on sale Europe) with the new Wagoneer family coming next summer. The new Grand Wagoneer concept provides a preview of Jeep’s new premium full-size SUVs. Over the last… Read More »Jeep Plugs In

Performance Bargains

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Performance Bargains
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Bargain is a relative term here. It has to be taken in context of the market segment you’re competing in. That said, Sam’s ride this week is probably the performance bargain of the decade, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, aka the mythical mid-engine Vette. With a starting price of just $60,000, even optioned up, it’s still well under the half the price of an Audi R8 or Acura NSX and let’s not even talk about Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren prices. Meanwhile, Rebecca was driving the Genesis G70 which compares very favorably with the Infiniti Q50 she recently drove as well as BMW’s 3 series. On the less value oriented side was the Jeep Gladiator Mojave Dan drove, but that doesn’t take away from how good it is. Our crew discusses Strategic Vision’s Brand Equity Index and JD Power’s Technology Experience Index before diving into a… Read More »Performance Bargains