Skip to content

guests

It Handles Rough Roads Great

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
It Handles Rough Roads Great
Loading
/

Unfortunately Robbie had to miss this week with a migraine, but Nicole has thoughts to share about the Lexus NX 350 F-Sport and Sam had the 2023 Nissan Versa SR which proves that decent, cheap new cars are still available. In the news Mazda, has revealed the new 2024 CX-90 three-row crossover which will have options of a new inline-six cylinder engine or a plug-in hybrid. Sam also has a conversation with Mazda North America CEO Jeff Guyton. Polestar has done a major mid-cycle update on the 2. Motor Trend has a long-term F-150 Lightning and one of its writers got a quote for installation of the home power backup system. Links 2024 Polestar 2 2024 Mazda CX-90 How Much for the installation? Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing… Read More »It Handles Rough Roads Great

Faking It

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Faking It
Loading
/

This week it’s most just Robbie and Sam. Sam drives the 2023 Cadillac CT5 AWD Premium Luxury and talks about the latest Super Cruise. Nicole also calls in from an Electrify America station in Florida with her driving partner Eileen Falkenberg-Hull to give us the low down on their Disney Land to Disney World trek in the Kia EV6. In the news, GM is considering building a small electric pickup truck and we compare car sizes over time. Car loans are getting longer and shockingly Tesla faked the 2016 “Paint It Black” full self-driving demo video. We also answer listener questions. Send in your questions to feedback at wheelbearings dot media or even send us a link to audio of your question and we might include it in the show. Links 84 month loans Paint it black video was faked GM looking at small electric… Read More »Faking It

All-Season High-Voltage Corvette

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
All-Season High-Voltage Corvette
Loading
/

The car Robbie was supposed to drive this week was damaged before it got to his driveway so we just have Nicole in the Mazda3 Turbo AWD and Sam with the Ram 1500 Rebel V8. One of these was slight less fuel efficient than the other. In the news, a Swedish study shows again why it’s better to have buttons than touchscreens in cars. Nicole popped into Detroit this week to help hand out the North American Car Truck and Utility of the Year awards. Mazda finally brings back the rotary as a range extender for the MX-30, but for now only Europeans get it. Toyota has built up an old AE86 that burns hydrogen. Mercedes-Benz is already considering getting rid of dedicated EV badging. Chevrolet is finally bringing the long-rumored Corvette hybrid as the 2024 E-Ray with electric drive on the front axle for… Read More »All-Season High-Voltage Corvette

Surviving CES

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Surviving CES
Loading
/

Sam survived his return to CES after three years away, but before discussing what was there, he gives his thoughts on the Jeep Wagoneer L with the new Hurricane 510 engine. Nicole survived some winter weather with the Mercedes-AMG EQS and Robbie rented a Kia Sorento for a trip to the woods with his wife and dogs. At CES, Stellantis showed the Ram Revolution concept which is a preview of the upcoming Ram 1500 EV. While at CES, Sam talked with Mike Koval, head of the Ram brand. VW unveiled a camoflagued version of the upcoming ID7 electric sedan. BMW showed the i Vision Dee covered in color E Ink and Sony Honda Mobility announced that its upcoming EVs would be branded as Afeela. Links Winter tire markings BMW i Vision Dee BMW E Ink color changing Ram Revolution Concept Ram Charger Volkswagen ID7 Afeela… Read More »Surviving CES

More Convertibles Please

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
More Convertibles Please
Loading
/

We’ve got a full team this week as Robbie shares his thoughts on the updated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a four-cylinder diesel and all-wheel-drive. Nicole discusses the aged Toyota Tacoma and Sam drives the Mazda CX-50 and the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge. The LA Auto Show took place last week and Toyota revealed an all-new fifth generation Prius and Prius Prime. Genesis held an event in Malibu to reveal its Genesis X electric convertible concept. Fiat is bringing the 500e back to North America and brand chief Larry Dominique explains that Stellantis will experiment with it. By 2025, British EV drivers will have to pay a vehicle excise tax and after promising to open its Superchargers to other brands, Tesla says, just adopt our charging connector instead. We also answer some questions. Send in your own questions feedback@wheelbearings.media Links North American Charging Standard? UK EV excise… Read More »More Convertibles Please

Improving the User Experience

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Improving the User Experience
Loading
/

It’s another Robbie and Sam episode as Nicole is now in LA doing her World Car of the Year duty. Roberto got to drive the new Nissan Z and the Toyota GR Corolla. Sam and Robbie both discuss the updated user experience software in the Lucid Air and the new third generation Formula E cars. Robbie made a quick trip to Italy to drive the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo and ride along in the electric Cayman GT4 prototype. Apparently someone still thinks there is a chance that Faraday Future will get its FF91 into production and has agreed to loan the startup another $350 million. Sam also has a conversation with Audi of America president Daniel Weissland Links Cheaper Lucids Lucid Air UX 2.0 Half of Porsches to be electrified Faraday Future lines up more loans Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like… Read More »Improving the User Experience

Go Anywhere, But You Might Not Get Out

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Go Anywhere, But You Might Not Get Out
Loading
/

This week Sam learns the limits of “all-terrain” tires as he goes off-roading with the Ford Bronco Raptor. Nicole shares first impressions of Nissan’s new Ariya electric crossover and Robbie tests the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Nicole and Sam both got to try out the Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L with Stellantis’ new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six cylinder engine. They also had a conversation with Jeep North America boss Jim Morrison. Chevrolet is launching a second generation Trax entry-level crossover that is both larger and cheaper than before. Motional has a 10-year deal to operate its robotaxis on the Uber network in multiple markets and the TFL Trucks Hummer has been fixed. Links 2024 Chevrolet Trax TFL Trucks Hummer EV followup Motional and Uber 10 year deal Ford Bronco Raptor review Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like… Read More »Go Anywhere, But You Might Not Get Out

A Taller Prancing Horse

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
A Taller Prancing Horse
Loading
/

Nicole is travelling somewhere in the Earth’s biosphere so it’s just the boys this time around. Since this was recorded just a few days after the last episode, Robbie hasn’t driven anything but Sam shares his thoughts on the Hyundai Santa Cruz. In the news, Ferrari has unveiled its first four-door regular production model, the Purosangue (don”t call it an SUV). Honda has significantly the raised the base price on the new CR-V and the final Chrysler 300 won’t get a Hellcat. Tesla faces a class action lawsuit over unfullfilled promises about Autopilot and Full Self-Driving. The VW ID Aero will replace the Arteon and the 2023 Lincoln Corsair gets a bigger grille. Finally, Sam has a conversation with Schaeffler Group CTO Jeff Hemphill about some of the technologies the supplier is developing to improve EV efficiency. Links Ferrari Purosangue 2023 Honda CR-V pricing jump… Read More »A Taller Prancing Horse

Give It 6 More Months

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Give It 6 More Months
Loading
/

This week Robbie is missing, but Nicole and Sam managed to record a live episode from a hotel room (sorry about the room echo) in Bozeman, Montana with special guest Jordan Golson. We’re all here to drive the new Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L but we’ll talk about those on an upcoming episode. Jordan and Nicole both got to drive the new Range Rover Sport in Spain a couple of weeks ago and share some thoughts on the plug-in hybrid with 50 miles of electric range. Sam got to spend a week with another plug-in hybrid SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE and got some really impressive fuel economy. Nicole and Jordan came to Montana directly from Vietnam where they visited Vinfast and got to try out the new VF8 electric SUV they are launching here in the US soon. Lots of interesting… Read More »Give It 6 More Months

An EV With An Exhaust System?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
An EV With An Exhaust System?
Loading
/

This week Sam is flying solo and he’s got interviews with Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis head of propulsion Micky Bly and Ford Mustang and Shelby marketing and brand manager Jim Owens. Links Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept Dodge Hornet Mustang Stampede Sept. 14 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