Podcast Summary: THIS CAR POD! with Doug DeMuro & Friends!

Episode: "Rivian R2 Is the Perfect Car? New Ferrari Reveal and Ford in Trouble!"

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Doug DeMuro
Panel: Filippo, Nick

Overview

This episode dives into several major automotive news stories, including Ferrari's groundbreaking new EV interior, Doug's first impressions of the Rivian R2, industry news about Toyota and Ford, innovations in Chinese EVs, and lively banter about collector cars. The hosts also tackle Q&A from listeners and share updates on their own car adventures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ferrari Lucci EV Interior Reveal

(01:17–08:16)

• Ferrari has revealed its new electric vehicle, the "Lucci" (meaning "light" in Italian), a significant departure in design.
  • Jony Ive (of Apple fame) and his design firm reimagined the car’s interior: minimalist, material-focused, and inspired by Apple’s ethos.
  • Interior showcases a vintage-inspired, ultra-light aluminum steering wheel—no carbon fiber for the first time in years.
  • Quote (Nick, 02:34): “There's zero carbon fiber anywhere. They decided carbon fiber is dead. It's no longer cool.”
  • Paddle shifters persist in the EV, likely to manage regenerative braking.
  • Return to more tactile, physical buttons and switchgear, distancing from capacitive touch.
  • Big swappable screen can turn toward the driver—a rare feature.
  • The team debates criticism of the new design as “not Ferrari,” but Doug points out that modern Ferraris are already highly screen-dominated.
  • Quote (Doug, 05:53): “A lot of people are complaining ... have only been in a 360, and so they don't like any screens in a Ferrari. This is way better.”
  • Concern that as an EV and a potential four-door, it’s a radical break for the brand that will alienate purists but could set trends.

2. Rivian R2 – First Drive & Impact

(09:02–17:27)

• Doug is among a select few who’ve driven the upcoming Rivian R2 and is extremely positive.
  • Compares R2 favorably to a Toyota 4Runner but more modern, better riding, similar off-road capability, better tech.
  • Quote (Doug, 11:06): “Probably the best EV I've ever been around.”
  • Predicts it will outsell the R1, which now risks being cannibalized.
  • Rivian has strategically targeted the “regular buyer,” not just enthusiasts.
  • Importance of a global reach—the R2 aims to be available outside North America, unlike R1.
  • Expansion of production in Illinois and a new Georgia factory for future market growth.
  • Discussion about why past automakers and plants (Mitsubishi/Normal, IL) struggled due to location and management.
  • Sharp banter around whether the R2 will become as ubiquitous as the Toyota 4Runner in SoCal.
  • Rivian R3 will address enthusiasts, while R2 is aimed at the mainstream.

3. Grand Tour Reboot & Media Personalities Shuffle

(19:21–24:01)

• Top Gear’s successor, The Grand Tour, is relaunching with new hosts: James and Thomas (Throttle House) and Francis Bourgeois (train influencer).
  • The team is cautiously optimistic but notes skepticism about Francis’ fit.
  • Emphasis on chemistry—sometimes unexpected combinations work on camera.
  • Humor about who would best fit the new show’s dynamic, including jabs at each other’s quirks.
  • Quote (Doug, 21:25): “I’m not sure which spectrum, but everyone knows—you’re crazy, Nick. They do.”
  • No confirmed release date for the show yet.

4. Toyota Leadership Change & EV Highlander

(24:01–34:16)

• Toyota names Kenta Khan as new CEO, shifting toward building a “war chest” for bold moves.
  • Some concerns that a finance-focused leader could stifle enthusiast models.
  • Quote (Nick, 25:33): “Letting the bean counters make the decisions is often not the best path forward for innovation ... sounds like we’re going to enter another bland era.”
  • Past CEO will remain chairman; transition aligns with Toyota's record profits.
• New Highlander will be all-electric, breaking with Toyota’s past caution on EVs.
  • A little risk-averse: “Not a hybrid, not available with an ICE motor...” (Nick, 28:23).
  • Toyota is leveraging overlap with Grand Highlander, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, allowing experimentation.
  • Subaru partnership means badge-engineered twins—Subaru will get its own version of the Highlander EV.
  • Many brands now share platforms/bodies, repeating 1990s “badge engineering.”
  • Highlander EV: three rows, 320 miles of range, could open new options for families wanting an electric three-row.

5. Chinese EV Innovation: Nio Battery Swaps

(36:23–39:04)

• Nio, a Chinese EV brand, surpasses 100 million quick battery swaps (about three minutes each) at 3,800 stations, including Europe.
  • Owners lease the battery separately—makes for easy battery tech upgrades and eliminates battery health concerns in used EVs.
  • Dramatic implications for rapid, widespread EV adoption and challenges the need for “home charging.”
  • Quote (Doug, 37:24): “If I could do an R2 with a battery swap, I’m there.”
  • Battery leasing model could reduce range anxiety and make EVs more practical for apartment dwellers.

6. Ford in Trouble & Chinese Competition

(39:10–44:25)

• Ford faces tough financials: surprise tariffs, lost subsidies, and EV losses totaling $5.4 billion in 2025.
  • Tariff credits on North American-made parts were retroactive to a less favorable date, hurting Ford’s bottom line.
  • Quote (Doug, 39:52): “Between the tariffs coming in and the subsidies going away, it seems like we’ve hurt our own auto industry more than ... whatever the goal was supposed to be.”
  • Ford’s CEO Jim Farley is well-liked by enthusiasts, but Ford’s EV strategy is shaky.
  • Strong rise of Chinese automakers—BYD surpasses Ford in global sales, 20% of new cars sold in Mexico are Chinese.
  • BYD and Nio show rapid capability, innovation, and international reach—co-hosts note this is a tectonic shift in the global market.

7. Mercedes AMG News: Engine Choices & Confusion

(44:29–47:36)

• Mercedes is reverting to six-cylinder AMG models (GLC 53) after a brief, unpopular shift to four-cylinder performance engines.
  • No announcement yet of a new E63 AMG; speculation it might not return in a recognizable form.
  • Debate over AMG’s confusing, overlapping and inconsistent product naming.

8. Talk Cars Segment – Personal Adventures

(48:36–54:13)

• Hosts share adventures from the Eurocar road trip and discuss imported enthusiast cars.

  • Highlighting the pros and cons of European wagons, quirky models like the Fiat Multipla, and the Fiat 500 Abarth’s surprising racing reliability.
  • Lively banter about keeping up with Top Gear/Grand Tour comparisons.

• Nick’s E55 AMG Wagon Purchase & Manual Swap Project (54:44–58:56)

  • Rare US E55 wagon, bought cheap due to mileage/condition, will be manual swapped at DC Motorworks.
  • Quote (Nick, 56:10): “[The manual swap] spoke to me as a value play … I wanted to find a M113K … and see how I like it.”
  • Doug reflects on the increasing difficulty and rarity of finding E55 AMG wagons.

9. Market Report and Collectible Car Trends

(74:17–79:57)

• Ferrari 458 Market Soars
  • A 1,400-mile Ferrari 458 Spider sold for $380,000, similar to or exceeding SF90 prices, indicating a collector rush for last naturally aspirated models.
  • “This further proves my continued theory that … mid-2000s hybrid-era is the era … already starting to see cars from that era eclipse later cars that are better.” (Doug, 76:22)
  • Modern analog performance, design, and lack of hybrid/electric intrusion are highly valued.

10. Listener Q&A

(80:09–95:16)

• Covering minivan choices for Ohio winters (Answer: Toyota Sienna with AWD), updates on Doug's former A140, Pajero Evolution market trends, shifter placement ergonomics, Nick’s regret over selling the Murciélago, and why few American cars feature in their collector stables.
• Memorable closing quote (Doug, 93:14): “I am proud of the fact that [the Ford GT] was designed in America by an American and built in America and is an American car for an American brand ... I think that is the greatest American car ever built.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Doug on online Tesla criticism (64:13): “I haven’t gone on Twitter in years … Those people are still out there. And I was so here for it.”
• Nick on car content creation (92:02): “I have a very supportive wife ... I burn the candle at both ends. I’m trying to pare that back a little … now I’m just showing up and you guys do all the hard work.”
• Filippo, regarding badge-engineered Toyota/Subaru EV twins (33:12): “We're back. Fully back ... Like the Solterra and the BZ4X is embarrassing how similar and bad they are.”
• On Nio battery swaps (37:24): “If I could do an R2 with a battery swap, I’m there.” – Doug

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 01:17–08:16 | Ferrari Lucci EV Interior Reveal/Design | | 09:02–17:27 | Rivian R2 Review and Industry Impact | | 19:21–24:01 | Grand Tour Relaunch, New Hosts | | 24:01–34:16 | Toyota CEO/Strategy & All-EV Highlander | | 36:23–39:04 | Nio Battery Swaps & Tech Implications | | 39:10–44:25 | Ford’s Financial Woes, Chinese Competition | | 44:29–47:36 | Mercedes AMG Engine, Index, Naming Confusion | | 54:44–58:56 | Nick’s E55 AMG Wagon Manual Swap | | 74:17–79:57 | Ferrari 458 Market, Collector Car Discussion | | 80:09–95:16 | Listener Q&A, Personal Car Stories |

Tone & Language

The tone is conversational, insightful, and irreverent, filled with in-jokes, good-natured teasing, and detailed car nerd discussion. They shift seamlessly from technical analysis to cultural commentary and personal anecdotes, creating an engaging "car friends hanging out" vibe.

For New Listeners

• This episode delivers a fast-moving, highly detailed look at the car world, new trends, and the panel’s opinions on what’s hot, what’s overdue, and what mistakes are being made by automakers.
• You’ll also enjoy the hosts’ honesty—especially their willingness to highlight both their own wins (and misadventures) in car ownership and industry skepticism.
• Stay tuned for Doug’s increasingly desperate quest for an ultra-rare W210 E55 estate and Nick’s manual swap saga.

Summary

If you want sharp, candid automotive talk from real enthusiasts—whether it’s the next big EV, collector car market trends, or why you should (or shouldn’t) buy a Multipla—THIS CAR POD! delivers expert insight, a dose of skepticism, and tons of laughs. This episode is packed with breaking news, deep dives, and the kind of personal car tales you only get from true obsessive gearheads.