Formula E, Jaguar E-Pace, Manual Transmissions, and Trade Wars | #347

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #347

The auto industry is advancing at a rapid pace, implementing new safety and entertainment technologies and upgrading existing systems; but where the auto gods giveth, the auto gods taketh away. Is the phasing out of manual transmissions taking it too far? We’ll explore this topic throughout the show, but first President and CEO of Brembo North America, Dan Sandberg, discusses what makes Formula E unique. Then, freelance automotive journalist George Kennedy III offers a tire safety warning, previews his Boston Globe article about YouTube car restorer, Rich Rebuilds, and gives his drive impressions about the 2019 Jaguar E-PACE. Shifting gears, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, fills us in on the Galpin Auto Show, BMW’s discontinuation of their 3 Series manual options, and the reintroduced Ford Ranger’s specs, which seem to be missing a stick shift option. Next, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Karl Brauer, laments the decline of the manual transmission before sharing his test drive results for the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. With a 0-60 of 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 195 mph, the GT stormed around the famous track at Circuit of the Americas, but is it worth a 6-figure sticker price? Changing lanes, freelance automotive journalist BJ Killeen discusses the most shocking deals and trends seen at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas – there were a lot of trucks and a Bentley that sold for $25,000!  Also, we touch on how tariffs are affecting the global automobile industry, specifically in China, where Jaguar Land Rover saw a 46% drop in sales. What do you think about the state of the industry and manual transmissions?

 

  • [00:00:00] Formula E and Brembo Brakes
  • [00:06:23] Don’t Neglect Your Tires
  • [00:12:30] Rich Rebuilds a Tesla Model S
  • [00:19:51] 2019 Jaguar E-PACE SE vs. I-PACE
  • [00:28:35] Galpin Auto Show
  • [00:35:52] Slow Death of the Manual Transmission
  • [00:42:12] Manual vs. Automatic Performance Test
  • [00:48:24] Dumbing Down Our Cars
  • [00:54:43] Automatic Sports Car Takeover
  • [01:02:04] Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
  • [01:10:26] Steal Deals at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas
  • [01:18:05] Trade Conflicts Always Hit Auto Industry

 

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Trackhawk, Bentayga, Prius Prime and More | #324

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #324

Car show season is hopping, and we are right in the middle of the Geneva International Motor Show. Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher of Kelley Blue Book, discusses the relevance of the Geneva event to the U.S. Market, reviews the Bentley Bentayga, and spills about breaking his Dodge Demon. Next, Brian Moody, Executive Editor of Autotrader, reviews the Toyota Prius Prime and the Buick Regal TourX wagon. Then, Hollywood car consultant, Josh Hancock, catches us up to speed with the latest cars hitting the red carpet. Josh also reviews the newest Porsche Cayman, and shares his thoughts on automatic transmissions. Last but certainly not least, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, explains how you can buy a car through Costco, and offers initial thoughts on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. If you’re in the market for a new car, curious about the future of the automotive industry, or just need your gearhead fix, join us now!

 

  • [00:00:00] A Demon’s Trip to the Car Doctor
  • [00:06:20] NASCAR’s Chase Elliott Drives Demon
  • [00:12:31] Bentley Bentayga Exudes Quality
  • [00:19:54] Geneva International Motor Show
  • [00:26:51] 230-MPG with Toyota Prius Prime
  • [00:35:55] Best Interiors Under $50,000
  • [00:42:15] Prep for New York International Auto Show
  • [00:49:04] Hollywood Car Films Zooming Our Way
  • [00:54:46] Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
  • [01:02:09] Porsche Cayman is Well Balanced
  • [01:10:38] Buying a Car Through Costco
  • [01:18:10] Trackhawk is the Answer to Power

 

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CAFE Standards, Car-centric Movies, Long Term Test Drives and More | #283

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #283

This episode is packed with automotive genius and we hear from the experts that are out in the field of this ever-evolving industry. Autoblog’s Michael Austin shares his experience from the Geneva International Motor Show and, his views on President Trump’s review of the CAFE standards. Brian Moody of Autotrader reviews the environmentally conscious Honda Clarity with hydrogen fuel cell. Then, we chat with Josh Hancock of JoshCAR about the latest car-centric movies, and the limo he helped create for the new movie starring Hugh Jackman, Logan. In the second hour, we hear from BJ Killeen about finally purchasing her long-term test drive, KIA Sedona, and she fills us in on the war brewing between BMW and Mercedes-Benz. We end the hour with John Ellis of Ellis & Associates, who helps us catch a glimpse into the future of our cars becoming sentient beings as well as Tesla’s dedication to safety. Technology is creating a more dynamic future for our vehicles. Find out more now.

 

  • [00:00:00] Autoblog Reviews Geneva Motor Show
  • [00:06:35] Trump to Review the CAFE Standards
  • [00:12:30]  Autoblog Has the Newest Automotive Reviews
  • [00:15:36] Environmentally Conscious Honda Clarity
  • [00:23:45] Logan Futuristic Limo is Stumping Car Guys
  • [00:31:33] Driving Films on the Horizon for Hollywood
  • [00:42:12] BJ Killeen Buys Her Test Drive KIA Sedona
  • [00:47:47] A War Brews Between Mercedes-Benz & BMW
  • [00:53:43] The Automotive World is Well Connected
  • [01:02:03] Carbon-based Lifeforms & Autonomous Cars
  • [01:11:27] Soon Our Cars Will Be Sentient Beings
  • [01:18:04] Tesla Continues to Enhance Safety Through Air

 

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