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Top Novice

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Top Novice
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Nicole and Sam are back after a week off where everyone was travelling. Robbie is still in Japan so Nicole shares here adventure driving in the Mille Miglia warm-up where she and co-pilot Eilleen Falkenburg-Hull came in second overall in the modern vehicle class and first among novices. Upon returning home, Nicole got to spend quality time with the new Nissan Z. Meanwhile, between trips, Sam got to drive the Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn. Sam and Nicole also share their impressions of the new 2023 Toyota Crown. In the news, BMW announced a $1.7B investment in its Spartanburg SC factory to build EVs, GMC revealed the Sierra Denali EV Edition1 and Ford brought us the refreshed 2023 Escape. Ford and VW are pulling the plug on Argo AI, the company that was developing automated vehicles for them, and Ubers with human drivers will make fewer… Read More »Top Novice

Go Anywhere, But You Might Not Get Out

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Go Anywhere, But You Might Not Get Out
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This week Sam learns the limits of “all-terrain” tires as he goes off-roading with the Ford Bronco Raptor. Nicole shares first impressions of Nissan’s new Ariya electric crossover and Robbie tests the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Nicole and Sam both got to try out the Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L with Stellantis’ new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six cylinder engine. They also had a conversation with Jeep North America boss Jim Morrison. Chevrolet is launching a second generation Trax entry-level crossover that is both larger and cheaper than before. Motional has a 10-year deal to operate its robotaxis on the Uber network in multiple markets and the TFL Trucks Hummer has been fixed. Links 2024 Chevrolet Trax TFL Trucks Hummer EV followup Motional and Uber 10 year deal Ford Bronco Raptor review Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like… Read More »Go Anywhere, But You Might Not Get Out

Not So Uber Any More

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Not So Uber Any More
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Rebecca was off looking after her mom so it’s just the boys this time. Sam got to spend time with the 2021 Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered and the 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE. Dan comes back with a more complete take on the Cadillac CT5 550T. In the news, Uber is shedding more of its ancillary businesses as it off-loads the automated driving group to Aurora. Sam also got a first taste of the new 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and we answer some listener mail. Links Uber dumps self-driving team Ford Bronco Sport First Drive Ford Bronco Design and Tech 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 #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 #062 – Death By Uber, Cadillac Goes To 8

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Episode #062 - Death By Uber, Cadillac Goes To 8
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This week Car and Driver transportation editor Pete Bigelow drops by get some family car buying advice and discuss the first pedestrian fatality from an automated vehicle. Dan drives the Nissan Armada while same raves about the Kia Stinger and Cadillac has a new twin-turbo V8 engine. Links Autonomous Uber kills a pedestrian Cadillac Gets A New Twin-Turbo V8   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 #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

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Episode #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

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Podcast Archives
Episode #036 - Rome Isn't Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers
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The guys are back with a regular episode wherein we drive sibling vehicles from Korea, the Hyundai Elantra Sport and Kia Niro FE. Sam was wiped out last week after a whirlwind trip to San Francisco for the City of Tomorrow symposium hosted by Ford. While there he got the chance to talk with Bryan Salesky, one of the most experienced software engineers working on automated vehicles. Fiat Chrysler is also trying to get a foothold in the automated driving space while rumors of a Chinese acquisition swirl. Meanwhile GM still hopes that diesel can give them a competitive edge with the 39 mpg Chevy Equinox. links FCA Joins BMW/Intel Autonomous Driving Partnership Chevy Equinox Diesel rated at 39 mpg highway Uber Kills Leasing Program Future of Smaller Automakers May Be As Tier 1 Suppliers Ford Makes $1B Bet On Argo.AI As Recruiting Tool Kia… Read More »Episode #036 – Rome Isn’t Burning, Why Skip The VCs? & Diesel Crossovers

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Episode #035 – Dull Edge, Travis Gets Sued, Mazda Innovates

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Podcast Archives
Episode #035 - Dull Edge, Travis Gets Sued, Mazda Innovates
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This week, Sam is again driving a Mazda Miata with brilliant steering while Dan fights the steering in the Ford Edge Sport. Another Hespen Rally is in the books and Sam goes off on a tangent about what happens to engineering development vehicles. Mazda announces the first production HCCI engine for 2019 and one of Uber’s biggest investors sues former CEO Travis Kalanick and guys try to give some advice on what kind of car should replace a VW GTI. Colin Sultan of 3M explains what the inventor of post-it notes is doing to enable automated and connected vehicles. Links Mazda Refuses To Give Up On Internal Combustion, Develops Engine It Says Is 20% More Efficient Tech flashback 1: Driving GM’s HCCI prototype in 2007 Tech flashback 2: Driving GM’s next HCCI prototype in 2009 Benchmark Capital Sues Travis Kalanick Kia Forte5 SX Review  … Read More »Episode #035 – Dull Edge, Travis Gets Sued, Mazda Innovates

Wheel Bearings #28

Episode #28 – Luxury Econocars, Big Trucks and Malaise vs Autonomy

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Podcast Archives
Episode #28 - Luxury Econocars, Big Trucks and Malaise vs Autonomy
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This week Dan and Sam return to the Ford F-250 Super Duty which Dan is now driving and compare it to the Chevy Silverado 2500. They also talk about BMW’s $100,000 economy car, the 740e plug-in hybrid. Topics include the departure of Travis Kalanick from Uber, the 2017 edition of J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study and a bunch of listener questions including a recommendation of the Mazda6 and contemplation of which is worse, the malaise era or the coming autonomy era? Links 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Results   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

Wheel Bearings #25

Episode #25 – Aging Trucks, New Crossovers, Vintage Convertibles and Cheap EVs

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Podcast Archives
Episode #25 - Aging Trucks, New Crossovers, Vintage Convertibles and Cheap EVs
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This week Dan and Sam discuss lots of listener comments and questions throughout the show. Dan has spent the week with the Toyota Tundra and advises a listener to look elsewhere for their hauling needs. Sam has the new Chevrolet Equinox and also discusses his new acquisition, a 1990 Mazda Miata. In the ongoing Uber saga, former Google engineer Anthony Levandoski is now also a former Uber engineer as the ride-hailing leader fires him. The guys discuss invisible Camrys, electric vehicle conversions, autonomous shuttles and whether it is worth buying a cheap used Fiat 500e. links Uber Fires Anthony Levandoski Toyota Tundra review Autonomous Shuttles 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