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CarCast+Edmunds - Mercedes-AMG GT EV, new Kia Seltos and more.

CarCast+Edmunds - Mercedes-AMG GT EV, new Kia Seltos and more.

CarCast May 30, 2026 55 min
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About this episode

Mercedes-AMG’s new four-door EV takes center stage, with talk of “1,100 horsepower,” 600 kW charging claims, and how it stacks up against the Porsche Taycan. The hosts connect performance to real-world testing, battery/charging realities, and even EV sound design—sampling V8 noise and adding synthetic gear changes. Luxury interior philosophy gets debated via Mercedes screen-heavy layouts and rear-seat displays. The episode also covers a new Kia Seltos hybrid value play, plus Volvo EX30/EX60 software and pricing, and wraps with truck and manual-transmission highlights.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Place

Hamburg

"I just spent a week in Germany in Hamburg up north, where I drove the new S-Class..."

Hamburg is a city in northern Germany. The host is saying he was there for the car preview and test drive.

Car

Mercedes-AMG GT four-door EV

"I got to see a couple of weeks ahead of its debut, the new AMG, GT, four-door EV, which you may have seen online because it looks like a big neon fish... It's a 1,100 horsepower EV."

This is Mercedes-AMG’s new all-electric, four-door performance car. The big idea is that it’s meant to be extremely fast—more like a sports-car experience, but with real back seats.

Term

over 150 grand

"It's a 1,100 horsepower EV. It's going to cost about over 150 grand."

“Grand” is slang for $1,000, so “over 150 grand” means it’s expected to cost more than $150,000. The point is that it’s positioned as a very expensive performance EV.

Term

1,100 horsepower EV

"It's a 1,100 horsepower EV. It's going to cost about over 150 grand."

Horsepower is a way to describe how much power the car’s motor can make. Saying “1,100 horsepower” is the host’s way of saying this EV is aiming to be extremely powerful.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"It's going to align against higher models of the Porsche Taycan, probably the Jaguar when it actually arrives."

The Porsche Taycan is Porsche’s electric sports-sedan. It’s one of the reference cars people compare new EVs against, especially for how fast and sporty they feel.

Car

Tesla Model S

"...s. Yep, Lucidere Sapphire. Lucidere Sapphire. Oh, Model S plug. No, that's gone. Yeah, that's gone. So craz..."

The Model S is an electric car from Tesla. Instead of a gas engine, it uses a battery and electric motors. The conversation suggests that some features or parts can change depending on the version.

Car

Alero Oldsmobile Allero

"...But the shape of the big gloss panel looks like a Oldsmobile Allero from the early 2000s. The car is just hideous to ..."

The Alero is a car model that the podcast is describing mostly by its looks. The speaker compares its shape to another car from the early 2000s. The point is that the design is considered unattractive by the host.

Car

Mercedes-AMG GT 63

"“probably in a straight line, it's gonna be faster than AMG one, I think. I mean, the quote for the the higher performance, the GT 63 model is zero to 60. And I want to say 2.2 seconds.”"

This is a high-performance Mercedes-AMG model. They’re talking about how quickly it can accelerate from a stop, like a “how fast to 60 mph” kind of number.

Term

zero to 60

"“the GT 63 model is zero to 60. And I want to say 2.2 seconds.”"

“Zero to 60” measures how fast a car can go from standing still to 60 mph. Lower time usually means quicker acceleration.

Term

one foot rollout

"“I know that a Mercedes says with one foot rollout, it's two seconds flat zero to 60…”"

“One foot rollout” is a testing method where the car is allowed to roll slightly before the timing starts, reducing the effective distance the car must accelerate from a dead stop. It can make acceleration times look faster than a strict “from zero” test.

Term

U drags

"“Yeah. And you guys had, but you did U drag. So right, did you have the Taycan turbo GT out at the U jacks with the air sapphire…”"

This is Edmunds’ drag-race testing. They run cars to see which ones accelerate and pull the hardest in a straight line.

Term

thermal characteristics

"“it's, it's supposed to last for a really long time, but it's because there are just these new thermal characteristics for the battery.”"

This is about how the battery handles heat. Better heat management helps the EV keep delivering strong power for longer and can improve charging behavior.

Term

battery chemistry

"“but it's because there are just these new thermal characteristics for the battery. It's a new pack, new cell design. It's actually like, if you really care about battery chemistry and pack design…”"

Battery chemistry is what kind of battery the car uses inside—what materials power the electricity. Different chemistries can handle heat and high power differently.

Term

600 kilowatt charging

"“Mercedes is saying that it could do 600 kilowatt charging, which is, I mean, consider you pull up to a level three fast charger on the U.S. right now…”"

This is how fast the car can charge at a very powerful fast-charger. Higher kilowatts generally means you can add energy more quickly—if the charger can deliver it.

Term

level three fast charger

"“consider you pull up to a level three fast charger on the U.S. right now, and at most you'll get 350 kilowatts out of it.”"

A “Level 3” charger is a fast public charging station meant for quicker top-ups. The key point is that many of them don’t deliver the very highest power the car might be capable of.

Car

Ferrari Luce

"“We recorded this show before Ferrari unveiled the Luce then new EV, which has been dominating headlines for the last few days.”"

They’re talking about a new Ferrari electric car called the Luce. In this part of the show it’s mainly mentioned as a big recent news item.

Car

AMG one

"I think that initially the AMG one was kind of supposed to be more of a halo for the brand... [461.4s] But this had always been in the works."

The Mercedes-AMG One is a very expensive, high-end Mercedes-AMG hypercar. The hosts are saying it was meant to be a headline car for the brand, and they use an auction example to show how costly maintenance can be.

Term

Service A

"there's one up for auction... somebody had this service called Service A, just the initial after break-in service on it."

“Service A” is the first scheduled maintenance visit after the car is newly broken in. The point of the story is that on a supercar, even that early service can be extremely expensive.

Concept

break-in

"somebody had this service called Service A, just the initial after break-in service on it."

Break-in is the early period when a new car is still settling in. The hosts are saying the first service after that period is called out separately and can be very expensive on a supercar.

Term

air filter

"It's like a $1,263 air filter and like [498.8s] a $671 oil filter. Like it's out there as part of the auction listing."

An air filter keeps dirt out of the air going into the engine. They’re mentioning the price because on a supercar, even a normal-sounding part like this can cost a lot.

Term

oil filter

"It's like a $1,263 air filter and like [498.8s] a $671 oil filter. Like it's out there as part of the auction listing."

An oil filter cleans the oil that lubricates the engine. They bring up the price because on a supercar, the cost of even basic maintenance parts can be shocking.

Concept

nickel and dime

"it just seems weird that you would go in and kind of like nickel and dime for all these little things."

“Nickel and dime” means being charged lots of small extra fees. The hosts are saying it feels annoying when a supercar owner gets billed for many separate little things.

Term

residual values

"Now the residual values aren't good. The initial wave of people who really wanted to get them bought them."

Residual value is what a car is expected to be worth later. If residual values are low, the car tends to lose value faster, so it costs more to own or lease.

Car

Porsche Cayenne Coupe EV

"Yes, they've got the, now they've got the Cayenne EV, they've got the Cayenne Coupe EV, the McCann, but they're doing this backpedaling and trying to bring gas cars back."

This is the Cayenne in a coupe-style body shape. The “EV” part means the electric version, mentioned as part of Porsche’s EV lineup.

Car

S-Class

"You were also there to drive the S-Class, which is still my bread and butter. Before we talk about the S-Class and then get on to some more kind of everyday cars, let's talk about the interior of that Mercedes..."

The S-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s top luxury sedan. The host is about to talk about the interior—especially how much screen and tech it has.

Term

backlit

"Everything is backlit and it's all reds and oranges and greens and all these things. It's just overwhelming."

Backlit means the display is lit from behind. In a car at night, that can be distracting because the bright screen pulls your eyes away from the road.

Car

CLA

"I drove a CLA at our test track on Monday, which was the electric version. That's the first time I've been in the interior, which is now got this Mercedes signature."

The Mercedes-Benz CLA is a compact Mercedes model, and here the host is specifically referring to the electric version they drove. They describe its interior as dominated by a horizontal panel of screens, which they contrast with the GT’s different screen arrangement.

Term

climatization

"And even in that CLA, it takes a bit of a climatization. It's, it's just a, I find it, it's just a lot of screen relative to the road."

Climatization is the car’s heating and cooling. The host is saying it can take a bit to get the cabin comfortable.

Term

14 inch central screen

"And then the big 14 inch central screen actually kind of comes out and it's curved towards the driver."

That’s a big screen in the middle of the dashboard—about 14 inches. The host says it’s shaped so it faces the driver more, which makes the cabin feel even more screen-focused.

Term

integrated air vents

"Mercedes has actually integrated air vents for the climate control. So at least it's useful and it's not just this like nasty bit of black plastic that's right there."

Integrated air vents are the car’s heating/cooling outlets built into the dashboard design. The host likes it because it looks better and feels more “finished” than plain plastic vents.

Term

passenger screen

"[833.4s] I'm going to ask you about that. So the passenger screen, we're starting to see that come up in [836.6s] a few cars, right? Where they're trying to make either the main screen is too far away"

A passenger screen is a screen in the car that’s meant for the person riding next to the driver. It’s usually for entertainment and settings like music and climate, not for driving the car.

Concept

cockpit oriented

"Where they're trying to make either the main screen is too far away because [841.6s] the car is too big or it's too sort of cockpit oriented like you're talking about. So they're [845.8s] given the passenger screen."

“Cockpit oriented” means the driver’s area is designed to be the center of attention. If the main screen is aimed more toward the driver, the passenger may need their own screen to see and use it comfortably.

Term

rev counter

"Yes. That was like, [857.2s] just gave you the rev counter and the speed to terrify you. But is it necessary or like,"

A rev counter is a gauge that shows how fast the engine is spinning (RPM). The point they’re making is that some cars use it to make the experience feel more intense for the passenger.

Term

infotainment system

"They're controlling audio, air conditioning. It pretty much works like the standard infotainment system. It doesn't, you know, it can't really change a lot"

The infotainment system is the car’s main tech hub for things like music, maps, and screen-based controls. Here, they’re saying the passenger screen is basically another way to use that same system.

Term

rear infotainment screens

"But it's the same, it's kind of the same with the rear infotainment screens now, [910.6s] like you can sit in the back of a Mercedes and take a zoom call"

Rear infotainment screens are screens in the back seat for passengers to watch or use apps. The host is saying these are becoming more common and more connected to the car’s systems.

Term

battery packs design

"[1050.5s] It's two bucket seats. You sit low. It's actually neat. The battery packs design has these"

In an EV, the battery is built into the car in a specific layout. That layout can change how low the cabin feels and how the car is shaped around the battery.

Term

bucket seats

"[1050.5s] Is it just too like bucket [1050.5s] seats? It's two bucket seats. You sit low. It's actually neat. The battery packs design has these"

Bucket seats are shaped seats that hug you more on the sides. They help keep you in place, and here the hosts are saying the rear area uses that kind of sporty seating.

Term

lift back

"It's easy to get in and out of. There's a decent amount of room. It's a lift back. So the whole [1074.2s] back glass opens."

A liftback is a car shape where the back opens like a hatch. It usually makes it easier to load and unload things in the trunk area.

Term

fake propulsion sound

"unique about this car is a lot of EVs have the kind of fake propulsion sound. Yeah. [1131.4s] And there's a couple of ways you can go about it."

Electric cars don’t make the same engine noise as gas cars. So some EVs add artificial sounds through speakers to make the driving experience feel more like a traditional performance car.

Car

AMG GT

"But with the AMG GT, Mercedes actually sampled the V8 engine noise from the outgoing AMG GTR. Okay. [1159.1s] And so it doesn't sound super convincing from the outside just because it's the difference of a speaker versus an exhaust."

The Mercedes-AMG GT is a performance model line from Mercedes-AMG, and in this discussion it’s specifically being compared as an EV that uses a distinctive sound strategy. The host says Mercedes sampled V8 engine noise from the outgoing AMG GTR, aiming to make the artificial sound feel more authentic than generic EV “fake propulsion” audio.

Term

V8 engine noise

"But with the AMG GT, Mercedes actually sampled the V8 engine noise from the outgoing AMG GTR. Okay. [1159.1s] And so it doesn't sound super convincing from the outside just because it's the difference of a speaker versus an exhaust."

A V8 engine has a distinctive sound because of how its cylinders fire and how the exhaust responds. They’re using a real V8 recording so the EV’s fake sound is closer to the real thing.

Car

AMG GTR

"But with the AMG GT, Mercedes actually sampled the V8 engine noise from the outgoing AMG GTR. Okay. [1159.1s] And so it doesn't sound super convincing from the outside just because it's the difference of a speaker versus an exhaust."

The AMG GTR is a fast, performance-focused Mercedes-AMG car. They’re saying the EV’s sound is based on recordings from that real V8 car.

Car

Hyundai Ioniq 5N

"... I was pretty convinced. I mean, we all drove the Ioniq 5N. It's true. Right. And that thing is cool. Well, ..."
Term

synthetic gear changes

"And so to have that sound to go with it, I think kind of, you know, pun intended, drives [1192.6s] home the experience. But it sounds really good. Like, you know, props to Mercedes for at least [1199.3s] sampling a real engine and a real good engine."

EVs usually don’t shift gears the way a gas car does. Synthetic gear changes are added sounds or effects that imitate shifting so it feels more familiar during acceleration.

Term

fake noise

"And one of the questions there, do you put fake noise in an EV truck is, for me, it's got to sound believable. Yeah. So I don't know whether truck, you know, you just simulate squeaks and rattles"

EVs are quiet, so some manufacturers add artificial sounds. The point is to make the sound feel realistic and match the car’s behavior, not just add random noises.

Term

all wheel drive

"Yeah. Okay. And then I'm assuming this thing is all wheel drive. That's how it's going to get to the number. It's a tri motor setup."

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip the road better, especially when accelerating.

Term

tri motor setup

"That's how it's going to get to the number. It's a tri motor setup. So one in the front, two in the back."

A tri-motor EV uses three electric motors instead of one or two. More motors can help the car put power down better and control acceleration more precisely.

Term

GT 55

"and it's at least for now, there's a GT 55 and a GT 63. Same battery, same setup. The 63 will just have more power."

“GT 55” is a specific version of the performance EV being discussed. It’s basically the lower-power option compared with the “GT 63,” even though they share the same basic battery and layout.

Term

EPA rating

"because the Taycan does too. Yes. But so like, let's say this thing gets an EPA rating of 400, I would realistically expect 430, 440."

The EPA rating is an official estimate of how far an EV can go on a full charge. It’s a standardized test number, and real-world results can be higher or lower.

Car

Porsche Taycan turbo GT

"we get to see it against the Taycan turbo GT at the U-Drags. Who do you think wins the race?"

The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is a very fast electric Porsche. In this discussion, it’s the benchmark they’re comparing against for who can accelerate best.

Car

Lucid Sapphire

"I think also that Taycan is actually quite a handful deliberately. So they actually, you know, the Lucid Sapphire is actually quite easy to drive fast. The Taycan,"

The Lucid Sapphire is a top-performance electric car from Lucid. The host says it’s surprisingly easy to drive quickly, even though it’s very fast.

Term

hyper screen, super screen

"The big change for the S-Class, which I absolutely hate is that the whole hyper screen, super screen setup is standard."

They’re talking about the new dashboard screen setup—multiple big displays in the cabin. The point is that it changes the look and feel of the interior compared with older Mercedes layouts.

Term

driver's display

"It's the driver's display, big infotainment screen, passenger screen, but then there's lots of gloss black space between all of them."

A driver’s display is the screen meant mainly for the driver to see key info while driving. Here it’s described as one of the big screens in the new Mercedes layout.

Term

vertically oriented screen

"The thing I always loved about the S-Class until now was you still got a really large, you know, vertically oriented screen that did everything you needed..."

This is a screen that sits upright like a tall panel. They’re saying the older S-Class used that style and it looked more elegant than the new wide-screen approach.

Term

heated seatbelts

"The rest of the interior is beautiful. It's comfortable. The seatbelts are heated now, which is really nice..."

Heated seatbelts are seatbelts that warm up so they don’t feel cold in winter. The host says it’s a nice comfort upgrade.

Term

36 inch screen

"Well, the GD that we tested the other week... That had a 6K, oh God, what was it? 36 inch screen, I think?"

They’re talking about a huge screen inside the car—around 36 inches. The point is that some EVs are going all-in on big, tech-focused dashboards.

Term

6K megatron

"Like if you've got an S-Class, why you can't have an S-Class with a 14 inch screen when your $25,000 GLE has got, you know, a 6K megatron."

They’re jokingly referring to a huge, high-resolution screen inside the car. The main idea is that Mercedes-Benz is putting big, modern displays in more and more models.

Car

Mercedes-Benz GLE

"...n S-Class with a 14 inch screen when your $25,000 GLE has got, you know, a 6K megatron. I mean, Faraday..."

The GLE is a Mercedes luxury SUV. It’s meant to be comfortable and tech-filled for everyday driving. The conversation is comparing what kinds of screens and features you get in the GLE versus a higher-end Mercedes.

Term

mild hybrid

"So you could do, there's a twin turbo, straight six, mild hybrid. So a little bit of electric boost to kind of get you off the line."

A mild hybrid uses a small electric motor to help the gas engine. It’s not meant to run the car on electricity alone, but it can make acceleration feel smoother and improve efficiency.

Term

straight six

"So you could do, there's a twin turbo, straight six, mild hybrid. ... you still have a straight six engine."

A straight six is an engine with six cylinders lined up in a row. People often like this layout because it tends to run smoothly and feel refined.

Term

twin turbo

"And then there's an updated version of the four liter twin turbo V8 with a mild hybrid system."

Twin turbo means the engine uses two turbochargers. They force more air into the engine so it can make more power, often with better acceleration feel.

Term

V8

"And then there's an updated version of the four liter twin turbo V8 with a mild hybrid system. ... I mean, the V8 is the way I would go."

A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. Here they’re saying the V8 feels more powerful and sounds more exciting than the other options.

Term

plug-in hybrid

"And then there's a new plug-in hybrid setup where it's instead of being the old four cylinder with a plug-in hybrid system, it's a six cylinder now. So you get about 50, 60 miles of range..."

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle that can be charged from an external power source and typically can drive a limited distance on electricity alone. In this segment, they describe a plug-in hybrid setup with a six-cylinder engine and an estimated electric range.

Concept

unrestricted section of Audubon

"I remember being on an unrestricted section of Audubon just cruising in the fast lane and I kept thinking the transmission was, was doing something..."

They’re talking about a road area where cars aren’t generally limited by a posted speed cap. They used that setting to show how the car hit its built-in top-speed limit.

Term

electronic speed limiter

"I realized I was actually just hitting this electronic speed limiter because it was just so effortlessly doing 155 miles an hour..."

An electronic speed limiter is a built-in cap that prevents the car from going faster than a set top speed. In the story, they thought the transmission was doing something, but it was actually the car hitting that cap.

Term

V12

"But there's no V12 now, that's dead, dead. V12 is for the Maibach S-Class only."

A V12 is a very large engine with twelve cylinders. It’s usually reserved for the most expensive, most powerful versions of luxury cars, and the host is saying Mercedes is limiting it to a special model.

Term

long wheelbase

"they didn't really care about the performance. They just wanted, you know, the big long wheelbase sedan and it didn't matter what was under the hood"

“Long wheelbase” means the car’s wheel-to-wheel distance is stretched. That usually makes the back seat roomier and the ride smoother for passengers.

Term

diesel gate

"There was a period in Europe where I think the, before diesels, before the whole diesel gate thing, I think like the biggest selling S-Class was like the S320 CDI"

“Diesel gate” is a scandal where some carmakers were accused of cheating emissions tests on diesel cars. It led to investigations and a lot of distrust in diesel technology.

Term

CDI

"the biggest selling S-Class was like the S320 CDI because"

“CDI” is Mercedes’ label for a diesel engine that injects fuel directly into the engine. The idea is better fuel control for efficiency and smoother running.

Term

regular hybrid

"It's a regular hybrid, but it's, it's not the same hybrid as in the largest sport, so it hasn't got a turbo."

A regular hybrid doesn’t plug in to charge. It charges its battery while you drive, and the electric motor helps along the way.

Car

Kia Seltos

"Yeah. I was a big fan. I think for anybody looking to trade down or looking for some good value, $25,000 to $30,000, the last Celtos was a nice little thing, but kind of flew under the radar. This is a little bit bigger, particularly inside."

The Kia Seltos is a small SUV/crossover. The hosts are saying it’s a good deal in the mid-$20k to $30k range and that it’s getting bigger and nicer inside.

Car

Kia Telluride

"Looks like a baby Telluride. Really nice interior. I think it'll do well. Well, and you know, it's, we talked about the S class before this."

The Kia Telluride is a bigger family SUV. They’re saying the Seltos is taking cues from the Telluride—especially the look and the screen/tech.

Term

Android screen

"And you can still watch Netflix and YouTube because it's basically an Android screen. So putting a massive screen in S class, which has basically the same functionality as a $25,000 Celtos, where's the luxury in that?"

When the hosts say it’s an “Android screen,” they mean the infotainment system is based on Android software, which typically supports app-style features and streaming. They use this to argue the Seltos’s big display isn’t “luxury” in the traditional sense because it can deliver similar entertainment features to cheaper cars.

Car

Ford Lightning

"But I don't know, like, I think I have YouTube and my Ford Lightning. I don't know what I'm doing with it. Like, I never use it because, you know, I walk away"

The Ford Lightning is Ford’s electric pickup. The host is saying they don’t really use the video/entertainment features, even in their EV.

Concept

proportions

"looks like a baby telluride, but they got the proportions right. It doesn't look like a squatted, shorty version of it."

When car people say “proportions,” they mean whether the different parts of the car look correctly sized relative to each other. Here, they’re saying the smaller SUV looks good because the wheels and other features were scaled properly.

Car

Chevrolet Trax

"... So it's nice to see. Yeah. On the HRV, Chevrolet Trax aren't kind of... Yeah. Or you run the risk of go..."

The Trax is a small Chevrolet SUV. It’s designed for everyday driving and easier parking than bigger SUVs. The podcast is comparing it to other similar-sized options.

Car

Hyundai Kona

"... of... Yeah. Or you run the risk of going Hyundai Kona, which is a little too far in the other direction..."

The Kona is a small SUV made by Hyundai. It’s designed to be easy to drive and park while still giving you SUV space. The podcast is basically saying it might be the wrong size or style choice depending on what you want.

Term

retune

"They have a tendency often to retune it for the US. Historically, the cars tend to be set up a bit softer in Asia than they are in the US and Europe."

Here, “retune” means the car’s settings are adjusted for different places. They’re talking about changing how the suspension is set up so the ride feels right on local roads.

Term

shocks and the dampers

"I hope that they, if they are going to change play around with the shocks and the dampers and everything else that they don't go to, too far."

Shocks/dampers control how the car’s suspension moves over bumps. If you adjust them, the ride can feel softer or firmer.

Term

adaptive air suspension

"but something like an S-Class. I mean, you're using an adaptive air suspension anyway."

Adaptive air suspension is a suspension system that can automatically adjust for a smoother ride. It uses air springs and computer control, and the settings can be different depending on where the car is sold.

Car

Honda S500

"...drove for the S-Class in Germany, it'll be called S500 here, but over there it's S450. So technically I ..."

The S500 is a Honda sports car name used for a classic model. It’s the kind of car that’s usually remembered for being small and fun to drive. In the podcast, the “S500” wording is used as a naming reference.

Car

EX60

"...e in Europe last week, I think. Yeah, we did. EX, EX60, which is Volvo. Which I saw, they did like a lit..."

The EX60 is a Volvo model name mentioned in the podcast. It’s likely part of Volvo’s newer lineup and technology. The host is connecting the name to what they saw during a presentation in Europe.

Car

Volvo EX30

"I think that, you know, we owned a Volvo EX30 in the one-year road test fleet and for the entire year that we had it, it was just a constant tech nightmare. I mean, it got to the point where I was kind of the EX30 apologist for a long time, where I like the way it looks, I liked driving it, but you just, the screen was just unusable"

The Volvo EX30 is an electric Volvo small SUV. The host says the car relies a lot on a touchscreen for controlling things, and that caused frustration because the screen didn’t work well for them.

Car

Volvo EX60

"The EX60 has some of that. You still control things like the air vents through the screen. The big difference is the EX60 is running a Snapdragon processor for a lot of the vehicle functions. So everything responds quicker."

The Volvo EX60 is an electric Volvo. The host says it’s designed to feel smoother because it uses a faster computer (Snapdragon) and can update itself over the internet, so the car’s tech should work better.

Term

Snapdragon processor

"The big difference is the EX60 is running a Snapdragon processor for a lot of the vehicle functions. So everything responds quicker."

Snapdragon is a type of computer chip. In a car, a faster chip helps the screen and software react quickly and run updates more smoothly.

Term

over-the-air updates

"So everything responds quicker. It's better capable to receive over-the-air updates, put them out, you know, quickly."

Over-the-air updates are software updates sent to your car over the internet. Instead of taking it to a shop, the car can download and install improvements by itself.

Car

Volvo EX90

"we finally finished it experience than, you know, the EX30, the EX90. And from what I hear, it's perfectly nice to drive."

The Volvo EX90 is another Volvo electric SUV mentioned here as a comparison point for software maturity. The host contrasts it with the EX60, suggesting the EX60 feels more cohesive and “finished” than the EX30/EX90 experience.

Car

Tesla Model Y

"It's a good time for EX-60 to be launching. I mean, this is the car that competes with Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC, Cadillac Lyric, I guess."

The Tesla Model Y is one of the most popular electric SUVs. In this discussion, it’s the yardstick the hosts use to explain who the Volvo EX-60 is trying to compete with.

Car

Mercedes GLC

"It's a good time for EX-60 to be launching. I mean, this is the car that competes with Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC, Cadillac Lyric, I guess."

The Mercedes GLC is a luxury SUV model line. The hosts are listing it as one of the cars the Volvo EX-60 is meant to compete with.

Car

Cadillac Optiq

"...MW iX3, Mercedes GLC, Cadillac Lyric, I guess. Or OPTIQ. Or OPTIQ. Yeah. It's priced around $60,000 to st..."

The Optiq is a Cadillac crossover SUV. It’s meant to be a newer, smaller Cadillac option. The podcast mentions its price to help place it among other cars being considered.

Car

Cadillac Lyric

"It's a good time for EX-60 to be launching. I mean, this is the car that competes with Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC, Cadillac Lyric, I guess."

The Cadillac Lyriq is Cadillac’s electric SUV. The hosts bring it up to show which other EVs shoppers might compare against the Volvo EX-60.

Car

Bmw Ix3

"It's a good time for EX-60 to be launching. I mean, this is the car that competes with Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC, Cadillac Lyric, I guess."

The BMW iX3 is BMW’s electric SUV/crossover. The hosts mention it as a competitor to the Volvo EX-60 for shoppers looking in this EV segment.

Car

Suzuki X90

"...this is the car also that's, I mean, frankly, the X90 needed to work. But this is the car that is that ..."

The X-90 is a small Suzuki vehicle with a unique look. It’s not a typical mainstream design, and the podcast is saying it had to work out to be a good product. The mention is more about the car’s overall concept than specific specs.

Car

Volvo XC60

".... But this is the car that is that hardline, like XC60, that sort of mid-sized luxury SUV is where they'..."

The XC60 is a Volvo luxury SUV that sits in the middle size range. It’s meant to be a practical SUV that still feels upscale and comfortable. The podcast is saying it’s a main model for that mid-sized luxury SUV category.

Term

EV market in decline

"As Steve said, it's actually, you know, we talk so much about like the EV market in decline. But it is interesting. It is a good test case because suddenly put in the luxury market, there is now a lot of hot competition."

The phrase means that fewer people are buying EVs than before, or EV sales are slowing down. The hosts say the Volvo EX-60 is interesting because it’s launching into a more competitive luxury EV environment anyway.

Rivian R2
Official manufacturer press image
Car

Rivian R2

"it is interesting. It is a good test case because suddenly put in the luxury market, there is now a lot of hot competition. The iX3 is seen as a good vehicle. This is coming in Rivian R2."

The Rivian R2 is Rivian’s next, smaller electric vehicle. The hosts mention it because it’s another EV that will compete for buyers around the same price level.

Term

transaxle

"Well, I also like the Volvo because it's, I don't know, it's a little bit more like. As Steve said, it's actually, you know, we talk so much about like the EV market in decline. But it is interesting... when you consider that the average transaxle price in your car is 50 grand, you know, these aren't crazy money in relative terms."

A transaxle is the drivetrain hardware that helps send power from the motor to the wheels. The hosts are using it to talk about how expensive the main power-transfer parts can be, and why these EVs might still make sense at their prices.

Car

Bmw X3

"...e where a gas powered XC60 does everything that a BMW X3 will do. But the X3 has more kind of polarizing i..."

The BMW X3 is a smaller luxury SUV. It’s designed for daily driving but still aims to feel sporty. The conversation suggests that people don’t all agree on how it looks or feels.

Concept

brand thing

"I don't like this idea that this like overt brand thing, like I don't want to be at somebody's billboard. Look at the Mercedes got like a billion stars on it."

The host is talking about cars that show off the brand logo and identity really loudly. They’re saying that can feel annoying—like the car is acting like a billboard instead of just looking good.

Car

Volvo XC90

"...r going to the original tech presentation for the XC90, which was kind of the, this is probably going ba..."

The XC90 is a Volvo luxury SUV. It’s meant for comfort and space, especially for families. The podcast is talking about an earlier presentation of new technology that was tied to the XC90.

Car

Hyundai Accent

"...d there and they said, we don't came as a Swedish accent, we don't care about Nürburgring times, we don't ..."

The Accent is a small, budget-friendly car from Hyundai. It’s meant for practical commuting rather than track-level performance. The podcast is basically saying not to expect it to be a performance car.

Place

Nürburgring

"And they stood there and they said, we don't came as a Swedish accent, we don't care about Nürburgring times, we don't want to be sporty, we're going to drive a nice comfortable stylish SUV for families."

The Nürburgring is a well-known race track in Germany. Car companies often use it to prove how sporty their cars are, but Volvo is described as not caring about that kind of bragging.

Car

Ford F150

"if you can get the first time truck buyer to get into the F-150, there's a pretty good chance that person is going to be an F-150 customer for the rest of their lives."

The Ford F-150 is a very popular pickup truck. The host is saying that if a truck buyer chooses an F-150 the first time, they’re likely to stick with that brand and recommend it to friends and family.

Term

margins

"And again, because the, you know, the margins are so much higher on things like that, I think doing exactly what the customer wants makes more sense."

In this context, “margins” means how much profit the company makes on each sale. The host is saying trucks tend to be more profitable, so companies focus more on what truck buyers ask for.

Term

quad cab

"[2716.8s] It combines the short cab... with the short quad cab with the short bed... [2747.1s] less space than the full four door. So the four door crew cab is the big four door."

A quad cab is a pickup with four doors, but the back doors are usually shorter than on a full-size four-door cab. It’s a way to get some rear-seat access without the full length of a crew cab.

Term

wide body

"[2724.0s] with the short bed... You get a wide body with big flared fenders. Basically think of it as..."

A “wide body” look means the car/truck is made to look wider, usually with flared fenders. It’s often done to fit bigger wheels/tires and give a more aggressive stance.

Term

flared fenders

"[2724.0s] You get a wide body with big flared fenders. Basically think of it as, you know, a Ford F-150 Raptor..."

Flared fenders are fenders that stick out more around the wheels. They’re often used to make the truck look wider and to fit bigger tires.

Car

F-150 Raptor

"... Basically think of it as, you know, a Ford F-150 Raptor Ram TRX VA performance truck, but for street perf..."

The F-150 is a large pickup truck from Ford. It’s built for hauling and everyday driving, and it can be configured for different performance levels. The podcast is describing it as a more street-focused performance-style truck.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...rt bed, which is not normally a way you can buy a Ram otherwise. You get a wide body with big flared fe..."

The Ram is a large pickup truck made by Dodge. Some versions come with wider body styling and flared fenders for a more dramatic look. The podcast is pointing out that you can get that kind of setup directly, not just as a one-off modification.

Term

crew cab

"[2742.7s] So you've got all the space, but you've got a short bed. No, you have the less space. You have less space than the full four door. So the four door crew cab is the big four door."

A crew cab is the pickup version with four full-size doors, so it usually has more room for rear passengers. The host is saying the quad cab has less space than this.

Car

Ram Rumble Bee

"it's lowered. You've got these big fender flares. It's, I think it's like eight inches wider in the [2806.6s] front, but there are three stages. There's the standard rumble bee, which is the, you know, [2812.1s] the 5.7 Hemi V8."

The Ram Rumble Bee is a special Ram pickup that’s meant to look and feel more performance-focused. It usually comes with a stronger V8 and styling like flares and a lower ride height.

Term

Hemi V8

"There's the standard rumble bee, which is the, you know, [2812.1s] the 5.7 Hemi V8. Yeah. Then you've got the, I think it's called the 392 where you get the [2818.3s] the 6.4 Hemi."

A “Hemi” is a type of V8 engine design. It’s known for how the combustion chamber is shaped, which can help the engine breathe and burn fuel efficiently.

Car

Ram 392

"Then you've got the, I think it's called the 392 where you get the [2818.3s] the 6.4 Hemi. And then there's the SRT one, which has the Hellcat engine."

The “392” is a stronger version of the Ram Rumble Bee concept. It’s the step up that uses a bigger Hemi V8 than the base model.

Car

Challenger Hellcat

"...Hemi. And then there's the SRT one, which has the Hellcat engine. Yeah. But it's a 777 horsepower Ram that ..."

The Challenger is a Dodge muscle car. Some versions come with very powerful engines, and the podcast is talking about those top performance options. It’s essentially being used as an example of a high-horsepower muscle car.

Term

Hellcat engine

"And then there's the SRT one, which has the Hellcat engine. Yeah. But it's a [2825.2s] 777 horsepower Ram that apparently Ram says we'll do 170 miles an hour, which sounds terrifying."

The “Hellcat” is a famous performance engine name. It usually means a very powerful supercharged V8, and here it’s being used to describe the strongest version of this Ram truck.

Car

Ram SRT Rumble Bee

"And then there's the SRT one, which has the Hellcat engine. Yeah. But it's a [2825.2s] 777 horsepower Ram that apparently Ram says we'll do 170 miles an hour, which sounds terrifying."

This is the most extreme version of the Ram Rumble Bee the host is talking about. It uses a Hellcat engine, which is known for very high power, and the speed claim is what makes it feel wild.

Term

SEMA build

"you want to do like an aftermarket build, you want to do a SEMA build, you go to Ford's lineup and [2851.6s] you go, I need the five liter, I need the Coyote V8."

A “SEMA build” means a car or truck that’s heavily modified for the SEMA show. SEMA is where aftermarket companies and enthusiasts show off performance and styling upgrades.

Term

Coyote V8

"you go to Ford's lineup and [2851.6s] you go, I need the five liter, I need the Coyote V8. I'm going to super charge it. Yep."

The “Coyote V8” is Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 engine. People like it because it’s a popular base for upgrades and making more power.

Term

super charge

"I need the five liter, I need the Coyote V8. I'm going to super charge it. Yep. But you [2856.9s] can only get it on the lower trim models."

To “supercharge” an engine means adding a device that forces extra air into it. More air usually helps the engine make more power.

Car

Ford Lobo

"But and the F-150 Lobo, cool, but it's [2872.6s] like $150,000. They bottled, didn't they? Yeah. They bottled that check because I wouldn't even [2877.1s] say it's cool."

The Ford F-150 Lobo is a special version of the F-150. In this discussion, it’s basically a lowered, V8-powered truck with upgraded tires and styling, but not all the features you might expect.

Term

FR-350 package

"And when you take it to your dealer, you can do the FR-350 package, whatever, [2905.8s] as you get the Supercharger package."

A “package” like the FR-350 is a bundled set of upgrades you can get from the dealer. The host is saying it’s part of how you can get a supercharger setup without doing everything yourself.

Car

Maverick Lobo

"But I like the idea that. And you spend $15,000 getting a Supercharger [2916.6s] installed under warranty. But also the Maverick Lobo is actually quite well executed. Yeah, [2920.1s] except for the tires."

The Maverick Lobo is a special version of the Ford Maverick. The host says it’s pretty good overall, but the tires hold it back—switching tires could make it much better.

Car

Ford Maverick

"...percharger installed under warranty. But also the Maverick Lobo is actually quite well executed. Yeah, excep..."

The Maverick is a small pickup truck made by Ford. It’s meant to be easier to live with than a big truck, but still lets you carry things in the bed. The podcast is talking about ownership details like warranty repairs and how a specific Maverick version is set up.

Term

all season tires

"But also the Maverick Lobo is actually quite well executed. Yeah, [2920.1s] except for the tires. Maverick Lobo is a set of tires away from being great because it's on all [2924.4s] season tires, which are garbage."

All-season tires are meant to be okay in a little bit of everything—dry roads, rain, and light winter conditions. The host thinks they don’t give the truck the grip it could have.

Car

Subaru BRZ

"... season tires, which are garbage. Wasn't like the BRZ and the, they were kind of the same. Like it's li..."

The BRZ is a small sports car made by Subaru. It’s built to be enjoyable to drive, especially around corners. The podcast is talking about tires and how that changes the car’s performance.

Car

Dodge Charger

"... are. It's like, they're so successful. The Dodge Charger is like, this is a 15 year old vehicle. We still ..."

The Charger is a Dodge car that’s built for a sporty driving feel. It’s been sold for many years, so it’s a familiar model name. The podcast is highlighting how well it has held up over time.

Car

Dodge Challenger

"...I was going to say, like, if Dodge still sold the Challenger, as is all these years later, it would still be, ..."

The Challenger is a muscle car from Dodge. It’s designed to feel fast and has a distinctive, classic look. The discussion is basically about how the car’s appeal could last even after many years.

Car

Chrysler 300C

"...em. They'd sell like, well, they did the Chrysler 300c. If you gave them the engine and you gave this wo..."

The Chrysler 300 is a large sedan from Chrysler. Some versions are offered with more powerful engines. The podcast is talking about how the car’s performance can depend on which engine and configuration you choose.

Term

sports exhaust

"It doesn't do as well, but I drive one and I'm like, oh, yeah, I want the V8. Yeah. And they've got a sports exhaust. It just, it sounds cool."

A sports exhaust is a performance exhaust setup that’s meant to make the car sound better (and sometimes breathe better). Here they’re mainly talking about the sound and how it makes the truck feel.

Car

BMW M3

"...en we haven't driven it yet, but BMW launched the M3 hand shelter, which is a great name for a car, mu..."

The BMW M3 is a sporty, performance-focused BMW. It’s meant to drive more aggressively than a regular 3 Series. The podcast is mentioning it as part of a performance-car lineup discussion.

Car

BMW M3 CS

"And Jonathan... head of testing... BMW launched the M3 hand shelter... It's an M3 CS. So it's the hardcore version of the M3, but it's not all wheel drive. It's not automatic."

The BMW M3 CS is a more hardcore version of the M3. The host says it’s set up for driving fun—manual, rear-wheel drive, and performance brakes—so it’s meant to be more engaging than other M3s.

Term

manual transmission

"German for hand shift... which is $108,000. Okay. But they said manual transmission, rear wheel drive."

A manual transmission means you choose the gears yourself using a clutch and shifter. The host is pointing out that this BMW M3 CS is offered with a manual.

Term

rear wheel drive

"But they said manual transmission, rear wheel drive. And if you spend a bunch of money and get carbon ceramic brakes..."

Rear-wheel drive means the power goes to the back wheels. The host is saying the M3 CS is rear-wheel drive, not all-wheel drive.

Term

carbon ceramic brakes

"And if you spend a bunch of money and get carbon ceramic brakes, it's technically lighter. And that's exactly what you need for titanium exhaust or whatever."

Carbon-ceramic brakes are a premium brake system with lighter, high-performance rotors. The host says they help reduce weight on the car.

Term

titanium exhaust

"It's technically lighter. And that's exactly what you need for titanium exhaust or whatever. It's an M3 CS."

A titanium exhaust is an exhaust system made with titanium to save weight. The host brings it up as one of the expensive parts that helps make the car lighter.

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