The Tariff Edition, Lotus Lessons, The Iron Man Effect | Episode 1,005
About this episode
The episode dives into the current state of the automotive industry, focusing on Stellantis's financial struggles, the challenges faced by Porsche in the EV market, and the latest developments with Lotus. The hosts discuss the impact of tariffs and product portfolios on these brands, while also debating the future of Lotus amidst its transition to electric vehicles. Car debates include listener questions about family cars and fun vehicles, with recommendations for unique options like the Genesis G70 shooting brake and Alpine A110. The episode wraps up with discussions on driving experiences and the importance of handling over power in cars.
Stellantis
"But I mean, there's so many brands under here. I would argue too many brands under here. But this whole series of news could kind of be tentatively titled tariff problems..."
Stellantis is a big car company that makes many different brands of cars, like Jeep and Dodge. It was created when two companies combined.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. It encompasses a wide range of brands including Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and more.
tariffs
"But this whole series of news could kind of be tentatively titled tariff problems because the tariffs are coming around and having major issues in the automotive area."
Tariffs are extra taxes that countries put on goods coming from other countries. They can make it more expensive to sell cars and hurt car companies' profits.
Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, which can affect the cost of manufacturing and selling vehicles. In the automotive industry, tariffs can lead to increased prices and reduced profits.
Chrysler Voyager
"...ly only make the minivan. Well, wait, we make the Voyager 2. Yeah. They'd have to be subsidized by the Ital..."
Hemi
"Dodge coming back and they're thinking about reintroducing the hemi. So nothing like looking to the past to resurrect something that ended to go sales for the future."
Hemi is a type of engine that has a special shape to help it run better and produce more power. It's often found in powerful Dodge cars.
Hemi refers to a type of engine design characterized by hemispherical combustion chambers, which allows for more efficient airflow and higher power output. It is commonly associated with Dodge's performance models.
Dodge Charger
"...thing interesting because I still do not find the charger EV compelling. It's not an interesting design. It..."
straight six twin turbo
"It's the straight six. It's the straight six twin turbo, which is a heck of a motor with a lot of power."
A straight six twin turbo is a kind of engine with six cylinders in a row and two turbochargers that help it produce more power. It's known for being smooth and powerful.
A straight six twin turbo engine is a type of engine configuration that features six cylinders arranged in a straight line, with two turbochargers to increase power and efficiency. This design is known for its smoothness and performance.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
"And making the Julia enormous because that from a business standpoint, that makes sense. You're right. You're right. Yeah. Well, just we've got this platform now..."
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a stylish car that is fun to drive. It's designed to be sporty and has a unique Italian look.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a compact executive car known for its sporty handling and Italian styling. It's part of Alfa Romeo's lineup and has been well-received for its performance and design.
EV
"It's been the EV two norm that they they can't give away. I mean, honestly, that's really what's happened is they can't give away the two door EV version..."
An EV is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment because they don't produce exhaust fumes.
EV stands for Electric Vehicle, which is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely by electricity instead of gasoline or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits.
Dodge Challenger
"...d of personality version of the prior charger and challenger actually interesting because I just see so much o..."
Chrysler 300
"...w you amortize this out. Chrysler would bring the 300 C back. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Look at the current siste..."
Toyota
"But I think that would have been lessened because Toyota certainly is making changes and feeling it just like any other car company."
Toyota is a well-known car company from Japan that makes many different types of vehicles, including hybrids that use both gas and electricity.
Toyota is a major Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles. The company has been a leader in hybrid technology with models like the Prius.
Ram trucks
"Rams with just the truck, even though the engine, the V8 needs to come back."
Ram makes trucks that are strong and can carry heavy loads. They are popular for work and everyday use.
Ram trucks are known for their durability and capability, often used for towing and heavy-duty tasks. They offer a range of models suited for both work and personal use.
Maserati
"Maserati. I almost think they should divest themselves of Maserati."
Maserati is a luxury car brand from Italy that makes stylish and fast cars.
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles that combine elegance with sportiness.
Alfa Romeo
"Almost that and alpha."
Alfa Romeo is another Italian car brand that makes sporty and stylish cars, popular among car lovers.
Alfa Romeo is an Italian car manufacturer known for its sporty vehicles and distinctive design, often appealing to driving enthusiasts.
Nissan
"Nissan can't afford them."
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many different types of cars, including electric ones.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to trucks, and is also a leader in electric vehicle technology.
GM
"GM wants to make EVs."
GM stands for General Motors, a big car company that makes many different brands of cars, like Chevrolet and Cadillac.
General Motors (GM) is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world, producing vehicles under various brands including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.
Porsche Macan
"This doesn't have the EV Macon in it."
The Porsche Macan is a small luxury SUV that is fun to drive and practical for everyday use.
The Porsche Macan is a compact luxury SUV that combines sporty performance with everyday usability, making it a popular choice among luxury SUV buyers.
Porsche Cayenne
"...hing else. Okay. Yeah. So think about it. This is cayenne, Macon, Panamera, TyCon 911 and Cayman Boxer. Oka..."
Porsche Panamera
"think about it. This is cayenne, Macon, Panamera, TyCon 911 and Cayman Boxer."
The Porsche Cayenne is a medium-sized luxury SUV that is powerful and comfortable for driving.
The Porsche Cayenne is a mid-size luxury SUV that offers a blend of performance, luxury, and versatility, making it suitable for both on-road and off-road driving.
Porsche Cayman
".... This is cayenne, Macon, Panamera, TyCon 911 and Cayman Boxer. Okay. This is the product portfolio at Por..."
Porsche 911
"...about it. This is cayenne, Macon, Panamera, TyCon 911 and Cayman Boxer. Okay. This is the product portf..."
Porsche Taikon
"...ve to sell them here and everywhere else. And the Taikon sales have fallen off a cliff. And of course, you..."
Porsche Boxster
"...wkwardness is what's under the camo of the Cayman Boxster. Because it just doesn't look quite right. And I ..."
new regulations
"it's in huge contrast to the fact that the EU has new regulations, which is why the Cayman Boxster have died."
New regulations are rules that tell car makers how much pollution their cars can produce. These rules can affect what kinds of cars are made and sold.
New regulations refer to updated laws or standards that govern vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency. These regulations can significantly impact the production and sale of gasoline-powered vehicles.
electric vehicle (EV)
"So that's why they went, we'll just go EV. And the market is going, we don't really want your EVs."
An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. They are better for the environment and can save money on fuel.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a car that is powered entirely by electricity, rather than gasoline or diesel. EVs are becoming more popular due to their lower emissions and potential for reduced operating costs.
Porsche
"Well, the resale value of Porsche has always been incredibly high. And you're making an interesting point."
Porsche is a car brand famous for making fast and luxury sports cars. They are known for being high quality and hold their value well over time.
Porsche is a German automotive manufacturer known for its high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. The brand is highly regarded for its engineering excellence and has a strong resale value due to its desirability and performance.
Chevrolet Corvette
"No other car company. Corvette, Chevy, they're not really talking about e-fuels...."
horsepower
"this is what was going to be $2 million in $2,000 horsepower or something like that. 2011 horsepower."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to indicate the power output of engines. In the automotive context, higher horsepower typically means better acceleration and performance.
Lotus Amira
"...ut of the Avaya is it inspired the styling of the Amira. That's a great point."
hypercar
"Lotus is stuck in the lurch here with their hypercar"
A hypercar is a type of car that is extremely fast and powerful, often with very high prices and advanced technology.
A hypercar is a high-performance vehicle that exceeds the capabilities of traditional supercars, often featuring advanced technology and extreme speed.
Jaguar XJ220
"...atever. I mean, this is the thing that killed the XJ220 Jaguar. By the time it got released, the market h..."
Lotus Wear
"The car is called Lotus Wear. It's all part of the future plan."
Lotus Wear is a new car concept by Lotus that connects with your clothing and uses special materials. It's part of their idea for future cars that can do more than just drive.
Lotus Wear is a concept vehicle from Lotus that integrates advanced technology and materials, including haptic feedback and connectivity with clothing. It represents Lotus's vision for future automotive design and functionality.
mid-engine
"But as super cars go, they all carry that same mid-engine kind of shape. It's a gorgeous shape."
Mid-engine means the engine is located in the middle of the car, rather than at the front or back. This helps the car handle better when driving fast.
A mid-engine layout places the engine between the front and rear axles, which helps achieve better weight distribution and handling characteristics. This design is common in high-performance sports cars and supercars.
V8
"But you could have a V8 or a V12 or any kind of gas motor in this."
A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders that make the car go fast and sound powerful. It's often found in sports cars and trucks.
A V8 engine has eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration, providing a balance of power and smoothness. It's commonly used in performance and luxury vehicles.
V12
"But you could have a V8 or a V12 or any kind of gas motor in this."
A V12 is an engine with twelve cylinders that helps the car produce a lot of power and run very smoothly. It's usually in very expensive or fast cars.
A V12 engine features twelve cylinders arranged in a V configuration, allowing for high power output and smooth operation. It's typically found in high-end luxury and performance cars.
Tesla Model
"...gonna buy your EV sedan. No other people go buy a Tesla model plaid if you want a fast sleek looking"
Lotus Esprit
"... whole market you remember they did that with the Esprit you bring that up because there's been a discussi..."
Renault Wind
"...for so long They're about to throw caution to the wind. Yep Paul grew up in a very modest household no f..."
Honda Civic
"...rs that he's had he tells us about the used Honda Civic SI manual that he had he talked about the 94 Mazd..."
Volkswagen Golf GTI
"...lfriend that then became his wife had a Year 2000 golf GTI VR 6 manual. He was like this is amazing turns ou..."
Subaru Outbacks
"...ars and what's terrifying is how many of them are outbacks Five I count five three four five sit I get six"
Lotus Elise
"...in ownership Or does he go straight for the Lotus Elise? That's probably a bit too far. Yeah, he writes t..."
Chevrolet Suburban
"... that one's not that big. I mean, I'm not talking suburban I'm talking like you're tell you ride in Europe"
Hyundai Genesis
"...y? So three or five series wagon I thought of the Genesis G 70 wagon that we don't get here dang it you too..."
Skoda Octavia
"... took mine. I'm sorry I also thought of the scoda Octavia wagon another forbidden fruit that is solid That ..."
Volkswagen Golf
"...he CUPRA with the five cylinder That is the CUPRA Golf R rebadged thing called the four mentor It is loo..."
Hyundai i30
"...r to Europe, but you know what is Is this guy the i30 in from Hyundai oh the i30 the i30 is essentially..."
Hyundai Elantra
"...rom Hyundai oh the i30 the i30 is essentially the Elantra in hatchback form and you have Manual transmissio..."
Alpine A110
"...probably the same one you thought of Yeah, Alpine A110 you're over there in Europe. They have Alpines my..."
Mazda Miata
"... Something we just recently drove against the ND3 Miata. That is The Z4 the new Z4 M40i manual 382 horsep..."
Porsche 911 Turbo S
"...t it's not the hottest 9.11. You're not rocking a turbo s true. Not 11. Yeah, whoo sophisticated choice"
Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
"...e there. So watch that review Wishing you luck on g70 shooting brake shopping And Alpine A110 hunting cars for the fam..."
Lexus Is 500
"Everything that I'm offering to you is a V8 The Lexus IS 500 F-sport with the V8 not offered in manual"
Holden Commodore
"... And if we were to say the Chevy SS here it's the Holden Commodore VF there Go get yourself the Holden Commodore V8 ..."
Honda Stream
"...jor milestone podcast episode and septic but live stream That's right. He was trying to figure out how to ..."
Honda Odyssey
"...ut how to get into auticross And they had a Honda Odyssey for road trips and daily dog walks that was five ..."
Volkswagen Did Volkswagen
"...So anyway in May of 2025 he bought a 2022 his dad did Volkswagen GTI after looking at the Integra Aspect and the H..."
Ford Fiesta Sts
"335i very cool So he looked at American cars like fiesta STs focuses other SUVs And that led him to Volvo"
Audi Quattro
"...veloped if Audi wasn't around And then you've got Quattro that changes rally and you got their their years ..."
Volkswagen Tiguan
"...e it And that way we get rid of the Tauce and the Tiguan and the T-Rock T-Rock and that way we can get rid..."
Ferrari F355
"...lly yes same thing with the Ferraris remember the f355 switch gear the sticky switches People make busin..."
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