Joe Achilles BMW M3 Factory Tour & Volvo’s made in China?! | Ep 87 | Drive Torque Podcast

The hosts reference a “Venice car scene,” but in this excerpt it’s more of a location-based joke than a specific automotive topic. It’s used to set context for a story about being recognized while traveling.

“Goodwood” is mentioned as an example of where you might bump into subscribers. In automotive culture, Goodwood typically refers to the Goodwood events in the UK, which are known for cars and motorsport.

The hosts talk about how subscriber/follower counts can feel abstract, but they represent real people. They contrast “numbers” with the human side of building an audience.

The segment discusses how some brands rely on influencers with huge Instagram followings. The hosts question whether those followers translate into real-world recognition.

Michelin is a major tire manufacturer and motorsport sponsor. In this segment, they mention Michelin-branded apparel and a shoe whose sole is designed by Michelin, tying the brand to performance and traction engineering.

Babala appears to be the shoe brand being discussed. The hosts connect it to Michelin by saying the sole design is by Michelin, implying a performance-focused collaboration at the footwear level.

PPF (paint protection film) is a clear protective film applied to vulnerable areas of a car to help prevent chips, scratches, and light abrasions. On a windshield, the goal is impact protection while keeping the view as clear as possible.

GT Tours is referenced as the organizer of a multi-day road trip. For enthusiasts, tour operators often influence route choice, pacing, and how cars are prepared for long-distance driving.

“Optically clear” refers to how well a film transmits light without noticeable distortion. For windshield protection, the film and adhesive must be engineered to minimize blur and visual distortion, especially because the windshield is curved and viewed at an angle.

After windshield PPF installation, the adhesive needs time to cure so the film bonds fully and the optical quality stabilizes. The host notes it takes about 24 hours to dry properly before it “clears up” further.

“Aero-y” is shorthand for cars that rely heavily on aerodynamic features—like spoilers, diffusers, and underbody shaping—to generate downforce. More downforce helps tires maintain grip in corners, which is why these cars feel especially stable on twisty routes and track sessions.

“Screen protection” in this context likely refers to protecting the car’s front glass/windshield or track/road-trip screens from bugs, debris, and stone chips. On high-performance tours, drivers often add protective films or covers because aero cars can throw up more debris and the speeds/road conditions increase the risk of damage.

The Pyrenees are a mountain range between France and Spain, famous for twisty roads and elevation changes that make them ideal for driving events. This segment frames why certain cars feel “quicker” in real-world mountain driving even if they aren’t the fastest in a straight line.

A “global fuel crisis” refers to supply disruptions and/or geopolitical events that reduce how much fuel is available worldwide. When that happens, fuel prices can become volatile, and diesel often gets hit harder because of demand shifts and supply chain effects.

Diesel cars use compression ignition and typically have different fuel pricing and demand dynamics than petrol cars. In this discussion, the host says diesel is “hit badly,” implying diesel supply or demand is being affected more strongly during the fuel disruption.

“No more fuel shipments” describes a logistics breakdown where fuel can’t be transported reliably to where it’s needed. The segment connects this to negotiations and decision-making, suggesting that supply routes and timing can change quickly, which then drives sustained price pressure.

The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size sedan/wagon that’s often used as a practical, long-distance car. In this segment, it’s mentioned specifically because it can go a long distance on one tank, which highlights real-world fuel economy and range considerations.

The host attributes long-term changes in fuel availability to how oil moves through a specific shipping route (“that particular waterway”). For drivers, this matters because route disruptions can permanently alter delivery reliability, which affects both availability and pricing.

Diesel fuel is a petroleum product used in many cars, trucks, and industrial equipment. The hosts connect it to broader fuel supply and stability concerns, noting that other fuels like jet fuel can behave similarly in terms of supply risk.

Jet fuel is another refined petroleum product, and the segment suggests it comes from similar refining streams as diesel. That matters because disruptions in refining, supply, or logistics can affect multiple fuel types at once, impacting flights and travel.

“Knock-on effects” are secondary impacts that spread from an initial disruption to other systems. Here, the speaker connects fuel and logistics issues to broader changes in travel and everyday operations over a short time window.

Red diesel is dyed diesel fuel used for certain off-road or non-taxed applications, because it’s exempt from the same fuel taxes as regular road diesel. The discussion implies that changes in availability or rules can force users to switch to taxed fuel, raising costs.

“Net zero” refers to balancing greenhouse-gas emissions with removals so overall emissions reach zero. The speaker argues that because oil-based products are embedded in everyday life (including food logistics and materials), simply “getting rid of oil” isn’t straightforward in the near term.

Fuel duty is a tax added to the price of gasoline or diesel. When governments reduce or remove it, they lose that tax revenue and have to replace it with other taxes or spending cuts, which is why it’s politically and economically complicated.

Fuel subsidies are government programs that lower the cost of gasoline or diesel for consumers and/or businesses. The hosts discuss Malaysia’s fuel subsidies in the context of the broader fuel crisis, implying they can significantly affect pricing and affordability.

Etihad is an airline brand mentioned as the speaker’s original flight provider before changing plans. It’s not a car-related topic, but it appears in the travel context leading into the China visit and car-market research.

BYD is a major Chinese automaker known for electric vehicles and batteries. The hosts mention BYD alongside MG to explain that the electric cars that exist in Malaysia are largely Chinese brands.

MG is a Chinese automaker brand that sells vehicles in many markets, including the UK and Southeast Asia. In this segment, the hosts use MG as an example of the Chinese brands showing up in Malaysia’s electric-car market.

The segment suggests that electric-car availability and adoption depend heavily on charging infrastructure and population density. The hosts connect these factors to why Malaysia isn’t “as hot on electric yet,” even though Chinese brands dominate the electric-car presence.

The hosts argue that Malaysia’s economic and cultural reliance on oil and fuel makes it less naturally inclined toward rapid EV adoption. They cite Petronas as a major company, framing it as similar to how the Middle East’s oil economy shapes transportation habits.

Proton is a Malaysian automaker that produces cars for the local market. The hosts mention Proton’s history and ownership ties, including its later acquisition of Lotus, which helped shape Proton’s engineering and performance development.

Lotus is a British sports-car and engineering company that Proton acquired in the late 1990s, according to the hosts. That kind of ownership link can affect platform development, tuning, and how “handling” is engineered in cars built under the parent company’s umbrella.

The hosts explain that Malaysia has high import taxes, which makes locally built cars much cheaper than imported European models. This affects what cars people buy, how many choices exist, and why local-market vehicles dominate the road.

Mercedes-Benz is named as one of the European brands that becomes dramatically more expensive in Malaysia in the hosts’ comparison. The mention supports the broader point about how taxes and right/left-hand-drive constraints affect pricing and availability.

Peugeot is one of the European brands the hosts name as an example of cars that cost significantly more in Malaysia due to taxes and import costs. Mentioning brands like Peugeot helps illustrate the price gap between local-market and imported European options.

Renault is another European brand cited as part of the comparison set for what imported cars cost versus local-market vehicles. It’s used to emphasize how import taxes can multiply pricing across many mainstream European makes.

Audi is included in the hosts’ list of European brands used to illustrate the cost difference between imported cars and local-market vehicles. It’s part of the “price ladder” they describe as taxes push up costs.

BMW is mentioned as an example of a brand whose cars can cost “hundreds of thousands” in local currency in Malaysia due to import taxes. The point is that luxury performance brands can be especially affected by tariff-driven pricing.

The hosts connect Malaysia’s right-hand-drive market to import limitations, saying cars are harder to bring in because many vehicles are configured for left-hand-drive regions. This is a practical constraint that shapes the available used and new-car inventory.

“Left-hand drive” refers to cars with the steering wheel on the left side, which is typical in countries that drive on the right. The transcript connects this to how traffic rules and historical influences affect vehicle layouts across regions.

The claim that a large share of the global car market is right-hand drive highlights how widespread steering-wheel layout differences are worldwide. It’s a useful reminder that “wrong-side steering” is often just a mismatch with local driving norms, not a defect.

This references filming cars for a channel/series (likely “UT” as used by the host) as part of documenting what’s being sold and built in a specific market. For listeners, it frames the episode’s approach: using real-world observations rather than specs alone.

In China, the color of the license plate can indicate the vehicle’s powertrain. The speaker notes that green plates correspond to electric vehicles, while blue plates correspond to petrol or diesel.

The speaker describes how electric vehicles can make city driving feel dramatically quieter because they produce less engine noise at low speeds. They contrast the near-silence on main roads with the noticeable loudness when a car with an engine passes.

Petrol (gasoline) and diesel are two common internal-combustion fuel types. The host is contrasting the sound/traffic feel of vehicles with different powertrains, using it as a clue for what’s actually on the road.

Xiaomi is best known as a consumer electronics and smartphone company, but it has expanded into the automotive space. In China, multiple tech and consumer brands have been moving into EVs, which can change how quickly new models and charging ecosystems appear.

In dense urban areas, many residents don’t have private off-street parking, so EV charging often shifts to street-level charging, shared parking lots, or large charging hubs. This changes the real-world ownership experience compared with markets where most people can charge at home.

EV means electric vehicle—cars powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery rather than a gasoline or diesel engine. The discussion is about whether EV charging is practical in places without private driveways, like dense cities.

The segment contrasts relying on public charging (like chargers in malls and parking structures) versus having home charging. Home charging is usually faster and more convenient, while public charging can be slower and more dependent on where you go and when.

A three-pin plug refers to a standard household outlet connection used for charging in some regions. It typically delivers much less power than a dedicated EV charger, so charging can take many hours or even days depending on battery size and charger capability.

The Audi e-tron is an all-electric SUV from Audi. The host uses it to illustrate how slow charging can be when you rely on a basic wall outlet instead of a proper home charger.

The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV built by Tesla, designed for everyday driving with an all-electric powertrain. It often comes up in conversation because it’s one of Tesla’s most popular models and represents how mainstream electric vehicles have become. In a podcast, it’s a natural reference point when discussing ownership experiences and long-term practicality.

The Citroën AMI is a small, low-speed electric microcar designed for short trips and easy city use. It’s often discussed because it lowers the barrier to electric mobility with a simple, practical format. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as a car someone got insured on, suggesting it’s being used as an everyday option.

The Tesla Model 3 is an electric sedan, and “dual motor” means it uses two electric motors (typically one per axle) for stronger acceleration and better traction control. In many Model 3 configurations, dual-motor setups also help with all-wheel-drive behavior. Range depends heavily on driving speed, temperature, and HVAC (like air conditioning).

“Actual range” refers to the real-world distance the car can travel on a charge, which can differ from advertised figures. Factors like air conditioning use, driving speed, and weather can noticeably change how many miles you get. That’s why listeners often hear “range-ish” rather than a single guaranteed number.

This refers to London’s on-street charging or congestion-related charging schemes that can affect how convenient it is to drive and park. For EV owners, the practical cost and access to charging can depend on local rules and incentives. The speaker notes Tesla provides discounts tied to certain regulated charging areas.

“Last mile” and “localized city driving” describe short, frequent trips within dense urban areas rather than long highway runs. EVs often make the most sense here because stop-and-go traffic and shorter distances reduce the penalty of slower charging or limited range. The idea is that if more people switch to small electric cars for city use, streets can become quieter and more pleasant.

In the UK, new cars receive a new registration “plate” each year, and the plate format helps you estimate the car’s registration timing. Hosts use the appearance of a new plate as a quick real-world gauge for how many cars are being sold and registered.

The hosts emphasize that the RRP (list price) matters less than the monthly payment when buying on finance. For many buyers, the “what it costs per month” becomes the deciding factor for affordability and planning.

The hosts explicitly transition into a discussion about Chinese cars. This is a structural marker for the next segment rather than a specific technical term.

The Volvo ES90 is a Volvo-branded sedan/crossover-style model the hosts discuss as being built in China. They describe it as sitting in the same size/segment as large European executive cars, with a raised ride height and a fastback-like body shape.

The hosts focus on the idea that a car being built in China affects how people perceive value and cost. They argue that “made in China” doesn’t automatically mean worse quality, but it changes the pricing conversation versus Chinese-brand competitors.

A fastback-style roofline typically slopes smoothly toward the rear, giving the car a sportier silhouette than a traditional sedan. The hosts use it to describe the Volvo ES90’s shape, even though they call it a saloon.

Raised ride height is a suspension/packaging choice that increases ground clearance and can make entry and exit easier. The hosts connect it to the ES90’s slightly crossover-like feel and comfort-focused usability.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is used as a reference point for the ES90’s size and “executive car” segment. The hosts are essentially saying the Volvo targets the same buyer space as large Mercedes sedans.

The Tesla Model S is Tesla’s larger, more performance-oriented electric sedan, often used to illustrate the brand’s top-end approach to EVs. It’s significant because it’s one of the models that helped define what modern electric luxury and performance could look like. The podcast mentions it in the context of comparing model sizes and names.

A single-motor EV uses one electric motor to drive the wheels, usually simplifying packaging and reducing cost. Compared with dual-motor setups, it can feel less instantly forceful and may have different traction characteristics, but it often delivers better efficiency.

WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is the standardized testing method used to estimate a vehicle’s fuel economy and electric range. Real-world range is often lower because the test conditions don’t perfectly match how people drive in everyday weather and traffic.

Horsepower is a measure of engine (or motor) power output—how much work the vehicle can do over time. In EVs, horsepower is still used as a common way to communicate performance potential, even though the underlying power delivery is electric.

“0-62” is shorthand for how quickly a car accelerates from 0 mph (or 0 km/h) to 62 mph (100 km/h). It’s a common performance metric for comparing how responsive different cars feel, especially in the real world when you’re merging or overtaking.

“Primacy 5” refers to Michelin’s Primacy 5 tire line, and “Energies” is a variant focused on efficiency and low rolling resistance. Tire choice can noticeably affect ride comfort, noise, and real-world range for EVs.

The BMW 5 Series is the mainstream executive sedan platform that the BMW M5 is based on internally. The comparison highlights how the EV’s ride and refinement can feel “miles better” than the current 5 Series in day-to-day use.

The BMW i5 is BMW’s electric 5 Series. The host argues that if you’re shopping for a “5 Series customer,” the i5 is a compelling option, especially compared to alternatives like Volvo’s EVs.

“22 inch wheels” refers to larger wheel diameter, which typically pairs with lower-profile tires. Larger wheels can improve appearance and steering response, but they often make ride comfort worse—so the host’s surprise that the ride was still incredible is notable.

The BMW M5 is BMW’s high-performance 5 Series sedan from the M division, known for strong acceleration and a sporty chassis. In this segment, the host compares ride quality and daily livability against an M5 they’ve lived with, which highlights how suspension tuning affects comfort.

Drive modes are selectable settings that change how the car behaves—commonly throttle response, steering feel, and sometimes suspension firmness. In this segment, the host discovers the suspension is set to “firm” and switches to “soft,” which immediately improves ride quality.

“Suspension in firm” means the damping and/or spring behavior is set to resist body movement more aggressively. That typically reduces roll and improves control, but it can make the ride harsher—exactly why switching to soft improved comfort for the host.

The infotainment system is the car’s main interface for media, navigation, settings, and vehicle functions. The host notes it’s user-friendly, but that there are still features you often need someone to show you during a short test drive.

An electric steering column adjusts the steering wheel position using motors, often allowing easy customization for driver comfort. The host mentions not knowing it was adjustable, which is a practical “hidden feature” point for first-time owners.

Some modern cars use a smartphone app as a digital key. That lets you control comfort settings and even driver profiles so the car “sets itself” when you approach or unlock it.

Press launches are events where automakers invite journalists to drive and review new cars. The hosts debate whether these events are actually effective, using breakdown stories as examples.

Volvo is a Swedish automaker that the hosts reference in the context of a press trip. They mention borrowing a Volvo after a car (a “cherry press card”) broke down multiple times.

The BMW M3 is BMW’s performance “M” model, built with higher-output engines, sport-tuned chassis components, and motorsport-derived engineering. In this segment, the host is talking about filming a factory tour and how seeing the work that goes into an M3 helps explain why it commands a premium price.

A factory tour video is a “behind-the-scenes” look at how a car is built, often highlighting craftsmanship, assembly steps, and quality control. For performance cars like the BMW M3, this kind of content can help viewers connect the engineering and labor effort to the final price.

This refers to a prior episode/video the hosts mention as a “great example,” likely tied to a specific car and track context. It’s used as a reference point for how the team thinks about time, money, and expectations when producing content.

The Bugatti Veyron is a flagship hypercar famous for extreme performance and high-end engineering. Here it’s used as an example of how a high-profile car can drive huge view counts, illustrating the “numbers” effect the hosts are talking about.

A “premium” in car talk usually means you pay more money for a higher-trim or higher-performance version, and the expectation is that the extra cost is justified by real differences—engineering, materials, tuning, and features. In this segment, they argue the M3 premium is “reflected,” meaning it’s not just marketing.

In automotive culture, a “badge” is the visible emblem that signals a model or performance designation. The hosts are contrasting badge value versus actual mechanical/engineering differences, implying that the M3’s identity should correspond to tangible changes.

A “crated engine” typically refers to an engine supplied as a packaged unit (often shipped and installed as a complete assembly) rather than built from scratch for that specific car. The speaker is pushing back on the idea that an M3 is merely a standard car with a different packaged engine—suggesting broader engineering changes instead.