electrification

Toyota Prius Prime Gets The Plug-in Hybrid Right, Now About That Design

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 27, 2017July 26, 2018

Ok, let’s immediately deal with the elephant in the room. The Toyota Prius Prime is not an attractive vehicle. In fact, to my eyes, it’s quite homely. Now that we have that out of the way, I’ll leave the aesthetic judgements to your own tastes and move on to how Toyota’s sophomore effort at a plug-in version of its icon works. While the first-generation Prius PHV was a bit of a swing and a miss, the functionality this time is in most respects a home run. Read the rest of the review at Sam’s Thoughts 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 #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 20, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

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This week, Sam talks about driving the Prius Prime which if you can get past the design is a really good and fuel efficient car. Dan ponders Mitsubishi Mirage GT and whether it’s really worth buying a new car when you can something slightly used that’s way better and then transitions to the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack. Volvo launches its first dedicated car for the Polestar brand, a 600-hp plug-in hybrid coupe, Audi rolls out a second-generation A7 and Tesla fires a whole bunch of people. Dan explains why he doesn’t watch Star Trek Discovery and Sam gives his verdict and the guys answer additional listener questions. Links Polestar 1 2019 Audi A7 Tesla mass firings Star Trek Discovery 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… Read More »Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

Episode #041 – SuperCruising Across America, EVs Coming Up Everywhere

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 4, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #041 - SuperCruising Across America, EVs Coming Up Everywhere

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We’re back with a regular episode with Sam driving the Acura TLX A-Spec and Dan expounding upon the Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Last week Sam spent a couple of days crossing the heartland in a Cadillac CT6 with his hands mostly off the steering wheel. Along the way, it seems like everyone from vacuum cleaner maven James Dyson to Ford CEO Jim Hackett was talking about building EVs with GM in the middle. Links Super Cruising across middle America in a Cadillac Dyson Blows Some Air about EVs GM plans to build two dozen EVs Ford is taking money from engines to build what else? EVs 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

Special Episode – Zooming Toward An Electric Car Future

by Sam Abuelsamid
October 4, 2017October 31, 2018

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Special Episode - Zooming Toward An Electric Car Future

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Following the big electrification announcements from General Motors and Ford this week, Sam was invited to join host Tom Ashbrook along with Forbes Detroit Bureau Chief Joann Muller, Michael Dunne of Dunne Automotive and Pam Fletcher, executive chief engineer for Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles at General Motors to discuss the EV future during NPR’s On Point. http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2017/10/04/electric-car-ford-gm 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 #039 – The Off-Road Ford GT, New Jaguars, Stupid Tech

by Sam Abuelsamid
September 22, 2017October 31, 2018

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Episode #039 - The Off-Road Ford GT, New Jaguars, Stupid Tech

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This week Dan and Sam have both recently driven the off-road specialist from Ford Performance, the F-150 Raptor. It’s got visual presence and a great engine, but would your humble hosts actually want to own one? Sam has also driven the Hyundai Elantra Sport, but unlike the manual transmission version Dan drove a few weeks ago, this one had the seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Volvo has revealed the new XC40 compact crossover with a new subscription leasing program that turns out to be very similar to Apple’s iPhone upgrade program. Jaguar brought most of its 2018 model lineup including the all-new E-Pace to Detroit and Sam chats with product planning chief Dave Larsen. Meanwhile in South Korea, Genesis boss Albert Biermann throws shade at his former colleagues in Germany. links The new Volvo XC40 and Care by Volvo Genesis chief disses German automotive tech overload… Read More »Episode #039 – The Off-Road Ford GT, New Jaguars, Stupid Tech

Episode #038 – Grand Touring, Fun Hybrids, Frankfurt and Mazda Cleverness

by Sam Abuelsamid
September 15, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #038 - Grand Touring, Fun Hybrids, Frankfurt and Mazda Cleverness

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The guys return after a week away with Dan getting his turn at the Kia Niro while Sam tours in the Lexus LC500. We review the highlights of the Frankfurt Motor Show plus the hideous BMW X7, discuss what the NTSB had to say about a fatal Tesla crash, ponder stolen VW diesels and marvel at the creativity of Mazda’s engineers. We also answer some really old voice mails. Links Mazda SkyActiv-X Tech Stolen VW diesels NTSB on Tesla and automated driving Slimmed down federal guidelines on automated driving Frankfurt 2017 Highlights Lexus LC500 Review Kia Niro Review 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 #037 – Hot Hondas, Acuras, Hyundais, Pizzas and A Not-so Hot Mitsubishi

by Sam Abuelsamid
September 1, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #037 - Hot Hondas, Acuras, Hyundais, Pizzas and A Not-so Hot Mitsubishi

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This week we talk about lots of the vehicles we’ve recently driven. Sam samples a pair of very different Acura hybrids with some shared hardware. He then heads to the track to play with the hottest Civic ever the Type-R and talks with product planner Rob Keogh. Dan gets in the decidedly mediocre Mitsubishi Outlander GT. The Hyundai Elantra GT Sport is one of the most refined cars yet from the ever-improving Korean brand but is it better than a GTI? Finally, Ford and Domino’s hook up to try out autonomous pizza delivery. Domino’s Takes High-Tech Pizza Delivery To Level 4 With Ford The Ridge Motorsports Park 2017 Acura NSX – Vaporware No More 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

A Weekend With the Acura NSX

by Sam Abuelsamid
August 27, 2017July 26, 2018

Sam was lucky enough to get an offer to spend a weekend with the Acura NSX. A full review is coming soon, but here’s a few pics. [portfolio_slideshow] 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 #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

by Sam Abuelsamid
August 24, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #036 - Rome Isn't Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

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The guys are back with a regular episode wherein we drive sibling vehicles from Korea, the Hyundai Elantra Sport and Kia Niro FE. Sam was wiped out last week after a whirlwind trip to San Francisco for the City of Tomorrow symposium hosted by Ford. While there he got the chance to talk with Bryan Salesky, one of the most experienced software engineers working on automated vehicles. Fiat Chrysler is also trying to get a foothold in the automated driving space while rumors of a Chinese acquisition swirl. Meanwhile GM still hopes that diesel can give them a competitive edge with the 39 mpg Chevy Equinox. links FCA Joins BMW/Intel Autonomous Driving Partnership Chevy Equinox Diesel rated at 39 mpg highway Uber Kills Leasing Program Future of Smaller Automakers May Be As Tier 1 Suppliers Ford Makes $1B Bet On Argo.AI As Recruiting Tool Kia… Read More »Episode #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

Episode #034 – AMG Roadtripping, More Miata Love and EV Frustration

by Sam Abuelsamid
August 6, 2017October 31, 2018

Podcast Archives

Episode #034 - AMG Roadtripping, More Miata Love and EV Frustration

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This week Dan takes his turn in the Mazda Miata RF while Sam does a road trip to the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in the Mercedes-AMG E43. While at MBS Sam talked with Nvidia’s director of automotive, Danny Shapiro, heard Mazda SVP Robert Davis extol the virtues of internal combustion and saw his friend Bob Gritzenger struggle with EV charging infrastructure in northern Michigan. Links Mazda Miata RF Charging an EV on Blue Highways Mazda Dissing EVs Sam’s new monthly column for Automotive Engineering 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

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