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Episode #26 – Smokeless Launches and Exhausted Patents

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Episode #26 - Smokeless Launches and Exhausted Patents
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This week, Dan and Sam talk about driving the BMW 530i, Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, Ford Escape Platinum and Acura NSX. Then they dive into how a printer patent case might impact the future of automated driving, the Acura NSX racing program and insuring Teslas. Guest: Art St. Cyr, President Honda Performance Development Links: SCOTUS ruling limits patent exhaustion Lawyers not ethicists will solve trolley problem Acura NSX launch control Tesla Insurance Premiums 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

Wheel Bearings #25

Episode #25 – Aging Trucks, New Crossovers, Vintage Convertibles and Cheap EVs

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Episode #25 - Aging Trucks, New Crossovers, Vintage Convertibles and Cheap EVs
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This week Dan and Sam discuss lots of listener comments and questions throughout the show. Dan has spent the week with the Toyota Tundra and advises a listener to look elsewhere for their hauling needs. Sam has the new Chevrolet Equinox and also discusses his new acquisition, a 1990 Mazda Miata. In the ongoing Uber saga, former Google engineer Anthony Levandoski is now also a former Uber engineer as the ride-hailing leader fires him. The guys discuss invisible Camrys, electric vehicle conversions, autonomous shuttles and whether it is worth buying a cheap used Fiat 500e. links Uber Fires Anthony Levandoski Toyota Tundra review Autonomous Shuttles 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

Wheel Bearings 22

Episode #22 – Jeep and Ram spinoff, Apple still into cars, Autonomy and Law Enforcement

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Episode #22 - Jeep and Ram spinoff, Apple still into cars, Autonomy and Law Enforcement
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Dan and Sam talk plug-in hybrid minivans, gas-guzzling muscle sedans, autonomy and mobility marketing

Wheel Bearings Episode 20

Episode #20 – Stump Pulling Trucks, Sport Sedans, Hatchbacks and Crossover Wagons

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Episode #20 - Stump Pulling Trucks, Sport Sedans, Hatchbacks and Crossover Wagons
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In episode 20, Dan ponders what to tow with the massive 910 lb-ft of torque available from the redesigned 6.6-liter Duramax diesel in the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500 while Sam swaps the BMW 530i for a 330i. Buick has shifted gears with the new 2018 Regal, ditching the trunk in favor of a five-door hatchback or wagon/crossover and Hyundai Motor Group has launched two distinctly different vehicles off its first dedicated electrified vehicle platform. Sam got to drive the electric and hybrid variants of the Hyundai Ioniq while Dan got to at least see the Kia Niro. Links 2018 Buick Regal Sportback and TourX Fill White Spaces in GM’s Lineup Kia Reveals Its First Dedicated Hybrid, The Niro Crossover Plus New Optima Hybrids 2017 Hyundai Ioniq, Company’s First Dedicated Electrified Vehicle Platform Arrives In December Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like… Read More »Episode #20 – Stump Pulling Trucks, Sport Sedans, Hatchbacks and Crossover Wagons

Wheel Bearings #15

Episode #15 – Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps

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Episode #15 - Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps
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  This week we take a second look at the Honda Civic Sport Hatchback after Dan’s had a chance to drive it and Sam takes the less ostentatious version of the Lexus ES300h that Dan had last week with the Toyota Camry Hybrid SE. Some big news broke just before we recorded as Waymo sued Uber for stealing its LiDAR technology, BMW, HERE and Mobileye team up to build HD maps for automated driving and we discuss half-baked ideas about fried chicken and Opel. Sam talks with Ford’s Alan Dona about new Ford hybrids and then we answer listener questions about performance hybirds. Links A note on our lawsuit against Otto and Uber BMW, HERE And Mobileye Team Up To Crowd-Source HD Maps For Self-Driving 2017 Honda Civic Sport: The Return Of The Hatchback   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the… Read More »Episode #15 – Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps

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

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

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Episode #7 - Arrogance Is No Way To Get People To Accept Self-Driving Cars
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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 #3 – Jaguar Goes Electric, Mazda Goes Diesel and Who Knows AutoPilot

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

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

Episode #1 – Welcome to Wheel Bearings

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Episode #1 - Welcome to Wheel Bearings
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Welcome the premier episode of the Wheel Bearings podcast where Dan Roth and Sam Abuelsamid talk about what they are driving and the stories they think are important in the world of cars and the future of transportation.

We kick off with a discussion of the Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar F-Pace, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Then we get into the new Mercedes-Benz engine family with 48-volt electrical systems and the cancellation of George Hotz’s Comma One.