This week we’re driving the 2021 GM Yukon Denali, Subaru Crosstrek Limited, and a pair of Kia K5 GT-Line sedans.
We talk about GM’s new logo, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and the Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen for the EQS. There’s an interview with Ryan Matulich from Ford about the 7.3L “Godzilla” V8, and we wrap with a listener question about EV marketing.
As we kick off a new year with a weak largely devoid of news, our team opens up with the garage. Rebecca had the latest BMW 540i xDrive sedan while Sam waxes rhapsodic about the refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica AWD and minivans in general as people haulers. Meanwhile Dan is wraps up an extended period with the Ford F-350 Tremor. With the lack of news we discuss some of our automotive highlights of the year gone by including the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Silverado and Corvette, Ford Mustang Mach-E, the new models from Genesis the GV80 and G80 and the new Hyundai Sonata as well as others. Lowlights include the infotainment systems in the new Subaru Legacy and Outback, and Mazda CX-9. Your intrepid hosts also makes some prognostications for the year ahead. Links 2021 Genesis GV80 first drive 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E 2020 Chevrolet Corvette… Read More »Highs and Lows and Minivans
As 2020 winds toward its conclusion, the crew gathers for a pre-solstice recording with lots of vehicles to talk about. Dan kicks things off with the Ford F-350 Tremor that he had use to go fetch a replacement for dead Christmas tree and then compares notes with Rebecca on the new Land Rover Defender 110. Sam also had a big Ford this week which he used to help his daughter move, the 2021 Transit T150 with the extended body and mid-height roof that was too tall to fit a parking garage. Rebecca had a pair of SUVs, the new build yet still vintage Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban with GM’s lovely 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder diesel engine. In the news, we discuss the new bidirectional robotaxi revealed this week by Amazon-owned Zoox. Boston Dynamics has its third new owner in the past… Read More »Robot Dogs and Taxis
This special episode of Wheel Bearings is dedicated to just one topic, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. Sam had and opportunity to drive the Mach-E and also record an interview with Ford’s Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer, Hau Thai-Tang about how the company’s product development system has changed and how lessons from Mach-E will impact other products. Links Hau Thai-Tang bio 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E first drive Dave Pericak interview 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
The Wheel Bearings crew reconvenes to hash through what we’ve been driving. Rebecca had the VW Altas Cross Sport which was great apart from some major issues with the voice recognition. Sam got to enjoy some real quality time with the 2021 Toyota Supra before winter set in. Dan got to toss around the refreshed Subaru Cross Trek before stepping into the Cadillac CT5. In the news, Hyundai Motor Group has revealed its new electric-global modular platform that will underpin 23 new EVs across 4 brands by 2025 starting with the new Ioniq 5 in 2021. Hyundai is targetting 1 million EV sales by 2025. Continuing the EV theme, we discuss Cadillac offering to buyout dealers that don’t want to support EVs and the increased moves to ban sales of new internal combustion vehicles. We wrap with Dan’s eulogy for the VW Passat in America… Read More »Old Enough to Know Better, Too Young to Care
We’ve got a bit of a split show this week since Dan was busy painting his house before Rebecca had to attend to some family business. Sam and Rebecca kick off the garage with the 2021 Toyota Sienna hybrid and the Audi S5 Sportback. Dan spliced in the garage segment he recorded with Sam on the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt. Spoiler alert, Dan loves the Bolt. Following the garage, Rebecca and Sam share their perspectives on Genesis’ first crossover, the new GV80. The GV80 is built on a new read-drive platform dedicated to Hyundai Motor Group’s premium brand and shared with the new G80 sedam. We also discuss the reveal of the GMC Hummer EV pickup, the first vehicle to be built on GM’s new Ultium electric architecture. Sam and Rebecca wrap up with a couple of listener questions on the… Read More »The Right Vehicle for the Job
This week we have the whole crew back together again with a diverse array of machinery in the garage. Rebecca started off with what is arguably the best driving (if not the most attractive) hot hatch today, the Honda Civic Type-R. From there she transitioned to another small hatchback, the Hyundai Kona EV. The Kona is a really impressive electric crossover with 259 miles of driving range. Sam spent the week with the Toyota 86 GT, an awesomely fun little sports car. And now for something completely different, Dan drove the Ford Transit 150 cargo van. Sam also got a first taste of the redesigned 2021 Nissan Rogue, a thoroughly updated entry into one of the hottest segments in the market. Then the team delves into the practical realities of what needs to happen in order for California and potentially other states to go all… Read More »Keeping it Running
This week it’s back to old school as Rebecca is busy baby sitting a couple of young nephews. That means it’s just Dan and Sam. Since we last spoke, Dan has been in the Lexus ES350 F-Sport and the Mazda CX-30. Meanwhile Sam was getting reaquainted with the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid. In news Sam got to take a farewell drive in the 2020 Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang Heritage Edition as production of this high-revving pony draws to a close. The guys also discuss Sam’s diatribe on the ridiculous performance being put into today’s vehicles, especially EVs. Ford also released full specs on the 2021 F-150 including the PowerBoost hybrid. As usual we wrap up with listener questions such as what minivan to buy. Links Final drive in the GT350R Heritage Edition 2021 F-150 specs EVs are Getting Too Fast Wheel Bearings has… Read More »How Much Is Too Much?
As Dan was busy to battle with a server, Sam and Rebecca took the reins again this week with lots to talk about. Rebecca did a couple of media drives, first in the new Subaru Crosstrek before returning home to take a journey in the Land Rover Defender. In between she had the Toyota Avalon hybrid that drew a surprising amount of attention from residents of Greenwich. Meanwhile, Sam had the Cadillac CT4-V (those stupid alphanumeric names can’t go away soon enough) and the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid. In the news, Michigan legislators are trying close a loophole that enabled Tesla to start sort of selling cars in the state before any other interlopers like Rivian could do the same. After months of showing its new electric crossover with only the mildest of camoflague, Volkswagen has revealed all the details on the ID.4. We wrap up… Read More »Who Gets to Sell the EVs?
In the garage this week, Sam discusses the smoothest diesel he’s ever driven, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with GM’s new 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder compression ignition engine. Dan shares his impressions of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Black Label and where Lincoln has come in recent years. Rebecca tries out both extremes of the Toyota product lineup with the CH-R compact crossover and the Lexus LC500 Convertible. The conversation then goes off on a bit of tangent as the ponders why people buy convertibles and the drive them with the top up all the time before getting back on course with the GM-Nikola strategic partnership that was announced this week. Our heros finish up with the reveal of the Lucid Air electric sedan before diving into some listener questions. Links 2021 Lucid Air GM and Nikola Motors Electric turbos and boosters Wheel Bearings has launched a… Read More »Into the Air
