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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: ...
Apr 28, 2017•1 hr 53 min
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 ...
Apr 21, 2017•2 hr 6 min
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 v...
Apr 13, 2017•1 hr 20 min
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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: h...
Apr 05, 2017•1 hr 25 min
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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brand...
Mar 24, 2017•1 hr 32 min
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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy ...
Mar 17, 2017•1 hr 36 min
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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check ...
Mar 03, 2017•1 hr 26 min
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...
Feb 24, 2017•1 hr 32 min
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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/pr...
Feb 17, 2017•1 hr 7 min
This week, Sam is in Chicago, so we talk about the newly-released 2018 Ford Expedition. We also discuss the fuel economy implications for the Executive Order requiring dropping two existing regulations for every one new one, what abolishing the EPA may mean and who is supporting the idea, and news of Volkswagen dropping development on new diesels for EV and hybrid powertrains, instead. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com ...
Feb 10, 2017•1 hr 55 min
After a week off due to busy schedules, Dan and Sam are back. In the garage, we've driven the Genesis G80, Honda Civic Sport hatchback and a Chrysler Pacifica that went back smelling like a bunch of Deadheads had hit the road in it. Sam went to California to drive the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV on some of the same roads where he first drove the Tesla Roadster nine years earlier and finds that those that don't want to wait for a Tesla Model 3 should be taking a serious look this new entry. Dan, took ...
Feb 01, 2017•1 hr 53 min
Since it's a quiet week (/s), we spend a good amount of time talking about the newly-refreshed 2018 Ford Mustang. Sam had a chance to speak with Mustang Vehicle Engineer Tom Barnes, too. We also talk about Mazda's move to introduce an HCCI engine for the next generation of Skyactiv powertrains, take some questions, and finish up with Sam's interview with Jim Zizelman from Delphi, talking about Dynamic Skip-Fire and other topics. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check...
Jan 20, 2017•1 hr 48 min
Sam walked a metric ton of miles around CES and then again at NAIAS, and we talk about what he saw and heard. We talk about the presentation by Ford's Mark Fields at CES, Detroit Auto Show highlights, and we answer some of your questions, too. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Jan 13, 2017•1 hr 30 min
'Twas the night before CES, and in Dan and Sam's houses, we jumped onto Skype with clicks of our mouses...to talk about what happened during 2016 and make predictions about what 2017 has in store. Of course we talked about Tesla, Faraday Future, autonomous technology, emissions and fuel economy standards, and more. We finished up with a bunch of great questions, too. Check it out! Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Adver...
Jan 04, 2017•1 hr 28 min
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? ...
Dec 28, 2016•1 hr 11 min
After a brief delay due to some personal scheduling issues (ok it was all Dan's fault!) [it was totally my fault - D], Dan and Sam are back with another vibrant discussion about the week in vehicles and transportation. In the garage we talk about GM's shifting crossover strategy with the 2017 GMC Acadia and Honda growing the Ridgeline into a real truck. Then the talk turns to cars that talk to each other, the Google cars project transforming into Waymo and Uber behaving badly yet again (big surp...
Dec 21, 2016•1 hr 29 min
Sam doesn’t let a cold stop him from talking with Dan about Mobileye’s efforts to build high-definition maps for autonomous cars, the latest automatic transmissions from General Motors and Ford. The discussion then veers off into George Hotz open-sourcing his Comma One hardware and software before tackling the latest prognostications from Ford futurist Sheryl Connelly. The show wraps up with some listener e-mail from Zack and Jonathan. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove ...
Dec 09, 2016•1 hr 22 min
Sam goes on the road to talk automation with Delphi, plus a bonus interview with Ford about the EcoSport. Dan makes a case for another gas crisis, and we talk about Lucid Motors, too. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Dec 02, 2016•1 hr 29 min
Enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers with an all-new episode. We talk automated driving and the work General Motors is doing on Super Cruise, trends ininfotainment, and answer questions about visibility and our sports/ponycar preferences. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 25, 2016•1 hr 17 min
Sam is back from the Los Angeles Auto Show with an interview with Chariot Founder and CEO Ali Vahabzadeh about new mobility solutions. We talk about what Tesla owners understand about Autopilot, the Jaguar iPace, and Mazda adding a diesel engine to the CX-5 in North America. Our garage this week is the Mazda 3 and Volkswagen Beetle Dune. Happy listening! Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://r...
Nov 21, 2016•1 hr 23 min
Welcome back for the second episode of the Wheelbearings Podcast. This week we're driving the Hyundai Elantra Eco and the Volvo XC60 T6. We cover the Hyundai Ioniq, Ferrari going all-hybrid by 2020, the latest effort to revive Cord, and projections that auto sales have peaked. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 11, 2016•1 hr 7 min
Dan Roth and Sam Abuelsamid have launched a new podcast with a familiar feel. Check out the first episode of Wheelbearings. Topics are the new Mercedes-Benz engine architecture and autonomous vehicles, especially Sam's being stood up by Comma.ai and George Hotz. Our Sponsors: * Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy...
Nov 08, 2016•1 hr 32 min
