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Classic Nameplates Return

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Classic Nameplates Return
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This week the whole crew did some travelling with Nicole and Sam going to New York to drive the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer while Roberto went to Monterey in a Lamborghini Urus and got some seat time in a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. Robbie also got to check out the new Countach while he was there. While Roberto didn’t go to Acura’s event, we discuss the return of the Integra in 2022. Other stuff we drove included Nicole’s time with the 2021 Toyota Sienna, Hyundai Santa Cruz and Nissan Frontier while Sam came home to the Audi SQ7. Finally, there is discussion of Nissan possibly jumping into the compact truck segment with an electric example and some listener questions including whether yellow is a suitable color for a sports car. links 2022 Jeep Wagoneer first drive Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Acura Integra is… Read More »Classic Nameplates Return

Launching, Road Tripping and Parking

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Wheel Bearings
Launching, Road Tripping and Parking
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We had a bit of a break as both Nicole and Sam were travelling but we’re back with a full garage. Roberto drove the standard and RS versions of the Audi e-Tron GT. Nicole had a trio from the Hyundai Motor Group starting with the refreshed 2021 Santa Fe and then the Genesis GV80 and G70. Sam had a trio of very different utility vehicles starting with the 2022 Acura MDX A-Spec and the Jeep Wrangler 4XE plug-in hybrid and finished with taking a road trip in the Ford Mustang Mach-E. In the news we discuss some of the challenges of charging an EV on a road trip, the cancellation of the New York Auto Show, President Biden’s executive order on electric vehicles and fuel economy and what may have transpired between Elon Musk and Tim Cook. Sam interviewed Kevin Mull from Bosch, Craig Stephens… Read More »Launching, Road Tripping and Parking

Ultra Fine, Fine and Ok

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Wheel Bearings
Ultra Fine, Fine and Ok
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This week in the garage, Roberto has the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Sam is driving the one of the last traditional full-size sedans in America, the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and Nicole is in the improved and refreshed 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. In the news, while Robbie was in Europe, he also got to try out the new Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot system, a level 3 conditional automation system that let’s you go hands off and eyes off, but you can’t take a nap yet. Stateside, Sam tried out a prototype of the updated 2022 GMC Sierra with Super Cruise that let’s you go hands-free while towing a trailer but you have to keep eyes on the road. In the world of truly self-driving cars, Argo AI is teaming up with Lyft to deploy robotaxis in Austin and Miami. Links Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot 2022 GMC Sierra Super Cruise… Read More »Ultra Fine, Fine and Ok

Who Will Win The Electric Truck Battle?

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Who Will Win The Electric Truck Battle?
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This week, the Volkswagen Passat leaves Rebecca a little bored, while the Ford F-150 King Ranch Hybrid powered smiles from Sam, and Dan made an Ikea run with the ideal vehicle: the 2021 Honda Odyssey Elite.

We talk about interest in electrified pickups, Jaguar and Ford commiting to EVs in Europe, and the mailbag updates us on listener Mach-E buying experiences and we got some feedback about our bad attitudes, too. Speaking of bad attitudes, Rebecca is trying to buy a car and getting the run-around, instead.

The True Successor To The F1

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The True Successor To The F1
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This week it’s just Rebecca and Sam as Dan tries to finish some projects running behind schedule. Rebecca shares her experience with the Kia Seltos and explains why you should get keyless entry if you can. Meanwhile Sam has been driving the BMW X3 xDrive30e, aka the smaller plug-in hybrid SUV from Munich (via Spartanburg). There was lots of news this week as Ford announced another changing of the guard as Jim Farley prepares to succeed Jim Hackett as CEO. Cadillac finally had the delayed public introduction of the Lyriq electric crossover, but it’s still going to be two years before you can buy one. Hyundai has decided to replace the current Ioniq with a whole sub-brand of Ioniq electric vehicles. Finally, Sam shares some history with his first exposure to the legendary McLaren F1 before our team discusses it’s true succcessor, the Gordon Murray… Read More »The True Successor To The F1

Ep. 128 – Bryan Salesky

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Ep. 128 - Bryan Salesky
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This time around, the whole crew is on the call to talk with Bryan Salesky, CEO and co-founder of Argo AI. Argo is the company developing the production automated driving system for Ford and VW and Bryan shares his thoughts on testing AVs in multiple cities, lidar, HD Maps and much more. Links Argo AI 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

Ep. 127 – Ford’s Jim Farley On Building Mobility Technology, Services and Brands

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Ep. 127 - Ford’s Jim Farley On Building Mobility Technology, Services and Brands
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For this special episode Sam sat down with Jim Farley, Ford’s president, new businesses, technology & strategy to talk about has been learned about mobility services, automated driving and brands. Links Ford’s Jim Farley On Building Mobility Technology, Services and Brands 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 #107 – Ford throws money at Rivian, we’ve driven lots of cars, Tesla mobility day

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Episode #107 - Ford throws money at Rivian, we've driven lots of cars, Tesla mobility day
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The gang are all back in their respective homes this week as we catch up on a couple of weeks of driving. Sam has had the 2019 Cadillac XT4 and Ford Edge Titanium. Rebecca had the BMW i3 Rex and Lexus NX300 while Dan had the latest Lincoln Navigator and Lexus ES350. Links Ford invests in Rivian Tesla’s bad week Gluing cars together 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 #099 – Live From The Sub-Continent

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Episode #099 - Live From The Sub-Continent
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This week, location and schedule constraints meant that the show was recorded in two parts. Sam talked with Rebecca while she was on vacation in India and then picked up later with Dan back in his native time zone. Sam drove the Hyundai Kona Electric and Rebecca describes transportation in India. Tesla made some news just hours before recording by finally releasing the mythical $35,000 model 3 and simultaneously announcing the closure of almost all of its stores. Being in India gives Rebecca some insight into why Ford’s adoption of What3Words is meaningful. Meanwhile back in New England, Dan has been driving the 2019 Volkswagen Golf SE and pondering the big Detroit plant investment announcement that Fiat Chrysler made this week. Dan and Sam also dive into the new Polestar 2 and we get an update on US availability of the Volkswagen Arteon. For automotive… Read More »Episode #099 – Live From The Sub-Continent

Episode #098 – Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

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Episode #098 - Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
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This week we’re talking luxury as Rebecca drives the Maserati Levante, Dan has the Mercedes-Benz E450 and Sam relaxes in the Kia K900. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Anton Piech, son of Ferdinand and great grandson of Ferdinand Porsche launches his own car company with an electric sports car. Ford has more trouble with emissions and fuel economy testing, Elon Musk proves again that he shouldn’t have a twitter account as Tesla General Counsel bails after less than two months at the company and IIHS tests pedestrian detection and braking systems. A reminder not to rely too much on technology to save you. For automotive engineers and developers that want to develop their skills in AI and working with Nvidia processors we have a 20% discount code for the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference Silicon Valley. Check out the sessions at https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/gtc/topics/automotive-and-transportation/ and use the promo code MCXNAVIGANT when… Read More »Episode #098 – Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street