Subaru of America's Dominick Infante

The Chevrolet Corvette is a performance sports car built by Chevrolet, known for its strong engine options and long-running history in American car culture. It often comes up in conversations about “first” iconic sports cars because it’s been a mainstream benchmark for speed and style for decades. In this episode, it’s mentioned alongside other classic sports cars as a memorable early sighting.

The Volkswagen Beetle is a compact, air-cooled-era icon that became famous for its distinctive shape and long production run. It’s often discussed as a classic that’s easy to recognize and has a strong enthusiast following. In the podcast context, it’s specifically referenced as a custom-ordered car shipped from Germany to the Bahamas.

The Ford Capri is a sporty coupe that was popular in Europe and is often remembered as a classic “car maniac” type of vehicle. In this episode, it’s tied to a personal family story—someone’s father being from Capri, Italy, and being deeply into cars. That makes it more of a remembered, sentimental reference than a technical one.

The Alfa Romeo GTV6 is a classic Italian grand touring coupe known for its 2.5L V6 and characterful driving feel. In the transcript, it’s mentioned as part of Marcello’s hand-me-downs, placing it in a “car-enthusiast family” context.

The Alfa Romeo GTV is a sporty coupe from Alfa Romeo, and the GTV6 is a well-known variant associated with the brand’s classic performance era. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of a personal lineup—someone had an Alfa Romeo GTV6 after earlier cars like a 280Z. That context makes it a memorable enthusiast car rather than a general recommendation.

The Fiat X19 is a small Italian sports car famous for being a quirky, wedge-shaped, mid-engine-ish design with a very “toy-like” feel. The host highlights how it’s “fun to drive” despite being underpowered, and how it teaches driving fundamentals like momentum and lane positioning.

The Fiat X1/9 is a small, lightweight Italian sports car known for its compact size and classic mid-engine layout. It’s often described as fun and characterful, even when it’s not perfect in every practical way—exactly the tone used in the podcast. The host calls it both “wonderful and awful,” reflecting that it’s a memorable enthusiast car.

In driving terms, momentum is the vehicle’s stored motion energy—how the car keeps moving through turns and between speed changes. With low power (as the host says the Fiat X19 had), you rely more on carrying speed and planning rather than accelerating out instantly.

The Honda Civic is a mainstream compact car that’s often used as an affordable, easy-to-live-with “learning” vehicle. Here, it’s mentioned as what the host had to drive after getting their license and then again with a specific dealer-associated phrasing (“Brown Honda Civic”).

Sterling Moss was a legendary British Formula 1-era driver known for his speed and consistency. He’s especially famous for winning many races without ever winning the Formula 1 World Championship, which is why his name comes up in motorsport history discussions.

Formula One (often shortened to F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, with teams developing highly advanced cars under strict technical rules. When the speaker says they could watch every Formula One race, they’re describing the sport’s global TV era and how it helped new fans connect to racing.

Nigel Mansel (likely referring to Nigel Mansell) was a British Formula 1 champion known for aggressive driving and strong results in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His name is often used as a shorthand for the kind of high-intensity, front-running driver fans looked up to.

NASCAR is a U.S. stock-car racing series where teams race purpose-built cars that resemble production models. In the early days the cars were often closer to what people could buy, which is why the speaker compares them to “stock cars.”

“Stock cars” refers to race cars that are based on production vehicles (or at least designed to resemble them). The speaker’s point is that earlier NASCAR cars felt less exotic because they looked and conceptually matched what everyday drivers had.

Dodge is a Chrysler brand (historically under the Chrysler umbrella) that has competed in NASCAR, including periods when Dodge was an active manufacturer. The speaker notes they did NASCAR with Dodge “for a while,” referencing that era of manufacturer involvement.

Saul Birkenau is referenced alongside Pat Birkenau as someone the speaker followed in rallying. The speaker’s Subaru/rally context indicates he’s likely a rally competitor or rally figure familiar to the audience.

Pat Birkenau is referenced as a rally figure the speaker followed while working with Subaru. The mention suggests the person is associated with rallying and is notable enough to be named without further description in the conversation.

The Dodge Viper is a high-performance American sports car famous for its aggressive styling and big-engine character. It’s often described in dramatic terms because it was built to feel raw and powerful rather than refined. In the podcast, it’s compared to a “giant box, jack-in-the-box” burst, emphasizing its sudden, punchy performance feel.

The Volkswagen New Beetle is a modern revival of the classic Beetle, built around a similar rounded, retro body shape. In the episode, it’s mentioned as a collectible item (“injection molded new beetle”), highlighting how enthusiasts keep branded memorabilia from specific model eras.

“Automotive marketing materials” refers to the brochures, spec sheets, and other printed or promotional items used to sell cars and explain available features. The host contrasts how much text and how many option details used to be included versus today.

A manual sunroof is a roof panel that opens using a hand mechanism rather than an electric motor. The host uses it as an example of older cars having clearly listed, specific options in brochures.

A cassette player is a car audio unit that plays music from magnetic tape cassettes. The host brings it up to illustrate how older brochures listed now-obsolete tech as selectable equipment.

“Tess-A-Syle door handles” refers to a specific door-handle design (likely an aero-focused or flush/hidden style) that’s intended to reduce aerodynamic drag. The host is discussing why some people dislike them—typically because of usability, feel, or visibility compared with conventional handles.

In this context, “Arrow” appears to be shorthand for an automaker design direction or styling theme aimed at improving efficiency. The host is linking it to how regulations can push manufacturers toward more uniform, efficiency-focused design choices.

Fuel economy standards are government regulations that require vehicles sold in a market to achieve certain average efficiency levels. Automakers often respond by changing designs, powertrains, and even styling cues to reduce drag and improve efficiency across their sales mix.

A “corporate average standard” is a fleet-wide fuel-economy or emissions rule that applies to an automaker’s overall lineup, not each individual model. The idea is that manufacturers can meet the requirement by balancing more efficient cars with less efficient ones across the brand’s sales mix.

This is the idea that regulatory pressure (like fleet fuel-economy requirements) can reduce how unique each model looks. When companies optimize for efficiency, they may converge on similar aerodynamic shapes and design cues across multiple vehicles.

“Good as the enemy of great” is a general proverb meaning that settling for “good enough” can prevent achieving something truly excellent. In automotive discussions, it often gets used to argue against complacency in design or engineering decisions.

This is a discussion about how car styling acceptance often follows a “familiarity curve”: people may dislike a new design at first, then start to like it once it becomes more common and recognizable. The speaker frames Subaru’s design changes as responding to that market reaction over time.

The Ferrari F430 is a mid-engine supercar from Ferrari, known for its high-performance layout and distinctive sound and driving feel. It’s the kind of car that often shows up at events like Cars and Coffee because it’s visually striking and immediately recognizable. The podcast mentions seeing a beautiful F430 at such an event.

Alcantara is a synthetic suede-like material used on car interiors for a soft, grippy feel. It’s often used on seats, door panels, and headliners because it looks upscale and can help reduce sliding compared with smooth leather or vinyl.

The Lincoln Continental is a long-running luxury sedan/large car line from Lincoln (Ford’s luxury brand). In enthusiast discussions, it often represents classic American comfort and styling rather than track-focused performance.

The Ferrari 250 GTO is a famous 1960s-era Ferrari race car/track legend, known for its rarity and iconic design. It’s widely regarded as one of the most desirable classic Ferraris, so it often comes up as a “dream car” even among non-racers.

A manual transmission is a gearbox that the driver controls by using a clutch pedal and shifting gears by hand. The discussion here is about whether Subaru will keep offering manuals and why that matters to buyers who prefer driver involvement.

In this context, “business case” means the justification Subaru uses internally to decide whether to keep investing in manual-transmission development and sales. It’s about weighing costs, market demand, and brand positioning against the effort required to offer manuals.

“Credibility with enthusiasts” refers to how believable and authentic a brand feels to people who care deeply about driving feel and traditional hardware. For manuals, the idea is that offering them signals respect for enthusiast preferences rather than treating manuals as a throwaway feature.

JDM stands for “Japanese Domestic Market,” meaning products, trims, or marketing aimed at Japan’s market. The host uses “JDM announcement” to suggest that a manual/enthusiast-focused message may have originated from Japan rather than Subaru of America’s own strategy.

An automatic transmission shifts gears on its own, using hydraulic/electronic control rather than a driver-operated clutch and gear lever. The host’s point is that modern automatics have improved and can even deliver better fuel economy than older setups, changing the traditional “manual is more efficient” assumption.

In this context, “engagement factor” is the idea that a manual transmission makes the driver feel more involved in the driving process. The host frames it as the main reason enthusiasts still choose manuals even when automatics have improved.

The Subaru BRZ is a performance-focused sports coupe from Subaru (co-developed with Toyota) that’s especially known for being offered with a manual transmission. In this segment, the key point is that Subaru BRZ buyers strongly prefer manuals, which the host frames as an “engagement” choice.

“Take rate” is sales jargon meaning the percentage of buyers who choose a specific option or configuration. Here, it’s used to quantify how many customers pick manual transmissions versus automatics.

“Flat engines” refers to horizontally opposed (boxer) engine layouts where cylinders sit on opposite sides of the crankshaft. This design can help with balance and packaging, and it’s strongly associated with brands like Porsche and Subaru.

PDK is Porsche’s dual-clutch automatic transmission. It uses two clutches to pre-select the next gear, which is why it can shift very quickly and often feels more responsive than a traditional torque-converter automatic.

In automotive talk, “safe” usually refers to crash protection and crash-avoidance systems (like stability control and driver-assist features), not just how the car feels. Here, the speaker is emphasizing Subaru’s safety reputation as a selling point across their lineup.

All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to all four wheels, improving traction when roads are slippery or uneven. The segment’s “all will dry” appears to be a transcription error, but the context is about Subaru’s driving confidence and safety across conditions.

The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan that’s typically front-wheel drive (or available with all-wheel drive on some trims). In this segment, it’s used as a comparison point to highlight how a front-wheel-drive feel differs from Subaru’s all-wheel-drive setup.

“All will drive” here refers to an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, where power is sent to more than one axle to improve traction. The host contrasts it with front-wheel drive, emphasizing how AWD can help the car maintain grip when cornering and accelerating.

“Front will drive” means front-wheel drive (FWD), where the engine sends power to the front axle. The host says they’d gotten used to AWD behavior, and that driving an older FWD car felt noticeably different—especially in how it sets and holds grip through a corner.

A low center of gravity means the car’s mass is concentrated closer to the ground. That reduces body roll and helps the tires stay loaded and working effectively, which supports stronger cornering grip.

Mechanical grip is the traction a tire generates through the car’s suspension geometry and chassis dynamics, not from electronic aids. The host links it to AWD design choices, arguing that the drivetrain and packaging help the car keep the tires loaded and gripping in corners.

EVs means electric vehicles—cars powered primarily by electric motors and large battery packs. Because the battery is heavy, many EVs end up with higher curb weight than comparable gas cars, which affects towing/handling feel and crash outcomes.

Curb weight is the weight of a vehicle as it sits ready to drive, typically including standard fluids and a full set of basic equipment. In the segment, the discussion ties that mass to how the car behaves during towing/loading and how it influences accident impact severity.

Crash dynamics refers to how a vehicle’s motion and forces play out during a collision—things like impact energy, deceleration, and how the vehicle structure and occupants are loaded. The host’s point is that extra mass can be “good and bad” depending on how it changes the forces involved.

“Mask the driving dynamics” means tuning the car so it feels agile and responsive even if it’s heavy. Engineers can use suspension tuning, steering calibration, power delivery, and chassis control systems to make a high-mass vehicle feel lighter than its weight suggests.

In car development, a “platform” is a shared set of engineering underpinnings—like the chassis architecture, mounting points, and major systems—that multiple vehicles use. Dominick Infante is saying Subaru shared engineers and worked together on that shared foundation so they could build and retain know-how, not just buy a finished product.

“Chassis work” refers to engineering and tuning the car’s structure and running-gear—things like suspension geometry, mounting, and how the body and wheels work together. Here, the host credits extra chassis development for making the Trail Seeker feel more like a Subaru.

In this context, “AC” means the vehicle’s air conditioning controls. The host is contrasting confusing EV interfaces with a more straightforward setup where you can identify key functions quickly before driving away.

A “start button” is the control used to initiate the vehicle’s ready state (common on modern cars, including EVs). The host uses it to emphasize usability: you can get in, press start, select drive, and go without learning a complicated procedure.

The Subaru Uncharted is a newer Subaru model mentioned in the podcast as being “really quick” and “really fun to drive.” It’s discussed in the context of Subaru’s product lineup and what’s coming out, suggesting it’s meant to deliver a more exciting driving experience. The episode doesn’t provide deeper technical details, but it frames the Uncharted as performance-oriented and enjoyable.

The Crosstrek (commonly spelled Crosstrek, from Subaru’s Crosstrek line) is a compact crossover designed to be practical with a higher ride height for everyday driving. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of a “smaller product size” category, contrasting it with other vehicles in the lineup. The context suggests the speaker is discussing where it fits in terms of size and use.

“Cross track size” appears to be the host’s way of describing a compact crossover-like packaging dimension—essentially how big the vehicle is across its footprint. It’s used here to differentiate the Uncharted’s size category from the larger Trail Seeker.

A “three-row EV” is an electric vehicle (EV) built with seating for three rows, usually targeting families that need more passenger space. The “EV” part means it’s powered by an electric motor and battery instead of a gasoline engine.

Off-roading is driving on unpaved or rough surfaces like dirt trails, gravel, mud, or snow where traction and ground clearance matter more than on-road comfort. It’s often used to describe how a vehicle handles low-speed obstacles and variable grip.

In this context, “duality” means the idea that the same vehicle can do two different jobs well: everyday commuting during the week and more adventurous activities on the weekend. It’s a positioning concept Subaru often leans on—practical daily use plus capability when you want it.

Dirtfish is an off-road driving and driving-instruction facility/event venue known for putting cars through dirt, snow, and mixed-surface courses. In this segment, it’s the setting where the host tests Subaru vehicles in real off-road conditions.

“Street tires” are tires designed primarily for pavement use, typically prioritizing comfort, tread life, and dry/wet grip over deep off-road traction. The point in this segment is that the Forester Touring still handled the off-road course well even without dedicated off-road tires.

“Supras” refers to the Toyota GR Supra (the modern Supra line), which is typically known for performance on pavement rather than off-roading. The host says they used Supras to surprise people on off-road days, highlighting how unexpected the results were.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain setup that powers all four wheels, usually to improve traction for off-road or low-grip conditions. Here it’s used to explain why the host’s “truck/Jeep” background made them expect the cars to handle off-road courses.

In off-roading, articulation is how much the suspension can move so the wheels stay in contact with the ground over uneven terrain. More articulation helps a vehicle keep traction when one wheel is higher or lower than the others.

Body-on-frame is a vehicle construction method where the body mounts to a separate ladder-like frame. It’s common on traditional off-road vehicles because it can support suspension travel and durability for rough use.

This refers to suspension setups typically associated with Jeep-style off-road vehicles, designed to allow more wheel travel and better compliance over rocks, ruts, and steep climbs. The key idea is suspension geometry and travel tuned for articulation and traction rather than just smooth highway ride.

Moab is a desert region in Utah famous for off-road driving, including rock-crawling trails and obstacle climbs. Automakers and media often use Moab routes because they’re a repeatable way to stress-test traction, suspension, and ground clearance.

A Wilderness package is an off-road-oriented trim option that typically adds equipment aimed at tougher terrain, such as increased ride height, more capable tires, and suspension tuning. The speaker is contrasting how these packages improve off-road ability compared with stock versions.

Suspension systems are the components that connect the wheels to the vehicle and control how the car absorbs bumps and maintains tire contact. In off-road context, more advanced suspension designs can improve wheel travel and traction, but they may be more complex to service.

Traction is how well a tire can grip the road surface without slipping. In snow, traction depends on tire grip plus how the drivetrain manages power to the wheels.

The Audi Quattro refers to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which became a defining technology for the brand and is strongly associated with rally-style traction. In the podcast, the speaker compares it to Subaru’s system and suggests their opinion that Subaru’s setup is better. The mention is about drivetrain design and traction performance rather than a single body style.

Ground clearance is the distance between the road and the lowest part of the vehicle’s underbody. More ground clearance helps prevent the car from scraping or getting stuck when snow piles up or when roads are uneven.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness is a trim built for outdoor use, with styling and capability aimed at rougher adventures. In this segment, the key detail is that it can carry a roof tent, which makes it practical for camping without needing a separate vehicle.

A roof tent is a tent mounted on top of a vehicle, typically on a roof rack or dedicated mounting system. It’s popular with overlanding and camping because it keeps you off the ground and can be set up quickly at a campsite.

Pike's Peak is a famous mountain in Colorado with a steep drive up to the summit, often used to test how well vehicles handle winter conditions. In this segment, the host describes being stopped about two-thirds of the way up due to snow.

The Subaru Impreza WRX is Subaru’s turbocharged performance model, typically paired with rally-style all-wheel drive for traction. The host contrasts how the WRX was driven on pavement versus the STI being driven to the top and down on dirt, using Pike’s Peak as a real-world traction test.

The Subaru WRX is a performance-focused compact sedan/wagon line from Subaru, built for drivers who want everyday usability with rally-inspired handling. It’s frequently discussed because it’s closely tied to Subaru’s all-wheel-drive identity and has a reputation for being engaging. The podcast mentions the “06 STI and WRX,” referring to that era’s models.

In performance driving, “sliding” usually means the tires lose grip and the car rotates or drifts while still being controlled. On dirt at steep elevation, sliding is a key part of how a rally-inspired all-wheel-drive car can be driven quickly and safely.

A “drop off” describes a steep edge or cliff-like fall-off next to the road, which dramatically increases the consequences of any loss of traction or control. The host uses the height to communicate how intense the traction and focus demands were during the press drive.

An aluminum head is the cylinder head made from aluminum instead of cast iron. Aluminum helps reduce engine weight and can improve heat management, but it also changes how the engine wears and how it needs to be maintained.

A “Tremac five speed” is a five-speed manual transmission the speaker associates with this Healey build. The key point is that the car’s gearbox is an older, less refined unit, and the speaker later explains it’s awkward to drive because of how the shifter is mounted.

“Triple 45” refers to three 45mm carburetors, and “Weathers” is the carburetor brand/model the speaker is using. Multiple large carburetors are common on classic performance builds because they can deliver strong throttle response and airflow.

A side shifter is a manual-transmission shifter mounted to the side of the gearbox rather than coming up through the center console. In this build, the speaker says the transmission was adapted from a truck and the shifter placement makes it awkward to drive.

The Jaguar C-Type is a classic Jaguar race car from the 1950s, celebrated for its lightweight design and motorsport heritage. The podcast specifically mentions a “Jaguar C type race car” and calls out a “Proteus” that’s described as all aluminum. That points to a special, race-focused build rather than a standard road car.

The Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (R231) is a luxury grand touring roadster, built for comfortable high-speed driving with a premium interior and strong performance. The podcast mentions an “88, 560 SL,” which is a different generation than R231, but the SL-Class name is still the key reference point: it’s a personal favorite in the speaker’s lineup. SL-Class cars are often discussed because they blend everyday usability with classic Mercedes roadster appeal.

The Range Rover is Land Rover’s iconic luxury SUV line, known for its off-road ability and distinctive, upscale styling. In this segment, the host is specifically talking about an 80s two-door Range Rover, which is a rarer body style than the more common four-door versions.

A restomod is a modified classic car that blends original styling with modern upgrades—often for drivability, reliability, and safety. In this segment, the host says Kingsley builds customized high-end restomods based on Range Rovers.

Kingsley is described as a company that builds customized, high-end restomods based on Range Rovers. The mention matters because it frames why multiple two-door Range Rovers were present at the car event.

A turbo diesel is a diesel engine that uses a turbocharger to force more air into the cylinders. That typically improves torque (pulling power) and efficiency compared with a non-turbo diesel, but it can also add complexity and stress to components.

“VM” here refers to VM Motori, an Italian engine manufacturer whose diesel engines were used in some Range Rover applications. The host is calling it “least loved,” implying it has a reputation for being troublesome or at least not universally liked.