GrandSport Returns, Stunting Your Driving Growth, Bucketing Car Enthusiasts | Episode 1,039
About this episode
Corvette fans get the headline: the 2027 C8 Grand Sport and Grand Sport X replace the E-Ray, bringing a new 6.7L LS6 V8 (535 hp) plus major aero and braking options, while the GSX adds a front electric motor for 721 total hp and EV-only stealth up to 50 mph. The hosts debate why the Stingray still exists and note GM’s wild “four powerplants in one generation” situation. Elsewhere: Sony/Honda kills its only EV, AC Schnitzer exits due to regulations and market shifts, and Dodge revives the Durango 392. Big listener Q&A covers buying fun commuter cars and bargain EVs, plus track-event updates.
Porsche
"Yes, yes. We are going to talk about Porsche to the end on peak, but not today. Not today."
Porsche is a German car company that makes sports cars. People talk about it a lot because their cars are built for performance and driving feel.
Porsche is a German automaker best known for sports cars and performance engineering. In enthusiast circles, the brand often comes up when discussing handling, engine character, and build quality.
Volvo
"but we do have Porsche through Volvo to cover, which is Porsche Ram Rivian Rolls Royce Saab. Special request from somebody on YouTube."
Volvo is a car brand from Sweden. It’s especially known for safety features and practical everyday cars.
Volvo is a Swedish automaker known for safety-focused design and family-oriented vehicles. When it’s mentioned alongside performance brands, it usually signals a broader “everyday driver” comparison rather than a pure track discussion.
Rolls Royce
"which is Porsche Ram Rivian Rolls Royce Saab. Special request from somebody on YouTube. I forget your YouTube name, but yeah, thank you."
Rolls-Royce is a luxury car brand known for very high-end, comfortable cars. It’s the kind of brand people associate with top-tier refinement.
Rolls-Royce is a British luxury brand associated with ultra-high-end comfort and craftsmanship. Mentioning it in the same breath as mainstream brands highlights the spectrum of “everyday driver” tastes—from practical to aspirational.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...swapping over here to the 2027 C8 Corvette Grand Sport and Grand Sport X announced the e-ray is dead..."
That’s a specific version of the Chevrolet Corvette. “C8” is the generation, and “Grand Sport” is the more performance-oriented trim. The 2027 model is the newest year they’re talking about.
This refers to the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport in the C8 generation. The C8 Corvette is the mid-engine Corvette platform, and “Grand Sport” is a performance-focused trim within the Corvette lineup.
carbon fiber splitter
"So a lot of the aero upgrades from the Z06 with a carbon fiber splitter, dive planes, rockers, wing, underbody strikes."
A splitter is a front aero piece that helps the car stay planted. It works by directing air so the car gets more grip, especially at speed.
A carbon fiber splitter is a front aerodynamic extension that helps manage airflow under the car. By shaping the airflow, it can increase downforce and improve stability at higher speeds.
engine cover
"No interior pictures, but I do have one of the very cool engine cover here. It does look great."
An engine cover is the panel you can see on top of the engine. It’s often styled to look good, and sometimes it also helps with how the engine bay is arranged.
An engine cover is the visible panel over the engine bay that can be purely cosmetic or also help with packaging, airflow, and noise management. The speaker calls it “very cool,” suggesting the design is a notable part of the car’s presentation.
GM
"I mean, this engine sounds great, and GM has had so many problems with their 6.2, they need a new engine to put in a lot of their product."
GM is General Motors, the company that makes the Corvette. They’re talking about GM’s history with engine problems and what that means for future Corvette engines.
GM refers to General Motors, the automaker behind the Corvette. In this segment, the hosts are discussing GM’s engine track record and how that affects Corvette product decisions.
power plant
"Totally different power plant. Yes. It makes the car feel very different and I'm imagining this will be kind of even more of the hot rodder kind of muscle car kind of feel..."
“Power plant” just means the car’s main mechanical setup for making power—mostly the engine. They’re saying different engines make the Corvette feel different.
“Power plant” is a general term for the engine and related drivetrain components that make the car move. In this conversation, it’s used to contrast how different Corvette engine setups change the car’s personality.
manual transmission
"imagine this refined base engine now, 6.7 with a manual transmission for the C9."
A manual transmission means you shift gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a stick. They’re hoping the next Corvette can be had with that more engaging setup.
A manual transmission lets the driver select gears using a clutch and gear lever, rather than relying on an automatic. The hosts are hoping the refined base engine will be offered with a manual in the next Corvette generation.
swan song of the generation
"The Grand Sport is always the swan song of the generation."
It means “the last big thing” before the car gets replaced. Manufacturers often release a special version near the end of a model’s life to keep people interested.
“Swan song of the generation” is a phrase meaning the final major model/trim released near the end of a car’s production cycle. Automakers often use late-cycle variants to refresh interest before a full redesign arrives.
Honda
"Honda won't give them the tech and the tools that dastardly Honda. They just won't give us anything that we want."
Honda is referenced here as the technology and tooling provider (or non-provider) in the Sony Honda Mobility arrangement. The key point is that the speakers claim Honda won’t supply what the joint project needs, affecting the EV’s viability.
EVs
"The biggest thing here is this is all marketing press release speak for people don't buy EVs. So we're not going to make one anymore."
EVs are cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline. The hosts are discussing whether people are actually buying them and what that means for future models.
EVs (electric vehicles) are cars powered primarily by electricity stored in a battery. The segment frames EVs as a market that the speaker says they’re not going to pursue further, based on perceived demand and marketing messaging.
AC Schnitzer
"The point is, this is all the parts from AC Schnitzer. And this car, everyone we know that drove it, came away wowed by this M2."
AC Schnitzer is a German company that makes aftermarket upgrades for BMWs. They supply performance parts, and the hosts are talking about their situation and how it affects BMW tuning.
AC Schnitzer is a German aftermarket performance and tuning company known for developing parts for BMWs. In this segment, they’re described as providing the parts used on the featured car, and the discussion shifts to why the company is stopping support.
Dodge Durango
"On the flip side, due to market forces, Dodge is putting a 392 back in the Durango. This was dead, by the way."
The Dodge Durango is a big family SUV. Here, they’re saying Dodge is putting a stronger V8 back into it, so it’ll feel more powerful than typical family SUVs.
The Dodge Durango is a midsize three-row SUV from Dodge. In this segment, the speaker is talking about Dodge reintroducing a higher-performance V8 setup in the Durango, which changes how the vehicle feels and competes with other family SUVs.
Sentient Performance
"Sentient Performance is the new tuning company. So, because they could have tuned that i3, the new BMW i3."
They’re a company that does “tuning,” which usually means tweaking a car’s settings—often through software—to make it drive or perform better.
Sentient Performance is described here as a new tuning company. In the automotive world, “tuning” usually means software calibration and/or hardware changes intended to improve performance or drivability.
Ferrari
"[903.0s] Ferrari has never been accused of not figuring out how to extract dollars."
Ferrari is a famous Italian sports car company. They make very expensive cars, and people really want them, so they can charge a lot for features.
Ferrari is an Italian performance car brand known for high-end pricing and strong demand. In this segment, it’s used to frame how automakers monetize features and design choices.
Nürburgring
"We've been to the ring many times. Yeah. Yeah. It's a thing. It's a culture. If you get in with 20 kilometers, maybe 50 kilometers of Nürburgr."
The Nürburgring is a legendary race track in Germany. It’s also surrounded by a whole car community—people travel there just to drive, watch, and talk cars.
The Nürburgring is a famous motorsport venue in Germany, known for its long, challenging track layout and huge enthusiast culture. When people talk about “getting in” within a certain distance of the Nürburgring, they’re usually referring to the region’s car-focused lifestyle and events.
Powerstop brakes
"For all our adventures this year, we've upgraded our cars with brake kits from Powerstop brakes. Powerstop offers reliable, durable upgrade kits for nearly every vehicle on the road..."
Powerstop makes aftermarket brake parts. They sell kits that usually include rotors and pads so your car can stop better and often stay cleaner than the original parts.
Powerstop is an aftermarket brake brand that sells upgrade kits for many vehicles. Their kits typically bundle rotors and pads designed to improve braking performance and reduce brake dust compared with many stock setups.
brake kits
"For all our adventures this year, we've upgraded our cars with brake kits from Powerstop brakes. Powerstop offers reliable, durable upgrade kits..."
A brake kit is a set of brake parts sold together, usually rotors and pads. It’s a convenient way to upgrade your brakes without guessing what fits.
A brake kit is an aftermarket package—commonly rotors plus pads—sold together for a specific vehicle. Kits are popular because they’re easier to match to your car and can target specific goals like stronger stopping power or less brake dust.
brake finder
"...go to powerstop.com and fill out their brake finder. You'll be matched to complete kits and components to fit your car..."
A brake finder is an online tool that matches your vehicle (year/make/model) to the correct brake kit components. It helps reduce fitment mistakes and ensures you get parts intended for your specific application.
Portland International Raceway
"...the Pacific Northwest region is running at Portland International Raceway. ... April 4th, they're running at Portland"
Portland International Raceway is a race track in the Portland area. The hosts are saying the event is happening there on April 4th.
Portland International Raceway (PIR) is a motorsports circuit in the Pacific Northwest used for racing and track events. Mentioning the date and location helps listeners understand where the event is happening.
Ridge Motorsports Park
"...at Ridge Motorsports Park out in Shelton, Washington. ... the following weekend, they're out in Shelton at Ridge."
Ridge Motorsports Park is a race track in Washington. They’re saying the next weekend’s event is there in Shelton.
Ridge Motorsports Park is a road course in Shelton, Washington, known for hosting track events and driving experiences. The segment highlights it as the following weekend’s location.
coaching
"...they would love to have you and great coaching and a great community, great atmosphere there as well."
Coaching means an experienced person helps you drive better on the track. They’ll point out things like where to brake and how to take corners.
Coaching at a track event typically means an experienced instructor rides along or gives guidance on lines, braking points, and cornering technique. It can accelerate learning and help drivers avoid common mistakes.
track day
"That is spa two days and the ring for an actual track day plus tourist days."
A track day is when you drive your car on a real race track, but in a controlled, non-racing event. It’s a great way to learn how your car behaves at speed with safety rules in place.
A track day is an event where drivers take their cars onto a closed circuit for timed laps or open sessions, usually with coaching and safety rules. It’s different from racing because the focus is on driving experience and learning rather than competition.
commute
"It's perfect for his commute. If we made a list of what does the car need to do to be good for a commute?"
A commute is your everyday drive to work. When people choose a car for commuting, they usually care most about things like comfort, easy driving, and not spending too much on fuel.
A commute is the regular daily trip to work or school, and it strongly shapes what “good” means in a car. For commuters, factors like fuel economy, ease of driving in traffic, cabin comfort, and reliability tend to matter most.
reliability
"Every time he thinks he found a great alpha, he wonders if it will be as reliable as what he drives now... I don't care the brand alpha or whatever is going to need some care."
Reliability means how often the car needs repairs and how dependable it is day to day. They’re worried that a more “performance” brand might be less trouble-free than their current car.
Reliability is how consistently a car avoids breakdowns and major repairs over time. Here, it’s the key deciding factor: the buyer wants something fun, but worries that an Alfa/BMW/MINI-style performance choice may not match the dependability of their current Honda.
Honda Civic
"I mean, obviously Honda Civic is probably just going to keep running in spite of you, a performance car."
They’re using the Honda Civic as the “reliable one” in the comparison. The point is that it’s likely to keep working with fewer surprises than some sportier cars.
The Honda Civic is being used as the reliability benchmark in the conversation. The speaker suggests it will keep running despite being driven hard, while some performance-oriented brands may require more attention.
commuting
"He's still commuting a lot in the Maryland, D.C. Area automatic needs to stay, understand."
Commuting just means your regular daily drive, like to work. If you drive a lot every day, you usually want a car that’s comfortable, reliable, and not expensive to run.
Commuting is the daily driving you do to get to work or school. It matters because it strongly influences what kind of car makes sense—fuel economy, comfort, reliability, and maintenance costs tend to weigh more than outright performance.
turbo
"Chris sends us a bit of car history, including an 86 Volvo station wagon with the turbo, you had a black O eight Honda element EX element."
A turbo is a device that helps the engine make more power. It uses the car’s exhaust to “boost” airflow into the engine.
A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, forcing more air into the engine. That typically increases power and torque compared with a non-turbo engine of similar size.
EV
"And if she already likes BMW and that feel, it's going to be an EV with a lot of power, fairly decent range."
EV means electric vehicle. Instead of gas, it runs on electricity stored in a battery, which usually gives quick acceleration.
EV stands for electric vehicle—cars powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery instead of a gasoline engine. In this segment, EV is used to frame expectations around acceleration, range, and charging practicality.
convertible
"Uh, Bradley J 1983 says, we always say we're not that into a convertible open top. And he says, why is that?"
A convertible is a car where the roof can be lowered or removed. The big difference is you get more open-air driving, plus more wind and noise.
A convertible is a car with a roof that can be removed or folded down, letting you drive “open top.” Enthusiasts often debate whether the open-air experience improves driving feel or just changes comfort and noise levels.
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