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

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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BMW M850i, Toyota Supra, RODS, Motorsports, SUVs, Tariffs | #370

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #370

From race cars to vehicles with a bit of soul and on to a noble cause raising money for orphaned children with Down Syndrome, we’re covering a lot of ground on this episode of THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor. Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, shares about his test drive of the $122,000 2019 BMW M850i, and we discuss the marriage of BMW and Toyota that is the 2020 Toyota Supra. Changing lanes, Long Range Strategy and Product Planning Manager for Kia Motors America, Paul Fisher, tells us exactly what makes the 2020 Kia Soul ‘all new’, from interior to drivetrain, and why you should consider getting a Soul of your own. Next up, Founder of RODS (Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome), Brady Murray, tells the story of how he started the movement and how it’s affected his life so far. He continues to champion the cause of finding homes for orphans with Down Syndrome by fundraising to pay for adoption fees, and they’ve recently celebrated their 50th success. Then, we chat with automotive journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, about his test drive of a 2019 Ram 3500 Crew Cab Dually, the Indianapolis 500, and Coca-Cola 600 news. Switching gears, President ClassicsDeadOrAlive.com and Social Media & Branding Manager for Black Mountain Jeep, Kelsey Collins, shares her experience with running the Tire Rack One Lap of America endurance race. Closing out the show, Executive Publisher of Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, ponders the question of whether the SUV market has become over saturated and whether tariffs play a role in the slowing of the automotive economy. Tune in for the latest auto news and test drives.

 

  • [00:00:00] The Legacy of the BMW 8 Series
  • [00:06:07] A Marriage of BMW and Toyota
  • [00:12:30] 2019 BMW M850i and 2020 Toyota Supra
  • [00:19:51] What’s So New About the 2020 Kia Soul?
  • [00:27:36] Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome
  • [00:35:51] RODS Looking to Expand to Auto Racing
  • [00:42:12] RAM Makes an Amazing Truck
  • [00:48:20] Bump Day Before the Indy 500
  • [00:54:43] NASCAR 600 and Jayski.com
  • [01:02:04] Kelsey Collins Races One Lap of America
  • [01:12:28] Is the SUV Market Oversaturated?
  • [01:18:05] Tariffs, Interest Rates Hit Auto Sales

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Porsche, NAIAS, EVs, Ford GT Fiasco, NACTOY, Cadillac, and Tesla | #357

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #357

As January turns to February, the industry is awash with news, scandals, and car companies struggling to stake out their place. Starting off the show, Kelley Blue Book Director of Industry Insights, Michael Harley, fills us in on his recent test drives of the new 2020 Porsche 911 and 2020 Porsche Panamera. We also tackle Porsche’s foray into the electric vehicle (EV) with the renamed Porsche Taycan (previously ‘Mission E’), and Michael shares a couple of wacky experiences he had riding in autonomous cars. Next, while we may have missed the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, MI, Autorader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, remained faithful and is here to give us some highlights from the show. Also, Brian questions whether all of these automakers that are pumping out three-row SUVs will be faced with a rude awakening when consumer price fatigue sets in. Changing gears, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autorader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, discusses the Ford GT resale scandal and his new 2019 Ford GT (which went straight from the delivery truck to the detail shop). Then, Automotive Expert, “The Car Coach”, and President of North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) Awards, Lauren Fix, shares the winners of the Car, Truck, and Utility vehicle categories, which were revealed at NAIAS recently. Lauren also gives a preview of what’s in store at the Chicago Auto Show as Alan blows her mind with statistics from Barrett-Jackson’s most recent Scottsdale auction. Closing the show, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, discusses Cadillac’s decision to focus on electric vehicles, Elon Musk and Tesla’s shaky public perception, Lincoln’s amazing concierge services, and Carlos Ghosn’s Japanese imprisonment. Tune in for the latest automotive insights.

 

  • [00:00:00] Porsche Finally Gets the Panamera Right
  • [00:06:18] Next Generation of the Porsche 911
  • [00:12:30] Porsche Taycan, EVs, and Autonomy
  • [00:19:51] Toyota Supra: The Buzz of NAIAS
  • [00:28:55] Three-Row SUVs and Buyer Price Fatigue
  • [00:35:52] Look Out for Kia Telluride and Mazda3
  • [00:42:12] Karl’s Ford GT: Delivered but not Driven
  • [00:48:08] Ford GT Resale Embargo Fiasco
  • [00:54:43] NACTOY Awards and EV Tax Credit Slash
  • [01:02:04] Chicago Auto Show and Barrett-Jackson
  • [01:07:40] Cadillac Goes EV, Tesla Looking Shaky
  • [01:18:05] Lincoln’s Concierge, and Ghosn’s Woes

 

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Jet Power, Black Mountain Jeep, and Dodge Charger GT | #325

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #325

Speed, horsepower, braking capability, and handling all make up that beautiful experience we call driving. Innovations in the automotive industry have helped designers capture and create amazing machines. This week, we dive into the hobby with some real petrol heads. We begin the show with a bang as automotive journalist, Steven Cole Smith, shares his 303-MPH experience in a jet-powered dragster. Then, George Kennedy, automotive journalist for the Boston Globe, sounds off about the Dodge Charger GT AWD and the anticipated return of the Toyota Supra. As if the first hour wasn’t great enough, we are joined by Dennis Collins of Collins Bros Jeep, Russell Holmes of Garage Rehab, and “Big Chris” Smith of Black Mountain Jeep for the second hour of the show. Dennis tells us that Russell has his shop all torn up for great reasons, and “Big Chris” is helping take Black Mountain Jeep’s idea of distribution to a whole new level. Don’t miss this fast-paced, hilarious group of car guys!

 

  • [00:00:00] Jet Powered Dragsters
  • [00:06:24] 303-MPH, A Walk in the Park
  • [00:12:31] Jay Leno’s Jet Powered Motorcycle
  • [00:19:54] Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster
  • [00:28:10] AWD Dodge Charger GT
  • [00:35:55] Return of the Toyota Supra
  • [00:42:16] Garage Rehab and Collins Bros Jeep
  • [00:48:08] Black Mountain Jeep Goes Global
  • [00:54:47] Building Your Garage to Produce
  • [01:02:09] Become Your Own Dealer
  • [01:10:48] JL Wrangler Extensive Redesign
  • [01:18:11] Don’t Forget the Classics

 

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