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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

Episode #111 – Changing Perceptions

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #111 - Changing Perceptions
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This week, Dan has been driving the Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet. Sam drove the refreshed 2019 Hyundai Tucson before heading off to Manhattan to ride subways. Rebecca has been driving the Cadillac Escalade around southern California. From there we dive into the failed Fiat Chrysler and Renault merger and where it might go next including hooking up with Volkswagen. Finally, VW launches a new ad campaign that apologizes for diesel as they shift to electric vehicles. Links Volkswagen “Hello Light” ad campaign Fiat Chrysler and Renault Merger Off Davey Johnson Missing 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. 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 #109 – Screaming Fords and Electric Audis

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #109 – Screaming Fords and Electric Audis
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The crew is back with the Chevy Blazer, Ford Ranger and Mazda Miata RF. Sam has been driving the Audi E-Tron Quattro in northern California. Amy Marentic talks Ford Icons, Mazda is bringing back inline sixes and GM Cruise gets more cash. Links Driving the 2019 Ford Shelby GT350 Mazda Inline Six-Cylinders GM Cruise Investment 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