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Episode #098 – Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #098 - Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street
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This week we’re talking luxury as Rebecca drives the Maserati Levante, Dan has the Mercedes-Benz E450 and Sam relaxes in the Kia K900. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Anton Piech, son of Ferdinand and great grandson of Ferdinand Porsche launches his own car company with an electric sports car. Ford has more trouble with emissions and fuel economy testing, Elon Musk proves again that he shouldn’t have a twitter account as Tesla General Counsel bails after less than two months at the company and IIHS tests pedestrian detection and braking systems. A reminder not to rely too much on technology to save you. For automotive engineers and developers that want to develop their skills in AI and working with Nvidia processors we have a 20% discount code for the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference Silicon Valley. Check out the sessions at https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/gtc/topics/automotive-and-transportation/ and use the promo code MCXNAVIGANT when… Read More »Episode #098 – Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

Episode #097 – Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #097 - Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
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This week our intrepid trio has been tackling everything from mainstream to super-luxury. Rebecca went to rainy Palm Springs to sample the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and more from BMW before returning home to the 2019 Kia Forte. In between, Sam had the 2019 Mazda CX-9 and Dan drove the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus which leads into a discussion of who is doing luxury right. In the news, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fudged the numbers to show Tesla Autopilot was safer than it really was. Jaguar Land Rover debuts a new inline-six gas engine with mild hybrid capability and that leads to a response to a listener question on V6 vs I6. Finally, Dan and Sam talk with Ford Super Duty chief engineer Mike Pruitt about the new 2020 heavy duty pickups and the new 7.3-liter V8. For automotive engineers and developers that want to develop… Read More »Episode #097 – Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Episode #087 – Carlos In The Clink, Driving In Winter and Charging Follies

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #087 - Carlos In The Clink, Driving In Winter and Charging Follies
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This week Sam drives the new Volkswagen Jetta and Dan spends time with the Acura RDX and VW Golf Sportwagen. Out in the real world, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Chairman of Nissan is arrested for alleged financial malfeasance and the future of the Alliance is in doubt. With snow and ice now on the road, it’s time again to think about winter tires. Land Rover unveils the second-generation Evoque with electrified powertrains and Tesla owners are experiencing Supercharger issues. Sam also interviews Pete Rander and Brett Browning of Argo AI. Links Carlos Ghosn Arrested Winter Tires 2020 Land Rover Evoque Supercharging issues 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 #084 -All-in on In-Car Recording

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #084 -All-in on In-Car Recording
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This week, Sam and Dan are both commuting, Dan from his office near Boston and Sam heading back to SFO from the Verge Transport Conference in Oakland. Sam is on his second consecutive battery electric car, driving the 2018 BMW i3S after leaving the Hyundai Ioniq Electric behind in Detroit. Meanwhile Dan joins the party from the 2019 Lexus LS500 after transitioning from the 2019 Subaru Forester. In the news, the guys discuss the latest assessment from Munro and Associates about how Tesla is building the Model 3 and Dan opines on advertising changes at Ford. At the end of the show we add the keynote that Sam delivered recently to the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Impact event. Links The Tesla Model 3 is too complicated for its own good Another Tesla manufacturing chief leaves Sam’s keynote at the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber… Read More »Episode #084 -All-in on In-Car Recording

Episode #078 – Refreshed Jeep, Affordable Car and Some Unaffordable EVs

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #078 - Refreshed Jeep, Affordable Car and Some Unaffordable EVs
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            This week Dan records his end of the show from the new Kia Rio which proves an affordable new car doesn’t have to be cheap junk. Sam is at home after having driven the 2019 Jeep Cherokee and the 48V mild hybrid Ram 1500. The guys discuss the wisdom of Jaguar building electric restomod E-types, Audi’s new Pebble Beach electric supercar concept and whether Elon Musk has outlived his usefulness to Tesla Links First Drive of the 2019 Ram 1500 eTorque Jaguar commits to building electric E-Types Audi PB18 e-Tron concept   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 #069 – VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #069 - VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble
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We missed last week for reasons we don’t need to get into (OK, it was Dan’s fault) but Sam drove the Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas while Dan had the new Jeep Wrangler. Sam went to the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally at Road America where he went for a ride in the Ford GT and drove a whole bunch of other cars and utilities. He came to the conclusion that for those that actually want to have fun driving, the VW GTI is a better choice than the Golf R. Finally, Tesla continues to have quality issues and Elon Musk goes on the attack against anyone that stoops to criticize and his most trollish followers pile on. Links A lap in the Ford GT VW Tiguan review VW Atlas review Edmunds Tesla Model 3 Long Term update What It’s Like When Elon Musk’s Twitter… Read More »Episode #069 – VW SUVs, Real SUVs, A Plethora of Cars and More Tesla Trouble

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 #064 – Hatches, Hatches and More Hatches

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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

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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 #059 – Navigating a Lincoln, Brown Volvo Wagons and Carbon Beds

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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