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electrification

It’s Ridiculous

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Wheel Bearings
It's Ridiculous
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Nicole is back from the mouse house this week and driving the Mazda CX-50. Robbie had the Kia EV6 GT and Sam had a very different electric vehicle, the equally fast and porky GMC Hummer EV Edition 1. In the news, noted Wall St analyst and Tesla promoter Adam Jonas says the Cybertruck, if and when it ever arrives probably isn’t going to take major market share away from the F-150, Silverado, Sierra and Ram. Meanwhile there is another Tesla Autopilot related death and we remind you that there are NO self-driving cars available for sale from any automaker, so keep your eyes on the road. Elon Musk apparently wants to create a company town in Texas. GM has revealed some details of the sensor suite on its upcoming Ultra Cruise system that will enable hand-off but eyes-on driving on more than 2 million miles… Read More »It’s Ridiculous

Just Get the XL

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Just Get the XL
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Nicole is out this week but we have Tanya Gazdik from Media Post sitting in with Robbie and Sam. Tanya has been driving the Toyota Corolla hatchback, while Sam finally discusses the Kia Soul he forgot to review last week along with the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid. Robbie had the Ford Maverick Lariat Tremor and has thoughts. In the news, Ford creates a new subsidiary to develop hands-free driving assist systems from the remnants of Argo AI. The VW ID3 gets a mid-cycle refresh and VW Group is going to build a new factory in South Carolina to produce Scout electric trucks and SUVs. Tesla has finally started opening up its Superchargers to non-Tesla vehicles and there have been lots of unusual features in cars over the years. Finally, Sam talks with Chrysler brand chief Chris Feuell. Links VW ID3 refresh Latitude AI Charging non-Teslas… Read More »Just Get the XL

Blue Cruise or Blues Clues?

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Wheel Bearings
Blue Cruise or Blues Clues?
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This week Roberto drives the new BMW 760 and Nicole has the Ford F-150 Lightning. Sam was going to talk about the Kia Soul GT-Line but completely spaced so we’ll get to it next week. In the news, Mercedes-Benz talked about their new operating system and announced they will include Luminar lidar on future vehicles from 2025. Christian von Koenigsegg picks the NA Miata, Vinfast cuts prices and promises to start deliveries. GM patents a self-cleaning touchscreen and updates the Cadillac XT4 with the screen from the Lyriq. And we discuss using EVs when there’s no electricity. In the questions we discuss the problem of automakers offering free DC fast charging. Links Christian von Koenigsegg chooses the NA Miata GM Self-cleaning touchscreen Mercedes-Benz OS Reduced Vinfast pricing 2024 Cadillac XT4 refresh EVs when there’s no powerFree EV Charging sucks Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon.… Read More »Blue Cruise or Blues Clues?

Smooshed Cars and Smacked Snow Banks

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Smooshed Cars and Smacked Snow Banks
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This week, Sam and Robbie unknowningly found themselves crossing paths at the same place in Montana for a winter driving program with Infiniti and Bridgestone. They got to try out the latest Blizzak winter tires on the QX60 and other Infiniti models through a variety of maneuvers. Sam also drove the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum and Nicole drove the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L. Ford has had to stop production and shipments of F-150 Lightnings due to a battery fire at the factory. Tesla agrees to recall its full self-driving beta software to address issues identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hyundai and Kia develop a fix to address easy to steal cars and we discuss where the charge port should go on EVs before finishing with some listener questions. Sam also has a conversation with Iris Ocasio, consumer product strategy manager at Bridgestone.… Read More »Smooshed Cars and Smacked Snow Banks

Bait and Switch

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Wheel Bearings
Bait and Switch
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It was Chicago Auto Show week and we’ve got a bunch of news and interviews. But first, in the garage, Sam has been driving the 2023 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro V6 AWD, the refreshed and more off-roady version of Kia’s big crossover. Nicole had Honda’s version of the same idea with the new Pilot Trailsport. In Chicago we saw Toyota take the wraps off an even larger 3-row crossover, the Grand Highlander with more third-row and cargo room and an option Hybrid Max powertrain, but no rugged off-road version, yet. Volkswagen refreshed its popular Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport with more grille, bigger screens and a new turbo 4-cylinder. Subaru is evolving its CrossTrek with a new but incrementally changed look. Jeep is celebrating 20 years of Rubicon with price new limited edition Wranglers and Ram has shown us the 1500 REV electric pickup that… Read More »Bait and Switch

It Handles Rough Roads Great

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Wheel Bearings
It Handles Rough Roads Great
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Unfortunately Robbie had to miss this week with a migraine, but Nicole has thoughts to share about the Lexus NX 350 F-Sport and Sam had the 2023 Nissan Versa SR which proves that decent, cheap new cars are still available. In the news Mazda, has revealed the new 2024 CX-90 three-row crossover which will have options of a new inline-six cylinder engine or a plug-in hybrid. Sam also has a conversation with Mazda North America CEO Jeff Guyton. Polestar has done a major mid-cycle update on the 2. Motor Trend has a long-term F-150 Lightning and one of its writers got a quote for installation of the home power backup system. Links 2024 Polestar 2 2024 Mazda CX-90 How Much for the installation? Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing… Read More »It Handles Rough Roads Great

Faking It

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Wheel Bearings
Faking It
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This week it’s most just Robbie and Sam. Sam drives the 2023 Cadillac CT5 AWD Premium Luxury and talks about the latest Super Cruise. Nicole also calls in from an Electrify America station in Florida with her driving partner Eileen Falkenberg-Hull to give us the low down on their Disney Land to Disney World trek in the Kia EV6. In the news, GM is considering building a small electric pickup truck and we compare car sizes over time. Car loans are getting longer and shockingly Tesla faked the 2016 “Paint It Black” full self-driving demo video. We also answer listener questions. Send in your questions to feedback at wheelbearings dot media or even send us a link to audio of your question and we might include it in the show. Links 84 month loans Paint it black video was faked GM looking at small electric… Read More »Faking It

Surviving CES

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Wheel Bearings
Surviving CES
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Sam survived his return to CES after three years away, but before discussing what was there, he gives his thoughts on the Jeep Wagoneer L with the new Hurricane 510 engine. Nicole survived some winter weather with the Mercedes-AMG EQS and Robbie rented a Kia Sorento for a trip to the woods with his wife and dogs. At CES, Stellantis showed the Ram Revolution concept which is a preview of the upcoming Ram 1500 EV. While at CES, Sam talked with Mike Koval, head of the Ram brand. VW unveiled a camoflagued version of the upcoming ID7 electric sedan. BMW showed the i Vision Dee covered in color E Ink and Sony Honda Mobility announced that its upcoming EVs would be branded as Afeela. Links Winter tire markings BMW i Vision Dee BMW E Ink color changing Ram Revolution Concept Ram Charger Volkswagen ID7 Afeela… Read More »Surviving CES

Making Resolutions

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Wheel Bearings
Making Resolutions
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As we pull the plug on 2022, it’s an all-electric week in the garage as the temperatures drop. Robbie has the new Lucid Air Touring, while Nicole has some more followup on the Mercedes-Benz EQB. Sam tried out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 in frigid temperatures and also tested the new Electrify America fast chargers. In the news, the IRS gives EV buyers in early 2023 a bonus by making all North American built EVs eligible for the full $7500 tax break until it finalizes new battery content rules. In California, a new law prohibits automakers from selling a car as self driving unless it can operate without human supervision. Ram files for a trademark that may hint at the range extended version of its electric pickup truck. We have a reminder to double check the actual payload capacity of your vehicle and don’t overload it… Read More »Making Resolutions

Great Googly Moogly

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Wheel Bearings
Great Googly Moogly
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Just in time for a break from the holiday festivities, we’ve got lots of automotive conversation. Robbie and Nicole have both been driving Mercedes-Benz electric SUVs, the EQS SUV and EQB respectively. Meanwhile, Sam has his favorite compact crossover, the Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition. Italian design house Zagato is partnering with Alfa Romeo again for another limited edition coupe, this time based on the Giulia. AC Cars is still kicking and planning to launch a Cobra GT in 2023 with a Ford Coyote V8 and and more length and wheelbase than before. Hyundai has an all-new and larger second-generation Kona coming in 2023 and the team discuss the cars they drove in 2022 that they want to drive and those they want to own before we finish with a couple of listener questions. Links Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato AC Cobra GT Roadster 2024 Hyundai… Read More »Great Googly Moogly