A Conversation With Zeekr’s Giovanni Lanfranchi At CES 2026 Sam and friend of the show John Voelker sat down for a conversation with Giovanni Lanfranchi, CEO of Zeekr Technology Europe to learn more about the Geely Group's approach to product development.

Something New Coming From Toyota Toyota has just dropped a teaser image for a new vehicle it's going to be revealing soon. They haven't given us any information at all on exactly what it is, but we can make an educated guess based on what little we can see and the cadence of Toyota's product…

How Much For That Old Truck? Unfortunately, Robbie had a migraine this morning so it's just Nicole and Sam. Nicole has been driving the latest Toyota Prius with AWD in New Hampshire snow and Sam had the Cadillac Lyriq Signature Sport AWD in Michigan winter weather. Volvo finally dropped all the…

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Ford Hypercar Endurance Racer Gets 5.4-liter V8, Veteran Drivers A decade ago, Ford entered the World Endurance Championship and returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since the 1980s. At the time they evaluated competing in the top LMP1 prototype class against Audi, Porsche and…

Ford’s GT500 Successor Arrives As The 2027 Mustang Dark Horse SC When Ford launched the current S650 generation of the Mustang in 2023, one name was notably absent from all of the discussion – Shelby. Ford has had an on-off relationship with Shelby American ever since the original Mustang debuted…

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Unplugging Stellantis Unfortunately, the audio is a bit weird this week, Robbie's audio stopped recording after 26 minutes so there are some gaps, but most of it is there. Nicole is back and she drove the new 2026 Subaru Outback Premium. It doesn't look much a like a wagon anymore, but its still a…

At #CES2026, @sam.abuelsamid.com got a preview of the latest preproduction Afeela 1. It's come a long way since last year, but it remains to be seen if it can succeed in the market youtu.be/GhJJUOOhhbg?...

If you're in or around NYC, this beautiful dog desperately needs a home. I guarantee he will make your hard days bearable and your best days better. Please consider adopting, so he doesn't have to suffer in this kennel. This account also has some other great soon-to-be best friends in NYC

i forgot to tell you I drove a car in the snow. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcR1...

Surprises and Disappointments This week, Nicole continues her stint with the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and her family was wondering if it was ok when they heard the sound it makes. Sam had the opposite end of the scale with the Lexus TX 550h+, a 3-row plug-in hybrid crossover. The team discusses…

Lightning Strikes Out This week we're joined by special guest Harvey Briggs. Harvey and Sam review the vehicles they drove last week while transporting 20 dogs nearly 2,000 miles as part of Operation Frodo. Nicole had the Ford Maverick Lobo and Robbie rode the Verge TS electric motorcycle. GM has…

Going Autonomous Nicole is finally back and while she was away she drove a Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel wagon and since she returned she's been driving the Acura Integra A-Spec. Robbie shares his thoughts on the new Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid. Sam had the Honda Accord Touring Hybrid and the Land…

#OperationFrodo 2025 starts in less than 48 hours. An amazing group of my friends and I will be transporting 20 beagles from Omaha to the pacific northwest for adoption. Thanks #toyotausa #subaru #Chrysler #Kia #Ineos for vehicles and donations. You can help too animalrescuerigs.com/meet-the-dogs/

Updating the Wedge Friend of the show Perry Stern is back to talk about the Honda Prologue and some Nissans. Sam drove the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss. We discuss driving the third generation of Nissan's e-Power series hybrid in the Qashqai as a preview of the next Rogue as well as the…

#OperationFrodo25 starts in just over a week. A dedicated group of volunteers will be transporting more than 20 abandoned beagles from Omaha to Portland but we still need some supplies for the dogs. If you can help, please go to the wishlist and buy some supplies www.amazon.com/registries/g...

Banning Subscriptions, Sort Of This week Stephanie Brinley is again sitting in for Nicole and she drove the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Robbie and his wife rented a Chrysler Pacifica and Sam has the Mercedes-AMG G63. In the news, someone has rendered a Dodge Magnum revival based on the new Charge…

All this weekend when you buy @wheelbearings.media merch you can save 30% off all orders over $70 shop.wheelbearings.media

EV Pulse Reunion This week both Robbie and Nicole are on vacation so Craig Cole is back along with Chad Kirchner. Sam had the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring. Ahead of the LA Auto Show, Lucid also announced the more affordable Touring trim that starts just under $80,000. Jeep has revealed all the…

It’s the Rogue-Lander PHEV Nicole is in Mexico this week for the Baja 1000 so Craig Cole from AutoEsoterica stepped in. Robbie went to Poland this week to drive a simulator and Sam had the refreshed 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line. We discuss the new 2027 Kia Telluride that will be revealed in full at the LA…

Fun Not Hardcore Nicole's been driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally but this isn't one for serious off-roading. Sam takes his own stint in the 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi. Nicole and Sam both recently got some seat time in the new 2026 Honda Prelude one in Michigan, one in Japan and like it's…

The Tim Badge This week Sam is in a Tokyo hotel room after attending the Japan Mobility Show. Before leaving he drove the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro. Robbie spent some time in the dunes of California with the next Mercedes-Benz GLC and Nicole drove the revived Hemi Ram 1500 and the latest Subaru…

Eyes Off This week Sam drove the 2026 BMW iX xDrive45. Sam and Robbie both went to New York for a tech focused GM event and Sam spoke with new chief product officer Sterling Anderson. There's a refreshed Jeep Grand Cherokee with a new more powerful engine for 2026 and we drive the new 2026 Toyota…

Losing Your Soul Summary In this episode, Robbie and Sam discuss various automotive topics, including a review of the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan SE, the luxurious Genesis G80, and the unfortunate discontinuation of the Kia Soul. They also touch on Rivian's upcoming R2 SUV, Audi's future design…

Clever for the Sake of Clever This week Nicole has been driving the BMW M5 Touring and the Hyundai Kona Limited. Sam drove the Lexus LX700h and 2026 Ram 2500 Black Express Cummins while Robbie drove the Mercedes-AMG E53 sedan. Sam drove the Lexus to Indiana to check out the new Entegra Coach…

China, Brakes, Hybrids, Subscriptions This week Nicole and Robbie are both travelling so we've got four interviews that Sam did in the last couple of weeks starting Magna International's head of e-Drive systems Mike Dowsett. Then there is Caroline Fallara and Mike Messina from high performance…

10 Years After Dieselgate In this episode, hosts Sam Abuelsamid and Nicole Wakelin discuss their recent experiences with the 2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade Edition and the 2026 Genesis GV70. They delve into the performance, design, and driving experience of these vehicles, highlighting the Prius's…

The Plural of Leaf is Leafs In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences with the 2025 Volvo EX30, XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, and the 2026 Nissan Leaf. They explore the unique features, driving experiences, and challenges associated with each vehicle, including charging issues and pricing…

Slate Duallie This week Nicole drove the Ford F-150 Tremor and Sam had the Lexus LC500 Convertible and the Cadillac Lyriq-V. In the news, Honda has revealed more details on the upcoming 2026 Prelude coupe and a Minnesota driver gets a ticket for an excessively loud exhaust -- on his EV. At the IAA…

Overlanding Minivan This week Nicole has been driving the Acura ADX and Honda Passport while Sam had the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. The US federal EV tax credits end on September 30, but you may still be able to take advantage of the credits even if you can't take delivery by that date. Ineos is…

It's not perfect, but the 2026 Subaru Solterra is finally competitive in its segment because the manufacturers listened to all the justified complaints and fixed the important stuff. Subaru fans now have a decent EV option www.theautopian.com/the-2026-sub...

This week on @wheelbearings.media we discuss new Nissan Leaf pricing, and the huge improvements to the 2026 Subaru Solterra as well as a conversation with Subaru product planner Garrick Goh plus a whole lot more wheelbearings.media/podcast/the-...

Getting A Kick Out Of Kicks This week Nicole has 2 "SUVs", the Nissan Kicks and Ford Expedition King Ranch while Sam discusses the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter and Subaru Forester Hybrid. Ford announced plans to build low cost EVs in Louisville Kentucky, Cadillac announced a new custom build program…

Company’s Behaving Well and Badly We're back from a mid-summer break. Sam has driven the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Lucid Air Grand Touring and Nicole had the 2026 Lincoln Navigator Since we've been gone, we all drove the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Cupra gave up on entering the US market. Nicole has a…

Hyundai Steps Up Its Big SUV Game With 2026 Palisade Since debuting for the 2020 model year, the Hyundai Palisade has really become established as the flagship of the brand. Unlike many flagship models that tend to sell in relatively modest volumes, the Palisade sold more than 100,000 units in…

Airport Garage Towing Robbie's dealing with a family emergency so Nicole tells us about her latest misadventure with her Jeep Wagoneer S as well as the Toyota Crown Signia. Sam had the Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade in invisible grey. In the news, Lucid Air, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX get…

Colors In The Driveway This week in the garage, Sam has bright colors with the Jeep Gladiator Willys and Volvo EX30 Performance Ultra. Nicole had the Mitusbishi Outlander. Links Someone bought a Lordstown Endurance on BaTGM to Produce LFP Cells In Spring HillSubaru UnchartedUber, Nuro and…

Too Much Name This week Sam is driving the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Tributo Italiano and Nicole has the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec. Nicole also had her first major technical issue with her Jeep Wagoneer S. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota is publicly demoing its new sports car and upcoming GT3…

Buying A Used EV After some hiccups getting the recording started, Nicole told us about the latest Genesis GV70 and Robbie almost had a chance to save a wedding with the Ford F-150 Lightning. Sam enjoyed cruising in the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack which both really loud and not loud enough.…

Hot Charging This week Nicole has been tackling the notoriously smooth New England pavement in the Hyundai Ioniq 5N while Robbie had the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV and Sam trecked across Michigan in the Mini Countryman SE ALL4. This week Sam visited two plants for the production of lithium iron…

How Many Tasks Robbie has family commitments today so Perry Stern is sitting in with Nicole and Sam. Perry's been driving the McLaren 750S in Volcano Yellow and Cadillac Escalade. Nicole had the new gas powered Chevy Equinox and Sam had the new 2025 Mini Cooper S 4-door. In the news we discuss…

Leafs Not Leaves We've got lots of reviews this week as Robbie drives the latest BMW X5 PHEV, Nicole has the Nissan Murano and Sam spends time with the Nissan Armada and Lincoln Navigator. In the news, Nissan finally completely redesigns the Nissan Leaf after 15 years. The Corvette reaches its…

Stopping Beating The Horse Nicole is trekking to the Julian Pie Company with her husband so it's mostly just Robbie and Sam. Robbie gives a preview of the electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and Sam reviews the 2025 Cadillac Escalade Platinum. In the news, Stellantis picks Antonio Fillosa as its new…

What Kind of Pie? Nicole is back and to tell us what sorts of pies she shared with her husband at the Julian Pie Company last week and talk about the Kia K4 that turned up in her driveway for the third time as well as the Toyota 4Runner. Robbie did some G-Turns in the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ…

Adandoned Gas Stations Nicole and Sam returned from Texas without picking up any measels. Nicole spent quality time with the Toyota Grand Highlander while Sam drove the Kia K5 GT, and Robbie spent another week without driving anything. While in Texas for Toyota's HQ Confidential event, we saw the…

Fake Recovery Hooks We've got a bit of a shorter show today because it was Nicole's turn to catch a trip and she accidently stopped the recording. Robbie went to Austria to ride the Can-Am Origin and Pulse electric motorcycles. Nicole drove the updated 2025.5 Volvo XC90 and Sam had the Nissan…

A History Of GM Software, And How A New ‘Quality Lab’ Aims To Fix The Company’s Recent Problems www.theautopian.com/a-history-of...

On today’s podcast we talk about the Slate and we decide that every Slate sold is a unit of Robbie. Please respect our decision.