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Who Cares About Efficiency?

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Who Cares About Efficiency?
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This week Nicole is driving the Ford Maverick Tremor, Robbie has the Range Rover plug-in hybrid and Sam has new Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. We’ve got lots of news this week. After a decade of work and billions of dollars spent, Apple has apparantely finally abandoned the idea of building a car. Ford took its latest electric Supervan and had Romain Dumas set a new lap record at Mount Panorama. Ford is also hosting a camping party at the Austin Bronco Off-Rodeo for the upcoming total solar eclipse and Ford EV drivers can now Supercharge. Sam went to a secret location to see the production version of Dodge’s new e-Muscle car, the Charger Daytona. Honda has introduced a new plug-in hybrid CR-V with a fuel cell and VW has done some upgrades to the ID4. Fisker warns that they are almost out of money and… Read More »Who Cares About Efficiency?

The Deer Ran Into Me

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Deer Ran Into Me
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This week on the show, Roberto reviews the Kia Soul rental car he had on Kauai last week, Nicole drives the baby Range Rover, the Evoque, and Sam discusses the new eighth-generation Volkswagen GTI. In the news, Chevrolet teased out upcoming hybrid and electric versions of the Corvette and all of GM’s Ultium platform EVs are getting a heat pump energy recovery system as standard equipment. Dodge is expanding its lineup with a compact crossover called the Hornet which we’ll see in August and Nissan is working on a new ADAS system using Luminar lidar. Finally, a dealer in Colorado has opened a used car store that only sells hybrids and EVs and we answer some questions. Links Electrified Corvettes GM Ultium Energy Recovery System Dodge Hornet New Nissan ADAS with lidar Colorado dealer that only sells used EVs and hybrids Wheel Bearings has launched… Read More »The Deer Ran Into Me

The Perfect Mulch Hauler

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Perfect Mulch Hauler
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Lots of stuff in the garage in this week as Nicole gets to spend more time with the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness. On the opposite coast, Robbie has one of his two ideal cars, the Audi RS6 Avant and also shares some thoughts on the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. Sticking with the PHEV theme, Sam had a first drive in the new Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring and also got to try out GM’s new Android Automotive based infotainment system in the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. In the news, GM and Ford are both doing deals with chip makers to try to avoid future shortages, Genesis shows the exterior of the next generation G90 luxury sedan and Nissan announces some of its electrification plans between now and 2030. We also have an interview that Sam recorded in LA with Aditya Jairaj, director of EV marketing and sales… Read More »The Perfect Mulch Hauler

Ep. 110 – Luxury Hybrid Utilities, Tariffs and Mergers

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 110 - Luxury Hybrid Utilities, Tariffs and Mergers
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This week the crew drives a bunch of different flavors utility vehicles and a convertible. Rebecca and Dan both sampled the new Kia Telluride. Dan also tried a blend of old and new school with the Mercedes-Benz G550. Sam’s utilities were both electrified with the Lexus UX250h F-Sport giving way to the new Range Rover P400e plug-in hybrid. In the news our intrepid trio talks about the prospects for a merger of FCA and Renault, the impact of new potential tariffs on the auto industry and new “sport” sedans from Cadillac. Rebecca also discusses her time at the Heels and Wheels event in California. Finally, Sam made a video answering questions about autonomous vehicle technology. Links Lexus UX250h Review FCA-Renault Merger 2020 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Sam’s autonomous vehicles explainer Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to… Read More »Ep. 110 – Luxury Hybrid Utilities, Tariffs and Mergers

Episode #080 – SUV Extremes, Hybrid Hauling, Mercedes Goes Electric and We Lose Focus

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #080 - SUV Extremes, Hybrid Hauling, Mercedes Goes Electric and We Lose Focus
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Since the last regular episode, Sam has been in the new Jeep Wrangler with a 48V mild hybrid and a Nissan Kicks. Meanwhile Dan has been hauling stuff in the Hyundai Ioniq and picks up the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Mercedes-Benz revealed the new EQC this week and the Ford Focus Active isn’t coming to America. Links Navigant Research webinar on the Data Driving Automated Vehicles The Data Driving Automated Vehicles white paper 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.0T  2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC Trade Ware Kills Focus Active for America   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

2018 Nissan Leaf

Checking out the 2018 Nissan Leaf With Leo Laporte

Last Sunday I got to hang out with Leo Laporte as we checked out the redesigned 2018 Nissan Leaf for episode 134 of The New Screen Savers 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

WB Reviews – Episode #001 – Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
WB Reviews - Episode #001 - Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
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In the first reviews segment from Wheel Bearings, Dan and Sam discuss the Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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 32

Episode #32 – Convertibles, Hybrids, Not Self-Driving and Comcast Hate

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #32 - Convertibles, Hybrids, Not Self-Driving and Comcast Hate
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This week Sam has driven Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and compares the latest Mazda Miata to the original. Dan spends the week with a very different kind of convertible, the Mustang GT. When the new Nissan Leaf arrives this fall, it will have e-pedal for strong regenerative braking and ProPilot Assist which is automated but not self-driving. Before some listener questions, the guys dive into the latest ploy by Comcast to remain the most hated company in America. Links Nissan ProPilot Assist Preview – It’s Automated But Not Self-Driving We Should Welcome The E-Pedal In The New Nissan Leaf, But It’s Not The World’s First: Updated Comcast Tries to Leverage Autonomous Cars to Kill Net Neutrality   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 #4 – Staying Entertained, Informed and Engaged in the Car

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Podcast Archives
Episode #4 - Staying Entertained, Informed and Engaged in the Car
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In Episode 4, Dan and Sam talk about a pair of updated SUVs, the Nissan Rogue Hybrid and Mazda CX-9 before getting deep into why GM delayed the launch of SuperCruise on the Cadillac CT6. While SuperCruise will monitor the human operator to make sure they continue paying attention while not driving, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide means to keep the driver entertained. As much as we might want to use smartphone based infotainment, it’s likely to be a dead-end technology. Finally, your humble hosts tackle some listener emails about visibility and opining on cars we haven’t yet driven.

Episode #1 – Welcome to Wheel Bearings

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Podcast Archives
Episode #1 - Welcome to Wheel Bearings
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Welcome the premier episode of the Wheel Bearings podcast where Dan Roth and Sam Abuelsamid talk about what they are driving and the stories they think are important in the world of cars and the future of transportation.

We kick off with a discussion of the Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar F-Pace, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Then we get into the new Mercedes-Benz engine family with 48-volt electrical systems and the cancellation of George Hotz’s Comma One.