Bentley brought the launch of the Flying Spur to Rebecca’s doorstep. We also sample the 2020 GMC Acadia, Sam wrung every mile out of the 2020 Audi e-Tron, and Dan tried the completely charming 2020 Toyota Yaris XLE.
We talk Honda and GM partnering on EVs, Autocar’s EV range tests, EV Mustangs, and then we take your questions.
As the lockdowns continue, our intrepid crew is still venturing out while staying isolated to bring you their impressions of the vehicles you might want to consider buying when this is all over. Rebecca spent time with the Jeep Gladiator in a seemingly deserted corner of Connecticut. Sam got Android Auto working in the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid without crashing the infotainment system. Meanwhile Dan sampled the pint-sized Hyundai Kona. In the news, we dive into the Navigant Research Automated Driving Leaderboard report and what robotaxi developers will have to do to keep passengers safe. While we work from home and connect with co-workers on video conferences, Audi has started publishing images to use for virtual backgrounds. With motorsports idled globally, the drivers are taking to sims and the fans seem to be digging it. We wrap up with a few listener questions. Links Jeep Gladiator… Read More »144 – Press On Regardless
To start, we ponder the near-term future. Then we get to cars, including the Hyundai Venue, Nissan Rogue Sport, BMW M340i, and the Ford pickup lineup from Ranger to Super Duty. For news, we talk about the 20201 Hyundai Elantra and follow up on GM EV day. We finish with some of your emails. If that seems like a long show, you’re right. Just the thing for quarantine.
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
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?
