0:00 / 0:00
What Is BMW Doing? Meet The All New 2027 BMW X5! | EP. 345

What Is BMW Doing? Meet The All New 2027 BMW X5! | EP. 345

TFL Car Chat Jul 06, 2026 61 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

The hosts kick off with banter about Fast & Furious—how the early, more grounded car-thief vibe holds up better than the later world-saving chaos—plus a quick debate on ridiculous mods like underglow. The conversation then shifts to BMW’s new 2027 X5 reveal from Spartanburg, focusing on BMW’s “Neue Klasse” design direction. They critique the updated front end (smaller but still awkward grille, illuminated LEDs, configurable headlight “X” elements) and polarizing tail lights, while praising the tech: updated B58 mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid, and a standout EV with big range, torque, and fast-charging numbers.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

double clutching

"Granny shifting, not double clutching like you should. You're lucky that 100 shot of Nos didn't blow the weld on the intake."

Double clutching is a way of shifting in a manual car that helps the gears line up better. It can make the shift smoother and reduce the jolt you feel when changing gears.

Term

Nos

"You're lucky that 100 shot of Nos didn't blow the weld on the intake. You almost had me."

“NOS” is a nitrous boost system. It sprays a special gas into the engine to make more power, but if you use it wrong or on weak parts, it can cause damage.

Term

intake

"You're lucky that 100 shot of Nos didn't blow the weld on the intake. You almost had me."

The intake is the part that brings air into the engine. If you add a nitrous boost, the intake can get stressed, and damaged intake parts can fail.

Term

piston rings

"Dom, now me, me and the mad scientist got to rip apart the block and replace the piston rings you fried closes bonnet."

Piston rings are small rings on the piston that help seal the combustion chamber and control oil. If they get damaged, the engine can lose compression and start running poorly, sometimes requiring major repairs.

Term

block

"Dom, now me, me and the mad scientist got to rip apart the block and replace the piston rings you fried closes bonnet."

The engine block is the big main part of the engine that holds the cylinders. If you have to take it apart, it usually means the problem is inside the engine and not just a simple external fix.

Term

underglow

"but I do say you've mentioned in the past that you appreciate, um, like cars with underglow. [173.9s] Yes. [174.8s] I, I, yeah, I can be entertained by said cars."

Underglow is the colored lights you sometimes see under a car. They’re usually added for looks, not because they help you see at night.

Car

Pontiac Fiero

"Cause like fricking the last one, they just shot a Fiero in a space. [249.8s] Yeah."

The Pontiac Fiero is an older mid-engine sports car from the 1980s. It’s become well-known with car fans, especially because people often modify them or do engine swaps.

Term

2JZ

"Or like they, they do like, instead of saying like, oh man, that's a super, they'd be like, [280.6s] this is a 2JZ."

“2JZ” is a Toyota engine model code. It’s a straight-six engine that became famous in tuner culture—people like it because it’s strong and can be modified to make a lot of power.

Term

RB

"And for like a big Hollywood movie, usually they wouldn't talk about engine codes like [282.2s] RB and 2JZ and stuff."

“RB” is a Nissan engine family. It’s a type of straight-six engine that car fans talk about a lot because it has a big parts and tuning community behind it.

Place

Spartanburg, South Carolina

"I was just in Spartanburg, South Carolina for the launch of the new BMW X5, which is their biggest seller..."

Spartanburg, South Carolina is a place in the U.S. where BMW makes cars. If BMW is launching a new model there, it usually means the factory is involved with building it.

Term

design language

"So it, it follows all of BMW's new design language, which they have a neat name for"

In car design, “design language” means the recognizable style cues a brand uses across many models. If BMW has a “new design language,” it’s basically their updated look that shows up on different cars.

Term

Neue Klasse

"It’s the Neue Classe, which stands for new class, which was the name they used back in like the sixties. Yeah. A long time ago."

“Neue Klasse” means “New Class.” BMW is using it as a name for a new direction, and it also connects to an older BMW era from the 1960s when they launched a new kind of car.

Car

Neue Class

"...ou to be saying Neue? Well, I just can't remember Neue class. Yeah."

“Neue Klasse” is a name BMW used for an important period in its car history. The episode is just trying to remember the exact wording. It’s relevant because it connects to how BMW developed certain models and ideas.

Term

grills

"So here's the thing, the grills got too big, right? They did. We all agree. The grills got too big. So what they've done instead is they've shrunk them way down."

In this context, “grills” refers to the front grille openings on the car—an exterior styling element that also relates to airflow for cooling. The hosts are discussing how BMW’s grille size changed, with the new approach shrinking the grille after criticism that it had gotten too large.

Term

LED light strip

"So, so they put like this LED light strip all the way around the grill and it does unfortunately kind of make it look a little bugs bunny-ish."

An LED light strip is a long, thin line of lights. In this case, it’s used around the front grille area to give the car a more distinctive, stylized look.

Term

headlights

"they've actually put these X's in the headlights, which you can disable."

Headlights are the front lamps that provide road illumination and also define a car’s visual identity. In this segment, the host highlights a design feature inside the headlights—“X” elements—that can be disabled, effectively changing the car’s daytime/visual signature.

Term

tail lights

"The thing that speaking of tail lights, I really don't like on the X five are the new [503.7s] tail lights."

Tail lights are the lights on the back of the car. They help other drivers see you, and they also light up when you brake.

Term

B58 gas engine

"So they've got the B 58 gas engine is returning... It's got a new turbocharger... It's got a 48 volt hybrid system."

The B58 is BMW’s inline-six engine used in a lot of their performance and luxury models. They’re saying the new X5 is using an updated version of it, with improvements for power and efficiency.

Term

new turbocharger

"It's got more power. It's got a new turbocharger. So got 19 more horsepower."

A turbocharger helps the engine make more power by pushing extra air into it. If it’s “new,” it usually means the turbo setup is updated to improve how strong and how efficient the engine feels.

Term

48 volt hybrid system

"It's got a new turbocharger... It's got a 48 volt hybrid system. That engine's brilliant."

A 48-volt hybrid system is a mild hybrid. It uses a small battery and motor to help the engine, which can make the car feel stronger and use less fuel, without needing to plug it in.

Term

Miller cycle

"It's a new Miller cycle, so it should be more efficient."

The Miller cycle is a way of controlling how the engine breathes using valve timing. It’s designed to help the engine waste less energy, so the car can get better fuel economy.

Term

plug in hybrid

"They're also doing a plug in hybrid with the same engine. It's got a 26 and a half kilowatt hour battery similar to the current one."

A plug-in hybrid is a car that uses both electricity and gas. You can charge it at home, and when the battery runs low (or you need more power), the gas engine takes over.

Term

kilowatt hour battery

"It's got a 26 and a half kilowatt hour battery similar to the current one. Gen five architecture in the battery goes 44 miles on a charge before the gas engine kicks on."

A kilowatt-hour battery is basically the battery’s storage capacity. More kWh generally means the car can store more energy, which can help it drive farther on electricity.

Term

Gen five architecture

"Gen five architecture in the battery goes 44 miles on a charge before the gas engine kicks on. So that's pretty attractive."

“Gen five architecture” means BMW is using a newer design for the battery. In this case, they’re saying it helps the car go farther on electricity before switching to gas.

Term

EV

"And then I actually think the EV is really the one you want because the EV is 435 miles of range. It's 144 kilowatt hours."

EV means electric vehicle. It’s a car that runs on electricity from a battery, and in this episode they’re comparing its range and charging to the plug-in hybrid.

Term

range

"And then I actually think the EV is really the one you want because the EV is 435 miles of range. It's 144 kilowatt hours."

Range is how far the car can go before it needs to be charged again. For EVs, it’s one of the biggest things people care about.

Term

torque

"It's got 570 horsepower, 593 pound feet of torque. And 460 kilowatts of fast charging."

Torque is the force that helps the car pull and accelerate. Higher torque often makes the car feel strong right away, especially from a stop or at low speed.

Term

horsepower

"It's got 570 horsepower, 593 pound feet of torque. And 460 kilowatts of fast charging."

Horsepower is a way to measure how much power the car’s motor can produce. Higher horsepower usually means stronger acceleration, but it’s not the only factor.

Term

fast charging

"And 460 kilowatts of fast charging. Wow."

Fast charging means using a higher-power charger so the battery fills up quicker. The higher the charging power, the less time you spend waiting.

Term

battery electric vehicles

"Yeah, this definitely feels like the next generation of battery electric vehicles in all of those respects. Any of the numbers that you're talking about looking at range, charging speeds, power output."

Battery electric vehicles are fully electric cars. They drive using electricity from a battery, so things like range and how fast you can charge matter a lot.

Car

2003 X5 4.6 IS

"So that's a 03 X5 4.6 IS, which was the precursor to the X5M... So it's got a 4.6 liter V8, 315 width tires... this was a hot, hot car in 03 and it only made 340 horsepower."

This is a 2003 BMW X5 with a bigger 4.6-liter V8. The hosts use it as a benchmark to show how powerful the older X5 was—and how the newer X5’s base version can still beat it in performance terms.

Term

X5M

"So that's a 03 X5 4.6 IS, which was the precursor to the X5M."

X5M is the high-performance version of the BMW X5. It’s meant to be quicker and more driver-focused than the regular X5.

Term

315 width tires

"So it's got a 4.6 liter V8, 315 width tires, which is pretty serious rubber."

“315 width” means the tires are about 315 millimeters wide. Wider tires usually grip the road better, which helps the car accelerate and stop more effectively.

Term

curb weight

"What is the curb weight on the plug-in hybrid version? I don't even know. Probably seven tons."

Curb weight is basically how much the car weighs when it’s ready to drive, without people or extra stuff inside. Knowing it helps you understand how heavy the car is—and that affects acceleration and efficiency.

Term

0 to 60

"The standard X5 goes 0 to 60 in 4.8 and I think that the older was like five or 5.5. So, yeah, it's, it's crazy how, how much faster they've gotten."

“0 to 60” means how fast the car can go from standing still to 60 mph. Lower time usually means quicker acceleration.

Term

V8

"And if you're a V8 fan, they've confirmed they're bringing the V8 back to the X5. Which is exciting."

A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders. It’s often associated with stronger power and a more exciting feel than smaller engines.

Term

two-spoke steering wheel

"So, it's got this two-spoke steering wheel, which looks like something out of Trond. Oh, interesting, because the two spokes are not horizontal. They're vertical."

A two-spoke steering wheel has two main arms instead of the usual multiple spokes. The design can affect how the wheel feels and where you naturally place your hands.

Term

haptic buttons

"And it's got these like haptic buttons that they're called shy controls."

Haptic buttons are controls that “feel” like they click because the system vibrates. They’re meant to give you feedback without a physical button movement.

Term

parallelogram

"The screen is 17.9 inches... It's a parallelogram."

They’re describing the dashboard screen’s shape. It’s not a normal rectangle—it’s angled like a parallelogram, which changes how it looks in the cabin.

Term

Android Auto

"It is app based, based on Android Auto."

Android Auto lets you connect your phone to the car and use certain apps on the car’s screen. It’s a common way to get navigation, music, and messaging into the dashboard.

Term

head-up display

"But the coolest part is I do love the hologram that they display in the windshield... The full like with has up display."

A head-up display shows important info on the windshield. That way, you can keep your eyes on the road instead of constantly looking down at the dashboard.

Term

vent controls

"[948.3s] Yeah, same thing with the vent controls. [949.8s] Those are kind of fun."

Vent controls are the controls for the car’s heating/air-conditioning airflow. They let you choose things like where the air blows and how strong it is.

Term

MagSafe holder

"“They put little chi, or not chi, a mag safe holder on the back of the front seats for [956.4s] rear seat passengers.”"

A MagSafe holder is a phone mount that uses magnets (the same idea as Apple’s MagSafe) to snap your phone into place. BMW is adding one so passengers can keep their phone mounted in the car.

Term

rear seat passengers

"“They put little chi, or not chi, a mag safe holder on the back of the front seats for [956.4s] rear seat passengers.”"

This just means the people sitting in the back seats. The host is pointing out BMW added something back there to make it easier to use your phone.

Topic

off-road course impressions

"“[991.7s] So they had this off-road course for us to explore. [994.8s] And it was the instructor was like, it's amazing that this thing can do what a jeep can do.”"

They’re describing an off-road driving setup they got to try in the new BMW X5. The takeaway is how capable it feels, and how it still has comfort features like massage seats.

Term

massaging seats

"“[994.8s] And it was the instructor was like, it's amazing that this thing can do what a jeep can do. [1000.8s] And also go 155 miles an hour while having massaging seats.”"

Massaging seats are seats that vibrate or use built-in motors to give you a massage. The point here is that the SUV can do tough driving but still feels comfortable.

Term

20 inch wheels

"Yeah, especially because we're on 20 inch wheels with performance street tires. [1033.8s] Solid axles, it does have axles."

“20 inch wheels” means the wheels are bigger in diameter. Bigger wheels usually help the car feel more responsive on pavement, but they can make the ride harsher on rough ground.

Term

performance street tires

"Yeah, especially because we're on 20 inch wheels with performance street tires. [1033.8s] Solid axles, it does have axles."

These tires are made for driving fast and grippy on regular roads. They’re not optimized for slippery dirt, mud, or rough trails, so off-road traction can be limited.

Term

solid axles

"[1033.8s] Solid axles, it does have axles. [1038.0s] But they are they are made of a solid steel, if you will."

A solid axle connects the left and right wheels together with one rigid bar. It can be tough and stable, but it may not ride as smoothly as other suspension designs on bumpy roads.

Term

air suspension

"[1043.9s] I mean, I don't even think these things that air suspension. [1046.0s] Yeah, but I did get a great clip."

Air suspension uses air springs instead of traditional metal coil springs, allowing the vehicle to raise or lower ride height. That’s useful for off-road clearance, but the speaker suggests the X5 they’re driving doesn’t have (or isn’t relying on) air suspension in this context.

Term

lockers

"[1049.9s] No lockers. No, X drive, baby low range. [1054.7s] No, no skid plates."

Lockers are traction devices (often in the differential) that can lock the left and right wheels together so they rotate at the same speed. Without lockers, a vehicle is more likely to lose traction when one wheel has less grip.

Term

skid plates

"[1054.7s] No, no skid plates. [1058.0s] Not really."

Skid plates are protective metal or composite panels mounted under the vehicle to shield vulnerable components from impacts with rocks, logs, or uneven ground. The speaker says there are no skid plates, implying less underbody protection for off-road use.

Brand

Auto tempest

"This is auto tempest now auto tempest. How do you describe cases like a place to buy pretty much any car anywhere in the world?"

Auto tempest is a website that helps you find cars by pulling together listings from different places. Here, it’s also used to look at how prices have changed over time.

Term

price trends

"So I went online and you go to auto tempest and there is a new price trends feature. ... they can actually create these big data charts to show you what's happening to average price trends on vehicles."

Price trends are charts that show whether car prices are going up or down over time. In this case, it’s based on lots of past listings, so you can see how certain cars are priced as they get older.

Term

big data charts

"because they have thousands and thousands of listings over the past several years, they can actually create these big data charts ... to show you what's happening to average price trends on vehicles."

Big data charts are graphs made from a huge amount of information. Here, it’s used to show how car prices have been changing based on many past listings.

Term

holding their value

"And I think maybe it's because they're still building the X five. So like the slightly used ones are still expensive, but they're holding their value"

“Holding their value” means the car doesn’t lose much resale price over time. In this case, the hosts think the X5 is still relatively expensive used because it’s still being built.

Term

three liter

"There, the problem with the first gen X five is there were a couple of different versions. There was the three liter, which was very reliable."

They’re talking about an engine size—3.0 liters—in a BMW X5. In their experience, that specific engine option has been the more reliable one.

Term

4.4 liter

"There was the three liter, which was very reliable. And then the 4.4 liter, which was not that hideously unreliable."

They’re talking about a bigger engine size—4.4 liters—in another BMW X5 version. They’re saying it’s less reliable than the 3.0-liter, but not totally hopeless.

Car

Toyota Prius

"What do you think I was going to say? The first gen Prius? Perhaps."

The Prius is Toyota’s famous hybrid car. “First gen” means the earliest version of it, which people often mention when talking about how hybrids and electrified cars started becoming common.

Term

set it and forget it

"Set it and forget it. Set it and forget it. But you can actually see that."

“Set it and forget it” means you pick a setting once and the system keeps working on its own. Here, it’s basically like setting the cabin temperature and letting the car maintain it.

Term

salvage title

"39, 7, that might be salvage title when the sat cheap, but pretty cool, right?"

A salvage title means the car was badly damaged (or stolen and recovered) enough that an insurance company wrote it off. It usually lowers the car’s value and can make it harder to get good financing.

Car

Porsche Taycan

"It's especially fun seeing what kinds of Taycans you could get for under $50,000, which is pretty exciting to me because that's, that's a nice car for the money."

The Porsche Taycan is Porsche’s electric car. It’s a fast, sporty EV, and here they’re talking about what you might be able to find one for used.

Car

Audi Etron

"And then look up one other one, Cole, because the, the Taycans are doing like they're, they, if you bought it, do like an Audi e-tron GT. If you bought an i, a Taycan new, you're going to be, be in rough shape."

The Audi e-tron is an electric SUV. The conversation is using it as a comparison when talking about electric Porsche/Audi options and what you might pay. It’s mentioned to help frame expectations for electric car value.

Car

e-tron Audi Etron Gt

"And then look up one other one, Cole, because the, the Taycans are doing like they're, they, if you bought it, do like an Audi e-tron GT. If you bought an i, a Taycan new, you're going to be, be in rough shape."

The Audi e-tron GT is an electric car made for performance and comfort. The podcast is mentioning it alongside the Taycan to compare what you might pay and what you get. It’s part of a broader conversation about electric car value.

Car

Ford 150

"Yes. Cause buying a Ford 150, but look at this. Ooh, look what happened to e-t..."
Car

2022 e-tron GT

"Perfect. $38,000 for a 2022 e-tron GT with 35,000 miles, 35,000 miles."

They’re looking at a 2022 Audi e-tron GT listing and showing how cheap it is for the mileage. It’s an example of how much some EVs can drop in price after a couple years.

Term

all wheel drive

"Yeah. It's all wheel drive. I mean zero to 60 in like three and a half, four seconds."

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip the road better, especially in bad weather.

Concept

zero to 60

"It's all wheel drive. I mean zero to 60 in like three and a half, four seconds. This is like the deal of a freaking century."

“Zero to 60” is how fast a car goes from standing still to 60 miles per hour. Faster is usually a sign the car accelerates more strongly.

Car

Audi Rse Etron Gt

"God, we, I just drove that one we had at the office, which was the RSE e-tron GT. Yes."

The Audi RS e-tron GT is an electric performance version of the e-tron GT. “RS” usually means it’s tuned to be faster and more exciting to drive. The host is talking about driving one they had access to at work.

Car

Fiat 500

"... is, um, cases actually almost done with his Fiat 500 Elise. They're not, not as catastrophic as I thou..."

The Fiat 500 is a small car made for city driving. It’s easy to park and maneuver because it’s compact. The conversation is about a project involving a Fiat 500 “Elise” idea and how close it is to being finished.

Car

Lotus Elise

"... um, cases actually almost done with his Fiat 500 Elise. They're not, not as catastrophic as I thought th..."

The Lotus Elise is a small sports car made to be fun to drive. It’s known for being light and responsive. The conversation is comparing it to a Fiat 500 “Elise” project and whether that swap or build is going smoothly.

Term

formatic

"Oh, it's a formatic too. Oh, interesting. Um, yeah, let's, uh, let's look at the interior."

4MATIC is Mercedes’ all-wheel-drive setup. It helps the car grip the road better, especially when it’s raining or the surface is slippery.

Term

hyper screen

"And the reason you want the 450 and not the 580 is you don't get the stupid hyper screen. Yeah, I'm, yeah, we're the same. Not a fan of the hyper screen."

A “hyper screen” is a very large digital display that takes up a big portion of the dashboard. The host thinks it looks more like a gadget than a carefully designed luxury interior.

Car

EQS

"Would you rather, okay, real talk though, 30 grand, are you getting the e-tron GT or the EQS? [1623.1s] Well, the e-tron GT is much better looking than the EQS."

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a top-of-the-line electric Mercedes sedan. In this chat, they’re basically debating whether you’d rather buy the EQS or the Audi e-tron GT, mostly based on looks and what you care about.

Car

Fiat 500e

"Yeah. So now that your lease is up on your 500E in a couple months, are you seriously going to be..."

The Fiat 500e is the electric version of the Fiat 500. It’s meant for city driving and uses a battery instead of gasoline. The episode is talking about what happens when a lease ends and whether the person will switch to something else.

Car

1984 GTI

"Well, what I might do is I might pull Andy's 1984 GTI out of a field. [1651.2s] And EV swap it. [1652.9s] And nope, and fix it up and daily drive it and save up for a 68 charger."

The 1984 Volkswagen GTI is a classic hot hatch—small, sporty, and popular with car enthusiasts. They’re talking about taking one that’s been sitting and converting it to electric instead of replacing it with a different EV.

Car

Volkswagen Gti

"...Well, what I might do is I might pull Andy's 1984 GTI out of a field. And EV swap it."

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that many people use every day. The episode talks about a 1984 GTI and converting it to electric, which means changing it from gasoline to a battery-powered setup. They’re discussing that kind of project because the Golf is a common base for it.

Concept

EV swap

"Well, what I might do is I might pull Andy's 1984 GTI out of a field. [1651.2s] And EV swap it. [1652.9s] And nope, and fix it up and daily drive it and save up for a 68 charger."

An EV swap means taking an older gas car and converting it to run on electricity instead. They’re talking about doing that to a classic GTI so it can be driven daily without using gas.

Car

68 charger

"And nope, and fix it up and daily drive it and save up for a 68 charger. [1660.2s] Yeah. [1660.3s] Okay."

A “68 Charger” is shorthand for a 1968 Dodge Charger, a famous old-school muscle car. They’re saying they want one someday, even while they’re also talking about EVs.

Term

Idol

"But the EQS can do a few things at a 71 charger camp. [1702.2s] Such as? [1702.72s] Idol."

This sounds like they meant “idle,” which is when the car’s engine is running but you’re not moving. They’re joking that the electric car can still do some basic things at the classic-car meetup.

Car

BMW Z3

"Okay, last thing I want to talk about. I did have a chance to drive some other older BMWs at this thing. This green Z3, I think was an awesome car."

The BMW Z3 is a small, two-seat BMW roadster (a car you drive with the top down). The host is saying the Z3 is actually a fun, cool car—not just a stereotype of a “pretty” car.

Term

monocoat

"It's actually got the same monocoat E36 stroke seven."

“Monocoat” sounds like a special way the car’s body or paint is made/finished. The host is using it to explain that this BMW shares the same underlying setup as another E36/7 reference.

Car

BMW E36

"So, these are based on the E363 series. It's actually got the same monocoat E36 ..."

The BMW 3 Series is a luxury car that’s meant to drive well, not just look nice. The episode is talking about specific versions and how the car is built internally. Those details matter because they affect how the car behaves on the road.

Car

Mazda MX-5 / Miata

"...at a great little thing. It drives so much like a Miata. I just couldn't believe it."

The Mazda MX-5 (Miata) is a small two-seat convertible designed for enjoyable driving. It’s known for being light and easy to steer. The host is saying another car feels similar to it in how it drives.

Term

pre-production car

"This one is a pre-production car that was custom built for the head of product development back in 1995."

A pre-production car is an early version built before the model goes into normal production. It’s often made for testing or for company leadership to review.

Car

BMW Z4

"[1991.7s] Do you like the Z4 more? [1993.8s] No, no, I like this better than the Z4."

The BMW Z4 is a sporty BMW roadster. Here, the hosts are basically saying they prefer the other BMW over the Z4.

Car

Citroen 2CV

"This is a Bond car. So, is it 2CV? Yeah, so is the 2CV, am I right?"

The Citroën 2CV is an old, simple small car. It’s known for being unusual and for coping well with bumpy roads. The podcast is trying to confirm whether the car in a Bond context is the 2CV.

Term

analog

"[2019.9s] Yeah. [2019.9s] And what's great about it is it's old enough to be very analog, [2022.9s] but new enough to still have airbags. [2029.5s] The analog is super cool."

Here “analog” means the car feels more old-school, with traditional gauges and physical controls instead of everything being digital. The host likes that mix of classic feel plus modern safety.

Term

Burlwood trim

"[2022.9s] but new enough to still have airbags. [2024.6s] The Burlwood trim is not my favorite. [2027.8s] But the three spoke steering wheel was awesome."

Burlwood trim is the decorative wood-look material you can find on a car’s dashboard or interior panels. The host is saying they don’t like the look of that particular trim.

Term

three spoke steering wheel

"[2024.6s] The Burlwood trim is not my favorite. [2027.8s] But the three spoke steering wheel was awesome. [2029.5s] The analog is super cool."

A three-spoke steering wheel is a steering wheel where the center connects to the rim with three main sections/spokes. The host is praising that design detail.

Term

red line

"Yeah, a classic BMW and a super rev happy engine like it pulls all the way up to the red line. [2037.1s] And yeah, only 130 horsepower, but it's enough to kind of have some fun with."

The red line is the top end of the engine’s RPM range. If a car “pulls to the red line,” it means it feels strong right near the highest revs the engine is designed to handle.

Car

Z3M

"Like a Z3M. [2061.3s] Like, yes. [2062.4s] Roadster."

The BMW Z3 M is the stronger, sportier version of the Z3 roadster. It’s the one you’d pick if you want the same roadster vibe but with more performance and attitude.

Term

roadster

"Like, yes. [2062.4s] Roadster. [2064.7s] Am I right?"

A roadster is an open-top, usually two-seat car. It’s made to be fun and sporty, with the roof either absent or retracting.

Car

E53 AMG wagon

"we do have that E53 AMG wagon, which is pretty exciting, because that's not usually the type of car we get in the press fleet out here, but it is very good looking."

This is a Mercedes-AMG version of the E-Class, and “wagon” means it’s a station wagon. AMG tunes it for faster, sportier driving, and they’re saying this one is especially quick.

Term

center locks

"Oh my God, are they center locks? Well, it looks like it at least. We haven't tried to pull that off."

Center locks are a type of wheel attachment where the wheel is held on by a lock in the middle, not by several lug nuts around the outside. Some performance cars use them because they look cool and can make changing wheels quicker.

Term

295 width rears

"It's got 265 width front tires, 295 width rears. Whoa, that's crazy. A lot of tire."

The rear tires being wider (295 mm) generally helps the car stick to the road better, especially when you accelerate or turn. The hosts are pointing out that the back tires are much wider than the front.

Term

265 width front tires

"It's got 265 width front tires, 295 width rears. Whoa, that's crazy."

Tire width is how wide the tire is. Wider tires usually provide more road contact for grip, and the hosts are saying the front tires are 265 mm wide.

Concept

fast wagon

"This is such a cool concept, like the fast wagon thing is so unbelievably underrated. [2329.7s] No, I can't wait to drive it."

A “fast wagon” is a wagon that’s tuned to be quick and fun to drive, not just a family hauler. The idea is you get the space of a wagon plus performance like a sporty car.

Term

forced-induced

"So this isn't the V8. [2338.6s] This is still the forced-induced."

Forced induction means the engine uses a turbo or supercharger to cram more air into the cylinders. That helps the engine make more power than it would without that extra airflow.

Car

BMW M5

"I think it was on the new M5 and the M5 Touring. [2360.6s] Really also, cool car."

The BMW M5 Touring is the performance M5 in wagon form, combining a practical cargo body style with the M division’s high-output powertrain. The hosts bring it up as a direct competitor, reinforcing the “fast wagon” idea they’re excited about.

Car

Audi RS6 Avant

" [2384.9s] RS6 Avant. [2386.5s] Yeah, which is the best looking of all of them. [2388.3s] Yeah, agreed."

The Audi RS6 Avant is a fast, sporty wagon. “Avant” just means it’s the wagon version, and it’s built to be quick and grippy, not just roomy.

Car

G-Class Mercedes Wagon

"So it's not... It's a very Mercedes wagon, though. Yeah, it is."

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a luxury SUV with a very recognizable, boxy shape. It’s built to handle rough terrain, not just smooth roads. The episode is describing it in simple terms as a Mercedes-style vehicle that’s also tough.

Term

operating system

" [2419.0s] I don't love the operating system on this either. [2422.4s] And the UX, yeah. [2423.6s] Yeah, there's almost no physical buttons."

The “operating system” here means the car’s main software that controls the screen and menus. If it’s not laid out well, it can feel hard to use until you learn how it works.

Term

no physical buttons

" [2423.6s] Yeah, there's almost no physical buttons. [2426.3s] And I'm sure once you get used to this operating system, spend some time with it, [2430.0s] it's probably not that bad."

They’re saying the car doesn’t have many (or any) real buttons. Instead, you use the screen and menus to control things, which can feel awkward until you get used to it.

Car

Kia Sportage

"...he first programs you did was, I think the key of Sportage, and it was somewhere near Lake Tahoe."

The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV, which means it’s a practical family-style car with more space and higher seating. The episode mentions it in connection with some kind of programming or testing that happened near Lake Tahoe. That’s why it comes up in the conversation.

Car

Chrysler New Yorker

".... And he's like, this is the difference between a New Yorker and a guy from Chicago. A guy from New York is go..."

The Chrysler New Yorker is a big luxury car made for comfort. In the episode, it’s mentioned as a name that sounds like a person from New York, which is why they’re making a joke. It’s being brought up as part of a discussion about cars they like or collect.

Term

Momo wheels

"and then the brain surgeon that I am, I got to have the Momo wheels, which I saved up for, had to have a sunroof cut into it, had to have the Momo steering wheel."

“Momo wheels” means wheels from the MOMO brand. They’re popular upgrades because they can make the car look sportier and sometimes feel a bit better to drive.

Term

sunroof

"had to have a sunroof cut into it, had to have the Momo steering wheel. And the car, it was a Chvette in an Italian tux."

A sunroof is a glass (or sometimes metal) panel in the roof that can open for ventilation and light. Cutting one into a car is a major modification because it requires structural and sealing work to prevent leaks and wind noise.

Term

Momo steering wheel

"had to have a sunroof cut into it, had to have the Momo steering wheel. And the car, it was a Chvette in an Italian tux."

A “Momo steering wheel” is a steering wheel from the MOMO brand. People upgrade to it for a sportier feel and look inside the car.

Term

Lotus suspension

"Oh, I, dude, I took the money and ran. And there wasn't a Lotus connection. Mine didn't have the Lotus suspension."

“Lotus suspension” means suspension parts or tuning that are associated with Lotus. The host is basically saying his car didn’t really have the fancy Lotus handling hardware he thought it might.

Car

Dodge Road Runner

"I'm like Wild E Coyote. Like I'm chasing the road runner. But the road runner will run off the cliff and t..."

The Dodge Road Runner is an older American muscle car. The podcast is using its name as a joke because “Road Runner” is also a cartoon character. They’re basically making a playful comparison.

Car

Mazda Rx7

"Then I went and found an 86, an FC RX-7, stolen recovery. But I went to the guy and like, is there a way to get this title cleaned up before I bought it?"

The Mazda RX-7 (FC) is a sports car with a special rotary engine (it doesn’t use the usual piston engine design). The speaker bought one that had a complicated history, then got the paperwork fixed so it could be sold normally.

Concept

stolen recovery

"Then I went and found an 86, an FC RX-7, stolen recovery. But I went to the guy and like, is there a way to get this title cleaned up before I bought it?"

A “stolen recovery” is a vehicle that was reported stolen and later recovered, often with paperwork or title complications. Buyers typically need to verify the title status and ensure it can be legally transferred as a clean title.

Concept

clean title

"But I went to the guy and like, is there a way to get this title cleaned up before I bought it? Because I was buying it from the insurance company."

A “clean title” means the vehicle’s ownership record has no major legal branding (like salvage or theft-related issues) that would restrict resale or financing. In practice, getting a clean title can be the difference between a normal buyer experience and a car that’s hard to sell.

Car

Toyota Supra

"Took the nine grand, took eight grand out of my pocket, bought a Toyota Supra."

The Toyota Supra is a long-running Japanese sports car known for strong performance and a huge enthusiast following. Here, the speaker uses the proceeds from the RX-7 sale to buy a Supra, framing it as the next step in their car-flipping journey.

Car

Fiat 124

"No, the problem is though, if you go into it, say you're never going to lose money in a car, [2955.1s] you're probably not going to own a 70s Fiat 124."

The Fiat 124 is a classic older Fiat model people still talk about today. Here it’s used as an example of a 1970s car that might not be a “safe money” buy.

Term

limited though

"Do you feel like limited though? [2968.9s] You're like, no, I would really like this AMC Pacer."

Here “limited” just means “restricted” or “not having many options.” It’s not about a car part or a technical feature.

Car

AMC Pacer

"Do you feel like limited though? [2968.9s] You're like, no, I would really like this AMC Pacer."

The AMC Pacer is a weird-looking classic American car from the 1970s. In this conversation, it’s used to illustrate that you might want a car for yourself, not just for money safety.

Car

Lexus Lc500

"Now, you've gone up a little bit since DeFiero, and like a recent car I want to talk about is your LC 500. Yeah, love that car."

The Lexus LC 500 is a luxury coupe that’s built for comfortable cruising. Here it’s mentioned as an example of a newer car the speaker is thinking about in terms of how much it might lose in value.

Term

sticker

"A friend of mine in the industry was able to buy a 40th anniversary Land Cruiser and got it for below sticker."

“Sticker” means the listed price on the car’s window sticker. Buying “below sticker” means you paid less than that official asking price.

Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

"A friend of mine in the industry was able to buy a 40th anniversary Land Cruiser and got it for below sticker. It was new, but a press car, so it had the miles."

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a tough, off-road SUV that’s known for lasting a long time. This “40th anniversary” version is a special edition, and the story is about getting it for less than the listed price.

Term

press car

"It was new, but a press car, so it had the miles. It was being sold to you as a new car."

A “press car” is a car that was loaned to the media to drive and review. It can still be sold as new, but it may have extra miles from those test drives.

Term

heritage editions

"Those are heritage editions. Heritage editions. The 200 series."

A “heritage edition” is a special version of a car made to celebrate the brand’s past. It usually has unique looks or features, and people may value it more than a regular model.

Term

allocations

"Now, let's talk about that world, specifically the Porsche 911 world where in some ways they're not to sound cynical about it, but there is more interest and excitement about allocations than the actual car."

“Allocations” are basically limited spots for buying a hard-to-get car. If a model is popular, the dealer can’t sell everyone right away, so you may need to be chosen for a slot before you can buy.

Car

Porsche 911

"I bought a GT3 because Hurley Haywood taught me how to drive a 911 in a GT3. [3257.0s] I fell in love with it a decade prior."

The Porsche 911 is Porsche’s famous sports car. The host is saying Hurley Haywood taught him how to drive a 911 in a GT3 context, which is why he fell in love with this type of car.

Person

Hurley Haywood

"I bought a GT3 because Hurley Haywood taught me how to drive a 911 in a GT3. [3257.0s] I fell in love with it a decade prior."

Hurley Haywood is a famous Porsche racing driver. The host is saying Haywood taught him driving skills that made him fall in love with GT3-style cars.

Term

arbitrage opportunity

"But unfortunately, because of the arbitrage opportunity and people that do have the money [3275.8s] to be able to buy the asset, more of those people have come into the market."

An arbitrage opportunity is basically a chance to buy something cheap and sell it for more somewhere else. The host is saying that some people profit from the high demand and limited supply of these cars.

Concept

art market

"It's more people, it's like the art market. [3293.2s] That's the way I like it."

The host is comparing car buying to art buying. When more rich buyers show up, prices can explode and the whole market changes.

Term

Le Mans

"And they didn't win Le Mans. And they won nothing."

Le Mans is a famous endurance race where cars have to last and keep going for a full day. Winning there is a big deal, so the host brings it up to talk about racing credibility.

Car

Pontiac Firebird

"But then on the flip side of the thing, you look at like a WS6 late, the last Firebird. It had a V8. It had a manual transmission with a V8. It had a screaming chicken on the hood. It had teatops. Where else can you get that today?"

This is a performance version of the Pontiac Firebird that the host says came with a V8 and a manual gearbox. They also point out the iconic hood emblem and the removable roof panels (“T-tops”), which make it stand out.

Term

manual transmission

"It had a V8. It had a manual transmission with a V8. It had a screaming chicken on the hood."

A manual transmission is the kind of car where you use a clutch pedal and shift gears yourself. Enthusiasts like it because it gives you more control over how the car accelerates.

Term

t-teatops

"It had a screaming chicken on the hood. It had teatops. Where else can you get that today?"

T-tops are roof panels you can remove, so the car feels more open to the air. It’s a classic feature on some older sports and muscle cars.

Car

Cadillac El Dorado

"...liantly. The other collector car you have, the 85 Cadillac El Dorado. I love that car."

The Cadillac Eldorado is an older luxury car from Cadillac. It’s known for being comfortable and having a bold, classic look. The podcast mentions it because the speaker really likes it as a collector car.

Car

Cadillac El

"...liantly. The other collector car you have, the 85 Cadillac El Dorado. I love that car."

The Cadillac ELR is a luxury car that can run on electricity and also uses gasoline. It’s a plug-in hybrid, so you can charge it and drive some distance without using gas. The episode mentions it as part of a list of cars the speaker likes.

37 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