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Episode #067 – Luxury SUVs, Plug-in Minivans and Bad Decisions

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #067 - Luxury SUVs, Plug-in Minivans and Bad Decisions
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Sam spends time with the Range Rover Velar and laments touchscreens that can’t be seen through polarized sunglasses. Dan continues to be impressed by the Genesis G80 and lauds the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as a great family hauler that is also really efficient. Rolls-Royce follows the crowd and launches and SUV named after what else? a massive diamond. The guys lament the deather of the Cadillac ATS. Waymo is learning to see through snow, Uber can see but doesn’t know what to do and battery fires don’t always stay extinguished. Links Rolls-Royce Cullinan Waymo Learning to See Through Snow Uber Can See But Still Doesn’t Know What To Do Self-re-igniting batteries Cadillac ATS dies     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 #065 – Midsize Luxury SUVs, New Electric Utilities and Fast Charging

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #065 - Midsize Luxury SUVs, New Electric Utilities and Fast Charging
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Since the last show, Sam has spent time with the Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLE550e plug-in hybrid. Dan gets an encore with the Nissan Armada and some time with the Dodge Charger GT. As we head into this year’s Beijing Motor Show, images of the new Mercedes-Maybach sedan-SUV concept surface and frankly it’s not good. Audi provides a preview of some of the testing they are doing with the upcoming e-Tron Quattro and VW subsidiary Electrify America gets ready to challenge the Tesla SuperCharger network. Finally, Toyota commits to talking cars and wants the rest of the industry to come along for the ride. 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 #064 – Hatches, Hatches and More Hatches

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #064 - Hatches, Hatches and More Hatches
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It’s all hatchbacks this week as Sam talks about the Hyundai Ioniq Electric and trying to find an EV charging station in San Jose. The Toyota Yaris was also surprisingly enjoyable to drive but Dan had the best ride with the VW GTI. The EPA has decided to rescind the Obama administration’s late decision to lock in the 2022-25 fuel economy and CO2 standards and your hosts the discuss the impact or lack thereof on the industry. Ford debuts the fourth generation Focus which Americans will get far fewer of. Sam rants about jackasses doing stupid shit with Tesla Autopilot on Youtube and urges listeners to report the bad behavior to Youtube. Links Toyota Yaris – It’s surprisingly OK 2019 Ford Focus Mobileye Responsibility Sensitive Safety Model     Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip… Read More »Episode #064 – Hatches, Hatches and More Hatches

Episode #063 – Praising Sedans, Self-Crashing Teslas and Self-Driving Waymo-Jaguars

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #063 - Praising Sedans, Self-Crashing Teslas and Self-Driving Waymo-Jaguars
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This week, Dan and Sam come in favor of a couple of very different sedans, the plug-in hybrid BMW 740e and the latest generation Honda Accord. Despite how different these cars are, both feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine under the hood. The show is a bit late because Sam was travelling in California last week for the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference. Meanwhile on the opposite coast, Waymo and Jaguar announced a deal, Nissan unveiled an Altima with variable compression ratio, VW took the wraps off a pickup truck concept, and Lincoln showed the first of new generation of vehicles from Ford. Sam also goes on a rant about another fatality in a Tesla running on AutoPilot. We remind you that NONE of the vehicles currently in production with various levels of partial automation are self-driving. These are all driver assist systems and we… Read More »Episode #063 – Praising Sedans, Self-Crashing Teslas and Self-Driving Waymo-Jaguars

Episode #061 – We Love Coupes and Wagons, Why Don’t Customers?

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #061 - We Love Coupes and Wagons, Why Don't Customers?
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This week Dan marvels at the stunning build quality of the beautifully sculpted Infiniti Q60 coupe (something Tesla seems fundamentally incapable of accomplishing). In discussing the Volvo V90, Sam demonstrates why auto journalists love wagons so much (bring on the new V60 please!). Then the guys dive into Ford’s new product strategy and all of the upcoming hybrids, the refined new Ram 1500 and GM’s call for higher-octane gasoline. Finally, Dan has a chat with Zach Bowman. Links 2019 Ram 1500 First Drive Ford’s Hybrid SUV plans Infiniti Q60 GM Wants High-Octane Gas   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 #060 – Sedans, Expensive Electric Crossovers and Student Robots

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #060 - Sedans, Expensive Electric Crossovers and Student Robots
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Sam returns from duty as a judge at a FIRST Robotics competition and gives his impressions of the 2018 Toyota Camry. Dan finds himself surprisingly enamored with the Acura TLX A-Spec. Following the Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar i-Pace is officially on sale in Europe and coming to America soon. It will be followed by a pair of electric Porsches, the Mission E sedan and then the Mission E Cross Turismo. Ford patents a repair drone for its automated vehicles and guys dish out more car buying advice. Links Jaguar i-Pace Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Ford autonomous repair drone First Robotics MI Kids on the Move Power Racing Series 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 #059 – Navigating a Lincoln, Brown Volvo Wagons and Carbon Beds

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #059 - Navigating a Lincoln, Brown Volvo Wagons and Carbon Beds
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This week Sam talks about and to the 2018 Lincoln Navigator while Dan shows some love to the auto journalist’s special, the Volvo V90 in brown. The guys then discuss the production launch of the Jaguar i-Pace and some of the unique distinguishing features of the 2019 GMC Sierra including the available carbon fiber bed. Links The production Jaguar i-Pace 2019 GMC Sierra 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 #058 – A Fast Jeep, Driving Assists and a Volvo Triple

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #058 - A Fast Jeep, Driving Assists and a Volvo Triple
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Dan and Sam fired up the recorders late Friday night to marvel at the insanity that is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the combination of practicality and efficiency that is Hyundai’s new Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid. Sam gives a primer on advanced driver assist systems in responses to comments on the Accidental Tech Podcast #261 and Waymo gets a license to operate an autonomous ride-hailing service in Arizona. Volvo launches its first three-cylinder engine. The demise of now former Ford executive Raj Nair shows that automakers may finally be getting serious about tackling harassment and bad behavior in the workplace. Finally, Sam responds to a listener tweet asking about car makers selling our data. Links Accidental Tech Podcast #261 Waymo Gets a Ride-Hailing License Raj Nair becomes first auto exec fired for harassment Making money from selling your car data  Volvo hits a triple 2018… Read More »Episode #058 – A Fast Jeep, Driving Assists and a Volvo Triple

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

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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 #056 – Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #056 - Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics
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The guys are back after failing to get our collective acts together last week. Dan drove the VW Beetle with a 2.0-liter turbo that makes as much power as many much smaller engines, while Sam drives a three-row utility that actually has room for humans in the back, the 2018 Dodge Durango GT. This week Sam records his end of the show from Chicago as he gets ready for the auto show there. Ford is making a little bit of news with a mid-cycle refresh of the Transit Connect that surprisingly adds a new diesel engine. The best promoter in the auto industry also made some news this week by launching his car into space and Sam goes on a rant about how meaningless the California autonomous vehicle disengagement statistics are. Links Elon Roadster Goes to the Asteroids Ford Adds a Diesel to the Transit… Read More »Episode #056 – Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics