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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

Ep. 138 – It’s All About the Context

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 138 - It's All About the Context
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This week the crew has a range of premium (at least price-wise) SUVs to drive. Since our last gathering, Sam has been in the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring (complete with a faulty 12V battery) and the Lexus LX570. Dan went from Mercedes-Benz GLC300 to the Polestar engineered Volvo XC90 and Rebecca has been enjoying open-top life in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. In the news, Sam was at the reveal of the Cruise Origin, a purpose-built robotaxi developed by GM and Honda. We also get into a discussion of our approach to reviewing vehicles and addressing reader comments on differing opinions. Links Cruise Origin Differing opinions Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring 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

Ep 137 – Big Screens and Blimps

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep 137 - Big Screens and Blimps
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Rebecca and Sam are back from another trek to CES and lots of stuff to discuss. Rebecca has been driving the 2020 Toyota Corolla XSE, Sam was in the Genesis G80 Sport and Dan had the 2020 Ram Rebel EcoDiesel. At CES Rebecca drove a twin motor Nissan development mule for the upcoming Ariya electric crossover and took a flight in the Goodyear blimp. Sam meanwhile road in the Audi AI:me concept and one of Yandex’s automated vehicles. We also discuss the Mercedes-Benz AVTR concept, the Sony Vision S, Magna International and Hyundai SA-1 aircraft. Links Sam joins TWiT’s Leo Laporte and Ant Pruitt to look at CES auto tech Ford Mustang Mach-E Aeye lidar NXP ultrawideband Audi EVs, lights and displays Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and… Read More »Ep 137 – Big Screens and Blimps

Ep. 125 – Trusting Your Assistant

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 125 - Trusting Your Assistant
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With the whole crew back in action, Sam has been driving the Lexus LS500h. Rebecca samples a couple of luxury SUVs in the form of the Audi Q8 and Volvo XC90 T8. Meanwhile Dan learns that you can trail-brake a Toyota Sienna minivan before jumping into the Subaru Ascent. In California, PG&E has been shutting down power to try prevent wild fires and it’s impacting EV drivers. Tesla has released a less than fully baked Smart Summon feature and AAA tests a bunch of other driver assist systems that serve to demonstrate that human drivers need to stay alert. Links California Power Outages Consumer Reports takes on Smart Summon AAA ADAS Study 2019 Lexus LS500h 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

Ep. 124 – What’s Premium

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 124 - What's Premium
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This week as Dan helps the kids with homework, Rebecca and Sam perform an automotive duet. Sam drove the Honda Civic Type-R for a week while Rebecca had the Toyota Rav4 hybrid and Cadillac XT4. The timing of Rebecca driving the Cadillac was fortuitous as Sam had just returned from driving the new Lincoln Corsair and we dive into the differences between the two. In the news, Canoo unveiled its first product, a small electric van that will be offered by subscription only. Amazon ordered 100,000 electric delivery vans from Rivian and Acura unveiled a new ad campaign that focuses on driving. Finally, Hyundai and Aptiv team up on automated driving. Links 2020 Lincoln Corsair first drive Hyundai and Aptiv team up on AVs Amazon orders 100,000 Rivian vans Acura’s new ads Canoo debuts without paddles Honda Civic Type-R Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon.… Read More »Ep. 124 – What’s Premium

Ep. 121 – Wretched Excess

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Ep. 121 - Wretched Excess
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Sam has been driving the Lincoln Navigator, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and Jeep Gladiator. Rebecca escapes a ticket in the Honda Civic Sport and Dan has been road tripping in the Cadillac XT6. We talk Monterey Car Week 2019 and the death of Ferdinand Piech

Episode #118 – Meeting Expectations

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #118 - Meeting Expectations
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The whole crew is back this week as they delve into the garage. Sam drove the BMW X2 M35i, Rebecca had the Volvo S60 sedan and Dan sampled the GMC Acadia. The Corvette C8 conversation continues with two-thirds of the team having now seen it in person. While feelings about the center console have been slightly tempered, they still aren’t positive. The GM theme concludes with Sam’s thoughts on the 2020 Cadillac XT6 before we wind down the evening with a couple of listener questions. Links 2020 Cadillac XT6 first drive 2020 Chevrolet Corvette 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 #117 – No More Windmills For Don Sherman

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #117 - No More Windmills For Don Sherman
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This week Rebecca is off gallivanting around northern California in the new Subaru Outback. That leaves Dan and Sam to discuss living with the Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang, the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and the Fiat 500C Abarth. Coming out of the garage, the discussion turns to the eighth generation Chevrolet Corvette. After more than 40 decades of tilting at this automotive windmill, Don Sherman can now finally have some peace knowing that there is a real production mid-engine Corvette. The boys finish off with a chat about turbochargers and BMTS Technologies. Links 2019 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang 2020 Chevrolet Corvette BMTS Technologies 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 #116 – Electrifying Racing

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #116 - Electrifying Racing
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This time around Sam and Rebecca sat down on the rooftop of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge where they were staying while attending the finale of the 2018-2019 FIA Formula E season. Our duo talks about driving the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and the Nissan Leaf Plus. After the garage talk they dive into electric racing with the Jaguar i-Pace e-Trophy series and Formula E. The show wraps up with a talk Rebecca recorded by Allan McNish, team manager of the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team. Links Jaguar i-Pace e-Trophy racing FIA Formula E Nissan Leaf Plus 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 #112 – Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #112 - Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids
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This week Rebecca and Sam had very different hybrid experiences on opposite coasts. Rebecca has been enjoying the thrill of the Acura NSX while Sam got to sample the 2020 Ford Explorer. They also both to sample the third generation Kia Soul in faux crossover flavor and find it continues to be a favorite small car. Meanwhile Dan has been getting around in the latest Nissan Altima. GM is reportedly considering reviving the once gas guzzling Hummer brand to build EVs. Aurora Innovation is shifting alliances and taking on new partners to develop automated driving systems and Mazda is eschewing touchscreens, something two-thirds of trio wholeheartedly approve of. Links Electric Hummers? Aurora’s new partners No more Mazda touchscreens 2020 Kia Soul Review 2020 Ford Explorer First Drive Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward… Read More »Episode #112 – Exploring Different Kinds of Hybrids