Super Cooper, mega-mile Toyotas, Ineos
My week in cars: the Autocar podcast
My week in cars: the Autocar podcast May 27, 2026
Super Cooper, mega-mile Toyotas, Ineos

Super Cooper, mega-mile Toyotas, Ineos

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49:43
Super Cooper, mega-mile Toyotas, Ineos
Brand

Ineos

Ineos is the company behind the Grenadier, and the episode frames its heritage story as a key part of selling the vehicle. Here, “Ineos” is used as the consumer-facing identity tied to the Grenadier’s origin narrative.

Place

Grenadier pub

The Grenadier pub is the real-world place the hosts say the idea for the Ineos Grenadier started. They mention it because the company uses that story as part of its identity.

Person

Lin Calder

Lin Calder is the CEO of Ineos Automotive. The hosts say they spoke with him for an upcoming episode, so he’s a key person behind the company’s message.

Ford F250 Super Duty
Car

Ford F250 Super Duty

The Ford F-250 Super Duty is a big, heavy pickup truck made for work like towing and carrying loads. The host is saying it can drive over potholes more easily than a normal car because it’s built tougher and sits higher.

Term

6.8 litre petrol V10

This means the truck has a V10 engine—10 cylinders arranged in a V—and it’s 6.8 liters big. A bigger engine like this usually helps a heavy truck pull and move easily.

Term

tow

To tow means pulling something behind the vehicle, like a trailer. Big trucks are built to do this safely and repeatedly.

Place

Milbrook Proving Ground

Milbrook Proving Ground is a car testing site in the UK. Car makers use it to test cars on purpose-built tracks so they can compare how different cars behave.

Company

UTAC

UTAC is a company that helps run car testing facilities. Here, they’re connected to operating the Milbrook test track.

Topic

SMMT Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders test day

This is an event organized by the SMMT where car makers bring cars for journalists to drive and review. It’s basically a structured media test day for new models.

Term

comparison tests

Comparison tests are structured evaluations where multiple cars are driven under similar conditions so differences in behavior are easier to attribute to the vehicles themselves. The key is repeating the same route and setup to reduce “noise” from changing conditions.

Term

55 mile an hour limit

They limit speed on the hill test route to keep testing controlled and safe. Drivers are supposed to follow the rule, even if real-world speeds can vary.

Person

Mike Hawes

Mike Hawes is a top executive at the SMMT, which represents car makers and parts suppliers. Here, he’s talking about what government rules mean for the auto industry, particularly electric-vehicle requirements.

Term

ZEV mandate

A ZEV mandate is a government rule that requires car companies to sell a certain number of zero-emission cars. In this segment, they’re saying it’s creating pressure and problems for the auto industry.

Term

electric vehicles

Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity, usually from a battery. Here, they’re important because the government is setting rules about how many of these cars must be sold.

Cooper S
Car

Cooper S

The Cooper S is a sportier version of the Mini. It’s usually meant to feel quicker and more fun to drive than the standard Mini. Here, they’re saying they’re replacing their older Cooper S.

Cooper triple
Car

Cooper triple

The Mini Cooper triple refers to a Mini powered by a three-cylinder engine (“triple”), which is a common modern Mini layout for efficiency and smooth everyday driveability. The host also highlights that this specific new car is an automatic with an eight-speed gearbox, and they describe it as quieter and smoother while still having strong “step off” response.

Term

1.5 triple

“1.5 triple” means a 1.5-liter engine with three cylinders. They’re talking about the specific engine in the Mini and how it feels when they drove it.

Term

eight speed box

An eight-speed automatic transmission is a gearbox with eight different gear ratios. Having more gears can make the car shift more smoothly and keep the engine from working as hard, which often feels quieter.

Term

step off

“Step off” means how quickly the car pulls away when you accelerate. They’re saying the new car still feels responsive, not sluggish.

Morgan Supersport
Car

Morgan Supersport

The Morgan Supersport is the standard version of the Supersport line. In this segment, the host uses it as a comparison point—talking about how the 400 version feels different because it has more power and different options.

Car

Morgan Supersport 400

The Morgan Supersport 400 is a Morgan roadster that’s been tuned to feel quicker and more responsive. The host talks about how it delivers strong pulling power at lower engine speeds, and how options like the differential and adjustable suspension make it feel more exciting (or more comfortable) depending on how you set it.

Term

peak torque

Peak torque is the engine’s strongest “pulling power.” If it happens at lower engine speeds, the car feels more responsive because you don’t have to rev as high to get moving.

Term

urgency

“Urgency” is a way of saying the car feels like it reacts quickly when you press the gas. The host is basically saying it feels eager and responsive rather than slow to build speed.

Term

optional limited slip diff

A limited-slip differential helps the car put power to the road more effectively. Instead of one wheel spinning uselessly, it helps both wheels work together better, which can make the car feel more responsive.

Porsche 911
Car

Porsche 911

The host brings up the Porsche 911 as a reference point for how refined and polished a car can feel. They’re saying the Morgan Supersport doesn’t feel quite as smooth or “premium” as a 911.

Term

Nitron dampers

Nitron dampers are shocks you can adjust to change how firm or comfortable the ride feels. The host says the Supersport 400’s setup is more performance-oriented, but you can dial it back if the ride feels too stiff on your daily roads.

Term

eBay Motors

eBay Motors is an online place to buy cars and car parts. In this story, they’re using it to find replacement parts without paying for brand-new ones.

Concept

300,000 miles

300,000 miles is a lot of driving. The hosts are saying that even at that mileage, a Prius can still feel decent if it’s been cared for and refreshed where it matters.

Toyota Prius
Car

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car, meaning it uses both a gas engine and an electric motor. The hosts are saying that a high-mileage Prius (even one used for rideshare) can still drive nicely.

Concept

Uber car

An “Uber car” is a car that’s been used to drive passengers for a ridesharing service. It usually racks up a lot of miles and wear faster than a normal personal car.

Term

better tires

Tires are what actually touch the road. Better tires can make the car feel safer and more responsive, even if the car has high mileage.

Term

floor mats

Floor mats are the removable coverings on the car’s floor. They help protect the carpet, and replacing them can make a used car feel cleaner and less worn.

Term

steering wheel

The steering wheel is what you hold to steer the car. If it’s worn out, the whole interior can feel tired—so replacing it can make a high-mileage car feel fresher.

Term

mileage

Here, mileage just means how many miles the car has been driven. The point is that the car still holds up even after a lot of driving.

golf
Car

golf

They’re talking about a Volkswagen Golf. It’s a common, everyday small car, and the point here is that this one has lasted a long time even with regular upkeep.

Part

glovebox

The glovebox is the little storage compartment in the dashboard. They had to take it out and put it back so they could replace the fan blower.

Part

fan blower

A fan blower is the HVAC (heating/ventilation/air-conditioning) fan that pushes air through the cabin. The speaker replaced the fan blower and then needed to reinstall the glovebox to finish the job, which is a common DIY workflow for dashboard HVAC components.

Term

Weyman body

A Weyman body is an older-style car body made with a wooden frame and fabric covering. The host is saying it looked period-correct, but the body could flex and feel less solid than a modern all-metal body.

Term

ladder frame chassis

A ladder frame is a car’s main structure made like a ladder—two long beams with bars connecting them. It’s sturdy, but it can make the body feel a bit less tight or controlled than newer designs.

BMW M3
Car

BMW M3

The BMW M3 is a high-performance BMW made by BMW’s performance team. It’s the kind of car people buy when they want the car to feel sporty and fun to drive, not just comfortable.

Brand

Alpina

Alpina is a company that modifies BMWs to feel quicker and more luxurious. People often see Alpina as a middle ground between regular BMWs and the more hardcore BMW M performance cars.

Concept

M division

BMW’s M division is BMW’s performance department. Cars from M are built to drive more aggressively—tighter handling and more power—than regular BMWs.

Topic

Villa d'Este

Villa d’Este is a well-known car event in Italy where automakers show off special concept cars. It’s the kind of place associated with luxury and design.

Alpina Vision concept car
Car

Alpina Vision concept car

The Alpina Vision is a concept car—basically a preview of what Alpina might build next. Concept cars are shown to show the brand’s design and performance direction.

Brand

Zegato

Zegato is an Italian design company that makes special, styled versions of cars. The hosts mention it to compare pricing and timing of concept/model launches.

Brand

AMG

AMG is Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand. When a car is an AMG, it usually means it’s been tuned for more power and a sportier driving feel.

Land Rover Range Rover
Car

Land Rover Range Rover

The Range Rover is a large luxury SUV made by Land Rover. It’s designed to feel comfortable and upscale, but it’s also built to handle rough roads. It may be discussed because it’s one of the most recognizable and “top” models in the lineup.

Term

plug-in hybrid

A plug-in hybrid is a car that can drive using electricity from a battery, but it also has a regular engine. You can charge it like an electric car, but it can still run without charging too.

electric AMG GT
Car

electric AMG GT

They’re talking about a Mercedes-AMG GT that’s electric. It’s described as a long, four-door “coupe-style” car, but powered by electricity instead of a traditional engine. The big headline is that it’s still meant to feel like an AMG performance car, just with electric power.

Jaguar Type
Car

Jaguar Type

The Jaguar F-Type is a sports car made by Jaguar. It’s designed to be quick and fun to drive. The podcast is using it as a comparison because it’s one of the closest cars available today to what the upcoming Type 01 is expected to be like.

Type 01
Car

Type 01

The Type 01 is an upcoming Jaguar car that hasn’t arrived yet. The podcast is saying that, for now, there isn’t an exact match, but there are current cars that are the closest in terms of how it’s expected to perform. It’s discussed so listeners can picture what to expect.

Jaguar Type 01
Car

Jaguar Type 01

They mention the Jaguar Type 01 as a future Jaguar electric car. The speaker is basically saying it’s the closest match to the electric AMG GT in terms of what kind of car it is and how people will use it.

Porsche Taycan
Car

Porsche Taycan

They bring up the Porsche Taycan as an example of a serious electric performance car that already exists. It’s Porsche’s electric lineup, and they’re using it to frame what “fast electric” looks like today.

Brand

Lotus

They mention Lotus as an example of a brand that feels different from what people expect. The idea is that changes in the cars—especially powertrain and design direction—can make a brand feel “new.”

Term

powertrain

Powertrain is the set of parts that actually make the car move. In simple terms, it’s what kind of engine/motors it uses and how that power gets to the wheels.

Tesla Model S Plaid
Car

Tesla Model S Plaid

The Tesla Model S Plaid is an electric car built for fast performance. The hosts are using it as an example of how well a “big sporty EV” can sell.

Tesla Model
Car

Tesla Model

The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV, meaning it runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It’s designed for everyday driving with a practical size and seating for passengers. It comes up a lot because it’s a major seller in Tesla’s lineup.

Tesla Model S
Car

Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S is a fully electric car shaped like a sedan. It’s built to be fast and to use modern tech features, and it’s Tesla’s more premium model. It’s mentioned because it’s a key reference point for what Tesla can do at the high end.

Land Rover Defender
Car

Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is a modern revival of the classic Defender off-road SUV, and it’s discussed as a sales success that Land Rover can point to. In this context, it’s contrasted with “trouble keeping up with demand,” implying strong customer demand for Defender.

Concept

tender process

A tender process is like an official bidding contest for a contract. Companies submit proposals, and the government picks the one that best fits what they need.

MX-5
Car

MX-5

“MX-5” refers to the Mazda MX-5, a popular lightweight roadster that’s commonly used as a donor for kit-car builds. The host suggests using “forward bits” or MX-5 bits, meaning parts from the MX-5 can be adapted to other projects.

Lotus 6
Car

Lotus 6

They’re talking about an early Lotus called the Lotus 6. The point is that it had an older, less-refined engine and a basic four-speed gearbox, and the host says it also felt rough—especially with braking and shifting.

Term

all-aluminium body

“All-aluminium body” means the car’s body is made mostly from aluminum instead of steel. Aluminum is lighter, which can help the car feel more nimble, but repairs can be different than with steel.

Topic

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

It’s a yearly charity ride for motorcyclists. People dress up and ride together to raise money, and it’s held in lots of cities around the world.

Car

Triumph 1200 twin Speedmaster

This is a Triumph motorcycle called the Speedmaster, and the host says it’s based on the Bonneville. They mention it because they use it for a yearly charity ride event.

Company

Caterham

Caterham is a British car brand famous for small, lightweight sports cars. Here, they’re talking about Caterham offering factory tours because lots of people want to visit and see how the cars are made.

Ferrari Luce
Car

Ferrari Luce

The Ferrari Luce is a new car from Ferrari that people are talking about because it’s coming soon. The podcast mention suggests it’s exciting enough to be worth seeing in person. It’s discussed as a notable new model in Ferrari’s lineup.

Person

Johnny Ives

Johnny Ive is a famous designer, best known for helping define Apple’s look and feel. The hosts are saying he designed the interior of the Ferrari Luce, which is a big deal because it means the cabin design is coming from a top-tier design background.

Term

embargo

An embargo is a media restriction that prevents journalists from publishing certain information until a specific date/time. The hosts mention an embargo “lifting,” meaning the car’s details can go public after that deadline.

Toyota Hilux
Car

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux is a tough pickup truck that’s sold in a lot of countries. Here they’re talking about a hybrid version, meaning it uses both a regular engine and an electric system to help with fuel use.

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