Explore Episodes

China’s rapid model rollout is colliding with weak profitability, and supply-chain limits tied to rare earth and graphite could complicate EV battery production. Lexus is reshuffling its lineup by axing the LS and introducing a bigger ES offered as a BEV or hybrid, priced just under $48,000 for the base BEV—though import tariffs may bite. Rivian, meanwhile, says it’s cutting EV complexity for the R2 by consolidating power electronics and computing hardware, including a new Maximus drive unit with fewer welds and fasteners.

Automakers, the hosts argue, have been “lying” about manual demand—claiming people didn’t want manuals while quietly offering “fake manual transmissions” via gated shifters, clutch-by-wire, and dual-clutch setups. They debate whether a “manual-feeling” Ferrari is truly a manual, explain how electronic control translates pedal inputs, and point to real-world proof that drivers still chase the clutch feel. Porsche data, EV training simulations, and DIY/OBD ideas all reinforce the episode’s core theme: manual-like engagement matters.

Spa looms as the hosts dig into Red Bull’s “revolving rear-wing” troubles and why airflow behavior is so hard to get right when wings move. They connect what happened to Max Verstappen in the British GP to the FIA’s safety scrutiny with Red Bull and Ferrari, and explain the DRS-style tradeoff: less drag, less downforce, and a risk that “the airflow reattaches” too late. Timing, slot gaps, and transient testing all matter.

Road America’s historic racing weekend gets a spotlight, including a Dan Gurney Eagle reunion and a Sunday green-flag window around 4:40 p.m. local central. Nashville’s IndyCar changes drive the strategy talk: the race grows to 300 laps, pacing matters more than wholesale strategy shifts, and alternate tires return with required primary/alternate usage that likely boosts pit stops. The rest is listener Q&A on silly-season rumors, leader-circle contract clauses, and where to spot driver movement in the paddock.

Mike Shank breaks down how IndyCar teams run like businesses: car-number changes are “simply doing a decal swap,” while driver interest, sponsor ROI, and TV exposure all tie back to measurable results. The conversation connects manufacturer strategy across IMSA and IndyCar, explains why rookie “freshman year” is tough, and explores compensation structures—base plus kickers, plus sponsor-funded deals. They also discuss budgeting and financing (including a $5–$6 million capital call) and the new charter/franchise system’s valuation uncertainty.

A busy week in sports-car racing gets the spotlight, starting with IMSA news and a World Championship weekend recap. Expectations around Cadillac and rain didn’t match reality, with qualifying/track position and pit-time swings proving decisive, plus race flow shaped by cautions. Hypercar and GT storylines run through WRT’s momentum, Ferrari/BoP debate, and tire-rule strategy surprises. Off-track updates include Peugeot’s WC marketing, Genesis pace and reliability, and schedule/insurance constraints affecting future events.

Episode 400 is a wide-ranging teams lookback that blends live-stream banter, food-and-coffee detours, and a heavy dose of car-event culture. The hosts trade stories about themed meets like “Miata day,” “Porsche Day,” and “Honda day,” including ticket-price gripes and track-day logistics. Later, they get technical with no-start fuel-pump and ECU troubleshooting, plus suspension and audio upgrades. The wrap ties back to 400-episode trivia and more listener/community shoutouts.

At Goodwood, the hosts compare EV show moments and real-world comfort and range tradeoffs, from Tesla camp mode draining “about twenty miles” to cabin cooling with “the air con set to sixteen” and “the cooled seats on.” They then zoom in on fast charging, citing an “eight hundred volt car” that hit “three sixty, three seventy” on Ionity and added “two hundred miles of range. In eight minutes.” The discussion also covers ADAS quirks and what they’ll film next in Germany.

The Hook Turn Podcast weighs up value EVs around the $30k mark, starting with the 2026 Gilly EX2 and its pricing, range expectations, and city-friendly packaging like a 9.9m turning circle and a 70-liter frunk. They then compare budget rivals such as the GAC Ion UT and debate whether buyers should prioritize real-world practicality or consider used options. The conversation pivots to Mercedes-AMG’s fully electric CLA 45—performance claims, synthesized sounds, and charging realities—before finishing with Dacia’s hybrid wagon lineup and Australian pricing.

Wrapping up “When Was The Last Time” (number 44), the show zeroes in on the biggest maintenance question: what to check and when. The host urges proper air-conditioning use to prevent premature failure, then shifts to charging-system basics—inspect starter, alternator, and battery, and remember “alternators are not battery chargers.” Rust prevention and differential fluid changes get called out as key upkeep. The episode closes by pointing listeners back to the Car Connection maintenance schedule and a quick “don’t overload the trunk” reminder.

AutoTrader is spotlighted first, with hosts discussing how it connects retailers to consumer demand and adds “buying intent” insights to online inquiries. The conversation then shifts to Carwow’s auction mechanics with CEO John Vic Manis: removing reserve prices, anchoring bids to retail valuations, and using retail back pricing plus algorithms to shape both dealer and consumer expectations. The episode also covers UK EV mileage-based road tax plans (3p per mile) and dealer survey results, including Car Dealer Power “Cars of the Year” winners.

Ferrari’s “fake manual” gets unpacked: clutch-by-wire and an e-manual layer over a dual-clutch aim to recreate manual feel with detents and a shift gate. The hosts then zoom out to the bigger question—whether manuals are dying under new powertrains and rising electronic complexity, and how long-term serviceability may suffer. Along the way, they swap real-world ownership takes (Lotus comfort and AC upgrades, sensor mix-ups) and tie it to the collector market and analog driving preferences.

Max Verstappen’s potential move to Aston Martin is framed as a career challenge: the hosts compare it to Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari turnaround and weigh whether Aston could convince him of championship potential. They explore contract timing, performance clauses, and how a Verstappen domino effect could unsettle other teams’ plans. The conversation then pivots to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa—where long, hilly laps make hybrid “electrical energy” deployment highly tactical, driving overtakes, yo-yoing, and safety considerations.

Ram TRX’s return takes center stage, with the hosts tying the comeback to emissions fears and a broader shift in powertrains—while also looking back at the “street truck” era. They connect modern 777-hp talk to Ram SRT 10 and Viper V10 roots, and debate why these trucks appeal as both performance toys and practical work tools. Along the way, they compare street-focused trims, talk fuel and ownership habits, and share a few real-world car culture stories.

The hosts kick off with Wolfbox camera gear—sharing giveaway details and a group-buy plan—then pivot into their “trail token” culture, including why they avoid “GPS trackers” and how biodegradable tokens may degrade over time. The conversation turns into real-world wrenching and diagnostics on a 2013 Honda CR-V with low oil/coolant, plus a long off-road build thread: axle protection, differential service access, and driveshaft planning. The episode also includes Barrett Lake/Rubicon-style trail talk, including ground-clearance tradeoffs, camera depth-perception limits, and a bit of smoked-tainted wine recovery.

Electric vehicle fires get treated like a “storm in a teacup” as the hosts tackle conspiracy claims with thermal-science reasoning. They compare EV and gas-car fire patterns—highlighting that many gas-car fires involve aging fuel lines, while EV risk can persist because “there’s still energy trapped in the battery.” The discussion walks through runaway thermal events, fast escalation, and why responders may need different tactics, including rapid cooling and training.

Goodwood Festival of Speed footage sets the tone: the hosts say “the festival went truly electric with some unbelievable cars,” then zero in on standout reveals like the MG Go concept, with “bits and pieces of the Metro 6R4 and the old Metro Turbo.” The conversation turns to Renault’s “Renault 5 turbo 38,” described as “bespoke 1,980 of them” starting at “140,000 pounds.” Later, the show pivots to EV reality—winter range drops, charging costs, and battery-size tradeoffs—plus listener questions and upcoming tests.

Dealers are trying to control their own software and customer data, but the conversation argues that the AI era and fragmented systems make DIY approaches risky and expensive. Matt Leone of DriveCentric describes why groups moved toward “best and breed” tools, how vendor access can feel like “ransom,” and what a dealer-controlled, vendor-secured data environment looks like. The episode also covers tech consolidation, integration requirements, and how CRM should connect sales, service, and F&I for a smoother customer experience.

Dealers are getting squeezed from multiple angles—EV demand is rising, but financing and trade values are harder to pin down. The hosts tie EV price volatility to a need for a “velocity model,” explain why battery warranty pricing lags risk, and connect used-condition to subprime-driven repos. The core trade lesson: start the conversation earlier in the “low balance” cycle—around $6,500—and remarket as loans near the end. They also discuss using AI dashboards and flexible, car-club-style programs to keep customers cycling.

Richards’ V8 Supercar story runs from the post-UK transition around 1999, through Bathurst endurance highs and near-miss deals, to the contract and manufacturer-support realities that shaped his options. The conversation revisits how timing, testing, and team logistics mattered—whether it was Nissan testing after Bathurst, Gibson Motorsport being the only viable route, or sponsorship uncertainty in 2006. Later chapters dig into Bathurst strategy, safety cars, and technical rule impacts, plus the personal side of racing and leadership under pressure.

Car clubs may be declining in some places, with “People are literally aging out,” and traditional organizations built around older car eras struggling to connect with younger enthusiasts. Yet the hosts argue clubs aren’t universally dying: some are growing by investing in digital presence and creating entry-level events that don’t require owning a car. Younger fans may be deeply passionate, but their community often shifts online—while clubs uniquely sustain local, intergenerational knowledge and hands-on restoration skills.

Ben’s car woes kick things off: “Well, I'm still in a gentle ruin a little bit because I have no air con,” so he drives home with the windows open. The crew then swaps between track stories and used-car drama—Fiesta coolant/limp-mode trouble, CV boot grease, and a “classic Renault breaking” boot split—before diving into buying advice and vehicle history checks with Carvertical. The episode ends with engine-layout talk (“Flat eight”) and a practical fuel-octane explainer, plus plenty of M25 live-chicken chaos.

Patrick Olson from Carfax joins the hosts to break down how vehicle history reports protect used-car buyers and wallets. They explain how VIN-linked records power accident/service history, valuation, and reliability predictions, while also noting gaps when repairs go unreported. The discussion covers why service records can boost resale value, how Carfax supports transparency with recall alerts and dependability metrics, and how CPO and “homegrown” programs add extra layers—though definitions vary by automaker. The show also teases upcoming Range Rover coverage.

Jonathan Ward of ICON 4x4 explains how his FJ-based builds grew from a niche idea into a customer-driven business, with direct client feedback and engineering costs amortized over “hundreds of vehicles.” The conversation moves through ICON’s design and fabrication process, including Teflon-based powder-coat chemistry, aerospace-inspired interior sourcing, and aerospace-grade electrical assembly. Ward also details his early role in Toyota’s FJ Cruiser design studies, critiques FJ Cruiser door usability, and shares how ICON approaches modern Bronco-style engineering, suspension, and even an EV AWD drivetrain concept.