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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Rideshare, Hybrids and Electrics, Flood Damage, Tailgating, and Upcoming Events | #345

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #345

Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, brings us the latest advice and reviews from the site to keep us in the automotive loop, on this episode of The DRIVE with Alan Taylor. First off, Alan reflects on his stellar experience with the rideshare services Lyft and Uber while in New York City. Then, we discuss Autotrader’s 10 Great Hybrids and EVs for 2018, from the Chevrolet Bolt to the Chrysler Pacifica. While electric vehicles are making much-needed progress in range, nothing beats the flexibility of a hybrid car’s ability to transition between battery and gas power. Also, Brian and Alan remind us to beware of flood damaged cars in light of the recent east coast Hurricane Florence disaster. Remember, just because these cars were damaged on the east coast, doesn’t mean you won’t find them popping up in dealerships on the west coast or anywhere in between. Next, we compare 7 Outstanding Vehicles for Tailgating and some of our selections might surprise you, but the 2019 GMC Sierra was almost a foregone conclusion. Shifting gears, Alan lets us know what events we can expect to see him at, like Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas 2018, the 2018 SEMA ShowCES 2019, and Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2019. We wrap up the show with Alan’s thoughts on the power of the 2019 Infinti QX50 Essential FWD. Keep up with The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions at Barrett-Jackson.com.

 

  • [00:00:00] Rideshare Does It Right
  • [00:06:52] 10 Great Hybrids and EVs for 2018
  • [00:12:30] Does Hybrid Flexibility Trump EV?
  • [00:19:51] Beware of Flood Damaged Cars
  • [00:27:33] 7 Vehicles for the Tailgating Crowd
  • [00:35:52] Upcoming Events and the Infiniti QX50

 

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Continue ReadingRideshare, Hybrids and Electrics, Flood Damage, Tailgating, and Upcoming Events | #345