EV Swapped DeLorean, Callaway Partnership & The Cars That Made Us | Full Throttle Talk
About this episode
The hosts swap stories and debate the future of driving, starting with a passenger-seat comfort experiment in a Lotus Elise and moving into a firsthand EV-converted DeLorean drive. The EV swap discussion argues that modern powertrains can rescue aging classics for real-world use, not just garage trophies. Big news follows: the shop signs on as an authorized Callaway Performance Center for West Coast Callaway installations and service. Automotive headlines cover BMW’s promise to keep manuals, Camaro’s return, and Porsche’s teased GT3 Cabriolet. The episode ends with a listener Q&A on whether young people still want “real driving” amid autonomous tech.
New Balance
"He was at the New Balance factory store. So I think he's getting prepped, you know, for this inevitable ZR1X."
New Balance is a clothing and shoe brand. The host is just saying Tim is at a New Balance store, not talking about a car.
New Balance is a major footwear and apparel brand, and the mention of a “factory store” suggests Tim is at a retail location tied to the company. While not automotive, it’s part of the episode’s context and helps listeners track what’s happening with the hosts.
Lotus Elise
"..., but that's all right. Spoken like a true Lotus Elise guy. You're just sitting on the floor and though..."
The Lotus Elise is a small two-seat sports car made to feel quick and nimble. People like it because it’s light and the driving experience is very direct. It’s often discussed by car fans who enjoy handling.
The Lotus Elise is a lightweight, two-seat sports car known for its simple, driver-focused design and sharp handling. It often comes up in conversations about “real” sports cars because the experience is built around agility and feel rather than comfort or power alone. The podcast mention fits that kind of enthusiast perspective.
bucket seat
"because that that bucket seat did free my knees and my legs and everything up a little bit more."
A bucket seat is a sporty car seat with sides that hug you more. It can make it feel like you have more room for your legs and knees, even if the car’s overall layout didn’t change.
A bucket seat is a highly supportive seat with deeper side bolsters that hold you in place during driving. In this context, the speaker says the bucket seat improved knee and leg room, which can change how comfortable the cabin feels.
EV swap
"So, you know, we we've been working on this EV swap on this DeLorean. So I got to finally do a good, proper drive in the car."
An EV swap means taking a gas car and converting it to run on electricity instead. The builder replaces the engine setup with an electric motor and battery so the car can drive like an EV.
An EV swap is a conversion where a car originally built with an internal-combustion engine is re-engineered to run on an electric powertrain. It typically involves integrating an electric motor, battery pack, power electronics, and updating the car’s control systems to work together.
Jaguar XKE
"We've done several of these, right? We've done two Jaguar XKEs. We did a DeLorean."
The Jaguar XKE is a classic sports car with a legendary design. They’re saying they’ve converted a couple of these to electric too, not just the DeLorean.
The Jaguar XKE (also known as the E-Type) is a classic British sports car celebrated for its styling and driving feel. Here, it’s mentioned as another platform the shop has EV-swapped, suggesting the conversion approach is being applied beyond just the DeLorean.
horsepower
"And if you can give it, I mean, how much horsepower did you give this thing [405.8s] with this battery pack?"
Horsepower is basically a number that tells you how much “pull” the powertrain can make. Higher horsepower usually means faster acceleration, though weight and gearing also matter.
Horsepower is a measure of how much power an engine (or motor) can produce. In EV swaps, people often compare horsepower to understand how strongly the car accelerates compared with the original setup.
V12
"But a V12 is like, I mean, I might contradict myself [448.7s] because the V12s are also kind of smooth, kind of at least that one is."
A V12 is an engine configuration with 12 cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. V12s are often praised for smoothness and distinctive sound, but they can be less efficient and more complex than smaller engines.
Jaguar Xjs
"...ring that up, too, because I have a buddy with an XJS coupe. Cool car with the V12."
The Jaguar XJ-S is a luxury-style coupe made by Jaguar. Some versions come with a V12 engine, which is a big reason people find it special. The podcast is highlighting that V12-equipped coupe as an interesting car to own.
The Jaguar XJ-S is a grand touring coupe known for its elegant styling and, in some versions, a powerful V12 engine. It’s a car enthusiasts often remember for its character and sound rather than just numbers on paper. The podcast specifically calls out a buddy’s XJS coupe and notes the V12, which is a key part of why the car stands out.
Callaway
"to become an authorized Callaway cars performance center. So for the West Coast, we're going to start doing installations and service on Callaway cars."
Callaway is a company that takes regular cars and upgrades them to make more power and better performance. Being an “authorized” center means they’re trained and approved to do Callaway installs and service.
Callaway is an American performance company best known for upgrading production cars with engine, drivetrain, and aerodynamic changes. In this segment, the hosts discuss becoming an authorized Callaway performance center, meaning they’ll install and service Callaway modifications.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...if I could use that term, you know, it was with a Corvette. And there was a very famous one that a lot of u..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car from Chevrolet. It’s known for being fast and for having a big fan base. People often talk about it because it’s an important model in American performance cars.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a long-running American sports car line known for performance and strong enthusiast following. It’s frequently discussed because it represents a benchmark for value and capability in the sports-car world. The podcast’s reference to a “famous” Corvette highlights its cultural and racing significance.
Bugatti
"It was not until 2010 did Bugatti finally beat that number."
Bugatti is a luxury supercar brand. Here it’s mentioned because Bugatti later broke the earlier top-speed record that the Sledgehammer held.
Bugatti is referenced as the brand that eventually surpassed the earlier road-car speed record. This is used to show how the “Sledgehammer” benchmark held up for decades before being beaten by later hypercar technology.
wide body
"But it was a C4 with looks like a wide body on it. Yeah. I mean, a whole host of things that they've done."
A “wide body” means the car’s fenders are widened so it can run wider tires. It usually makes the car look tougher and can help it grip the road better.
A “wide body” conversion widens the car’s fenders and wheel arches to allow broader tires and a more aggressive stance. It’s commonly used on Corvettes and other platforms to improve grip and visual presence, often as part of an aftermarket package.
supercharger
"And these guys were putting a supercharger on it. So anyways, we're, you know, their West Coast operation is going to spend folks more on composites."
A supercharger is a device that forces more air into the engine. More air usually means more power, but it often needs tuning and supporting upgrades to work correctly.
A supercharger is a forced-induction device that increases engine airflow by compressing it before it enters the cylinders. The speaker says the shop was installing a supercharger on a Corvette E-Ray, which is a major performance modification and typically requires careful calibration and supporting changes.
BMW
"And this is about BMW, actually... They had come out and said there's no future in the manuals... Sylvia Neubauer... promise a solution... to retain manual transmissions."
BMW is the car company being talked about here. They’re making news by saying what they plan to do about cars with manual gearboxes.
BMW is the automaker at the center of this news segment. The episode is highlighting BMW leadership comments about the future of manual transmissions and how they plan to respond.
manual transmissions
"They had come out and said there's no future in the manuals... But it made news that they're killing off the manual."
A manual transmission is the kind where you use a clutch pedal and shift gears yourself. The discussion here is about whether BMW will keep offering that kind of driving in some cars.
The speaker is discussing BMW’s stance on manual transmissions—whether they’ll be phased out or kept. This matters because manuals affect driving feel, control, and how a car is built and marketed.
M division
"Well, then this week, the M division's vice president... It was it was some woman, actually... Sylvia Neubauer."
BMW M is BMW’s performance brand. If M is promising to keep manuals, it usually means they’re trying to satisfy drivers who want a more hands-on, gear-shifting experience.
BMW’s M division (often called BMW M) is the performance arm of the brand. When M leadership talks about keeping manual transmissions, it signals that some enthusiast-focused models may still offer a stick shift.
Sylvia Neubauer
"It was it was some woman, actually. Sylvia Neubauer, Sylvia Neubauer. Thank you. Oh, yeah, Sylvia Neubauer."
Sylvia Neubauer is the BMW executive the host is quoting. She’s saying BMW will work on a way to keep manual transmissions available in some cars.
Sylvia Neubauer is identified as the BMW M division vice president quoted in the segment. Her comments are presented as a direct response to earlier news about BMW ending manuals.
paddle shift cars
"And that's why everyone has kind of moved towards these paddle shift cars because the torque is is a real issue."
Paddle shifters are buttons or levers behind the steering wheel that let you change gears without using a clutch. They’re popular because they make shifting quicker and easier, especially in high-performance cars.
“Paddle shift” refers to steering-wheel-mounted controls that let you command gear changes without a clutch pedal. These are commonly paired with automatic transmissions (like dual-clutch or torque-converter automatics) because they can handle high torque while keeping shifts fast and consistent.
manuals
"You know, we we we love manuals, you and I both. OK, but there's no question, you know, that these manufacturers are just up against a real difficult proposition where they've got to keep delivering, you know, better and better performance."
A manual car is one where you choose the gears yourself. You use a clutch pedal and a shifter to control what gear you’re in.
“Manuals” refers to manual transmissions, where the driver selects gears using a clutch and gear lever. The speaker contrasts manual driving with the direction automakers are taking performance targets.
automatic battleship style, you know, gearboxes
"And the only way to truly achieve that is, you know, with these, frankly, you know, automatic battleship style, you know, gearboxes."
They’re describing automatics as big and sturdy. The idea is that they’re built to cope with high performance, even if they add some weight.
This colorful phrase suggests heavy, robust-feeling automatic transmissions designed to handle high power and repeated performance demands. It highlights the tradeoff: automatics can be physically larger/heavier than manuals, but they’re engineered for rapid, repeatable shifts.
turbocharged four cylinder
"certainly is probably going to take, you know, a turbocharged four cylinder all the way up to a V8, you know, there's that new LS6"
It’s a smaller engine with a turbo that helps it make more power. The turbo forces extra air into the engine so it can burn more fuel and feel stronger.
A turbocharged four-cylinder is a smaller engine (four cylinders) that uses a turbocharger to increase the amount of air entering the engine. That lets it make more power than a naturally aspirated four-cylinder of the same size.
spy shot
"I think this is spy shot or rendering or something, which it's fun. Yeah, it's a spy shot."
A spy shot is a photo of a car prototype taken while it’s out testing. People use these photos to guess what the final car will look like.
A “spy shot” is an image captured of a prototype vehicle while it’s being tested, often with camouflage or a cover to hide details. Enthusiasts use spy shots to infer design features and sometimes even performance intent before official announcements.
lethargic
"[1738.2s] I had a friend text me after he will listen to the podcast last week and said, [1743.1s] did Shanu really call the GT 500 or the Ford GT from 2005 lethargic? [1749.0s] Like that guy is hardcore."
“Lethargic” is basically “doesn’t feel quick.” Even if a car is fast on paper, it might feel sluggish when you press the gas or when you want it to react.
“Lethargic” is a subjective driving term meaning the car feels slow to respond—often in throttle response, acceleration feel, or overall urgency. It doesn’t necessarily mean the car is objectively slow; it’s about how it delivers power and speed.
Volkswagen GTI
"I had a 325 and E36 325 I before that was a four door. I had a GTI before that."
They had a Volkswagen GTI before. It’s a sporty compact hatchback that’s known for being fun to drive without being a full-on race car.
The speaker says they had a GTI before the BMW. The Volkswagen GTI is a performance-focused compact hatchback known for combining everyday usability with a sporty driving feel.
pure race gearbox
"But that's a different issue. The paddle shift on it was a pure race gearbox."
A “pure race gearbox” implies a transmission designed for racing behavior—quick, repeatable shifts and strong shift logic under load. The speaker is emphasizing that the paddle-shift system is not just convenience tech, but closely tied to race-car drivability.
Matt Blatty
"This guy, yeah. [2650.9s] Matt Blatty is a photographer. [2652.6s] Just pretty amazing."
They’re talking about a photographer named Matt Blatty. He took the pictures they’re excited about, and the quality of the photos is part of the story.
Matt Blatty is identified here as a photographer, likely responsible for the high-quality car imagery being discussed. In enthusiast podcasts, the photographer’s work can matter because it shapes how cars are perceived and documented.
9% grade
"Just some spectacular roads. 9% grade. That's awesome."
A 9% grade means the road is pretty steep. It’s the kind of slope that makes you use more braking and can make cars work harder to climb.
A “grade” is the steepness of a road, expressed as a percentage. A 9% grade means the road rises about 9 feet for every 100 feet of horizontal distance, which strongly affects braking, traction, and how hard the drivetrain has to work.
Euro spec
"...this old three, two Carrera was a Euro spec. It pulled hard and made great noises at the exhaust..."
“Euro spec” just means the car was made for Europe instead of the U.S. That can change things like emissions tuning and sometimes how the car feels and sounds.
“Euro spec” means the car was built or configured for European markets, which can differ from U.S. versions in emissions equipment, tuning, and sometimes equipment levels. Those differences can affect how the car drives and how it sounds, which is why the speaker ties it to strong pull and exhaust noise.
Top Gear
"It was really a fun, fun, uh, photo shoot, um, Top Gear flew over one of their journalists. [2867.3s] His name was Jason Barlow."
Top Gear is a long-running automotive TV brand known for car reviews, challenges, and large-scale production shoots. When Top Gear personnel get involved, it usually means the car will be photographed in dramatic, story-driven locations and setups.
air-cooled
"More teenage boys gravitated, flocked to, made comments about that old, air-cooled Porsche than any car I've owned, old, new."
Air-cooled means the engine is cooled mainly by air moving over it, not by coolant flowing through the engine. Older Porsches are known for this, and it’s part of their classic character.
“Air-cooled” describes engines that rely on airflow over the engine to remove heat instead of using liquid coolant. Porsche’s older 911s are famous for this design, and it’s often part of why they feel distinct and “mechanical” compared with modern water-cooled engines.
open road
"And I think you hit on something very, very important earlier when you talked about freedom, right? It's so part of our American culture to, you know, the car and the open road and the sense of freedom that comes from that, our ability to drive from here to wherever we want, right?"
People talk about the “open road” when they mean the feeling of freedom you get from just driving and going places. It’s a big part of why cars matter to a lot of people.
The “open road” is a cultural idea in car life: the freedom to drive without a fixed plan and explore. In automotive discussions, it often ties to why people enjoy driving even as vehicles become more automated.
range
"When your 13 year old boys become 16 and they get in a car and they realize, well, you know what, if I put some fuel in this thing, I can drive for about 300 miles and where could that get me? You know, and if I save some more money, I could put fuel in it when I get there and come back, right?"
Range is how far a car can go before it needs more fuel or a recharge. If you know the range, it’s easier to plan where you can drive and come back.
“Range” is how far a vehicle can travel before needing to refuel or recharge. The speaker uses a fuel-based example (about 300 miles) to illustrate how range enables planning trips and exploring the “open road.”
self-driving cars
"And so I think, I think they are going to gravitate towards cars. You know, and that second question about, you know, are these young folks confident in auto manufacturers' ability to build flawless self-driving cars?"
Self-driving cars are cars that can drive themselves using sensors and computers. The point here is that some people don’t fully trust it yet, while younger people may be more comfortable with the idea.
Self-driving cars refer to automated driving systems that can steer, accelerate, and brake with little or no human input. The discussion contrasts skepticism about whether manufacturers can make these systems “flawless,” especially from older drivers versus younger people.
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.