Grassroots Motorsports Archives - The Drive with Lauren & Karl

Supercar Test Drives, C8 Corvette, Motorsports, Kia Niro | #378

Post author:Lauren Fix
Post published:August 12, 2019
Post category:Podcast

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #378

News in the automotive industry abound, and first up to help us decipher it all is Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com, Karl Brauer. Did you know that, according to a study, one in five US adults feel pressured into spending more than they should on vehicles? Well, neither did we, but apparently it’s true. Karl also reviews the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder, chats about Alan’s decision to sell his Dodge Demon in favor of a Toyota Supra, praises the new $60,000 Chevrolet C8 Corvette, discusses the horrendous profit drop facing Nissan, and gives an industry report card. Changing lanes, Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, fills us in on his trip to Rome, what he learned about the pooping habits of Colosseum goers, and gives us an update on the world of motorsports. Next up, Manager of Long Range Strategy and Planning at Kia Motors America, Steve Kosowski, explains the three different powertrains of the new 2020 Kia Niro and all of its amazing features. Closing out the show, Co-founder of Cartender, and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, reviews the 2020 Acura RDX and the 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Red Eye. Tune in for the latest auto news and car reviews.

[00:00:00] Social Pressure of Owning Awesome Cars
[00:05:16] 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder
[00:12:30] Trading Dodge Demon for Toyota Supra
[00:19:51] Corvette: An Exotic Killer to the Core
[00:27:14] Nissan Faces 99 Percent Profit Drop!
[00:35:53] Karl Brauer’s Auto Industry Report Card
[00:42:13] Steven Cole Smith’s Colosseum Tour
[00:49:27] Taking Care of Business at the Colosseum
[00:54:44] Motorsports Update: Rallycross, Indy Car
[01:02:04] Kia Niro Comes In Three Amazing Versions
[01:10:51] 2020 Acura RDX’s Non Intuitive Console
[01:18:06] Challenger Hellcat Red Eye Test Drive

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Australian Jeep Expedition, Nurburgring, Rolls-Royce Cullinan | #375

Post author:Lauren Fix
Post published:June 29, 2019
Post category:Podcast

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #375

There’s nothing quite like setting out across the wild expanse of Alaska, the untamed savannas of Africa, or the outback of Australia. Adventuring is the spice of life, as Alan says; a fact Seven Slot Expeditions Auto Writer, Sue Mead, and Adventure Architects LLC CEO, Chris Collard know well. Chris and Sue fill us in on the history of the 50th anniversary East-West Australia Jeep Expedition, their plans for the journey, and which vehicles they’ll me making the 2500km trek in. Next up, Motorsports Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, gives us the details from the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Then, we chat with Cartender Co-founder and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, about his recent test drive of the bespoke Rolls-Royce Cullinan, their first SUV ever (If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it). Changing gears, Autoblog Editor-In-Chief, Greg Migliore, reviews the 617-HP, 555 lb-ft of torque, 4.4L twin turbo V8 engine sporting BMW M5. Next up, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, discusses the made-for-TV drama that has become the FCA, Renault, and Nissan relationship, as well as the prevalence of low-cylinder high-performance engines and their apparent replacement for displacement. Lastly, Karl shares his mixed feelings over the Jaguar F-TYPE R-Dynamic and its weak engine. Tune in for the latest car reviews and automotive news.

[00:00:00] Adventuring is the Spice of Life
[00:05:47] East-West Australia Jeep Expedition
[00:12:30] RIP Rod Hall / Adventure Architects
[00:19:51] Nurburgring and the Hyundai Veloster N
[00:28:49] Bronze Buffalo Club Fishing Golf Course
[00:35:52] Winners of the 24 Hours of Nurburgring
[00:42:13] Rolls-Royce Cullinan Drives Like Butter
[00:48:34] Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s Bespoke Features
[00:54:43] BMW M5 Packs A Punch
[01:02:04] FCA, Renault, Nissan – A Bad TV Drama
[01:11:12] A Replacement for Displacement?
[01:18:05] Jaguar F-TYPE R-Dynamic Lacks Power

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Motorsports Recap, Auto News, Lexus and Cadillac Reviews | #372

Post author:Lauren Fix
Post published:June 1, 2019
Post category:Podcast

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #372

Kicking off the show, Justice Brothers, Inc. President and CEO, Ed Justice, Jr., fills us in on the 2019 Indianapolis 500, Roger Penske’s 18th win at the age of 82, and how an over abundance of content are likely responsible for the decline in big race-day viewership. Next, Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, chats about everything from Alexander Rossi in the Indy 500 to $21 hotdogs to Dollar General bargains. Steve also reviews the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V and CT4-V. Changing gears, Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, discusses FCA’s rumored courting of France-based Renault for a potential merger and what effects such a merger could have. We also hear about BJ’s tear-inducing test drive of the 2019 Lexus RC F. Closing the show, Autoblog Editor-in-Chief, Greg Migliore, gives us his take on the proposed FCA/Renault merger, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, 2020 Toyota GR Supra, 2020 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, and more! Tune in for another great week of coverage from all over the automotive industry.

[00:00:00] 2019 Indianapolis 500 Recap
[00:06:08] 82 Year Old Roger Penske’s 18th Win
[00:12:31] Content Overload Edges Out Coca-Cola 600
[00:19:51] Indy 500, $21 Hotdogs, Dollar Bargains
[00:27:49] Alexander Rossi Steals Show at Indy 500
[00:35:53] 2020 Cadillac CT5-V and CT4-V
[00:42:14] FCA Courting Renault for Merger
[00:47:45] Audi and Cadillac Making Changes
[00:54:44] 2019 Lexus RC F and LC 500 Reviews
[01:02:05] Lexus and Toyota Really Growing on Alan
[01:08:50] Autoblog, FCA Renault, SF90 Stradali
[01:18:06] Autoblog’s Take on Supra and TrailBlazer

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LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, Ferrari 488 Pista, Kia Telluride | #365

Post author:Lauren Fix
Post published:April 6, 2019
Post category:Podcast

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #365

Alan will be on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, April 15th through the 19th, and this year marks his 20th appearance on the show! Watch Alan unveil 20 of the newest cars from the New York Auto Show while attempting to avoid a repeat of the Pontiac C6 backseat incident. First up, automotive journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, fills us in on his test drive of the Ferrari 488 Pista. This $350,000 supercar made Steven feel very out of place at Dollar General, but he got over it when he revved it’s 710-HP twin-turbo engine. Steven also discusses Automobile Magazine’s All-Stars top picks, including the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Hyundai VELOSTER N, and Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Changing lanes, Kia Motors America Chief Designer, Tom Kearns, shares the inspiration behind their biggest, boldest SUV ever, the Kia Telluride. This gorgeous eight passenger vehicle makes 291-HP with a 3.8L V6 engine and is available in all-wheel drive, starting at just $31,690. Then, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, compares and contrasts the MAZDA CX-9 with the Kia Sorento; when all is said and done, she prefers the Kia Sorento, but encourages us all to test drive to compare for ourselves. Tune in for more details on the 2020 Kia Telluride, Kia Sorento, MAZDA CX-9, and Ferrari 488 Pista.

[00:00:00] Alan to Go On LIVE with Kelly and Ryan
[00:06:31] Steven Drives the Ferrari 488 Pista
[00:12:31] Automobile Magazine’s All-Stars
[00:19:51] 2020 Kia Telluride: Back to SUV Roots
[00:27:58] Kia Sorento Vs MAZDA CX-9
[00:35:52] Two Comparable SUVs and Weekend Plans

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Mid-Engine Corvette, Luxurious Test Drives, and Auto News | #363

Post author:Lauren Fix
Post published:March 23, 2019
Post category:Podcast

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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #363

Horsepower, luxury, and value, what we love in cars here on THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor. We kick off the show with Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, who tells us about the new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette – a beast of a machine with more horsepower than its chassis can handle. Then we talk about the all-electric Kia Niro with a 250 mile range and the Land Rover Evoque that he test drove in Greece. Next, we discuss the insane $200,000+ Mercedes-Benz Maybach SUV, the affordably luxurious Kia K900, and the release of the Tesla Model Y (but, why?), with automotive journalist, BJ Killeen. Shifting gears, our new friend and Editor and Publisher of Rides and Drives, Harvey Briggs, shares about his test drive of the ultra-luxurious 2020 BMW X7 SAV with Alan Taylor. Harvey also discusses his time cruising down under in a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, the diesel version of the Ranger we all wish we could get our hands on. Changing lanes, automotive journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, gives the update on 12 Hours of Sebring, in which Cadillac dominated (taking first, second, and third place), and gushes about his extended experience with the Acura NSX. Closing out the show, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, reviews the new Ford F-250 Super Duty and gives us new information on the upcoming Ghostbusters movie. Tune in for the latest automotive news and test drive reviews.

[00:00:00] A lot of Horsepower, A lot of Problems
[00:06:15] Corvette Speculation and Kia Niro
[00:12:30] Land Rover Evoque Test Drive in Greece
[00:19:51] Redesigned, Luxurious Kia K900
[00:29:36] Mercedes-Benz Maybach SUV
[00:35:52] Tesla to Release the Model Y
[00:42:12] Introducing Harvey Briggs
[00:48:03] 2020 BMW X7 XDrive50I – Luxury Supreme
[00:54:43] Driving the New Ford Ranger Down Under
[01:02:04] Acura NSX and Golden Age of Automobiles
[01:11:23] Cadillac Dominates 12 Hours of Sebring
[01:18:04] Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ghostbusters

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Aston Martin Vanquish S, Savior of Sedans, and More | #305

Post author:Lauren Fix
Post published:October 9, 2017
Post category:Podcast
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #305

The season of auto shows is just around the corner, and automotive journalists are getting the pleasure of reviewing the 2018 models that are hitting the dealerships. We begin the hour with automotive journalist, Steven Cole Smith, who gives us a NASCAR update and reviews the sporty, 2018 Kia Stinger. After that, Karl Brauer, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, tells us about his sophisticated ride in the 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish S, and shares that the 2018 Honda Accord could be the only hope for the sedan category. Changing lanes, we talk with Chris Basso of CARFAX about the importance of getting a vehicle history report before buying a used car. We close the show with President and CEO of Brembo North America, Dan Sandberg, who makes a prediction for the future of electronic brakes. Tune in now!

[00:00:00] WeatherTech Sportscar Championship Series
[00:06:18] Will NASCAR Turn Things Around Next Year?
[00:12:31] 2018 Kia Stinger Keeps Up with the Big Boys
[00:19:53] Behind the Scenes of LA Auto Show
[00:28:26] Sophisticated Aston Martin Vanquish S
[00:35:57] Honda Accord is the Sedan’s Last Hope
[00:42:17] CARFAX Compiles 35 Years of Experience
[00:47:50] Background Check on Your Used Vehicle
[00:54:50] Spotting Flood-Damaged Cars with CARFAX
[01:02:11] Electronic Brakes Will Replace Hydraulic
[01:11:14] Autonomous Features Will Help Bad Drivers
[01:18:14] Frankfurt Auto Show: An Emphasis on Electric

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