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Dealers be Dealering

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Dealers be Dealering
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This week, Nicole has the Mazda CX-50 in a disappointing color, Robbie has the Range Rover Velar in one of the 8 available non-colors and Sam is driving the Chevrolet Trailblazer in Cacti Green. In the news, Jeep teases the upcoming Wagoneer S EV with too much power. Stellantis also launches the Ram Promaster EV and confirms the STLA Large EV platform will also support hybrid powertrains. JerryRigEverything tries towing with the Cybertruck and comes up short. For some reason, BMW has decided to put some humanoid robots into the Spartanburg assembly plant, what could go wrong? Mazda has launched a development program for a new rotary sports car, will it ever be built? Ford and Lincoln are launching an all-new infotainment system based on Android with a 48-inch full-width screen. Sam also spoke with friend of the show, Andrey Smirnov for an episode of… Read More »Dealers be Dealering

Strategic Crown Vic Reserve

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Strategic Crown Vic Reserve
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This week Robbie and his wife are visiting New York for the holidays and Nicole and her hubbie are hitting the Christmas markets along their European river cruise route. Fortunately, Stephanie Brinley is back to join Sam. Steph has been driving the Nissan Leaf SV+ while Sam spent time in the Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss and the Kia EV9. Stephanie and Sam both got to drive the new Chevrolet Blazer EV and share their thoughts good and otherwise on the vehicle and the new Carplay-free infotainment system. Cadillac also dropped the first images of its fourth electric SUV, the three-row Vistiq coming as a 2026 model. The Los Angeles County Sherrif’s department was such a fan of the Ford Crown Victoria that when production ended 11 years ago, they ordered a stockpile and they still have hundreds in service. Tesla had a big recall this… Read More »Strategic Crown Vic Reserve

Ep 139 – Live From LA and Chicago

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep 139 - Live From LA and Chicago
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This week Rebecca and Sam record another in-person show in two parts. The show starts at the Delta lounge at LAX and finishes in the windy city for the biggest little auto show in America. Cadillac has taken the wraps off the 2021 Escalade which should be on track to remain the most popular full-size luxury SUV in America. With independent rear suspension, more passenger and cargo space, massive OLED displays, Super Cruise and even an optional diesel engine it has plenty to offer. Speaking of plenty to offer, check out the GMC Hummer EV. Yes, the Hummer name is back on GM’s first electric pickup truck coming in 2021. With 1,000-hp and 0-60 in 3 seconds, it should be an able challenger in the burgeoning electric truck market. From LA, the show shifts to Chicago with some of the show highlights including the Ford… Read More »Ep 139 – Live From LA and Chicago

Fiat Chrysler UConnect Market Demo

Fiat Chrysler recently launched a market feature in its UConnect telematics system that enables users to utilize apps to access a variety of services from the dashboard. FCA UConnect marketing manager Mike Novak gives us a demo of the new UConnect Market. 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 #086 – Complete with sirens from Magic City

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #086 - Complete with sirens from Magic City
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This time out, Sam is recording from a hotel room in Miami as we discuss the Volvo XC40 T5 and its goofy shifter design, the Audi Q5 and its surprisingly fast handwriting recognition and the marvelous Kia Stinger. Subscriptions may or may not be the future of car buying, assuming car buying even has a future in an age of automated vehicles. Faraday almost certainly has no Future and Walmart joins Ford’s automated delivery test program. Links 2019 Volvo XC50 T5 Momentum Cadillac closes the Book on subscriptions for now Probably no future for Faraday Walmart and Ford team up on automated deliveries 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 #066 – Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #066 - Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety
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After a week off, the guys are back with lots of stuff to talk about. Since the last show, Sam has been in the Mini Countryman Cooper S E (where do they come up with these naming conventions?) and the BMW 530e xDrive while Dan has found himself surprisingly enamored with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. While electrification is the future, it’s not the only solution for improving efficiency, especially in the big trucks that Americans favor. That’s why Ford is launching a diesel engine in the F-150. Someday we may not be actively driving anymore but we’re still a long way from that being commonplace. Sam compares the hype for automated vehicles to the currently reality and the hype just doesn’t hold up. Oh and Amazon can deliver packages to your trunk. Links Ford F-150 Diesel first drive BMW picks Innoviz solid state lidar The… Read More »Episode #066 – Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety

Episode #057 – Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #057 - Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini
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In this week’s rambling episode, Accidental Tech Podcast co-host Casey Liss returns to talk about his experience with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and compare notes with Sam. Sam also brings up his experience trying to drive the Giulia Quadrifoglio in the wake of a winter storm and Dan talks about the new Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid. The conversation then returns to the prior discussion Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system and Casey’s newfound frustrations with it. Dan is considering replacing his Crown Victoria with a Mazda6 and Casey is continuing to ponder the new Jeep Wrangler. Links Winter Driving in the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Sam’s Take on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Casey on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio 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… Read More »Episode #057 – Casey Returns, More Alfas and an Electric Mini

Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?
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This week, Sam talks about driving the Prius Prime which if you can get past the design is a really good and fuel efficient car. Dan ponders Mitsubishi Mirage GT and whether it’s really worth buying a new car when you can something slightly used that’s way better and then transitions to the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack.  Volvo launches its first dedicated car for the Polestar brand, a 600-hp plug-in hybrid coupe, Audi rolls out a second-generation A7 and Tesla fires a whole bunch of people. Dan explains why he doesn’t watch Star Trek Discovery and Sam gives his verdict and the guys answer additional listener questions. Links Polestar 1 2019 Audi A7 Tesla mass firings Star Trek Discovery 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… Read More »Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

Wheel Bearings 35

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

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Podcast Archives
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