Wheel Bearings

Latest Episodes:

Wheelbearings Episode 023 - Ride Hailing is Doomed, VW Advertising, Delphi Spinning Off, GM Diesel Interview May 10, 2017

Show notes

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.

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Wheelbearings Episode 022 - Jeep and Ram spinoff, Apple still into cars, Autonomy and Law Enforcement Apr 28, 2017

Show notes

The latest rumor about Fiat Chrysler is that Jeep and Ram will be spun off as their own brand, whatever that means. We discuss how that might work and what it may mean for the rest of Chrysler. Apple is still in the autonomous vehicle game, too, and we discuss how the company has shifted its focus. Finally, we talk about how law enforcement is trying to figure out how to deal with autonomous cars in emergencies.

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Wheelbearings Episode 021 - Lincolns, Lambos, Buicks and Cadillacs in Manhattan Apr 21, 2017

Show notes

We wrap up highlights from the 2017 New York Auto Show including an all-new Lincoln Navigator, Buick Enclave, SuperCruising Cadillacs and aero-vectoring Lamborghini Huracans. We also discuss a Tesla AutoPilot lawsuit and modern turbocharged engines. In the time gap since we last recorded, Dan has driven the Genesis G90 and Lexus RX450h while Sam has been through the aging Infiniti QX50 and the stunning new Infiniti Q60. Sam also spent a weekend with Chevrolet's second-generation Cruze diesel to see if it could be a viable alternative for the all the Volkswagen TDI refugees.

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Wheelbearings Episode 020 - Buick Regal Sportback and TourX, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Niro Apr 13, 2017

Show notes

In episode 20, Dan ponders what to tow with the massive 910 lb-ft of torque available from the redesigned 6.6-liter Duramax diesel in the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500 while Sam swaps the BMW 530i for a 330i. Buick has shifted gears with the new 2018 Regal, ditching the trunk in favor of a five-door hatchback or wagon/crossover and Hyundai Motor Group has launched two distinctly different vehicles off its first dedicated electrified vehicle platform. Sam got to drive the electric and hybrid variants of the Hyundai Ioniq while Dan got to at least see the Kia Niro.

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Wheelbearings Episode 019 - The Race For Autonomy, New Tech For Old Cars And Flat Tires Apr 05, 2017

Show notes

This week Dan and Sam drive the 2017 Toyota Sienna AWD and BMW 530i and talk about what happens when a run-flat tire loses pressure. Then we talk about Tesla's market value and why it ranked so low in the new Navigant Research Automated Driving Leaderboard Report. It's going to take decades before the newest technology displaces all the existing cars on the road. In the meantime, there are upgrades possible for the existing fleet to keep older cars relevant.

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Wheelbearings Episode 018 - Hacking Tractors, Formula E, Piech Drama, Trapping Autonomous Cars Mar 24, 2017

Show notes

Farmers in the heartland are turning to cracked software from Eastern Europe for their tractors, there's a new crop of manufacturers participating in Formula E, the Piech drama continues at Volkswagen and Porsche, and it's surprisingly easy to trap an autonomous car. Plus Ford Focus RS, Ram 2500 Power Wagon, and Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

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Wheelbearings Episode 017 - Intel buys Mobileye, Geneva recap, EPA rollback, proposed federal budget Mar 17, 2017

Show notes

Could Intel's purchase of Mobileye be the key to its survival? We discuss, before recapping the introductions at the Geneva Motor Show and discussing the possible affects of proposed federal moves including a roll-back of EPA fuel economy standards and why cutting the Coast Guard budget is worse for drivers than you may think.

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Wheelbearings Episode 016 - Ford/Argo AI, Automakers winning autonomy, Robert Davis of Mazda, more energy crisis musings Mar 03, 2017

Show notes

Ford will pump $1 Billion into autonomous startup Argo AI over the next 5 years. We talk about what they'll get for their money, and explain the strategy behind the move. We also weigh in on John McElroy's recent Autoblog editorial handing the autonomy win to established automakers. Sam caught up with Robert Davis, SVP US Operations for Mazda, and we close out by repeating the case for acting like we're having an energy crisis.

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Wheelbearings Episode 015 - Waymo Will See Uber In Court, Opels and Fried Chicken and Making HD Maps Feb 24, 2017

Show notes

This week we take a second look at the Honda Civic Sport Hatchback after Dan's had a chance to drive it and Sam takes the less ostentatious version of the Lexus ES300h that Dan had last week with the Toyota Camry Hybrid SE. Some big news broke just before we recorded as Waymo sued Uber for stealing its LiDAR technology, BMW, HERE and Mobileye team up to build HD maps for automated driving and we discuss half-baked ideas about fried chicken and Opel. Sam talks with Ford's Alan Dona about new Ford hybrids and then we answer listener questions about performance hybirds.

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Wheelbearings Episode 014 - GM, Opel, and PSA, Ride Hailing Disruption, EPA follow-up, and Questions Feb 17, 2017

Show notes

This week Dan and Sam talk about the 2017 Acura MDX, 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Lexus ES300h and wonder what GM will do in Europe if it sells Opel and Vauxhall to PSA. We also answer listener questions including what's the newest vehicle that has virtually disappeared from the road.

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