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Chinese door handles...and why they're changing, plus Gordie's hair issue

Chinese door handles...and why they're changing, plus Gordie's hair issue

The Driver's Show Feb 18, 2026 36 min
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About this episode

Paul and Gordy kick off the year with a lively discussion about their recent car experiences and personal anecdotes. They dive into the impressive features of the Volvo EX90, particularly its groundbreaking sound system, and share thoughts on the new MG7 sedan, highlighting its performance and unique design elements. The episode also touches on the challenges of dealing with flies at their proving ground and the humorous dynamics of their friendship, making for an entertaining listen filled with automotive insights and light-hearted banter.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Volvo EX90

"...over Chrissy, I spent time in the Volvo EX90."

The Volvo EX90 is a new electric SUV from Volvo. It's designed to be safe and spacious, with lots of modern technology inside.

Term

1800 Watts

"...like 1800 Watts."

1800 Watts is a measure of how powerful the sound system is. More watts usually mean the music can be played louder and sound better.

Car

Dacia Duster

"Yeah, yeah. Yeah, Duster Stainless Zulpa. You know something we've both h..."

The Dacia Duster is an affordable SUV that people can use for both city driving and outdoor adventures. It's popular because it gives you a lot of space and features without costing too much money.

Car

MG7

"...is the 2026 MG7. Yeah, Billy. Can I ask you, first impressions of that interior?"

The MG7 is a new car from the MG brand, which is known for making stylish and affordable cars. The 2026 model is expected to have updated features and a modern look.

Car

Porsche Panamera

"...I'm not a Panamera. Like it is literally a Porsche spoiler. They've just stuck in this $40,000 car."

The Porsche Panamera is a fancy four-door car that offers a mix of luxury and speed. It's designed to be comfortable while still being fun to drive.

Term

sulfur content

"...because it's detuned compared to the Chinese version. Up until recently, we actually had quite a high sulfur content in our regular-run leaded fuel. And it meant that a lot of manufacturers..."

Sulfur content is how much sulfur is in the fuel we use for cars. Too much sulfur can harm engines and create more pollution.

Term

fuel quality

"...because our fuel quality wasn't up to scratch. So now that that has been fixed..."

Fuel quality is about how good the fuel is that cars use. Better quality fuel helps engines run smoother and cleaner.

Term

ELSD

"...it still goes like shit off a shovel. They've got an ELSD fitted to it. It's got sort of raspy little exhaust."

An ELSD helps your car's wheels grip the road better by controlling how much power goes to each wheel. This is especially useful when driving on wet or slippery surfaces.

Car

Hyundai i30

"...nd it really is reminiscent of something like the i30 Sedan inline. I think that they've really struck..."

The Hyundai i30 is a small car that people like because it's stylish and good for everyday use. It's a popular choice for those who want a reliable vehicle that doesn't cost too much.

Term

kilowatt

"...can you imagine if it had an extra 20 kilowatts of power, which is kind of what they've detuned it from, and it'd actually be pretty crazy."

A kilowatt is a way to measure how much power an engine produces. More kilowatts usually mean more power and speed for the car.

Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...you're not getting a Golf R or anything like that inside this, but you're getting something that's, I guess, warm to heart."

The Golf R is a sportier version of the Volkswagen Golf. It has a more powerful engine and is built for better performance and handling.

Term

two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

"...you get in a lot of car. Two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Roughly, I think it was about 380 newton-meters talk."

This is a type of engine that has four cylinders and can hold two liters of air and fuel. The turbocharger helps it produce more power without using more fuel, making it efficient for a car.

Term

newton-meters

"...I think it was about 380 newton-meters talk. I can't remember, but it is all-round a great little mid-sized Sedan."

Newton-meters are a way to measure how strong an engine is when it turns. More newton-meters usually mean the car can speed up faster and pull heavier loads.

Car

Ford Ecosport

"...ke, I loved how, when you can change it to normal EcoSport or whatever, and then, I don't know what they ca..."

The Ford EcoSport is a small SUV that sits higher off the ground, which makes it easier to see when driving. It's a good option for people who want a little more space and flexibility in a vehicle without going for a full-sized SUV.

Car

Golf GTI

"And I think, to me, normally, they only fit ELSDs to fairly high-end sporting cars, like a Golf GTI or something."

The Golf GTI is a sportier version of the regular Volkswagen Golf. It has a more powerful engine and better handling, making it more fun to drive.

Term

RLSD

"that isn't anywhere near as sophisticated as a proper RLSD that this has."

An RLSD is a type of differential that helps your car's wheels get the right amount of power to avoid slipping. It reacts to how you're driving to keep the car stable.

Car

MG Cyberster

"...that EV, what was that? Cyberster or whatever? I mean, yeah, I know that's a niche car, but again,..."

The MG Cyberster is a new electric sports car that MG is developing. It's designed to be different and exciting, appealing to car enthusiasts.

Car

MG IM5

"...Speaking of MG, the IM5 performance, I just spent a week with that old girl. That thing, when I first stabbed the throttle in that..."

The MG IM5 is an electric car that MG makes. It's designed to be fun to drive and has some cool features.

Term

throttle

"...when I first stabbed the throttle in that and it almost pulled my face off,..."

The throttle is what you push with your foot to make the car go faster. When you push it down quickly, it gives the car more power.

Brand

MG

"People aren't realizing like the IM, I guess, is the luxury derivative of MG, kind of like Lexus is to Toyota."

MG is a car brand from Britain that makes sporty cars and SUVs. It has been around for a long time, starting in the 1920s, and is known for its fun and affordable vehicles.

Brand

Lexus

"...kind of like Lexus is to Toyota."

Lexus is a luxury car brand that comes from Toyota. It makes high-end cars that are known for being comfortable and reliable.

Term

digital rear view mirror

"...especially the fact that you don't have a digital rear view mirror to properly look out of it. That would have been an easy fix for that."

A digital rear view mirror is a high-tech version of a regular mirror that shows you what's behind your car using a camera instead of just reflecting what's there. It can help you see better, especially if something is blocking your view.

Term

self-parking feature

"...the self-parking feature on this, I think it's great."

A self-parking feature is a technology in some cars that helps you park by itself. The car uses sensors to find a parking spot and then turns the steering wheel to park without you needing to do much.

Car

Hyundai Santa Fe

"...to Yunday, to the good folk at Yunday. So I've been in their Santa Fe, right?"

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a type of SUV that offers a lot of space and comfort for passengers. It's a good option for families or anyone needing extra room for their stuff.

Term

MSRP

"...you get a lot of car for 50 grand, 55 maybe to drive away, but roughly about 50,000 bucks."

MSRP is the price that the car maker suggests you should pay for a new car. It's like a starting point for how much a car costs before any discounts or negotiations.

Car

Hyundai Ioniq 6

"...they're a little gun shy after the Ionix 6 and how that sort of looked. And it still looks effectively..."

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a new electric car that looks stylish and is designed to be very efficient. It's part of Hyundai's push to offer more electric vehicles.

Car

Hyundai Palisade

"...match it more towards the Palisade. Yeah, they'll match it more to the Palisade a little bit..."

The Hyundai Palisade is a large family SUV that offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo. It's known for being comfortable and having a lot of modern features.

Car

Ferrari Luce

"Do you know one thing we're not going to agree on? The Ferrari Luce. So the interior."

The Ferrari Luce is a car that Ferrari designed to show what they might build in the future. It has a unique look and features that highlight luxury and performance.

Car

Ferrari Testarossa

"...you go by the new Testerossa and it's just full of screams and all this stuff that Ferrari owners have already told them they don't want."

The Ferrari Testarossa is a famous sports car that was made in the 1980s and 1990s. It has a unique look and is known for being very fast and powerful.

Car

Ferrari SF90

"Well, Pavle won't be getting in a Ferrari anytime soon. But you look at SF90s, like the second hand value of those is horrifically bad compared to, like, a 458 or a 488."

The Ferrari SF90 is a high-performance sports car that uses both gas and electric power. It's known for being very fast, but people are finding that its value drops quickly when they try to sell it.

Car

Ferrari 458

"...the second hand value of those is horrifically bad compared to, like, a 458 or a 488. That's a sitting bargain."

The Ferrari 458 is a popular sports car that many people love for its speed and design. It tends to keep its value better than some newer models, making it a more desirable option for buyers.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"It's like back when the Taycan was released, that was a $400,000, $500,000 car. That's $200,000."

The Porsche Taycan is a high-end electric car made by Porsche. It's known for being fast and having advanced technology, and it's one of the first electric cars from a luxury brand.

Term

thermal runaway

"...if they are in a serious enough crash, if you do get thermal runaway, it happens so fast that if the intense heat doesn't kill you..."

Thermal runaway happens when a battery gets too hot and can start a fire or explode. It's a serious risk for electric cars if something goes wrong.

Brand

Toyota

"Toyota has announced a new product as a solution for driver suffering from car thefts and official Toyota steering wheel lock."

Toyota is a well-known car company that makes many different types of vehicles, from sedans to SUVs.

Term

steering lock

"We went and bought the $200 Toyota steering lock along with like a $15 one and then another $175 one and took to them with an angle grinder. It took 30 seconds to get through it, so they are effectively useless."

A steering lock is a device that stops the steering wheel from moving, so a thief can't drive the car away. Unfortunately, some of these locks can be cut through quickly, making them not very useful for keeping your car safe.

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