0:00 / 0:00
Jason Cammisa Returns!

Jason Cammisa Returns!

The Smoking Tire Jul 15, 2025 120 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Jason Cammisa returns to The Smoking Tire Podcast for a lively discussion covering a range of automotive topics. The episode features insights on the Tesla Cybertruck, the Alpine A110, and a humorous recount of a car crash incident. Cammisa shares updates on his automotive projects, including his experiences with Jay Leno's garage. The conversation also touches on the cultural differences between New Yorkers and Californians, and the challenges of modern automotive journalism. Expect a mix of humor, car culture, and candid anecdotes from the automotive world.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Alpine A110

"... Cyber Truck. We're also talking about the Alpine A110 that I'm handing off to him. He's telling a story..."

The Alpine A110 is a small sports car that is really fun to drive because it's light and quick. It's making a comeback and is loved by people who enjoy driving.

Car

Chrysler New Yorker

"...and hate them all. If you were found that being a New Yorker and living and working in California is like havi..."

The Chrysler New Yorker is an old, big car that was known for being luxurious and comfortable. It's popular with people who collect vintage cars.

Concept

Sonoma Raceway

"...I only drove the goddamn thing on location at Sonoma Raceway other than driving once on the road. This was an engineering story."

Sonoma Raceway is a racetrack in California where cars are tested and raced. It's famous for its twists and turns, making it a favorite for car enthusiasts and racers.

Car

Ford Raptor R

"Actually give me a Raptor R because I'm that much. Oh, you really are a dick bag. Yeah. That's a dick bag vehicle."

The Ford Raptor R is a tough and fast truck made for off-roading. It's known for its strong engine and ability to handle rough terrains.

Car

Ford F-150 Raptor

"I give me a review. Actually give me a Raptor R because I'm that much. Oh, you really are a dic..."

The Ford F-150 Raptor is a special version of a popular truck that can drive really well on rough roads and trails. It's known for being powerful and fun to drive, especially if you like off-roading.

Car

Ford F-150 Lightning

"You know, if I want an electric truck, lightning is wonderful. A Raptor."

The Ford F-150 Lightning is a fully electric truck that can be used for work. It's popular for its power and features that help with heavy tasks.

Car

Rivian

"The Rivians, the best electric recreational truck. Yes. And the cyber truck is the best one."

Rivian is a company that makes electric trucks. The R1T is their model that is built for outdoor adventures.

Car

Tesla Model S

"If they had put that tech into Model S, would that have leveled up the Model S in a way that would have reinvigorated that?"

The Tesla Model S is a high-end electric car that offers a lot of technology and performance. It's been around for a while and is known for being one of the best electric cars available.

Car

Tesla Model 3

"I mean Model S is, let's face it, 700 years old. Let me also say, but I'm a firm believer that Model 3 is the best car on planet Earth."

The Tesla Model 3 is a smaller and more affordable electric car from Tesla. It's known for being fun to drive and having a lot of modern technology.

Car

BMW M3

"It did beat the M3 in that comparison. So I did a comparison."

The BMW M3 is a fast and sporty car that many people love to drive. It's designed for performance and is often compared with other high-speed cars.

Car

Lucid Air

"... drag race video where the M3 beat the Tesla. And air all the fucking Tesla people wanted me dead. And ..."

The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really far on a single charge. It's part of the growing market for high-end electric vehicles and has a lot of cool features.

Car

Audi RS4

"B7 RS4, I like. I thought it wasn't universally, like it probably wasn't very good on a racetrack, but it would be lovely on a road trip or up to six or seven tenths or whatever."

The Audi RS4 is a fast and sporty car that's great for driving on the road. It's powerful and fun to drive, especially on long trips.

Car

Audi R8 V10

"Meanwhile, the only press car I've ever crashed is the R8 V10. They were unbelievable."

The Audi R8 V10 is a fast sports car with a strong engine. It's known for being fun to drive and has a reputation for being very powerful.

Car

Audi S8

"But how about this? The 2015-16 S8 was a fine automobile."

The Audi S8 is a fancy car that is fast and has a lot of cool technology. The 2015-2016 versions are known for being powerful and comfortable.

Term

horsepower

"580 horsepower. The thing was like low three seconds to 60."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster.

Term

0-60 time

"The thing was like low three seconds to 60. Good thing."

0-60 time is how long it takes a car to go from stopped to going 60 miles per hour. It's a way to see how fast a car can speed up.

Term

LED interior lighting

"First Audi to have the fucking LED interior."

LED interior lighting means using special lights inside the car that are bright and energy-efficient. They make the inside of the car look nice and modern.

Term

steering calibration

"So steering calibration, brake pedal calibration,..."

Steering calibration is about making sure the steering wheel feels right and responds correctly when you turn it.

Term

brake pedal calibration

"So steering calibration, brake pedal calibration,..."

Brake pedal calibration is about making sure the brake pedal feels good and the brakes work well when you push it.

Term

electric door latches

"But I think that was before the generation of cars that had the electric door latches. Yeah, that one."

Electric door latches are parts of a car that help open the doors using electricity instead of a manual handle. They make it easier to unlock and open doors, especially in newer cars.

Term

solenoid

"When you pull the door latch, it sends a solenoid, a half a second command to unlock, and that's it."

A solenoid is a small device that moves when electricity flows through it. In cars, it helps unlock doors by pushing or pulling on the latch when you press a button.

Car

Tesla Cybertruck

"Yeah, sure. And I judge the Cybertruck in that way. And it was the engineering that I wa..."

The Tesla Cybertruck is a new type of electric truck that looks very different from regular trucks. It's designed to be tough and has a lot of cool technology, which is why people are talking about it.

Car

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

"...I liked the Ioniq 5 N better on the racetrack. It was faster."

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a sportier version of the Ioniq 5, which is an electric car. It's built to perform better, especially when driving fast on a racetrack.

Term

supercharger

"There's a supercharger, huge supercharger bank at one of the targets. Two of them, actually."

A supercharger is a part that helps an engine get more air, which means it can burn more fuel and go faster. It's often found in sports cars to make them more powerful.

Term

EV

"by the way, and you have another EV."

An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. They are usually better for the environment and can save money on fuel.

Car

Volkswagen Egolf

"And probably still is better excluding higher peak speeds that I can get with an 800-volt arc. I pulled up to an EVGO DC fast charger in my e-golf next to a friend and a supercharger. And by the time this fucking thing connected to my car,"

The Volkswagen e-Golf is an electric version of the regular Golf car. It's practical and good for the environment, making it a great choice for people who want to drive an electric car.

Term

DC fast charger

"I pulled up to an EVGO DC fast charger in my e-golf next to a friend and a supercharger."

A DC fast charger is a special charger for electric cars that can charge the battery much faster than regular chargers. This means you can get more range in a shorter time.

Term

Plug-in charge

"Plug-in charge. Which is where my credit card is..."

Plug-in charge means connecting your electric car to a charger to refill its battery. You use a cable to connect the car to a power source.

Company

EVgo

"So the EA... EA EVGO and..."

EVgo is a company that sets up charging stations for electric cars, so you can easily charge your car when you're out and about.

Company

ChargePoint

"EA EVGO and... ChargePoint. All of them, if I plug-in..."

ChargePoint is a company that provides charging stations for electric cars, making it easier for people to charge their vehicles when they are away from home.

Car

Tesla Model Y

"I was like, oh man, that's a... Because the Model Y is really nice, but it rides like dog shit. Not g..."

The Tesla Model Y is a small electric SUV that can carry more people and stuff than a regular car. It's popular because it's eco-friendly and has a lot of cool tech features.

Term

time attack series

"It was a time attack series, because they put superchargers there. So you could, but I just think, I don't know if it's still happening."

In a time attack series, drivers try to complete a lap around a racetrack as quickly as possible. It's not about racing against others at the same time; it's about getting the best time you can.

Term

EV adoption

"This is part of my big problem with the whole EV adoption thing. If it's not a better solution, then we shouldn't have it."

EV adoption means more people are starting to buy and use electric cars instead of traditional gasoline cars. This is happening because electric cars are becoming better and more popular.

Term

CVT

"...Get all these assholes out of their fucking CVT Subaru's that are plugging up every goddamn fast lane in California doing 38 miles an hour..."

A CVT is a special kind of automatic transmission that helps your car accelerate smoothly without the usual gear changes you feel in regular cars. It can help save fuel and make driving easier.

Term

ICE cars

"...Get them out of these fucking ice cars and put them in an EV with it..."

ICE cars are regular cars that run on gasoline or diesel. They work by burning fuel to create power, unlike electric cars that use batteries.

Car

Porsche 911S

"Put them in EVs. I don't think we need to replace 9.11s with electric. No, sir."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people love for how it looks and drives. It's been around for a long time, and some people think it shouldn't be changed to electric.

Car

Ford F150

"I don't know how safety obsessed this country is. Meanwhile, every F-150 is basically a six-foot tall, blunt object mass murderer. Oh, and no one has amperture and signals."

The Ford F-150 is a very popular truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. It's big and strong, but some people worry about how safe it is because of its size.

Part

Euro mirrors

"However, my mandatory mod for all modern Porsche's is 100% is Euro mirrors. You go to suncoast, shout out to them, and you get the European version of your car's mirrors."

Euro mirrors are special side mirrors that help drivers see better and reduce blind spots. They are often used as upgrades for cars to make them safer.

Car

BMW E30

"No. He did my E30 cause he'd never been in any third. He'd never be..."

The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car that drives really well and feels nice inside. People talk about it because it's a good mix of being fun to drive and comfortable.

Car

BMW 850 CSI

"...he did my 850 CSI. Are you driving these things down to him?"

The BMW 850 CSI is a sporty luxury car from the early 90s. It has a powerful engine and is designed for comfortable long-distance driving.

Car

Rover SD1

"Have you ever been in a rover SD1? Absolutely not."

The Rover SD1 is a car made in Britain between 1976 and 1986. It was designed to look stylish and was part of a larger group of British car manufacturers.

Car

Jaguar Etype

"Yeah, you turned a flat front Rover headlight into a Jaguar E-type headlight. That's crazy."

The Jaguar E-Type is an old sports car that many people think is one of the prettiest cars ever. It's famous for how it looks and how well it drives.

Car

Mitsubishi Delica

"Yeah. We had a claim when Hannah got hit in the Delica and they paid me within six hours."

The Mitsubishi Delica is a van that can handle rough roads and has a lot of space inside. It's popular with people who like to go on adventures or need room for their family.

Car

Ford Explorer

"We can't keep up with you. In the EcoBoost Explorer. Solid fuck down."

The Ford Explorer is a medium-sized SUV that has a lot of room for people and their stuff. It's popular with families because it's practical and can handle different types of driving.

Car

Chevrolet C5

"...ou certainly shouldn't do it now. And Rob had his C5 Corvette with like straight pipes, a turbo and li..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a well-known sports car that many people admire for how fast and stylish it is. It's a symbol of American car culture and has changed a lot over time.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...me the 39, the 4.3, and the 4.6, which are in the Range Rover. Yeah, yeah."

The Land Rover Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive well on rough roads and looks really nice inside. People like it because it combines luxury with the ability to go off-road.

Car

Land Defenders

"What was the worst... The worst defenders... I mean, Kuntosh's..."

The Land Rover Defender is a tough SUV that can handle rough terrain and has a classic look. It's popular with people who love outdoor adventures and need a reliable vehicle.

Car

Lamborghini Kuntoshs

"The worst defenders... I mean, Kuntosh's... The truck was 16 valve."

The Lamborghini Countach is a famous supercar that many people recognize because of its unique look. It's known for being very fast and is a symbol of luxury and style from the 1980s.

Car

Mercedes-Benz SL

"...percharged. There never was a naturally aspirated SL only. 55."

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a fancy convertible car that looks great and drives really well. It's known for being luxurious and has been around for a long time.

Car

Chrysler Crossfire

"One of the diesel six beads or. Crossfire six bead. That's okay."

The Chrysler Crossfire is a sporty car that has a unique look. It's known for being fun to drive and is appreciated by people who like different kinds of cars.

Car

Ferrari F430S

"...errari stuff I got a so so I've driven a bunch of F430s that were swapped This is one of these things tha..."

The Ferrari F430 is a fast sports car that many people admire for how it drives and looks. It's a part of Ferrari's famous collection of high-performance cars.

Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...vant says Since year v whead would you ever add a golf or or or 32 to your collection I No because I am ..."

The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that's easy to drive and good on gas. Many people like it because it's practical and has a fun feel when you're behind the wheel.

Car

Lotus Elise

"...ld you choose? I would have engine swap the Lotus Elise. I would have Case Honda."

The Lotus Elise is a small, very light sports car that is really fun to drive. It's designed for people who love speed and handling, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Car

Hyundai Ionic 5

"No, it's not as... The thing with the Ionic 5N, or the Ionic 5, was the size it looks."
Car

Audi A2

"...K, Fridolin Cox says, in any of you ever drive an Audi A2, that would be in a European."

The Audi A2 is a small car that was designed to be very efficient and clever with space. It's known for being lightweight and is appreciated by car enthusiasts.

Car

Volkswagen Gtis

"...so much sense of it. I mean, I want to pull those GTIs. Do you?"

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a faster, sportier version of the regular Golf. It's popular with people who enjoy driving because it feels more exciting and fun.

Car

Jaguar Mark I

"...tle GTIs, because I want something the size of my Mark I. My Mark VII golf is too big."

The Jaguar Mark I is an old sedan that many people admire for its beautiful design and how it drives. It's popular with fans of classic cars.

Car

Chrysler Pacifica

"...ven on the track that were slower than the grippy Pacifica camera car? It's actually a Grand Caravan, even w..."

The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that has a lot of room for families and their stuff. It's popular because it has many features that make it easy and comfortable to use.

Car

Aston Martin Vanquish

"...Okay, I'll list them off the pink spider NSX, the vanquish with the manual. I mean, the manks exist, althoug..."

The Aston Martin Vanquish is a very fancy sports car that looks beautiful and goes really fast. It's known for being luxurious and is often seen as a status symbol.

Car

Acura NSX

"...s. Okay. Okay, I'll list them off the pink spider NSX, the vanquish with the manual. I mean, the manks ..."
Car

Gordon T50

"...ports car in the world, maybe potentially without T50. Roof. Yeah, let's say best sports car for less t..."

The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 is a super lightweight sports car designed for amazing speed and handling. It's made for people who really love driving and want a pure experience.

Car

Volkswagen Id Buzz

"...t have no one care about it. Like I did that with ID buzz. Well, well, yeah, like you could probably do a r..."

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a new electric version of the classic VW Bus. It looks similar to the old bus but has modern electric features, making it part of the new wave of electric cars.

Car

Toyota MR2

"That looks similar. I Toyota MR2 and a Fiat X1 9. I'm thinking about like Alpha 8 ..."
Car

Lucid Gravity

"...ag race. Sapphire. No, not even the sapphire. The gravity, rem edition, scared the shirt out of me while I ..."

The Lucid Gravity is a new electric SUV that promises to be very fancy and full of high-tech features. It's part of a trend where more luxury cars are becoming electric.

38 cars featured

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.

Explore Terms

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.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars