CAS Review, Demon vs Redeye, Viper Sale, and Collins Bros Jeep | #359

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.

 

  • [00:00:00] 2020 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
  • [00:05:24] Kia Telluride, Subaru Legacy, Shelby GT500
  • [00:12:31] 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI at CAS
  • [00:19:51] 30 Year Anniversaries and Awesome Trucks
  • [00:28:20] BJ’s Top Picks from Chicago Auto Show
  • [00:35:52] New Chevrolet Blazer a Disappointment?
  • [00:42:12] Sublime Green is Back and Rubella Scare
  • [00:48:03] Tesla Loses Tax Credit and Autonomy
  • [00:54:43] Dodge Demon One Year Report Card
  • [01:02:04] It’s Time to Let the 2016 Viper ACR Go
  • [01:09:00] Dodge Redeye and Restomod Market
  • [01:18:04] Black Mountain Jeep, Tariffs, Gladiator

Discover more about segments and guests below…

(more…)

Continue ReadingCAS Review, Demon vs Redeye, Viper Sale, and Collins Bros Jeep | #359

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

 

Discover more about segments and guests below…

(more…)

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

2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance | #260

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #260

Join us for a special episode broadcast from Monterey Car Week. Today we’re at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with notable guests including Jay Leno, Barry Meguiar, Jay Ward, Craig Jackson, Ralph Gilles and more!

 

  • [00:00:00] #TheNext100
  • [00:06:25] Benedict Castle Concours
  • [00:12:57] Collector Car Insurance
  • [00:19:51] Picture Perfect
  • [00:27:47] Elixir Effect
  • [00:35:52] Future of Viper
  • [00:41:11] The Quail
  • [00:47:02] Cars Yeah
  • [00:53:41] Who’s Who
  • [01:01:02] Jay Leno’s Garage
  • [01:06:21] Jay Leno & Barry Meguiar
  • [01:17:03] Pebble Beach Stand Outs
  • [01:22:35] Creating Cars
  • [01:29:08] Uniting Generations
  • [01:33:44] Wrecking Yard Years
  • [01:41:06] Clone Cars
  • [01:51:03] Buying Smart
  • [01:57:08] Signing Off with Barry Meguiar

 

Discover more about segments and guests below…

(more…)

Continue Reading2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance | #260