Podcasts about v6

Nissan's Murano has been giving Nissan customers another crossover option for over two decades. Since its launch in 2002, the Murano has sat near the top of the brand's pricing strategy. While the Murano has ventured into some strange body styles, with the CrossCabriolet leading the pack, the latest, fourth-generation Murano is back on track -- albeit a track that looks more toward the Infiniti side of Nissan's lineup. This '25 Murano also ditches the popular 3.5-liter V6 and replaces it with the variable compression turbocharged I4 mill. The variable-compression turbocharged engine sends 241 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Those figures are almost exactly flipped from the VQ-powered predecessor. On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek Executive Editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Murano and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a guided tour of the fourth-generation Murano and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Murphy takes you along for a live drive review of the 2025 Nissan Murano. Adding to these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the Murano, how it stacks up against the competition, and more. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Nissan Murano special.

In this episode Jack Nerad and Chris Teague bring you an SUV-heavy road test lineup featuring four dramatically different models, each offering its own take on size, capability, and innovation. Co-Host Chris Teague kicks things off with an evaluation of the all-new 2025 Acura ADX, a premium compact SUV that debuts as Acura's most accessible model yet. It blends youthful styling with solid driving dynamics and top-tier technology, including a 10.2-inch digital cockpit, wireless smartphone integration, and available Google built-in with a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The ADX also impresses with class-leading cargo space and standard AcuraWatch safety tech. In his half of the small luxury crossover faceoff, Host Jack Nerad reports on the 2025 Lexus UX 300h AWD F Sport Handling, a sharply styled compact crossover that merges fuel-sipping hybrid technology with sporty flourishes. With 196 horsepower and a refined AWD setup, it delivers solid handling and upscale features like faux leather seating, a head-up display, and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, making it a city-friendly luxury crossover. How do the ADX and UX stack up? Jack and Chris will offer their opinions. Later in the show, it'll be time for the big boys — the all-new 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor and the 2025 Nissan Armada. Fully redesigned for 2025, the Nissan Armada is now more capable and refined than ever. Armed with a 425-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and up to 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, the new Armada introduces the rugged PRO-4X trim, complete with off-road hardware like air suspension, locking differential, and skid plates. But Chris took the luxury route in the Armada Platinum. Inside, its spacious, tech-loaded cabin rivals luxury SUVs, while ProPILOT Assist and Safety Shield 360 enhance confidence on the road. Traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, Jack took the wheel of the 2025 Ford Expedition Tremor, Ford's most off-road-ready full-size SUV to date. Outfitted with a 440-horsepower twin-turbo V6, 33-inch all-terrain tires, Trail Turn Assist, and 10.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tremor takes on rugged terrain while still providing roomy three-row seating and high-tech features like the new Ford Digital Experience and BlueCruise 1.4 hands-free driving. Jack and his wife Sandi put it through its paces during a Ford-sponsored on- and off-road event, and he'll have a full report. In the news segment, the show covers Toyota's aggressive 2026 product rollout, headlined by a fully hybrid Camry and the retro-inspired Corolla FX Edition. The Camry now comes standard with a 2.5-liter hybrid setup offering up to 51 mpg, while the FX Edition revives '80s styling with limited production flair. Also making headlines is a new congressional proposal that could drastically cut electric vehicle tax incentives. The bill seeks to phase out EV tax credits by 2026 and eliminate credits for leased EVs, a move critics say could stall adoption at a time when EV sales are already softening. Meanwhile, Tesla is facing new scrutiny from U.S. regulators over its planned robotaxi rollout in Austin. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants answers on how Tesla's Full Self-Driving system handles poor visibility and other challenging conditions. Nissan is back in the spotlight, but this time for its sweeping Re:Nissan turnaround plan. The strategy slashes vehicle platforms and parts complexity while accelerating product development timelines. It aims to deliver more competitive models faster and with lower costs while, at the same time, closing factories. Stay tuned through the end of the show for a listener question on teen driver training—plus Jack and Chris's top advice for getting new drivers road-ready. All that and more, right here on America on the Road. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limite...

Esto es un extracto de la Tertulia de AutoFM que se emite cada jueves en Onda Cero. Web Autoscout24: https://www.autoscout24.es Web Autocasion: https://www.autocasion.com El Suzuki Vitara nació en 1988 con un propósito muy claro: ofrecer un todoterreno compacto que combinara la robustez de un 4x4 tradicional con el manejo ágil y el confort de un turismo. Presentado primero en Japón con el nombre Escudo, el modelo aterrizó en Europa unos meses después bajo la denominación Vitara y, en determinados mercados, como Sidekick (co‐desarrollado con General Motors). Su receta —chasis de largueros, tracción total conectable, reductora y motores gasolina 1.6— democratizó el “off-road ligero”, inaugurando el segmento de los SUV pequeños muchos años antes de que el término se popularizara. Durante la década de 1990, Suzuki amplió la gama con versiones de batalla corta (tres puertas y techo desmontable) y larga (cinco puertas), además de variantes diésel suministradas por Peugeot e interiores cada vez mejor equipados. En 1998 llegó la segunda generación, rebautizada Grand Vitara en la mayoría de países. Aquel modelo se modernizó con suspensiones independientes y un diseño más urbano, sin renunciar a la caja de transferencia con reductora. La gama de motores creció hasta incluir V6 de 2,5 y 2,7 litros, y por primera vez apareció una carrocería de siete plazas, lo que consolidó su éxito fuera de Japón —especialmente en Europa y América Latina—. La tercera generación (2005-2014) dio un paso técnico importante: abandonó el chasis de largueros en favor de una estructura monocasco con subchasis, más ligera y rígida, aunque mantuvo reductora y bloqueos diferenciales opcionales. Con motores gasolina y diésel de hasta 2,4 L, el Grand Vitara III se ofreció en 3 y 5 puertas y destacó por integrar ESP y airbags laterales de serie en la mayoría de mercados, alineándose con las nuevas exigencias de seguridad. En 2015 Suzuki reorientó estratégicamente el modelo: recuperó el nombre “Vitara” a secas y lo transformó en un SUV urbano de 4,17 m asentado sobre la plataforma global del S-Cross. El nuevo Vitara priorizó la eficiencia —motores 1.6 atmosférico y 1.4 BoosterJet turbo, diésel 1.6 DDiS de Fiat, posteriormente mild-hybrid de 48 V— y la polivalencia cotidiana, sustituyendo la reductora por el sistema AllGrip Select con embrague multidisco y programas de conducción. Dejó de lado la aventura extrema, pero reforzó la conectividad y la seguridad activa (frenada autónoma, control de descenso, alerta de cambio de carril). En la actualidad (2025), el Vitara sigue produciéndose en Magyar Suzuki (Hungría) y se comercializa en más de 70 países con versiones mild-hybrid y, desde 2022, híbrida completa de 115 CV, manteniendo la tracción AllGrip como seña de identidad. Así, aquel pionero “mini-4x4” de los 80 ha evolucionado hasta convertirse en un SUV versátil y eficiente, pero ha conservado el espíritu práctico y la imagen aventurera que lo hicieron famoso, completando casi cuatro décadas de historia y más de cuatro millones de unidades vendidas en todo el mundo. Todos los podcast: https://www.podcastmotor.es Twitter: @AutoFmRadio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autofmradio/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutoFM Contacto: info@autofm.es

Remember when car guys road tested cars? With the current crossover SUV craze in full swing, those days seem to be over, and who are we to say it's a bad thing. In this week's episode of *America on the Road*, host Jack Nerad and co-host Chris Teague take the wheels of two five-seat SUVs: the all-new and mass-market-priced 2025 Chevrolet Equinox and the premium-oriented 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium. Chevrolet's 2025 Equinox enters its fourth generation with a tasteful redesign, both inside and out. Under the hood, it offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive models are paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while all-wheel-drive versions feature an 8-speed automatic transmission. The interior shows it modernity, boasting an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by Google . It also offers something the battery-electric version of the Equinox doesn't, and we'll tell you what that is, along with our overall review of the attractive SUV, in our road test segment. With a starting price around $28,600, the Equinox might well grab your attention. But how does it compare to the leaders in the compact SUV segment? We'll offer our opinions. While co-host Chris Teague was putting the Chevy Equinox to the test, host Jack Nerad was piloting a fascinating newcomer— the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium. A reasonably new Mazda nameplate, the CX-70 is a midsize SUV that doesn't shy away from performance. Equipped with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine delivering 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, it offers a spirited driving experience. At least as spirited a a midsize crossover is likely to be. The handsome SUV features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, standard all-wheel drive, and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Inside, the CX-70 impresses with red Nappa leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. Additional amenities include a panoramic sunroof, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and a comprehensive suite of safety features. Priced at $52,450, it positions itself as a high-value alternative to European luxury SUVs. But it does have a foible or two, which we'll describe in the road test segment. In the News Ram 1500 Express Returns: Ram announces the 2026 Ram 1500 Express, a value-focused pickup starting at $44,495, featuring bold styling and a choice between a 305-hp V6 or a 420-hp turbocharged I-6 engine. Mercedes-Benz Expands U.S. Production: Mercedes-Benz plans to produce a new vehicle at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant by 2027, aligning with its strategy to localize production amid rising U.S. tariffs. Congress Challenges California's Gasoline Vehicle Ban: The U.S. House of Representatives votes to repeal California's ban on gasoline car sales, sparking debates on consumer choice, environmental impact, and economic implications. Ford Cancels $10 Billion Software Initiative: Ford abruptly ends its ambitious FNV4 software project after significant investment, raising questions about the company's future in vehicle software development. Special Guest In this week's interview segment,Tyson Jominy, Vice President of Data and Analytics at J.D. Power, joins the show to discuss the impact of tariffs on the automotive industry and offers insights for consumers planning to purchase a vehicle this year. Thanks for joing America on the Road* for your weekly dose of expert reviews, industry news, and valuable insights to keep you informed on the latest in the automotive world. Plenty of show this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book H...

Overdrive: Tesla's Troubles, Touchscreen Backlash & Royal Recognition In this episode of Overdrive, David Brown and Paul Murrell unpack a mix of major shifts and motoring curiosities. From plummeting Tesla sales and BYD's meteoric rise, to Australia's evolving road rules and the debate over touchscreens in modern vehicles—this week covers the latest in transport, design, planning, and culture. ⚡ Tesla's Decline & BYD's Boom Tesla has taken a major hit in Australia with a 75% drop in April sales, influenced by expiring tax perks and consumer uncertainty. Plug-in hybrid sales also dipped to 2.9%. Meanwhile, Chinese EV giant BYD has overtaken Tesla globally. In the US, Tesla is sitting on 10,000 unsold Cybertrucks, raising concerns about demand for the futuristic model before its Australian debut.

We review Geisha Caturra Washed from Lardera Coffee and rant about V6's, meeting parents, and giving parenting advice.

In this episode, host Jack Nerad and guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo take listeners behind the wheels of two high-end 2025 SUVs—the all-new 2025 Lincoln Navigator and the 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T. Both vehicles demonstrate clearly that today's automakers are pulling out all the stops in the quest to entice luxury SUV buyers. First up is Matt DeLorenzo's review of the 2025 Lincoln Navigator, which continues to push boundaries in the full-size luxury SUV segment. The heavily revised Navigator retains its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, now offering slightly more power and improved fuel efficiency. Key updates for 2025 include enhanced ActiveGlide hands-free driving capability, a larger infotainment system, and upgraded interior materials across all trims. With its spacious third row, extensive safety tech, and traditional American luxury cues, the Navigator gains even more credentials as a top-tier choice for families who prioritize comfort and prestige. While Matt DeLorenzo was attending the Navigator launch, host Jack Nerad was conducting a thorough test drive of one of the most likable luxury SUVs on the market, the 2025 Genesis GV80 3.5T AWD Prestige. This midsize luxury SUV cuts through the prestige vehicle clutter with its refined ride, upscale cabin, and contemporary technology. It features a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, advanced suspension, and a 27-inch OLED display that integrates navigation and instrumentation. Its Nappa leather upholstery, suede headliner, and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system highlight its luxury credentials. Does it have an Achilles' heel or two? Matt and Jack will offer their opinions. The news segment leads with the public debut of the Slate Truck, a battery-electric, back-to-basics compact pickup from Michigan-based startup Slate Auto. Designed with simplicity and affordability in mind, it launches with a base price under $27,000—potentially under $20,000 after incentives—and that's just one of its eye-popping attributes. Another? Owners can retrofit it into a small SUV using a modular rear-seat kit. The minimalist design and customization-first philosophy are drawing attention, but questions remain about performance, durability, and market viability. Do American buyers want a vehicle with cloth seats and crank windows? Also in the news, there's been a shift in the U.S. auto tariff landscape. New adjustments to President Trump's 25% import duties aim to ease pressure on automakers and encourage domestic manufacturing at the same time. Matt and Jack detail how automakers might leverage unused American factory capacity and what the changes could mean for production strategy and the price you might pay at your local dealer. Other segments of this week's show highlight Toyota's rollout of hydrogen-powered Class 8 trucks and its more efficient Gen 3 fuel cell system, along with timely safety reminders about preventing heatstroke deaths among children and pets as summer approaches. Plenty of show this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com

Hvilke biler liker vi best med 6 sylindre? Og skal det helst være V6, Rekkesekser eller Boxersekser? Er Italia best hva angår V6? Er tyskerne best på rekkesekser? Hva med England? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we road test two vehicles with strong all-terrain credentials: the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Hybrid and the 2025 Lexus LX 700h. Co-host Chris Teague put the Toyota through its paces as winter finally turns to spring in Maine. Host Jack Nerad, accompanied by most of his immediate family, tested the luxury Lexus during a extended weekend in Texas. Both vehicles pair a hybrid powertrain with off-road-focused equipment, so there are interesting parallels between the two in addition to their obvious — and not-so-obvious differences. The Tacoma uses the i-FORCE MAX system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and electric motor for a total output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The TRD Pro's standard equipment includes part-time four-wheel drive, FOX QS3 adjustable shocks with rear remote reservoirs, and 33-inch Goodyear tires on 18-inch black alloy wheels. Unique to the TRD Pro, IsoDynamic Performance Seats use an air-over-oil shock system designed to reduce body movement on rough terrain. Exterior elements include a TRD grille, cat-back exhaust, and the exclusive Mudbath paint option. Inside, the Teagues got the benefit of the TRD Pro's 14-inch touchscreen with Toyota's latest multimedia system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and JBL audio. The truck had Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign recognition, and proactive driving assist with support features like trailer backup guidance and a digital rearview mirror. While the Teagues certainly didn't suffer, the Nerad family basked in the ultra-luxury of the 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail. The full-size premium SUV combines hybrid performance, off-road functionality, and upscale features that set it apart from previous LX editions. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 with a hybrid system that produces 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, it uses a 10-speed automatic transmission and offers full-time 4WD. While it offered a boulevard ride as we discovered on our way to and from Globe Life Field, the 700h Overtrail is loaded for bear on the off-road front. It includes Crawl Control, Active Height Control, and Multi-Terrain Select, plus 33-inch all-terrain tires, locking differentials, and a reinforced platform to support and waterproof the hybrid battery. Inside, the cabin offers massaging, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a wireless phone charger, and a cool box. As we did some house-hunting, we made extensive use of the 12.3-inch touchscreen with Lexus Interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and head-up display. Of course, we'll offer even more detail in this episode. Our guest this week is Frank Hanley, Senior Director, Automotive Benchmarking at J.D. Power. In his interview with Host Jack Nerad, he'll be discussing a very important issue going forward — AI in cars, so look for that. We're certain you'll appreciate Frank's insight. In the news this week we'll discuss a J.D. Power analysis of what the proposed tariffs would do to vehicle prices. The conclusions might surprise you, and we'll have all the details. The state of New York is battling the federal government over its congestion tolls, and it has implications for anyone who's planning to travel into a big city. Plus, Chrysler is celebrating its one-hundredth birthday, and we'll have a look back at some of that company's innovations through the years. It's an impressive list. So we have a lot to talk about this week. It's a jam-packed show. New America on the Road Radio Affiliate We'd like to welcome AM-1550, SLC Sports Radio in Salt Lake City and throughout the Salt Lake valley, to America on the Road. Our special thanks to Program Director Dino Costa, who also hosts a great weekday show on AM-1550. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same,

2001 Mazda Tribute, silver, approx. 150K miles, V6, auto, FWD, PW/ PL/AC, AM/FM/CD, aloys, roof rack. Keys are not available, immobilizer is triggered, has been sitting since 2000. 251-550-0534 2010 Toyota RAV 4 in good condition, runs great, good tires. ,000. 251- 454-9597Article Link

Drew and Rory are back for their full Midjourney V7 breakdown. What starts as a casual catch-up spirals into 60 minutes of real strategy, subtle discoveries, prompt experimentation, and a surprisingly profound rant on image brightness. Also, yes, there's an alien smoking a joint.From remix tricks to personalization secrets, from prompt inversion to tonal contrast, this one's got gold buried in the chaos.Coverage:Midjourney V7 personalization techniquesCharacter consistency updatesRemix & tile shippedDraft mode impressionsHow to use “no” prompts like a wizardUsing the Explore page like a Pinterest board for freaksPs—If you're still rating strawberries on V6, we're not judging… but we are worried about you.⏱️

Confieso que soy un fan del sistema de 4 ruedas directrices, que me parece una solución muy interesante para coches muy diferentes. Y te preguntarás: “Y entonces, ¿por qué no se usa más?” y mi respuesta es que usa en más coches de los que piensas… Un video muy completo con historia, actualidad y técnica en nuestra “Pizarra hermética”. Y vamos ya con el tema comenzando por la técnica, para explicar a aquellos que no lo sepan, porque me consta que muchos ya lo sabéis, cómo funciona la dirección a las cuatro ruedas. La dirección a las cuatro ruedas funciona de modo diferente a baja y alta velocidad. A baja velocidad las ruedas posteriores giran en sentido opuesto a las delanteras, para mejorar el radio de giro mientras que a alta velocidad giran, no demasiado, en el mismo sentido que las anteriores, un efecto que en otros coches se consigue con suspensiones multibrazo. Todo esto te lo contamos con nuestra “Pizarra Hermética”: He confeccionado una lista con coches de dirección total que me parecen interesantes, comenzando por los pioneros y terminando con coches muy actuales, muchos de los cuales podríais comprar hoy mismo. Stoewer R180 (1936). Hablamos de la desaparecida marca Stoewer, pero este mismo coche se produjo con la denominación BMW325, Hanomag Type 20B y el citado Stoewer R180 y también el R200. Mercedes-Benz 170 VL (1936). En los mimos años Mercedes ofreció un modelo similar, con motor de 1,7 litros y 36 CV que permitían una velocidad máxima de nada menos que 82 km/h… quizás algo optimista. Nissan Skyline R31 (1985). Los japoneses han sido probablemente los primeros en utilizar estos sistemas en coches de series digamos, importantes. La serie Skyline de Nissan es mítica, pero el R31 aparecido en 1985 suponía un paso importante respecto al R30. Honda Prelude (1988). Hablamos obviamente del modelo de la tercera generación, la que va de 1988 a 1991 y en la que debutó el sistema 4WS de “Four Wheel Steering” o dirección a las cuatro ruedas. Lo curioso de este sistema era que resultaba muy sencillo porque era totalmente mecánico. Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 (1990). Muchas veces hablo de este coche, a menudo olvidado, y es que era un total compendio de tecnología, con motor V6 de 3 litros, 24 válvulas, dos turbos, 280 CV, aerodinámica activa, suspensión adaptativa, escape con control electrónico, tracción total y dirección total. Mazda MX6 (1991). En este caso hablamos de la segunda generación, la que va desde 1991 a 1997 y que monto un sistema, en este caso electrónico, de dirección a las cuatro ruedas en su modelo más alto de gama, con motor 2.5 V6 de 165 CV. Toyota Mega Cruiser (1995). Dado su tamaño, claramente más de 5 metros, y peso, casi 3 toneladas, se le instalo un sistema de dirección total que solo funcionaba a baja velocidad para mejorar la maniobrabilidad… Renault Laguna 4Control (2007). Me resulta curioso de este sistema que es nada menos que hasta los 60 km/h cuando las ruedas giran en sentido opuesto a las delanteras… eso sí, gracias a la gestión electrónica, menos cuando más alta es la velocidad… a partir de esa velocidad, giran unos grados en el mismo sentido que las delanteras. BMW Serie 7 (2009). Hablamos de la 5ª generación que llegó a España de 2009 y que ofrecía como opción en gran parte de su gama este sistema de dirección total. Este sistema con una muy buena gestión electrónica tiene en cuenta muchos parámetros para elegir hacia dónde y qué número de grados gira las ruedas traseras. Ahora, simplemente os paso un listado con algunos de los modelos que usan este sistema… insisto, es una lista que no es exhaustiva, pero si bastante completa: -Audi A6 (2018) -Audi A8 (2019) -Audi Q7 (2020) -BMW Serie 5 (2018) -BMW Serie 7 (2019) -BMW Serie 8 (2023) -Ferrari GTC4 Lusso (2019) -Hyundai Genesis HTRAC (2015) -Lamborghini Aventador S (2018) -Lamborghini Urus (2018) -Mercedes-Benz EQS (2023) -Mercedes-Benz Clase S (2023) -Porsche 911 (2018) -Porsche Cayenne (2018) -Porsche Panamera (2023) -Renault Megane RS (2021) -Renault Talisman (2018) -Renault Espace (2018) -Volkswagen Touareg (2020) “Monstruo” del día. Ni coche ni camión ni ningún trasto más o menos normal… el vehículo del día es un “Monster Truck”, cualquiera me vale, un ejemplo de como la dirección a las cuatro ruedas permite una maniobrabilidad sorprendente para cacharros de semejante envergadura… Ver moverse a estos monstruos en sitios tan estrechos es impresionante… y solo posible gracias a la dirección total.

The automotive world spans an incredible spectrum from practical daily drivers to ultra-luxury vehicles that cost more than many homes. We dive deep into both extremes with our detailed examinations of the completely redesigned 2025 Infinity QX80 Autograph AWD and the efficient 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD.The third-generation QX80 represents Infinity's flagship luxury SUV, combining imposing presence with incredible comfort features. With heated, ventilated, and massaging seats for both front and second-row occupants, a cutting-edge 14.3-inch touchscreen, digital instruments, and advanced safety features, this seven-passenger behemoth delivers a first-class experience. Powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 generating 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, it also offers substantial capability with 8,500 pounds of towing capacity. We explore whether its smooth air ride suspension, opulent quilted leather, and 24-speaker Klipsch audio system justify the eye-watering $113,965 price tag (yes, that includes the $355 optional umbrella holder).Between our modern SUV reviews, we take a fascinating detour into automotive history with the overlooked 1971 Plymouth GTX. This gorgeous Mopar muscle car arrived just as the muscle car era was winding down, resulting in limited production despite its stunning fastback styling and powerful 440 cubic inch V8 options. With only 326 examples produced with the desirable 440+6 and four-speed manual transmission, values have skyrocketed to $150,000+ for well-restored examples.Finally, we examine the American-built 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD, which delivers 219 horsepower and excellent fuel economy in a practical, versatile package. Priced at $43,509 as tested, we compare it to hybrid competitors from Honda, Hyundai, and Ford while evaluating its balanced capabilities for both daily commuting and light off-road adventures.What's your take on these vastly different approaches to the SUV market? Would you spBe sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!The Lupe' Tortilla RestaurantsLupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas Gulf Coast Auto ShieldPaint protection, tint, and more!ProAm Auto AccessoriesProAm Auto Accessories: "THE" place to go to find exclusive and hard to find parts and accessories!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.---- ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time? In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy! Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.----- -----Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12noonCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltimehttps://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTimeFor more information about In Wheel Time Car Talk, email us at info@inwheeltime.comTags: In Wheel Time, automotive car talk show, car talk, Live car talk show, In Wheel Time Car Talk

En España los coches japoneses anteriores a los años 90 son casi desconocidos… y hay coches realmente espectaculares, interesantes y muy curiosos. Os he traído 10 y como siempre, mi reto, es descubriros alguno desconocidos para vosotros… ¿lo conseguiré? En España, salvo Canarias, no comenzaron a importarse los coches japoneses hasta la década de los 80 y no llegan a ser realmente populares hasta los años 90. Al otro lado del “charco” sois mucho más afortunados y a veces no entendéis porque hay coches, como algunos de estos, prácticamente desconocidos en España. Además, el mercado japonés es muy particular y también os he traído versiones exclusivas o “casi” para el mercado interior. Toyota Century (1967). Vamos a hablar en un coche de lujo, super lujo, poco conocido que Toyota fabricó de forma casi artesanal y con cuenta gotas desde 1967 hasta 2023 como limusina y desde entonces hasta nuestros días, como SUV de lujo. Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 (1983). Es un coche muy popular en algunos ambientes, gracias a las películas de la serie “Initial D”, al manga y al Drift. No soy fan de ninguna de estas cosas, pero sí del Trueno, de menos de una tonelada de peso y sobre todo con el motor TRD de “Toyota Race Development”, de 1,6 litros, 4 cilindros, 20 válvulas, turbo y 220 CV a… ¡cerca de 10.000 rpm! Fue una versión especial de TRD muy minoritaria. Mitsubishi Debonair AMG (1987). Si te hablan de AMG enseguida vas a pensar en Mercedes-Benz y, de hecho, desde 1999, es propiedad de la marca alemana. En los años 80, AMG preparaba coches a cualquier marca que se lo pidiese y le pagase… como fue el caso de Mitsubishi. En esta lista encontrarás dos Mitsubishi AMG. Nissan Silvia (1988). El primero, aparecido en 1965 me parece realmente bonito, me recuerda a los Iso Rivolta… una marca que, desde luego, merece un video. Pero he elegido el S13 de 1988, que ganó en su país el premio al mejor coche japones y que, hasta donde yo sé, no se exportó fuera de Japón, como sí sucedió con algunos de sus sucesores, con la denominación Nissan 200 SX o similares. La versión más alta de gama fue un 2 litros turbo de unos 200 CV y hubo una rara variante descapotable fabricada por Autech Japan que hoy en día son verdaderas rarezas muy cotizadas. Subaru Rex Supercharged VX (1988). Os he traído este Subaru, porque quería incluir algún coche de esta marca. Un coche de apenas 3,19 metros de largo por 1,39 metros de ancho, con un motorcito por supuesto bóxer bicilíndrico de 550 cm3 y que gracias al turbo consigue 55 CV para menos de 700 kg… Mitsubishi Galant AMG (1989). A pesar del relativo éxito del Debonair AMG se ve que Mitsubishi quedó contenta con esta relación y quizás el mejor exponente de estos casi desconocidos Mitsubishi AMG fue este Galant. La base de partida era mejor y gracias a AMG los motores atmosféricos de 2 litros y 4 cilindros llegaron a ofrecer más 170 CV a más de 8.000 rpm. Mitsubishi FTO (1994). Este FTO, derivado de la plataforma del Galant, no era tan ambicioso. Pero era bonito, con un chasis muy afinado, tracción delantera y que con su motor V6 de 2 litros, primero con 180 CV y luego con distribución variable y 200 CV, era muy divertido y agradable de llevar… una joya, sin duda. Honda Integra Type R DC2 (1995). Una verdadera joya, muy apreciado por los aficionados al drift, refinado y con tracción delantera. Lo mejor de este modelo era su motor, una variante de B18C de 1.8 litros, por supuesto con distribución VYEC, que en su versión para el mercado japones ofrecía 200 CV y subía… ¡hasta casi 9.000 rpm! Toyota Mega Cruiser (1995). Te puede parecer un Hummer, pero no lo es… o sí, el Hummer “a la japonesa”. Su motor era curioso, un enorme 4,1 litros de solo 4 cilindros y unos escasos 153 CV, que parecen pocos para mover las más de 2 toneladas y media que pesaba ese coche. Otra curiosidad: A baja velocidad cuenta con dirección a las cuatro ruedas, para mejorar su maniobrabilidad. Nissan Pulsar VZ-R N1 (1998). Y cerramos con el coche más moderno que nació en la que todavía era una era dorada para estos deportivos que podemos clasificar con “Super GTi” y que nacieron a la sombra de una categoría definida para la competición y que de denominaba N-1 que limitaba los motores a 1.6 litros atmosféricos. Conclusión. ¿Recordáis cuando al comenzar el canal algunos me acusaban de que no me gustaban los coches japoneses? Incluso hicimos un vídeo, casi en plan de “coña” titulado “¡No me gustan los coches japoneses!” en el que se decía casi lo contrario… ¡Como no me van a gustar los coches japoneses! Y menos coches como estos 10 que os he traído. ¿He conseguido el reto? ¿Había alguno o algunos que no conocieseis?

Broadcasting from John Hovis's legendary Hemi Hideout in Brookshire, Texas, we invite listeners into a wonderland of automotive memorabilia, rare Mopar muscle, and glowing neon signs. This special venue has transformed dramatically since opening a decade ago, now serving as both museum and gathering place for car enthusiasts. Today's open house welcomes visitors with breakfast tacos, camaraderie, and the opportunity to support local charities through matched donations.Our automotive journey begins with a fascinating look at the 1971 Plymouth GTX – perhaps the most criminally overlooked muscle car of the Mopar golden era. This sleek fastback with coke-bottle curves arrived just as muscle car mania began cooling, resulting in just 2,900 sales despite its impressive 440 cubic inch V8 engine options. The rarest configuration – just 326 examples with the 440 Plus 6 and four-speed manual – now commands upwards of $166,000 at auction, demonstrating how collectors have finally recognized this hidden gem.We also dive deep into the completely redesigned 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph, a luxury behemoth assembled in America that competes directly with Escalade, Navigator, and Grand Wagoneer. Beyond its imposing presence and twin-turbo V6 producing 450 horsepower, this seven-passenger SUV pampers occupants with heated, ventilated, and massaging seats in both first and second rows. At $113,965 fully loaded (yes, including that much-discussed $355 umbrella holder), it represents Infiniti's flagship offering in the increasingly competitive premium SUV space.Whether you're fascinated by forgotten muscle cars, curious about modern luxury SUVs, or simply enjoy immersing yourself in automotive culture, join us for this unique broadcast from one of Texas's most extraordinary automotive destinations. And don't forget to mark your calendars for upcoming events including Tailpipes and Tacos on April 19th and the Hot Rod Tour of Texas on April 26th!Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!The Lupe' Tortilla RestaurantsLupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas Gulf Coast Auto ShieldPaint protection, tint, and more!ProAm Auto AccessoriesProAm Auto Accessories: "THE" place to go to find exclusive and hard to find parts and accessories!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.---- ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time? In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy! Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.----- -----Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12noonCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltimehttps://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTimeFor more information about In Wheel Time Car Talk, email us at info@inwheeltime.comTags: In Wheel Time, automotive car talk show, car talk, Live car talk show, In Wheel Time Car Talk

El Seat Cupra GT es un coche a menudo olvidado… cuando es un coche muy especial. El único Gran Turismo de la marca, nacido para la competición, que llego a montar una mecánica Lamborghini V10 y quizás, lo más importante de todo, que fue una semilla para la que hoy es una marca de éxito, Cupra. ¿Os apetece repasar conmigo su historia? Os aseguro que vale la pena… Se puede decir que los 90 fueron una época dorada para Seat, desde luego en el terreno deportivo. En 1996, en su segundo año de participación en el Mundial de Rallyes en la categoría de 2 ruedas motrices Seat vence el certamen con su Seat Ibiza Kit Car. Y para celebrarlo lanzan el primer Seat Cupra en 1996 con motor 2 litros de 150 CV y afinado por la propia Seat Sport. Un coche que he podido probar en su momento y luego en varias ocasiones después y es, sin duda, el Seat Ibiza que más me gusta. Cupra viene de “Cup Racing” y quería simbolizar que la pasión por la competición y la deportividad la podíamos disfrutar en nuestros coches del día a día… que bien sonaba entonces, pero sinceramente, ahora suena tan bien como poco creíble. Seat Sport, con el inquieto y muy competente Jaime Puig al frente, no para de hacer proyectos nacionales, internacionales, en rallyes y en circuitos. Francia y Europa en general era un gran mercado para Seat y para dar a conocer la marca, a comienzo de la década de los 2000 se les ocurre la brillante idea de participar en el Campeonato Francés de Superturismos, un certamen con un reglamente que permitía casi todo… y nace el Seat Toledo Silhouette con un chasis multitubular y equipado con un motor central V6 Biturbo de 3 litros y 30 válvulas, con una potencia superior a 470 CV. Consiguieron el subcampeonato gracias al piloto belga Vincent Radermecker. Ferdinand Piech, nada más y nada menos que sobrino del mismísimo Ferdinand Porsche comenzó su carrera, como no, en Porsche, pero luego fue fichado por VW, en realidad por el grupo VAG y llegó a ser consejero y presidente del consejo de administración entre 1993 hasta 2002, cuando fue sustituido por Bernd Pischetsrieder. Con él a los mandos, gran apasionado del Motorsport y de los coches, la marca Audi comenzó a competir de tú a tú con BMW y Mercedes, el grupo VAG se hizo con el control de Bentley y Rolls-Royce y en general, las marcas del grupo Seat incluida, se volcaron en la competición. Con el apoyo de la central, que en ese momento pensaba que Seat podía ser la Alfa Romeo de VW y no quería cerrarla como ahora… otro video pendiente… y con el excelente equipo de Seat Sport con Jaime Puig al frente, Seat Sport decide crear el primer auténtico GT de la marca. ¿Y qué es lo primero que debe tener un GT que se precie? Pues una carrocería y una estética impactante y atractiva. Y Seat tenía un arma, no secreta precisamente, que era Walter de'Silva, uno de mis diseñadores favoritos. En los años 2000 y 2001 Seat había mostrado los prototipos Salsa y Tango, dos propuestas que eran atrevidas y que prefiguraban una nueva generación, pues recordemos que de'Silva fue el responsable del diseño de los Ibiza II, Córdoba, Altea, Toledo III y nada menos que el precioso y “eterno” Seat León I. Y como no, diseñó o participó activamente en el diseño del Seat Cupra GT que se presentó en el Salón de Barcelona de 2003… ¡que espectáculo! Un verdadero superdeportivo con alma de coche de carreras, no en vano estaba basado o al menos inspirado, en el citado Toledo Silhouette. Un Seat dispuesto a competir con Ferrari, Lamborghini o Porsche. De este coche hay mucho que contar. Como digo tanto el chasis multitubular, adaptado a la nueva carrocería más baja y ancha, como el motor, eran derivados o inspirados en el citado Toledo GT. El motor era el V6 de origen Audi de 2.995 cm3, para los más entendidos diré que curiosamente de carrera larga, 82,5 x 92,8, con dos turbos Garret doble Intercooler y 475 CV a 6.200 rpm… Contaba con un cambio secuencial nada menos que un Hewland de 6 marchas y diferencial autoblocante, tarado en aceleración a un 90 por ciento, casi como si fuese un kart. Los frenos eran AP Racing, de lo mejor del momento y el peso de apenas 1.100 kg. El Seat Cupra GT no llegó tan lejos, pero sí tuvo una segunda oportunidad en 2006. Seat Sport cedió los coches de competición al eficiente equipo Sun-Red capitaneado por un ex Seat Sport, el ingeniero Joan Orús. Para adaptarlo al nuevo reglamento hubo que hacer algunas modificaciones de calado, como estrecharlo, pues era de una anchura notable, 2,11 metros, y se limitó a solo 2 metros exactos. Y un pequeño detalle: Cambiar el motor original por un V10 atmosférico de 5 litros y cerca de 600 CV procedente de Lamborghini que ya en este momento, formaba parte del grupo VAG. Este coche consiguió un par de podios con nada menos que Gené acompañado de Vivancos… pero todos esperábamos más.

Just as 7-Eleven offers too much good stuff, that's what we have in this week's episode of America on the Road. We've been driving a lot of interesting vehicles lately, and so today we thought we'd bring you not two road tests but four — 2025 Toyota Tundra, 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Mazda CX-50, 2025 Hyundai Elantra N Line. It's a fascinating quartet of vehicles each with something special to bring to the table. Our Toyota Tundra test vehicle was a 4x4 SRS CrewMax 5.5 that blends rugged capability with modern features, offering a spacious cabin for five and a 5.5-foot composite bed equipped with a power outlet, LED lighting, and an integrated deck rail system. Powered by a 389-horsepower 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it features part-time four-wheel drive and off-road-ready suspension. This model is equipped with the optional TRD Rally Package, adding 18-inch TRD alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, and unique TRD interior and exterior styling. Additional accessories like a TRD performance air filter, bed mat, and wheel locks further boost its practicality and rugged appeal. The big question is whether the turbo V6 matches the ability of a V8. And is the pricey TRD Rally Package worth the added price? And how does the new hybrid version of the Mazda CX-50 stack up? It pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, an EV battery, and an electronically controlled CVT to deliver 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque, along with standard electric all-wheel drive. It features Mazda's Mi-Drive modes for power and trail driving, hill launch assist, and a 1,500-pound towing capacity. The exterior is sharp with LED headlights, a panoramic moonroof, roof rails, and a power rear liftgate. Inside, the CX-50 Hybrid seats five and offers leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power driver's seat with memory, and a wireless phone charger. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rain-sensing wipers, a wiper de-icer, keyless entry, and an electric parking brake round out the vehicle's feature list. Host Jack Nerad took this one to the desert and back, and we'll have his full report. Meanwhile, co-host Chris Teague took the wheel of the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus and the 2025 Hyundai Elantra N Line. He found the Nautilus offers a refined interior with a standard 48-inch panoramic display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Lincoln's new Digital Scent system for a personalized cabin experience. Two powertrain choices are available: a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and a 310-horsepower hybrid, both paired with standard all-wheel drive. Additional features include available BlueCruise 1.2 hands-free driving technology, premium leather seating, and an optional Revel Ultima 3D audio system. The 2025 Elantra N Line features a sport-tuned chassis, a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for sharper performance than its siblings. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, unique N Line exterior styling, a black mesh grille, and a sports interior with leather-trimmed seats and alloy pedals. Technology highlights include a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless charging, and Hyundai's Bluelink+ connected services. So how does it match up with its most direct competitor, the Honda Civic Si? Chris and Jack will have the answers for you. In the news this week, we have a crisis on our hands, and it's not tariffs; it's uninsured motorists. They are costing each of us who has car insurance billions of dollars each year. We'll tell you what we learned about it a little later in the show. Of course, there is a lot of buzz right now about tariffs in the auto industry. We'll tell you what is real and what is hype and give you thoughts on how you should proceed if you're planning to buy a car this year.

En este episodio, analizamos en detalle el futuro de dos marcas con grandes planes para 2025. Hablamos de todas las novedades, las estrategias de producto y, además, probamos dos modelos clave para entender hacia dónde va la industria. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2025: Un SUV híbrido enchufable que combina tracción total, potencia y eficiencia, con hasta 85 km en modo 100% eléctrico. Diseño evolucionado con un frontal inspirado en el Montero y el Lancer, un capó elevado, pasos de rueda musculosos y opciones de llantas de hasta 20 pulgadas. Interior con calidad premium, pantalla de 12 pulgadas, asientos de cuero calefactados y ventilados, y un sistema de sonido Yamaha con 12 altavoces y 1650W. Tres modos de conducción (eléctrico, híbrido convencional y combustión), con siete ajustes de tracción para adaptarse a cualquier terreno. Garantía de 8 años o 160.000 km, reafirmando la fiabilidad de Mitsubishi. Precios desde 44.300€ hasta 54.500€ con descuentos de la marca. Audi Q5 2025: Tercera generación del SUV más vendido de Audi a nivel global. Ahora con más deportividad, mejor aerodinámica y una evolución estética con faros más afilados, pasos de rueda marcados y una iluminación trasera innovadora. Dos carrocerías: SUV y Sportback, con una caída de techo más deportiva en esta última. Interior completamente digital con tres pantallas OLED (cuadro de 12", infotainment de 14,5" y pantalla para el copiloto de 11"). Motores diésel y gasolina de 204 CV, un SQ5 con V6 de 367 CV, y versiones híbridas enchufables en camino. Tecnología MHEV de 48V para reducir consumos y emisiones, con tracción quattro ultra mejorada. Nueva suspensión neumática opcional con 60 mm de recorrido para mayor capacidad off-road. Precios desde 61.600€ hasta 94.690€ en el caso del SQ5, con opciones de renting desde 520€/mes. También te contamos: La llegada del Mitsubishi Grandis híbrido en julio y un nuevo vehículo eléctrico aún sin nombre. La ofensiva de 20 nuevos modelos de Audi entre 2024 y 2025, con el próximo Q3 híbrido enchufable tras el verano. El cambio de nomenclatura en Audi, pasando de TFSIe a e-hybrid para destacar la autonomía eléctrica superior a 100 km en algunos modelos. Si quieres conocer todos los detalles de estos lanzamientos, cómo están evolucionando las marcas y qué podemos esperar de la movilidad electrificada en 2025, este episodio es para ti. ¡Dale al play! ️✨ Todos los podcast: https://www.podcastmotor.es Twitter: @AutoFmRadio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autofmradio/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutoFM Contacto: info@autofm.es #Coches #Novedades #Mitsubishi #Audi #Híbridos #SUV #Motor #Electrificación

En un video del área de miembros hice cuentas: En mi vida he probado más de 4.000 coches… No sé si me acuerdo de todos, pero desde luego de la mayoría sí… y sobre todo de algunos de ellos que, por diversos motivos, me han dado miedo, verdaderamente, me han asustado… de estos 10 os voy a hablar hoy. Son coches que me han dado miedo en unos casos a priori, incluso antes de conducirlos, y en otros casos es que directamente, me dieron un buen susto. En general la combinación de propulsión trasera, la absoluta falta de ayudas electrónica, muchos caballos y en ocasiones situaciones especiales, me colaborado a que estos coches me dieran miedo, me dieran algún susto… o ambas cosas a la vez. En este video, como os digo muy pero que muy personal, os diré el coche, alguna característica técnica que interesa conocer y luego irá la anécdota o la historia, como queráis llamarla… Maserati Biturbo (1981). En 1984 probé el Biturbo en versión de 2,5 litros y 200 CV, un motor V6 original de 3 válvulas por cilindro y dos turbos, con una respuesta típica de los turbos de la época, pese a que fuesen dos y no uno solo. El susto mayor con este coche me lo lleve como pasajero… Porsche 911 SC (1981). La segunda generación del 911 arranca en 1973 pero mi primer contacto con el 911, un coche al que admiraba profundamente, fue con un 911 SC aparecido en 1981 y que probé pocos años más tarde… y no nos entendimos. Con las referencias de hoy día, un coche con motor de 3 litros y 180 CV puede saber a poco… pero con ese chasis de suspensión con barras de torsión, escaso peso de apenas 1.200 kg, casi un 60 por ciento detrás y una batalla de apenas 2,2 metros, menor que la de mucho polivalentes… no era un coche fácil. Bentley Mulsanne Turbo (1982). Era todavía muy novato cuando me invitaron nada menos que a las 24 Horas de Le Mans y nada menos que a probar este modelo… un coche con motor V8 de casi 7 litros, con turbo, 350 CV con un par brutal y un peso de 2,3 toneladas… y de precio, ni hablamos. En euros de hoy, como si fuesen 300.000 €. Más que la potencia me asustaba el peso y más que el peso, el precio. BMW M5 (1984). Más o menos en 1985 llegó a la redacción el M5, con más o menos el mismo bastidor, pero con el motor del M1 de 3,5 litros y 286 CV para un peso 1.500 kg. Fuimos a hacer una sesión de fotos a una carretera con asfalto de mala calidad y muy arrugado y como sabéis, queríamos las fotos más espectaculares… no fue fácil… Cadillac Allanté (1987). Un coche que se comenzaba a fabricar en los USA y se terminaba de construir en Italia… con tracción delantera y un motor, en su versión tope, de 8 cilindros en V, 4,6 litros y casi 300 CV. Supuestamente era un coche muy progresivo, pero Cadillac no era un especialista en conches de tracción delantera y cuando “atacabas” sentías que el coche iba “de puntillas” … no inspiraba confianza… Opel Kadett GSi 16V (1987). Os hablo de la versión sin catalizar de 160 CV “de verdad” comprobados en banco, un peso de apenas 1000 kg y una suspensión rígida… sobre todo atrás. Lo probe a fondo por las carreteras viradas de la zona y comprobé como la parte trasera, en apoyos fuertes, tenía “vida propia”. Pero lo peor fue en la autopista de peaje, cuando quise comprobar la velocidad máxima, casi 220 km/h y pasé unas “juntas de dilatación”. Ford Escort RS Turbo (1989). Os extraigo un párrafo de una prueba de la época, que no escribí yo: “el Escort nunca ha sido un modelo unánimemente alabado por su comportamiento en la carretera y cuando se le quiere sacar todo su jugo las cosas cambian… a nuestro juicio, para llevar un RS medianamente rápido, es preciso tener cierta experiencia al volante”. Asia Rocsta (1990). No solo me he llevado sustos de coches potentes y deportivos. Si no me equivoco esta mala copia del Jeep llegó a España en 1993 y a un precio muy competitivo. Probé la versión Diesel de 2.2 litros, realmente económica, que supuestamente daba 61 CV para un peso de más de 1.300 kg, un cambio lento, lentísimo, y una aerodinámica “dudosa”. Pero el coche, además de no correr, contaba con una dirección lenta y dura y unas suspensiones no muy bien resueltas… Alpine A610 V6 Turbo (1991). Hablamos de un modelo que había reforzado su bastidor, con motor trasero V6 turbo, bastante turbo, de 3 litros y 250 CV para un peso de menos de 1.500 kg. Pero de esos 1.500 kg el 57 por ciento iba detrás y solo el 43, es decir, menos de 650 kg, iban delante… Dodge Viper (1991). Grande, pesado y muy potente, este no era un coche fácil… pero menos “traicionero” de lo que podías esperar. El motor V10 de 8 litros y 394 CV ayudaba, porque era muy potente, con mucho par en baja, pero muy progresivo. Lo peor era su tamaño, su visibilidad, su reducido espacio en el habitáculo y su peso, alrededor de 1,7 toneladas, que hoy día no espanta a nadie, pero que en esos años era mucho.

This week co-host Chris Teague and host Jack Nerad were up to their eyeballs in modern luxury. Teague had the honor of testing the newest model from the prestigious Genesis brand, while Nerad took the wheel of the performance version of the brand's dedicated battery-electric SUV. Both were equipped with the top-rated powertrains in each model's lineup, and both provided impressive eye candy both inside and out. The 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Chris tested features a high-performance powertrain—a "twin-charged" V6 engine with both a turbocharger and an “electric supercharger,” delivering 409 horsepower. Inside, it swaps the standard GV80's three-row layout for a sportier two-row cabin, highlighted by a sweeping 27.0-inch digital display and racy design touches like a flat-bottomed steering wheel and metal-accented pedals. Nerad tested the 2025 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD, a small, battery-electric SUV built for enthusiasts, featuring dual motors that produce up to 429 horsepower—or 483 horsepower in Boost Mode. Powered by a 77.4 kWh battery and riding on Hyundai's E-GMP platform, it pairs sharp performance with high-end comfort, offering Nappa leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, Bang & Olufsen audio, and cutting-edge tech like facial recognition and fingerprint authentication. With sleek touches like 21-inch wheels and a Vision Roof, it delivers both dynamic driving and premium convenience in a zero-emissions package. But at $72,000 as-tested is it a smart luxury-vehicle buy? Jack and Chris will offer their opinions. We have a primo guest this week. Bob Broderdorf is the chief executive officer of the Jeep brand and he has also served in top positions with Ram and Dodge. With the American car market in turmoil recently, he will describe how the legendary Jeep brand is making its way forward. We think you'll enjoy the discussion he had with host Jack Nerad. In the news this week, Nissan has announced some new products for North America as it tries to shore up its position here in the United States. We'll have details. Hyundai has just announced that it is making a huge investment in U.S. manufacturing and parts operations, and it includes the establishment of new plant that is likely the first in decades. We'll have more on that. Porsche is upping its tech game, perhaps in response to the BMW announcement we told you about last week. And Toyota has announced a new racing series that might get Chris into the cockpit on the race course. We'll tell you all about that coming up. So we have a lot of show for you this week. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Spring Travel Plans 03:02 Nissan's New Products and Challenges 05:40 Hyundai's Major Investment in U.S. Manufacturing 08:21 Porsche's Tech Enhancements 10:13 Toyota's New Racing Series 12:46 Road Test: Genesis GV80 Coupe 17:57 Road Test: Genesis GV60 Performance 25:49 Interview with Bob Roterdorf, CEO of Jeep

Nissan's small pickup might be one of the brand's most interesting machines that doesn't carry the GT-R badge. Once dubbed Hardbody, the small Nissan pickup has duked it out with giants in the small-to-midsize truck world for almost half a century. The latest iteration joined the Frontier's history books in 2022 as the D41-generation pickup. This truck replaced the long-running-if-not-old D22-generation rig, which ran from 2007 to 2021. This new truck significantly updated the Frontier, but it kept the 3.8-liter V6 mill that joined the truck in 2020. This 3.8-liter V6 is good for 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. That power travels through a nine-speed automatic before hitting the rear axle, or the four-wheel-drive system. For '25, Nissan updated the interior with a larger infotainment screen, increased towing capacity, and slightly revised styling. On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Nissan Frontier and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a guided tour of the Frontier and highlights some of his favorite features and changes. Later, Murphy takes you along for a live drive review. Joining these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the 2025 Nissan Frontier, the competition, and the world of midsize trucks. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Nissan Frontier special.

They call it “False Spring” in Maine. The weather warms up, and the result is acres and acres of mud everywhere. While it's not good for many outdoor activities, it is made-to-order for all-terrain vehicle testing. That's exactly what co-host Chris Teague did with the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. One of several Tacoma variants, the TRD Off-Road is equipped with monotube Bilstein remote reservoir shocks that facilitate extended wheel travel and offer greater heat dissipation, properties that are useful when splashing through the mud. One question many ask about the new Tacoma revolves around the new powertrain. Does the turbo-four adequately replace the tried-and-true V6? Chris Teague will answer that question and many others in his comprehensive review. At the other end of the country, Host Jack Nerad didn't have mud to deal with. Instead, his major obstacle was the heavy traffic around Phonix as snowbirds from the Midwest and West locked to baseball's Spring Training. Nerad's ride for this second stint in Arizona this spring was the 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, the performance version of the popular compact sedan. With 228 horsepower under the hood and a six-speed manual shift lever in his right hand, Nerad and his wife, Sandi, made their way to a pair of exhibition baseball games while simultaneously putting the Jetta GLI through its paces. He'll have a complete report. This week, we have a terrific guest for you. Jason Norton is the director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power and an expert on vehicle dependability. In his exclusive interview with Host Jack Nerad, he'll offer the details of the recently released 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. If you're looking for a dependable vehicle — and who isn't? — you'll want to hear what he has to say. In the news this week, we'll answer the important question: Is this a good time to buy a new car? New data gives us some hints on that, and we'll give you the details in this episode. On the tech front, General Motors and NVIDIA have teamed up for a couple of big new initiatives involving artificial intelligence — one obvious and one not nearly as obvious. We'll tell you about both. Embattled Tesla Motors, the recent victim of multiple acts of arson and vandalism, has gotten a green light on a phase of its robotaxi initiative, and we'll have more on that. California EV drivers could lose a special perk by the end of the year, and we'll tell you what it is and why it may go bye-bye coming up. So we have a lot of show for you this week Stay with us. We'll be right back. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Chapters 00:00 America on the Road This Week 02:59 AI Innovations in the Automotive Industry 05:25 General Motors & NVIDIA Team Up 07:53 Tesla's RoboTaxi Initiative 09:51 California's EV Carpool Access Changes 12:45 Road Test: 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road 18:45 Road Test: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 25:41 Jason Norton, J.D.

The talk of V10s returning to F1 is speeding up with the FIA, Formula 1 itself and even some teams supporting the move - but when...and how?Climb the ladder with me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/lawvsGet ready for an electrifying update on Formula 1 as the FIA sends shockwaves with hints of a classic V10 engine revival. This video breaks down the buzz surrounding a potential shift from the complex V6 turbo hybrids to leaner, sustainable-fuel V10s—an idea that taps into the nostalgia of F1's golden era while raising major questions among teams, manufacturers, and fans alike.Uncover how this unexpected move could shake up industry investments, spark regulatory battles, and alter the very sound of the sport. With insider insights on the timing of rally protests, technical trade-offs, and the high stakes for giants like Audi, Honda, and GM, this video offers a fresh perspective on one of the most debated topics in F1 today.#f1 #formula1 #formulaone #f12025 #fia #f1 #mohammedbensulayem #fiaf1 #f1news #f1latest #f1updates #f1drama #v10 #v10power #f1rumors F1 just broke the internet with V10s - is this a trap?https://youtu.be/0BdYA9rAApkhttps://youtu.be/0BdYA9rAApk

Formerly the Infiniti JX, the QX60 sits below the company's flagship body-on-frame SUV but gives shoppers the ever-important three-row option. Entering its second generation in 2022, the QX60 launched with the venerable 3.5-liter V6, or VQ35 in Nissan's engine lingo. However, for 2025 Infiniti is moving its three-row people mover away from one of its staple powertrains and is moving it toward the brand's future. Under the hood of every 2025 Infiniti QX60 is the company's 2.0-liter, variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder. The variable compression engine made its debut in the 2019 QX50 but has finally made its way into the company's larger QX60. This engine sends 268 hp and 286 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed transmission.On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Infiniti QX60 and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a guided tour of the QX60 and highlights some of his favorite features before taking you on a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the QX60, Infiniti as a whole, and the three-row crossover space. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Infiniti QX60 special. 

Ram has unveiled the 2025 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups, offering exceptional capability, enhanced towing features, and cutting-edge technology. Our special guest this week, Ram Product Communications specialist Nick Kappa, will tell us all about the new trucks. The heavy haulers feature a powerful Cummins 6.7-liter inline-six turbo diesel engine or a 6.4-liter gas-fueled HEMI V-8. The 2025 Ram 2500 offers improved 0 to 60 mph and quarter-mile times, delivering quicker, more responsive performance. The pickups also feature an advanced Uconnect 5 system with a 14.5-inch screen, a segment-first 10.25-inch passenger screen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, digital rearview mirror, and dual wireless phone charging pad. The pair also include an on-board power inverter, adaptive cruise control, ParkSense front/rear park assist, drowsy driver detection, traffic sign recognition, and active lane management. Kappa will deliver additional details and also preview the Ramcharger electrified pickup that is also on the way. In our road tests this week, Host Jack Nerad takes us behind the wheel of the 2025 Lexus ES 350 F SPORT Handling with the Black Line Special Edition Package. A luxury sedan with elegant styling, advanced technology, and driving dynamics, the ES 350 test vehicle featured exclusive F SPORT Handling tuning, a premium interior, and advanced safety technologies. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 302 horsepower, is at the heart of the model. Nerad and co-host Chris Teague will answer the big question: does the F Sport Handling Black Line Special edition deliver performance to match its looks? Across the country, Teague road tests another version of one of our favorite vehicles of the past year or two — the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. The top-of-the-line midsize SUV has every whistle and bell one could imagine. Is it worth the added coin to buy it versus a mid-range Santa Fe? We'll let you know. In the news this week, the move to self-driving cars continues as Uber and Waymo bring a new driverless taxi service to Austin, Texas, right in Tesla's backyard. We'll have more details and our reaction. Speaking of Tesla, we've heard reports that Tesla is getting some blowback as the result of Elon Musk's cost-cutting efforts in the federal government, but is the so-called “Tesla Takedown” real? And who is behind these reports? We help provide some clarity. In a mirror to the cost-cutting of the U.S. government, Mercedes-Benz has indicated it is now scaling back based on the increased competition it is encountering around the world. We'll give you details. Motor Trend has put together a list of the quickest electric cars it has tested, and we'll have that for you, along with our thoughts on these crazy-fast EVs. As always, a lot to talk about this week. We thank you for joining us. Jack Nerad's newest book Jack is now offering his newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, at a pre-publication price of just $4.99. Click here to buy from Amazon at this special limited-time price. Matt DeLorenzo's Book Pick up a copy of co-host Matt DeLorenzo's terrific new book How to Buy an Affordable Electric Car: A Tightwad's Guide to EV Ownership. Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Only One Thing Stays the Same and  Dance in the Dark We have a lot of shows for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do, we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Only One Thing Stays the Same which is available HERE on Amazon.com            

The Maserati MC20 Cielo joins the quickly growing line of Maserati's supercar variants. As the name suggests, the MC20 Cielo drops the top on the MC20 and gives you the open sky. Even though the MC20 is the spiritual successor to the V8-powered MC12, the '25 MC20 Cielo, and the rest of the MC20 lineup, opts for a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that throws 621 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission before throwing that power to the rear wheels.On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek's Mark Vaughn hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Maserati MC20 Cielo and puts it through its paces. Vaughn takes you on a guided tour of the '25 MC20 Cielo and highlights some of his favorite features. Later in the show, Vaughn takes you along for a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Vaughn chats with host Wesley Wren about the '25 Maserati MC20 Cielo, where it stacks up among the competition and more. Closing the show, the pair break down what makes the '25 Maserati MC20 Cielo special.

Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel. In this episode, Jon reviews three Genesis vehicles during a road test in Santa Cruz. Exploring the Genesis GV80 Coupe, GV80, and G80 sedan, he compares them to other luxury brands like Bentley and Lexus. He discusses his initial skepticism about SUV coupes, his experiences with the vehicles' infotainment systems, and the pros and cons of their design and performance. He finds the GV80 Coupe particularly impressive for its luxury feel and lessens the sting of its high price point. Jon also mentions how the Genesis brand is evolving its own design language, distinct from other luxury brands. The episode ends with a nod to his favorite, the G80 sedan. ==================== Judas Priest - Riding On the Wind A digression on speed dating Genesis GV80 Coupe - The Car Least Likely To Make You Regret Your Car Payment, “a driver focused design”, mesh design theme J loves Lexus vs. Toyota, leather heated seats worth the extra $ No creep in the transmission Hyundai Equus Kia K900 New cars having different methods of starting / putting in gear. Unlike the cars we grew up with. Usually buttons “30 secs on the microwave, please” Testament - Electric Crown Genesis GV80 - “the Range Rovery one”. 17mpg instead of 13mpg for the GV80 Coupe Genesis G80 sedan. J's favourite. The blobby wheels. Red leather interior. Terrific at high speed. Compares favourably with J's old AMG Benz, a RWDV8 vs this, a AWD turbo V6. Old fashioned big fast sedan, it is a one size fits all, track day or airport limo. Genesis Sport vs. Sport+ settings Judas Priest - Riding On The Wind ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/ Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/ Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.

Los monovolúmenes fueron una verdadera revolución como coches familiares. El primer monovolumen de gran éxito en los EE.UU. de Norteamérica fue la Chrysler Voyager, pero el que se considera el primer monovolumen de la historia es la Renault Espace… y ahora prácticamente han desaparecido… ¿el motivo? No me gusta señalar, pero… los han asesinado los SUV. La idea de un monovolumen, que es crecer a lo alto, llevar a los pasajeros más “sentados” en un “silla”, con comillas, cómoda, que no “repanchingados” en un butacón… Algo tan sencillo permitía en la misma longitud conseguir más espacio para los pasajeros, bien para ganar confort, bien para poner una tercera fila de asientos y-o bien para tener un maletero cavernoso. Pero no solo eso, contar con una plataforma plana y con un poco de imaginación era posible que en un mismo coche contase con diferentes configuraciones, desde 4 amplísimas plazas a 7 u 8, o tener 5 con un supermaletero o 2 y una capacidad propia de una furgoneta… en este la Espace fue, quizás, la más innovadora. Si entráis en la “Wikipedia” y buscáis “Renault Espace, veréis que pone en el periodo de producción: 1984-Presente”. Pues no es cierto del todo. Si que hay en la actualidad un modelo de Renault con ese nombre, pero desde 2023 ya no es un monovolumen… entraremos más en detalle más adelante. También hemos contado que la idea original surge de MATRA, una empresa a la hemos dedicado un vídeo y que decide además de hacer misiles y coches deportivos, diseñar algo innovador. Tan innovador que a Peugeot le echa para atrás, pero no a los más valientes dirigentes de Renault. La Espace era muy innovadora, con una carrocería de fibra sobre un chasis de acero, con un diseño muy cuadrada pero no exento de atractivo y sobre todo con un modularidad interior hasta entonces nunca vista. Era posible, por ejemplo, poner tres asientos uno tras otros en el lado del conductor y dejar el lateral derecho libre para meter, por ejemplo, una tabla de surf… Mover los asientos era fácil y rápido, podía hacer una mini oficina y además el interior era muy cuidado y muy luminoso. Los comienzos del Espace no fueron fáciles, tardó en “entrar” en el mercado, incluso por parte de los fabricantes, digo “los” porque la mecánica era Renault, pero se montaban en MATRA, hubo momentos de duda… pero ya entrados en el segundo año comenzaron a crecer las ventas. El éxito tardó, pero fue enorme. Por un lado, para muchos era un vehículo “diferente”, en algunos mercados casi “Premium” y para otros era el concepto de vehículo más práctico, sobre todo si tenías familia, por su gran espacio, confort y modularidad. ¿Y qué pasa cuando un concepto innovador triunfa? Pues que rápidamente le salen imitadores y la idea se traspasa a otros segmentos. Asistimos a un verdadero “boom” de los monovolúmenes y se puede decir que entre los años 80 y los 2000, todas las marcas tuvieron sus modelos monovolumen. Renault lanzó en 1996 el Scénic, una especie de mini-Espace que rápidamente tuvo un gran éxito… Al Scénic rápidamente le salieron competidores como los Peugeot 5008, Toyota Corolla y VW Touran. Ford lo hizo bien, porque lanzó dos buenos monovolúmenes, en el segmente medio el C-Max y por encima el Galaxy, con motorizaciones que llegaban a la versión V6 de 2.8 litros y más de 200 CV. Ford lanzó en 2006 un monovolumen con aires premium y deportivos, que fue el S-Max, con un buen bastidor y excelentes motores, desde un diésel 1.8 de 125 CV al magnifico 5 en línea de gasolina, 2.5 litros y 220 CV… un coche realmente interesante. Y no me olvido del Seat Altea. Se puede decir que los monovolúmenes fueron los reyes y vivieron su auge la dos última décadas del Siglo XX y a partir de ahí se inició su caída… hasta llegar a nuestros días, donde hay una oferta mínima y no se ven monovolúmenes nuevos, si usados, por las calles. Porque técnicamente un monovolumen es un coche que aprovecha más el espacio a lo alto para ganarlo a lo largo, mientras que un SUV, insisto, técnicamente no es más que un break más alto. La conclusión es que los SUV son modelos “aspiracionales”, no son modelos como los monovolúmenes cuyo mayor argumento de compra era su practicidad, sino que un SUV se supone que “mola”, es grandote, con aire de TT, imponente y parece que, si no tienes un SUV, no eres nadie. Desde el punto de vista técnico y práctico un monovolumen es más interesante que un SUV, pero, para bien más que para mal, los automóviles tienen encanto más allá de la lógica. Coche del día. Honda sigue ofreciendo un monovolumen que, por concepto, me recuerda a mi ex Ford Galaxy V6, pero más moderno y refinado: El Honda Odyssey con motor V6 de 3,6 y 280 CV y con caja de cambios automática de 10 velocidades.

Los monovolúmenes fueron una verdadera revolución como coches familiares. El primer monovolumen de gran éxito en los EE.UU. de Norteamérica fue la Chrysler Voyager, pero el que se considera el primer monovolumen de la historia es la Renault Espace… y ahora prácticamente han desaparecido… ¿el motivo? No me gusta señalar, pero… los han asesinado los SUV. La idea de un monovolumen, que es crecer a lo alto, llevar a los pasajeros más “sentados” en un “silla”, con comillas, cómoda, que no “repanchingados” en un butacón… Algo tan sencillo permitía en la misma longitud conseguir más espacio para los pasajeros, bien para ganar confort, bien para poner una tercera fila de asientos y-o bien para tener un maletero cavernoso. Pero no solo eso, contar con una plataforma plana y con un poco de imaginación era posible que en un mismo coche contase con diferentes configuraciones, desde 4 amplísimas plazas a 7 u 8, o tener 5 con un supermaletero o 2 y una capacidad propia de una furgoneta… en este la Espace fue, quizás, la más innovadora. Si entráis en la “Wikipedia” y buscáis “Renault Espace, veréis que pone en el periodo de producción: 1984-Presente”. Pues no es cierto del todo. Si que hay en la actualidad un modelo de Renault con ese nombre, pero desde 2023 ya no es un monovolumen… entraremos más en detalle más adelante. También hemos contado que la idea original surge de MATRA, una empresa a la hemos dedicado un vídeo y que decide además de hacer misiles y coches deportivos, diseñar algo innovador. Tan innovador que a Peugeot le echa para atrás, pero no a los más valientes dirigentes de Renault. La Espace era muy innovadora, con una carrocería de fibra sobre un chasis de acero, con un diseño muy cuadrada pero no exento de atractivo y sobre todo con un modularidad interior hasta entonces nunca vista. Era posible, por ejemplo, poner tres asientos uno tras otros en el lado del conductor y dejar el lateral derecho libre para meter, por ejemplo, una tabla de surf… Mover los asientos era fácil y rápido, podía hacer una mini oficina y además el interior era muy cuidado y muy luminoso. Los comienzos del Espace no fueron fáciles, tardó en “entrar” en el mercado, incluso por parte de los fabricantes, digo “los” porque la mecánica era Renault, pero se montaban en MATRA, hubo momentos de duda… pero ya entrados en el segundo año comenzaron a crecer las ventas. El éxito tardó, pero fue enorme. Por un lado, para muchos era un vehículo “diferente”, en algunos mercados casi “Premium” y para otros era el concepto de vehículo más práctico, sobre todo si tenías familia, por su gran espacio, confort y modularidad. ¿Y qué pasa cuando un concepto innovador triunfa? Pues que rápidamente le salen imitadores y la idea se traspasa a otros segmentos. Asistimos a un verdadero “boom” de los monovolúmenes y se puede decir que entre los años 80 y los 2000, todas las marcas tuvieron sus modelos monovolumen. Renault lanzó en 1996 el Scénic, una especie de mini-Espace que rápidamente tuvo un gran éxito… Al Scénic rápidamente le salieron competidores como los Peugeot 5008, Toyota Corolla y VW Touran. Ford lo hizo bien, porque lanzó dos buenos monovolúmenes, en el segmente medio el C-Max y por encima el Galaxy, con motorizaciones que llegaban a la versión V6 de 2.8 litros y más de 200 CV. Ford lanzó en 2006 un monovolumen con aires premium y deportivos, que fue el S-Max, con un buen bastidor y excelentes motores, desde un diésel 1.8 de 125 CV al magnifico 5 en línea de gasolina, 2.5 litros y 220 CV… un coche realmente interesante. Y no me olvido del Seat Altea. Se puede decir que los monovolúmenes fueron los reyes y vivieron su auge la dos última décadas del Siglo XX y a partir de ahí se inició su caída… hasta llegar a nuestros días, donde hay una oferta mínima y no se ven monovolúmenes nuevos, si usados, por las calles. Porque técnicamente un monovolumen es un coche que aprovecha más el espacio a lo alto para ganarlo a lo largo, mientras que un SUV, insisto, técnicamente no es más que un break más alto. La conclusión es que los SUV son modelos “aspiracionales”, no son modelos como los monovolúmenes cuyo mayor argumento de compra era su practicidad, sino que un SUV se supone que “mola”, es grandote, con aire de TT, imponente y parece que, si no tienes un SUV, no eres nadie. Desde el punto de vista técnico y práctico un monovolumen es más interesante que un SUV, pero, para bien más que para mal, los automóviles tienen encanto más allá de la lógica. Coche del día. Honda sigue ofreciendo un monovolumen que, por concepto, me recuerda a mi ex Ford Galaxy V6, pero más moderno y refinado: El Honda Odyssey con motor V6 de 3,6 y 280 CV y con caja de cambios automática de 10 velocidades.

Nissan's Armada sailed into the Japanese automaker's fleet in 2003. This body-on-frame SUV has become a staple in the Nissan lineup and gave the United States a taste of Nissan's off-road chops. While the Nissan Armada spent two generations with a V8 under its hood, the third-generation Armada showed its face last year with two fewer cylinders and a pair of turbocharges. The third-gen Nissan Armada sticks with body-on-frame construction,  but has pivoted to a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 under the hood. The new engine might not have as many cylinders, but it does crank the output up to 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That's a 25 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque bump over the outgoing V8, for what it's worth. That V6 sends its power through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels or a four-wheel-drive system.On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the '25 Nissan Armada and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a guided tour of the 2025 Nissan Armada and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Murphy takes you on a live drive review of this third-generation Armada. Joining these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the Nissan Armada, the state of large SUVs in the marketplace, and more. The two briefly discuss the Honda and Nissan Merger talks breaking down. Closing the show, the pair broke down what makes the '25 Nissan Armada special.

若說Mazda Cronos相信大多數人可能都不知道這是什麼車？但若說Mazda 626或Capella可能不少資深車友們就有印象。是的，今天的主角就是外型修長優雅的Mazda Cronos，也就是曾經在台販售過的626。它有一個雙生兄弟，就是俗稱”93天”的國產第三代Ford Telstar。626的誕生在日本可說是一豪賭，車身尺寸、動力規格、產品定位等都是全新挑戰，或許它還稱不上具有劃時代的意義，但所代表的是Mazda在90年代與眾不同的造車念。一起和Celsior回憶這款優雅的中大型房車！ -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Me gustan las comparativas “vintage” … unas más que otras… ¡y esta es de las que más! Comparamos a uno de los mejores coupés deportivos de Alfa Romeo de todos los tiempos, el Alfetta GTV 2.5 V6, con uno de los modelos más importantes en la historia de la marca alemana BMW, el 323i. Hay muchas cosas interesantes que contar… Este es un guión escrito más con el corazón que con la cabeza. Porque hay coches que enamoran, los Alfa casi todos y este especialmente. Y así se vivía en la fábrica. Orazio Satta, ingeniero que estuvo 25 años trabajando en Alfa, muchos de ellos como jefe de departamento técnico, decía en una entrevista: “Alfa Romeo no es sólo una fábrica de automóviles. Es un tipo de enfermedad, el entusiasmo por un medio de transporte". Yo tengo esa enfermedad. Vamos a hacer un poco de historia. Alfa tenía a finales de los 60 una bien ganada fama de hacer coches dinámicos y deportivos. Pero sus plurivictoriosos GTV ya acusaban el paso del tiempo. Y buscaban un sucesor, pero un sucesor que impactase a los potenciales clientes… y a los rivales. Así que contactaron con la recién creada Italdesign, la oficina de diseño nada más y nada menos que de Giugiaro. Y le hicieron el encargo. Y, como de costumbre, diseñó una obra maestra. Y la mecánica era de lujo, con el sistema “transaxle” con el cambio sobre el eje posterior, que luego Porsche utilizó e incluso quiso apropiarse de su “paternidad”. En 1974 nace este modelo y en 1980 llega a su capó uno de los mejores motores V6 no del momento, sino de la historia: El famoso V6 tipo Busso, en su versión de 2.5 litros y 160 CV. Recientemente hemos hecho un vídeo sobre este motor y su “rival” el PRV. Satta, Giugiaro, Busso… un coche de autor… de esos que, hoy día, no se hacen. Eso de calidad alemana, hoy día, no es lo mismo. Pero en estos años que van desde primeros de los 70 hasta los 80, periodo de vida del GTV, era una verdad como un templo. Cuando apareció el Alfetta GTV, incluso el V6, el modelo rival de BMW era el 323i de la generación E21, la fabricada entre 1975 y 1982. El 323i aparece en 1977. Este serie 3 era el sucesor del 2002, un coche excelente. Pero es nuevo serie 3 era un impresionante paso adelante del BMW sobre todo en términos de calidad de fabricación, lujo y confort. El 323i contaba también con motor de 6 cilindros, en este caso en línea, ni tan famoso ni tan afinado como el de Alfa, pero sin duda excelente. Con 2,3 litros e inyección ofrecía 143 CV, no destacaba por su buen par a bajo régimen, pero sí por su facilidad para subir de vueltas. Su arquitectura técnica era muy tradicional, con el motor delantero, cambio de cinco velocidades justo bajo la mano del conductor, propulsión posterior y suspensión independiente a las cuatro ruedas, la trasera digamos que ligeramente oscilante por el ángulo de sus trapecios inferiores. Más o menos ya conocemos a los contendientes. Vamos a ponernos a su volante y a compararlos. Comenzamos con el Alfa Romeo, un coche al que, como dice Luis Alberto, no te subes, sino que te “bajas”, porque era bajito. Para mí el puesto de conducción es perfecto, con todo a mano, aunque se hace raro el parabrisas que llega hasta casi encima de tu cabeza. He probado este coche sin servodirección, con el motor de 4 cilindros y es un infierno… imprescindible la servodirección que, si llevaba, al menos en España, el V6. La dirección es precisa, la estabilidad impecable, la respuesta del motor deliciosa, los frenos van bien y el cambio… pues no tan bien. Es duro, aunque relativamente preciso a coche nuevo. En el cambio del BMW no había reenvíos, la palanca salía directamente de la caja al habitáculo. Esto hacía que, debido al tamaño del cambio, te robase espacio para las piernas y, desde luego, no ayudaba al reparto de pesos, muy vencido hacia el tren delantero. La posición de conducción era muy buena, la servodirección también imprescindible y la habitabilidad, sobre todo atrás, era mejor que la del Alfa, por razones obvias: En el Alfa ahí iba el cambio y el techo bajaba mucho… Una vez en marcha, el motor no tenía, ni de lejos, los bajos del Alfa, pero sí subía rápido de vueltas como el Alfa. Te doy un dato: El BMW daba su par máximo a más de 4.500 rpm. En el motor del Alfa tanto la potencia, que era 17 CV mayor, como el par lo ofrecía a un régimen más bajo. El cambio era delicioso de tacto, muy BMW, los frenos cumplían y la estabilidad era buena, aunque algo complicada… en seco. En mojado no era tan buena y sí mucho más complicada. La ecuación de un motor sin bajos con un eje posterior con poco peso en unos tiempos donde la electrónica ni existía ni se la esperaba, suponía un problema… El 323i no era desde luego un coche fácil, aunque ofrecía una calidad realmente muy notable… en esto era mejor que el Alfa.

Ever wondered how a drama about four sisters can keep you glued to your screen all weekend? Meet "Asura" on Netflix, where family secrets and personal challenges intertwine to create an irresistibly binge-worthy experience. We kick things off by exploring this captivating Japanese series and its intricate storyline, perfect for those cozy days indoors. After our brief intro it's on to some music with Ae! group's latest release, "Hello," a harmonious blend of acoustic and orchestral sounds that may just be the new soundtrack to your life. We also checked out the latest from Awich called Frontiers, a heavy mix of classical, rap, and a little something extra.But that's not all— remember the infectious beats of V6? We reminisce about the group after checking out the senpai subunit 20th Century, and their disco inspired LADY, LADY, LADY. Finally, we shift our focus to the electrifying world of musical collaborations, diving into the explosive synergy between Bloodywood and BABYMETAL that's setting the metal world on fire. This vibrant mix of Hindi, English, and Japanese lyrics, coupled with intense drumming, is a thrilling experience you won't want to miss.  Tune in for a colorful episode packed with drama, laughter, and incredible music discoveries!Aぇ! group (Ae! group) info:InstagramXYouTubeSTARTO profileAwich info:InstagramXYouTubeFrontiers (Spotify)20th Century info:XSTARTO profileLADY, LADY, LADY (Spotify)Bloodywood info:InstagramXYouTubeBekhauf (Spotify)BABYMETAL info:InstagramXYouTubeofficialSupport the showPlease help Music Elixir by rating, reviewing, and sharing the episode. We appreciate your support!Follow us on:TwitterInstagram If have questions, comments, or requests click on our form:Music Elixir FormDJ Panic Blog:OK ASIA

The crossover coupe is one of the most polarizing trends among car enthusiasts, but that doesn't seem to be slowing attention from luxury SUV shoppers. While it sacrifices an essential part of the SUV's acronym, the more style-forward versions of these crossovers and SUVs do give shoppers something different. Joining the updated GV80, the GV80 Coupe slashes away some cargo area and ditches a row of seats from its three-row stablemate. Unlike the standard GV80, the GV80 Coupe is only available with the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 with or without the electronic, 48-volt supercharger. Without the e-Supercharger, this GV80 is good for 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, but e-Supercharged models push that up to 409 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque.   On this episode of Quick Spin, host Wesley Wren hops behind the wheel of the 2025 Genesis GV80 and puts it through its paces. Wren takes you on a guided tour of the GV80 and highlights some of its features, its design, and its interior. Later in the show, Wren takes you along for a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Wren chats with Autoweek's Patrick Carone. The pair discuss the GV80's competitive set, Genesis's position in the marketplace, and more. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe Special.

Este año estoy haciendo muchos planes para conocer sitios nuevos y seguro que vosotros también, para todos nosotros que nos encanta ir de aquí pa allá, una escapada, una quedada con amigos, pues ya sabes que BP Ultimate puede llevarte hasta 840km más lejos al año. Me he propuesto viajar más, recorrer carreteras poco conocidas, descubrir pueblos con encanto, paisajes, personajes, todo esto se ha convertido en mi mayor afición y os digo una cosa BP es mi mejor aliado. Porque repostando BP Ultimate cuido mi motor y puedo llegar hasta 840 km más lejos cada año comparado con combustibles básicos y basado en un uso continuado de 13.000 km. Lógicamente los beneficios pueden varias en función del vehículo, estilo de conducción, condiciones del asfalto y otros factores. Tenéis toda la información en https://www.bepear.es En este vídeo te contamos que se puede decir que por su configuración y situación en el mercado el Porsche 911 no tiene rivales… pero sí lo tuvo. Renault primero con el A310 y luego con el A610 y la ayuda del turbo plantó cara a Porsche… ¿de verdad el Alpine estaba a la altura del Porsche? Vamos a verlo. #cochesclasicos #porsche911 #alpinef1 El 1961 apareció el Alpine A110 que consiguió ganar en la primera edición del Campeonato del Mundo de Rallyes para marcas, siendo ya un veterano, el 1973. En 1978 se dejó de fabricar el A110. El Porsche 911 nace en 1964 y sigue fabricándose hasta el día de hoy con el motor posterior como seña de identidad. Y al comenzar la década de los 70 llegan los sucesores… Conviértete en miembro de este canal para disfrutar de ventajas: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBG3pvXhocK7_GjeIx2sUeg/join Al A110 le sustituye en 1971 el A310, un diseño completamente nuevo, primero con motor 1,6 litros con culata Gordini y 127 CV y luego con el V6 de la generación PRV, de la que ya hemos hecho un video titulado “Comparativa V6, “Busso” vs. PRV.” Un motor que a pesar de sus 6 cilindros y 2,7 litros solo ofrecía 150 CV. Al primer 911 le sustituyó en 1973… otro 911. La llamada serie G, para muchos, entre los que me incluyo, el más bonito. Todos los Porsche contaban con el motor 6 cilindros bóxer refrigerado por agua. Un motor con muchas cualidades: Centro de gravedad bajo, ligereza y buena potencia, en la versión Carrera el motor era un 2,7 litros atmosférico para ofrecía 210 CV… bastantes más que el V6 usado por Alpine de “solo” 150 CV… el Porsche ofrecía un 40 por ciento más de potencia con un peso similar. Y en 1974 nace un mito, el Porsche 911 Turbo, el primero, con motor de 3 litros y 250 CV y poco después con 3,3 litros y ¡300 CV! Este nivel de potencia le permiten un nivel de prestaciones mucho más alto que el Alpine… hablamos ya de un ¡100x100 más de potencia! Era mucho. Y Alpine, de la mano de Renault, reaccionó. Reaccionó, pero ¡tardó años! Desde que aparece el Porsche 911 Turbo en 1974 hasta que aparece el Alpine GTA V6 Turbo en 1985 pasan 11 años. Soy un pesado, pero es que en modelos deportivos el motor PRV no lucía y pese al turbo y a sus 2,5 litros solo ofrecía 200 CV. Era el mismo motor, con ciertas adaptaciones, del R25. Y llega en 1991 un Alpine que ya pretendía estar a la altura, el A610 con motor Turbo que ya no era PRV sino PHV. ¿Y qué es eso de PHV? Pues un PRV evolucionado. No se podía cambiar el calado de los cilindros a 90 grados, pero si se modificaron las muñequillas para conseguir un encendido más regular, cada 120 grados, como si fuese un V6 a 60 grados… lo que debió de ser desde el principio. Y por fin nace el Alpine A610 turbo con el motor moderno, pero de 2.975 cm3 y 250 CV, una potencia que lo acercaba más a Porsche. En el bastidor se conservaba el tradicional chasis de viga central, como en todos los Alpine y muchos Lotus, pero muy reforzado. El motor obviamente sigue siendo trasero, pero muchos elementos o pasan delante o se adelantan, como la batería, la rueda de repuesto, la centralita del ABS… En 1988 aparece la tercera generación del 911, conocida como 964 y llega la re-evolución. Esta serie solo duraría 5 años, hasta 1993. Estéticamente era una “simple” evolución del primero, del G, con algunos detalles, pero pese al parecido estético, el coche era diferente en casi un 90 por ciento a su antecesor. Por ejemplo, destaca que en las suspensiones se cambian las barras de torsión por muelles helicoidales… todas las suspensiones son nuevas y la mejora es radical. El 911 Turbo de la tercera generación, conocida con la clave de 964 llegan en el mismo año que el Alpine A610 Turbo… ¿casualidad? Seguramente. Lo que sucede es que el 911 Turbo de esta generación ya llegaba a los 320 CV y pronto llegaría a los 3,6 litros y 380 CV. Pesaba más que el Alpine, se reparto de pesos era peor, pero sus prestaciones eran de infarto, con una máximo de 270 km/h y un 0-100 km/h de 5,3 segundos.

Support Breaking Walls at https://www.patreon.com/thewallbreakers It's 6PM on Wednesday, January 11th, 1956. I'm at Colbee's Restaurant on the ground floor of the CBS headquarters at 485 Madison Avenue. I'm about to have a bite to eat with the man you just heard, Mandel Kramer. Yesterday at Edwards Air Force Base in California, U.S. Air Force First Lt. Barty R. Brooks died in the crash of a F-100 Super Sabre. The accident was caught on film. Word from Memphis is that young singer Elvis Presley recorded a new song called “Heartbreak Hotel.” Today's cover of The New York Daily News shows Grace Kelly in Monaco, but the interior pages talk about the rising problems in Vietnam. South Vietnam President Ngô Đình Diệm issued an ordinance giving his government almost unchecked power to deal with any opposition. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union has approved technical specifications for an R-13 submarine-launched missile. And earlier today, The 1956 Chevrolet Corvette was announced. It'll cost three-thousand-one-hundred-twenty dollars. It features a new body, convertible top, optional power steering, optional hardtop, and rollup glass windows. The V6 option has been dropped in favor of either a two-hundred-ten or two-hundred-twenty horsepower V8 Engine. A 3-speed manual transmission is now standard. The main national news is the debate on whether or not President Dwight D. Eisenhower will seek a second term. After suffering a heart attack in September of 1955 Ike is still undeclared, meeting with an array of doctors to gauge whether the rigors of running for reelection will cause undue health issues. The United Press reported on Tuesday the 10th that sixty percent of the more than four hundred doctors polled felt that Dwight would be able to serve. Perhaps some insight into Ike's psyche was gleaned when on Monday, January 9th, he once again took over full White House duties, including naming Bernard M. Shanley Appointments Secretary. Meanwhile, on NBC radio, Keys To The Capital is airing.

Esto no lo habíamos hecho nunca en Garaje Hermético… ¡una comparativa de motores! Dos motores que se parecen en una cosa: Son V6. Y se podría decir que ahí se acaban los parecidos… pero son dos mecánicas que, os lo aseguro, han sido claves para muchas marcas… ya lo veréis… Y de paso voy a echar por tierra algunas teorías hasta ahora, comúnmente aceptadas. Antes de comenzar, os lanzó un reto, una adivinanza: Solo ha habido un coche que ha usado, en diferentes momentos, ambos motores… ¿sabéis cuál es?... A ver cuanto sabéis de coches. Al final os lo cuento. Estaba preparando un vídeo en el que comparábamos al Alfa GTV con el BMW 323i y pensé que a ese genial motor V6 diseñado por Giuseppe Busso merecía un vídeo exclusivo. Un motor que motorizó muchísimos coches entre 1979 y 2005, nada menos que 27 años. Y me acordé de otro motor V6 aparecido en 1974 y que duró mucho también, 25 años, hasta 1998, el PRV, un diseño conjunto de Peugeot, Renault y Volvo y que motorizó también a muchos coches, más incluso que el Busso. A finales de los años 60, Alfa Romeo quería hacer crecer su gama “hacia arriba” pero sus motores de 4 cilindros no permitían cilindradas mucho mayores de los dos litros. Hacía falta un nuevo motor… Y contrataron a un verdadero genio, Giuseppe Busso, cuyo apellido acabado dando nombre no oficial a uno de los mejores V6 de la historia. Un ingeniero que de Alfa pasó a Ferrari y luego volvió a Alfa para crear esta maravilla. La crisis del petróleo supuso un “parón” en el desarrollo de este motor que no debuto hasta 1979 en el Alfa Romeo 6, un coche que en sí no levantó pasiones, pero su mecánica V6 en ese momento de 2,5 litros sí que lo hizo. ¿Qué tenía este motor de especial? Comenzamos a derribar teorías. He leído y escuchado en muchos sitios distintos lo siguiente: “Un motor V6 para conseguir un balance perfecto necesita un ángulo de 120 grados y la genialidad de Busso fue inventar los “flying arms” unos lastres que iban entre los cojinetes y el cigüeñal y que conseguían un equilibrio perfecto”. Se ve que esta frases son copia de copia de copia, porque aparecen en todas partes casi igual. Y en mi opinión no es muy exacto. Primero, porque entre los cojinetes y el cigüeñal no pueden ir lastres… Segundo, porque para un V6 seguramente la mejor opción de ángulo entre cilindros es de 60 grados. Lo que supo hacer Busso es un motor muy bien equilibrado, con los contrapesos justos en el lugar justo, con una carrera corta que permitía rápidas subidas de régimen y un ajuste de todo el tren alternativo y de la distribución perfectos. Más que inventar nada lo que hizo fue hacer las cosas bien… Y ahora romperemos otra teoría comúnmente aceptada. En 1966 Peugeot y Renault llegan a un acuerdo para la fabricación conjunto de motores y tres años después fundan la Compagnie Française de Mécanique o sencillamente FM. En 1971 se une a este proyecto Volvo. ¿El motivo? Pues el mismo que Alfa Romeo: Si querían hacer crecer sus gamas hacia arriba, necesitaban motores de mayor cilindrada y más potentes. Y deciden diseñarlos desde cero. Y son muy ambiciosos así que piensan que lo mejor sería un V8… ¿quizás pensando en el mercado norteamericano? No tengo los datos, pero es posible. Y como todos sabéis el ángulo ideal para un V8 es de 90 grados, Y así se comienza el desarrollo de un motor V8 a 90 grados. Aquí es posible que echemos por tierra otra teoría porque de nuevo leeréis y oiréis por muchos sitios: Todo el mundo dice que la crisis del petróleo es la que provoca la decisión de reducir los 8 cilindros a 6. Eso dice todo el mundo… pero nosotros no. La crisis estalla en 1973 y Volvo presenta su 264, oficialmente el primer modelo en usar este motor en octubre de 1974. Por otro lado, la maquinaria para fabricar estos motores llega a la factoría de Renault en Douvrin en junio de 1973. Y la crisis del petróleo estalla el 16 de octubre de 1973. Conclusión: La decisión de reducir 2 cilindros y que el motor fuese un V6 es previa y no está causada de forma directa por la crisis del petróleo. Entonces, ¿cuál fue el motivo? Probablemente se pensó que un V8 era muy pesado, excesivo e innecesario para los modelos a lo que iba destinado este motor. Un V6 iba a ser más compacto, más ligero y más polivalente. Lo cierto es que el PRV, al contrario que el “Busso”, nunca fue un motor “redondo” ni giraba tan bien ni tan alto de vueltas, ni era tan fino ni era sencillo sacarle potencias elevadas salvo con mayor cilindrada o el empleo del turbo, que fue mucho más frecuente en el PRV que en el Alfa… que salvo en el caso del 2 litros, por los motivos citas, realmente no lo necesitaba.

What if you could experience the thrill of a live Japanese concert from halfway across the globe? Join us as we recount the electrifying New Year's JUMParty 24-25 hosted by Hey! Say! JUMP, where tuxedos and heart-thumping performances took center stage. We felt like we were on a personal date with the band! From Yamada's unforgettable presence to the technical challenges we tackled, this celebration was a testament to how music transcends borders, connecting fans worldwide.Reminiscing about V6's "Honey Beat" and Kinki Kids' iconic tunes, we relive the rush of multiple surprise song selections that kept us on our toes.  We explore the unexpected and delightful song choices that added layers of excitement to the concert, proving that the magic of Japanese music is both timeless and transformative.Our journey culminates in the enchanting atmosphere of this event, where carnival-like stages and medleys transported us back in time. As we wrapped up the festivities, we reflect on the expanding opportunities for international fans to engage with Japanese music. Don't miss out on the chance to become part of this vibrant community, and discover how you can connect deeper with the music that moves us. Also check out Yamada's solo song "Switch" which is out now!The "Live Stream" archive is available until 1/13/2025Hey! Say! JUMP info:InstagramXYoutubeSTARTOFamily Club  Storm LabelSWITCH (Yamada solo)Support the showPlease help Music Elixir by rating, reviewing, and sharing the episode. We appreciate your support!Follow us on:TwitterInstagram If have questions, comments, or requests click on our form:Music Elixir FormDJ Panic Blog:OK ASIA

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the most buzzworthy vehicle to hit American highways this decade. Combining the exterior style of the classic Microbus with the chassis of a thoroughly modern electric vehicle, the ID.Buzz is a crowd-pleaser that stops traffic, as Host Jack Nerad discovered during his two weeks with the vehicle. Its exterior design features LED lighting, retro-inspired wheels, and optional two-tone paint that pays homage to its iconic predecessor. But the drivetrain is anything but retro. The ID.Buzz is powered by a 91-kWh battery and offers two drivetrain configurations: rear-wheel-drive with 282 horsepower and an EPA-estimated range of 234 miles and 4Motion all-wheel-drive with 335 horsepower and a range of 231 miles. Charging is efficient, with DC fast charging replenishing 10-80% in just 26 minutes. Inside, the ID. Buzz boasts a spacious and customizable interior, offering up to 145.5 cubic feet of cargo space, flexible seating, and advanced technology, including a 12.9-inch infotainment display, IQ.Drive driver assistance, and wireless charging. It's a stark contrast to Nerad's 1968 Type 2 “Early Bay” Bus, powered by a 57-horsepower 1600cc engine that delivered a 0-60 mph time of 37 seconds and a top speed of 65 mph. But is the ID.Buzz as good a value as that long-gone college-era VW? Nerad will have the answer. In our other road test this week, Co-Host Chris Teague will have the answer on the all-new 2025 Ford Ranger. A finalist for North American Truck of the Year, the Ranger boasts a new engine that makes it much more competitive versus rivals that include the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma. Teague is a Toyota fan, but does he see the Ranger as the better midsize truck? He'll give his verdict in this episode. Driving News Our look at Driving News this week features a headline-grabbing development that could reshape the industry. Nissan and Honda, two global giants with big U.S. footprints, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a potential integration. If it goes forward, this partnership could see the companies combining their efforts in electrification, platform sharing, and advanced vehicle intelligence. With plans for a joint holding company by 2026, this is a story with far-reaching implications for drivers everywhere. In more amusing news, Hyundai has achieved an incredible and largely esoteric feat with its Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, earning a Guinness World Records title for the greatest altitude change ever by an electric car. Over 14 grueling days, the Ioniq 5 covered more than 4,900 kilometers across India, traveling from the Himalayas' highest drivable point to below sea level in Kerala. But what does this record prove? Jack and Chris will offer their opinions. Switching gears to luxury, Jack and Chris will also offer their opinions on the 2025 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Prestige AWD, a sedan that blends advanced technology, stunning design, and exceptional performance. Powered by a twin-turbocharged V6, the G80 delivers a smooth, refined ride while packing a punch under the hood. Inside, it's all about premium touches, from Nappa leather seating to a cutting-edge OLED instrument cluster. Our two reporters will deliver their verdicts in this show This week's guest is Brian Jannusch, a Nissan GT-R expert with a passion for the legendary sports car. From its iconic engineering to his quest to drive one at the Nurburgring, Brian shares fascinating insights into what makes the GT-R so special. It's a conversation that will resonate with sports car fans and anyone who appreciates automotive excellence. The episode also tackles practical advice with safety tips for 2025 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As the year begins, it's a good time to revisit basics like seatbelt use, sober driving, and staying alert on the road. Simple steps can make a big difference in preventing accidents and keeping your loved ones safe.

Chevrolet has just released the jaw-dropping figures for its 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, which boasts an astonishing 1,064 horsepower, and that's just the beginning of an episode that should warm the heart of every musclecar fan. On top of the Corvette news, Stellantis has announced that it will continue to build and market HEMI V8-powered Dodge Durangos, and by some weird twist of fate, Host Jack Nerad just drove a Durango and he will share his recent Chicago area road test experience in the 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. The survival of the Durango is good news for enthusiasts, because it's a powerhouse that continues to dominate the performance three-row SUV segment. With its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine producing a staggering 710 horsepower, the Durango SRT Hellcat offers explosive performance that gets drivers from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. This robust SUV combines thrilling acceleration with practicality, having the ability to tow up to 8,700 pounds and comfortably seat up to six passengers. Also featured in our road test segment this week Co-Host Chris Teague evaluates the 2025 Acura MDX, a luxury SUV that enhances both comfort and capability. With a refined interior that prioritizes quality and space, the MDX provides seating for up to seven and is loaded with tech features, including a large touchscreen interface for its infotainment system. Under the hood, the MDX offers the choice of two dynamic V6 engines that can deliver engaging driving experiences while maintaining reasonable fuel efficiency. Its all-wheel-drive system instills on-road confidence, but can it stand up to the cruelties of a Maine winter? We'll have Teague's practiced opinion on the matter. In the news this week, Stellantis is making headlines with the installation of former Dodge executive Tim Kuniskis as head of the brand and important updates to its forthcoming product plans. The battery-electric Ram pickup has been delayed while Ram pushes the Ramcharger forward, relying on its interesting range-extender tech to gain much-needed traction in the full-size pickup segment. On a more mainstream tack, we'll also review the pluses and minuses of the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, a finalist for the North American Car of the Year award, which will be announced next month. Meanwhile, Nissan has made some changes to the battery-electric Ariya that make it more appealing than ever. This week, our special guest is Maggie Clark, a Toyota product specialist, who shares insights on new Toyota models like the 2025 Crown Signia and Land Cruiser. Listener Question of the Week And, as always, we want to hear from you. Join us for our listener question segment where we tackle a practical query about whether it's better to repair or replace your aging vehicle. Special Offer Jack is gifting free copies of his book, The GR Factor: Unleashing the Undeniable Power of the Golden Rule. Email editor@drivingtoday.com to claim yours while supplies last! Brought to you by: • DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark. So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don't forget to look for new content on our YouTube and Rumble channels. Please subscribe. If you do we'll like you forever. America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad's latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE on Amazon.com             Keywords automotive news, Corvette ZR1, Dodge Durango, Ram Trucks, Honda Civic Hybrid, Acura MDX, Toyota Crown Signia, Land Cruiser, performance SUVs, electric vehicles Summary In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest automotive news, including the impressive performance figures of the 2025 Corvette ZR1 and the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat.

General Motors downsized the people-moving Acadia for its second generation, but for three-row-conscious consumers, the company reversed course for its third installment. The third-generation GMC Acadia sports three rows of seats, which are stuffed inside a 204-inch-long shell. While the Acadia is stuffed full of the latest GM suite of digital screen tech, the biggest departure in the Acadia's lineup might be the 3.6-liter V6. Stuffed under the hood of the Acadia since its launch, the 3.6-liter V6 was left at the factory, with GMC stuffing a turbocharged 2.5-liter I4 in its place. This turbocharged I4 shoves 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels, or through the all-wheel-drive system. On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of a 2024 GMC Acadia and puts it through its paces. Murphy takes you on a tour of the '24 Acadia and highlights some of its new features and styling. Later in the show, Murphy also takes you along for a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the new Acadia, where it sits on the sales charts, and more. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes the 2024 GMC Acadia special.

The 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan takes center stage in this episode as Host Jack Nerad gives its two key versions thorough test drives and sits down with its chief product planner, Kia America's Young Kim, in an exclusive interview to unpack its bold features and market potential. A finalist for North American Car of the Year, the 2025 Kia K4 offers a bold exterior design and feature-rich interior. As the successor to the Kia Forte, the K4 blends fastback-inspired styling with a wide, confident stance. The K4 is powered by a choice of two engines: a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Key exterior elements include vertically oriented LED headlights, a sleek roofline with hidden rear door handles, and an available GT-Line Turbo trim featuring sporty gloss black accents and 18-inch alloy wheels. Its larger dimensions contribute to its class-leading interior space, including a remarkable 38 inches of rear legroom. Inside, the K4 leads the segment with cutting-edge technology, including a segment-first 30-inch digital display that integrates the instrument cluster and infotainment screen. In this week's road tests, Jack Nerad takes us behind the wheel of the eminently likable 2025 Volvo S60 T8 AWD Plug-In Hybrid Ultra. Combining luxury, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable performance, the S60 T8 features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. With an 18.8 kWh battery, it offers an impressive 41-mile all-electric range and achieves a 74 MPGe efficiency rating. Across the country, Co-Host Chris Teague sums up his lengthy stint in the 2025 Honda Odyssey, a vehicle that continues to set a benchmark for family-friendly minivans. With its refreshed exterior design and spacious interior, the Odyssey provides seating for up to eight passengers and exceptional cargo space, making it ideal for families like Chris's as Christmas looms. Under the hood, its time-tested 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers smooth performance and reasonable fuel efficiency. Special features include Honda's Magic Slide second-row seats for flexibility, a rear entertainment system with built-in streaming apps, and CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology. Teague will have more in his full report. Driving News In the news this week, Honda is reigniting excitement among enthusiasts with the revival of its iconic Prelude nameplate. This time, the legendary coupe returns as a hybrid-electric sports car, blending Honda's celebrated performance heritage with forward-looking electrification. But will it win the hearts of longtime Prelude enthusiasts? Chris and Jack will offer their thoughts. Porsche is celebrating 50 years of turbocharging innovation with a special four-part YouTube series that explores the legacy of its groundbreaking engineering. From motorsport dominance to iconic series production models, the series delves into the history and evolution of Porsche's Turbo technology, and we'll have the details on where and when to watch. As we close in on Christmas, Ford injects a dose of holiday cheer with the whimsical Ranger Raptor North Edition, a concept explicitly designed for Santa Claus. Packed with creative features like a heated hot chocolate holder and an infinity load box for presents, this playful (and fictional) concept blends humor with Ford's signature engineering prowess. Toyota has decided to make its 2025 bZ4X electric SUV more enticing with significant updates, including a reduced list price. We'll tell you more. Listener Question of the Week “Are adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worth it?” Jack and Chris share their pros and cons to help you decide. Special Offer Jack is gifting free copies of his book, The GR Factor: Unleashing the Undeniable Power of the Golden Rul...

The Lexus TX solves an important problem for Lexus – it gives the brand an upscale, large people mover. This three-row crossover joined the Lexus brand at the end of 2023 as a 2024 model-year vehicle and is the cousin of the Toyota Grand Highlander. The Lexus TX also packs a variety of powertrains, with a 2.4-liter turbocharged I4, a turbocharged 2.4-liter I4 that works with a hybrid system, and the top-flight 3.5-liter V6 that works with the plug-in hybrid system. This particular tester slots under the TX 500h+ trim which moves by way of the turbocharged 2.4-cylinder hybrid powertrain.  On the Toyota side of the dealership, your three-row options open up. Sure, you can snag a Grand Highlander or Sienna, or you can move to the body-on-frame Sequoia. Based on the latest TNGA-F architecture, the latest Sequoia follows the same pattern as the new Tundra. That means it packs a 3.4-liter turbocharged V6 under the hood that works with the i-Force Max hybrid system to throw 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission.   On this episode of Talking Cars with the Boss, host Wesley Wren chats with Natalie Neff about these two three-row people movers. The pair talk about their respective experiences with each of these distinctly different people movers, and discuss their merits. Closing the show, the pair decide which one of these two three-row machines they'd want to throw into their driveway.

La “Platafforma tipo 4” no es un coche… sino nada menos que 4. Y es que el Alfa Romeo 164, el Fiat Croma, el Saab 9.000 y el Lancia Thema tenían una base común. “Tipo 4” fue uno de los primeros proyectos exitosos de la reducción de costes… Una base común, pero coches muy distintos… Me adelanto un poco a la conclusión, pero estos coches demuestran que se pueden hacer coches muy diferentes sin renunciar a ahorros de costes… para mí son una enseñanza de cómo se debían hacer las cosas ahora para evitar que todos los coches fuesen iguales o muy parecidos. Ford, la marca que implantó la producción en serie o en cadena dando lugar a lo que se denominó “fordismo”, una forma diferente de hacer las cosas. Pero siguió avanzando en esa línea. El siguiente paso fue la homogeneización de la producción. Ford y muchas marcas americanas, sobre la misma base, el mismo chasis e incluso los mismos motores, lo “vestían” con carrocerías diferentes, dando lugar a modelos e incluso a marcas diferentes, que los consumidores percibían como diferentes, pero que en el fondo eran el mismo producto a veces incluso fabricado en las mismas cadenas de producción. A comienzos de los años 70 en Europa el “Mercado Común Europeo”, la semilla de la actual Unión Europea da un paso clave que afecta a la industria europea: Se eliminan los aranceles entre los miembros… y los fabricantes alemanes partían con ventaja en el sector de las berlinas de cierto lujo… había que reaccionar. El grupo Fiat no tenía una buena gama de berlinas de lujo. Además, estaba siempre muy atenta a lo que sucedía en Norteamérica, tomo buena nota y pensó en hacer los mismo… pero afortunadamente para nosotros, no lo copio tal cual, sino que hizo una versión muy “a la europea”, en mi opinión todo un acierto… Y así nace la plataforma común denominada Proyecto Tipo 4 o plataforma Tipo 4 nace en 1978 auspiciado por el grupo Fiat, pero muy pronto se une Saab, como os digo, una marca que ni de lejos contaba con los recursos de los italianos… para mí, una jugada muy hábil e los suecos. Era algo realmente novedoso que marcas competidoras del mismo grupo e incluso una que no era del grupo, se uniesen para desarrollar un chasis-plataforma común, por supuesto, con motor transversal y tracción delantera. Seguro que los ejecutivos de Fiat no pensaron que Saab fuese un rival peligroso… Les parecían muchos más peligrosos los alemanes, sobre todo BMW y Mercedes, Audi se uniría más tarde, o los franceses, sobre todo de Peugeot, que sí tenían más tradición en este sector y que tenían un modelo de mucho prestigio, como el Peugeot 504. El exitoso proyecto dio sus frutos rápidamente y en 1984 se presentan los Lancia Thema y Saab 9000, el Fiat Croma llega en 1985 y el que más se demora es el Alfa Romeo 164, ya explicaremos los motivos, que se presenta en 1987. El éxito de este proyecto se debe a varios motivos. Una plataforma común permitía importantes ahorros de costes en investigación y producción, pero los modelos se percibían como distintos… y es que eran muy distintos, ya los analizaremos. Los más parecidos eran el Fiat Croma y el Saab, ambos de 5 puertas... Por ejemplo, su parabrisas era idéntico. El Fiat Croma nunca tuvo versiones de 3 volúmenes, pero el Saab sí. En cambio, el Alfa Romeo y el Lancia nacieron como berlinas de 3 volúmenes y 4 puertas y el Alfa siempre fue así. No el Thema que fue el único de los Tipo 4 que conto con versiones familiares. Como veis partiendo de una plataforma común podían hacerse variantes muy diferentes. Pero como os decía, la brillantez de este proyecto es que los coches eran verdaderamente diferentes. El diseño de su carrocería e interiores más el uso de motores diferentes, de 4 a 8 cilindros, con o sin turbo, consiguieron que cada uno de estos coches tuviese su propia personalidad. Voy a elegir de cada uno la versión que considero más representativa. Alfa Romeo 164: Deportivo. He tenido la fortuna no sé si de probar todos los Alfa 164, pero si no todas, casi todas las versiones. Mi favorita es la que lleva el motor 3 litros, ¡cómo no! pero además 24 válvulas, denominada 164 V6 24v “Quadrifoglio Verde” con sus 232 CV. Es un coche para mi muy bonito, con un interior amplio y acogedor y un acabado que no era el de un BMW, pero está menos lejos de lo que puedes pensar. A cambio el sonido de su motor es insuperable y su potencia a bajas medias y altas vueltas, sorprendente. Y para ser un tracción delantera era un coche con muy buena motricidad y muy ágil… y sin duda, el “Tipo 4” más deportivo. Fiat Croma: Sensato. También he podido probar muchas de estas versiones, pero si me tengo que quedar con una, la que mejor representa a este modelo, la escogida sería la 2500 TD id. Encaja con la filosofía de este coche que aunque es discreto, tiene grandes virtudes. Y la relación potencia consumo de este motor, en sus tiempos, era casi imbatible. Lancia Thema: Elegante y exclusivo. Ferrari era de Fiat y alguien en Lancia tuvo la feliz idea de “Meter” el V8 de 3 litros y 32 válvulas del Ferrari 308 en el vano motor del Thema. Y nació un coche mítico, el Lancia 8.32, respetando la denominación usada por Ferrari, pero que todo el mundo conoce como “Thema Ferrari”. Más que deportivo, este Thema era refinado, por su excelente motor de 215 CV y su exquisito interior, con asientos cosidos a mano por la empresa “Poltrona Frau” y con mucha madera en su interior. Era el mejor coche para viajar rápido con confort y lujo. El Thema fue el único Tipo 4 en montar un V8 y en ofrecer una bonita carrocería familiar obra e Pininfarina. Saab 9000. El más Premium. En 1993 aparece la versión CS Aero Turbo con motor 2.3 de 225 CV, equipado a tope y con aditamentos aerodinámicos y llantas específicas. Este Saab, que pude probar muy largamente, me cautivó, es mi elegido y creo que el mejor representante de este 9000, muy Premium.

After a brief hiatus, Ford brought its once-compact Ranger pickup back to the United States for the 2019 model year. After a handful of years on the market, Ford has given the North American Ranger another lease on life and launched a new generation in 2024. This updated Ranger borrows a lot of the same concepts from the previous-generation model, as well as its global variant, but also brings some serious updates to the table. Namely, the '24 Ranger ushered in the Ranger Raptor to the North American portfolio. This latest Ranger also expanded the powertrains and now includes the 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 and the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 mills in various trims. The '24 Ford Ranger also sees an overhauled interior, with two available digital instrument clusters, and a large standard touchscreen media system.  On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek's executive editor Tom Murphy hops behind the wheel of the 2024 Ford Ranger and puts it through its paces. Murphy Takes you on a guided tour of the 2024 Ford Ranger and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Murphy takes you along for a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Murphy chats with host Wesley Wren about the 2024 Ford Ranger, Ford's pickup truck lineup, and the Ranger's competition. Closing the show, the pair breaks down what makes this Ford Ranger special.

Toyota's stalwart mid-size truck entered a new generation with the 2024 model year. Entering its fourth generation, Toyota's popular Tacoma didn't carry along its V6 but did add a hybrid to its portfolio. While the 3.5-liter V6 was replaced with a series of turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder options, the manual transmission stuck with Taco's order sheet. If you don't want to spring for the six-speed manual transmission, an eight-speed automatic is effectively standard. Of course, the top-flight TRD Pro carries on, but Toyota also expanded its Tacoma offerings with an overlanding-focused Trailhunter model.   Sitting across the lot from your would-be next pickup is Toyota's RAV4. The RAV4 entered its fifth generation in 2018 and saw a styling update only a few years ago. While it still might be approaching the end of its generational life, the RAV4 still manages to do what it's supposed to do: easily haul people and stuff. The perennial all-star on the sales charts, Toyota's RAV4 is spread through three powertrains, with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid available, as well as a traditional ICE powertrain. This ICE-only tester uses a 2.5-liter I4 to send 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. On this episode of Talking Cars with the Boss, host Wesley Wren chats with Natalie Neff about her time with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma and 2024 Toyota RAV4. The pair talk about the new Tacoma, Natalie's experience with it, and more. The pair also talk about the RAV4, its continued sales-chart dominance, and some minor gripes with the infotainment system. The two hosts also talk about Toyota's four-cylinder engine family, the departure of the Tacoma's V6, and more. Closing the show, the two decide which of these ‘Yotas they'd rather have in their driveway. 

Join car enthusiast Peter von Panda as he takes you through the heart of the Maserati MC20, one of the most exciting supercars on the market today. From its stunning design to its powerful V6 engine, Peter dives deep into what makes this car a game-changer in the world of luxury performance. Discover the collaboration with Dallara, the innovative engineering, and the thrill of driving a true masterpiece. If you're a fan of high-performance cars, luxury supercars, or just love the thrill of the open road, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready for exclusive insights, in-depth reviews, and a passion for cars like never before. ▶ Get Maserati gear here: https://geni.us/bOjQPjAhttps://www.glenviewluxuryimports.com/ Glenview Luxury Imports 301 Waukegan Rd,, Glenview, IL 60025 Sales: 847-904-1233 Service: 847-904-1233 Parts: 847-904-1233 ---------- LET'S TALK ABOUT LIVING BETTER: ▶ Podcast: https://geni.us/FtGAT4 ▶ My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/petervonp... ---------- IF YOU'D LIKE TO SHOW SOME LOVE: ▶ Buy My Book: https://geni.us/qwbZAE ▶ Become A Channel Member: https://geni.us/AA3Jk ▶ Patreon:   / petervonpanda   ▶ Merch: https://petervonpanda.storenvy.com/ ▶ Free Panda Group: https://panda-research-institute.mn.co FOLLOW MY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS: ▶ Instagram:   / petervonpanda   ▶ Facebook:   / petervonpanda   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/petervonpanda/support

This week Sam has been driving the Ford Ranger with the 2.7-liter V6 and Kia Carnival Hybrid. Nicole had the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Robbie had the outgoing VW Tiguan. In the news, Acura has a new entry-level crossover, the ADX and Toyota is working on a new generation Celica. California’s governor… Read More »Let’s Go Racing

The Genesis G90 helped spin off the fledgling Genesis brand from its Hyundai starting place. Pivoting away from the Genesis Coupe of yore, the Genesis G90 helped push the Genesis brand into a hotly contested, and loyal, luxury sedan space. A space dominated by the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and more. After helping establish the brand, Genesis launched the second generation of its G90 in 2021. The transition to its second generation added needed tech upgrades and helped the brand's flagship sedan better fall in line with the current design language. While the V8 didn't make the transition to the second generation, the G90 offers a pair of turbocharged V6 mills, with the e-supercharged variant boasting 409 hp.  On this episode of Quick Spin, host Wesley Wren hops behind the wheel of the 2024 Genesis G90 and puts it through its paces. Wren takes you on a guided tour of the '24 G90 and highlights some of his favorite features. Later, Wren takes you along for a live drive review of the large Genesis sedan. Adding to these segments, Wren chats with Autoweek's Patrick Carone about Genesis, the G90, and the luxury sedan space. Closing the show, the pair break down what makes the '24 Genesis G90 special.

This week we talk about EREVs, Ford's CEO, and Hertz.We also discuss the used EV market, plug-in hybrids, and the Tesla Model 3.Recommended Book: Not the End of the World by Hannah RitchieTranscriptIn late-2021, car rental giant Hertz announced that it would purchase 100,000 Tesla Model 3 sedans for its fleet, giving customers the opportunity to drive what had recently, in 2019, become the best-selling plug-in electric car in US history, beating out the Chevy Volt, and then in 2020 become the bestselling plug-in in the world, bypassing the Nissan Leaf.This was announced about six months after the company went through a massive restructuring, triggered by a bankruptcy filing in May of 2020, which landed Hertz in the hands of a pair of investment firms that purchased a majority stake in the company for about $4.2 billion.Part of the goal in making such a huge electric vehicle purchase was that it would ostensibly set Hertz up with some of the snazziest, most future-facing vehicles on the road, and it should—if everything went according to plan—also provide them with some advantages, as full-bore EVs have far fewer parts than traditional internal-combustion vehicles, which means a lot less that can go wrong, and fewer moving pieces that need maintenance; which is pretty vital for vehicles that will be driven pretty much continuously.So the single largest purchase of electric vehicles in history would represent a massive up-front investment, but the hope was that it would both pay off in dollars and cents, maintenance-wise, and help differentiate a brand that had recently been through some very rough patches, business and competition-wise.Unfortunately for Hertz, that's not what happened.Initially, this announcement bumped the company's stock up by about 40% over the course of just two weeks, but the Model 3s they purchased weren't as popular as they thought they would be, and though EVs should in theory be easier to maintain than their ICE peers, the relatively low number of specialized repair shops and high cost of relatively scarce spare parts meant that the cars were actually more expensive to maintain than more common and less flashy alternatives.The company was also dinged by Tesla's decision to raise its prices around the same time Hertz was making the majority of its purchases, and Hertz decided to start offloading some of the Model 3s it had bought—which only ended up being about 30,000, rather than the originally announced 100,000—selling the cars at a fire-sale discount, in some cases as low as $25,000, which could drop to about $21,000 in areas where EV tax credits applied to used vehicles.Unfortunately for those who bought them, many of these used Teslas were hobbled by the same issues Hertz was scrambling to address, but couldn't make work for their business model.Many initially happy used-Tesla purchasers found that their car's battery pack was fundamentally damaged in some way, in some cases costing half, or nearly the same as the price they paid for the car, to repair or replace.This fire sale arrived at around the same time as an overall drop in used EV prices across the market, too, which meant that Hertz's prices—though at times falling to about half of what a new Model 3 would cost—weren't as great as they could have been, especially for cars with so many potentially costly problems.In other words, at this moment the whole of the EV industry was experiencing a bit of a price shock, as most automobile companies selling in the US were introducing new EV models, and they were finding that supply had surged beyond demand, leaving some of them with lots full of cars—especially in parts of the country where EV charging infrastructure still hasn't been fleshed out, dramatically diminishing the appeal of EVs in those regions.In early 2024, Hertz's CEO resigned, mostly because his bet on Teslas and other EVs, hoping to making about a fifth of the company's fleet electric, didn't go as planned, and that's left the company's stock trading at around 11% of its 2021 high price point as of early September 2024.To replace him, the company brought in a former executive from Cruise, which is an autonomous car technology company that's owned by General Motors; another company that's been trying to figure out the proper balance between investing in where the automobile market in the US is, today, and where it will be in the coming years.What I'd like to talk about today is another facet of the automobile industry that's changing pretty rapidly, and a new take on a third option, straddling the internal combustion engine and EV worlds, that seems to be evolving in a compelling—to those running these companies, at least—manner.—In January of 2023, the CEO of Toyota, who was the 66-year-old grandson of the company's founder and who had been running the company since the early 2000s, stepped down from his position following a wave of criticism about his outspoken focus on hybrids over electric vehicles.This company, which in some ways has been defined in recent years by its gamble to release the very well-received Prius, an early hybrid that really leaned into the concept of using a battery to support the activities of the car's conventional fuel-burning engine, which resulted in a bunch of energy-efficiency benefits, the company had lagged behind its competitors in developing, announcing, and releasing new electric vehicle models to compete with the likes of Tesla—a company that was eating everyone else's lunch in the EV department, and which was seeing sky-high valuations as a consequence.Toyota was also being criticized by environmentalist groups for failing to move toward fully electric, zero-emissions vehicles, as while it did have a few EV models on the market, they were seemingly afterthoughts, accounting for less than 1% of the company's US sales, and the main model, the cumbersomely named bZ4X, experienced a significant safety recall that upended its rollout plans.Toyota's new CEO leaned a bit more into EVs, announcing 10 new models in 2023, alongside plans to sell 1.5 million of them per year by 2026. But the company was still selling more cars than any other automaker on the planet, and the vast, vast majority of them were some kind of fuel-burning vehicle.Despite the change in leadership, then, and the slight tack toward EVs the new CEO made soon after ascending to his new position, the company was still being criticized by environmentalist groups for not doing enough or moving fast enough, and the market seemed to think Toyota was setting itself up for a pretty grim next decade, since it was falling so far behind its competition in terms of supply chains and manufacturing know-how, related to EVs.This general storyline, though, seems to have changed over the past year.Yes, it's still generally assumed that EVs are the future, that the electrification of everything is where we're headed as a globe-spanning civilization, not just our transportation, but everything moving toward renewables—and that's for climate-related reasons, but also the economics of renewables, which, once installed and connected, tend to be a lot more favorable, economically, than fossil fuel-based alternatives, almost always.That said, the aforementioned disconnect between EV availability and investment, and EV demand in the United States has increased over the past year. EV sales are continuing to increase overall, but the huge spike in sales we saw over the past handful of years has tempered into a slower ascension, and many automakers have found themselves with car lots filled with models that aren't the ones people want—at least not in the requisite numbers to keep lot turnover happening at the rate they like, and in some ways need, to see.This is not the case in many other countries, I should note.In China, EVs already made up something like 37% of the country's total automobile marketshare, the share of new cars sold, in 2023, and across Europe, about 24% of all new cars sold were plug-in electric vehicles that same year.In the US, the number is still in the single-digits, something like 8% as of Q2 2024, which is a lot bigger than the 5% or so in early 2022, but again, not the kind of rampant growth carmakers were planning for.Another component of the automobile industry in the US has continued to grow a fair bit faster, though, up more than 30% year-over-year, accounting for up to 9.6% of the country's total light-duty car marketshare in the second quarter of 2024.And that slice of the market is the world of hybrids—the component of the car industry that Toyota has bet heavily on, despite antagonism from all sides, over the past several years, and which other automakers like Ford, are pivoting toward, as well; Ford recently announced that it would no longer be releasing a full electric, large SUV in the near-future, and will instead be releasing hybrid models, possibly including plug-in hybrid models.Plug-in hybrids are like traditional hybrid vehicles, except they have a larger on-board battery pack that can be plugged into an electrical outlet, which allows them to be even more efficient than their traditional hybrid kin; so they're like a traditional ICE vehicle, but with a big, plug-innable battery that helps that engine be more efficient, giving it much better gas mileage.Another recent development in this space, though—one that's already pretty well-known in China, but still foreign enough in the US that the CEO of Ford said, after being exposed to the idea for the first time earlier this year, that he thinks it might be the right variation of existing approaches to help the US make the transition to electric vehicles—is called an extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, and rather than being a hybrid with a suped-up battery, it's an EV with a built-in, smaller internal combustion engine that serves as an onboard generator, allowing the car to burn fuel to generate electricity, which then charges the car's giant battery, giving it more range when it's needed.The CEO of Ford thought this lined up well with how the American market works, and could help temper the range-anxiety many Americans feels, worrying that the battery packs in their EVs won't allow them to take road trips, or might run out of juice when they're partway through their homeward-bound commute at the end of the day; recharging an EVs battery still takes a fair bit longer than filling up a tank of gas, and there are way more gas stations than EVs plug in points around the country, as of 2024.So if there were a little engine inside their EV capable of giving it a backup charge when necessary, and if that little generator could be fueled using gas that's widely and relatively inexpensively available across the US, that could in theory help people transition to driving with electricity—which can be generated cleanly, using renewables—most of the time, while having that backup system in place, for when it's needed, which might be rarely or never.In late-2023, car-maker Stellantis unveiled their Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which is an EREV that can drive up to 690 miles on its battery pack, but it also includes a 3.6-liter V6 engine that activates when the main 92kW battery is running low on juice; a little generator that burns fuel to recharge the main battery.One of the big, market-defining questions related to that new Ram and similar models, though, is whether US government regulators will categorize EREVs as zero-emissions vehicles, because, in theory at least, they will at times not be zero-emissions, even though for many people they would probably run on just their batteries most of the time.This judgement call could impact sales substantially, though, as such determinations help define what would-be customers pay up front, what sorts of tax benefits, if any, they can expect on their purchases, and what sorts of taxes and other fees they'll pay along the way, for the life of the vehicle.Whether this topsy-turvy version of the hybrid—the traditional version having a conventional engine with battery backup, and this new riff on the theme defined by a massive main battery with a conventional engine backup—whether it will do well on the market anywhere outside of China has yet to be seen, and there's still the question of whether other automakers will be able to spin up their own versions of the concept before the market moves again, trends realigning, and more plug-in electricity infrastructure maybe making vanilla EVs more desirable and useable in more parts of the country.In the meantime, though, we seem to be seeing—rather than the clean transition from ICE vehicles to EVs that some people had hoped for and expected—something more akin to a Cambrian Explosion, where new pressures and innovations are sparking all kinds of interesting offshoot evolutions, and rather than just two options, one supposedly the future and the other supposedly on its way out, we have a half-dozen core themes around which most new vehicles are being built, some of them interchangeable, some not so much, and that suggests we could see more large recalibrations and broad market shifts, alongside a slew of new combinations and innovations, before the previous paradigm fully gives way to whatever ultimately replaces it.Show Noteshttps://electrek.co/2023/01/26/toyota-ceo-steps-down-amid-electric-vehicle-movement/https://caredge.com/guides/electric-vehicle-market-share-and-saleshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_car_use_by_countryhttps://cleantechnica.com/2024/08/28/u-s-share-of-electric-hybrid-vehicle-sales-increased-in-2nd-quarter-of-2024/https://electrek.co/2023/04/07/toyotas-new-ceo-adjusts-ev-plans-but-sticks-to-a-hybrid-approach/https://www.thestreet.com/electric-vehicles/ford-ceo-says-this-type-of-vehicle-can-be-the-bridge-for-electrificationhttps://www.wsj.com/business/autos/the-plug-in-hybrid-car-starts-to-win-over-buyers-2155e054https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_hybridhttps://fortune.com/2024/06/07/buy-used-tesla-hertz-fire-sale/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a60232041/hertz-ceo-resigns-after-big-bet-on-evs-fails-to-pay-off/https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a35698039/hertz-potentially-saved-from-bankruptcy/https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a38053117/hertz-buying-100000-teslas/https://qz.com/tesla-hertz-used-electric-cars-evs-damage-glitches-1851482632https://archive.ph/364djhttps://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/26/hertz-pulls-back-on-ev-plans-citing-tesla-price-cuts-repair-costs.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruise_(autonomous_vehicle) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe