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Episode #073 – Big SUVs, Going Mirrorless, Tariffs and Racing Supras

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #073 - Big SUVs, Going Mirrorless, Tariffs and Racing Supras
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This week Sam has been in the new Ford Expedition Max, Dan gets a re-run of the Lincoln Navigator and Mazda CX-9. Lots of news including the new Audi e-Tron quattro without mirrors, chargers for GM’s automated Chevy Bolts, rising prices due to the trade war and the Toyota Supra goes to NASCAR. Finally, Honda builds a 150 mph lawnmower because why not? Links Audi e-tron camera mirrors  Tariffs and price increases  GM preparing to launch automated mobility in San Francisco  Nissan and Daimler cancel luxury compact car  Toyota Supra in NASCAR  Production Supra at Goodwood  Honda mean mower  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 #072 – A Baby Ford, Kia’s Progress, Care and Feeding of Brands and Bad Tarriffs

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #072 - A Baby Ford, Kia's Progress, Care and Feeding of Brands and Bad Tarriffs
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This week Sam drives Ford’s new baby SUV, the EcoSport and Dan marvels at the progress of Kia over 20 years after driving the new Sorento. This week Fiat Chrysler held their annual What’s New preview and showed off the latest even faster Challenger variant, the Hellcat Redeye. Like the Challenger, many of the products in the FCA lineup have been around for quite a long time but the company has made an effort to continuously update them in ways that seem small on the surface but matter to customers. The show wraps up with a discussion of the impact of proposed tariffs on the auto industry. Links 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye Dodge focusing on performance Auto industry not happy about a trade war The price of a Toyota Camry would jump $1,800 because of tariffs Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you… Read More »Episode #072 – A Baby Ford, Kia’s Progress, Care and Feeding of Brands and Bad Tarriffs

Episode #066 – Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #066 - Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety
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After a week off, the guys are back with lots of stuff to talk about. Since the last show, Sam has been in the Mini Countryman Cooper S E (where do they come up with these naming conventions?) and the BMW 530e xDrive while Dan has found himself surprisingly enamored with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. While electrification is the future, it’s not the only solution for improving efficiency, especially in the big trucks that Americans favor. That’s why Ford is launching a diesel engine in the F-150. Someday we may not be actively driving anymore but we’re still a long way from that being commonplace. Sam compares the hype for automated vehicles to the currently reality and the hype just doesn’t hold up. Oh and Amazon can deliver packages to your trunk. Links Ford F-150 Diesel first drive BMW picks Innoviz solid state lidar The… Read More »Episode #066 – Plug-ins, Hybrids, Diesels and AV Safety

Episode #065 – Midsize Luxury SUVs, New Electric Utilities and Fast Charging

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Wheel Bearings
Episode #065 - Midsize Luxury SUVs, New Electric Utilities and Fast Charging
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Since the last show, Sam has spent time with the Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLE550e plug-in hybrid. Dan gets an encore with the Nissan Armada and some time with the Dodge Charger GT. As we head into this year’s Beijing Motor Show, images of the new Mercedes-Maybach sedan-SUV concept surface and frankly it’s not good. Audi provides a preview of some of the testing they are doing with the upcoming e-Tron Quattro and VW subsidiary Electrify America gets ready to challenge the Tesla SuperCharger network. Finally, Toyota commits to talking cars and wants the rest of the industry to come along for the ride. 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 #060 – Sedans, Expensive Electric Crossovers and Student Robots

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #060 - Sedans, Expensive Electric Crossovers and Student Robots
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Sam returns from duty as a judge at a FIRST Robotics competition and gives his impressions of the 2018 Toyota Camry. Dan finds himself surprisingly enamored with the Acura TLX A-Spec. Following the Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar i-Pace is officially on sale in Europe and coming to America soon. It will be followed by a pair of electric Porsches, the Mission E sedan and then the Mission E Cross Turismo. Ford patents a repair drone for its automated vehicles and guys dish out more car buying advice. Links Jaguar i-Pace Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Ford autonomous repair drone First Robotics MI Kids on the Move Power Racing Series 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 #055 – Compression Ignition Raves, Ranting About Greed and Reckless CEOs

Podcast Archives
Podcast Archives
Episode #055 - Compression Ignition Raves, Ranting About Greed and Reckless CEOs
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This week, Sam spends quality time with the Dodge Challenger GT AWD and comes away pleasantly surprised. Dan shares his appreciation of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Sport and its naturally aspirated engine. Mazda invited Sam to California to learn more about the upcoming SkyActiv-X engine and drive a prototype. Then the guys go on an extended rant about BMW’s plans to charge a subscription fee for Apple CarPlay and flow right into how reckless Elon Musk is being with flame throwers. Links Previewing Mazda’s SkyActiv-X BMW to Charge a Subscription for Apple CarPlay Why is Elon Musk selling flame throwers? When Will Tesla Ever Stop Going to the Capital Markets and Why Does Anyone Believe Them? 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 #050 – Phil Berg Stops By To Talk About Garages and Cars

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Podcast Archives
Episode #050 - Phil Berg Stops By To Talk About Garages and Cars
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  We’ve got another special guest this week as the great Phil Berg visit’s Sam’s basement to tell some stories talk about cars of the past, present and future. In the garage, Phil is driving the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Sam disses the Toyota Prius C and Dan shifts gears in the Toyota Corolla SE. In the discussion we solve the problem of distracted driving by declaring that everyone must drive manual transmission Mazda Miata. We ponder the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee and the revival of the Honda Insight name. Finally, a reminder to make sure that if you get a recall notice for Takata airbags (or anything else) please get it fixed ASAP. Links If you want to buy a personally autographed copy of Ultimate Garages from Phil, click here to send us an email and we’ll connect you The Prius C has outlived its… Read More »Episode #050 – Phil Berg Stops By To Talk About Garages and Cars

Episode #047 – Hybrids Galore, Trashing Tesla and Uber

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Podcast Archives
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

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