As Emperor Palpatine once said, “Good! Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you!” We might not be letting the dark side take control, but we are…
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #376
Kicking off the show, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, is relaxing in Costa Rica for the “Lexus Milestones” 30th Anniversary event. We discuss the brands ascent to legendary luxury status, how it disrupted the industry, and how Kia and Hyundai are doing similar things in today’s world. Karl also fills us in on the new Ford/Volkswagen alliance. Then, Collins Bros. Jeep and Black Mountain Jeep, Dennis Collins, shares his latest creation: the first 2020 Jeep Gladiator with a 6.4L V8 HEMI! Also, Dennis discusses the opening of a new Black Mountain Jeeps location, Pebble Beach Concours, and other upcoming events. Shifting gears, Motorsport Auction Group Founder, Mike Oberle, divulges what’s in store for their auction during Hot August Nights on August 8th, 9th, and 10th, including Alan’s serial number 8 Dodge Demon! Then, Hot August Nights Executive Director, Mike Whan, gives us a detailed outline of the awesome entertainment and events they have in store, including appearances by The Temptations, Little River Band, Chubby Checker, and more! Changing lanes, Fast N’ Loud, Richard Rawlings, describes how Chad McQueen approached him to create the recent two hour epic episode in which they shut down the streets of San Fansico to recreate the legendary Bullitt Mustang chase sequence. Richard also fills us in on his new podcast, Beer:30, asks for malt liquor suggestions for his new wine cellar, and drops some exclusive, big news about his deal with Discovery! Closing out the show, Cartender Co-Founder, and freelance automotive journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, compares his time in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan with his test drive of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Find out why George thinks the Jeep Gladiator is the perfect weekend warrior machine.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #364
If you want performance, but you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for it, tune in for some great tips and reviews. Kicking off the show, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, brings us a list of the best used performance cars for under $20,000, including the Ford Fiesta ST, FIAT 500 Abarth, and more! Then, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, gushes over her test drive of the 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. This jewel of a machine has style, balance, and power enough to get you around the track, all for a very affordable price. We also chat about the 2020 Jeep Gladiator, pothole woes, and exorbitant insurance prices. Changing gears, Co-founder of Cartender and automotive journalist for CarGurus, The Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, is back for round two of the electric car debate. Also, George gives us his test drive impressions for the 2019 Kia Soul (hint: it’s awesome), and the versatile Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. Then, President and CEO of Brembo Brakes North America, Dan Sandberg, tells us why they’ve decided to launch their all new web marketplace, BrembostoreUSA.com, and what you can expect to find there. Closing the show, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, praises the Tesla Model 3 and its combination of power and handling that give it a uniquely Porsche 911 feel. Listen in for more about these amazing, inexpensive vehicles.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #362
If there’s one thing that the Swiss people are known for, it’s having a lot of money! Which is why it is fitting that the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) would showcase some of the wackiest, most outlandish, and of course, ridiculously expensive concept cars on the planet. Reporting from Geneva, Switzerland, so we don’t have to, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, fills us in on some of the craziest concept cars he’s witnessed. It isn’t all highfalutin dream-cars in Geneva; the Mazda CX-30, Subaru e-Boxer engine, and Honda e Prototype have much more grounded philosophies in mind. Changing gears, Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, gives us his drive review of his new Ford GT (finally!), and discusses electric vehicles and the effects of trade tariffs on the automotive industry. Next, Co-founder of CarTender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, makes a case for electric cars and showers praise upon the 2019 Dodge Charger SXT AWD. Closing the show, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, offers her opinion about some of the strange (and amazing) designs at the Geneva Motor Show. While the Hispano Suiza Carmen and Engler F.F. Super Quad may be goofier looking than Donald Duck’s best buddy, cars like the Bugatti La Voiture Noire and Kia Imagine are inspired and beautiful.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #360
As Emperor Palpatine once said, “Good! Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you!” We might not be letting the dark side take control, but we are most definitely letting off some steam about cars that confound us and the sterilization of motorsports. Starting off the show, Co-founder of CarTender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, gives a glowing review of the 2019 Infiniti QX80. This mammoth sized SUV sports a spacious, luxurious interior, V8 Engine, ample towing capacity, and… a busy infotainment system adorned by a slightly dated touch screen? Also, George discusses electric vehicle battery range in winter, the corporatization of motorsports, and delivers a critical review of the 2019 Nissan Kicks. Shifting gears, automotive journalist, Steven Cole Smith, continues the conversation on the decline of NASCAR and the public image issue that was the Daytona 500 race. Steven isn’t without suggestions, and he gives us some of his best (and worst) ideas on how to fix NASCAR. Also, Steven recently got to drive the Jeep Gladiator, and while he can’t tell us much, he can tell us that it is awesome! Closing out the show, Founder and CEO, Alex Littlewood, tells us about his new website, Motoroso. Offering a venue for car nuts to show off their latest projects, link to gear used for the build within a picture, and get inspiration from a community of gear heads, Motoroso is a must-see for all car enthusiasts. Don’t miss this episode of THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #359
It seems like there’s big news coming out every week around this time of year due to the plethora of international car shows that are taking place, like the Chicago Auto Show (CAS). First up to bat to fill us in on CAS happenings is Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody. The 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road, 2020 Kia Telluride, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI gave Brian a lot to be excited about. While a few SUVs and sedans did stand out, the Chicago Auto Show had a clear focus on trucks. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, shares how manufacturers are pushing their trucks further and further, which vehicles caught her eye, and which rides fell flat. Next up, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader.com, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, talks about his Rubella scare after the Detroit Auto Show, and the reintroduction of Sublime (a bright green) green to Mopar cars at CAS. Speaking of Mopar cars, Alan and Karl have both had their Dodge Demons for a year and it’s time for their extended review of this beast of a machine. Another monster machine that Alan owns is his 1-of-1 2016 Dodge Viper ACR, but he’s trying to not own it anymore; check out this future classic on ClassicCars.com. Closing the show, Owner of Collins Bros Jeep, Dennis Collins, gushes about the 2019 Dodge SRT Hellcat Redeye; this car loses to the Demon ever so slightly on horsepower, but makes up for it everywhere else. Also, we find out how Black Mountain Jeep’s licensee program works, how the trade wars are affecting business, why Dennis isn’t banking on the restomod market, and what kind of plans Dennis has for the rebirth of the Jeep Gladiator. Tune in for another exciting week of auto show coverage and monster car reviews.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #358
From Super Bowl LIII ads to a good old fashioned set of brakes, we’ve got automotive news galore in this week’s episode. First up, we chat with automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, about her favorite Super Bowl LIII commercials, the Chicago Auto Show, and import vehicles. Changing lanes, Co-founder of CarTender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, discusses the willful ‘sports ball’ ignorance, the Super Bowl LIII halftime show, winter vehicles, and the exceptional work being done by Jeep and Hyundai. Then, Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, gives us an insider’s look into the film industry, confirming a new entry into the Ghostbusters franchise, and getting us pumped up for Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw. Also, Josh reviews his test drive of the fresh 2019 Volvo S90 sedan; it’s the epitome of luxury. Closing the show, we explore the decline in popularity of paper publications, the amazing story (and brakes) of Brembo, and motorsports news with freelance automotive journalist, Steven Cole Smith. Don’t let this weeks automotive news pass you by.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #355
It’s the last show of the year, and time to get everything out of our system! First, we chat with Collins Bros Jeep President and Owner, Dennis Collins, about the new Jeep JLU and JKU Wrangler Rubicon, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye wide body, and the exciting list of cars he’s bringing to Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona. Changing lanes, automotive journalist, Steven Cole Smith, fills us in on the postseason slump in motorsports, the Nissan Maxima and Murano, and the all-new Ford Ranger; will the Ranger’s excessive price put another damper on the small and midsize truck category? Next, Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, catches us up on his Ford GT and tour of the Multimatic Facility where it is being built. Switching gears, Co-founder of Cartender and freelance automotive journalist, George Kennedy III, gives us his take on the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator, and gets us pumped about Wide Open Baja, a touring service that gives us a taste of the Baja 500 and 1000 endurance races. Then, Blinker.com Founder and CEO, Rod Buscher, describes his revolutionary private party car trading app that also functions as a car identifier. Lastly, freelance automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, praises the new 2019 Toyota RAV4’s fresh redesign and coaxes some information about Alan’s new TV show, THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor, out of him. Don’t miss this year-end wrap up with your favorite car experts!