0:00 / 0:00
SSC Tuatara Review; No More Regs; Merc EVs

SSC Tuatara Review; No More Regs; Merc EVs

The Smoking Tire Aug 07, 2025 101 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Zach and Matt dive into their recent experiences with the SSC Tuatara, a hypercar aiming for the 300 mph mark, discussing its impressive specs and unique driving characteristics. They also touch on the recent suspension of fuel economy standards in the U.S., the implications for car manufacturers, and the surprising halt of Mercedes EV sales in California. The episode is filled with engaging debates on automotive regulations, personal freedoms, and the future of performance cars, all while sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their automotive journeys.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
SSC Tuatara
SSCNA (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

SSC Tuatara

"...Zach and I have gone to Washington to review the SSC Tuatara. Plus, my Myers-Manks has done..."

The SSC Tuatara is a super-fast sports car made by a company called SSC. It's designed to be one of the fastest cars in the world.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

fuel economy standards

"...because America has decided that we aren't going to have fuel economy standards anymore. Yay, it's the smoking tire podcast..."

Fuel economy standards are rules that tell car manufacturers how much gas their cars should use. These rules help make cars more efficient and better for the environment.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Mercedes-Benz E55
FotoSleuth (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz E55

"...my guess is the supercharged five and a half liter engine from the 2004 E55 is about to make a comeback. The EQ55 is coming in hot..."

The Mercedes-Benz E55 is a fast and luxurious car from the E-Class lineup, known for having a powerful engine that makes it exciting to drive.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Concept

hyper cars

"...fuel economy standards brought us hyper cars. Well, they brought us direct injection turbocharging huge power..."

Hyper cars are some of the fastest and most advanced cars in the world. They are very expensive and use the latest technology to go really fast.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

turbocharging

"...fuel economy standards brought us hyper cars. Well, they brought us direct injection turbocharging huge power..."

Turbocharging is a way to make an engine more powerful by forcing extra air into it. This lets the engine burn more fuel and produce more power without being bigger.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

direct injection

"...fuel economy standards brought us hyper cars. Well, they brought us direct injection turbocharging huge power..."

Direct injection is a way of getting fuel into an engine. Instead of mixing it with air before it goes in, the fuel goes straight into the engine, which can help it run better and use less gas.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Brand

Volkswagen

"...you want the automakers to be able to sell the dirty shit to like everybody. Right. Let me look at Volkswagen. They will do whatever the fuck they can get away with. Right. And if you tell them they"

Volkswagen is a well-known car company from Germany that makes many popular cars. They have been in trouble before for not following environmental rules about car emissions.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

catalytic exhaust

"...when I see people that run a catalyst exhaust and we beat this horse to death will be quick. Like Steve, I didn't explain."

A catalytic exhaust helps clean the air by changing harmful gases from the car's engine into safer ones before they come out of the exhaust pipe.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

horsepower

"...the horse power you lose by just running a high-flow CAD versus a catalyst is negligible. Yeah."

Horsepower tells you how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster or accelerate quicker.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

catalytic converter

"...the catalytic converter manufacturer business goes to zero for three years..."

A catalytic converter is a part of a car that helps clean up the exhaust gases before they leave the vehicle. It makes the car less polluting by changing harmful gases into safer ones.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Ram TRX
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Ram TRX

"...I was going to say the TRX is back. I think they're going to use what they have in the pantry..."
Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

fuel crisis

"...the fuel crisis in the 70s and people, they're small economy cars were total shit boxes..."

The fuel crisis was a time in the 1970s when there was not enough gas, and prices went up a lot. This made people want smaller cars that used less gas.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Brand

Honda

"...maybe I'll try a Honda, maybe I'll try a Toyota. And that bitch ran for 400,000 miles..."

Honda is a car company from Japan that makes cars known for being reliable and good on gas. They became popular when people wanted smaller cars during the fuel crisis.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Company

Shelby Supercars

"And it's a excuse me, the home of SSE, Shelby supercars, unrelated to Carroll Shelby. And you probably know SSE for the reason that they wish you didn't..."

Shelby Supercars is a company that makes very fast cars. They are famous for creating a car that was the fastest in the world for a time.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
SSC Ultimate Aero
Ank kumar (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

SSC Ultimate Aero

"And you probably know SSE for the reason that they wish you didn't, which is that this is the company that had the fastest car in the world in 2007, beat the Bugatti Veyron with the ultimate arrow."

The SSC Ultimate Aero is a very fast sports car made by Shelby Supercars. It was once the fastest car in the world, beating another famous car called the Bugatti Veyron.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Bugatti Veyron
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bugatti Veyron

"And then it took 10 years to develop their second car and then had one of the craziest PR bongles of all time in a car history where they had a video that claimed to say the car went 330 miles an hour."

The Bugatti Veyron is a very expensive and fast car made by Bugatti. It was one of the fastest cars in the world and is known for its luxury and power.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

carbon tub

"...it's a carbon tub hypercar. It's two and a half million dollars..."

A carbon tub is a strong and lightweight frame made from a special material called carbon fiber. It helps cars go faster and handle better because it doesn't weigh much.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Company

Nelson Racing

"...engines made Nelson racing racing. Yeah, carbon. All their carbon stuff is made..."

Nelson Racing is a company that makes very powerful engines for fast cars. They are known for their quality and performance, especially in racing.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Part

carbon fiber

"But like Delara is they make carbon fiber for everyone."

Carbon fiber is a strong and light material used in cars to make them faster and more efficient.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Company

Dallara

"shipped from Italy. Nothing wrong with that. But like Delara is they make carbon fiber for everyone."

Dallara is a company from Italy that makes parts for race cars, especially using a lightweight material called carbon fiber.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Venom F5
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Venom F5

"F5 the Venom F5. It was also used in the older Conex."

The Venom F5 is a super-fast car made by Hennessey. It's built to go really fast and has a lot of power.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Koenigsegg CCR
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Koenigsegg CCR

"...nom F5. It was also used in the older Conex. I go CCR or something. Yeah, CCXR. Yeah, and you know, it'..."

The Koenigsegg CCR is a super-fast car that is very rare and expensive. It's made for people who want the ultimate in speed and performance.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Koenigsegg CCXR
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Koenigsegg CCXR

"... in the older Conex. I go CCR or something. Yeah, CCXR. Yeah, and you know, it's it's well, it's fucking..."
Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

drag race

"...it's more like a drag race. You don't have to get on it. But to your point, that long roll up was now they're doing..."

In a drag race, two cars start from a stop and try to be the first to cross a finish line a short distance away. It's all about who can go the fastest in a straight line.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

oil temperature sensor

"We thought the oil temp sensor was broken. I was like, there's no way the oil is under a hundred..."

An oil temperature sensor checks how hot the engine oil is. This helps ensure the engine runs well and doesn't overheat.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Lamborghini Kuntosh
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Kuntosh

"that's like my kuntosh. That's like what they told me about my Lamborghini..."

The Lamborghini Countach is a famous sports car that looks really cool and goes fast. It needs time to warm up before it's ready to drive well.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Porsche 911
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche 911

"...ext, I remember this specifically when we had the 911 T from flat six motor sports. Yeah, I drove it fr..."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people admire for its unique shape and fast speed. It's been around for a long time and is often talked about because it's considered one of the best sports cars ever made.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

single clutch seven speed

"...it's a single clutch seven speed. Yeah. Um, it basically power shifts. It's it yeah,..."

A single clutch seven-speed transmission is a type of gearbox that can change gears quickly, but it might not be as smooth as other types. It uses one clutch to do this instead of two, which can make it faster but also a bit rougher when driving slowly.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Chevrolet Corvette
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...hat's where the money went. This is literally the Corvette of Pagani's. Yeah. Like, the actual Corvette is n..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a well-known sports car from America that many people love for its speed and cool looks. It's often compared to other high-end cars because it offers great performance at a relatively lower price.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Company

Pagani

"...if Pagani is one side of the spectrum, where the interior is so complicated, it's almost blinding. You know, Pagani is steampunk."

Pagani is a brand that makes very fancy and expensive sports cars. They are known for their unique and artistic designs, often using lightweight materials.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

height adjustable

"than track mode. So it drops like an inch and a half. Right. I apologize. It's height adjustable."

Height adjustable means you can change how high or low the car sits. This can help with how the car handles or just make it look different.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Bentley GT Speed
QV (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bentley GT Speed

"I want to say they're the same ones either on maybe the Panamera Turbo S or the Bentley."

The Bentley GT Speed is a very fancy and fast car. It's designed to be luxurious while also being able to go really fast.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Porsche 911 Turbo S
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche 911 Turbo S

"I want to say they're the same ones either on maybe the Panamera Turbo S or the Bentley."

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S is a fancy car that's really fast and comfortable. It's made for people who want a luxury experience while driving quickly.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Porsche Panamera
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Panamera

"... to say they're the same ones either on maybe the Panamera Turbo S or the Bentley. Uh, it might be the Bentl..."
Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Lamborghini Urus
Johannes Maximilian (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Urus

"...be the Bentley GT speed, which is the same as the Urus brakes. They're fucking huge. Yeah. They're the b..."

The Lamborghini Urus is a fancy SUV that is super fast and stylish. It's made by Lamborghini, a brand known for sports cars, and it's popular among people who want luxury and speed in an SUV.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Company

Brembo

"they're the biggest, thickest brembo's that they make."

Brembo is a company that makes really good brakes for cars. They are popular in fast cars because they help them stop quickly and safely.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

brakes

"...big fucking brakes. Not a lot of space. Yeah. Normally, a break of this size for a car that weighs 3,100 pounds would be like enormously overkill."

Brakes help cars slow down or stop. Bigger brakes are used in fast cars to handle the heat and pressure when stopping quickly.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Term

steering ratio

"One, the steering ratio is way too quick. That, like, it is twitchy and not in a good way."

Steering ratio is how much you have to turn the steering wheel to make the car's wheels turn. A quick ratio means the wheels turn a lot with just a little turn of the wheel, which can make the car feel jumpy.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Mclaren 570S
Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Mclaren 570S

"...hairy. And the, like, we've said it about McLaren 570s. Also, that's why those cars out, you know, the l..."

The McLaren 570S is a super-fast sports car that is really light, which helps it handle well on the road. It's popular among car enthusiasts who love driving and racing.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Porsche 911 GT3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Porsche 911 GT3

"...e to like a stock G2RS 647. Yeah. Or a facelifted GT3 with Yorg. 651."

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a super-fast version of the 911 sports car, built for people who love racing and driving on tracks. It has special features that make it handle better and go even faster than the regular 911.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Ford Mustang
Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang

"...rom the 90s just seem to look rough? I have an 03 Mustang Cobra with beat ass paint and my friends give me ..."
Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Shelby Cobra
Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
Car

Shelby Cobra

"...90s just seem to look rough? I have an 03 Mustang Cobra with beat ass paint and my friends give me shit w..."

The Shelby Cobra is a classic sports car that mixes British style with American power. It's famous for being very fast and is loved by car collectors and racing fans.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
BMW M5
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M5

"...l much closer to normal than you think. My guess, M5 Toring, this is BMW in the M5 Toring because I've..."

The BMW M5 is a fancy car that can go really fast while still being comfortable to drive every day. It's popular because it combines luxury with sports car performance.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Audi 100
Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
Car

Audi 100

"...8 V8 manual spider. Fun fact, Audi made less than 100 of these. Those are very rare and actually very c..."

The Audi 100 is an older luxury car that helped make Audi a well-known brand. It's remembered for its good quality and stylish design.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Bmw M
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bmw M

"...o the M light and half AMG vehicles, referring to BMW M Sport and the C43 and all those 43s and stuff. I'..."

The BMW M Coupe (E36) is a special version of a BMW that is known for being fast and having a unique look. It's a favorite among car collectors because it's not very common.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
BMW M3
MB-one (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M3

"...m Colorado, be honest, has the front grill of the M3 and M4 grown on you guys? It has on me."
Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
BMW M4
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M4

"...ado, be honest, has the front grill of the M3 and M4 grown on you guys? It has on me."

The BMW M4 is a sporty two-door car that is fun to drive and looks great. It's similar to the M3 but has a different body style, making it popular with people who like fast cars.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Ford Thunderbird
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Ford Thunderbird

"What else to do? Oh, four of the 70s Thunderbird, Camaro, yeah."

The Ford Thunderbird is an old American car that was made to be stylish and comfortable. It's remembered for its unique design and is popular among classic car fans.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Chevrolet Camaro
Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"Oh, four of the 70s Thunderbird, Camaro, yeah. Okay, nothing."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a cool-looking American car that is known for being fast and powerful. It's a favorite among people who love muscle cars and racing.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Pontiac Firebird
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Pontiac Firebird

"Okay, nothing. Firebird, yeah. Suzuki X90."

The Pontiac Firebird is an old American muscle car that many people remember for its speed and cool looks. It's a favorite among car collectors and fans of classic cars.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Suzuki X90
Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Suzuki X90

"Firebird, yeah. Suzuki X90. So that's a full Targer roof, not a T,"

The Suzuki X-90 is a small SUV that has a funny look and is not very common. It's remembered for being different from other cars and is liked by some for its unique style.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Cadillac El Dorado
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Cadillac El Dorado

"Be a Ritz. El Dorado. Be a Ritz with a T-top."

The Cadillac El Dorado is an old luxury car that is known for being very comfortable and stylish. It's a favorite among people who appreciate classic American cars.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Hyundai Ionic 5
Calreyn88 (CC0)
Car

Hyundai Ionic 5

"What feature I wish. I mean, I really like the Ionic 5 and the EV with gears."

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a new electric SUV that looks really modern and has lots of cool technology. It's popular because it's eco-friendly and offers a comfortable ride.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Toyota Supra
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Supra

"...at's really a concern. A second Jay Z has hit the Supra. It's so funny."

The Toyota Supra is a popular sports car that many people love for its speed and style. It's known for being easy to modify and make even faster, which is why it's talked about a lot.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
BMW M2
Wikisympathisant (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M2

"It could be better. The M2, it went M2 good soft, M2 comp to stiff, M2 CS gr..."

The BMW M2 is a small, fast car that is really fun to drive. It's designed for people who love sporty cars and want something that feels exciting on the road.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Rivian R1T
Photo by Rivian (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Rivian R1T

"... rather have as a luxury winter ski truck, Rivian R1T Quad or Porsche Cayenne Turbo? Between those two,..."

The Rivian R1T is a new electric truck that can go off-road and has lots of cool features. It's designed for people who want to use a truck for adventures while being environmentally friendly.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Land Rover Range Rover
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...ng tojos. Sam let me borrow his like old, his old Range Rover, just because like that's what he has there,"

The Land Rover Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive on tough roads and also looks great in the city. It's popular for people who want a comfortable ride with the ability to go off-road.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
BMW E39
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW E39

"Yeah, that would work. German Shepherd Transport E39. Any tips for making a manual E39 530 as enjoymen..."

The BMW 5 Series is a nice car that is comfortable to drive and has lots of features. It's popular among people who want a luxury car that is also practical for daily use.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
Ford Mustang GT
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang GT

"... fun, daily, weekend, or convertible for 50K, new Mustang GT or a 991 911 911 911, if it was not like a bazill..."

The Ford Mustang GT is a powerful version of the Mustang sports car that many people love for its speed and classic look. It's a great choice for anyone who wants a fun car to drive.

Sign in to suggest edits or report issues
30 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars