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Sam Abuelsamid

Episode #058 – A Fast Jeep, Driving Assists and a Volvo Triple

Wheel Bearings
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Episode #058 - A Fast Jeep, Driving Assists and a Volvo Triple
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Dan and Sam fired up the recorders late Friday night to marvel at the insanity that is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the combination of practicality and efficiency that is Hyundai’s new Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid. Sam gives a primer on advanced driver assist systems in responses to comments on the Accidental Tech Podcast #261 and Waymo gets a license to operate an autonomous ride-hailing service in Arizona. Volvo launches its first three-cylinder engine. The demise of now former Ford executive Raj Nair shows that automakers may finally be getting serious about tackling harassment and bad behavior in the workplace. Finally, Sam responds to a listener tweet asking about car makers selling our data. Links Accidental Tech Podcast #261 Waymo Gets a Ride-Hailing License Raj Nair becomes first auto exec fired for harassment Making money from selling your car data  Volvo hits a triple 2018… Read More »Episode #058 – A Fast Jeep, Driving Assists and a Volvo Triple

Episode #057 – Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #057 - Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini
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In this week’s rambling episode, Accidental Tech Podcast co-host Casey Liss returns to talk about his experience with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and compare notes with Sam. Sam also brings up his experience trying to drive the Giulia Quadrifoglio in the wake of a winter storm and Dan talks about the new Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid. The conversation then returns to the prior discussion Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system and Casey’s newfound frustrations with it. Dan is considering replacing his Crown Victoria with a Mazda6 and Casey is continuing to ponder the new Jeep Wrangler. Links Winter Driving in the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Sam’s Take on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Casey on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio 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… Read More »Episode #057 – Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini

Episode #056 – Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics

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Podcast Archives
Episode #056 - Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics
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The guys are back after failing to get our collective acts together last week. Dan drove the VW Beetle with a 2.0-liter turbo that makes as much power as many much smaller engines, while Sam drives a three-row utility that actually has room for humans in the back, the 2018 Dodge Durango GT. This week Sam records his end of the show from Chicago as he gets ready for the auto show there. Ford is making a little bit of news with a mid-cycle refresh of the Transit Connect that surprisingly adds a new diesel engine. The best promoter in the auto industry also made some news this week by launching his car into space and Sam goes on a rant about how meaningless the California autonomous vehicle disengagement statistics are. Links Elon Roadster Goes to the Asteroids Ford Adds a Diesel to the Transit… Read More »Episode #056 – Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics

Episode #055 – Compression Ignition Raves, Ranting About Greed and Reckless CEOs

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Episode #055 - Compression Ignition Raves, Ranting About Greed and Reckless CEOs
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This week, Sam spends quality time with the Dodge Challenger GT AWD and comes away pleasantly surprised. Dan shares his appreciation of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Sport and its naturally aspirated engine. Mazda invited Sam to California to learn more about the upcoming SkyActiv-X engine and drive a prototype. Then the guys go on an extended rant about BMW’s plans to charge a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay and flow right into how reckless Elon Musk is being with flame throwers. Links Previewing Mazda’s SkyActiv-X BMW to Charge a Subscription for Apple CarPlay Why is Elon Musk selling flame throwers? When Will Tesla Ever Stop Going to the Capital Markets and Why Does Anyone Believe 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

Podcast #054 -New Trucks Will Drive the Profits That Pay for Self-Driving Cars

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Podcast #054 -New Trucks Will Drive the Profits That Pay for Self-Driving Cars
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This week Sam commutes through the winter slog to the Detroit Auto Show in the 2018 Jeep Compass while Dan gets Toyota’s new non-crossover crossover, the CH-R. The guys discuss all of the pickup trucks that debuted at the Detroit show and all the car brands that didn’t show up along with more new crossovers and another Mustang Bullitt   Links Fuel mileage vs fuel consumption 2019 Ram 1500 Goes Mild Hybrid 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen GM’s Robo-Taxi Ford Edge ST Detroit Show Stars to Fund CES Promises 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

Episode #052 – Winter Driving and Ziggy’s Volvo

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Episode #052 - Winter Driving and Ziggy's Volvo
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As the frigid temperatures continue to encase the midwest and spread to the eastern half of the US this week, Sam has been driving the new Hyundai Elantra GT Sport, his favorite variant of this compact Korean platform. Dan meanwhile has been taking to the snow-covered streets of the Boston area in the all-wheel-drive Dodge Challenger GT. In a relatively light news week ahead of CES and the Detroit show, the guys discuss driving in these wintery conditions, Volkswagen and Hyundai both announcing autonomous driving partnerships with Aurora Innovation and they follow-up last week’s conversation about the death of the collector car market with news that some person with more money than sense bought a Volvo 262C for $216,000 simply because it was once owned by David Bowie. Links Bowie’s Volvo Hyundai and Aurora team up for automated driving Volkswagen and Aurora also partner Wheel… Read More »Episode #052 – Winter Driving and Ziggy’s Volvo

Episode #050 – Phil Berg Stops By To Talk About Garages and Cars

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Episode #050 - Phil Berg Stops By To Talk About Garages and Cars
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  We’ve got another special guest this week as the great Phil Berg visit’s Sam’s basement to tell some stories talk about cars of the past, present and future. In the garage, Phil is driving the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Sam disses the Toyota Prius C and Dan shifts gears in the Toyota Corolla SE. In the discussion we solve the problem of distracted driving by declaring that everyone must drive manual transmission Mazda Miata. We ponder the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee and the revival of the Honda Insight name. Finally, a reminder to make sure that if you get a recall notice for Takata airbags (or anything else) please get it fixed ASAP. Links If you want to buy a personally autographed copy of Ultimate Garages from Phil, click here to send us an email and we’ll connect you The Prius C has outlived its… Read More »Episode #050 – Phil Berg Stops By To Talk About Garages and Cars

Episode #049 – Talking Porsches, McLarens, Hyundais and Policy With SpaceKatGal

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Episode #049 - Talking Porsches, McLarens, Hyundais and Policy With SpaceKatGal
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  On this week’s edition of the show, Dan and Sam are joined by very special guest Brianna Wu, head of development at game studio Giant Space Kat, congressional candidate and all-around car geek! Bri tells us why she is so passionate about driving and why she chose her current ride, the Porsche Cayman. Dan and Sam meanwhile have to make do with a couple of fine, but far less exciting sedans, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata and the Genesis G80 Sport. Then everyone dives into a discussion the latest product from the McLaren Cars, the aptly named Senna and some speculation about the next generation Porsche 911. From driving to not driving, the conversation wraps with some thoughts on policy for autonomous vehicles and automotive cybersecurity from an aspiring politician with that rarest of characteristics in Washington, actual knowledge of the modern world and technology.… Read More »Episode #049 – Talking Porsches, McLarens, Hyundais and Policy With SpaceKatGal

2018 Nissan Leaf

Checking out the 2018 Nissan Leaf With Leo Laporte

Last Sunday I got to hang out with Leo Laporte as we checked out the redesigned 2018 Nissan Leaf for episode 134 of The New Screen Savers 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

Episode #048 – LA Auto Show, Driverless in San Francisco, What Is A Station Wagon

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Episode #048 - LA Auto Show, Driverless in San Francisco, What Is A Station Wagon
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After a hiatus while Sam finished off a flurry of travel, the team is back for episode 48. Sam drives the 2017 Mazda CX-5 while Dan gets the Hyundai Ioniq and Mitsubishi Outlander (is it just me or does it seem like Mitsubishi has sent its entire press fleet to New England for Dan to drive?). While in Napa to drive the new Nissan Leaf, Sam talked with Jalopnik’s Jason Torchinsky about what defines a station wagon and picks up the conversation with Dan. Lincolns have names again, VW is building EVs, Sam rides in automated Chevrolet Bolt and Infiniti launches its variable compression engine. Links Lincoln goes back to names Deep dive into the automated Chevrolet Bolt Ford goes bespoke for AVs and moves EVs to Mexico Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in… Read More »Episode #048 – LA Auto Show, Driverless in San Francisco, What Is A Station Wagon