THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends

Episode: Mercedes Unimog Returns! New Porsche Cayman? Can Nissan Save Itself?
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Doug DeMuro (Nick), with Kenan & Filippo

Overview

This lively episode of THIS CAR POD! finds Doug DeMuro and friends in vintage form, covering breaking news across the car world. From the possible return of a luxurious Mercedes Unimog to Porsche walking back its EV-only Cayman plans, to Nissan’s bold Nismo expansion and even the shaky ground beneath Ford and Volkswagen’s EV futures, the trio offers insight, debate, and plenty of laughs. The episode also checks in on the used car market, collector quirks, audience Q&A, and personal fleet updates—including a mysterious new Porsche purchase.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mercedes Unimog: Luxury Rebooted?

[01:09–03:17]

• Mercedes is celebrating 80 years of the Unimog with a modern, luxurious, one-off prototype featuring premium leather, LED lighting, and a 7.7-liter 6-cylinder diesel.
  • Filippo: “They’re truly trying to figure out—do we want to build this as a standalone model?”
• The group speculates that Middle Eastern markets (e.g., Dubai) are prime for such vehicles, while noting the Unimog’s industrial, not consumer, roots.
• Nick: “As cool as it looks...these are like snowplows...you don’t want one. You’re climbing stairs to get in.”
• Luxury features include high-grade leather, contrast stitching, and “virtual mirrors”.
• Only a single customer will test it for a year—real feasibility is uncertain.

2. Ford Cancels F-150 Lightning, Refocuses on Hybrids

[03:45–08:35]

• Ford officially cancels the F-150 Lightning’s future, shifting focus to extended-range plug-in hybrid trucks.
  • Nick: “Plug-in hybrids always kind of made the most sense. If we’re really being honest with ourselves.”
• The move reflects a broad industry “pause” as incentives for EVs wane in North America.
• Kenan: “It is such a weird era…to go from full EV back to plug-in...eventually, will it go all the way back to full EV? Yeah. At some point.”
• Ford’s big investments in EVs face huge write-offs ($18–19bn) as they pivot; the $50k+ EV market isn’t delivering.
• Global context: 25% of new vehicles sold are EVs, largely concentrated in Europe and Asia.

3. Porsche Cayman/Boxster: Reluctance to EV-Only, Market Realities

[09:15–12:00]

• Porsche was set to make 718 Cayman/Boxster EV-only; now they’ll continue selling 4-cylinder gas models and retrofit gas engines into the new platform.
  • Filippo: “They are not just saying we’ll continue the 718 for a couple of years—they’re investing hundreds of millions to fit a gas engine in what they planned.”
• Significant engineering is required, as platforms were developed for large batteries.
• Debate: Is there any market for an EV sports car?
  • Nick: “What EV sports car has ever been desirable?”
  • Filippo: “There have been none built.”
• Speculation: “Kenan and I will tell you how long...before an EV sports car is desirable—carry the one—long time.”
• Porsche also to add “shifting” simulation in EVs—a feature previously dismissed.

4. European & Global EV Mandate Reversal

[16:29–20:05]

• The EU walks back its previous 2035 ban on gas-powered cars, now targeting a 90% emissions reduction instead of 100%.
  • Filippo: “Walking back a little bit...but still pushing for EVs.”
• Allows offset credits for low-carbon steel, E-fuels, biofuels.
• V8s, it seems, will be alive longer in Europe than expected.
• Reflection on “regionalization” of powertrains, and how manufacturers may offer different engines in different markets (echoes of ‘80s/’90s).

5. Nissan’s Bold Nismo Expansion

[20:37–23:41]

• Nissan will double its Nismo offerings: from five to ten models worldwide.
  • Includes the Z and Armada (SUV), plus possible Leaf Nismo, Centra Nismo, and racing-inspired specials.
  • Kenan: “They’re really testing the strength of the Nismo brand.”
  • Filippo: “There is no Nismo brand.”
• Speculation that these special editions primarily target value buyers (e.g., Uber Black drivers).

6. Audi RS3 GT50 Concept, VW Group’s Stagnant Lineup

[23:44–25:38]

• Audi’s apprentice-built RS3 GT50: wild concept celebrating 50 years of their 5-cylinder, but not for production.
• Nick: “We don’t build the cool stuff. We build the Nismo Armada.”
• Critique: VW group leaves existing hot Car models (Q7, Macan, Q5) largely unchanged for a decade.

7. Industry Design Shakeups: Mercedes & JLR

[26:50–30:09]

• Mercedes AMG’s longtime head designer steps down—possible shift in design language ahead.
• JLR flip-flops on firing design head Gerry McGovern; speculation about huge severance and HR missteps.

8. Hyundai & Kia’s Stolen Car Settlement (“Kia Boys” Fallout)

[32:35–35:44]

• Kia/Hyundai settle lawsuits over easy-to-steal models lacking immobilizers.
  • Owners eligible for software/hardware updates and meager restitution.
  • Nick: “This turned off a generation of people from buying these cars. Literally any child can pretty much steal them.”

9. Personal/Fleet Updates & “Talk Cars” Segment

[37:30–44:22]

• Filippo bought a Porsche (model secret), plus inherited a ‘72 Ford F-250, and plans to sell his GTI and Fiat.
  • Filippo: “True bonafide sports car…more than I’ve spent for all my cars combined.”
• Kenan’s SL65 AMG visits the shop—debates selling for a Dodge Viper.
  • Reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of German-car ownership versus Viper desire.

10. Used Market Watch: VW ID. Buzz, Manual Cayennes, Prowler

[54:20–65:46]

• VW ID. Buzz (EV van): weak market response in U.S.; $43k bids fall short of $67k MSRP.
  • Nick: “Needless to say, the ID Buzz hasn’t really been the rip roaring success we were all hoping for.”
• Manual Cayennes: Still draw strong values, but down from pandemic peaks.
• Chrysler Prowler: Massive “cool factor,” but market refuses to value it above ~$25k; trio discuss why and future collectibility.

11. Audience Q&A

Highlights:

• Why doesn’t BMW just buy Ineos’ Grenadier SUV?
  • Nick: “They’re already making the powertrains...BMW could spend real money, make it more tolerable for a larger audience.”
  • Filippo: “I don’t think it advances them in any meaningful way.”
• Harry Metcalf buying used Maserati Levante Trofeo – good move?
  • Consensus: Makes sense at depreciated prices; “brilliant” for rural UK with 590 hp, but these only work as used bargains.
  • Kenan: “Maseratis are like fine wine: As time goes on and they depreciate, they become much better.”
• What automatic sports cars would Doug buy?
  • Possible exceptions: Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Aston Martin Vanquish Shooting Brake, Jaguar Project 8 (“Cat Car”), some Ferraris and hypercars.
• What oddball cars are hiding in wealthy collectors’ garages?
  • Ex: One Diablo 6.0 owner also hoarded 6+ first-gen Infiniti Q45s!
• Is Doug a “Porsche guy,” “Nissan guy,” or something else?
  • Nick: “I don’t have a type. I just love all cars. My collection's included everything from a 2001 Prius to a 360 Modena to a Hummer.”

Memorable Quotes

• Nick on Porsche’s EV u-turn:

  “What EV sports car has ever been desirable? Even the Rimac Nevera at a million dollars is not desirable.” [10:47]

• Filippo on Mercedes Unimog prototype:

  “They’re truly trying to figure out—do we want to build this as a standalone model?” [01:18]

• Kenan on Ford’s EV/hybrid backtracking:

  “It is such a weird era…to go from full EV back to plug-in.” [04:47]

• Nick on Hyundai/Kia theft:

  “This turned off a generation of people from buying these cars. An enormous number of people…walk outside and their car’s gone because it turns out you can steal it with a spoon.” [33:29]

• Nick on car brand loyalty:

  “I do not care [about brands]. I like everything… from trucks, cars, sports cars, wagons, SUVs, all of it.” [91:35]

• Filippo teasing his purchase:

  “This is a true bonafide sports car that is well outside the realm of anything I would previously have bought.” [37:37]

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Mercedes Unimog Returns & Features: [01:09–03:17]
• Ford F-150 Lightning Canceled / Hybrid Shift: [03:45–08:35]
• Porsche 718 (Cayman/Boxster) Update: [09:15–12:00]
• EU EV Mandates Walkback: [16:29–20:05]
• Nissan Nismo Model Expansion: [20:37–23:41]
• Audi RS3 GT50 Concept & VW Lineup: [23:44–25:38]
• Kia/Hyundai Settlement: [32:35–35:44]
• Filippo’s secret Porsche purchase: [37:30–44:22]
• VW ID. Buzz poor resale: [54:20–58:22]
• Chrysler Prowler debate: [62:30–65:46]
• Q&A: BMW & Ineos Grenadier: [71:30–74:47]
• Q&A: Harry Metcalf’s Maserati Levante: [75:04–77:28]
• Doug’s approach to car collecting: [91:35–93:50]

Tone & Style

The panel maintains a fast, energetic, and witty conversational tone packed with in-jokes, friendly ribbing, and barbed asides. The hosts blend detailed automotive knowledge with market skepticism and industry cynicism, while never losing sight of car enthusiasm (“Prowler—absolutely the least amount of money you can spend to turn the most heads”). Genuine camaraderie and affection underpin the banter, especially as the Q&A segues into personal history and reflection on the show’s chemistry.

Conclusion

This episode delivers classic THIS CAR POD! value—fast-paced car news, market reality checks, opinionated debate, and insider anecdotes. Whether you’re a car nerd, collector, or casual fan, it’s a rich (and relatable) survey of the auto world’s latest ups, downs, and absurdities. And yes—Filippo really did buy a Porsche. (Maybe.)

Next episode: Holiday Q&A special and, finally, Filippo’s new Porsche reveal… unless it never shows up!