Dealerships Sue Volkswagen Over Plans to Sell Scout Plug-in Vehicles
About this episode
The hosts share experiences from Spain, including a helicopter ride with Aston Martin's CEO and insights on the Valhalla supercar. They discuss the challenges of Formula One's hybrid era and its impact on racing excitement. Eden Cooper, founder of Drift Capital, talks about running a fund that invests in high-end collectible cars like the Ferrari F40 and Carrera GT, blending passion with asset management. The episode also explores the appeal of large SUVs, focusing on the Cadillac Escalade V's luxury, performance, and practicality compared to electric alternatives.
Matt and Hannah talk about the impending Scout, the fight with dealerships and the want for electric cars. They also touch on the Cadillac Escalade-V. Plus, a conversation with Drift Capital's Eden Cooper.
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Aston Martin Valhalla
"I'm Hannah Elliott. And I'm Matt Miller. This is Hot Pursuit. Coming up in today's podcast, I'm back from Spain, back from driving the Aston Martin Valhalla, and, well, I can't discuss driving impressions quite yet."
The Aston Martin Valhalla is a very fast and fancy car made by Aston Martin. It uses both a gas engine and electric power to go really fast.
The Aston Martin Valhalla is a mid-engine hybrid supercar developed by British luxury carmaker Aston Martin. It features advanced aerodynamics and a hybrid powertrain aimed at delivering high performance and efficiency.
car show
"Plus, a buddy of mine, a kid I met at a car show a couple of years ago, has just sold his Carrera GT for the record price of $3.3 million."
A car show is like a big gathering where people bring their cars to show them off. You can see many cool and special cars there.
A car show is an event where automotive enthusiasts display vehicles, often including classic, exotic, or new models. It's a place to see rare cars and meet other enthusiasts.
Porsche Carrera GT
"Plus, a buddy of mine, a kid I met at a car show a couple of years ago, has just sold his Carrera GT for the record price of $3.3 million."
The Porsche Carrera GT is a very special and fast car made by Porsche. It has a powerful engine and is known for being exciting to drive.
The Porsche Carrera GT is a limited-production supercar produced by Porsche between 2004 and 2007. It is renowned for its naturally aspirated V10 engine, lightweight carbon fiber construction, and exceptional driving dynamics.
Ford GT40
"and they have done just that with the Carrera GT and a GT40. But first, let's talk about Spain."
The Ford GT40 is a famous race car from the 1960s made by Ford. It won important races and is very special to car fans.
The Ford GT40 is a legendary American racing car developed in the 1960s to compete at Le Mans. It famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race multiple times, beating Ferrari.
twin turbo V8
"It was first imagined as a V six. It is now in its current production form, a twin turbo V eight plug-in hybrid over a thousand horsepower. They've already delivered over 150 of them."
A twin turbo V8 is a powerful car engine with eight cylinders and two devices called turbochargers that help the engine make more power by pushing extra air in.
A twin turbo V8 engine is a V8 internal combustion engine equipped with two turbochargers to increase power output by forcing more air into the engine. This setup improves performance and efficiency compared to naturally aspirated engines.
plug-in hybrid
"it is now in its current production form, a twin turbo V eight plug-in hybrid over a thousand horsepower. They're making 999 of them. Um, and they cost about a million bucks starting. And it's a hybrid, right? It is a plug-in hybrid. Yeah. So it has electric motors."
A plug-in hybrid car uses both gas and electricity to move. You can charge its battery by plugging it in, so it can drive some distance just on electricity.
A plug-in hybrid is a type of vehicle that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with electric motors and a battery that can be recharged by plugging into an external power source. This allows for some all-electric driving range and improved fuel efficiency.
electric motors
"And it's a hybrid, right? It is a plug-in hybrid. Yeah. So it has electric motors. That's what gets it to three electric motors. Exactly. And then a twin turbo V eight."
Electric motors are parts of the car that use electricity to help it move. In some cars, they can even make the car go without using gas.
Electric motors in a plug-in hybrid provide additional power and allow the vehicle to drive using electricity alone for short distances. They work alongside the internal combustion engine to improve performance and efficiency.
F1 derived components
"a lot of F one derived components in the car, including the, the carbon fiber tub."
F1 derived parts are pieces taken from the fastest race cars in the world and used in regular cars to make them better and faster.
F1 derived components refer to parts and technologies in a car that are adapted from Formula 1 racing, known for its cutting-edge engineering and performance. These components often improve aerodynamics, weight, and handling.
carbon fiber tub
"including the, the carbon fiber tub. Um, it's got active arrow on the front and the rear,"
A carbon fiber tub is the strong but light main part of a car's frame made from a special material called carbon fiber. It helps the car be safe and fast.
A carbon fiber tub is the central structural part of a car's chassis made from carbon fiber, a lightweight and very strong material. It improves rigidity and safety while reducing weight, enhancing performance.
active aero
"it's got active arrow on the front and the rear, which was really interesting. Yeah. So it's, it's interesting because it's kind of like a baby"
Active aero means parts on the car that can move or change shape to help the car stick to the road better or go faster.
Active aero refers to aerodynamic components on a car that can adjust dynamically to improve downforce, reduce drag, or enhance stability depending on driving conditions.
road course
"...And then there were a couple of cars on the road. We did do a road course as well. And I don't know, they had a handful of cars there at five, six, seven, something like that."
A road course is a race track that has different kinds of turns and hills, not just a simple circle. Cars race on these tracks to test their handling and speed.
A road course is a type of racing track that features a combination of left and right turns, elevation changes, and various types of corners, as opposed to oval tracks. It is used for many types of motorsport events including sports car and formula racing.
podium green
"...there was one that was podium green, which is Aston Martin's F one green. And they say that 15% of the Valhalla is sold have been in this podium green color..."
Podium green is a special green paint color that Aston Martin uses on some of their cars. It comes from the green color they use in racing, so it shows the car's connection to racing.
Podium green is a specific green paint color used by Aston Martin, inspired by the green color associated with their Formula One branding. It is a distinctive color option for the Aston Martin Valhalla and other models, symbolizing the brand's motorsport heritage.
Formula One
"...and they really attribute that to the popularity of formula one, the association Aston has with formula one and, and how well that's working for the brand. So one was podium green, another working well for Aston Martin in formula one."
Formula One is a type of very fast car racing with special cars that only race on certain tracks. It is very popular worldwide and helps car companies like Aston Martin become more famous.
Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It is known for its cutting-edge technology, high speeds, and global popularity. Aston Martin's involvement in F1 helps boost its brand image and influences design and marketing of its road cars.
Ferrari F40
"Eden Cooper just sold his the 30 year old kid who just sold his Ferrari F40 and Carrera GT for record prices. ... he was just standing there hanging out in front of an F40. So I went over to see the car"
The Ferrari F40 is a very famous and fast sports car made by Ferrari a long time ago. It's known for being very powerful and special because it was the last car Enzo Ferrari helped design.
The Ferrari F40 is a legendary supercar produced by Ferrari from 1987 to 1992. It was the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and is famous for its raw driving experience, lightweight construction, and twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
Porsche Carrera GT
"Eden Cooper just sold his the 30 year old kid who just sold his Ferrari F40 and Carrera GT for record prices."
The Ferrari Carrera GT is a very fast and rare sports car made by Ferrari. It has a powerful engine and is known for being special and collectible.
The Ferrari Carrera GT is a mid-engine supercar produced by Ferrari from 2004 to 2006. It features a V10 engine and is celebrated for its performance, advanced technology, and rarity.
record sale price
"sold for 5.23 million, which was a record for a European spec F40. And where was the sale in Miami with arms other base?"
A record sale price means someone paid more money than ever before for a certain car. This usually means the car is very rare or special.
A record sale price refers to the highest price ever paid for a particular car or category of cars at auction or private sale. It indicates strong demand and rarity for that vehicle.
limited supply of collectible cars
"And there's only a limited supply of cars that are worth having. And if you're an automotive enthusiast, you're starting to pay attention and a student investors will always look at available avenues to deploy capital."
Some cars are made in small numbers or very few are left, so they become rare. Because they are rare, many people want to own them, which makes them more expensive.
The concept refers to the scarcity of certain desirable cars, which drives up their value as collectors compete to own them. Limited production numbers and surviving examples make these cars valuable assets.
Radwood cars
"They seem to be good for your generation, right? They're kind of like Radwood cars. These are cars that were super cars in the 80s and the 90s. And, you know, the aughts."
Radwood cars are cool cars from the 1980s and 1990s that people today really like because they remind them of that time. They have special styles that many people find interesting.
Radwood is a cultural term referring to stylish and desirable cars from the 1980s and 1990s that have gained nostalgic appeal. These cars are often appreciated for their unique designs and are becoming popular among younger enthusiasts.
liquidity
"and have to have enough liquidity that they feasibly traded it out about once a quarter. Why? Because fair market value needs to be something we can approximate."
Liquidity means how easy it is to sell a car. If a car is easy to sell, it has good liquidity.
Liquidity in the car market refers to how easily a car can be bought or sold without affecting its price significantly. High liquidity means the car is in demand and can be sold quickly.
Porsche 911
"...dreaming of owning a 911 and working on them all day in the Texas heat. So I did that for a couple years..."
The Porsche 911 is a famous fast car that many people want to own. It has a special engine in the back and looks very unique.
The Porsche 911 is a legendary sports car known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. It has been a benchmark in the sports car world for decades, with many enthusiasts dreaming of owning one.
Audi R8
"But you have the R8. I mean, you showed me pictures of that one with the gated shifter, the V10. And you said investors can drive that one."
The Audi R8 is a fast sports car made by Audi. It has a powerful V10 engine and some versions have a special manual gear shifter that makes driving more fun.
The Audi R8 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Audi, known for its V10 engine and availability with a gated manual shifter in earlier models. It combines supercar performance with everyday usability.
gated shifter
"You showed me pictures of that one with the gated shifter, the V10. And you said investors can drive that one."
A gated shifter is a special kind of stick shift in a car that helps you change gears more precisely and feel more connected to the car.
A gated shifter is a manual transmission gear selector with a visible metal gate that guides the gear lever into precise slots, enhancing the tactile and mechanical feel of shifting.
market appreciation
"If we bought a Carrera GT, for example, with 40,000 miles and put on a thousand a year, it's still likely to appreciate pretty considerably in value."
Market appreciation means that a car becomes worth more money as time goes on.
Market appreciation refers to the increase in value of an asset over time. In the context of cars, it means the vehicle becomes more valuable due to factors like rarity, demand, and condition.
collector car
"So the ones that we we purchase that we don't drive, we already buy them at, you know, sub 1000 miles. So for better or worse, these were destined to be collector cars put in museums held as representation for, you know, decades to come as examples for folks to reference."
A collector car is a special car that people keep because it is rare or important, not just to drive every day.
A collector car is a vehicle that is valued primarily for its rarity, historical significance, or desirability rather than daily use. These cars are often preserved, maintained, and sometimes stored for appreciation in value.
OEM dealerships
"So we store them with OEM dealerships, who already have sort of the headquarters breathing down their neck to say, do you have the security systems, the fire suppression, the drainage systems required in order to keep, you know, your inventory safe."
These are official car dealerships run by the company that made the cars. They can take good care of the cars and keep them safe.
OEM dealerships are authorized sales and service centers operated by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of a vehicle brand. They provide certified maintenance, storage, and security for vehicles, which is important for preserving collectible cars.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
"So the 300 SL from Mercedes, both in the Gullwing form and in the Roadster are timelessly beautiful."
The 300 SL Gullwing is a very old and special Mercedes car with doors that open up like wings. Many people love it because it looks cool and drives well.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is a classic sports car famous for its distinctive upward-opening doors and iconic design. It is highly prized by collectors for its timeless beauty and engineering.
Cadillac Escalade V
"I want to talk a little bit about my, the Cadillac Escalade V that I'm driving right now."
The Cadillac Escalade V is a big, fancy SUV that is faster and more powerful than the regular Escalade. It’s like a sports car but in a large SUV you can use for family or hauling stuff.
The Cadillac Escalade V is a high-performance variant of Cadillac's full-size luxury SUV, featuring a powerful engine and sporty enhancements compared to the standard Escalade. It combines luxury with performance in a large SUV format.
Mercedes-Benz G500
"It has been about my G500 that I had in Berlin or my Ford F-150 Raptor that I had when I lived in Bronxville."
The Mercedes-Benz G500 is a fancy SUV that can go off-road but also feels very comfortable and nice inside. It looks like a box and is very strong.
The Mercedes-Benz G500 is a luxury off-road capable SUV known for its boxy design and strong performance. It combines ruggedness with premium features and is part of the iconic G-Class lineup.
supercharged 6.2 liter V8
"And then you add the fact that this has a supercharged 6.2 liter V8, like they all have the 6.2 liter V8, but this one has a supercharger. So it makes"
This is a big engine with eight cylinders that uses a supercharger to push more air in, making the car go faster and have more power.
A supercharged 6.2 liter V8 is a large displacement eight-cylinder engine equipped with a supercharger, which forces more air into the engine to increase power output. This setup provides strong acceleration and high horsepower.
horsepower
"682 horsepower, makes 653 pound feet of torque. You don't really need that in a truck that weighs, I don't know, seven, eight thousand pounds, right?"
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine is. The more horsepower, the faster or more powerful the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement that indicates the power output of an engine. It helps describe how much work the engine can perform and is often used to compare vehicle performance.
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