Skip to content

electrification

The Deer Ran Into Me

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Deer Ran Into Me
Loading
/

This week on the show, Roberto reviews the Kia Soul rental car he had on Kauai last week, Nicole drives the baby Range Rover, the Evoque, and Sam discusses the new eighth-generation Volkswagen GTI. In the news, Chevrolet teased out upcoming hybrid and electric versions of the Corvette and all of GM’s Ultium platform EVs are getting a heat pump energy recovery system as standard equipment. Dodge is expanding its lineup with a compact crossover called the Hornet which we’ll see in August and Nissan is working on a new ADAS system using Luminar lidar. Finally, a dealer in Colorado has opened a used car store that only sells hybrids and EVs and we answer some questions. Links Electrified Corvettes GM Ultium Energy Recovery System Dodge Hornet New Nissan ADAS with lidar Colorado dealer that only sells used EVs and hybrids Wheel Bearings has launched… Read More »The Deer Ran Into Me

Some Compromises

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Some Compromises
Loading
/

Robbie is on vacation this week, but Nicole is back. She’s been driving the Infiniti QX55 and the Toyota 4Runner, one of which was very pleasant. Sam had the Mazda CZ-9 Signature. We’ve got lots of news this week starting with the Lincoln Star concept that previews the design direction for Ford’s premium brand as it goes electric and Sam spoke with design director Kemal Curic. On the same day that the Lincoln was revealed, BMW showed off its new 7 series including the electric i7 and Lexus dropped the RZ450e electric crossover. Nicole and Sam both recently drove the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe plug-in hybrid. Nicole also provides her impressions of the Subaru Solterra. Links Lincoln Star Concept BMW 7 Series and i7 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE Lexus RZ450 Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to… Read More »Some Compromises

Coexisting Assistants

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Coexisting Assistants
Loading
/

Nicole is off again this week caring for her mom, but the boys are carrying on. Roberto has been putting more miles on the BMW i4 and found it to be surprisingly efficient. Meanwhile Sam also got very good fuel efficiency while driving the Honda Civic Si which retains a rapidly nearing extinction manual gearbox. In the news, the New York Auto Show was this week where Genesis showed off a new electric luxury coupe concept, Ford expanded its relationship with Amazon Alexa and some cool Radwood cars appeared on the show floor. BMW also announced a mid-cycle refresh of the X7 and Sam again spoke with Alfa Romeo NA boss Larry Dominque. Links Ford and Alexa BMW X7 refresh Genesis X Spedium concept Radwood at NYAS Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward… Read More »Coexisting Assistants

Not A Crazed Squirrel

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Not A Crazed Squirrel
Loading
/

This week on the show, Roberto went all the way to Germany to drive the new Mercedes-Benz EQE midsize electric sedan. Nicole had a very different Mercedes, the seven-seat GLS450 SUV as well as the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Sam tested his new EV charger with the Mini Cooper SE. Nicole and Roberto also drove the GMC Hummer EV while Sam and Nicole tried out the Toyota bZ4X. A San Francisco police officer pulled over a driverless Cruise AV. Jeep is launching an even bigger version of the Wagoneer with the new Hurricane inline-six and Lincoln is teasing its upcoming EV concept. Links GMC Hummer EV first drive Lincoln EV concept tease Toyota bZ4X first drive Cruise AV traffic stop 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L/Grand Wagoneer L Manheim auctions tests used EV batteries Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like… Read More »Not A Crazed Squirrel

100 HP Per Cylinder

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
100 HP Per Cylinder
Loading
/

Nicole is attending to her mom this week, so it’s just the guys. Robbie had two different EVs off the same platform, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and the Audi RS e-tron GT. Sam drove the GMC Canyon AT4. Rolls-Royce has released testing images and video of its first EV, the Specter undergoing winter testing in Sweden. Honda and Acura have extended their certified pre-owned car program to models as old as 10 and Toyota has released its hottest hatch yet, the Corolla GR. NHTSA also announced plans to raise corporate average fuel economy standards to over 40 mpg by 2026. Links Rolls-Royce Specter Honda/Acura CPO changes Toyota Corolla GR New Fuel Economy standards 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

Orange Is Rugged

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Orange Is Rugged
Loading
/

The end of quarter travel is still going strong this week. Since our last regular episode Roberto has driven two new electric vehicles, the Lucid Air Dream Edition and the Nissan Ariya. Meanwhile, Sam having just returned from California on a red-eye talks about the Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid. Nicole was going the opposite direction from Sam and slid in late after being in transit from San Diego airport for the first part of the show. She has been playing with the Honda Passport Trailsport, complete with orange trim. Sam and Nicole shared some impressions of the updated Volvo XC60 Recharge with its longer 35-mile electric range. Stellantis is trailing the pack in fuel economy so since it expects to be still selling internal combustion vehicles into the 2030s, it has developed a new engine called Hurricane to replace the Hemi V8s. Lotus has revealed… Read More »Orange Is Rugged

Electric Volvos and More

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Electric Volvos and More
Loading
/

This week our usual recording time coincided with both Roberto and Nicole being in transit somewhere while Sam is hitting the road again in a couple of days. But rather than let you down, we do have some fresh content for you. First off, both Nicole and Sam drove the new Volvo C40 Recharge and sat down in a garden afterward to discuss their impressions. While at the Volvo event, Sam also chatted with Volvo Cars NA chief Anders Gustafsson and Senior product manager Christina Vasandani. We also have the rest of the interviews Sam recorded at the Chicago Auto Show including Steve Gehring, safety regulation and policy executive director at Hyundai, Jasen Turnbull, marketing manager for the the Ford F-150 Lightning and Arie Groenveld, Ford Bronco Raptor chief engineer Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to… Read More »Electric Volvos and More

The Buzz is Back

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Buzz is Back
Loading
/

This week Roberto has two vehicles to discuss, the Ford Maverick Lariat and the Kia EV6. Nicole has the massive Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Sam drives the not-a-minivan Jeep Grand Wagoneer. In the news, VW has finally unveiled the production version of the ID Buzz which Europeans get this summer and Americans will have to wait for until 2024. PG&E is testing bidirectional charging with GM and Ford. Honda is making a plan to make a plan to maybe make EVs with Sony. Rivian is still facing some production challenges. There won’t be a new gas powered Subaru STi and questions are answered. Links VW ID Buzz GM and PG&E to test bidirectional charging Honda and Sony may tie up on EVs Rivian still having a hard time building No more gas STis from Subaru Extended warranties on Car Talk Wheel Bearings has launched a… Read More »The Buzz is Back

Gliding Actively Sometimes

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Gliding Actively Sometimes
Loading
/

Unfortunately, Roberto woke up today with a massive migraine so it’s just Nicole and Sam this week. Nicole has been driving the refreshed 2022 Acura RDX A-Spec, while Sam has been shuttling around in the 2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph. The embargo has lifted on drive impressions of the updated 2022 Lincoln Navigator, the first model in the lineup with hands-free driving assist and we have some thoughts. Sam also had a conversation with Mike Sprague, North America director for Lincoln about the brand and where it goes in the future. Mike’s boss, Jim Farley, made a big announcement about reorganizing Ford and we talk about how that might affect dealers and customers. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares laid out a vision for the company through 2030 and showed off first renders of the upcoming 2023 Jeep EV and 2024 Ram 1500 EV. Polestar revealed a stunning… Read More »Gliding Actively Sometimes

They Can’t Be Hard When It’s Cold

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
They Can't Be Hard When It's Cold
Loading
/

This week in the garage, Roberto enjoyed some top down time with the Jaguar F-Type Roadster, Nicole finished her time with the Nissan Sentra and Sam drove the Mitsubishi Eclipese (not a real Eclipse) Cross. Robbie shares his impressions of ice driving in Colorado with Bridgestone. Nissan is going to build two new electric sedans in Mississippi and probably kill off the Titan to do it. Toyota has pattened a simulated manual shift complete with a clutch for EVs. Sam talks with Chevrolet Silverado chief engineer Nichole Kraatz (patrons already got this last week). Most car buyers are payng over sticker and seeing bouncing Impalas caused a search spike. Links 80% of car buyers paid over sticker in January Nissan to build 2 new EVs in Mississippi Toyota’s psuedo manual patent GMC Hummer Battery weighs almost 3,000 pounds. Manual transmission electric Saturn Wheel Bearings has… Read More »They Can’t Be Hard When It’s Cold