#68 - Lincoln To Make The Luxury Raptor, RAM Airbag Lawsuit, Tracks & Private Equity + Much More
About this episode
The hosts dive into Lincoln's bold move to launch the 2030 Lincoln Laptor, a luxury take on the Raptor truck, aiming to inject excitement into a brand often seen as quiet and struggling. They reflect on Lincoln's past models like the Blackwood and LS, debating the brand's identity crisis and the challenge of balancing luxury with performance. The discussion also touches on the broader car market's instability, the appeal of V8 engines, and comparisons with competitors like the Bronco and G-Wagon. Personal anecdotes and insights on Lincoln’s Navigator and nostalgic cruiser cars add depth to the conversation.
Clutch Culture Hoodies BACK IN STOCK: https://hypercleanstore.com/collections/gear-up/products/clutch-culture-hoodie
Hey you! Yeah you... Drop us a 5 Star rating AND review if you enjoy the show. Thanks in advance!
Sharing the show is the best way to help it grow!
Email your questions, topics, stories: [email protected]
If you're a parts manufacturer or supplier that want's to be apart of either the 2003 LX470 or 2014 Gen 1 SVT Raptor, get in touch with us via email at [email protected]
Follow the show on social @ClutchCulturePod on Instagram & TikTok
Watch the video version on YouTube @ClutchCulturePod
Blackwood Lincoln Blackwood
""You know, let's not forget the Lincoln Blackwood.""
The Lincoln Blackwood is a fancy pickup truck made by Lincoln. It was designed to be very comfortable and stylish, not just for carrying stuff.
The Lincoln Blackwood was a luxury pickup truck produced by Lincoln in the early 2000s. It was notable for its unique design and focus on luxury features rather than traditional truck utility.
power tonneau cover
""I mean, by the way, just a power tonneau cover, if that goes out, like what you have to deal with.""
A power tonneau cover is a cover for the back part of a pickup truck that opens and closes with a button. It helps keep things safe and dry in the truck bed.
A power tonneau cover is a motorized cover that protects the bed of a pickup truck. It can be opened or closed electronically, providing convenience and security for cargo.
Lincoln LS
"But go back, there was a car that I loved from Lincoln, it was called the Lincoln LS. I don't know if you remember that four-door sedan back in the day."
The Lincoln LS is a fancy car made by Lincoln that was sold around the early 2000s. It was a comfortable four-door car that was designed to drive well and feel nice inside.
The Lincoln LS is a mid-size luxury sedan produced by Lincoln from 1999 to 2006. It was notable for its rear-wheel-drive layout and shared platform with the Jaguar S-Type, offering a blend of American luxury and European handling.
Lincoln Nautilus
"I had a Nautilus in the shop recently. I'm not as impressed driving the Nautilus. I think that's also what Lincoln struggles with, but I think it's what a lot of brands are struggling with right now. It's sort of like an identity crisis. You know, the Nautilus doesn't feel like a traditional Lincoln on the inside."
The Lincoln Nautilus is a fancy SUV made by Lincoln. It's supposed to be comfortable and nice inside, but some people feel it doesn't feel very special or like other Lincolns.
The Lincoln Nautilus is a midsize luxury SUV produced by Lincoln, the luxury vehicle division of Ford. It is known for its upscale interior and smooth ride but has faced criticism for lacking distinct brand identity in recent models.
credit
"And it's really based around credit. You know, there's this whole credit."
Credit means how easy it is to borrow money to buy a car and how much extra money you have to pay back because of interest.
Credit in the car market context refers to the availability and terms of financing for purchasing vehicles. It affects how easily consumers can get loans and the interest rates they pay.
V8
""We're big boys, we drive V8s around every day now. ... that isn't a V8.""
A V8 engine has eight cylinders that help make a car go fast and strong. Many trucks and sports cars use this type of engine.
A V8 is an engine configuration with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. It is known for producing strong power and torque, commonly found in performance cars, trucks, and muscle cars.
Ford Raptor R
""But there's no indication it'll be a V8, so it's not gonna be like a Raptor R setup,""
The Ford Raptor R is a tough and fast pickup truck with a big V8 engine that helps it go really fast and handle rough roads well.
The Ford Raptor R is a high-performance version of the Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck, featuring a powerful V8 engine and off-road enhancements for superior capability and speed.
V8 engine
"all right, we're gonna creep back into the V8s possibly, we're gonna introduce some of the luxury with V8,"
A V8 engine is a type of engine with eight cylinders that helps cars go fast and have a lot of power.
A V8 engine has eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. It is known for producing strong power and torque, often used in performance and luxury vehicles.
Ford Bronco
"For all of you that love Bronco, and I know everybody from every economic class is, you know, who we deal with,"
The Ford Bronco is a type of SUV that is good for driving on rough roads and trails. Many people like it because it can go places normal cars can't.
The Ford Bronco is a popular off-road SUV known for its rugged design and strong off-road capabilities. It has a significant fan base and is often compared to other off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler.
G-Class Gwagon
"now the question is, how do you pull off an upgraded, if you're saying this is going after G-Wagon, but you gotta split the difference"
Cadillac Escalade
"...the early viral videos as well was, what was it, Escalade versus Navigator? Yeah, it's fantastic, the new ..."
Lincoln Navigator
""I think they've done a good job with Navigator. I don't think it's gotten...""
The Lincoln Navigator is a large, fancy SUV that is comfortable and has many modern features. It's made to be smooth and stylish for people who want a luxurious ride.
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV that offers a refined ride, upscale interior, and advanced technology. It is a direct competitor to the Cadillac Escalade in the luxury SUV segment.
Oldsmobile
"That whole era and genre of cars, like the Buick, was it Oldsmobile"
Oldsmobile was a car brand that made different types of cars, including some nice and powerful ones, but it stopped making cars in 2004.
Oldsmobile was an American automobile brand that operated under General Motors until 2004, known for producing a range of vehicles including luxury and performance models.
Buick Park Avenue
"Yeah, I mean, a Buick Le Sabre or a Park Avenue."
The Buick Park Avenue is a fancy, big car that is very comfortable and was popular for people who wanted a smooth and nice ride.
The Buick Park Avenue was a luxury sedan offering a smooth, comfortable ride and upscale features, often seen as a status symbol among American full-size cars.
Buick Le Sabre
"...g guys that watch us, you wouldn't have bought a Buick Le Sabre. But there were people that were your age"
four cylinder
""So Rob's looking for a four cylinder more likely right now.""
A four-cylinder engine is a type of car engine with four parts that make power. It usually uses less gas and is good for everyday driving.
A four-cylinder engine is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders where fuel combustion occurs. It is generally more fuel-efficient and lighter than larger engines like V6 or V8.
Volkswagen Gti
"... now. Yeah, I think I might have to dust off the GTI by the way. It's super dusty right now."
high RPMs
""I can go to the high RPMs. I can hear something about it.""
RPM means how fast the engine is turning. High RPMs mean the engine is spinning very fast, which can make the car go faster or sound louder.
RPM stands for revolutions per minute and refers to how fast the engine's crankshaft is spinning. High RPMs indicate the engine is running at a high speed, often associated with increased power output and engine noise.
trickle charger
""I just forgot to put it on the trickle charger. Yeah.""
A trickle charger is a small charger that keeps your car's battery full when you don't drive it much. It helps stop the battery from going dead.
A trickle charger is a device that charges a car battery slowly and maintains its charge over time. It is useful for vehicles that are not driven regularly to prevent the battery from dying.
waterless wash
"You can always use a waterless or rinse-less wash if you want to just clean it up real quick."
A waterless wash means cleaning your car without using water. You spray a special cleaner and wipe it off to make your car look clean.
A waterless wash is a cleaning method that uses special sprays and microfiber cloths to clean a vehicle without using water, reducing water usage and making it convenient for quick cleaning.
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"and I think the last M7 model that came out probably surpassed the S-Class. I said that on a podcast,"
Mitsubishi Lancer
"...0 or the M2 X-Drive, I don't know. This is an IX Lancer. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's,"
Mitsubishi Galant
"...ther Mitsubishi that somebody kept coveting? The Galant. It was a Galant for sure,"
AWD
"So do you have any opinions on the M2 and the AWD and the introduction of that platform?"
AWD means the car sends power to all four wheels at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better, especially when it's wet or snowy.
AWD stands for All-Wheel Drive, a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously to improve traction and handling, especially in slippery conditions.
Toyota Land Cruiser
"... has been broken in a lot. I mean, we talk about Land Cruiser a lot on this podcast. The lineage in America of..."
Ford Mustang
"Mustang's lineage is just going on too long"
The Ford Mustang is a famous sports car that has been made for many years. People like it because it looks cool and is fun to drive.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its long production history and iconic design. It has gone through multiple generations since its introduction in the 1960s.
Chevrolet C8
"okay, that's what C8 Corvette did. You know, C8 basically said, hey, we're going in a new direction and they happen to do something people loved."
The Chevrolet C8 Corvette is a sports car that has its engine placed in the middle of the car instead of the front. This makes it faster and better to drive.
The Chevrolet C8 Corvette is the eighth generation of the Corvette sports car, notable for its mid-engine layout which marked a significant departure from previous front-engine designs. This change was widely praised for improving performance and handling.
track
""you've been crying about the track situation in most places for well over a decade, 15 years. I don't think it's ever been what everybody was happy about. The track's not maintained or the track hasn't upgraded itself. And we have some interesting news now of all of this. We need to save the track from certain media members. We need to save tracks for the average guy. Boy, that's playing out much differently in real time, huh?""
A track is a special road or course made for racing cars or motorcycles. It needs to be kept in good shape so people can drive safely and have fun.
A track refers to a dedicated racing circuit or venue where motorsport events and track days take place. Tracks require regular maintenance and upgrades to ensure safety and a good experience for drivers and spectators.
Volkswagen Auto Group
"that doesn't mean I agree with the Volkswagen auto group and everything they're doing across every brand."
Volkswagen Auto Group is a big company that owns many car brands you might know, like Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche.
Volkswagen Auto Group is a large European automotive conglomerate that owns multiple car brands across various market segments worldwide.
Porsche 911
"... well, at that point, I might as well buy a used 911. So how does that equate, right?"
softening of the market
""Because I feel like a lot of that, you've talked about softening of the market. I feel like a lot of those cars have kind of softened.""
Softening of the market means that prices for some cars are going down or not rising as much as before, so it might be easier to buy them.
Softening of the market refers to a decrease in demand or prices for certain cars, often indicating that prices are stabilizing or dropping after a period of high values.
Ferrari F430
"And what's about to happen with Ferrari, F430 and 458 that are seemingly not even the special o..."
Porsche Cayenne
"...needs are and most people are gonna fit into the Cayenne. Now you're talking about really a different cla..."
Porsche Panamera
"Yeah. You know, I'm a Panamera fan. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah."
bumper
"Like there was a plastic piece, he said that Porsche, for example, it's just like a small plastic piece that goes apart of the bumper that sold for like $7,500."
The bumper is the part at the front or back of a car that helps protect it if it bumps into something.
A bumper is a protective component mounted on the front and rear of a vehicle to absorb impact in minor collisions and protect other parts of the car.
Ford Raptor
"...of the off-road course. This is where I test the Ford Raptor, the Ford Raptor R, the Bronco Raptor."
airbags
"And the first time the airbags went off, I let my insurance company handle the lawsuit against Dodge."
Airbags are bags inside the car that quickly fill with air if there is a crash to keep people safe.
Airbags are safety devices in vehicles that inflate rapidly during a collision to protect occupants from injury.
Ford Escape
"It looks like he kind of escaped, you know, really a lot of it, but he still did..."
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.