S2 Ep36: Buying The World's FASTEST Super Saloon, And Ferrari Have Gone MAD!

The Alfa Romeo 156 GTA is a performance-focused version of the Alfa Romeo 156, known for its sporty V6 and enthusiast appeal. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a car the speaker doesn’t want to sell, but admits they don’t drive it enough.

The Toyota GR86 is a modern rear-wheel-drive sports coupe built for driver feel, using a naturally aspirated boxer engine and a lightweight layout. Here it’s used as a real-world example of a listener’s car while they’re traveling.

The Hyundai Getz is a small, budget-friendly hatchback that’s far from the supercar/super-saloon world the episode title hints at. The host mentions it to describe a listener’s “super low mileage” car, emphasizing how varied the audience’s vehicles are.

The Range Rover is Land Rover’s flagship luxury SUV line, known for comfort, off-road ability, and a big, imposing presence. In this segment, the hosts are talking about why “Range Rover content” performs well and then specifically about an L322-era car.

“Bucket seats” are deep, contoured racing-style seats that hold you in place during hard cornering. Cobra and NAGARO are aftermarket seat brands commonly used in track-focused builds, and the speaker is clarifying they’re more “street” versions than full-on race buckets.

“RS4” refers to the Audi RS 4, a high-performance version of the Audi A4 line. In this segment, the host specifies it as a B7 Avant, meaning it’s the 2000s-era RS 4 wagon body style with the B7-generation platform.

A “clutch” is the wear item that connects the engine to the transmission on manual (and some automated) setups. Mentioning that the RS 4 has had a clutch replacement suggests the car has already gone through a common ownership wear point.

A “CarVertical report” is a vehicle history report that compiles data points like prior ownership and recorded events to help spot issues before buying. In this segment, it’s used as evidence that the RS 4 is “genuine” and has a clean history.

The Nürburgring is a famous German racing circuit used as a benchmark for performance cars. Its long, demanding Nordschleife layout makes it a harsh real-world test for heat management, brakes, and drivetrain stress—so driving there twice shortly after buying a car is a serious use case.

The E60 M5 refers to the BMW M5 generation built on the E60 5 Series platform. In this segment, the speaker planned to drain and replace the engine oil before taking it to the Nürburgring 24-hour event, but then found contamination that raised concerns about internal engine wear.

“Premature rod bearing failure” means the engine’s connecting-rod bearings are wearing out far earlier than expected. The speaker links glitter in the oil to this problem, because bearing material can shed into the lubrication system, which is a major warning sign for internal engine damage.

“Glitter in the oil” usually means metallic particles are circulating in the engine oil. That often points to internal wear—commonly bearing material—so it’s a strong clue the engine needs inspection before further driving.

Rod bearings (connecting-rod bearings) support the crankshaft on each connecting rod and provide a smooth, low-friction surface. If they’re failing, you can get metal contamination in the oil and potentially catastrophic engine damage if you keep running it.

“Run it in again” refers to the break-in period after replacing internal engine components, especially bearings. The goal is to bring the new parts up to operating conditions gradually so they seat properly and oil film behavior stabilizes.

An “auto barn run” is a colloquial reference to a high-speed test run where a car is pushed hard to reach a target speed. In this context, the host is implying that attempting the run with a compromised engine could lead to severe failure (“imploded”).

The Nürburgring is a famous motorsport circuit in Germany, best known for the Nordschleife (“North Loop”) with its long lap, big elevation changes, and relentless cornering. It’s a benchmark venue where drivers and automakers test how fast and how well a car really works under pressure.

The Dacia Logan is a budget-focused sedan/hatchback family from Dacia, designed to be simple and affordable. The host contrasts it with supercars like Lamborghinis and Mustangs, making the Logan’s presence feel especially surprising.

Max Verstappen is a top Formula 1 driver known for aggressive driving and multiple World Championships. The host describes being in a queue and realizing Verstappen was in a van next to him.

The speaker’s “mini” refers to a Mini (the brand) that they planned to take to the Nürburgring. They describe a cooling-system failure that caused coolant to leak into the footwell, which is the kind of issue that can ruin a track trip.

A heater matrix is the small heat exchanger inside the dashboard that uses engine coolant to warm the cabin. When it fails, coolant can leak into the car’s interior (like the footwell), often leaving a sweet smell and wet carpets.

A “lap” is one complete circuit around a track, and “the ring” is shorthand for the Nürburgring circuit. Doing multiple laps is a way to measure how consistent the car is when you repeat hard driving rather than just doing a single run.

The Bentley Continental GT is Bentley’s grand-touring luxury coupe, built around a powerful performance-focused engine and a heavy, comfortable ride. It’s a common “super saloon” style choice because it blends speed with high-end comfort and long-distance usability.

A “carbon intake” is an intake system component (often the intake tube/ducting) made from carbon fiber. It’s typically chosen for weight savings and heat management, and it can also change airflow characteristics and sound.

An exhaust upgrade replaces or modifies parts of the exhaust system to change flow and sound. Depending on what’s installed, it can reduce backpressure, alter engine note, and affect how the car feels under acceleration.

A “centre resonator” is a muffler-like exhaust component placed in the middle section of the exhaust. Resonators are used to reduce specific sound frequencies, so swapping one can make the exhaust less “boomy” without necessarily changing the whole system.

“911 996” refers to the Porsche 911 from the 996 generation. It’s a widely discussed era because it’s the first 911 generation with a more modernized design language and different engine/packaging choices than earlier air-cooled cars, making it a popular target for upgrades and ownership debates.

“Twin turbos” means the engine uses two turbochargers to force more air into the cylinders. That typically helps produce stronger acceleration and can improve responsiveness compared with a single turbo setup, depending on the design.

“Supercharged” means the car uses a supercharger—an engine-driven forced-induction device—to push extra air into the engine. This can boost power and throttle response, often with a different feel than turbocharging.

Tillett bucket seats are aftermarket racing-style seats designed to hold the driver more firmly during hard cornering. They typically use a fixed, contoured shell (often with harness mounting points), which helps reduce movement compared with standard seats.

A “half cage” is a partial roll-cage setup—typically a welded framework that adds structural reinforcement around the cabin without covering the entire cage area. It’s commonly used to improve safety and chassis rigidity for track-focused builds.

“Apex wheels” refers to wheels from the Apex aftermarket wheel brand. Wheels like these are often chosen for track use because of weight, strength, and fitment options.

Misfiring means one or more engine cylinders aren’t burning fuel correctly at the right time. That can cause rough running (“lumpy” idle/acceleration), hesitation, and sometimes warning lights, and it often points to ignition or fuel/air delivery issues that need diagnosis and repair.

A manual gearbox is a transmission controlled by the driver using a clutch pedal and gear lever. In this context, the speaker is describing a car that currently doesn’t have the correct setup and “needs a manual gearbox,” which implies a swap or conversion to match the intended driving feel/spec.

In automotive use, “tuning” means adjusting engine and drivability settings—often via ECU calibration and/or hardware changes—to get the car running correctly and responding the way it should. Here, it’s paired with misfiring, suggesting the car’s current behavior needs calibration and/or setup work after mechanical issues are addressed.

The Lotus Carlton is a rare, enthusiast-focused variant built on the Opel/Vauxhall Carlton platform and tuned by Lotus. It’s notable because it blends a big, executive-car base with Lotus-style handling and performance tuning—so it’s a “super saloon” kind of idea rather than a typical Lotus sports-car recipe.

“Low mileage” means the car has been driven relatively few miles/kilometers compared with similar cars. In buying decisions, it’s often treated as a proxy for less wear—though condition, maintenance history, and storage matter just as much.

An “MLT system” here refers to an internal/industry vehicle records system used to check a car’s history—like whether it’s been registered, on the road, or otherwise active. The host uses it to verify that the car hadn’t been on the road since 2010, contradicting the ad.

“High mileage” is a shorthand for how many miles/km a car has accumulated over its life, which can affect wear on components and the likelihood of needing repairs. In used-car scams, sellers may still advertise a car as if it’s been recently used or maintained, so mileage claims become a key credibility check.

A “super saloon” is an enthusiast term for a high-performance luxury sedan—typically with big power, advanced chassis tuning, and a more upscale interior than a normal sports sedan. The idea is that it’s fast and capable like a sports car, but still comfortable and practical like a luxury car.

“SL560” refers to a Mercedes-Benz SL model with a 5.5-liter V8 (the 560 designation). In this segment, the host highlights major work done to it by SL shop, including a full gearbox rebuild and engine-related repairs, which makes it a meaningful example of how these cars are maintained and refreshed.

“SL shop” is the named workshop/team the host says worked on the SL560. It’s relevant because the segment attributes the car’s major repairs (gearbox rebuild, engine component replacement, brakes, and roof work) to this specific shop rather than to generic maintenance.

A “gearbox rebuild” means the transmission/gearbox was disassembled and repaired or replaced internally rather than just serviced. In this segment, it’s presented as a major job done to the SL560, which signals significant mechanical attention beyond routine maintenance.

“Rear calipers” are the brake components that clamp the brake pads against the rotors at the back of the car. The host lists “new rear calipers” as part of the SL560’s refresh, which implies the braking system was upgraded or restored to proper function.

“Roof” is mentioned alongside “new rear calipers,” implying the SL560 also received replacement or refurbishment of its roof system. On Mercedes SL models, this typically points to work on the convertible top mechanism or roof components, which can be a specialized repair area.

Front calipers are the brake components that squeeze the brake pads against the rotors to slow the car down. Replacing them is usually part of making sure braking feel and stopping power are consistent after wear or contamination.

Eurospec refers to vehicle parts or specifications intended for the European market. In this context, switching from “American bumpers” to “Eurospec” implies the car’s exterior lighting/fitment and related compliance items were changed to match European equipment.

The Chevrolet Nova is a classic American compact car that became well known in the muscle-car era and later as a popular platform for modifications and imports. In the podcast, it’s referenced in the context of a “NOVA process,” which is about importing vehicles. It’s discussed because the Nova is a recognizable model people seek when bringing cars into different markets.

“G-Wagon” is the common nickname for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a boxy, body-on-frame SUV known for off-road durability and a very upright stance. In enthusiast circles it’s also a status icon because it blends rugged hardware with luxury comfort.

The Ford Mustang is a long-running American muscle car known for its V8 heritage and strong aftermarket support. In this segment it’s brought up as another car in their group-trip lineup, with a quick check on whether it has air conditioning.

“F11 530D” refers to the BMW 5 Series (F11 generation) with a 530d diesel engine. The F11 5 Series is known for being a practical, long-distance “daily” with strong low-end torque from its diesel setup.

Export history matters because a car that’s been shipped to another country may have different registration timelines, maintenance records, and potential damage history that won’t show up in a local-only check. It can also affect how easy it is to verify the car’s true background when buying used.

The Audi A4 Avant is Audi’s wagon (Avant) version of the A4, built for practical daily use with a hatch-style rear and usable cargo space. In this segment, the host mentions switching to it as a better daily than the previously discussed car.

In the UK, MOTs are the periodic vehicle inspections required by law for roadworthiness. The host points out that MOT records help track mileage in the UK, while other countries may not have comparable systems.

“Rolling back mileage” is when a car’s odometer is altered to show fewer miles than it actually has. The host uses it to explain how a car could appear to have low mileage in the UK even if it was driven heavily abroad.

The Porsche Panamera is a luxury performance sedan that blends everyday comfort with Porsche-style handling and power. It’s often discussed because it offers a more practical four-door layout while still delivering sports-car performance. The podcast mentions it as a thought for someone in a certain price bracket.

Throttle response is how quickly and how predictably the car reacts when you press the accelerator. In practice, it’s about the time between your foot movement and the engine/drive system delivering torque to the wheels.

“Valves open” refers to the engine’s intake/exhaust valves moving to let air and exhaust gases flow. When the speaker says it happens as you “put your foot down,” they’re describing how the engine breathes more aggressively under higher load.

In this context, “steering” is being used to describe the car’s feel and responsiveness—how quickly it changes direction and how directly the driver’s inputs translate to the wheels. The speaker’s “sharp and direct” wording points to steering ratio/response and overall front-end behavior.

The speaker says the car is “essentially got an R8 engine in it,” meaning it uses Audi R8 powertrain hardware. The Audi R8 is known for its high-performance V10/V8 architecture, so borrowing that engine typically signals a serious supercar-level drivetrain.

The BMW E46 M3 is a 3 Series–based performance coupe/sedan from the late-1990s to early-2000s, known for its high-revving naturally aspirated inline-six and driver-focused feel. In enthusiast circles it’s often praised for steering/handling balance and the way it responds compared with more modern turbo setups.

The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive sedan that’s popular for balancing everyday usability with sporty driving dynamics. The podcast mentions an E46 M3, which is a high-performance variant of the 3 Series line, loved by enthusiasts for its character. It comes up because the 3 Series platform has a strong following and many memorable performance versions.

The Fiat Multipla is a quirky, compact multi-purpose vehicle known for its unusual styling and practical interior layout. It’s often discussed because it stands out visually and is a conversation starter among car enthusiasts. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as an “interesting choice of car,” highlighting its distinct character.

“Ferrari Luce” appears to be a reference to a Ferrari model name mentioned in the podcast, spelled out as “L-U-C-E.” Without more context from the episode, it’s best understood as a Ferrari-related model being discussed as a point of interest. It’s brought up because Ferrari model names and future/rare references often spark conversation among enthusiasts.

An all-electric vehicle (EV) runs entirely on electric motors powered by a battery, rather than using a gasoline or diesel engine. That changes how the car is packaged (more space for battery and less for engine components) and how it drives (instant torque, different thermal management).

Love From is referenced as the company that designed the “Ferrari Lucy.” In this context, it’s being used to explain why the car’s styling and branding might feel different from typical Ferrari design language.

Sir Jonathan Ive (Johnny Ive) is described as co-founding Love From and as the designer behind the iPhone. The host uses that connection to argue that Ferrari Lucy’s design direction is influenced by a consumer-tech design background rather than purely automotive tradition.

An electric car is a vehicle that uses electric motors powered by a battery. The host’s point is that many EVs end up looking or packaging themselves in a similar way, even when brands try to differentiate them.

Aerodynamics is how air flows around a car and how that affects drag and stability. For high-speed cars—especially EVs—reducing drag helps efficiency, range, and top speed.

Launch control is a driver-assist mode that optimizes traction and drivetrain behavior for the quickest standing start. It typically manages torque delivery and wheel slip so the car can accelerate hard without spinning the wheels.

Torque is the twisting force the powertrain produces, and it strongly influences how quickly a car accelerates, especially from low speeds. In EVs, torque is available almost instantly, which is why torque figures are often tied to launch performance.

0–62 mph (often written as “0-62”) is a common acceleration benchmark measuring how quickly a car goes from a standstill to 62 mph. It’s a practical way to compare real-world launch performance between cars.

The Tesla Model S Plaid is an all-electric performance sedan known for very quick acceleration and high power output. In this segment, it’s used as the benchmark for 0–62 mph time, range, and top speed comparisons against a “super saloon” EV.

The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact SUV designed for everyday practicality with quick acceleration. The podcast compares 0–62 times and notes the Model Y’s performance relative to a Model S Plaid, highlighting how fast these electric cars can be. It’s mentioned because performance figures are a big part of how people evaluate electric vehicles.

Top speed is the maximum speed a car can reach under specified conditions. For EVs, it’s often limited by power, cooling, tires, and aerodynamic drag.

In car talk, “specs” refers to quantified performance and capability figures (like power, torque, acceleration, range, and top speed). The host’s point is that EV comparisons often become spec-only, instead of considering the driving “feel” people associate with traditional engines.

An infotainment system is the car’s combined interface for entertainment and information—typically a touchscreen plus apps, navigation, media, and phone integration. It’s a big part of the daily user experience in modern cars, especially EVs where the cabin tech is a selling point.

“Apple CarPlayer” appears to be a mis-transcription of Apple CarPlay, which is Apple’s in-car integration that mirrors compatible iPhone apps onto the car’s screen. It typically enables navigation, calls, messages, and music with a more driver-friendly interface.

Pirelli is a tire brand, and “Pirelli’s” here refers to the car being equipped with Pirelli tires. Tire choice matters because it affects grip, ride comfort, noise, and how predictable the car feels during acceleration, braking, and cornering.

In car talk, “badge” means the brand emblem/name on the vehicle—often used as shorthand for perceived prestige and pricing power. The host’s point is that the higher price may be driven more by branding than by additional technical value.

The Yangwang U9 is a high-performance electric vehicle from Yangwang, positioned as a flagship-style model. The podcast mentions it as an example of a futuristic, performance-focused EV concept, comparing the idea of what manufacturers might build. It’s discussed because the U9 stands out for its ambition and attention-grabbing presence.

A “wing” on a car is an aerodynamic spoiler designed to create downforce. More downforce helps keep the car planted at speed, improving grip and stability—especially on fast, performance-oriented designs.

TD6 refers to a turbocharged diesel engine used in some Land Rover Range Rover variants (the “TD6” badge). It’s a specific powertrain designation rather than a generic “diesel,” and it matters because different engines can have different maintenance/driveability characteristics.

A turbo oil feed is the oil supply line that delivers pressurized engine oil to the turbocharger’s bearings. If the feed is restricted or contaminated, the turbo can overheat and fail, which is why the host links it to “blowing up your turbos.”

The turbo oil drain is the return path that lets oil flow back out of the turbo after it lubricates the bearings. If the drain is blocked, oil can back up, increasing heat and pressure in the turbo and contributing to repeated turbo failures.

“Change of pipes” here means replacing the oil feed and oil drain plumbing that connects the engine to the turbo. On turbocharged engines, worn or blocked lines can starve the turbo of oil or prevent proper oil return, leading to turbo damage.

The BMW X5 is a midsize luxury SUV known for a comfortable ride, strong engine options, and a driver-oriented feel. In the podcast, it’s brought up as a possible alternative, with a mention of “KN” for two grand, suggesting interest in a specific intake or upgrade. It’s discussed because the X5 is a common choice for people who want luxury plus practicality.

“V8 GT cars” refers to grand touring-style cars powered by a V8 engine. The V8 layout means eight cylinders arranged in a V shape, typically used for strong power and smooth cruising.