Mustang Bullitt, Regenerative Braking, and Brian France’s DUI | #340

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | #340

They really don’t make any bad vehicles these days and luckily our favorite automotive experts help us narrow down the right car for us. We begin the show with automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, who discusses why premium SUVs are taking a top spot in the market. BJ and Alan also talk about the 2018 Ford F-150 diesel that Alan drove down to Newport Beach and they excitedly chat about the greatly improved fuel consumption of most new trucks. Then, Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher of Kelley Blue Book, sounds off about the latest rad events he was able to attend. San Francisco played host to a reenactment of the classic Mustang Bullitt car chase as Ford showed off the 2019-2020 redesign of the Mustang Bullitt and Karl said how cool it was to witness. After that, he tells us about his exciting drive down Pikes Peak in the all-new pure EV Audi e-tron and raves about its amazing regenerative brakes. Karl ends the first hour with an update on his greatly anticipated Ford GT, which he has made all of his final designs decisions on and is patiently waiting for its finalization. Next, Executive Editor of Autotrader, Brian Moody, pits the 2018 Toyota Tacoma against the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado. While the Tacoma still has one of the best resale values in the truck market, the Colorado stole Autotrader’s vote. Brian explains that he believes the Tacoma played it a little too safe with their redesign, while the Colorado stepped it with their interior, diesel engine option and aggressive ZR2 off-road package. Continuing with the compact truck theme, Brian also addresses the rumors surrounding the U.S. version of the all-new Ford Ranger after a write up from their sister company in Australia, Car Guides. Brian explains that he doesn’t believe we will see a diesel engine but to keep an eye out for the 2.3L EcoBoost, 10-speed automatic transmission, and a plethora of safety features. Then, before Brian goes he explains Autotrader’s Accelerate, which is an online vehicle buying program that can make it possible for you to shop from the comfort of your own home. Switching gears, automotive journalist, George Kennedy, reviews the impressive handling of the 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Widebody and explains that he really loved that one could tune the individual performance options on the infotainment system. After that, he sounds off about the 2018 Lexus NX vs the 2018 Acura RDX and shares that he was excited to drive these two major competitors back-to-back. The NX was a little too small for 6’3” George and the RDX had a frustrating infotainment system but overall, the two were really great cars for under $50k. Changing lanes, Ed Justice, Jr. updates us on the recent DUI of NASCAR’s CEO, Brian France’s, and what that could mean for the position he has been in for over a decade. Ed ends the hour by sharing about his favorite new documentary, Ferrari: Race to Immortality, which showcased the most dangerous and glamorous time in racing that took place from 1955-1958. Tune in now to fill your cranium with the latest and greatest from the automotive world.

 

  • [00:00:00] Take an Uber or a Cab
  • [00:05:49] Premium SUVs Are Booming
  • [00:12:30] Trucks Are Just Getting Better
  • [00:19:51] Mustang Bullitt Event in San Francisco
  • [00:28:35] Audi e-tron: Tesla Model X’s Competitor
  • [00:35:53] Karl’s New Ford GT Update
  • [00:42:14] Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado
  • [00:48:39] Rumors on the new Ford Ranger
  • [00:54:45] Handling of the Hellcat Widebody
  • [01:02:06] 2018 Lexus NX vs 2018 Acura RDX
  • [01:09:42] DUI of NASCAR’s Brian France
  • [01:18:07] Ferrari: Race to Immortality

 

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Continue ReadingMustang Bullitt, Regenerative Braking, and Brian France’s DUI | #340

Goodwood Festival of Speed, Hyundai Sonata Eco, and Chevy Traverse | #339

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | #339

Are you ready to have your senses teased by the latest automotive news? We begin the show with Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher of Kelley Blue Book, who just attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He gushes about this amazing event that takes place on the estate an English Royal and explains that it was an opportunity for manufacturers to show off their newest designs as well as vintage models. He excitedly sounds off about his opportunity to drive a McLaren 570S Spider and be driven in a McLaren Senna by Bruce Senna up the hill climb at the event. Karl then tells us that he is about to attend an event for the 2018 Mustang Bullitt and for the pure electric Audi e-tron® that they will be racing up Pikes Peak. Changing gears, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, reviews the 2018 Hyundai Sonata Eco which comes with an MSRP of $22,000. This great little car achieves 28-mpg in the city and 37-mph on the highway – talk about efficiency! Then Alan shares his review of the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody and tells us that this car is almost as amazing to drive as his Demon. It has a V8 supercharged Hemi, a widebody 26Z package, and had an MSRP of $77,770. Next up, Steven Cole Smith raves about his love for the 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat and tells us that he can’t help but drive around to show it off when he has one. He then talks about the answer to the question that no one is asking – autonomous racing. He doesn’t understand why they are trying to take the human element out of the equation, which is what keeps the races interesting. He also discusses Chevrolet’s lack of success in NASCAR this year and presumes that it is because of the Camaro body they are using. Lastly, we are joined by Chris Duke, Host of Motorz TV, who reviews the 2019 Chevrolet Traverse and explains why it is well worth the price. He also riles us up about the Craftsman Re-launch coming up in August, which will feature celebrity guests such as Alan Taylor, Richard Rawlings, Chip Foose, and Wayne Carini. This episode is packed full of automotive goodness you don’t want to miss!

 

  • [00:00:00] Goodwood Festival of Speed
  • [00:06:05] McLaren Senna Tops the Bucket List
  • [00:12:30] Weight, Torque, and Horsepower
  • [00:19:51] Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody
  • [00:29:36] 2018 Hyundai Sonata
  • [00:35:53] Dueling Car Reviews
  • [00:42:14] Hellcats Deserve Amazing Praise
  • [00:48:30] Autonomous Racing at Goodwood
  • [00:54:45] Chevrolet Falls Short in NASCAR
  • [01:02:06] Alan’s Alaskan Adventure
  • [01:11:21] Craftsman Re-Launch in August
  • [01:18:08] 2019 Chevrolet Traverse

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Continue ReadingGoodwood Festival of Speed, Hyundai Sonata Eco, and Chevy Traverse | #339