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Episode #048 – LA Auto Show, Driverless in San Francisco, What Is A Station Wagon

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Episode #048 - LA Auto Show, Driverless in San Francisco, What Is A Station Wagon
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After a hiatus while Sam finished off a flurry of travel, the team is back for episode 48. Sam drives the 2017 Mazda CX-5 while Dan gets the Hyundai Ioniq and Mitsubishi Outlander (is it just me or does it seem like Mitsubishi has sent its entire press fleet to New England for Dan to drive?). While in Napa to drive the new Nissan Leaf, Sam talked with Jalopnik’s Jason Torchinsky about what defines a station wagon and picks up the conversation with Dan. Lincolns have names again, VW is building EVs, Sam rides in automated Chevrolet Bolt and Infiniti launches its variable compression engine. Links Lincoln goes back to names Deep dive into the automated Chevrolet Bolt Ford goes bespoke for AVs and moves EVs to Mexico Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in… Read More »Episode #048 – LA Auto Show, Driverless in San Francisco, What Is A Station Wagon

Episode #047 – Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber

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Episode #047 - Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber
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The guys are back with some Thanksgiving car chatter after a week of travel for Sam. It’s a full slate of hybrids in the garage. Since the last show, Sam has driven the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the fuel-cell Toyota Mirai. Meanwhile, Dan gives his take on the Toyota Prius Prime and the new Volvo XC60 T8 Twin-Drive. From there, the conversation devolves into complaints about touchscreens in cars and the future of voice recognition. Then we take on the king of the car touchscreens with the launch of the Tesla Semi, a new Roadster and production problems. Finally, the Uber has messed up again with a massive data breach that was concealed for a year. Let’s give thanks that at least for now, we can still drive for ourselves. Links Toyota Prius Prime Review Thoughts on the Tesla Semi from a former trucker Uber… Read More »Episode #047 – Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber

New Mercedes Raises Question: What’s The Right Amount Of Driving Automation Now?

Technological innovation is nothing new to the brand with the three-pointed star. Ever since Karl Benz drove his Patent Motorwagen for the first time more than 130 years ago, Mercedes-Benz has been a technological pioneer. Along with pioneering engine technologies like diesel and direct injection, active safety has been at the heart of the brand. From the debut of the first electronic anti-lock brakes in 1978, the Mercedes-Benz S-class has consistently been the launch platform for these technologies and the 2018 edition takes another step closer to automated driving. After a week in the refreshed S560, I have to ask, is this a step in the right direction? Read the rest of the article over at Forbes.com 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 »New Mercedes Raises Question: What’s The Right Amount Of Driving Automation Now?

Episode #046 – Comparing Benzes, Driverless In The Desert, Corvette Engine Position

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Episode #046 - Comparing Benzes, Driverless In The Desert, Corvette Engine Position
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This week, Dan and Sam compare notes on the two Mercedes-Benz cars they drove, the E400 coupe and 2018 S560 4Matic sedan. Sam ponders whether partially automated systems are a good idea and whether everyone should simply take the Waymo path of highly automated driving that launching without a driver this week in Arizona. With the new Corvette ZR1 about to launch, Dan bemoans its looks and the guys ponder whether this will be the last front engine Vette. Links Waymo goes without a safety driver 2019 Corvette ZR1 leaks 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Tech Review 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Luxury 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

Episode #001 – Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Just the Reviews
Just the Reviews
Episode #001 - Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
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In the first reviews segment from Wheel Bearings, Dan and Sam discuss the Jaguar F-Pace, Chrysler Pacifica, Nissan Armada and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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 #045 – Plugged-in Cadillac and Casey Falls In Love

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Episode #045 - Plugged-in Cadillac and Casey Falls In Love
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This week a special guest joins Dan and Sam. Casey Liss of the Accidental Tech Podcast and Analog(ue) stops by to share his thoughts on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Volvo Sensus. Sam ponders the Cadillac CT6 Plug-in and his experience visiting Waymo’s secret test track in the California desert. Links Safety First As Waymo Wants To Be ‘Enablers, Not Disruptors’ 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio – One Spicy Italian! Liss is More 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 #044 – Wagons Are The Correct Answer, More Grip Is Better

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Episode #044 - Wagons Are The Correct Answer, More Grip Is Better
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This week Sam praises Volvo for continuing to build great wagons, Dan plays with a fast BMW and the guys discuss acquisitions, working overtime and more. Links Delphi buys nuTonomy Ford adds grip to the 2018 Mustang GT 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

Toyota Prius Prime Gets The Plug-in Hybrid Right, Now About That Design

Ok, let’s immediately deal with the elephant in the room. The Toyota Prius Prime is not an attractive vehicle. In fact, to my eyes, it’s quite homely. Now that we have that out of the way, I’ll leave the aesthetic judgements to your own tastes and move on to how Toyota’s sophomore effort at a plug-in version of its icon works. While the first-generation Prius PHV was a bit of a swing and a miss, the functionality this time is in most respects a home run. Read the rest of the review at Sam’s Thoughts 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 #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

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Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?
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This week, Sam talks about driving the Prius Prime which if you can get past the design is a really good and fuel efficient car. Dan ponders Mitsubishi Mirage GT and whether it’s really worth buying a new car when you can something slightly used that’s way better and then transitions to the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack.  Volvo launches its first dedicated car for the Polestar brand, a 600-hp plug-in hybrid coupe, Audi rolls out a second-generation A7 and Tesla fires a whole bunch of people. Dan explains why he doesn’t watch Star Trek Discovery and Sam gives his verdict and the guys answer additional listener questions. Links Polestar 1 2019 Audi A7 Tesla mass firings Star Trek Discovery 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… Read More »Episode #043 -Form Way Behind Function, Cheap New or Better Used?

wheelbearings podcast episode 42

Episode #042 – Maxi Mini, Family Haulin’, Car Subscriptions & Autonomous Safety

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Episode #042 - Maxi Mini, Family Haulin', Car Subscriptions & Autonomous Safety
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This week, Dan hauls his family around in the Hyundai Santa Fe and Sam ponders how big a Mini can be and still be a Mini. If you have a hard time committing to just one car, subscription services like Passport by Porsche may be the answer for you. Mislabeling of metals is not a problem you can fix with an over-the-air software update and may put Kobe Steel in even more trouble than Takata. Waymo publishes a surprisingly detailed safety report about its automated driving system and the guys answer some listener questions. Links Passport by Porsche subscriptions Kobe Steel Fakes It Waymo talks safety   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