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Episode #046 – Comparing Benzes, Driverless In The Desert, Corvette Engine Position

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Episode #046 - Comparing Benzes, Driverless In The Desert, Corvette Engine Position
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This week, Dan and Sam compare notes on the two Mercedes-Benz cars they drove, the E400 coupe and 2018 S560 4Matic sedan. Sam ponders whether partially automated systems are a good idea and whether everyone should simply take the Waymo path of highly automated driving that launching without a driver this week in Arizona. With the new Corvette ZR1 about to launch, Dan bemoans its looks and the guys ponder whether this will be the last front engine Vette. Links Waymo goes without a safety driver 2019 Corvette ZR1 leaks 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Tech Review 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Luxury Review 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 #041 – SuperCruising Across America, EVs Coming Up Everywhere

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Episode #041 - SuperCruising Across America, EVs Coming Up Everywhere
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We’re back with a regular episode with Sam driving the Acura TLX A-Spec and Dan expounding upon the Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Last week Sam spent a couple of days crossing the heartland in a Cadillac CT6 with his hands mostly off the steering wheel. Along the way, it seems like everyone from vacuum cleaner maven James Dyson to Ford CEO Jim Hackett was talking about building EVs with GM in the middle. Links Super Cruising across middle America in a Cadillac Dyson Blows Some Air about EVs GM plans to build two dozen EVs Ford is taking money from engines to build what else? EVs     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

Special Episode – Zooming Toward An Electric Car Future

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Special Episode - Zooming Toward An Electric Car Future
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Following the big electrification announcements from General Motors and Ford this week, Sam was invited to join host Tom Ashbrook along with Forbes Detroit Bureau Chief Joann Muller, Michael Dunne of Dunne Automotive and Pam Fletcher, executive chief engineer for Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles at General Motors to discuss the EV future during NPR’s On Point.  http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2017/10/04/electric-car-ford-gm 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

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Episode #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

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Episode #036 - Rome Isn't Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers
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The guys are back with a regular episode wherein we drive sibling vehicles from Korea, the Hyundai Elantra Sport and Kia Niro FE. Sam was wiped out last week after a whirlwind trip to San Francisco for the City of Tomorrow symposium hosted by Ford. While there he got the chance to talk with Bryan Salesky, one of the most experienced software engineers working on automated vehicles. Fiat Chrysler is also trying to get a foothold in the automated driving space while rumors of a Chinese acquisition swirl. Meanwhile GM still hopes that diesel can give them a competitive edge with the 39 mpg Chevy Equinox. links FCA Joins BMW/Intel Autonomous Driving Partnership Chevy Equinox Diesel rated at 39 mpg highway Uber Kills Leasing Program Future of Smaller Automakers May Be As Tier 1 Suppliers Ford Makes $1B Bet On Argo.AI As Recruiting Tool Kia… Read More »Episode #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

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Episode #035 – Dull Edge, Travis Gets Sued, Mazda Innovates

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Episode #035 - Dull Edge, Travis Gets Sued, Mazda Innovates
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This week, Sam is again driving a Mazda Miata with brilliant steering while Dan fights the steering in the Ford Edge Sport. Another Hespen Rally is in the books and Sam goes off on a tangent about what happens to engineering development vehicles. Mazda announces the first production HCCI engine for 2019 and one of Uber’s biggest investors sues former CEO Travis Kalanick and guys try to give some advice on what kind of car should replace a VW GTI. Colin Sultan of 3M explains what the inventor of post-it notes is doing to enable automated and connected vehicles. Links Mazda Refuses To Give Up On Internal Combustion, Develops Engine It Says Is 20% More Efficient Tech flashback 1: Driving GM’s HCCI prototype in 2007 Tech flashback 2: Driving GM’s next HCCI prototype in 2009 Benchmark Capital Sues Travis Kalanick Kia Forte5 SX Review  … Read More »Episode #035 – Dull Edge, Travis Gets Sued, Mazda Innovates

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Episode #30 – Crashing and Electrifying

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Episode #30 - Crashing and Electrifying
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As we head into the second half of 2017, Dan and Sam have a bunch of stuff to discuss including spending time with the Chevrolet Bolt and the air conditioning capacity of the Mazda CX-9. In the news topics, Tesla responds badly to IIHS crash test results, Volvo adds electrons to its full lineup and sales of the Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq reflect the changing character of the automotive market as a whole. Finally, if you are in the Detroit area on August 6, 2017, please come join the Hespen Rally to honor the memory of Patrick Hespen and help raise funds for research into a cure for cholangiocarcinoma , the rare cancer that took Patrick’s life way too soon. There were will be lots of cool cars and Patrick’s friends, family and colleagues. Register at http://hespenrally.com/ Links Tesla Takes on the IIHS Volvo Electrifies and… Read More »Episode #30 – Crashing and Electrifying

Wheel Bearings #24

Episode #24 – Hauling, Firing, Hiring, Renting and Banning

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Episode #24 - Hauling, Firing, Hiring, Renting and Banning
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This week Dan and Sam discuss driving the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, hauling decking materials with the new aluminum bodied Ford F250 Super Duty and hauling ass in the Shelby GT350. In the news since the last episode, Lyft will be testing Waymo’s minivans in addition to Chevy Bolts, Theresa May wants to ban internal combustion engines by 2050 and the first two salaried job losses are announced at Ford as Mark Fields and Ray Day head for the door. Last week Sam was speaking at the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles conference in Santa Clara, Calif. and the chance to talk with Tom Wang, chief product officer of Turo and Peter Rawlinson, CTO of Lucid. Links British Conservatives Propose Banning ICEs by 2050 Ford CEO and Comms VP Lose Their Jobs Ford’s Big Management Shuffle Is About Changing Perceptions Lyft and Waymo Hook Up. 2017… Read More »Episode #24 – Hauling, Firing, Hiring, Renting and Banning

Wheel Bearings episode 21

Episode #21 – Lincolns, Lambos, Buicks and Cadillacs in Manhattan

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Episode #21 - Lincolns, Lambos, Buicks and Cadillacs in Manhattan
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We wrap up highlights from the 2017 New York Auto Show including an all-new Lincoln Navigator, Buick Enclave, SuperCruising Cadillacs and aero-vectoring Lamborghini Huracans. We also discuss a Tesla AutoPilot lawsuit and modern turbocharged engines.  In the time gap since we last recorded, Dan has driven the Genesis G90 and Lexus RX450h while Sam has been through the aging Infiniti QX50 and the stunning new Infiniti Q60. Sam also spent a weekend with Chevrolet’s second-generation Cruze diesel to see if it could be a viable alternative for the all the Volkswagen TDI refugees. Links 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir reveal Lamborghini Huracan Performante Active Aerodynamics Cadillac SuperCruise Tesla AutoPilot 2.0 Class-Action  2017 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Review 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

Wheel Bearings #15

Episode #15 – Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps

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Episode #15 - Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps
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  This week we take a second look at the Honda Civic Sport Hatchback after Dan’s had a chance to drive it and Sam takes the less ostentatious version of the Lexus ES300h that Dan had last week with the Toyota Camry Hybrid SE. Some big news broke just before we recorded as Waymo sued Uber for stealing its LiDAR technology, BMW, HERE and Mobileye team up to build HD maps for automated driving and we discuss half-baked ideas about fried chicken and Opel. Sam talks with Ford’s Alan Dona about new Ford hybrids and then we answer listener questions about performance hybirds. Links A note on our lawsuit against Otto and Uber BMW, HERE And Mobileye Team Up To Crowd-Source HD Maps For Self-Driving 2017 Honda Civic Sport: The Return Of The Hatchback   Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the… Read More »Episode #15 – Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps

Episode #12 – Driving Long-Range EVs and Snow-Bound Muscle Cars

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Episode #12 - Driving Long-Range EVs and Snow-Bound Muscle Cars
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After a week off due to busy schedules, Dan and Sam are back. In the garage, we’ve driven the Genesis G80, Honda Civic Sport hatchback and a Chrysler Pacifica that went back smelling like a bunch of Deadheads had hit the road in it. Sam went to California to drive the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV on some of the same roads where he first drove the Tesla Roadster nine years earlier and finds that those that don’t want to wait for a Tesla Model 3 should be taking a serious look this new entry. Dan, took the Pacifica north to Portland, Maine to bomb around in the snow with an all-wheel-drive Dodge Challenger GT. We also answer some reader messages and play an interview with GM designer Stuart Norris. Links: Leave The Brake Pedal, Take The Bolt – Driving Chevrolet’s New EV ABG First Drive:… Read More »Episode #12 – Driving Long-Range EVs and Snow-Bound Muscle Cars