About this episode
Jennifer Khasnabis (Jennifer Cosnobus) returns for MotorWeek’s 45th anniversary special, recounting her path from traditional broadcast news into automotive TV as an FYI reporter in 1999. She describes the shift from daily hard news to more time-intensive segments, leaning on Lisa Barrow’s advice to “have fun,” and highlights the variety that kept her and viewers engaged—from crash testing and safety facilities to red-carpet style events and off-road driving. Memorable stories include Volvo’s child-safety crash lab, a joystick car prototype in Germany, and a deeply moving Porsche Club segment with visually impaired children.
auto company PR shop
"She went to work for the auto company PR shop and we were really didn't know where we were going"
A PR shop is basically the team that handles publicity for a car company. They work with the media and help decide what stories get told about new cars.
An “auto company PR shop” is a public-relations firm or in-house PR team that handles communications for an automaker—press releases, media relations, and event coverage. It’s relevant because automotive PR can shape what cars get attention and how new models are presented to the public.
crash test at NHTSA
"And then the next week I would be doing a crash test at NHTSA. And then the next week I would be on the red carpet doing the Jaguar tribute to style."
NHTSA is a U.S. safety agency that tests cars to see how well they protect people in crashes. A “crash test” is basically a controlled crash to measure safety performance.
NHTSA (the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) runs vehicle safety testing, including crash tests, to evaluate how well cars protect occupants. These results can influence consumer awareness and regulatory decisions.
Jaguar
"And then the next week I would be on the red carpet doing the Jaguar tribute to style. And then the next week I'd be in, you know, in the needy pin mud in, you know, Land Rover, you know, the diversity of all the segments I got to do."
Jaguar is a luxury car brand from the UK. People often associate it with stylish design and a more upscale driving experience.
Jaguar is a British automaker known for luxury performance and distinctive styling. In media contexts like this, “Jaguar tribute to style” likely refers to Jaguar’s brand image and design identity.
Land Rover
"[531.8s] I remember it was, it was really was the, [534.4s] if you would definitely call it Land Rover Adventure and then the best [537.2s] sentence possible. [544.0s] And Land Rover, I did a lot with them actually doing all of their [548.0s] driving schools and a lot of their trips."
Land Rover is a car brand that makes vehicles built for rough roads and off-roading. Here, they’re talking about Land Rover’s driving schools and trips, which are meant to teach people how to handle those vehicles off-road.
Land Rover is a British automaker best known for rugged, off-road-focused SUVs. In this segment, it’s tied to driving schools and trips, which highlights the brand’s off-road training and adventure image.
off-roading
"[553.7s] I love the off-roading. [555.1s] Really? [555.9s] People would think I would love speed. [558.1s] Yeah. [558.8s] Not so much. [560.0s] I mean, not saying not so much, but I loved, [562.9s] I loved the off-road part of it. [574.4s] That was my favorite, probably my favorite thing to do."
Off-roading means driving on rough, unpaved paths instead of normal roads. It’s less about going fast and more about controlling the car so the tires can keep traction on tricky ground.
Off-roading is driving on unpaved or uneven surfaces like dirt trails, rocks, sand, and mud where traction and vehicle control matter more than speed. It often involves learning techniques for steering, throttle control, and vehicle positioning to keep the tires gripping.
muddy terrain
"We did a lot of their, you know, it's more just more muddy terrain type of thing. And they had the driving schools."
Muddy ground is slippery, so tires can lose grip and the car can get stuck. You usually have to be gentle with the gas and sometimes use extra help to keep moving.
Muddy terrain is a common off-road challenge because it reduces tire grip and can cause vehicles to get bogged down. Drivers often need to manage throttle carefully and may use traction aids depending on the vehicle.
driving schools
"And they had the driving schools. Do they still have their driving schools? I believe they do."
Driving schools are places where people learn how to drive better and safer. In off-road settings, they teach you how to handle slippery or rough ground.
Off-road driving schools teach vehicle control skills like throttle management, line choice, and recovery basics in a controlled environment. They’re especially useful for learning how to handle low-traction surfaces safely.
Porsche Club of America
"You did a Porsche club of America where you had visually impaired blind children that were involved with getting a feel for the cars."
Porsche Club of America is a group for Porsche fans. They plan events and activities, and they sometimes do community programs too.
The Porsche Club of America (PCA) is a member organization for Porsche owners and enthusiasts in the U.S. It often organizes events, track days, and community activities that bring people together around Porsche cars.
visually impaired blind children
"You did a Porsche club of America where you had visually impaired blind children that were involved with getting a feel for the cars."
They’re talking about an event designed for kids who can’t see well. Instead of relying on sight, they use other ways—like touch and Braille—so the kids can still enjoy the cars.
The segment describes an accessibility-focused event where visually impaired children were able to interact with cars. It highlights how sensory cues like touch and Braille can help people engage with automotive experiences.
Braille
"Got in there and they were reading the directions in Braille."
Braille is a way of reading using your fingers. The raised dots tell you what the words say, and here it was used so the kids could follow directions.
Braille is a tactile writing system using raised dots that can be read by touch. In this context, the children were reading directions in Braille to participate safely and confidently in the car-related activity.
top down
"She was, she was so, she's like, I want to make sure my hair looks good with the top down and everything."
“Top down” refers to lowering a convertible’s roof to open the cabin to the air. It’s a common enthusiast detail because it changes how you experience sound, airflow, and visibility while driving or interacting with the car.
Stuttgart
"[741.9s] Yeah. [742.9s] It was, they, they had this joystick car in Stuttgart. [746.2s] That was, um, that was basically kind of designed sort of like a"
Stuttgart is a city in Germany that’s famous for cars. If a car segment happened there, it’s likely connected to a major automaker or automotive facility.
Stuttgart is a major automotive hub in Germany, strongly associated with car engineering and manufacturing. It’s especially relevant when discussing brand events or specialized vehicles because many automakers and suppliers are based in the region.
joystick
"So instead of a steering wheel, you had just a joystick. Yeah. It was using joysticks on it."
Instead of steering with a wheel, you steer with a hand controller. It’s like how some games use a stick to control direction.
A joystick is a hand controller that moves in multiple directions to control a vehicle or machine. In this segment, it’s being compared to a traditional steering wheel to explain how the prototype was controlled.
steering column
"But at first it felt really odd and you had no, you know, no steering column whatsoever there. So you were like, uh, you felt like you were playing like, you know, old Atari…"
The steering column is the part that connects the steering wheel to the steering. If there’s no steering column, it means the vehicle isn’t using a normal steering-wheel setup.
The steering column is the shaft and housing that connects the steering wheel to the steering system. The speaker emphasizes there was “no steering column whatsoever,” which highlights how the prototype’s control setup differed from a normal car.
prototype
"And, um, it was, it was a prototype at the time. And, uh, they were only kind of having journalists and executives and everything, you know, kind of using it at that, at that moment."
A prototype is an early, experimental version that’s still being tested. People like journalists or executives may be allowed to try it before it’s finalized.
A prototype is an early version of a vehicle or system built to test technology and gather feedback. Here, the speaker notes it was a prototype at the time, which explains why access was limited and the experience felt unusual.
Volvo
"I remember when we got a call from Volvo PR and they basically said, would you like to come to our new crash facility in Sweden?"
Volvo is a car brand that’s famous for safety. They do a lot of crash testing to understand how cars protect people in accidents.
Volvo is known for prioritizing occupant safety and has invested heavily in crash testing and safety research. In this segment, the guest is describing a trip arranged by Volvo PR to see the company’s crash-testing facility in Sweden.
crash testing
"And this was at a time when crash testing was really becoming something that the public was aware of."
Crash testing is when cars are deliberately smashed in controlled ways to see how safely they protect passengers. The results help engineers make cars safer.
Crash testing is controlled testing where vehicles are subjected to impact scenarios to evaluate how well they protect occupants. It’s a major part of modern vehicle safety development and helps manufacturers improve structures, restraints, and crash-avoidance systems.
crash-test facility
"I think that was the first time they had ever allowed the press into that test facility because it was brand new. They were painting all the areas in there."
A crash-test facility is where automakers run controlled impact tests to evaluate how vehicles protect occupants. The guest notes it was brand new and that press were allowed in for the first time, highlighting how these environments are used to demonstrate safety performance.
child safety
"And, and the amount of stuff, the amount of work they did on child safety was amazing. I remember they had that booster seat with that literally,"
Child safety means how well a car protects kids during a crash. It’s not just the car’s crash strength—it’s also whether child seats and booster seats fit and work correctly.
“Child safety” in automotive terms refers to how well vehicles protect children using the right seating position, restraint systems, and crash performance. It often includes how booster seats and child seats fit and how the vehicle’s interior manages crash forces.
booster seat
"I remember they had that booster seat with that literally, I don't know if they still have that in there, but it was in that time it was like a three, I believe, and you would remove the, in the center console. You could pull up."
A booster seat raises a child so the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly across the chest and hips. The guest describes a specific booster-seat setup in a test facility, emphasizing how the system can be integrated with the vehicle interior while still being considered safe.
GM test track
"So they had the GM test track. Oh, that's right. Yeah."
GM test track refers to General Motors’ vehicle testing facilities used to evaluate prototypes and production vehicles. These tracks simulate real-world driving demands so engineers can measure performance and durability before launch.
proving grounds in both Arizona and Michigan
"What they did was they, they recreated the proving grounds in both Arizona and Michigan at the time, and they kind of combined it into this ride."
Testing in different places means the car gets exposed to different weather. Arizona is used for hot conditions, and Michigan helps represent cold conditions.
Using proving grounds in different states lets a manufacturer test vehicles in distinct climate conditions and seasonal extremes. Arizona and Michigan are commonly used to represent hot-weather and cold-weather operating environments, respectively.
extreme heat, the extreme cold
"...so I could see the extreme heat, the extreme cold, all the things that they do with the testing."
Cars can behave differently in very hot or very cold weather. Testing in both extremes helps make sure the car still works and lasts.
Testing in extreme temperatures is a key part of vehicle development because heat and cold can affect everything from engine performance to battery behavior and material durability. Using both hot and cold environments helps manufacturers validate that the car works reliably across a wide range of real-world climates.
thrill ride
"That was actually, I think the first thrill ride that they had opened at Epcot Center. So that was a big deal."
A thrill ride is a roller-coaster-style attraction meant to feel exciting and intense. It’s the kind of ride that people line up for because it’s more than just a casual show.
A thrill ride is an amusement-park attraction designed to create excitement through speed, height, drops, or intense motion. In this segment, it’s used to describe a new kind of attraction at Epcot that became very popular.
Epcot Center
"That was actually, I think the first thrill ride that they had opened at Epcot Center. ... Epcot before then was really, you know, really about rides."
Epcot Center is a Disney theme park. The speaker is saying it used to be more about learning and exhibits, and then they added a big exciting ride that changed the vibe.
Epcot Center (now commonly referred to as Epcot) is a Disney theme park known for themed areas focused on technology, innovation, and global culture. Here, the speaker contrasts Epcot’s earlier focus on nations and science with the introduction of a major thrill ride.
three hour wait
"I think it had like a three hour wait for people. But, but it was really, it was, it was very indicative of what they actually did at the proving grounds."
A three hour wait means people stood in line for about three hours to ride it. That’s a sign the attraction was extremely popular.
A “three hour wait” is a measure of how long guests queue for a popular attraction. In theme-park terms, long waits indicate high demand and strong guest interest, which the speaker uses to emphasize how successful the ride was.
Mercedes G-Wagon
"You got to drive the G-Wagon before anybody else in the staff, the big, you know, leftover Mercedes from almost the war era."
The G-Wagon is a Mercedes-Benz SUV that’s famous for being tough and good off-road. It’s also kind of a “big deal” car, so getting to drive one is a notable experience.
The “G-Wagon” is the common nickname for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a boxy, body-on-frame SUV known for serious off-road ability. In the segment, it’s referenced as something she got to drive before others, highlighting its status and capability.
motorcycle driving school
"I remember doing the motorcycle driving school too. That one in, in, which I really, during that one, I thought everybody should be doing this. It should be mandatory because I realized a lot of people coming in there."
A motorcycle driving school is training for people learning how to ride safely. It teaches you the basics and helps you avoid common mistakes before you ride on your own.
A motorcycle driving school is a structured training program focused on safe riding skills—typically including basic controls, braking, low-speed maneuvers, and hazard awareness. The speaker’s emphasis suggests they believe rider training directly reduces mistakes made by new or inexperienced riders.
Skip Barber
"And I remember doing that and the skip barber. [1309.6s] I love the skip barber racing and driving school. [1311.5s] I did that."
Skip Barber is a training program for learning how to drive better on a track. They teach you car control skills with coaching and practice so you improve faster than just driving around.
Skip Barber is a well-known racing and driving school brand focused on teaching car control and track driving fundamentals. Their programs often use structured coaching and repeatable drills to build confidence and technique.
car control
"And you really get learned some car control during those things. [1333.7s] And I did so many of them that, and it's, it's with me, you know, and they're kind of with [1337.9s] me forever."
Car control is how you keep the car stable and predictable while driving hard. Training helps you learn what to do when the car starts to slide or lose traction.
“Car control” refers to the driver skills needed to manage a vehicle’s behavior—especially at the limit—through inputs like steering, throttle, and braking. In driver-training contexts, it usually means learning how to correct slides, manage traction, and stay composed under changing grip.
skid pad
"they had this skid pad right in the middle of the track. [1351.1s] And it was the skid pad. [1352.3s] And right in the middle, it was a big depression, like a big hole."
A skid pad is a special part of a track used to practice losing traction in a controlled way. It helps you learn how the car reacts and how to steer safely when the tires start to slide.
A skid pad is a dedicated test area—often a flat, marked surface—used to practice controlled sliding and traction limits. Driver schools use it to teach how tires behave when grip is reduced and how to steer and modulate inputs to maintain control.
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