Wheel Bearings

Latest Episodes:

No Fancy Brunch Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

While Nicole is off enjoying a fancy brunch with friends visiting from out of town, Robbie and Sam are again joined by Stephanie Brinley. Robbie has been driving the Ford Ranger Raptor while Steph spent time with the latest Honda Civic Hybrid and Genesis G70. Sam spent the week with the Kia EV6 GT-Line.

In the news, Fiat is now integrating charging cables into the nose of EVs. Chargepoint showed off its solution for handling EVs with CCS or J3400/NACS charging ports, the new Omni Port and Robbie got to try it out. Dodge announced pricing for its e-muscle car, the Charger Daytona and we got to hear what it sounds like. Tesla has dropped the reservation system for the Cybertruck and deliveries are available almost immediately. Volvo has bumped the pricing for the new EX90 and a bunch of features missing at launch. GMC has a redesigned Terrain for 2025. Finally, Sam had an in-depth conversation with Joerg Grotendorst, SVP of Corporate R&D at Magna International (and no they didn't discuss Fisker).

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Fiat to integrate charging cables

Chargepoint Omni Port

NACS and CCS on one cable

2025 GMC Terrain

2025 Dodge Charger Daytona pricing

No more Tesla Cybertruck reservations, Canada/Mexico now open

Volvo EX90 price bumped by $3300, features missing

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Declining Value Proposition Aug 04, 2024

Show notes

Nicole is on the road this week so we have Perry Stern joining us a guest. Over the past couple of weeks Perry has been driving the Porsche 718 Boxster and the new 2025 Toyota Camry which now comes exclusively with hybrid power. Robbie took a road trip in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Sam had the Honda Ridgeline Trailsport before his vacation and then the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ SUV to drive around northern California.

In the news Ford has done a mid-cycle update of the Maverick and finally has an all-wheel-drive hybrid available but the price has climbed by an average of $2,400, still modest by current truck price standards, but no longer the screaming deal it was just two years ago. Audi has launched a new electric only A6 and once popular brands Recaro and BBS have both filed for bankruptcy protection. A Tesla owner using "full-self-driving" mode has killed a motorcyclist in Seattle and Ford is offering a torque upgrade for the Mach-E GT as an OTA update. Ineos has decided to scrap plans to expand its lineup and focus on higher-marging bespoke models instead. Toyota is adding an automatic transmission option to the GR Corolla for those that want to focus on handling instead of shifting. ElectraMeccanica went bust with its single-seat Solo EV and now all of them are set to be crushed. Perry took the states with Mini and we answer listener questions.

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2025 Ford Maverick, value evaporating

Audi A6 e-tron

BBS and Recaro circling the drain

Seatle motorcyclist killed by Tesla FSD

Mach-e gets an OTA performance update

Ineos to focus on margins over volume

GR Corolla gets an automatic

ElectraMeccamica Solos wait to be crushed

MINI Takes the States

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Manila Vanilla, It's Yellow Jul 28, 2024

Show notes

This week, Sam is enjoying a much-deserved vacation, so we have Jill Ciminillo, managing editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk as a special guest. Jill drove the Acura TLX while Robbie had some time with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which he can drive but can’t pronounce. Nicole was in the Toyota bZ4X which she loved, aside from one rather large issue.

In the news, the Cadillac Sollei concept made its debut as a 2-door convertible in a color we all question, but with stunning design details. Rivian opened a COutpost outside Yosemite with free coffee (yes!) and the Honda Civic Si is back with a manual transmission only (yes again!). Acura is ditching Sirius XM, which isn’t’ as big a deal as it seems, but Stellantis may cut underperforming brands from its portfolio, which definitely is a big deal. Volvo is the latest automaker to adjust its EV plans and Toyota issues an engine recall that has them replacing the entire engine in around 100,000 vehicles.

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Cadillac Sollei - 2 door convertible Celestiq concept

Rivian Yosemite charging outpost

Honda Civic Si Returns

Acura ditches in-car SiriusXM app

Stellantis May Cut Brands

Volvo EV Plans May Slow

Toyota Engine Recall

Sam's Corvette ZR-1 deep dive

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Basically A Fast Economy Car Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

This week, Nicole is driving the refreshed Genesis GV80, Robbie had the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan and BMW XM and Sam got to play with the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally.

In the news, Sam spotted Hyundai and Kia testing NACS/J3400 charging ports on an Ioniq 5 and EV6 at a Supercharger. Cadillac is putting a 55-inch screen in the gas Escalade. Honda is working on a new generation Passport that might be more off-road capable. Ford is using its Oakville, Ont. assembly plant to build Super Duty trucks that will get electrified and Nicole and Sam drive the refreshed Explorer. Nicole went to Germany to see the new Audi A5 and Lexus is offering a fancier version of the GR Corolla Morizo, but in Japan only.

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Hyundai/Kia testing J3400 EVs

2025 Cadillac Escalade

2026 Honda Passport

Yandex Self-Driving is now Avride

2025 Ford Explorer

Ford Expanding Super Duty production and electrifying

Lexus LBX Morizo

2025 Audi A5

Audi's Still Doing ICE

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No Real Safety Benefit Jul 14, 2024

Show notes

This week Sam has been driving the 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor. Nicole had the Mazda CX-70 and Robbie has just started on the Mercedes-Benz EQS

For 2024, Toyota has improved the abysmal charging performance of the AWD bZ4X and Electrify America is piloting an 85% charge limit. Nissan has launched an off-roady-ish Rogue that now has hands-free driving assist. Ford unveils its 2025 Dakar challenger and Mazda is putting a Rav4 hybrid system into the CX-50. Ford has launched a new EV in Europe that looks like the Polestar 2 and bears the name of a 1970s sports coupe. Tesla's market share continues to decline and partial automation systems don't seem to help safety.

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Toyota Improves bZ4X charging

Nissan Rogue Rock Creek

Ford Raptor T1+

EA pilots 85% charging limit

Early automotive navigation

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

New Ford Capri

Tesla drops to 50% US EV share

Partial Automation doesn't boost safety

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It's An Electric Flex Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

This week Robbie takes a road trip to southern California in the BMW i7, Nicole gets an unexpectedly eye-catching Ford Bronco Sport and Sam belatedly comes to the realization that the awesome Kia EV9 is basically an electric Ford Flex.

Sam provides a follow-up on the 2025 Ram 1500 and its batteries. GM got a fine from the EPA over excess CO2 emissions and had to give up a bunch of C02 credits. Small car sales are picking up and Jim Farley want's people to buy more of them, even though Ford doesn't actually offer any right now. Land Rover launches a high performance Defender and Ineos indefinitely delays the electric Fusilier. BMW is working on a new coupe based on the electric Neue Klasse platform and the Supreme Court may have made it way harder to introduce any new regulations.

Finally, make sure to listen all the way to the Q&A at the end because we have a special treat question from long-time listener Adam J.

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GM fined for excess CO2 emissions

EPA on GM excess emissions

Are Small Cars Back?

Land Rover Defender Octa

Ineos Fusilier delayed

BMW Neue Klasse Coupe

EV Mandates May Be Next SCOTUS victim

Carbuzz on SCOTUS

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It's About The Style Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

This week Nicole is driving the Ford Maverick and Sam has the new Fiat 500e

Nicole went to the Busan Motor Show in Korea last week to deliver an award to Kia. While there she got to see the new Kia EV3 and the little Hyundai Casper EV. GM Design has been posting images from the design archives on Instagram including a concept for a second-generation G8 that sadly never made it to production. Cox Automotive gave a mid-year update and EV leasing is growing dramatically. Automakers are pushing back on NHTSA's new automatic emergency braking rules. VW is turning to Rivian to try to solve it's software problems and BMW has a new plug-in hybrid M5. While someone that owns the rights to the Delorean brand has shown an electric concept, a UK company is restomodding original examples. Rimac has shifted from electric supercars to robotaxis with the help of Mobileye. Volvo is also having software issues that have caused a stop sale on the new EX30 in Europe, while tarrifs have delayed the US launch. Sam participated in a Q&A with Jaguar Cars managing director Rawdon Glover to learn about the future of the brand.

Links

The last Pontiac G8 concept

Cox Automotive mid-year update

Automakers push back on AEB rules

VW and Rivian partnership

2025 BMW M5

Actual Electric Delorean

Rimac Robotaxi

Volvo EX30 delayed

Hyundai Casper EV

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1.6 Miles Of Copper Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

This week in the garage, Nicole has been driving two cars that are basically the same but oh so different, the Buick Envista Avenir and the Porsche Cayenne GTS while Sam tries out some hands-off highway driving in the new 2025 Ram 1500 Limited.

In th news, Lexus should soon be launching a successor to the LFA that will form the basis of its next GT3 race car. Uber and Lyft are adopting the Toyota bZ4X. 15 years ago, we expected to see light duty pickups from Detroit with diesel V8s but they all got cancelled. However, some prototypes of the GM 4.5L Duramax has occasionally popped up. That engine was specifically designed to fit in the suprisingly compact package envelope of the classic GM small block. One of the places that small block V8s occasionally show up is in Miatas, and friend of the show Tommy Mica tries one out.

Fisker has finally filed for bankruptcy and Sam got a look at the Leapmotor C10 from China. Accidental Tech Podcast host Casey Liss had a crazy engine failure in his family's Volvo XC90. Sam has more on the updated Rivian R1 and a 3,600 mile Tesla road trip demonstrates why we need more emphasis on AC charging to make EVs truly mainstream. TFL Truck's Andre Smirnov gets a deep dive on the Ford SuperTruck that is tackling Pikes Peak this week.

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Cayenne GTS

Lexus LFR coming

Toyota bZ4X as NYC Ubers

The Chevrolet 4.5L Duramax V8

Tommy drives a V8 Miata

Fisker files for bankruptcy

Casey's engine goes boom (1:41)

Leapmotor C10

Rivian R1 updates

Another case of why we shouldn't depend on DC fast charging

Andre checks out the Lightning Supertruck

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Do You Need An AI Best Friend? Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

This week, Nicole has been driving the Genesis GV60 Performance, Robbie spent time with the Ineos Grenadier and Quartermaster and Sam drove the Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Nicole also went on an electric off-road adventure with the Polaris Ranger EXP in Michigan's Upper Penninsula and drove the new GMC Acadia. Sam went to the Stellantis investor day and got to try out the Peugeot e-3008 and rode in the Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore. Dealers are once again demonstrating why customers hate them by slapping huge markups on the Chevrolet Equinox EV. We also answer listener questions.

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VW ID Buzz Campers

Stellantis investor day

Polaris off-road adventure

Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore

Peugeot e-3008

STLA Brain, Cockpit, Autodrive

GMC Acadia first drive

Don't pay markups for the Chevy Equinox EV

Hamilton's North Coast Adventures

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Plug-in Hybrids Are Or Are Not Fine Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

Robbie has the updated the Ford Mustang Mach-E with a lithium iron phosphate battery, Nicole has the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra N-Line and Sam has the 2024 Ford Ranger XLT.

Ford is attacking the Pikes Peak Hillclimb with another EV, this time the Lightning Supertruck. Rivian has done its first major update the R1 series with new motors, battery packs and electronics. Nicole spoke with some Fisker employees about the s**tshow in Manhattan Beach. Two three-row, electric SUVs started production in the US, the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90. IIHS crash tested full-size SUVs and the results were not great. Friend of the show Jonny Lieberman wrote a rant against plug-in hybrids and Robbie made a video about them. Finally, Sam has a conversation with Michigan's chief mobility officer Justine Johnson

Wheel Bearings listeners get an extra 3 months for free when they sign up for ExpressVPN at https://www.expressvpn.com/wheelbearings

Links

Ford Lightning Supertruck to Pikes Peak

Rivian R1 updates

Fisker Employee Inside Story

Kia EV9 US production

Volvo EX90 start US production

IIHS tests big SUVs

IIHS Crash tests

Jonny is wrong about PHEVs

Understanding Plug-in hybrids

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