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Episode #056 – Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics

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Episode #056 - Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics
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The guys are back after failing to get our collective acts together last week. Dan drove the VW Beetle with a 2.0-liter turbo that makes as much power as many much smaller engines, while Sam drives a three-row utility that actually has room for humans in the back, the 2018 Dodge Durango GT. This week Sam records his end of the show from Chicago as he gets ready for the auto show there. Ford is making a little bit of news with a mid-cycle refresh of the Transit Connect that surprisingly adds a new diesel engine. The best promoter in the auto industry also made some news this week by launching his car into space and Sam goes on a rant about how meaningless the California autonomous vehicle disengagement statistics are. Links Elon Roadster Goes to the Asteroids Ford Adds a Diesel to the Transit… Read More »Episode #056 – Diesel Vans, Cars In Space and Meaningless Statistics

Episode #052 – Winter Driving and Ziggy’s Volvo

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Episode #052 - Winter Driving and Ziggy's Volvo
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As the frigid temperatures continue to encase the midwest and spread to the eastern half of the US this week, Sam has been driving the new Hyundai Elantra GT Sport, his favorite variant of this compact Korean platform. Dan meanwhile has been taking to the snow-covered streets of the Boston area in the all-wheel-drive Dodge Challenger GT. In a relatively light news week ahead of CES and the Detroit show, the guys discuss driving in these wintery conditions, Volkswagen and Hyundai both announcing autonomous driving partnerships with Aurora Innovation and they follow-up last week’s conversation about the death of the collector car market with news that some person with more money than sense bought a Volvo 262C for $216,000 simply because it was once owned by David Bowie. Links Bowie’s Volvo Hyundai and Aurora team up for automated driving Volkswagen and Aurora also partner Wheel… Read More »Episode #052 – Winter Driving and Ziggy’s Volvo

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 #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?

Episode #033 – Faster, Slower, Fix It Now or Fix It Later

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Episode #033 - Faster, Slower, Fix It Now or Fix It Later
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This week Sam is in the slightly quicker Civic, the Si sedan, Dan stays on-road in the off-road Jeep Compass and the guys delve into fixing diesel Volkswagens, regulations for automated driving and whether anyone will ever make any money on self-driving software. Also, Waze comes to Android Auto, the end of big cars and a contemplation on how to fix Lincoln. Links The automated driving economy turns into the app store economy Who’s ultimately responsible for fixing recalled Volkswagen diesels Will automated cars cost $400,000? Spoiler alert, no. 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 Ep #23

Episode #23 – The Anti-Demon, Midsize Pickups, VW Ads & Ditching The Past

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Episode #23 - The Anti-Demon, Midsize Pickups, VW Ads & Ditching The Past
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On this week’s edition, Dan and Sam discuss whether Fiat might have a better Miata than Mazda with the 124 Spider and whether midsized pickups like the GMC Canyon Denali might be too compromised to be truly useful. Volkswagen has some interesting new ads aimed at attracting buyers to the new Atlas SUV and the brand in general as it tries to recover from the diesel emissions scandal. Sam expounds on why stand-alone ride-hailing services are probably doomed and then the team ponders why Delphi is splitting itself up to leave powertrain systems behind. Dan interviews one of the masterminds behind GM’s latest 6.6-liter Duramax V8 and we address a listener question about diesel particulate filters. 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 #13 – 2018 Ford Expedition, Executive Orders and Abolishments, VW shifts away from diesel

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Episode #13 - 2018 Ford Expedition, Executive Orders and Abolishments, VW shifts away from diesel
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Sam is in Chicago for the auto show, where the biggest news is the biggest SUV Ford makes, the Expedition. We talk about the new 2018 Ford Expedition, changes to the automotive landscape and fuel economy should certain political actions happen, and also discuss Volkswagen’s move to edge away from diesels. We finish up with a couple of interviews – Chevrolet Marketing Manager Steve Majoros and GM Electric Propulsion Calibrator Adam Heisel. We get some questions in before wrapping up, as well. 2017 Volvo S90 T6 Inscription AWD – Taking the Fight to the Germans Show notes: Tesla Lightning Lap  

Wheel Bearings Podcast episode 8

Episode #8 – Psuedo-SUVs, Self-Driving Minivans and Expensive Tesla Parking

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Episode #8 - Psuedo-SUVs, Self-Driving Minivans and Expensive Tesla Parking
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This week, Dan is disappointed by the Volvo S60 Cross Country and Sam is somewhat impressed by the Cadillac XT5.  Will the minivan see a resurgence thanks to autonomous ride hailing? Will every new minivan in the future be self-driving? Will Uber’s self-driving cars work better in Phoenix than San Francisco? Will Ford follow its second-generation autonomous Fusions with Transit Connects? Will expensive parking charges be enough to get Tesla drivers to move their cars once they are done charging? Autonomous Ride-Hailing May Hail the New Era of the Minivan VW to Reveal Autonomous Electric Microbus Concept in Detroit Uber Moves Self-Driving Volvos to Phoenix Ford Rolls Out 2nd-Gen Autonomous Fusions Parking a Tesla at a SuperCharger Gets Expensive   View at Medium.com Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing… Read More »Episode #8 – Psuedo-SUVs, Self-Driving Minivans and Expensive Tesla Parking

Episode #3 – Jaguar Goes Electric, Mazda Goes Diesel and Who Knows AutoPilot

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Episode #3 - Jaguar Goes Electric, Mazda Goes Diesel and Who Knows AutoPilot
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  In this round, Dan and Sam drive the Volkswagen Beetle Dune and the Mazda3 Hatchback. Sam went the Los Angeles Auto Show/Automobility LA where he saw the reveal of the second generation Mazda CX-5, the Jaguar i-Pace and sat down with Ali Vahabzedeh, founder and CEO of on-demand, commuter van-ride service Chariot. They also discuss what drivers think AutoPilot means.   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