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The True Successor To The F1

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The True Successor To The F1
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This week it’s just Rebecca and Sam as Dan tries to finish some projects running behind schedule. Rebecca shares her experience with the Kia Seltos and explains why you should get keyless entry if you can. Meanwhile Sam has been driving the BMW X3 xDrive30e, aka the smaller plug-in hybrid SUV from Munich (via Spartanburg). There was lots of news this week as Ford announced another changing of the guard as Jim Farley prepares to succeed Jim Hackett as CEO. Cadillac finally had the delayed public introduction of the Lyriq electric crossover, but it’s still going to be two years before you can buy one. Hyundai has decided to replace the current Ioniq with a whole sub-brand of Ioniq electric vehicles. Finally, Sam shares some history with his first exposure to the legendary McLaren F1 before our team discusses it’s true succcessor, the Gordon Murray… Read More »The True Successor To The F1

Stupid Stocks and Plug-in Hybrids

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Stupid Stocks and Plug-in Hybrids
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Rebecca is out hanging with a real-life friend for this episode so it’s just Dan and Sam. Sam has been driving the 2020 Hyundai Palisade while Dan got his first taste of Nissan’s variable compression 2.0-liter turbo four in the Infiniti QX50. In the news, we discuss the electric range and fuel efficiency of the new Ford Escape plug-in hybrid and compare it to the upcoming Toyota Rav4 Prime. Nikola Motors has some very interesting technology and a planned business model for hydrogen fuel cell long-haul trucks. The problem is Nikola has yet to deliver, has zero revenue and a ridiculous stock price. We wrap up with discussion of electric Lemons racing and listener questions. Links Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Range Nikola Motors and its ridiculous stock price Electric Lemons Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to… Read More »Stupid Stocks and Plug-in Hybrids

£500 Million To Learn That It’s Hard To Make Money Building Cars

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Wheel Bearings
£500 Million To Learn That It's Hard To Make Money Building Cars
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After an extended break, we’re hopefully back on a more regular schedule. In our absence, Sam has found his new favorite Jeep, the Gladiator Mojave and also spent a week with the Wrangler Ecodiesel. Rebecca got to drive the other Japanese accessible sports car, the Toyota 86 Hakone Edition resplendent in its green paint with gold wheels. Dan went electric this time with the latest Nissan Leaf Plus and came away convinced it’s the best Nissan car right now. In the news, we discuss James Dyson spending £500 million to learn that it’s hard to build a car company. Hey James, next just give us a call. We’d happily tell you the same thing for a mere £5 million. Toyota is still skeptical of battery electric vehicles, but it’s all in hybrids as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Prius coming to America. This… Read More »£500 Million To Learn That It’s Hard To Make Money Building Cars

What Happens Next?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
What Happens Next?
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This week Rebecca has been self-isolating in the new Toyota Rav4 TRD Off-Road edition, Sam has been enjoying time in the Mazda CX-30 and Dan is going old school in the Lexus GX460. The team has a lively debate on the merits of letting Georgia teenagers skip the road test on the way to getting a driver’s license. The conversation then turns to what happens to the auto industry as the pandemic hopefully subsides and then we finish off with a couple of listener questions and an interview that Sam did with Jaguar Formula E driver James Calado. Links Georgia Skips Driver’s License Road Tests Ford Delays Commercial Launch of AVs GM Kills Maven Ford Cancels Rivian-based Lincoln IBM Mobility Survey Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting… Read More »What Happens Next?

145 – Preserving Your Ride

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Wheel Bearings
145 - Preserving Your Ride
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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.

Ep. 138 – It’s All About the Context

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 138 - It's All About the Context
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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

Ep 137 – Big Screens and Blimps

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep 137 - Big Screens and Blimps
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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

Ep 135 – Who’s Going To Buy All The EVs?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep 135 - Who's Going To Buy All The EVs?
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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?

Ep 132 – Electric Trucks

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Wheel Bearings
Ep 132 - Electric Trucks
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We drive the Mazda 3 AWD sedan, Mazda 6 Signature, and GMC Sierra AT4 CarbonPro Off-Road. Topics include
the Tesla Cybertruck and highlights from the Los Angeles auto show including the Audi e-Tron Sportback, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Vision T concept

Ep 130 – Not Your Grandfather’s Mustang

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep 130 - Not Your Grandfather's Mustang
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In the news, we discuss a Ford Raptor being forceably removed from blocking an EV charger, Tata searching for electrification partners for Jaguar Land Rover and the official name of Ford’s new EV, the Mustang Mach-E. We wrap up with a couple of listener questions.