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Jeep Plugs In

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Jeep Plugs In
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This week, Rebecca shares her thoughts on the Volvo XC90 T6 and how it compares to the similarly sized Cadillac XT6 she had a couple of weeks ago. Dan shares his thoughts on the limited edition Series.White Subaru WRX and how it makes him feel like he’s back in high school. Sam took his first road trip in many months with the Cadillac CT5 and it didn’t break his back. In the news, Jeep is getting electrified. The promised Wrangler 4XE plug-in hybrid is finally going into production this fall and promises 25 miles of electric only operation. The Wrangler is the first of multiple models with plug-in capability (actually the Compass and Renegade PHEVs are already on sale Europe) with the new Wagoneer family coming next summer. The new Grand Wagoneer concept provides a preview of Jeep’s new premium full-size SUVs. Over the last… Read More »Jeep Plugs In

Performance Bargains

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Wheel Bearings
Performance Bargains
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Bargain is a relative term here. It has to be taken in context of the market segment you’re competing in. That said, Sam’s ride this week is probably the performance bargain of the decade, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, aka the mythical mid-engine Vette. With a starting price of just $60,000, even optioned up, it’s still well under the half the price of an Audi R8 or Acura NSX and let’s not even talk about Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren prices. Meanwhile, Rebecca was driving the Genesis G70 which compares very favorably with the Infiniti Q50 she recently drove as well as BMW’s 3 series. On the less value oriented side was the Jeep Gladiator Mojave Dan drove, but that doesn’t take away from how good it is. Our crew discusses Strategic Vision’s Brand Equity Index and JD Power’s Technology Experience Index before diving into a… Read More »Performance Bargains

The True Successor To The F1

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Wheel Bearings
The True Successor To The F1
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This week it’s just Rebecca and Sam as Dan tries to finish some projects running behind schedule. Rebecca shares her experience with the Kia Seltos and explains why you should get keyless entry if you can. Meanwhile Sam has been driving the BMW X3 xDrive30e, aka the smaller plug-in hybrid SUV from Munich (via Spartanburg). There was lots of news this week as Ford announced another changing of the guard as Jim Farley prepares to succeed Jim Hackett as CEO. Cadillac finally had the delayed public introduction of the Lyriq electric crossover, but it’s still going to be two years before you can buy one. Hyundai has decided to replace the current Ioniq with a whole sub-brand of Ioniq electric vehicles. Finally, Sam shares some history with his first exposure to the legendary McLaren F1 before our team discusses it’s true succcessor, the Gordon Murray… Read More »The True Successor To The F1

Stash The Doors – Hit The Trails

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Wheel Bearings
Stash The Doors - Hit The Trails
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This week Rebecca discusses the benefits and perils of driving a plug-in hybrid with the BMW X3 xDrive30e and the benefits and challenges of the Fiat 500X. Sam revisits the Honda CR-V hybrid and its weird noises before coming full circle on BMW with the 840i coupe. Meanwhile Dan has moving stuff with Ford’s very pricey F-350 Super Duty Platinum. In the news, Ford finally revealed the Bronco family with big off-roaders that are thoroughly modular and ready to take on the Jeep Wrangler’s stranglehold on the segment. There’s also the smaller Bronco Sport that may cause some confusion. Nissan also took the wraps off its next EV, the Ariya. The team wraps up with a rant on the Stellantis. Links 2021 Ford Bronco 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 2022 Nissan Ariya What is Stellantis Sam’s 2020 BMW 840i review Rebecca’s Honda CR-V Hybrid Review Rebecca’s… Read More »Stash The Doors – Hit The Trails

Live On Zoom #2 – Subscriptions All Around

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Wheel Bearings
Live On Zoom #2 - Subscriptions All Around
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This episode is so nice, we had to edit it twice! The team reconvened this week for another live Zoom session with some listeners. In the garage, Sam reiterates his love for traditional station wagons and why they are better than any SUV or crossover for most people as he discusses the Volvo V60 T8. Rebecca spent time with the refreshed 2020 Nissan Titan Pro-4X and the all-wheel-drive Toyota Prius. Meanwhile Dan was in the Toyota Tacoma TRD-Pro. In the news, our crew discusses the announcement of a family of Ford Broncos, the upcoming Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback and the coming of subscriptions for features like heated seats. Links Ford Bronco Family BMW Feature Subscriptions 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

There’s A New F-150 In Town

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Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
There's A New F-150 In Town
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Our intrepid trio reconvenes to talk about the all-new, cleverly updated Ford F-150. The lineup now includes a hybrid, on-board generator, and more thoughtful features than a Swiss Army knife. We talk about driving the Genesis G90, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Buick Encore GX, and Cadillac XT4. It wraps up with a couple listener questions, so listen and let us know what’s on your mind! Links Ford Active Drive Assist and OTA updates 2021 Ford F-150 Sam Interviews Ford CEO Jim Hackett Casey Liss Sold his used BMW

From Miata to Aston Martin

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Wheel Bearings
From Miata to Aston Martin
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With Dan absent, Rebecca discusses back-to-back Aston Martin experiences with the Vantage and DB11. Sam again professes his disdain for anything that isn’t a Mazda Miata after driving the more powerful 2020 edition. In the news, Nissan launched a redesigned Rogue but forgot to put in a hybrid version. Speaking of hybrids, Lexus didn’t announce one for the revamped 2021 IS either, but given that they are a division of Toyota, an electrified model almost assuredly is coming. Links 2021 Nissan Rogue 2021 Lexus IS 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

Stupid Stocks and Plug-in Hybrids

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Wheel Bearings
Stupid Stocks and Plug-in Hybrids
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Rebecca is out hanging with a real-life friend for this episode so it’s just Dan and Sam. Sam has been driving the 2020 Hyundai Palisade while Dan got his first taste of Nissan’s variable compression 2.0-liter turbo four in the Infiniti QX50. In the news, we discuss the electric range and fuel efficiency of the new Ford Escape plug-in hybrid and compare it to the upcoming Toyota Rav4 Prime. Nikola Motors has some very interesting technology and a planned business model for hydrogen fuel cell long-haul trucks. The problem is Nikola has yet to deliver, has zero revenue and a ridiculous stock price. We wrap up with discussion of electric Lemons racing and listener questions. Links Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid Range Nikola Motors and its ridiculous stock price Electric Lemons Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to… Read More »Stupid Stocks and Plug-in Hybrids

More and More Hybrids

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
More and More Hybrids
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We’ve got an extra packed edition this week with lots of cars and industry news. On the vehicle front we twice around the circle with the first round including the Nissan Altima Platinum VC-T for Sam, Chevy Silverado Trail Boss for Dan and Lexus GS350 for Rebecca. Round two is all hybrid all the time. Sam takes on the Camry Hybrid, Rebecca the new Honda CR-V Hybrid and Dan in the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. In the news, Ford engineers did some software hacking to cook viruses out of police vehicles. With the Shelby GT350 hitting end of life at the end of the 2020 model year, the next special Mustang is a return of the Mach 1 as the quickest 5.0-liter pony yet. In the absence of auto shows and live events, Acura launched its new entry online with the reveal of the 2021… Read More »More and More Hybrids

£500 Million To Learn That It’s Hard To Make Money Building Cars

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Wheel Bearings
£500 Million To Learn That It's Hard To Make Money Building Cars
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After an extended break, we’re hopefully back on a more regular schedule. In our absence, Sam has found his new favorite Jeep, the Gladiator Mojave and also spent a week with the Wrangler Ecodiesel. Rebecca got to drive the other Japanese accessible sports car, the Toyota 86 Hakone Edition resplendent in its green paint with gold wheels. Dan went electric this time with the latest Nissan Leaf Plus and came away convinced it’s the best Nissan car right now. In the news, we discuss James Dyson spending £500 million to learn that it’s hard to build a car company. Hey James, next just give us a call. We’d happily tell you the same thing for a mere £5 million. Toyota is still skeptical of battery electric vehicles, but it’s all in hybrids as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Prius coming to America. This… Read More »£500 Million To Learn That It’s Hard To Make Money Building Cars