Wheel Bearings
https://wheelbearings.media
Updated 6 days agoWheel Bearings is a podcast about cars and transportation hosted by Sam Abuelsamid, Nicole Wakelin and Roberto Baldwin
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Episodes (462)
They've Seen Cars With 4 Wheels
Nicole is back doing the Disney thing with her family this week so it's just the boys. Roberto spent time with the new Subaru WRX and the eighth generation VW GTI (sadly with an automatic). Sam has been driving the 2022 GMC Sierra Limited AT4 with the lovely 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine.In the news, Virgin Hyperloop has given up on carrying passengers while Morgan is back with an all-new 3-wheeler. Polestar is shifting from using Volvo shared platforms to purpose built aluminum architectures with help from Lotus veterans. NHTSA is finally about to update headlight rules to allow adaptive lamps and it is possible to go topless in winter weather. We also have an interview with Steve Kosowski, manager of long range strategy and planning at Kia America.LinksVirgin Hyperloop pivots to cargoTop Down in BostonTop Down in DetroitNew Morgan 3-WheelerPolestar 5 aluminum platformadaptive headlight rulesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
They Can't Be Hard When It's Cold
This week in the garage, Roberto enjoyed some top down time with the Jaguar F-Type Roadster, Nicole finished her time with the Nissan Sentra and Sam drove the Mitsubishi Eclipese (not a real Eclipse) Cross.Robbie shares his impressions of ice driving in Colorado with Bridgestone. Nissan is going to build two new electric sedans in Mississippi and probably kill off the Titan to do it. Toyota has pattened a simulated manual shift complete with a clutch for EVs. Sam talks with Chevrolet Silverado chief engineer Nichole Kraatz (patrons already got this last week). Most car buyers are payng over sticker and seeing bouncing Impalas caused a search spike.Links80% of car buyers paid over sticker in JanuaryNissan to build 2 new EVs in MississippiToyota's psuedo manual patentGMC Hummer Battery weighs almost 3,000 pounds. Manual transmission electric SaturnAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
A Saucy Badger
This week we have a pair of SUVs that can go off-road almost anywhere with the Ford Bronco Wildtrack Sasquatch and the Land Rover Defender 110 SE. We also have a pair of decidedly on-road machines in the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Sentra.Nicole and Sam went to the Chicago Auto Show this week and didn't see any new completely new models, just some stuff that's already been shown like the Bronco Raptor, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Toyota Sequoia along with new trim variants like the Ram 1500 Firefighter edition. Before the show, Alfa Romeo revealed the new Tonale and its accompanying NFT but didn't bring it to Chicago. Sam did speak with Alfa North America boss Larry Dominique. The biggest but least surprising news was the new Camp Jeep climbing hill and Nissan brought a trio of Frontier concepts including two decided retro variants.LinksNissan Frontier ConceptsAutomated Driving Must Be Fail OperationalTesla removes redundant steering control in China, doesn't tell customersThe Biggest MountainAlfa Romeo TonaleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
400 LBs of Snow and Ice
This week in our review section, Robbie drove the Ford Escape plug-in hybrid and came up well short of its rated electric range. Sam also came up short of the EPA fuel economy with the F-150 hybrid, but it was driving in snow and had about 400 lbs worth of snow and ice in the bed. Nicole had the new two-row version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.In the news, the EPA isn't happy about the postal service's choice not to get electric delivery trucks and Ford CEO Jim Farley isn't happy with his dealers gouging customers. However, the Spirit of Ecstasy is getting a refresh for the upcoming Rolls-Royce Spectre. We also answer a bunch of questions.LinksPoor Fuel Economy of new Postal TrucksJim Farley calls out dealers for price gougingRolls-Royce refreshes the Spirit of EcstasyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Into the Wilderness
Nicole is back and she's been driving the 2022 Infiniti QX60 and the Subaru Outback Wilderness which arrived just in time for a couple of feet of snow to get dumped on New England. Robbie finishes his stint in the Cadillac CT5V Blackwing and Sam hits some unpaved rural roads in the 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline.Tesla has apparently added some code designed to disable the power seat adjustment if you use it too much. Ford is going Pro with it's new EVs and Roberto got to drive the new e-Transit and ride along for a few minutes in the F-150 Lightning. Both Robbie and Nicole also got to drive the new Kia EV6 and we answer a bunch of listener questionsLinksTesla turns off seat controls if you use them too muchRoberto drives the Ford e-TransitRoberto rides in the F-150 LightningKia EV6 first driveStreet tires for the F-150 RaptorAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Going Wide
This week it's just Roberto and Sam as Nicole gets some Disney time. Sam was double booked in the garage this week with the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid. Meanwhile Robbie is enjoying one of the last manual transmission high-performance sedans with the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.Staying with Cadillac, they released first images of the Escalade V with more to come in the next couple of months. Ford will start taking orders for the 2022 Bronco Raptor in March and they are also forming a vehicle security joint-venture with ADT called Canopy. BMW is preparing to build its final batch of V12 powered production cars with a run of 12 M760is in June. 2022 will be the last year when Lamborghini builds internal combustion models exclusively. Sam interviewed TrueCar CEO Mike Darrow about the company's new online sales platform at the LA auto showLinks2022 Ford Bronco Raptor2023 Cadillac Escalade VFord-ADT security joint ventureNo More BMW V12sLamborghini prepares for electrificationAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
And The Winner Is ...
Robbie's driveway was empty of loaners this week, but Nicole has been driving the Honda Civic Sport Touring hatchback with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and CVT and Sam had the new Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD. In the show, the Civic was misidentified as the regular Sport rather than the Sport Touring. In the news, we discuss the North American Car Truck and Utility vehicle of the Year awards. Jason Torchinsky wrote about how they made the garbage luxury cars of the 1980s, used cars are too expensive. Bollinger pulls the plug on its electric pickup and SUV and Honda shows off the next-gen Civic Type-R.LinksChicken TaxNorth American Car, Truck and Utility vehicle of the yearThe Past was GarbageUsed cars are getting expensiveBollinger cancels pickup and SUV2023 Honda Civic Type-RAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Going With the Flow
CES 2022 is behind us and none of the team actually went to Las Vegas this year, but we did cover what was announced either in person there or virtually. Last time we covered the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado and the Chrysler Airflow concept. This time we have the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX with its more than 600 mile range. GM also teased us with the first renders of the $30,000 Chevy Equinox EV that is coming in fall 2023, and Volvo, Zenseact and Luminar shared more on the partially automated Ride Pilot system that is planned to start testing in California this year and eventually come to production. Finally, BMW showed a concept version of the new iX covered in e-ink that can change between white, black or any shade of grey in between.In the garage, Roberto drove the new Mercedes-AMG SL roadster, Nicole braved New Hampshire winter weather in the Ford Bronco and Sam drives the Genesis GV70.LinksFord Bronco filled with snowBMW iX Flow2024 Chevrolet Equinox EVMercedes-Benz EQXXVolvo Ride PilotAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Return of Avalanche and Airflow, Eventually
We're kicking off 2022 with lots of battery powered vehicles. Nicole gets a first drive in the Lucid Air Dream edition, Roberto drives the Mini SE and Sam is the outlier with the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback.In the news, it's CES week and while the team have all opted to stay away from Las Vegas this year thanks to Omicron, there's plenty of news. GM moved the Mary Barra keynote online but Sam got a preview look at the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV just before Christmas. Over at Stellantis, there apparently is a future for the Chrysler brand as they reveal the Airflow concept and Sam talks with brand CEO Chris Feuell. Waymo and Geely team up for a purpose-built robotaxi and we answer a bunch of listener questions.LinksWaymo and Geely partner for a custom robotaxiChrysler Airflow ConceptAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Great In Principle
On the morning after XMas, it's just Nicole and Sam. Nicole has been testing out the updated 2022 Jeep Compass Trailhawk in New Hampshire while Sam has had dissappointing fuel efficiency from the 2022 Lexus RX450h.In the news, a threat from NHTSA got Tesla to turn off game play while driving, we now know the battery sizes for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, we discuss whether solar panels on cars make sense, GM wants to sell some of its EV parts to other companies and charging on the VW ID EVs gets faster with an OTA software update. We also answer a bunch of questions.LinksTesla turns off in motion game playFord F-150 Lightning battery sizesLightyear One solar panelsGM wants to sell EV partsVW ID vehicles get faster charging thanks to OTA software updateHow American electricity is generatedAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
I See Pixels
This week we've got multiple opinions on a couple of cars. All three of the hosts drove the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV while both Nicole and Sam had 2022 Genesis GV70s. Nicole got a rear driver while Sam had all-wheel-drive, both with the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6. Roberto had something completely different, the Arcimoto Roadster, an electric three-wheeler.In the news, Rivian reports its first quarterly earnings and loses big on a small number of deliveries but already has plans for a second factory. GM has first deliveries of its two newest EVs, the GMC Hummer and BrightDrop EV600. Sam also has an interview with Trevor Lai, director of product planning for EVs at Hyundai of America and we answer some questions.LinksSam's first impressions of the Ioniq 5Roberto's video review of the Ioniq 5GMC Hummer and BrightDrop EV600 deliveriesWhat happened to ChanjeRivian loses moneyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
That's a Giant Wiper
This week Nicole is taking some time off and flying out to meet her daughter for a long drive back home for the holidays so it's just the boys without supervision so we start off with a tangent about pies. Roberto has only had a brief time with the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid so the garage is mostly the 2022 Hyundai Kona electric that Sam has been driving. In the news, Ford will be moving production of the electric Explorer and Lincoln Aviator somewhere other the Mexican plant where the Mustang Mach-E is built so they can more than triple production of the Mach-E.If congress manages to pass the Build Back Better act, it should include some expanded EV tax incentives but because Elon Musk hates unions and competitors, he thinks the incentives should be abolished all together. VW confirmed that it will build a pop up camper version of the new electric ID Buzz and a new Tesla Cybertruck prototype has been spotted with a single giant windshield wiper. We also have Sam's interview with Rob Filipovic, director of product planning for Jaguar Land Rover North AmericaLinksFord to Triple Mustang Mach-E productionElon opposes EV incentivesHow the propsed new EV incentive structure worksTransitioning connected cars from 3G to 4GVW ID.Buzz California camper is comingJason Torchinsky's review of the VW T6 CaliforniaGiant Cybertruck windshield wiperAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Hauling Anything But Ass
This week Nicole has been having fun blasting around in the 2022 Honda Civic Si with a six-speed manual gearbox. Roberto has been hauling cement turtles in the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder and Sam has been avoiding making eye contact with the Toyota Prius Prime.In the news, BMW released a concept version of a new M-only model codenamed "RockStar" and badged as XM. Anyone that wants a Toyota GR86 in Europe will have to hurry before new emissions regulations kill it there and Polestar gives a preview of what's coming next.LinksPolestar 3,4 and 5Short EU Run for Toyota GR86BMW XM ConceptAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
The Perfect Mulch Hauler
Lots of stuff in the garage in this week as Nicole gets to spend more time with the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness. On the opposite coast, Robbie has one of his two ideal cars, the Audi RS6 Avant and also shares some thoughts on the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. Sticking with the PHEV theme, Sam had a first drive in the new Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring and also got to try out GM's new Android Automotive based infotainment system in the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe.In the news, GM and Ford are both doing deals with chip makers to try to avoid future shortages, Genesis shows the exterior of the next generation G90 luxury sedan and Nissan announces some of its electrification plans between now and 2030. We also have an interview that Sam recorded in LA with Aditya Jairaj, director of EV marketing and sales strategy at NissanLinksNew Genesis G90Ford and GlobalFoundriesGM and its chip plansNissan Ambition 2030Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Driving a whole bunch of stuff
The whole team has bugged out of southern California after several days of checking out what is new. Sam returned to chilly Michigan to drive the BMW M3 Competition xDrive on summer tires. Nicole landed back in New Hampshire to pick up the Lexus UX250h which has now been reclassified as an SUV-over. Robbie was in between rides at home, but sampled a whole bunch of stuff during the annual World Car of the Year drive off including the new BMW 2 series coupe. Both Robbie and Nicole have sampled Hyundai's new sport models, the Elantra N and Kona NWhile in SoCal, the whole team went to the truncated LA auto show which was all about EVs this year including the debut of the production intent Fisker Ocean (make sure to listen to ep 221 for an interview with Henrik Fisker) and the latest collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, the Solterra and bZ4X electric SUV-over twins. We also discuss the Tesla server outage that left some owners locked out of their cars and answer a bunch of listener questions.LinksTesla server outageWhy cars need a local mechanism for accessFisker Ocean debutToyota bZ4X debutSubaru SolterraAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Phoenix From The Ashes
This week, the whole gang has been in Southern California for the LA Auto Show and related events. In the garage, Nicole drove the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Moab and Sam had the 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-X at home in Michigan.We discuss the new Acura Integra Prototype and answer a question about how we review cars. Finally, we have some of the interviews that Sam did with various people while in California with more to come over the next couple of weeks. This time we have Mike Tripp and Cooper Erickson from Toyota about the bZ4X and Henrik Fisker on the new Ocean EV.LinksFisker Ocean first look2023 Toyota bZ4X reveal2023 Acura Integra PrototypeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
You'll Make Your Money Back in a Week
In the garage this week we have first extended take of the Ford Maverick XLT hybrid from Sam. Roberto samples the Rivian R1T and spends more time with the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Nicole gives a first impression of the new Nissan Pathfinder that just arrived as she got home from a trip.In the news Ford Performance launched the Eluminator crate motor SEMA and almost immediately sold out. Rivian raked in $11.9B from its IPO, the rest of the auto industry has committed $515B to EV development and production and 1/3 of Cadillac stores are calling it quits before they have to spend money to support EVs. In listener Q&A we mostly decline to give investment advice.LinksFord Eluminator crate motorRivian IPOAuto industry invests $515B in EVs1/3 of Cadillac stores to close before EVs arriveAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Don't Get A Bad Car Loan
This week, Sam is still driving a white three-row Jeep SUV, but it's a more manageable size in the form of the new Grand Cherokee L. Nicole has been getting around in a very Halloween colored Ford F-150 Raptor and Robbie shares some thoughts on a couple of new BMWs, the Alpina B8 and M5.In the news, Subaru responded to the Massachusetts right to repair rules by disabling the telematics on new vehicles sold in the state and we have some mixed feelings. Staying with connectivity, Ford is still working out some details with its over-the-air update process so it has delayed the OTA update to enable BlueCruise on the F-150 and Mach-E. Mercedes-Benz has launched a new SL roadster and GMC is giving the Sierra a major update after just two years. We wrap up with some discussion of car loans and Q&ALinksSubaru turns off Starlink2023 Mercedes-Benz SLFord delays BlueCruise OTA2022 GMC SierraBad car loansAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Indy Goes Driverless
This week Robbie gets his hands on the not-a-minivan minivan from Kia, the 2022 Carnival. Sam heads to Indy in the big, comfy and oh so thirsty Jeep Wagoneer and Nicole goes off-road in the 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness.This past week jurors for the North American Car and Truck of the Year, which include Nicole gathered in Ann Arbor to drive a bunch of stuff and Sam managed to also squeeze in a drive in the Rivian R1T. The reason Sam went to Indianappolis was for the Indy Autonomous Challenge where self-driving Indy Lights cars took the big oval and Tesla announced it would use lithium iron phosphate batteries for its standard range cars globally.LinksIndy Autonomous ChallengeHellcat powered Plymouth ProwlerTesla adds iron batteries240 mpg VW XL1Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
It Grows On You
This week in the garage, Sam takes a road trip in the Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid, Nicole drives the Ford Explorer XLT and Roberto samples Volvo's first electric-only model the C40.The embargo has finally lifted on the drive impressions of the BMW i4 M50 and Robbie shares his thoughts on this new German electric autobahn machine. We also discuss the augmented reality heads up display in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and AAA testing of driver assist systems in bad weather conditions. As usual, we wrap with some listener questions.LinksAAA ADAS testingRobbie's BMW i4 first driveMercedes-Benz Augmented reality HUDAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Munster Challenger
This week we have lots of cruising. Roberto has been riding on BMW's big bruiser bike, the R18, Nicole has been Grand Touring in the Lincoln Aviator plug-in hybrid and Sam has had the unicorn-like Ford Escape plug-in hybrid.Robbie and Sam each got to drive Ford's quickest EV yet, the Mach-E GT while Nicole got a first drive in Toyota's new 2022 Tundra including the hybrid variant. GM announced its next-gen hands-free driving assist called Ultra Cruise. We answer some listener questions and Sam interviews Ford's Darren Palmer and Dave Pericak.LinksSam's Take on the Mach-E GTRobbie's Impressions of the Mach-E GTGM Ultra CruiseAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
When Enough Is Enough
This week in the garage, Nicole is getting a kick out of the Hyundai Sonata N-Line with its 290-hp turbocharged engine. Sam has been tossing around the Mazda Miata RF while Robbie has been too busy with work to drive.Nicole got a first drive in the Ford Maverick compact pickup and and Sam and Nicole each got to drive Mazda's first EV, the MX-30. In Britain, drivers facing gas shortages are taking a closer look at EVs. We answer some listener questions and Sam interviews Jay Chen and Dave Coleman from Mazda.LinksBritish drivers look to EVs during gas shortages2022 Mazda MX-30 first drive reviewAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
It's Not So Ugly
Nicole's travel was disrupted which meant she didn't get home in time to record this episode so it's just Sam and Roberto. Robbie can finally spill the beans on his first drive of the BMW iX electric crossover and his ridealong in the new Mercedes-Benz SL. Sam spent time with a pair of opposites, the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.In the news, Sam offers a correction on the pricing of the Tesla charging cable, GM announces its Ultifi platform for in-vehicle apps and launches low volume production of the Brightdrop EV600. Lucid has also launched production of the Air electric luxury sedan and Ford and SK Innovation are spending a combined $11.4 billion on three battery plants and a new assembly plant for electric trucks. As usual we wrap with questions.LinksTesla charging cablesGM launches Ultifi in-car app development platformBrightdrop starts EV600 productionLucid starts turning out the AirFord and SK invest $11.4B in EV and battery productionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Now With Maximum Grille
Robbie was a bit late in joining the show today due to some connectivity issues so Nicole and Sam started without him. Nicole has been driving the new 2022 Nissan Frontier which replaced a very long in the tooth model with one that looks totally different. Sam drove a new model that wasn't that old but the new version of the Lexus IS300 is almost indistinguishable.In the news, Toyota has an all-new Tundra that takes large grilles to a whole new level while Ford does a more subtle job refreshing the big Expedition. Jeep announces some pricey half doors for the Gladiator and gang wishes GM would revive the old GMC Motorhome on the Ultium electric platform.LinksJeep Half-doorsPetition for GM to build Ultium powered electric GMC Motorhome2022 Toyota Tundra2022 Ford ExpeditionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
I'm Not a Bus
This week on the show, Robbie has returned from the IAA show in Munich and while he can't yet tell us about some of what he drove, he shares some thoughts on what he saw there including the VW ID.Life concept, the BMW Vision Circle and he also describes the new Hyundai Kona EV, the he and his wife just bought. Nicole shares her impressions of the new single motor Polestar 2 while Sam has been driving the Hyundai Tucson hybrid.In the news, the Lucid Air gets an official EPA range rating of 520 miles while Rivian starts regular production of the R1T electric pickup. Unfortunately, R1T buyers won't be getting the zero radius tank turn feature. In 2023, General Motors will be introducing the follow-up to Super Cruise called Ultra Cruise and it will include lidar sensors from Cepton.We answer a bunch of listener questions including follow up on Roberto's review of the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Sam interviews James Kuffner, the CEO of Woven Planet, the division of Toyota responsible for developing all sorts of new technologies including automated driving systems.LinksCeptonWoven PlanetLucid 520 mile rangeNo Tank Turns for RivianAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy