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Lightning Strikes Out

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Wheel Bearings
Lightning Strikes Out
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This week we’re joined by special guest Harvey Briggs. Harvey and Sam review the vehicles they drove last week while transporting 20 dogs nearly 2,000 miles as part of Operation Frodo. Nicole had the Ford Maverick Lobo and Robbie rode the Verge TS electric motorcycle. GM has struck a deal with Apple to get the Apple Music app on its vehicle’s infotainment. Ford is scrapping major parts of its EV plans including cancelling the current Lightning and replacing it with a next-generation EREV. For 2026, the frunk is becoming an extra cost option on the Mach-E. Tim Kuniskis has confirmed that Ram’s new midsize pickup will be called Dakota and volume trims will be around $40,000. Some Arizona highways could soon lose their speed limits and more people are recognizing how dumb modern door handles are. Waymo’s robotaxis got frozen when San Francisco had a… Read More »Lightning Strikes Out

Going Autonomous

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Wheel Bearings
Going Autonomous
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Nicole is finally back and while she was away she drove a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel wagon and since she returned she’s been driving the Acura Integra A-Spec. Robbie shares his thoughts on the new Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid. Sam had the Honda Accord Touring Hybrid and the Land Rover Defender X. In the news, Kia has revealed the redesigned second generation Seltos, and Mazda has revealed some of the tech in the 2026 CX-5. Nissan has decided to partner with Wayve to bring hands-off/eyes-off driving to its future versions of ProPilot while Rivian is doing it all in-house. Meanwhile in Texas, Aurora has joined Kodiak in hauling fracking sand with driverless trucks. Ford’s ADHD approach to electric vehicles brings it to partner with Renault of affordable EVs and splitting up its battery joint-venture with SK On. Subaru brings an affordable price point to its new Uncharted… Read More »Going Autonomous

Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of

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Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of
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This week Stephanie Brinley is again sitting in for Nicole and she drove the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Robbie and his wife rented a Chrysler Pacifica and Sam has the Mercedes-AMG G63. In the news, someone has rendered a Dodge Magnum revival based on the new Charge Daytona, and a New York State Senator wants to sort of ban in-vehicle subscriptions, but not really and Stellantis is still annoying customers with in-dash ads. Dealers are at it again with stupid markups on the new Honda Prelude. Jason Torchinsky has thoughts on how much acceleration is enough. Used EVs are selling faster than gas cars. Kia has an off-road concept of the EV5 in China. EuroNCAP is updating its scoring standards for 5 stars including physical buttons. Despite the best efforts of the Trump administration to kill EVs and infrastructure, Georgia is disbursing $24M for EV… Read More »Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of

EV Pulse Reunion

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EV Pulse Reunion
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This week both Robbie and Nicole are on vacation so Craig Cole is back along with Chad Kirchner. Sam had the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring. Ahead of the LA Auto Show, Lucid also announced the more affordable Touring trim that starts just under $80,000. Jeep has revealed all the details of its first electric off-roader and lets just say we’re not sure who is going to buy it. Hyundai showed the production version of the Ioniq 6 N and the new Crater off-road concept that could challenge the Wrangler and Bronco. We have pricing on the new Honda Prelude and details of the new Porsche Cayenne Electric. Genesis has revealed the GV60 Magma performance EV, the G90 Wingback wagon and Magma GT concept. Bollinger has stopped paying its bills. You can help out the many people that are food insecure this holiday season by donating… Read More »EV Pulse Reunion

It’s the Rogue-Lander PHEV

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It's the Rogue-Lander PHEV
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Nicole is in Mexico this week for the Baja 1000 so Craig Cole from AutoEsoterica stepped in. Robbie went to Poland this week to drive a simulator and Sam had the refreshed 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line. We discuss the new 2027 Kia Telluride that will be revealed in full at the LA Auto Show this week and speculate about whether it will have the same powertrains as the Hyundai Palisade including the next-generation HMG hybrid system that was in the Palisade that both Nicole and Sam drove. Nicole also drove the new Dodge Charger Six-Pack on the tail of the dragon. Toyota has initiated its first North American battery plant in North Carolina. Nissan is launching a plug-in hybrid version of the Rogue that is just a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Tesla is reportedly testing CarPlay to add to its infotainment system and Jeep launches… Read More »It’s the Rogue-Lander PHEV

The Tim Badge

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Wheel Bearings
The Tim Badge
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This week Sam is in a Tokyo hotel room after attending the Japan Mobility Show. Before leaving he drove the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro. Robbie spent some time in the dunes of California with the next Mercedes-Benz GLC and Nicole drove the revived Hemi Ram 1500 and the latest Subaru Forester. Others are finally taking notice of inflated delivery charges, NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Mad Max Mode and we have lots of interesting stuff from the Japan Mobility Show. That includes the Honda 0 Alpha, new Subaru STi concepts, a rotary plug-in hybrid from Mazda and lots from Toyota including a Corolla concept, ideas for a next-generation Lexus LS and a stand-alone Century brand. Sam also visits the home of Ryan O’Gorman to check out the Ford Home Energy Management system. Links Everyone is noticing skyrocketing destination feesNHTSA Looks Into Tesla Mad Max ModeHonda 0… Read More »The Tim Badge

Take the Bill Challenge

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Wheel Bearings
Take the Bill Challenge
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Nicole has been driving a bunch of stuff including the Ford F-150 Lightning and Expedition Tremor and went off-roading in the Honda Passport. Sam enjoyed some time with the BMW 228 xDrive Gran Coupe. Toyota is realigning its sporty branding for future models. Stellantis is investing $13 billion in shifting production to US factories and refreshing the Alfa Romeo Tonale for 2026. The Kia Tasman hasn’t exactly been a hit in Australia. Lamborghini is cutting its EV plan and sticking with plug-in hybrids for now. Volvo may ditch key cards for fobs and Porsche is keeping buttons and fobs. A Faraday Future FF91 failed to hit reserve at auction and Cadillac is killing the current CT4 and CT5 after 2026 but promising a new CT5. Sam bought another Kia EV6 and we discuss how far people can actually drive without a pit stop. Links TRD… Read More »Take the Bill Challenge

Losing Your Soul

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Losing Your Soul
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Summary In this episode, Robbie and Sam discuss various automotive topics, including a review of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE, the luxurious Genesis G80, and the unfortunate discontinuation of the Kia Soul. They also touch on Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV, Audi’s future design concepts, and Stellantis’s innovative approach to infotainment systems. There are significant updates to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, including its rebranding and pricing strategy aimed at competing in the mainstream SUV market. They also delve into the Chevrolet Bolt’s return, highlighting its improved features and competitive pricing. The conversation shifts to the growing EV market, with insights on sales trends and the importance of charging infrastructure. Additionally, the hosts address the decline of fuel cell technology in favor of electric vehicles, and they respond to listener questions regarding automotive safety and reliability. Links Kia Drops SoulRivian R2 Launching in 1H 20262026 Audi A4… Read More »Losing Your Soul

Clever for the Sake of Clever

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Wheel Bearings
Clever for the Sake of Clever
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This week Nicole has been driving the BMW M5 Touring and the Hyundai Kona Limited. Sam drove the Lexus LX700h and 2026 Ram 2500 Black Express Cummins while Robbie drove the Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan. Sam drove the Lexus to Indiana to check out the new Entegra Coach Embark EREV motorhome. With federal EV incentives done, Ford and GM found a way to keep the party going a while longer while Hyundai has slashed the price of the 2026 Ioniq 5 by an average $9,155. Meanwhile Dodge is apparently cancelling the Banshee 3-motor version of the Charger Daytona and Nissan has put its US built EVs on hold but will instead build a new Xterra in Mississippi in 2028. Rivian is redesigning the interior door latches for the R2. The Verge has a new podcast with the first episode looking at hover boards. The inventor of… Read More »Clever for the Sake of Clever

10 Years After Dieselgate

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Wheel Bearings
10 Years After Dieselgate
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In this episode, hosts Sam Abuelsamid and Nicole Wakelin discuss their recent experiences with the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition and the 2026 Genesis GV70. They delve into the performance, design, and driving experience of these vehicles, highlighting the Prius’s hybrid technology and the Genesis’s luxury features. The conversation also touches on insights from the Center for Automotive Research conference, Toyota’s research on plug-in hybrid user behavior, and the automotive industry’s shift back to physical controls in vehicles. Additionally, they review the latest IHS safety testing results for electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of safety ratings in the automotive market. In this episode, the hosts discuss the evolution of vehicle safety standards, highlighting how modern cars outperform older models despite mixed crash test results. They delve into Nissan’s struggles with the Aria and organizational changes, while Hyundai outlines its ambitious 2030 vision. The conversation shifts… Read More »10 Years After Dieselgate