It’s a splice-fest! First, Dan and Sam talk about driving the 2020 Infiniti Q50 Edition 30 and the Ford Ranger XLT. Some of the early impact of COVID-19 is pondered, and development mules like the Plymouth “Prangler” finish it up. For part 2, Sam and Rebecca review General Motors EV day, including a new battery design and previews of 12 upcoming electric vehicles.
Rebecca gives first drive impressions of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette. Sam has been driving the value-conscious 2020 Nissan Versa and the fuel-hungry Armada. Dan shares impressions of the Infiniti QX50. We wrap with a run through Consumer Reports 2020 Top 10 cars selections.
Since Rebecca and Sam skipped driving impressions on the last episode, there’s a lot of cars to talk about. Rebecca hit the road in her cousin’s 2008 Honda Odyssey with nearly 200,000 miles on the clock. Even after all those miles, this one is in great shape and proves that minivans are still a great way to haul people and stuff. Sam discusses the Ford Explorer ST and its poor fuel economy. The Escape Titanium did much better but both Fords are on the pricey side. Finally, there is the Mazda3 hatchback with a manual transmission and Sam is convinced that this is the way they should all be made. Meanwhile, Dan likes everything about the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon except the price tag. Is it any wonder the average age of cars is now over 12 years and people are putting 100s of thousands of… Read More »Ep 140 – Dependability, the Badger, and in-car exercise routines
This week Rebecca and Sam record another in-person show in two parts. The show starts at the Delta lounge at LAX and finishes in the windy city for the biggest little auto show in America. Cadillac has taken the wraps off the 2021 Escalade which should be on track to remain the most popular full-size luxury SUV in America. With independent rear suspension, more passenger and cargo space, massive OLED displays, Super Cruise and even an optional diesel engine it has plenty to offer. Speaking of plenty to offer, check out the GMC Hummer EV. Yes, the Hummer name is back on GM’s first electric pickup truck coming in 2021. With 1,000-hp and 0-60 in 3 seconds, it should be an able challenger in the burgeoning electric truck market. From LA, the show shifts to Chicago with some of the show highlights including the Ford… Read More »Ep 139 – Live From LA and Chicago
This week the crew has a range of premium (at least price-wise) SUVs to drive. Since our last gathering, Sam has been in the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring (complete with a faulty 12V battery) and the Lexus LX570. Dan went from Mercedes-Benz GLC300 to the Polestar engineered Volvo XC90 and Rebecca has been enjoying open-top life in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. In the news, Sam was at the reveal of the Cruise Origin, a purpose-built robotaxi developed by GM and Honda. We also get into a discussion of our approach to reviewing vehicles and addressing reader comments on differing opinions. Links Cruise Origin Differing opinions Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring first drive 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
Rebecca and Sam are back from another trek to CES and lots of stuff to discuss. Rebecca has been driving the 2020 Toyota Corolla XSE, Sam was in the Genesis G80 Sport and Dan had the 2020 Ram Rebel EcoDiesel. At CES Rebecca drove a twin motor Nissan development mule for the upcoming Ariya electric crossover and took a flight in the Goodyear blimp. Sam meanwhile road in the Audi AI:me concept and one of Yandex’s automated vehicles. We also discuss the Mercedes-Benz AVTR concept, the Sony Vision S, Magna International and Hyundai SA-1 aircraft. Links Sam joins TWiT’s Leo Laporte and Ant Pruitt to look at CES auto tech Ford Mustang Mach-E Aeye lidar NXP ultrawideband Audi EVs, lights and displays Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and… Read More »Ep 137 – Big Screens and Blimps
While Sam and Rebecca were at CES, Dan spoke with John Dandrow and Randy Bader of Radenso Radar to discuss Rai and Theia, their new AI-based technology.
The crew gathers for a mid-holiday recording with Sam in the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. While it’s definitely gotten better with some recent updates, it is value challenged against the new Mazda CX-30. Meanwhile Rebecca has been in the Ram 1500 with the e-Torque Hemi and the Lexus LX570 and Dan is still in the Honda CR-V. In the news, VW is moving more aggressively with its EV plans. It now wants to build 1 million vehicles on the MEB platform by 2023, two years earlier than originally forecast and it has developed a robotic mobile charging unit so drivers don’t have to find dedicated EV spots for charging. Tesla plans to start deliveries of Chinese assembled Model 3s and we answer some listener questions. Links VW accelerating EV production VW mobile EV charger VW ID3s need software updates before delivery Tesla plans to start… Read More »Ep 135 – Who’s Going To Buy All The EVs?
The whole crew is back with both Dan and Rebecca sampling the aging Acura MDX A-Spec. Dan also had the Honda CR-V Touring. Since our last team gathering, Rebecca and Sam both drove the Mazda CX-30 and declare it the best small crossover. Sam has also been driving the Volvo V60 T5 and the Hyundai Santa Fe. In the news, GM has launched the first of its new generation of full-size SUVs from Chevrolet and Cadillac declares the ICE age over as it plans to go electric with new model names.
Dan has driven the Dodge Durango SRT and Genesis G70 while Sam has been in the Honda Passport and Toyota Avalon Hybrid. GM and LG Chem form a lithium ion cell production joint venture and Mazda considers electrification options for the next generation Miata. Sam has an interview with Audi e-Tron manager Matt Mostafaei from the LA Auto Show. Finally we address some listener emails
