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Episode #105 – Sometimes Tilting At Windmills Pays Off

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #105 - Sometimes Tilting At Windmills Pays Off
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This week Sam and Rebecca both discuss their experience with the Nissan Murano. Rebecca has also been in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV while Dan drives the Honda Pilot. In the news, four decades of tilting at mid-engine wind mills finally pays off for Don Sherman as GM confirms the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette will debut on July 18, 2019. Tesla really doesn’t want to sell any $35,000 Model 3s and the gang discuss the challenges of updating a 50 year old airplane for the 21st century. Links The mid-engine Corvette is almost here and here Please, please don’t buy a cheap Tesla Model 3 Updating the 50 year old Boeing 737 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 #101 – We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #101 - We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges
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The whole crew is back in the same time zone this week as Rebecca shares her thoughts on the new Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, Sam drives the refreshed 2019 Nissan Maxima and Dan plays with the Ford F-150 Raptor. The mythical mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette has been Don Sherman’s personal unicorn for nearly 50 years and the first prototypes go back even farther than that. It now seems closer than ever and yet still so far away and we discuss why. Cadillac is adopting a new badging scheme similar to what Audi launched in Europe a couple of years ago and no seems to be happy about it. We discuss whether to just dispense with the badges entirely. Meanwhile Rivian seems to be developer a modular bed system for its upcoming electric pickup truck. Links Cadillac’s new badges Audi updates is nomenclature Rivian goes modular Corvette’s twisting… Read More »Episode #101 – We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Badges

Episode #099 – Live From The Sub-Continent

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
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

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
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

Episode #097 – Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #097 - Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
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This week our intrepid trio has been tackling everything from mainstream to super-luxury. Rebecca went to rainy Palm Springs to sample the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and more from BMW before returning home to the 2019 Kia Forte. In between, Sam had the 2019 Mazda CX-9 and Dan drove the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus which leads into a discussion of who is doing luxury right. In the news, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fudged the numbers to show Tesla Autopilot was safer than it really was. Jaguar Land Rover debuts a new inline-six gas engine with mild hybrid capability and that leads to a response to a listener question on V6 vs I6. Finally, Dan and Sam talk with Ford Super Duty chief engineer Mike Pruitt about the new 2020 heavy duty pickups and the new 7.3-liter V8. For automotive engineers and developers that want to develop… Read More »Episode #097 – Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Episode #096 – Live From Chicago

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #096 - Live From Chicago
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This week Sam and Rebecca call in from Chicago, home of the biggest little auto show in America. Before arriving in the windy city, they both drove the 2019 Mazda CX-5 with the new 2.5-liter turbo. Meanwhile Dan has been commuting in the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and while we may mock it, we also acknowledge that there is a place for cars like this. Rebecca shares her thoughts on the revived Chevrolet Blazer. The crew discuss the new Ram 1500 Multi-function tailgate, the ginormous Chevrolet Silverado HD, the 30th anniversary Mazda Miata and more. 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 you register for the savings. Links… Read More »Episode #096 – Live From Chicago

Episode #095 – Say Hello to Rebecca

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #095 - Say Hello to Rebecca
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This week we kick off a new era in the show by introducing a new member of the Wheel Bearings team. Veteran auto industry analyst Rebecca Lindland joins Dan and Sam to talk cars every week. For her debut, Rebecca has been tooling around Connecticut in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio while Sam has been driving the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and Dan has had the yet again refreshed Dodge Charger AWD. Continuing the crossover theme, Rebecca and Sam both got to drive the 2019 Honda Passport in Utah and we dive into some discussion of why women (and men) seem like to crossovers so much. Links 2019 Honda Passport first drive 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 #094 – The Last Winter Auto Show in Detroit

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #094 - The Last Winter Auto Show in Detroit
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The guys are back with the 2019 Kia Forte EX, 2019 Toyota Avalon, Dodge Challenger Scat Pack and the 2019 Volvo S60 sedan. We review some of the highlights of the last January outing of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a new infotainment system for the upcoming Polestar 2 and finish up with some suggestions about the lowest power car you can have fun with for a listener. Links Polestar 2 HMI Preview 2020 Ford Explorer 2020 Toyota Supra 2020 Cadillac XT6 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang 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 #093 – Premium Small Crossovers, Big Mainstream Crossovers & CES

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #093 - Premium Small Crossovers, Big Mainstream Crossovers & CES
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Before heading off to CES, Sam drove the BMW X1 while Dan had a direct competitor in the Volvo XC40. This week Ford unveiled the all-new (no really, it is actually almost all-new!) 2020 Explorer. At CES, companies were showing off chips, software and sensors while Nissan announced a Leaf that finally goes over 200 miles on a charge and Hyundai showed a wild new ultimate mobility concept. Links Nissan Leaf Plus 2020 Ford Explorer Volvo XC40 review Hyundai Elevate Concept The Tech Guy Radio Show with Sam Abuelsamid joining Leo Laporte Hagerty Magazine 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 #092 – Gaining Weight As We Age

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #092 - Gaining Weight As We Age
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This week Dan is driving the new 2019 Kia Forte EX and Sam has been in the all-new 2019 Nissan Altima. The conversation then moves into whether cars are actually getting heavier, spoiler alert – Yes and No! Is a low-mileage 1994 Toyota Supra really worth $121,000? Another Alphabet moonshot project becomes its own company with a novel way to store energy from renewable sources. Links Are cars actually getting heavier? How much is a low mileage 25 year old Supra worth? Malta spins off from Alphabet Automotive News Automotive Engineering International Automotive World 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