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#082 - The Audi Nuvolari, Hellcats Are Back, SLATE Pre Orders, 2027 Bronco Filson, Base VWs, & More

#082 - The Audi Nuvolari, Hellcats Are Back, SLATE Pre Orders, 2027 Bronco Filson, Base VWs, & More

Clutch Culture Podcast Jun 08, 2026 76 min
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About this episode

Audi’s rumored 987-hp supercar sparks a wide-ranging debate about whether it’s truly an R8 successor, how hybrid power could hit 1,000 hp and 217 mph, and why $700,000 pricing may clash with buyer expectations. The conversation then pivots to car-market reality: allocations, PR-driven narratives, and why “you gotta go drive the car.” Later, Slate pre-orders get dissected (non-refundable deposits, tax-credit timing), while Ford Bronco news covers special editions, interior praise, and even a “do not drive” safety notice.

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Car

Audi R8

"By the way, it's definitely not an R8 replacement, because let's look at exactly what happened with NSX, right? ... certainly has a lot of R8 in its DNA"

The Audi R8 is a high-end supercar from Audi. It’s the kind of car people use as a reference point when talking about what a new Audi supercar might replace.

Car

Honda NSX

"... because let's look at exactly what happened with NSX, right? NSX was this price point, they released i..."

The Honda NSX is a sports car made to be fast and fun to drive. The podcast is talking about how it was priced and released, which affects how people viewed it. That’s why it comes up in the conversation.

Car

Acura NSX

"because let's look at exactly what happened with NSX, right? NSX was this price point, they released it, it's basically $170,000 to $200,000 when they released it, doesn't make sense with the NSX lineage price-wise"

The Acura NSX is a well-known sports car from Acura. The hosts are using it as an example of how pricing and expectations can be confusing when a new version launches.

Term

hybrid powertrain

"and you're now into completely hybrid powertrain, although I do believe it has a V8 in it, right?"

A hybrid powertrain uses both a gas engine and an electric system. The electric part helps the car make more power than the gas engine could do by itself.

Term

four liter V8

"Yeah, go ahead, it's a four liter V8, by the way. But it has hybrid components that allow it"

That means the car has a V8 engine that’s about 4.0 liters in size. It’s the gas part of the power system being discussed.

Term

1,000 horsepower

"But it has hybrid components that allow it to get to that 1,000 horsepower number."

“1,000 horsepower” is how much power the car can make at its peak. Here, they’re saying the hybrid system helps it reach that huge number.

Term

217 miles per hour

"And 217 miles per hour if you wanted to go that fast."

“217 miles per hour” is the car’s estimated top speed. They’re using it to illustrate how extreme the performance claims are.

Concept

logical successor

"everybody's just saying this isn't the logical successor to an R8, you know, you're looking at something that's the 200 to $250,000 range."

A “logical successor” is the next car that makes sense to replace the previous one. Here, the host is saying the new Audi doesn’t feel like the R8’s obvious replacement.

Concept

price point

"their price point didn't make sense to the buyer at that point of the launch."

A “price point” just means the exact price a product is sold for. The point they’re making is that if the price is too high for the buyers at launch, sales can struggle even if the car is impressive.

Term

supercars

"I think everyone's trying to compete on these supercars [430.3s] for these very limited amount of buyers."

A “supercar” is a very expensive, very fast performance car. In this discussion, it’s mainly about how few people can actually buy them.

Brand

Ferrari

"Yeah, I said in true Ferrari fashion, [446.6s] they tell you they're sold out of everything. [452.1s] I mean, that's been the nature."

Ferrari is an Italian performance brand famous for limited production and high demand. The hosts reference “true Ferrari fashion” to describe how Ferrari communicates that cars are “sold out,” even when the brand is still managing allocations through dealers.

Term

allocation

"dealership Z calls up their clientele and says, [465.5s] hey, we'll promise you the next big allocation [468.7s] if you buy three luches."

An “allocation” is basically a reserved quota of cars that a dealer can sell to certain customers. The point here is that dealers may only be able to offer the next hot car to people who also buy other cars.

Car

Nissan XTerra

"It's why we always, when we see we had the XTERRA video go viral. And we say this, and it doesn't a..."

The Nissan XTerra is an SUV that’s built with a rugged, off-road style in mind. The podcast mentions it because a video about the XTerra went viral. That made more people pay attention to the vehicle.

Car

F-150 Raptor

"Woo. It's got the Raptor motor though. It's got a lot of the Raptor goodie..."

The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck. It can be ordered in different versions, including ones that are built for more performance and tougher driving. The podcast mentions it because the Raptor-style setup adds a lot of extra performance features.

Term

appearance upgrades

"It's got the Raptor motor though. It's got a lot of the Raptor goodies in it. And it's got the appearance upgrades everywhere. Yeah, which is a painted fenders and all that kind of stuff."

“Appearance upgrades” means the changes are mostly about how the vehicle looks. Think styling details and exterior trim, not the engine or drivetrain.

Term

painted fenders

"And it's got the appearance upgrades everywhere. Yeah, which is a painted fenders and all that kind of stuff. They got little satchels here."

“Painted fenders” means the front wheel-area panels are painted to match the truck’s color. It’s mostly a visual upgrade that makes the truck look more finished.

Term

V6

"[1447.1s] Mid 70s is what they're saying it's gonna start at, [1449.1s] but it's gonna have the same three liter V6,"

A V6 is an engine with six cylinders. The cylinders are arranged in a V shape, and it’s a common layout in many modern trucks and cars.

Term

twin turbo

"[1449.1s] but it's gonna have the same three liter V6, [1451.1s] the twin turbo one from the Raptor,"

“Twin turbo” means the engine has two turbochargers. They help the engine make more power by pushing extra air into the cylinders.

Car

Bronco Raptor

"[1492.9s] And I've already said, [1494.1s] I've been around Bronco Raptor for a long time now. [1498.1s] It's not the most enjoyable around town [1500.8s] because I don't really love the seats."

The Ford Bronco Raptor is a tougher, off-road-focused Bronco. Here, the host is saying it can be less comfortable in town, and that the seat fit seems to depend on how tall the driver is.

Term

collaborations

"[1512.3s] But I think it's one of these things. [1515.9s] These collaborations can go poorly. [1518.3s] This looks like if this is how it comes out"

“Collaborations” here means special versions made with help from another brand or partner. The point is that these can turn out great—or they can be awkward to live with, like seat comfort not working for everyone.

Car

Ferrari Luce

"Largely, nobody was doing that. Now, Luce seemed to be this turning point where quote unquo..."

The Ferrari Luce is a Ferrari model that the podcast describes as a major change or turning point. They’re saying it introduced something new that other cars weren’t doing at the time. That’s why it stands out in the conversation.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...another bit of a reveal. We had that video by the Charger that go wild the last 34 days."

The Dodge Charger is a car that’s built more for performance than for everyday comfort. It’s known for having a strong look and powerful options. The podcast mentions it because there was a new reveal and lots of people watched the video.

Car

Challenger Hellcat

"...st 34 days. Did you know that's bringing back the Hellcat? No, what?"

The Dodge Challenger is a performance car with a strong, sporty focus. The podcast says it’s bringing back the Hellcat, which is a high-performance version. That matters because it changes what kind of power and driving experience you can buy.

Car

Plymouth Superbird

"Not only that, but they're gonna bring it back with a Plymouth Superbird, Superwing as well."

The Plymouth Superbird is a famous old-school muscle car from the late 1960s. It’s known for its huge rear wing that was designed to help it go faster in racing.

Car

Bronco

"But I don't wanna own a Bronco. I would like to own a 90s Bronco, right? Like I would love to own one of those."

The Ford Bronco is a tough, off-road SUV. The host is saying they’d rather own an older (1990s) one than the newer version because it doesn’t feel as “right” to them.

Car

C8 Corvette

"Like I'm not really enthused to own a C8 Corvette, but I can go, hey, they've done an awesome job with that. The people that own them, love them."

The C8 Corvette is a Corvette with its engine in the middle of the car. The host isn’t interested in owning one, but they respect that other people really love them.

Car

The Raptor

"And the only thing I could add to it is, I'm gonna follow those same steps. The Raptor, obviously."

The Raptor is a rugged off-road version of a pickup truck. The host is saying they’re interested in that kind of vehicle next.

Term

trim packages

"They've got all these different trim packages. They've done that platform really well."

A trim package is a set of options that comes together on a car. Instead of picking everything one-by-one, you choose a package that matches the features you want.

Car

GX550

"I can also tell everybody, I don't wanna own one. That is not because it's a bad platform. I don't wanna own any of the new Toyota stuff. So, it really doesn't, but I can say, I really like how the GX550 looks."

The Lexus GX 550 is a luxury SUV. The host likes how it looks after the redesign, but thinks the tires and wheels they chose are a bit questionable.

Term

tire and wheel choices

"although I think they've made some tire and wheel choices that are a little questionable."

Tires and wheels aren’t just cosmetic—they change how the car drives and handles. The host is saying the GX 550 looks great, but the specific tire and wheel setup they chose might not be ideal.

Concept

churn happen, right?

"Yeah, yeah, I mean, especially as we start to see [3081.7s] the churn happen, right? [3083.0s] You got so many millions being sold or whatever, [3085.1s] and the churn starts to happen in the used market."

“Churn” means cars getting traded in and resold more often. If that happens a lot, more used cars show up and prices can fall.

Concept

used market

"[3083.0s] You got so many millions being sold or whatever, [3085.1s] and the churn starts to happen in the used market. [3087.6s] Like, there comes a point"

The “used market” is where people buy cars that were owned before. The idea here is that if lots of new EVs get sold, more of them will show up later as used cars, which can lower prices.

Car

Tesla Model S

"Like, there comes a point [3089.2s] where a Model S Plaid is a no-brainer."

The Tesla Model S Plaid is a fast electric car from Tesla. The hosts are saying that once used prices get low enough, it becomes an obvious choice to buy.

Car

Lexus LX470

"Honestly, that's like one of my biggest connections to my cars is like, [3154.0s] I always liked the 100 series platform, the LX470, [3160.1s] and I want to own it when I get in it."

The Lexus LX470 is a big, luxury SUV based on the Toyota Land Cruiser platform. People like it because it feels solid and is built to last, so it’s a common “I want to own that one day” kind of vehicle.

Car

Toyota Land Cruiser 100 series

"Honestly, that's like one of my biggest connections to my cars is like, [3154.0s] I always liked the 100 series platform, the LX470, [3160.1s] and I want to own it when I get in it."

The Land Cruiser 100 series is a specific generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser. It’s the kind of platform people associate with tough, long-lasting SUVs—so it makes sense the host wants to own one of the vehicles built on it.

Term

right-hand drive

"By the way, there's a right-hand drive, [3191.0s] a cord wagon in Austin, Texas, [3193.7s] if anybody's looking for one, for 11 grand. [3197.1s] What is your feeling personally about owning a right-hand drive car?"

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. If you’re used to cars with the steering wheel on the left, it can feel strange—especially for driving and living with the car.

Term

alternator

"Is my alternator gonna go out? That's honestly what gets people like you"

The alternator is what keeps your car’s battery charged while you drive. If it goes bad, the battery can run out and the car may start acting up or stop running.

Term

EV

"That's honestly what gets people like you and I thinking about an EV. Like it's not because we're like in love with them, because I think we fall more towards defense on them"

EV means electric vehicle. It’s a car that runs on electricity from a battery instead of using gasoline.

Car

BMW E90

"... look at it, you can get my LX and my BMW manual, E90 manual M3, and you're out the door for less"

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury sedan, meaning it’s aimed at drivers who want a nicer interior and a more enjoyable drive. Some versions can be bought with a manual transmission, which is a feature enthusiasts look for. The podcast is mentioning it because the pricing and manual availability can make it feel like a good deal.

Car

BMW M3

"Yeah, like you look at it, you can get my LX and my BMW manual, E90 manual M3, and you're out the door for less than you'd pay for that Philson Bronco."

This is a BMW M3 from the E90 generation, and the host is talking about the manual version. They’re basically saying you can often get a real enthusiast car for less money than what some EVs cost.

Term

out the door

"and you're out the door for less than you'd pay for that Philson Bronco."

“Out the door” (OTD) price is the total amount you pay to take the car home, including taxes, registration, and dealer fees. It’s often higher than the advertised price, so comparing OTD helps you judge real affordability.

Car

Gx460

"Totally. Have that modern car, you know, we have a GX460, go drive that around, we'll keep it maintained, you know, live your life with that thing."

The Lexus GX 460 is a rugged SUV that feels more like a truck than a car. People often buy it to drive normally day to day, and it’s known for being dependable when it’s maintained.

Concept

leases

"And I've been thinking about this and I've actually worked on this little side thing for leases and as you get older, I feel like leases start to become something,"

A lease is like renting a car for a few years with monthly payments. You don’t usually own the car at the end, and your choice can matter more as your life changes.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"...uch so. We see Toyotas lease deals on things like Tacoma going extremely low."

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck that’s built for everyday driving and light work. It’s also known for holding its value well. The podcast mentions it because current lease deals can make it much cheaper than you might expect.

Term

lease deals

"I think we're going to see a lot more good lease deals. A lot of people are turning to EVs because it's just too good to ignore."

A lease deal is when you pay to use a car for a set time, usually with a lower monthly cost than buying. The hosts think more of these deals will make EVs and other cars easier to afford.

Car

Honda Ridgeline

"...ne today. So for those of you that like the Honda Ridgeline, which I heard was an okay truck."

The Honda Ridgeline is a pickup truck that’s meant to be comfortable for everyday driving. It still has truck features, but it’s not built to be the most extreme off-road machine. The podcast is mentioning it because people see it as a reasonable, practical choice.

Car

Toyota Tundra

"...who they are, but they should have been going the tundra route, how long?"

The Toyota Tundra is a large pickup truck. People choose it when they want more room and more truck capability. The podcast brings it up because they’re talking about whether Toyota should have focused on the Tundra sooner.

Car

Volkswagen base golf hatchback

"Well, speaking of people overseas and bringing stuff here, Volkswagen announced, they might bring back the base golf hatchback, which isn't in the US anymore, because they're moving production to Mexico, all right?"

The Volkswagen Golf is a popular small car. A “hatchback” means the rear door opens upward and the trunk and back seats are part of one space. The host is saying Volkswagen may start selling the simpler, cheaper Golf hatchback in the U.S. again.

Term

tariffs

"if the tariffs get low enough for Mexico products, is they're gonna bring back other variants like the wagon and the alt-track."

Tariffs are taxes governments place on imported goods. In the segment, the hosts argue that if tariffs on Mexico-made vehicles get low enough, Volkswagen could justify bringing more Golf variants back to the U.S.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...r a while though. Yeah, because they knew how big Range Rover was here. And they just made no effort."

The Land Rover Range Rover is a luxury SUV, meaning it’s designed to be comfortable and feature-rich. It also has the ability to handle rough roads better than many regular SUVs. The podcast mentions it because they think the company didn’t do enough to keep it moving forward.

Term

do not drive warning

"So Ford, okay, Ford gives drivers a do not drive warning when it comes to the Bronco sports and the Mavericks..."

A “do not drive” warning is an urgent safety directive issued when a vehicle defect could make continued driving unsafe. It typically shows up during recalls or safety notices and signals that the risk is serious enough to restrict use until repaired.

Car

Ford Bronco Sport

"...ivers a do not drive warning when it comes to the Bronco sports and the Mavericks because they have found front s..."

The Ford Bronco Sport is a smaller SUV that uses Bronco branding and is meant for daily driving with some off-road ability. The podcast mentions a warning that says not to drive, which usually means there’s a safety problem that needs fixing. If you own one, that’s the kind of message you’d want to take seriously and check immediately.

Term

front suspensions

"because they have found front suspensions that may fall apart."

The front suspension is what holds up the front wheels and helps the truck or SUV steer and ride correctly. If parts can fail, the car can become unsafe to drive.

Term

ball joint knuckle attachment

"[4501.6s] So it's a ball joint knuckle attachment? [4504.0s] Yeah."

A ball joint is like a heavy-duty hinge that lets your wheel move and turn. It connects the steering part (the knuckle) to the suspension. If it wears out or breaks, the car can handle poorly and may feel unsafe.

Term

ball joints blow out

"[4505.3s] Man, you think they should be an easy fix, yeah? [4507.8s] Yeah, but you think you've been making them for 150 years. [4510.5s] You just have a ball joints blow out."

“Blow out” here means the ball joint fails badly. That can make the wheel wobble or point the wrong way. It’s dangerous because steering and handling can suddenly get worse.

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