S2 Ep24: The FINAL Nail In The Coffin For Electric Cars? (+ ShedFest Announcement!!)
About this episode
Discussions range from the latest automotive news, including the new road tax on electric vehicles, to personal car updates and a lively debate on whether to keep or sell a beloved Lexus IS 200. The hosts share their experiences with various cars, play a fun game guessing power outputs, and announce the upcoming ShedFest event. With humor and camaraderie, they explore the challenges of car ownership and maintenance, while also addressing listener questions and concerns about the automotive landscape.
ShedFest tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shedfest-2026-tickets-1636688642789
V8
"You're better off just getting a V8. I was going to say we're better off driving V8s."
A V8 engine is a type of car engine with eight cylinders shaped like a V. It makes the car powerful and gives it a deep, loud sound that many people like.
A V8 is an eight-cylinder engine arranged in a V configuration, known for producing strong power and a distinctive sound. V8 engines have been popular in performance and muscle cars for decades.
BMW E92
"...y're all boxy ones. Ricky, who recently took his E92 M3 on a road trip of a lifetime to the Bavarian ..."
The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car made by BMW. The E92 M3 is a sportier version with a powerful engine, designed for people who enjoy driving fast and having a comfortable car.
The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car known for its sporty handling and luxury features. The E92 M3, a high-performance coupe variant from the third generation (produced 2007-2013), is especially celebrated for its naturally aspirated V8 engine and driver engagement. It's often discussed for its blend of everyday usability and track-capable performance.
BMW M3
"Ricky, who recently took his E92 M3 on a road trip of a lifetime to the Bavarian Alps."
The BMW E92 M3 is a sporty two-door car made by BMW. It has a powerful V8 engine and is loved by car fans for being fun to drive.
The BMW E92 M3 is the coupe version of the fourth-generation M3, produced from 2007 to 2013. It is known for its high-revving V8 engine and balanced chassis, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
Toyota GR86
"another Chris in the Lake District, who just got his GR86 turbocharged."
The Toyota GR86 is a small sporty car that is easy to drive and fun. People often add turbochargers to make it faster.
The Toyota GR86 is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car known for its balanced handling and affordability. It is a successor to the Toyota GT86 and is popular for modifications such as turbocharging.
Ingenium engine
"Ross Hamilton, who bought an ingenium powered Evoque that blew up shortly after purchase."
Ingenium engines are a type of engine made by Jaguar Land Rover to be powerful and save fuel.
Ingenium is a family of modular engines developed by Jaguar Land Rover, designed for efficiency and performance. These engines are used in various Land Rover and Jaguar models.
engine knocking
""While it was there, they went, oh, you do know it's knocking. The engine's knocking. She didn't say whether it's the engine or something else. They said it's knocking.""
Engine knocking is a noise you might hear when the engine isn't running smoothly. It means something inside the engine isn't working right and can cause damage if not fixed.
Engine knocking is a knocking or pinging sound caused by abnormal combustion in the engine's cylinders. It can indicate issues such as improper fuel mixture, low-quality fuel, or mechanical problems like worn components.
BMW 540i
"349.7s What have I been up to? 351.9s So, 540i. 353.5s Yeah. 353.8s I've got my 540i back."
The BMW 540i is a fancy car that is both comfortable and fast. It has a strong engine that helps it go quickly while still being nice to ride in.
The BMW 540i is a model in BMW's 5 Series lineup, typically featuring a powerful inline-six engine with turbocharging, known for blending luxury and performance. It is a mid-size luxury sedan that balances comfort with sporty driving dynamics.
Nürburgring
"He's been to the Nürburgring in it. He's done a lap in it. He's been to Belgium."
The Nürburgring is a well-known race track in Germany where people test and race cars. Driving a lap there is considered a big achievement for car lovers.
The Nürburgring is a famous motorsport race track located in Germany, known for its challenging layout and use as a testing ground for high-performance cars. Completing a lap there is often a badge of honor for car enthusiasts and manufacturers.
Peugeot 205 GTI
"in the unit, I had my 205 GTI. And obviously, I hadn't forgotten about it, but where I hadn't driven it in a couple of months,"
The Peugeot 205 GTI is a small sporty car made by Peugeot. It's famous for being really fun to drive and is loved by many car fans.
The Peugeot 205 GTI is a classic hot hatch from the 1980s and early 1990s, known for its lively handling and spirited performance. It is a highly regarded model among enthusiasts for its fun driving experience and iconic status in the hot hatch segment.
head gasket
"You had head gasket and everything on it, because obviously you blew that up."
The head gasket is like a seal inside the engine that keeps oil and water from mixing. If it breaks, the engine can get very hot and stop working properly.
A head gasket is a critical engine component that seals the cylinder head to the engine block, preventing coolant, oil, and combustion gases from leaking. Failure of the head gasket can cause engine overheating and severe damage.
Ford
"It's a Ford. Ford? A Ford? A Ford. Yeah. I've bought a Ford. Have I bought your Aston? No. Ford. You bought a Ford. Oh. No, that's Mum's car. You went out and went with her and bought it."
Ford is a big car company from America that makes many types of cars and trucks. Lots of people know the brand because it has been around for a long time.
Ford is a major American automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles from trucks to performance cars. It has a long history and is one of the largest car companies in the world.
EcoBoost engine
"Yeah, Mum's got a 1.5, 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine. It's not the EcoBoom, it's the EcoBoost."
EcoBoost engines are special engines made by Ford that use turbochargers to give more power while using less fuel.
EcoBoost is Ford's brand name for a family of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline engines designed to deliver better fuel efficiency and performance compared to traditional engines.
timing belt
"The wet belt actually runs the oil pump. It doesn't run the timing belt, so we should be all right."
The timing belt is a belt inside the engine that helps the engine's parts move together at the right time so the car runs smoothly.
A timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft(s) to ensure the engine's valves open and close at the correct times during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes.
gearbox
"Yeah, and then we'll blow up the gearbox. So you're right, bought that, okay?"
The gearbox is the part of the car that helps change gears so the car can go faster or slower.
The gearbox, or transmission, is the component that transmits power from the engine to the wheels, allowing the car to change speeds and torque.
Apple CarPlay
"I've got Apple CarPlay in it now and everything. You've ruined it. It's the Bollocks. You've ruined it. What do you mean? Would you not have done that? You've ruined it. Would you not have done that? Not that one. No, I would have put Mr. Carfonix one in it so that it's the OEM head unit, but it's got Apple CarPlay integrated."
Apple CarPlay lets you use your iPhone on the car's screen so you can get directions, play music, or make calls more easily while driving.
Apple CarPlay is an infotainment system feature that allows iPhone users to connect their phone to the car's head unit, enabling access to apps, navigation, music, and calls through the car's display.
OEM head unit
"No, I would have put Mr. Carfonix one in it so that it's the OEM head unit, but it's got Apple CarPlay integrated."
The OEM head unit is the car's original radio or screen that was put in by the car maker, not something added later.
An OEM head unit is the original factory-installed car stereo or infotainment system that comes with the vehicle when new, as opposed to aftermarket replacements.
Hyundai i30 N
"I've just sold my Hyundai i30N after moving out. It's been fun."
The Hyundai i30N is a sporty version of a small car that is fun to drive and faster than regular models. It's made by Hyundai and is popular among people who like quick hatchbacks.
The Hyundai i30N is a high-performance variant of the Hyundai i30 hatchback, known for its sporty handling and turbocharged engine. It is Hyundai's answer to hot hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
V6 TDI
"Mark I Twareg, V6 TDI. No."
V6 TDI means the car has a six-cylinder diesel engine that uses a turbo to get more power and uses fuel efficiently.
V6 TDI refers to a six-cylinder diesel engine with Turbocharged Direct Injection, commonly used in Volkswagen Group vehicles for a balance of power and fuel efficiency.
estate
"Please tell me otherwise. Would love to know of any similar cars I've missed and you would recommend estates are very much preferred."
An estate is a type of car that looks like a regular car but has a bigger back part to carry more stuff.
Estate is a British term for a station wagon, a car body style with an extended rear cargo area for more storage space.
diesel fuel
"...It's not. You're talking like six or seven MPG. Diesel is also more expensive, so you've got a factor that in as well."
Diesel is a type of fuel for some cars. It can help cars go farther on less fuel but usually costs more and works differently than regular gas.
Diesel fuel is a type of fuel used in diesel engines, which are typically more fuel-efficient and have more torque than petrol engines but can be more expensive and produce different emissions.
electric cars
"So it looks like what you're going to have to do with your electric new car, even though you don't have to go to an MOT, you have to take it to an MOT station every year to get the mileage checked on it. The government are the ones saying, we need to all be in electric cars by 2030."
Electric cars run on batteries instead of gasoline, so they don't produce smoke or pollution from their tailpipes. Many countries want people to use more electric cars to help the environment.
Electric cars are vehicles powered entirely or primarily by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, offering zero tailpipe emissions. Governments worldwide are promoting electric cars to reduce pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.
fuel duty tax
"So now, not only are they paying the fuel duty tax, they are also now paying 1.5P a mile on top of that."
Fuel duty tax is a tax you pay when you buy petrol or diesel for your car. It helps the government raise money and can make fuel more expensive.
Fuel duty tax is a government tax applied to the sale of fuel such as petrol or diesel, intended to generate revenue and influence fuel consumption behavior.
BMW E39 540i
"Get yourself an E39, 540i, Wacker Supercharger. Yeah, or an M5."
The BMW E39 540i is a model of car made between 1995 and 2003. It's known for being fun to drive and having a powerful engine.
The BMW E39 540i is a generation of the 5 Series produced from 1995 to 2003, known for its strong inline-six engine and balanced driving dynamics. It is a popular choice among enthusiasts for its performance and build quality.
ICE car
"with road tax charges more expensive than an ICE car."
An ICE car is a regular car that runs on petrol or diesel, not electricity.
ICE stands for Internal Combustion Engine, referring to traditional vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel engines.
classic cars
"But classic cars as well, they're going to get taxed and... I hope not."
Classic cars are old cars that people keep because they are special or have history. They are different from new cars and sometimes have different rules.
Classic cars are older vehicles, typically over 20-25 years old, that are often preserved or restored for their historical or nostalgic value. They can be subject to different regulations and taxes compared to modern cars.
4.4 litre twin turbocharged V8
"Do you know how I know that? Because that 4.4 litre twin turbocharged V8 is the one that they use in the F90M5. Oh, is it? Which comes from factory and non-competition form in 600 brake horsepower."
This engine has eight cylinders and uses two turbochargers to make the car go faster and be more powerful.
A 4.4 litre twin turbocharged V8 engine is an eight-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.4 liters, equipped with two turbochargers to increase power output and efficiency.
naught to 60
"58 horsepower and naught to 60 in 13.8 seconds. ... 380 brake horsepower, 5.2 seconds."
"Naught to 60" means how fast a car can go from stopped to 60 miles per hour. It's a way to see how quick a car is.
"Naught to 60" is a British English term meaning acceleration time from 0 to 60 miles per hour. It is a common performance metric used to compare how quickly a car can accelerate to highway speeds.
horsepower
"420 horsepower, 4.9 seconds."
Horsepower tells you how strong a car's engine is. The higher the number, the more powerful the car usually is.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for engine power, indicating how much work an engine can perform over time. It is commonly used to compare the performance capabilities of different vehicles.
0-60 time
"So it is 360 horsepower and it is a naught to 60 of four seconds."
0-60 time is how fast a car can go from stopped to 60 miles per hour. The lower the time, the faster the car accelerates.
The 0-60 time measures how quickly a car can accelerate from a standstill to 60 miles per hour. It is a common benchmark for assessing a vehicle's acceleration performance.
1J swap
"My long-term plan is to 1J swap it once I'm back from the military in a few years."
A 1J swap means taking out the car's current engine and putting in a different, stronger engine called the 1JZ. This engine is popular because it can make the car faster and is very reliable.
A 1J swap refers to replacing a car's original engine with a Toyota 1JZ engine, a popular inline-six engine known for its strength and tuning potential. This swap is common among enthusiasts seeking more power and reliability.
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