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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

Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
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

Not Full Self-Driving

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Not Full Self-Driving
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This week, Nicole is still in Europe with her husband so the boys are at it again. Robbie went to Las Vegas to drive the McLaren Artura and Sam also had a vehicle with four wheels and a steering wheel, the Toyota Rav4 Adventure. Sam also got to try out the Tesla Full Self-Driving beta and found it still has a long way to go before you stop holding the wheel and watching the road. Apple appears to delayed its car program again and GM is working with dealers to put 40,000 EV chargers in underserved communities. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ran tests to see if its crash test facility could handle new heavier EVs and Polestar and Mercedes-Benz are offering power-upgrades for a price. Links McLaren Artura first drive GM Dealer Community Charging Program Apple Car Delayed IIHS tests heavy EVs Polestar… Read More »Not Full Self-Driving

Vinfast Has Landed

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Vinfast Has Landed
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We’ve got a full slate of plug-in crossovers in the garage this week as Nicole tries out the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, Sam has the Lexus NX450h+ F Sport All Wheel Drive and Robbie is all electric in the surprising Kia Niro EV. In the news, despite our earlier skepticism, the first 999 Vinfast VF8s have landed at the dock in California. Hopefully we’ll get to try it out soon to see if it is actually ready for prime time. Honda has launched an all new Pilot 3-row crossover with a more rugged look, but is it actually more capable? Carvana, home of the used car vending machine, may be running out of road and while Ford doesn’t offer an official camp kitchen for the F-150 Lightning, that doesn’t mean you can’t cook in one. Finally, Tesla opens up the FSD beta to everyone, no… Read More »Vinfast Has Landed

More Convertibles Please

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
More Convertibles Please
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We’ve got a full team this week as Robbie shares his thoughts on the updated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a four-cylinder diesel and all-wheel-drive. Nicole discusses the aged Toyota Tacoma and Sam drives the Mazda CX-50 and the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge. The LA Auto Show took place last week and Toyota revealed an all-new fifth generation Prius and Prius Prime. Genesis held an event in Malibu to reveal its Genesis X electric convertible concept. Fiat is bringing the 500e back to North America and brand chief Larry Dominique explains that Stellantis will experiment with it. By 2025, British EV drivers will have to pay a vehicle excise tax and after promising to open its Superchargers to other brands, Tesla says, just adopt our charging connector instead. We also answer some questions. Send in your own questions feedback@wheelbearings.media Links North American Charging Standard? UK EV excise… Read More »More Convertibles Please