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Power Is Not Enough

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Power Is Not Enough
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The crew reconvenes to catch up on the Acura Integra, Polestar 2 single motor, Toyota Corolla Cross, Ford F-150 Raptor and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE. Since they haven’t spoken since before Woodward Dream Cruise and Monterey Car week, Robbie and Nicole share their impressions of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept. Robbie tells us about the Acura Precision Concept EV and we discuss naming Acura’s first EV the ZDX. There was also the Lincoln L100 concept and the Meyers Manx EV. A Swedish study says touchscreens are bad, and we all agree. Lamborghini says it will need more than power to compete in the EV age. An Australian Bank will stop providing financing for ICEs in 2025 and sales of new ICEs are getting banned in 2035. Links Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Acura Precision EV concept Lincoln L100 Touchscreens are bad Lamborghini needs more than… Read More »Power Is Not Enough

Failure to Charge

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Failure to Charge
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We took a week off to recharge but we’re back with a packed show. Roberto went to Germany to drive the Mercedes-Benz EQXX concept and the production EQB evs. Sam drove the 2023 Nissan Z and the Ford Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Nicole had the Mercedes-AMG GLB. In the news, Chevrolet unveiled its Mach-E/Model Y challenger, the 2024 Blazer EV. Scott Keogh is moving over from running VW of North America to establish Scout as an all-EV SUV and truck brand. Mercedes is prepping to launch the its hands-off/eyes-off Drive Pilot assist system in the US in 2023. Toyota is bringing the new Crown to America. Sam finally encounters a major charging fail with Electrify America and Ford is bringing CATL lithium iron phosphate batteries to the Mach-E and Lightning. Links 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Scott Keogh to lead Scout Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot to America… Read More »Failure to Charge

Into the Swamp

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Wheel Bearings
Into the Swamp
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This week in the garage Sam has been driving the 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid which is now longer and electrified. Nicole has Nissan Altima with AWD and Robbie has just started testing some e-bikes. Nicole got to do a first drive in the Ford Bronco Everglades through the swamps of Michigan’s Drummond Island. Ford will no longer allow customers to buy out their EVs at the end of the lease while Hyundai gives the first official glimpse of the Ioniq 6 electric sedan. At Pikes Peak, Randy Pobst almost ran off the side of the mountain because he couldn’t find the windshield defroster control on the touchscreen menu of the Tesla Model S Plaid he was racing and the TFL Truck crew put the Ford F-150 Lightning to the towing test. Finally we answer listener questions and Sam interviews Toyota executive vice president of sales… Read More »Into the Swamp

Cadillac Sings a New Tune

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Wheel Bearings
Cadillac Sings a New Tune
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This week in the garage, Sam drives the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (unfortunately with an automatic transmission) and Nicole gets the new Acura Integra (spoiler, Mr Nicole who owned an original Integra back in the day approves). Unfortunately, a flight cancellation means Nicole didn’t make it to Utah to drive the new Cadillac Lyriq, Sam and Robbie did get to try it out. Nicole did however, get to drive the second-generation Honda HR-V. At Goodwood, Polestar demoed the prototype of the 5, their new 884-hp GT sedan and Sam went for a spin in Ford’s new simulator. Links Polestar 5 prototype Ford dynamic driving lab Sam’s take on the Cadillac Lyriq 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

Lightning Strikes

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Wheel Bearings
Lightning Strikes
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This week in the garage, Roberto and Sam have been evaluating electric driving range. Robbie has been pushing the BMW iX to its limits while Sam has been driving the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid. Meanwhile Nicole has been on the road and in the desert with the 2022 GMC Sierra in Denali Ultimate and AT4X forms. Nicole and Sam have finally gotten behind the wheel of the Ford F-150 Lightning and they share their impressions and answer a bunch of questions. Sam also sat down with Darren Palmer, VP of electric vehicle programs at Ford to talk about charging, range estimation and how the Lightning came to be. We also discuss Robbie’s recent article on whether it’s better to keep driving an old beater or buy a new EV. Tesla doesn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but one creative person got it sort of… Read More »Lightning Strikes

Coexisting Assistants

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Wheel Bearings
Coexisting Assistants
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Nicole is off again this week caring for her mom, but the boys are carrying on. Roberto has been putting more miles on the BMW i4 and found it to be surprisingly efficient. Meanwhile Sam also got very good fuel efficiency while driving the Honda Civic Si which retains a rapidly nearing extinction manual gearbox. In the news, the New York Auto Show was this week where Genesis showed off a new electric luxury coupe concept, Ford expanded its relationship with Amazon Alexa and some cool Radwood cars appeared on the show floor. BMW also announced a mid-cycle refresh of the X7 and Sam again spoke with Alfa Romeo NA boss Larry Dominque. Links Ford and Alexa BMW X7 refresh Genesis X Spedium concept Radwood at NYAS Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward… Read More »Coexisting Assistants

100 HP Per Cylinder

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Wheel Bearings
100 HP Per Cylinder
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Nicole is attending to her mom this week, so it’s just the guys. Robbie had two different EVs off the same platform, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and the Audi RS e-tron GT. Sam drove the GMC Canyon AT4. Rolls-Royce has released testing images and video of its first EV, the Specter undergoing winter testing in Sweden. Honda and Acura have extended their certified pre-owned car program to models as old as 10 and Toyota has released its hottest hatch yet, the Corolla GR. NHTSA also announced plans to raise corporate average fuel economy standards to over 40 mpg by 2026. Links Rolls-Royce Specter Honda/Acura CPO changes Toyota Corolla GR New Fuel Economy standards 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

The Buzz is Back

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Wheel Bearings
The Buzz is Back
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This week Roberto has two vehicles to discuss, the Ford Maverick Lariat and the Kia EV6. Nicole has the massive Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Sam drives the not-a-minivan Jeep Grand Wagoneer. In the news, VW has finally unveiled the production version of the ID Buzz which Europeans get this summer and Americans will have to wait for until 2024. PG&E is testing bidirectional charging with GM and Ford. Honda is making a plan to make a plan to maybe make EVs with Sony. Rivian is still facing some production challenges. There won’t be a new gas powered Subaru STi and questions are answered. Links VW ID Buzz GM and PG&E to test bidirectional charging Honda and Sony may tie up on EVs Rivian still having a hard time building No more gas STis from Subaru Extended warranties on Car Talk Wheel Bearings has launched a… Read More »The Buzz is Back

Gliding Actively Sometimes

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Wheel Bearings
Gliding Actively Sometimes
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Unfortunately, Roberto woke up today with a massive migraine so it’s just Nicole and Sam this week. Nicole has been driving the refreshed 2022 Acura RDX A-Spec, while Sam has been shuttling around in the 2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph. The embargo has lifted on drive impressions of the updated 2022 Lincoln Navigator, the first model in the lineup with hands-free driving assist and we have some thoughts. Sam also had a conversation with Mike Sprague, North America director for Lincoln about the brand and where it goes in the future. Mike’s boss, Jim Farley, made a big announcement about reorganizing Ford and we talk about how that might affect dealers and customers. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares laid out a vision for the company through 2030 and showed off first renders of the upcoming 2023 Jeep EV and 2024 Ram 1500 EV. Polestar revealed a stunning… Read More »Gliding Actively Sometimes

A Saucy Badger

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Wheel Bearings
A Saucy Badger
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This week we have a pair of SUVs that can go off-road almost anywhere with the Ford Bronco Wildtrack Sasquatch and the Land Rover Defender 110 SE. We also have a pair of decidedly on-road machines in the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Sentra. Nicole and Sam went to the Chicago Auto Show this week and didn’t see any new completely new models, just some stuff that’s already been shown like the Bronco Raptor, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Toyota Sequoia along with new trim variants like the Ram 1500 Firefighter edition. Before the show, Alfa Romeo revealed the new Tonale and its accompanying NFT but didn’t bring it to Chicago. Sam did speak with Alfa North America boss Larry Dominique. The biggest but least surprising news was the new Camp Jeep climbing hill and Nissan brought a trio of Frontier concepts including two decided retro variants.… Read More »A Saucy Badger