Skip to content

crossover utility

Episode #12 – Driving Long-Range EVs and Snow-Bound Muscle Cars

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #12 - Driving Long-Range EVs and Snow-Bound Muscle Cars
Loading
/

After a week off due to busy schedules, Dan and Sam are back. In the garage, we’ve driven the Genesis G80, Honda Civic Sport hatchback and a Chrysler Pacifica that went back smelling like a bunch of Deadheads had hit the road in it. Sam went to California to drive the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV on some of the same roads where he first drove the Tesla Roadster nine years earlier and finds that those that don’t want to wait for a Tesla Model 3 should be taking a serious look this new entry. Dan, took the Pacifica north to Portland, Maine to bomb around in the snow with an all-wheel-drive Dodge Challenger GT. We also answer some reader messages and play an interview with GM designer Stuart Norris. Links: Leave The Brake Pedal, Take The Bolt – Driving Chevrolet’s New EV ABG First Drive:… Read More »Episode #12 – Driving Long-Range EVs and Snow-Bound Muscle Cars

Episode #7 – Arrogance Is No Way To Get People To Accept Self-Driving Cars

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #7 - Arrogance Is No Way To Get People To Accept Self-Driving Cars
Loading
/

After a brief delay due to some personal scheduling issues (ok it was all Dan’s fault!) [it was totally my fault – D], Dan and Sam are back with another vibrant discussion about the week in vehicles and transportation. In the garage we talk about GM’s shifting crossover strategy with the 2017 GMC Acadia and Honda growing the Ridgeline into a real truck. Then the talk turns to cars that talk to each other, the Google cars project transforming into Waymo and Uber behaving badly yet again (big surprise there!). Finally, in Q&A Sam gives tries to give a brief explanation (or at least as brief as Sam can be) of how the Volkswagen diesel emissions cheat worked and why engine accessory electrification saves fuel. NHTSA Moves Ahead with the V2V Communications Regulation Uber Behaves Badly In San Francisco Waymo Is Spawned From the Google… Read More »Episode #7 – Arrogance Is No Way To Get People To Accept Self-Driving Cars

Episode #4 – Staying Entertained, Informed and Engaged in the Car

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #4 - Staying Entertained, Informed and Engaged in the Car
Loading
/

In Episode 4, Dan and Sam talk about a pair of updated SUVs, the Nissan Rogue Hybrid and Mazda CX-9 before getting deep into why GM delayed the launch of SuperCruise on the Cadillac CT6. While SuperCruise will monitor the human operator to make sure they continue paying attention while not driving, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide means to keep the driver entertained. As much as we might want to use smartphone based infotainment, it’s likely to be a dead-end technology. Finally, your humble hosts tackle some listener emails about visibility and opining on cars we haven’t yet driven.

Episode #3 – Jaguar Goes Electric, Mazda Goes Diesel and Who Knows AutoPilot

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #3 - Jaguar Goes Electric, Mazda Goes Diesel and Who Knows AutoPilot
Loading
/

  In this round, Dan and Sam drive the Volkswagen Beetle Dune and the Mazda3 Hatchback. Sam went the Los Angeles Auto Show/Automobility LA where he saw the reveal of the second generation Mazda CX-5, the Jaguar i-Pace and sat down with Ali Vahabzedeh, founder and CEO of on-demand, commuter van-ride service Chariot. They also discuss what drivers think AutoPilot means.   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

volvo xc60 hyundai elantra eco

Episode #2 – Electric Ferrari and Hyundai models, Peak Auto, Cord Revival

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #2 - Electric Ferrari and Hyundai models, Peak Auto, Cord Revival
Loading
/

This week, Dan and Sam discuss the Volvo XC60 and Hyundai Elantra Eco in the garage. From there we dive into Hyundai’s next big thing, the Ioniq dedicated electrified vehicle platform that launches in December. The electrification talk then spreads into Ferrari before we turn back on reviving classic brands like Cord. We finish up with a discussion of whether the car market has peaked.   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