2026 Volkswagen Golf R: Fastest Volkswagen Ever
Annotations will appear as you listen
0:00
43:55
Car
Mazda Cx30
Car
Suzuki X90
Car
Tesla Model 3
Car
Volkswagen Golf
Car
Mazda 3
Car
Nissan Rogue
Car
Porsche 0917
Car
Ferrari 0512
LIVE
This is america on the road named best radio show by the international automotive Media conference.
And now when its 30 first year on the air. Thanks for being with us as
we bring you the latest automotive information from around the world. I'm Jack
N ed with me is... C host Chris
Ti. Chris, great to see you I hope
you had a terrific fourth of July. Great
to see you as well. We did a
little bit cloudy, but nice and warm for the fireworks. How about you? Yeah. Terrific in
in Texas, fireworks in Texas are just wild or fourth of July, so that's pretty cool.
A lot of news this week, even given the fact it's holiday week. In the news,
a global car maker has delayed the launch of a new affordable E.
In the wake of the Biden administration's tariff, new tariff on Chinese built electric vehicles. We'll
tell you the car maker, the model, and why the decision was made to delay the launch coming up. So interesting stuff there.
There's also tons of volkswagen news that... This
week, not only is the brand unveiled new Jet and Gulf bar, but it has also made a major investment in electric truck maker meridian this I bet you have some thoughts on that, Chris. I love to hear them
coming up. Mh. And, finally,
you, We're talking about every listener out there might have a time bomb ticking right in their steering wheel. Right in front of them. And
you probably don't realize it or you might not realize it so we have the details on that coming up it's something to pay attention to. Chris, there's almost too much news
this week isn't there. Yeah. At least, it
doesn't all sound bad though this time. It's
usually... It sometimes it's very dramatic. Yeah. Well,
it's a lot of drama here, pluses is and minuses is. Kind of drama. America on
the road is brought to you by driving today dot com. Em m lance dot com.
The publisher of my latest book dance in the dark and mercury insurance If you're looking to save some money, you should switch to mercury for your auto and home insurance, California save an average of 670 dollars with Mercury. So imagine how much you
could save. Forget a quote today at driving
today dot com slash auto insurance. That's driving
today dot com slash auto insurance.
As you longtime, listeners know, Chris lives at 1 end of the country. I live at
the other. Each week we get together to
talk about cars, the car industry, how you can save some money on your cars. And
of course, we also road test a couple of vehicles, and, Chris, I think you have a fun vehicle to talk about this week. Don't you? I did.
It's kind of a pseudo hot hatch. It's
the Mazda Cx... 30 a 20 24 model
year. I can't wait to tell you all
about it. Right. And I had a vehicle.
I think you probably are jealous about the the fact that I drove it for a week. It is the 20 24 volvo X
recharged, the plug in hybrid version of the X 90. So interesting vehicle. We're very well
done. And this week, our special guest is
Lauren Fix.
She is the car coach very knowledgeable about cars a North American car. Jury, and we're
gonna be talking about Paul Brian, who is another jury member who passed away this past week, a, kind of a larger than life guy. We don't have a discussion about Paul
and other things certainly. But we have tons
of show for you this week, so stay with us.
So Welcome back everybody to Marathon on the road with 15 Jackie red bag with you for our news segment and the news this week.
Well, there's tons of it.
In fact, a a story that we were among the first to to learn about. This
is the story about the...
Delay, maybe a lengthy delay of a very affordable e that was set to come to the united states actually was set to come the United States over a year ago, and then it was put off. And now it's put
off again. Based largely on the fact that
the by administration has, imposed a hundred percent tariffs on Chinese built electric vehicles, and the vehicle we're talking about is the Volvo Ex 30, we've talked about it here on the show.
Volvo has said they are putting this off until they can begin to build these vehicles in Belgium.
As opposed to China where they were going to come from. Probably,
delivery will be put off for a significant period of time, And I also have to wonder about price thing given the fact that this is gonna be built in Western Europe, not exactly a low low cost place to build cars versus China. Yeah. They'd had already
said Volvo Already said that they were gonna have to contend the 25 percent tariff, which was the previous, measure and that the pricing had accounted for that. Already So,
I don't know. I mean, it depends on
at the pricing or if their cost to produce it in Belgium, are gonna be comparable with that, the original price plus tariff. Volvo
didn't make a big announcement about this. In
fact, they sent individuals my myself included, an email message, letting Us individually know that this was going to happen. I don't think they wanted to
create a giant stir over this at the same time. They wanted to let us on
the jury, for example, in the North American car your jury. Know that this vehicle is
going to be postponed yet again. So they
are still committed to bringing in the Ex x 30. It's a pretty cool vehicle,
but it's gonna be a while. And, again,
we're not gonna get that affordable E that everybody's hoping that we we get. Yeah. You
know, I've I've written this so many times now that it feels like I I could just, you know, spit it out with my eyes closed, but we've been promised so many times and nobody has yet delivered it. I mean, I think
the Chevy bolt and maybe some versions of the model 3 have come closest, but, yeah. It's a shame. We have to wait
a little bit longer. Yeah. Well, other E
news concerns Volkswagen and their deal with R, the electric truck maker.
R seem comparatively versus some of the other startups ups it'd be doing fairly well. I see a lot
of r around.
They're selling reasonably well at least in some areas of the country. They're super expensive, and
they're truck Suv, Vw apparently as bought into R in to secure some of their technology, something you've been talking about on the show over and over again. Something I have to scratch my head
over the fact that a a startup up E maker not exactly a backyard startup, but is certainly certainly a startup has more expertise in building these kind of vehicles than a global car maker like volkswagen does, but that's obviously case. That's why they have made this
big investment pretty interesting, I think that they're admitting. Hey. We... Need help, and we're gonna
spend some money to get it. Yeah. It's
a great move for both companies. Really, R
needs the money the capital to build its next generation r 2 and r 3 vehicles in Volkswagen has just... Has struggled with their technology as
they move to electric vehicles. The the Porsche
Mac con, E was delayed because they couldn't figure out the software in Volkswagen has a whole division dedicated to this stuff. So
it it looks like it'll be mutually beneficial.
And I I hope it is. Well, this
a new software, the r software is going to certainly go into the RR2 as you mentioned, that's coming up. It's also
gonna go in... Audi, Porsche,
Lamborghini, Bentley, v... Beyond Volkswagen and it's gonna
go across the the, all the model lineup ups, That Volkswagen owns.
This is 1 of the things I found interesting too in the reporting.
R is doing fairly well compared to Wilson certainly as compared to F, for example, which has just declared bankruptcy, chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but they are, reportedly losing 40000 dollars for every vehicle they deliver.
I mean, I don't know about you, chris.
I'm a business major. I guess, so I
understand this deep finance, But this is unsustainable, isn't it? It is. And if you
compare them to like a large automaker like ford, You know, they have gas vehicles to offset some of the losses they have from their electric vehicle business, but R and Tesla, some of the others don't have that. So,
I'm sure this infusion of of cash is gonna be welcome. I do think though, that
they have enough reserves to run. I think
through 20 25, but that hasn't stopped them.
R had, a couple layoffs offs in recent months. So
hopefully this helps them right the ship. Well,
volkswagen and buying their expertise. And obviously, they
have expertise The volkswagen felt they didn't have. So I find that. Interesting. The
investment is substantial, 3000000000 dollars, apparently, giving them a 25 percent stake in Caribbean And, this is something I didn't know. You
probably did, Chris, That the current... The previous
largest shareholder of R, was Amazon. I thought it was ford, but
I might have had that backwards Well, I think Ford had a big investment and then sold off a lot of their investment, which made people think, oh, 0, or R might be headed for the dumpster, but that didn't happen. I guess there's happier
news. There's pretty cool cars to talk about,
and we're always excited about that.
Volkswagen has announced a new Golf r and Golf r variant.
Talk and a lot of horsepower, pretty cool stuff. It's not quite ready to come United
States in fact folks, so I could sent us a translation of the German release, that they were recently put out, But 328 horsepower from the golf r and a golf bar variant. I gotta believe that variant is something
that you and I would love and we'll never see in the United States probably, but because it is station wagon like. Yeah. Well,
as we discussed a little earlier, off the air, Jack, You know, I owned a 20 23 golf r, the twentieth anniversary model, had to have a lemon law buy back because of some of the technology and safety equipment issues.
But, man, it was such a fun car to drive. It doesn't feel quite as
lively as my Toyota G r Corolla, but I'm happy to see it's got more power.
It's down to almost just over 4 seconds, 0 to 60. I mean, that is blazing
quick for a hatchback. Yeah. And a top
speed a hundred and 6 7 miles an hour. I mean, that is mind blowing. I
remember doing top speed tests and motor trend magazine, and trying to push corvette vets and Lamborghini and those kind of things up to that speed.
Your Ns and those kind of things. The
fact that a hatchback will the 167 miles an hour is, kind of a mind blower when you think about it. Yeah. And
you get torque vector all wheel drive. You
get a bunch of cool arrow to aerodynamic body work. And so... The you know, I
mean, it's a great all around car. Quite
expensive though. Very, very expensive, and not not
gonna come to us immediately. I mean, do
you have any sense of when when we're going to see it, chris.
I've been hearing rumors of early next year, so, like, early spring maybe, but we'll have to see. I I don't have a crystal
ball. Right. Well, we are talk about affordable
vehicles, and this is kind of good news I think, for affordability, affordability, and that is the new Volkswagen and Jet kind of renewed. This is a refresh
rather than an all new jet, But, they've also lowered some pricing. In fact, you can
get it a a Jet, with a starting price of under 22000 dollars. Is a pretty darn good good value,
I think in In this day and age when everything is over 30 get 30 grand.
It is the jet is comfortable, it drives nicely. It's got nice tech inside and it's
got a good list of standard safety equipment. So I mean,
this is a... This could be a value
winner for them, assuming people still buy cars.
Yeah. Well, that's interesting. I they note that
the the Jet is the best selling Volkswagen car in the United States, Of course, in North America, They're not selling the ton of cars.
They're selling more Suvs than cars these days because that's what people are buying. There's also
a new Gl version kind of the Gt version of this sedan.
I think that should be a fun cartoon too. Yeah. I like the Gl is it's
not quite as hot as the Gt, but you know, you get 228 horsepower, and you can get a 6 speed manual transmission. So
it's definitely a driver's score. Right. Well, we
alluded to the fact that you might have a ticking time bomb. Right? In your steering
wheel or right in inside your vehicle and what we're talking about are airbags the tu kinda airbags that have been recalled years and years ago, but there's plenty of vehicles out there. There's according to Car, 6200000.0
vehicles that still have airbags that need to be replaced, and then there's some issues even with the the replacements. Right, Chris? Yeah. It's amazing
that we're almost 10 years out from the original recall. Now. And we're still seeing new
new vehicles being wrapped in and people being encouraged to do this. But, there's also been
an issue with counterfeit airbags. And as more
of these ta avocados are replaced, there's increased worry that, you know, some of these counterfeit units could make their way into cars and they're just as dangerous as the airbags.
So, hopefully, if you get your car fixed, you get it done in a dealer who who knows what they're doing. Right. And I would
say, do some research. If you bought a
a used car suddenly, you might wanna do some research and see whether that... Or that
used car was part of a recall, whether the car you've been driving for years. It's
been part of a recall for this, and you maybe just put it off and never had it replaced, and it could be deadly.
So look for that. We'd like to keep
you around in our audience for America on the road.
We like you. And when we come back,
we will be talking about 2 vehicles that we probably like a lot. We'll we'll find
out when we road test 2 vehicles. So
Stay with us for that, we'll be right back right here on America on the road.
Look back to America on the road with for back. With you. It is a road test
time, but before we get to the road test vehicles, we would like to thank you for listening to America on the road, we do appreciate it like America on the road, please pass it on. Pass on a, a
podcast version of the show, tell people where you listen to America on the road on which radio station and and when that would be very, very helpful to us. And maybe
give them something that they'd like to listen to for an hour week. Or something like
that. We we hope,
would appreciate that.
And your road test vehicle is a fun vehicle. I driving it not too far not
too long ago and really enjoyed it, but tell us about it.
Yeah. I spent the week behind the wheel
of the 20 24 Mazda cx 30.
This is their smallest crossover at the moment.
I'm calling it a crossover, but as I hinted at earlier in the show. I think
it's more of a, like, a pseudo hot hatch, you know, it's very close to the Mazda 3 in terms of size and looks and everything. So
just a fun vehicle to drive jack. Just
give me a little rehash of your opinion that we heard a few weeks ago. Well,
I like the vehicle. I love the way
Mazda handle.
This certainly handles really, really well, a small vehicle like that compact vehicle doesn't have it immense acc capabilities, but it's just fun to push. It's
fun to fun to drive hard.
Yeah. I agree it. It is very lively
and it's fun to drive, But taking a step back. This vehicle starts at just over
dollars for the base model.
I tested the Turbo premium plus, which is the range topping model. It came out at
just under 40000 dollars with a couple of options. And as we've talked about, Jack a
couple times in the past, Mazda offers a staggering number of configurations for this vehicle, including 2 power trains in something like 7 or 8 trim levels, so there's certainly no shortage of options if you're looking to get exactly what you want with this vehicle. There's likely a model for you.
The base engine's, a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder,
makes a hundred and 91 horsepower, a hundred and 86 pound feet of torque.
The Turbo premiums or the turbo model that I drove, 4 comes with a Turbo charged 2.5 liter engines, 227
horsepower, 310 pound feet of torque, which increases the 250 horsepower and 3 2320 pound feet of work when you're on premium fuel, which I've always found interesting about mazda vehicles.
All wheel drive is standard and it comes with a 6 speed automatic transmission instead of it can torque variable unit, which I'm very thankful for. So, as we mentioned, it's not
the quickest vehicle and a straight line, but, you know, the Turbo charge engine does have good torque and 320 pound feet on premium fuel. Is a pretty stout number for a
vehicle of this size, and it gives it a good amount of pop off the line. It feels like, you
know, you can start in and out of traffic without any trouble at all making this a an excellent computer commuter. I think it's
it's great from a size and and acceleration standpoint.
The handling, as you mentioned earlier, it's fantastic for a crossover. It's sharp. It's responsive. There's
good steering feel.
On the flip side of that jack, I will point out that there the ride can be a little bit rough at times, I think that, you know, if you're not expecting it, then, you know, you might be surprised by a a couple of bumps and banks.
Cloth upholstery comes standard inside. You can get
synthetic leather. My range topping trim came with
genuine leather.
It was a dark brown leather. It's a
really interesting combination of black and dark brown on the inside of this vehicle. It's got Mazda soul
red paint on the outside. Just a really
visually, stimulating, looking interior.
So I I think Mo is did a good job there.
It comes standard with an 8.8 inch touch
screen. Mine came with a 10.25 inch unit,
you get wireless Apple carplay and Android auto.
Touchscreen is only available with those 2 features, so you're gonna have to use the dial and we've talked about this until we're blue in the face. But it just is not
my cup of tea to navigate long lists of things with a dial.
And then the top trim, as I mentioned, you can't... You get a full list of
safety features here. So things like automatic emergency
breaking, ford collision alerts those are standard, but then the top trim adds blind spot monitoring with rear across traffic alerts, parking sensors, pedestrian detection.
And a head up this display which I really enjoy. So, you know, I think, Jack,
the price here is is right. I mean,
you can pick almost any any price level you want, and you'll get a great list of features. The cargo space is a little
small for me, you know, a family of 4 with a dog. But if you like
driving and you need a little bit of cargo space and over a hatchback or Sedan This is a great pick. Yeah. Absolutely. Terrific
vehicle love to drive it, so much fun. Not sure it's really a
crossover, Suv in a lot of ways. But Yeah.
I like it no matter what it what it is What how you classify it. Agree.
Yeah. Well, I was driving a vehicle? I
think you're probably jealous of my, driving at this week. I I think the T Family
drives of Volvo x 90. I was driving
the plug in hybrid version of the 20 24 X 90 recharge all wheel drive in ultimate trim, so that's the top of the line.
Number 1, what jumped out at me was how pretty this interior is. It's just got a gorgeous
interior. I mean, I've liked to evolve interiors
before, and I think mostly they're understated and I and, you know, very well designed, very handsome looking is is 1 of the ways I would describe them. This... Even beyond that.
I mean, this really kind of stuck out to me as being just a nice place to spend a lot of time. So
getting that out of the way a little bit, and I can... I go back and
talk about infotainment system and some of the stuff, I I didn't like quite as much, a little later in the in the review, but Of course, this is built on the X c 90 conventional gasoline powered platform.
It has a plug in hybrid system that adds an electric motor gives it an and a big battery, fairly big battery. Gives
it 36 miles of E only range, which system is reasonable, I guess, and I have to admit during my week with this thing. I wasn't necessarily
meticulous about plugging it in.
Which I think makes me very similar to everybody else who's got plug in hybrid vehicle.
Maybe if you plugged it in all the time, you would realize much more benefit out of that, a lot a lot more money that you pay for it, but it does get better fuel economy. And it also is the most
powerful, of the X nineties by quite a bit.
I mean, this t 8 powertrain offers horsepower. This makes this... If not quite a
hot rod. It's it's certainly performance oriented.
Let me walk you through the XXE lineup. And the recharge lineup up a little
bit. It starts with the core model. There
is a plus model and then the ultimate.
They're available in 6 or 7 pastor configuration, The the core model starts at about dollars, 73000 dollars or so. And has a lot of
good stuff. Heated did front seats leather upholstery
Led headlights, navigation. It does have this 9 inch touch
screen Google based infotainment system, that, was was presented to us as... Wow, this
is gonna be a big step forward. I'm
not sure it is such a big step forward from what Volvo had before, and it's it's getting very mixed reviews and and my review about it is mixed too, and I think this is a a pretty small screen in the overall scheme of things these days, especially in the luxury manufacturer. What
you take on this whole infotainment system, Chris?
It is the screen quality itself is fantastic.
The resolution great. It's very clear and bright.
But as you mentioned, it's a little small and, adding Google built in, added features, but it didn't simple by the the process I, there's a lot of swiping and searching.
So, you know, I think I have mixed reviews as well, even that comes from a volvo fan and owner. So by Yeah. Well,
the vehicle I had, as I said was an ultimate vehicle, the ultimate starts at about 80000 dollars. The vehicle I had had a
price as tested of 9 underneath a little over 90000 dollars. It it had things like
the Bowers and Wilkins premium audio system. You can get a couple
of premium audio systems. Actually
the ultimate comes with a Harm and carbon sound system, which is also up level from what is base and and a very good system, but then you can get this more premium system, which is kind of a mind blower has watts of power among other things. I mean
you can literally shake the windows out of out of door frames with them I think.
And what a beautiful luxurious cabin I've mentioned that, but 1 of the things I should, point out more specifically are the seats? I
mean, Volvo those have always been known for really high quality c seating and very supportive, very ergonomic designed seating.
And certainly, this this version of, this x 90 delivers on that, and you probably experienced that to, Chris. Yeah. Actually drove
a recharge, not too long ago and the seats are are every bit is excellent as you described. Even the ones in my 3
year old regular X 90 gas.
Our fantastic great adjust, great positioning. So, yeah,
no complaints. Yeah. Fun to drive vehicle, of
course, with 455 horsepower. It has tons of torque. Of course,
the electric motor could contributes a lot of torque. It is an
all wheel drive vehicle can tow up to 5000 pounds, so that's pretty good.
0 to 60 and 5 seconds. Pretty pretty
darn quick, 3 row Suv.
It doesn't have a ton of storage space behind the third row of seats... In the
third row seats is, I think pretty much for children only.
11.2 cubic feet behind the third row isn't
a whole bunch. It's kinda like the a
mia trunk. Back there something that order.
You put kids in the the third row, what you take on that. I have ridden
in a third road myself, and I tell you it's best reserved for children because getting in and out is difficult for anyone over 4 feet tall. Yeah. Well, I... A lot
to like about this vehicle.
I think maybe the bowers and Wilkins setup up is overkill at 19 speakers, but man, it sounds so great. It's it just is awesome.
And like I say, this has a a really superior interior. III just was was bold away from.
There's also 1 thing that was on our test car that, my wife didn't like very much and wanted me to mention, and that is the running boards.
I don't know why these were added. It's
pretty easy to get and out of this thing. She's not particularly tall. She's about 56I
think, which is, I guess, average woman size or something like that. Easy to get an in
and out of thing and then bangs her chin on the middle of the of the running board, you know, trying to get in.
So that's kind of a negative view where you could just not buy those.
And you'd be just fine. I think though
we got a couple of vehicles really positive vehicles this time around. The Cx
30 from Mazda, what a fun vehicle this is and the X 90, in this form in particular with all the horsepower with them all that kind of fun with this luxury and certainly 90000 bucks a lot of money, but this is a very full featured vehicle. So I certainly a player,
I think, among the others, the Europeans and even the the Korean and and Japanese luxury brands.
Agree. And when we come back, we will
have a very special guest talking about a special person actually. Our special guest is learned.
Fix.
She is a member of North American car that your jury. She is known
worldwide as the car coach. She probably seen
her on Tv. I certainly have. And we're
going to be talking about a a friend of ours who passed away recently, Paul Brian, he's another member of the jury and kind of a larger than life guy, both literally and figuratively.
So we'll be talking about him and and other things when we come back with Lauren F. So Stay with us for that and
we'll be right back right here on America on the road.
Hi. This is Jackie Rad host of America
on the road. I'd like to tell you
about my latest book, dance in the dark.
It's a crime novel and inspired by True crime. Many people have told me it is
the perfect follow up to fatal photographs by true crime account of the Notorious Hollywood bathing suit model murder case.
And dance in the Dark, Jason Griffith is a rock and roll drummer, turned computer programmer who fears for his life, but he doesn't know why.
After living a quiet life for years. Suddenly,
his girlfriend leaves him. He meets the most
beautiful woman he has ever seen. And within
days, he's wanted. For the murder of a
drug cartel enforce, a murder he didn't commit. The cops think
he did at though and showed as the boss of the cartel, but So he's stuck between the law and the mob with nowhere to turn. The only person who might be
able to help him is the new woman his life. But will his stunning new companion
be an asset or an enemy? And can
escape the desperate situation he's trapped in, Dancing in the dark is available in paper back and as a Kindle ebook at Amazon and at Em Lan publishers. Right now, it's at
a special low price that will save you 5 bucks. That's dance in the dark by
Jack Carney Red. Thanks for checking it out.
Look back to America on Road tempe b read back with whom we have a terrific guess for you. An old friend, Lauren Fix
is... The car coach among other things she's
been on the show before. And
it's always wonderful to have her on the show. Although,
today, we're gonna talk about something with a, ting of sadness to us, but number 1, Lauren, thanks so much for being with us We appreciate it. It's always a pleasure, Jack.
Thanks for having me back. Great to have
you on the show. The ting of sadness
comes because we've kind both lost a friend, very great recently.
You've lost a partner as well, Paul Brian, real lu in the industry for years and years and years recently a radio voice that many people recognize recognized across the country left us a couple weeks ago or so now. And
you were very close with M course. You
partnered with him in many, many projects, talk about him a little bit. Well, it's
was funny My husband's paul too. I always say I'm
appalled. My husband, my son, my son love,
my trainer, my agent and my c was, I'm I'm all appalled.
So we used to always laugh about that, But, Paul was a very different guy. Many people
in our industry met him when he was in charge of the Chicago auto show for 20 years. And you had to go to
the guy and the chair in the in the media lounge and and deal with him sort of, and you go in and ask through a passes for the lunch or the the breakfast, and you couldn't get them without clearing them with Paul Bryan.
And, He he certain... That's how I first kinda
met him, and he was a big guy at the time. He literally kind of sat
in a throne. Right? I mean, he was
on an elevated chair above the. Press room.
I I always loved that. I mean, it
was really king Paul. Yes. He was king
Paul for sure. And... And he loved the
whole...
The image it created was, like, don't play with me. I'm in charge.
And and I remember going up there to ask for tickets the first time. First time
I was ever there. I got invited by
1 of the brands they hosted us, and and it was my first time in the Chicago auto show. And I had to... They
said, oh, go ask the Skype, Paul Brian for tickets. I, Don't even know this guy.
And I remember going this big 400 pound guy was sitting in a chair, you know, elevated above the newsroom and Of, like, oh, boy. Tickets Oh, you know, and you have
to kind of play the game, you know?
I just need 1 ticket for breakfast and 1 for lunch. You, it'll and he would
always give you, like, a little a little dig, a little pawn stab just to see where you were if you were... If you
had a good sense of humor month, if you were really a player who were you, And he kinda wanna get to know everyone.
But he always had a a different approach thinks because you never knew where he was coming from.
And So years later, Paul had lost a lot of weight. He decided to do that bypass
surgery, and he'd lost a whole person of 200 pounds.
And I just kinda knew he was kinda stayed away from Asked him when I needed to. And we were sitting at an event
in Las Vegas. We were Man aid bay.
I think it was a ford event.
It I don't know why it was there, but it was. And
we set it me, but I'm lust about bed, but we sat next to each other, why they were getting ready to do, like, an evening presentation. And he looked over at me and
you said hi. And I'm, like, hello. Like,
I had no idea who he was. We
started talking, He said you have a dry partner. Now
back in the day when I first joined as a as a journalist, you would go to events and there was circles. There was the old guys, which you
could not break into that group. I don't
if you remember that 2 chad. Like, those
are the guys. You can't... They wrote for
car driver road and track, automobiles, auto week. You could not approach them
and have a car conversation. They would allow
you into the conversation. And you kinda felt
it more so than it was spoken.
And I was the newbie. So I thought,
okay. You wanna ride together. Sure.
We hit it off as fast friends, had a lot in common.
And in years going on, we did a his turn and her. And that was the
first 1.
And we shop for over 10 years, his turn her segments, and then I found that Paul a massive foodie.
So hence the fact that used to be before in pounds. And we did what the
heck is polly. He would eat some of
the worst foods that there's no way, Jack, You would even eat gas station. Sushi? No. No.
Probably wise. This why I've lived to be
as lie as old as I am. Right?
Oh, that's true. But know, we we were
an erie pennsylvania doing a drive for Nissan.
We were driving from Chicago to New York for the auto show. It was the Nissan
Rogue. It was called the Rogue trip. You
know and it was put together by our friend Wendy Worth, and, we stopped in Erie Pennsylvania need to get gas. It's about an hour and a half
from my house because I live in Buffalo, New York. And he he comes out of
the gas station with this tree of. I'm
like, I wouldn't need anything out of, like, Erie or lake Ontario for that matter. Probably glows
in the dark, you know, they used to dump in those in those lakes. And even
though they may have cleaned it up personally, I'm not eating out of those lakes. He
says, oh, no. It's fresh. I'm, like, all
there's no salmon anywhere with me. Right. Yeah. No
in lake erie. Yeah. No. Nor nor anywhere
near that there it would have to be blown in and I'm, like, I don't know.
So he ate. He tried to get me
a piece and I'm like, no way. But
at that time, my daughter was riding with us. It was like A33 of us got
to arrive together. And it it was fun,
he became Uncle Paul to my kids.
My son, Paul who rode with him when I couldn't would do it His turn his turn would we thought that this is hysterical.
And then I would do it... If I
couldn't go my daughter Shelby named after the cars, she would go. And and we had
a great time we've been all over the world. We've been
to Iceland together, Spain, Germany, Italy, Cor, you name it great all over the world.
Driving cars. And the last time we drove
together was in Spain. We drove the volvo
Ex x 30. I think you were on
that 30 Was. I had lunch with with
Paul at that event and III remember it Fondly. Yes. He was always a great
conversational us. And you never knew 1. Subject
would be. And sometimes, he would make a
subject that he knew would get you back on your heels because he wanted to hear what you had to say and he it was like just a conversation starter, but he would always, like, take the polar opposite intentionally. I just to see
how you would react.
He was... He was a great guy. III
miss and dearly because we would always have great conversations. Almost in a daily via text
or, you know, what are we working on where we're going? You know, what wave are
you on and so forth.
He actually married my daughter her first time.
He was if fishy... The issue.
He was at the second way. We'd didn't
let him do it we figured it after the first time, You didn't have good looks.
Yeah. Yeah. It didn't take so let's try
some the else. Right. Yeah. So she got
rem remarried after my son... The second wedding.
And they're very happy then On may have a daughter named Sen, after Art sent of the Famous 1 driver, the but Paul's history is is quite different than most of us. He worked for the
Indy car team for El Romeo.
So he lived in Milan.
And he got a great opportunity, which I think most of us would jump on. If
someone called me and said he listen. Do
you wanna do P for a race team for Indy car and in live in Milan, Yeah. Where am I going? I'd tell my
husband, you you know where to find me.
And he did that for quite a while.
You think the team lasted for 3 or 4 years.
But he would say the team was not so great, but the food was fabulous. Yeah.
Exactly. But
but he learned how to cook Italian, and so we went to me milan for for me a museum. He took me to some
of his old places including, he said let me show you where my old office used to be. There was a museum there. It
was all new, And he shows me he goes, oh, my office isn't here anymore. I
said, oh, he goes it's the men's room.
Accent, I guess that's It tells you something. Right? That's how they
treat. Did something about your thoughts of your
work there. Yeah.
But, you know, he he ran the drive Chicago if for listening and you're in the Chicago area you've heard Paul on Drive Chicago.
He was a very proud veteran in the Us Army. He was first cab.
He was the director of armed forces radio and television network in Panama in the Panama canal. So he would always have interesting stories
and stories that I would let him tell it was Vietnam. I don't ever I ask
I let him offer.
Just out of respect and he also was a big supporter of the Lng Lynch medal of honor foundation where he was helping other veterans with Ptsd, getting jobs coming back even today, they they were having with a transition back to regular life, they would, help them financially, whether it be for a car or home or education, just to get them back on and that was a big part of what he loved to do. And, you know, he doesn't want
flowers or he doesn't want cards. And in
much Paul fashion, he wants a donation to the Ellen Lynch Medal Foundation, and were both a member of the North American current truck of the year jury, and they did give a very nice donation and his honor. We appreciate that. Yeah. Terrific Terrific.
I don't know whether you knew this or not Lauren, but, he and I went to high school together.
And really. Well, maybe we were buds. We
weren't exactly. He was a year older than
I was. And our high school was gigantic...
Am I graduating class, with 1400 kids. So
Wow. That's a lot of folks. Right? So
what I can do it 300. I thought
that was a lot. Yeah. It was we
didn't run. We probably ran into each other
a few times during high school, but I don't know that we we hung together, but Then, you know, years later when we met as as car journalists, we realized we had this in common and then we grew up essentially in the same town and all that kind of stuff. So We shared a lot,
you know, a lot of similar experiences, similar views, all of that kind of stuff. And
what it... It kind of exe exemplified I
think is stuff the cam that auto journalists have, kind of unseen by a lot of people, it isn't necessarily advertised necessarily, but we travel together. We spend a lot of time together.
We see each other frequently. And mostly we
get along.
Sometimes we don't. See. Yeah. There's a few
things. The stories in come around. But I
I have to say it's 1 thing about the auto industry in general, whether you're working at a dealership level or you're working as a journalist or you're working on the a manufacturer side. Come that it is a family,
and you're accepted into the family, and we know some people are really different. Some people
aren't, but all my friends.
You know, Javier or in ale.
They're Latinos. They're, like, my best buds.
I'm might gonna be traveling to Korea with Brian Arms instead. I mean, the all the
jury has been come a big family as well. And it comes along with family issues
as well. But Right. I think, you know,
you've worked in the industry longer than I haven't... You know that... People you've worked with
and all the different outlets that you work for now or in the past, but you still talk to these people. You still not
just Facebook Instagram and all, but you you see them, you give them a hug. It's
like, we're friends. And it... It's... We're like
the traveling circus. That's what my husband says.
He says, where's the traveling circus going now because, literally, we all go there. We set
up We haven't event that we all tear down and we all get back.
We all go several ways and then we recon.
So it... That's... It is unspoken, but it...
It's... It is something that you don't see
in other industries. I mean, you don't see
that in, you know, Home and garden. You
don't see that in other industries, automotive is very specific. Right. Right. 1 of the things
too that we share is we've lost a partner now. You've lost a partner recently. I
lost a partner and Mike Hanson, I did America on the road with Mike for about 20 years, 25 years before he passed.
And, I'll tell you it was tough to get by, and I I probably don't talk about Mike enough. On America on the road. He
was instrumental in bringing me aboard, America on the road in the nineties, very early nineties.
So technology has changed. Yeah. I what's what's
your sense of all that? Or what what's
your sense of working with a partner to tell us about that? I knew like as
well, a really great guy. And But I
think when you find a partner, you you find, like, a best friend.
Paul was the brother. I always wanted. I
I don't have a brother. I don't have
a sister, so it was, like, it was nice to have someone who you could bounce ideas off of when I said, hey. I
wanna run for president of North American car and truck of the year awards, and he said, Okay? Let's do it. And that's what a
brother would do. You know, you become
family.
His family is really good friends of my family. Today, we I talked to his daughter
and he's... He's got an only child a
daughter and a granddaughter. And so
I still talk to them as well. My
kids talked to them. And And you start
extending the family and when you ride with someone you get in Mac car, it's like, you restart your conversation from the last time you rode together. I'm sure you in... And
mike did the same thing. You... You just
start... Okay. What do you think of this
car? You banter a little bit. You may
be bark at each other a little bit, they're ties paul park. At me and I
parked at him where, you know we're having a bad day. But that's true with with
people that you work with too, and I I think that what makes it special, Paula and Were able to put it on tape.
So on my car coach reports channel. There
is his turn her turn, car reviews, There's also... If you go to
the website, history and her turn, which I will leave up in his honor. There is
what is Paul eating if you need a laugh. You're like, I had enough. The things
he would do and say, I don't know where is just like v bill. I don't
know where... K. Was always clean, but it
was... I can't believe you're eating that and
just things... Then 1 time he made me
right. Something? Because usually, I was the filming
person. I'm, like, what are you eating? And
that's how I'll start like, what are you eating? Like, he need to sleeve up oreos
in the car I'm like, what I can't film if you're are you're crunching, and you would always find the wack food around the world, like, something in hawaii was spam on a piece of rice. I'm, like,
He said it was. Like this spam over
in Hawaii. It's good stuff God.
But and when we come back we'll have more with Lauren Fix, the car coach as we talk about our friend Paul Brian, so stay with us.
I Welcome back to America on the road with C Chris Tit with Jack red with you.
And with us is our special guest this week Lauren Fix, the car code We're talking about our our friend Paul Brian, who passed away recently.
Lauren, Paul was just something wasn't he. It became
interesting because as a partner.
In driving as a friend, it's things that I would do he would come to the races when my husband and I were racing at Road America, which Paul was the voice of Road America he announced there for many years.
Or car show, he would show up.
He was at We have a 4 Gt.
He was here for the delivery of that.
So it was like the delivery of a baby.
I'm I'm a judge for the Chicken wing Festival Yes because I live in Buffalo. I've
been doing it for years. 1 year he
came here, and he got to try the wings that was, like, heaven for him. I
when you have a partner and you do so much get together it, it's just it's a big loss. It's like losing a family
member because they kind of have. Yeah. And
this thing came suddenly, at least it was sudden to me. I I had no inclination
that he was ill or that anything was wrong. I wasn't allowed to say anything. Yeah.
It But when you saw him in September in Spain, he was struggling. He had had
some, back pain and he had a across... A
procedure done so that he could travel, and that was his last road trip shall we say?
What ill? What a great partner to you,
Lauren, and Lauren F. Thanks so much for
being with us. We really appreciate it for
sharing these stories about our friend, Paul, Paul Brian. So... Anytime. Thanks so much. Rest and
peace, Paul. Yeah. Through Thank you. And that
was our interview with Lauren Fix, the car coach as we remember our good friend and fellow North American car that your jury member, Paul Bryant. And that basically wraps up our
show for this week before we go, I'd like to mention my newest book Dance in the dark. It's a crime thriller inspired by
true crime. So look for that. Available in
Amazon, on Amazon in both ebook and paper back form.
If you like our show, please pass it on, we really do appreciate you. Liking America
on the road. And, of course, listen to
us on this radio station each week and let your friends know where you listen to America on the road, if you wanna pass along a podcast a podcast version of America on the road is out there and also we're doing Youtube versions of America, on the road. Yeah. A quick Google search for America
on the road podcast. Bring us up on
all the major platforms. You can see us
on Apple Podcast podcasts, Spotify, I heart all the others. Down like us,
download us, follow us, all those things, Leave us a review. All those things help us,
and you can take us wherever you go.
Youtube is just a simple america on the road search, and we should come right up for you. Yeah. Look for it. Look for
our America on the road channel. We'd love
it if you would subscribe to it. We
also hope appreciate you're listening to America on the road every week. We do appreciate that
very very much, and we appreciate support. Bi
line network stations for carrying America on the road. Please join us again next time for
another addition of a Erica on the road.
Erica I'd like to tell you about the most exciting and authentic racing novel I've ever read.
It's called closing speed written by award winning author Ted West.
In 19 70, the indy 500 pole speed was a hundred and 70 miles an hour.
But at Lam lamar, Vic Alfred Porsche 09:17, raged down the Mo straight at 248 miles per hour.
The racing pit of the porsche 09:17 versus the Por ferrari... 05:12,
the fastest road racing ever, and Road tracks sent a promising new rider 27 year old Ted West to cover it.
He traveled from brands hatch to mon, the Tar spa, the ring and Lam lamar. You got
to know the races personally and the women who loved them.
The racing was blinding fast, driving horrific fragile cars at those speeds took unheard of courage. That was around every corner,
and the drama tense reel every moment.
Closing speed is the most realistic intimate racing novel ever written as a look into the very heart of the sport an in comparable racing read Is available now at Amazon that's closing speed by Ted West. Look for it.
About this episode
The episode dives into the latest automotive news, highlighting the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R, which boasts an impressive 328 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of just over 4 seconds. The hosts discuss Volkswagen's investment in electric truck maker R and the implications of tariffs on affordable electric vehicles like the Volvo EX30. Special guest Lauren Fix shares memories of her late friend and fellow automotive journalist Paul Brian, reflecting on their shared experiences in the industry. The episode also features road tests of the 2024 Mazda CX-30 and Volvo EX90 Recharge, showcasing their unique attributes and performance.
Original notes
In the same week that Volkswagen announced a giant investment in electric-vehicle maker Rivian, the brand also reinforced its stance in conventional gasoline-powered vehicles with the unveiling of the newest Volkswagen Golf R and Golf R Variant. The fraternal twins redefine their class with 328 horsepower and the handling chops to leverage it. The new models are the most powerful Golf versions to date. They rocket 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds (Golf R) and 4.8 seconds (Variant). With the Performance package, top speeds increase to a claimed 167 mph, making these the fastest Volkswagens alongside the Arteon R Shooting Brake that will never see the light of day in America.
Both models feature a new front-end design, advanced light systems, 19-inch forged wheels, and an updated infotainment system. In Germany, they come standard with DCC adaptive damping to complement their impressive horsepower. The Golf R Black Edition, with darkened Volkswagen badges and a Performance package, adds more spice to the Golf R lineup. The Golf R Variant combines sports car performance with the practicality of a wagon. Since the debut of the legendary Golf R32 in 2002, the Golf R series has sold over 250,000 units. We’ll have more details in the news this week.
Also in the news, a global carmaker has delayed the launch of a new, affordable EV in the wake of the Biden Administration’s new tariff on Chinese-built electric vehicles. We’ll tell you the carmaker, the model and why the decision was made to scrub the launch in this episode, plus our comments.
Another important news story concerns the potential ticking timebomb you have in your car. We’ll tell you what the danger is and how you can defuse it in this episode.
Our special guest is Lauren Fix. You might have seen her on TV or heard her on the radio as The Car Coach. She’s terrifically knowledgeable about cars and, like host Jack Nerad, a member of the North American Car of the Year jury. The two share stories about Paul Brian, another jury member and a friend of ours who passed away recently. Brian was a larger-than-life guy, and we’re sure you enjoy the tales Lauren has to tell about her longtime on-air partner.
In this week’s road test segment, Co-Host Chris Teague will evaluate the 2024 Mazda CX30. Its maker calls it a crossover SUV, but Teague and Nerad think another name might be just as appropriate. Both will share their views on the vibrant hatch.
Nerad had a far more luxurious assignment this week. He put the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge through its paces. The plug-in hybrid happens to be the most performance-oriented version of the Swedish automaker’s three-row crossover, bot Nerad and Teague will offer their opinions on it in this episode.
America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com
America on the Road
Jack Nerad - Host
0:00
43:55