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Episode #069 – VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #069 - VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble
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We missed last week for reasons we don’t need to get into (OK, it was Dan’s fault) but Sam drove the Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas while Dan had the new Jeep Wrangler. Sam went to the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally at Road America where he went for a ride in the Ford GT and drove a whole bunch of other cars and utilities. He came to the conclusion that for those that actually want to have fun driving, the VW GTI is a better choice than the Golf R. Finally, Tesla continues to have quality issues and Elon Musk goes on the attack against anyone that stoops to criticize and his most trollish followers pile on. Links A lap in the Ford GT VW Tiguan review VW Atlas review Edmunds Tesla Model 3 Long Term update What It’s Like When Elon Musk’s Twitter… Read More »Episode #069 – VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble

wheelbearings podcast episode 68

Episode #068 – Quirky Subarus and Driver Monitors

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #068 - Quirky Subarus and Driver Monitors
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This Sam is in California talking autonomous cars at a conference. He’s driven the BMW X3 before the trip and trying out the Cadillac CT6 with SuperCruise in Silicon Valley. Dan has been enjoying the rough edges of the Subaru WRX. The guys discuss Teslas crashing into fire trucks, batteries that re-ignite and the pending demise of the diesel. Links No Diesel for new Volvo S60 Sam on This Week in Tech Crashing Teslas   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 #066 – Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #066 - Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety
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After a week off, the guys are back with lots of stuff to talk about. Since the last show, Sam has been in the Mini Countryman Cooper S E (where do they come up with these naming conventions?) and the BMW 530e xDrive while Dan has found himself surprisingly enamored with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. While electrification is the future, it’s not the only solution for improving efficiency, especially in the big trucks that Americans favor. That’s why Ford is launching a diesel engine in the F-150. Someday we may not be actively driving anymore but we’re still a long way from that being commonplace. Sam compares the hype for automated vehicles to the currently reality and the hype just doesn’t hold up. Oh and Amazon can deliver packages to your trunk. Links Ford F-150 Diesel first drive BMW picks Innoviz solid state lidar The… Read More »Episode #066 – Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety

Episode #065 – Midsize Luxury SUVs, New Electric Utilities and Fast Charging

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #065 - Midsize Luxury SUVs, New Electric Utilities and Fast Charging
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Since the last show, Sam has spent time with the Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLE550e plug-in hybrid. Dan gets an encore with the Nissan Armada and some time with the Dodge Charger GT. As we head into this year’s Beijing Motor Show, images of the new Mercedes-Maybach sedan-SUV concept surface and frankly it’s not good. Audi provides a preview of some of the testing they are doing with the upcoming e-Tron Quattro and VW subsidiary Electrify America gets ready to challenge the Tesla SuperCharger network. Finally, Toyota commits to talking cars and wants the rest of the industry to come along for the ride. 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

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
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

wheelbearings podcast episode 51

Episode #051 – Small Utilities and Sedans and Passages of Time

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #051 - Small Utilities and Sedans and Passages of Time
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For the final edition of 2017, Dan drives the 2018 Hyundai Accent, Sam gets in the Mazda CX-3 and Larry Vellequette from Automotive News drops by to talk about the end of car collecting. There’s a growing backlash from people tired of drivers trying to bypass traffic jams with online navigation apps like Waze but will the problem only get worse when we have automated mobility services like what Uber wants to build with money from Softbank? Kenichi Yamamoto, the brilliant engineer that led Mazda for many years and made the Wankel rotary almost viable, dies at 95 and the guys talk about some of their favorite rides of the past year. Links Softbank buys into Uber Kenichi Yamamoto passes The Waze backlash The end of car collecting The best of 2017   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and… Read More »Episode #051 – Small Utilities and Sedans and Passages of Time

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

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
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

Episode #047 – Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber

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Podcast Archives
Episode #047 - Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber
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The guys are back with some Thanksgiving car chatter after a week of travel for Sam. It’s a full slate of hybrids in the garage. Since the last show, Sam has driven the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the fuel-cell Toyota Mirai. Meanwhile, Dan gives his take on the Toyota Prius Prime and the new Volvo XC60 T8 Twin-Drive. From there, the conversation devolves into complaints about touchscreens in cars and the future of voice recognition. Then we take on the king of the car touchscreens with the launch of the Tesla Semi, a new Roadster and production problems. Finally, the Uber has messed up again with a massive data breach that was concealed for a year. Let’s give thanks that at least for now, we can still drive for ourselves. Links Toyota Prius Prime Review Thoughts on the Tesla Semi from a former trucker Uber… Read More »Episode #047 – Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber

WB Reviews – Episode #001 – Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
WB Reviews - Episode #001 - Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
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In the first reviews segment from Wheel Bearings, Dan and Sam discuss the Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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

wheelbearings podcast episode 42

Episode #042 – Maxi Mini, Family Haulin’, Car Subscriptions & Autonomous Safety

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Podcast Archives
Episode #042 - Maxi Mini, Family Haulin', Car Subscriptions & Autonomous Safety
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This week, Dan hauls his family around in the Hyundai Santa Fe and Sam ponders how big a Mini can be and still be a Mini. If you have a hard time committing to just one car, subscription services like Passport by Porsche may be the answer for you. Mislabeling of metals is not a problem you can fix with an over-the-air software update and may put Kobe Steel in even more trouble than Takata. Waymo publishes a surprisingly detailed safety report about its automated driving system and the guys answer some listener questions. Links Passport by Porsche subscriptions Kobe Steel Fakes It Waymo talks safety   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