Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – SSC Tuatara Review; No More Regs; Merc EVs

Episode Details:

• Title: SSC Tuatara Review; No More Regs; Merc EVs
• Release Date: August 7, 2025
• Hosts: Zack Klapman and Matt Farah
• Description: Matt Farah and Zack Klapman engage with automotive enthusiasts, industry icons, and other friends to delve into the latest automotive news, racing insights, projects, and spontaneous discussions.

1. Personal vs. Economic Freedom Rankings

Discussion Overview: The hosts dive into the Cato Institute’s study ranking personal and economic freedoms across U.S. states, focusing on California and Texas.

Notable Points:

• Texas Rankings:

  • Initially cited as last (50th) in personal freedom.
  • Upon clarification, Texas ranks 6th in economic freedom.

• California Rankings:

  • Misinterpreted by some as being 48th in personal freedom.
  • Actually 48th in economic freedom based on the same study.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah [04:27]: "Economic freedom typically implies higher state taxes, building restrictions, and as you can see, the bottom of the list is New York, Oregon, Washington, and California."
• Zach Klapman [06:23]: "I don't know how it weights it, but as you see, like, California remains 48th."

Insights:

• The distinction between personal and economic freedoms significantly affects state rankings.
• Personal Freedom vs. Economic Freedom: Matt emphasizes valuing personal freedoms over economic ones, suggesting a preference for higher taxes and certain regulations to ensure individual liberties.

2. Elimination of Fuel Economy Standards

Discussion Overview: The conversation shifts to the repeal of fuel economy regulations in the U.S. and its repercussions on the automotive industry.

Notable Points:

• SEMA Reaction:

  • The aftermarket and manufacturers celebrate the removal, likening it to an "Eyes Wide Shut style orgy" due to the newfound regulatory freedom.

• Impact on Innovations:

  • Fuel economy standards previously spurred innovations like direct injection turbocharging and power enhancements in vehicles.
  • Matt argues that constraints often foster creativity, citing how regulations pushed carmakers to innovate.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah [08:07]: "SEMA is having like an Eyes Wide Shut style orgy right now because... we've got no more fuel economy regulations."
• Zach Klapman [09:11]: "Fuel economy standards brought us hypercars. They brought us direct injection turbocharging. Huge power."

Insights:

• Removing fuel economy standards may lead to a stagnation in vehicle efficiency improvements.
• Historical Context: Referencing the 1970s fuel crisis, Matt warns that without regulations, the industry may regress in terms of efficiency and innovation.

3. Mercedes and SSC Abandon EVs in America

Discussion Overview: The hosts discuss the surprising move by Mercedes and SSC to cease selling electric vehicles (EVs) in the American market.

Notable Points:

• Mercedes:

  • Likely finding an excuse to revert to traditional combustion engines.
  • Concern that EV mandates disproportionately benefit lower-end manufacturers rather than luxury brands.

• SSC Tuatara:

  • SSC’s strategic pivot towards re-emphasizing their high-powered combustion engines post-regulation repeal.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah [24:26]: "They sort of just stopped selling EVs in America and didn't really announce it, because why would they?"
• Zach Klapman [25:00]: "Mercedes is probably very excited when the EV mandate was taken away. They're like, oh, now we have an excuse."

Insights:

• EV mandates are seen as advantageous for budget manufacturers by leveling the playing field.
• Luxury brands like Mercedes may be disadvantaged by EV regulations, prompting a retreat from the EV market in certain regions.

4. SSC Tuatara Review

Discussion Overview: The core of the episode revolves around an in-depth review of the SSC Tuatara, a high-performance hypercar, based on the hosts' experience in Richland, Washington.

Notable Points:

• Performance:

  • Capable of reaching speeds up to 295 mph.
  • Equipped with a 5.9-liter billet engine producing up to 1,750 horsepower on E85.

• Build and Engineering:

  • Built predominantly with American-sourced components.
  • Features a carbon tub, inboard pushrod suspension, and a seven-speed sequential gearbox similar to those in the Pagani Utopia and F5.

• Handling and Dynamics:

  • Described as extremely violent in high-speed maneuvers.
  • Lacks advanced features like air brakes, resulting in significant pitch during braking.
  • Steering is criticized for being too quick and twitchy.

• Interior and Features:

  • Utilitarian and artistic but lacks the refined finish of competitors like Pagani.
  • Power hydraulic doors and touchscreen window controls noted as impractical for frequent use.

• Reliability and Practicality:

  • High build quality but concerns about features like hydraulic doors affecting long-term reliability.
  • Intended primarily for experts and professional settings, not everyday use.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah [28:40]: "And it's already done 295."
• Zach Klapman [35:35]: "This is like psycho machine."
• Matt Farah [36:56]: "It's, it's really, really, really violent. I would say that, that this is an expert-only level car."

Insights:

• Performance vs. Practicality: The SSC Tuatara excels in raw speed and power but compromises on handling nuances and everyday usability.
• Competitive Landscape: While faster than many, its handling and feature set leave room for improvement compared to established hypercars.
• Future Prospects: SSC aims to refine the Tuatara's performance, potentially pushing it to exceed 300 mph with better cooling and handling systems.

5. Audience Questions and Discussions (Patreon Segment)

Discussion Overview: Engaging with listeners, the hosts address various audience-submitted questions, offering insights and personal opinions.

Selected Questions & Insights:

• Older Cars vs. 90s Models:

  • Q: Why do older cars from the 60s and 70s seem to age gracefully compared to 90s cars?
  • A: Matt suggests it's due to material differences, such as the prevalence of metal in older cars versus plastics in later models.

• Making Electric Vehicles (EVs) Enjoyable:

  • Q: Tips for enhancing an older BMW E39 530 for mountain roads with value in mind.
  • A: Focus on restoring stock components like bushings and suspension mounts before considering upgrades like Ohlins road and track suspension for better handling without compromising value.

• Glock Making Watches:

  • Q: Thoughts on Glock’s foray into watchmaking.
  • A: Hosts express skepticism, associating Glock watches with overly tactical aesthetics that may not appeal to broader audiences.

• Corvette ZR1 vs. Porsche GT Models at Nurburgring:

  • Q: Comparative performance of Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 against Porsche GT models.
  • A: Hosts discuss surprising lap times where less powerful Porsche models outperform higher horsepower Corvettes, attributing it to factors like handling and aerodynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Zach Klapman [69:49]: "Older cars from the 60s and 70s are made of metal and your Mustang is made of plastic."
• Matt Farah [78:21]: "The P5S4 was super cool because you could get a manual."

Insights:

• Technical Restoration: Emphasizes the importance of restoring original components to maintain value and performance.
• Brand Collaborations: Skepticism towards non-traditional brand ventures (e.g., Glock watches) highlights the importance of brand consistency and quality.
• Performance Nuances: Greater horsepower does not automatically translate to better lap times; factors like handling, aerodynamics, and driver skill play crucial roles.

6. Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks

Discussion Overview: The hosts briefly touch upon future episodes and events, including plans to review the M5 C Sedan and a customized G Wagon from Russia.

Notable Points:

• Future Episodes:

  • Review of the M5 C Sedan.
  • Examination of a Russian resto-mod G Wagon.

• Personal Updates:

  • Matt shares excitement about receiving his Myers Manx, highlighting custom accessories like specialized coolers.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Farah [99:06]: "The Manx is finished. That looks very exciting to me."
• Zach Klapman [87:49]: "If you drove a car."

Insights:

• Continued Engagement: Hosts maintain a personal connection with their audience by sharing their own automotive projects and upcoming content.
• Diverse Reviews: Future content indicates a blend of high-end reviews and unique, customized builds, catering to a broad range of automotive interests.

Conclusion: In this episode, Zack Klapman and Matt Farah provide a comprehensive analysis of the SSC Tuatara, discuss the broader implications of deregulating fuel economy standards, and explore the strategic retreats of luxury brands from the EV market. Engaging with their audience through Patreon, they address a variety of automotive curiosities, reinforcing their position as insightful and relatable figures in the automotive podcast landscape.

For more detailed reviews and automotive discussions, visit The Smoking Tire YouTube Channel.