About this episode
Exploring the nuances of modern car manuals and the challenges faced by journalists, this episode dives into a listener's question about the importance of reading manuals before using new cars. Hosts Richard and Johnny share personal anecdotes, including a humorous story about a Jaguar XKR and discuss the complexities of touchscreen controls in modern vehicles. They also touch on the evolution of car audience management on shows like Top Gear, and provide buying advice for family vans, highlighting options like the VW Caravelle and Ford Transit.
Jonny and Richard answer listener questions about reading the manual, the Top Gear lady wrangler, van advice, and the coolest car for transporting a Christmas tree.
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Jaguar XKR
"This has suddenly put me in mind of the first really nice car I ever drove, as in press car, was a Jaguar XKR of the original XK shape, the X100 and it was a beautiful bright red cabrio."
The Jaguar XKR is a fancy sports car from the UK that was made in the 2000s. It has a big engine and looks very stylish, like a modern version of the classic Jaguar sports cars.
The Jaguar XKR is a high‑performance version of the classic XK sports car, produced from 2005 to 2010. It features a powerful V8 engine and a sleek, coupe‑style body that was popular among enthusiasts for its blend of performance and luxury.
Tesla
"The manual now in a lot of cars is built into the system. I was going to say the Tesla because of course you stop to charge and there's a few teslorisms that I wasn't familiar with."
Tesla makes cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline and have lots of computer features built in.
Tesla is an American automotive company known for its all-electric vehicles and advanced software integration.
infotainment manual
"I have used the on, you know, the baked in infotainment manual a few times lately and it is handy but it tends to become reactive as in you, when you're struggling to work something out, you go in there and search it."
It’s a guide that lives inside the car’s computer, so you can look up how to use things like the radio or GPS without a paper book.
An infotainment manual is a digital guide embedded in the vehicle’s entertainment and information system, providing instructions on using features like navigation, media, and car settings.
air recirculation button function
"I was listening to the SSGs from top to center on their cream podcast the day and they mentioned something about how I think certain Mercedes have a function where if you hold down the air recirculation button, it not only recirculates the aircon it also if any windows are down."
When you press and hold the button that tells the car to keep air inside, it will also close any windows that are open so you’re protected from outside smells or wind.
In some Mercedes models, holding down the air recirculation button not only keeps cabin air from outside but also lowers any open windows, creating a sealed environment.
Bentley
"Well, I had the same ride in the same Bentley speed with the same flying fin only with even less conversation."
Bentley makes fancy cars that are very expensive and often have a lot of luxury features.
Bentley is a British luxury car manufacturer known for high-end, handcrafted vehicles.
ice speed records
"After all, this is the man who survived Group B and set ice speed records."
Ice speed records are the fastest times or speeds people have reached when driving on ice, like in special races.
Ice speed records refer to the fastest speeds achieved on ice-covered surfaces, often in specialized racing events.
hill-climb racing
"He then drove the hill-climbs start to finish without saying anything. Shook by hand, and that was it."
Hill-climb racing is a type of race where drivers try to go up a steep hill as fast as possible, one at a time.
Hill-climb racing is a motorsport where drivers race individually up a steep, winding hill course against the clock.
Ford Wrangler
"[807.0s] mentions there being a lady Wrangler who brings superb examples of the mark to the front of the audience."
The Ford Wrangler is a popular off‑road vehicle that looks like a classic pickup truck but has four wheels and a roof. It’s famous for being tough on rough terrain and is often seen in adventure shows.
The Ford Wrangler is a rugged, body‑on‑chassis SUV known for its off‑road capability and iconic boxy design. It has been produced in various generations since the 1980s, with the current models featuring modern safety and technology upgrades.
Subaru
"[863.0s] Oh, so many. It was weird. It was like that was always the thing, Subaru fleeces outnumbered anything else."
Subaru makes cars that can drive well in bad weather because they use a special system that sends power to all four wheels. They’re also known for having engines that sit low in the car, which helps with balance.
Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its all‑wheel drive platforms, boxer engines, and strong focus on safety. The brand has a loyal following among drivers who value reliability and off‑road capability.
2016 Volvo XC90
"We currently have a 2016 Volvo XC90 Johnny Don't Shame Us as our family card, due to the requirement of seven seats and a good tow bar capacity for our caravan"
The XC90 is a big family car from Volvo that can seat seven people and pull a small trailer. It’s known for being safe and comfortable.
The Volvo XC90 is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that seats up to seven passengers and offers strong safety features, spacious interior, and good towing capacity for caravans.
Ford Transit
"[1255.0s] So, I'd say the transit has always driven very, very well."
The Transit is a big van from Ford that people use to carry stuff or passengers. It’s reliable and comes in different sizes.
The Ford Transit is a popular commercial van used for cargo, passenger transport, and various specialty conversions. It’s known for its spacious interior, reliable diesel engines, and versatile body styles.
Citroën Relay
"But I went for a Citroën relay, which is the same as the voxel and the Persia boxer and loads of others."
The Citroën Relay is a type of van that people use for moving stuff or running small businesses. It’s big and roomy, like a truck but smaller.
The Citroën Relay is a mid-size van produced by the French manufacturer Citroën, known for its spacious interior and commercial use.
style pack
"VW go for all the style packs and stuff."
A style pack is a bundle of extra looks you can add to a car or van, like new colors or fancy interior touches.
A style pack is a set of exterior and interior cosmetic upgrades that can be added to a vehicle, often including new paint colors, trim pieces, and interior materials.
VW Transit
"And the only style pack you get with the transit currently is the MST."
The VW Transit is a van made by Volkswagen that people use to carry goods or as a base for other vehicles like minibuses.
The VW Transit is a popular commercial van produced by Volkswagen, used worldwide for cargo transport and as a base for various body styles.
MST
"And the only style pack you get with the transit currently is the MST."
MST is a special version of the VW Transit that comes with its own set of looks and features, different from the regular model.
MST is a trim level or special edition for the VW Transit, offering specific styling and feature packages distinct from standard models.
Stellantis
"[1383.0s] It's everything, all the sort of Stellantis companies have merged together..."
Stellantis is a big company that makes many different cars, like the Jeep and Dodge trucks. It was created when two other car companies joined together.
Stellantis is a global automotive group formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group, owning brands like Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram.
Passat
"But the Volkswagen Multivan is fantastic because, oddly, it’s not based on a van. The VW Multivan feels like a Passat with a really high-potemobile roof."
The Passat is a regular Volkswagen car that’s bigger than a compact but smaller than a full-size. It’s the base model that the Multivan is built from.
The Passat is a mid-size sedan produced by Volkswagen, known for its comfort and practicality. The Multivan shares many components with the Passat platform.
Volkswagen Multivan
"But the Volkswagen Multivan is fantastic because, oddly, it’s not based on a van. The VW Multivan feels like a Passat with a really high-potemobile roof."
The Multivan is a big van from Volkswagen that can seat many people and has lots of room for cargo. It’s built on the same base as a regular VW Passat car.
The Volkswagen Multivan is a large, versatile van built on the platform of the VW Passat. It offers spacious interior and flexible seating, making it popular for family or commercial use.
Volkswagen V-Class
"They reckon the Veto slash V-Class is the one. ... But, bizarrely, they've got a more premium badge than a Volkswagen."
The V‑Class is a big van from Volkswagen that’s more upscale than their smaller Vito. It has extra room and nicer features, so it’s a good choice for people who need space but still want a comfortable ride.
The Volkswagen V-Class is a large, multi‑purpose vehicle (MPV) that sits above the compact Vito in VW’s lineup. It offers more space, luxury features and a higher trim level, making it popular for families and commercial use.
troop carrier
"[1638.0s] they call them the troop carrier. [1641.0s] They're really, I did a review on them for the late-break show."
Some older Land Cruisers were called “troop carriers” because they were used by the military to move soldiers and gear. They’re known for being very sturdy.
“Troop carrier” is a nickname for the early, rugged Land Cruiser models that were used by military and police forces. They were built to carry personnel and equipment in harsh environments.
sliding doors
"And sliding doors are actually damn useful, aren't they?"
Sliding doors open by sliding sideways instead of swinging out, which makes it easier to get in and out when there's not a lot of room.
Sliding doors are a type of door that moves horizontally along a track, commonly used on vans and minivans to allow easier access in tight spaces.
London to Brighton
"It's funny, I think they're eligible for the London to Brighton now, but I think they're going to shit all over the tillest deer"
The London to Brighton is a yearly race where people drive old cars from London all the way to Brighton, showing off classic vehicles.
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is an annual historic motor rally that covers the 54-mile route from London to Brighton, featuring vintage and classic cars.
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