
Hosted by https://wheelbearings.media · ENGLISH
Wheel Bearings is a podcast about cars and transportation hosted by Sam Abuelsamid, Nicole Wakelin and Roberto Baldwin

Nicole is spending mothers day at Disney World so our friend Stephanie Brinley has stepped in again. Steph drove the Volvo EX30 and Hyundai Tucson PHEV. Robbie drove the oldest car any of us has ever been in (or on) the Benz Patent Motorwagen and Sam had the new Nissan Leaf. Sam and Stephanie both got to visit the Ford EV Development Center in Long Beach, home of the skunk works. VW has launched the ID Era 9X, a very impressive 3-row EREV built only for China. Lexus announced the new TZ 3-row electric crossover. BMW announced pricing and range for the US spec iX3 and the addition of a pre-chamber ignition system for its six-cylinder engines. The Japanese and Chinese are developing a new joint charging connector called ChaoJi. Ford unveiled a new Carhatt edition Super Duty truck and Nicole went to see it and spoke with designers Steve Gilmore and Bhavna Mistry from Ford and Ben Ewey from Carhatt. LinksSomebody Put 223,000 Miles on a 3-Year Toyota Camry Lease and Walked AwayFord's Secret California Outpost Where It's Rethinking Its EV StrategyFord's Next Model T: Inside the UEV ProgramVolkswagen ID. Era 9X Is On Another Planet From Any Other VW Sold! You Have To See ThisALL-ELECTRIC THREE-ROW LUXURY: THE ALL-NEW 2027 LEXUS TZ2027 Ford Super Duty Carhartt Package: Built to Take the Same Abuse as Your CarharttChaoJi StandardBMW M Ignite technology: Innovative new technology for all six-cylinder in-line engines from BMW M.BMW Officially Announces Pricing and Range for 2027 BMW iX3 50 xDrive.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nicole has returned from the Big Easy after driving the Acura MDX and eating beignets with too much powdered sugar (is there such a thing as too much?). She also drove the Infiniti QX65, Dodge Charger R/T and Kia Sportage. Sam had the Toyota Corolla FX and Robbie rented a Kia Carnival for a mini vacation.Fiat inexplicably raises the price of the 500e by $5,000 while Motor Trend drives a $10,000 Chinese EV that doesn't suck. The US spec BMW iX3 is projected to get 434 miles on a charge. The New York State Police are using new Mustang GTs to catch speeders. Dreame has created a ridiculous EV with solid rocket boosters. Lynk&Co has shown off a gorgeous electric GT coupe. Tesla is again shipping Chinese built EVs to Canada and Cadillac is building a very limited run of F1 edition CT5-V Blackwings.Links2027 Infiniti QX65 Review: Tennessee-Built Luxury SUV Offers Refined RideIs the 2026 Acura MDX Type S Worth It? | NewsNationFiat Raises 500e Price by $5,000 With Almost Nothing New - Autoblog2027 BMW iX3 Range Quietly Jumps To 434 Miles In The U.S.480-HP Ford Mustang GT Joins Police to Crack Down on Speeders - AutoblogWe Sent An Engineer To Check Out A Chinese Household-Appliance Company’s EV Rocket Car That Promises 0-60 in 0.9 Seconds. Here's What He Found - The AutopianThis Chinese EV Coupe Wouldn't Look Out Of Place In MonacoTesla starts selling Chinese-made Model 3s in Canada at the EV's lowest price ever - EngadgetI Just Drove a $10,000 Chinese EV. No, It Didn’t SuckBlackwing hits the track: Introducing the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1® Collector SeriesSierra Meadows CabinsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Nicole is off in New Orleans with Acura so our buddy John Voelcker is sitting in. He's been driving a bunch of stuff including the Ford Maverick hybrid, Porsche Taycan, Cadillac Escalade IQ, Jeep Cherokee and Subaru Trailseeker. Robbie drove the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT and Sam had the Lexus GX550 Overtrail.At Milan Design Week, Hyundai unveiled its new Ioniq 3 compact and Kia showed off the Vision Meta Turismo. Hyundai also showed off the new Ioniq V in Beijing. GM has paused development of a next set of electric full-size trucks and Rivian has launched production of the R2. Stellantis now has pet accessories under the Mopaw brand looks likely to focus on just four main brands going forward.LinksNew Hyundai Ioniq 3 breaks cover with stunning sci-fi looks | Auto ExpressStellantis Introduces MopawKia Presents Vision Meta Turismo at Milan Design Week, Redefining the Grand Tourer for the Digital AgeFirst Production Rivian R2 Drives Off The Line Just Days After A Tornado Hit The Factory - JalopnikGM Is Reportedly Delaying New Full-Size Electric Trucks As It Pivots Back To Gas-Powered Trucks And Hybrids - The AutopianHyundai Motor Reaffirms China Commitment at Auto China 2026, Unveils IONIQ V as First Step in New Product Offensive - ReleasesExclusive: Stellantis to focus funding on core car brands as CEO drives turnaround, sources say | ReutersAutomakers Pull Back on EVsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After last week's travel challenges, Robbie and Nicole are back. Nicole has driven the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Honda Pilot Elite while Sam had the Mazda MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary Edition.Robbie tells us about the new Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS and we discuss the company's new drive by wire system. GM is apparently going to build a new Buick sedan as well as a new Camaro. Nissan has a new electric Juke for the rest of the world and Porsche has a convertible 911 GT3 S/C with a manual transmission. Uber is pouring $10 billion into robotaxis. VW has a revamped with ID3 Neo with all the switches. Doug Field is leaving Ford and that might signal the end of the Model E division as it basically gets rolled back into the main Ford. Ford's cancelled 3-row electric crossover has been visible on Field's linkedin page for at least a year. Honda is killing it's e:Ny1 in the UK and the Ontario government and Unifor have rejected Stellantis' plan to assembly Leap Motor knockdown kits in Canada. The NTSB has issued its report on a pair of fatal BlueCruise crashes. Nicole interviews Mazda director of safety strategy and communications Jennifer Morrison and Lucid head of Air and Gravity product Rob Whitley.LinksMercedes-Benz GLE and GLSMercedes-benz steer by wireGM preps new Buick sedan alongside redesigned Cadillac CT5, Chevrolet Camaro, source saysThe First Electric Nissan Juke Is A Radical DepartureThe 2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Is a Manual, Drop-Top Salute to the NA Flat-SixUber eyes $10B robotaxi investment: Financial Times | Smart Cities DiveWorld premiere of the ID.3 Neo: new name, new design, new interior and new technologies | Volkswagen NewsroomDoug Field leaves and Ford ReorgsHonda e:Ny1 Withdrawn from Sale in U.K. — DefinitelyNotAGuruStellantis Brampton plant plans stall after Leapmotor kit cars pitch rejectedFord's Never-Seen, Canceled Moonshot EV Has Been Hiding in Plain Sight Online for a Yearlain-sight-online-for-a-yearhttps://www.gminsidenews.com/threads/ford-aeros-photos-cancelled-3-row-ev.311092/?post_id=7445625&utm_click_loc=title&utm_source=threadloom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ed1081&utm_content=iss445&utm_campaign=ed1081&utm_content=iss445&utm_medium=email&utm_source=threadloom#post-7445625NTSB Finds Automation Overreliance Contributed to Two Fatal Ford BlueCruise CrashesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Robbie and Nicole both ran into travel delays today so Chad Kirchner is jumping in. Sam makes the case for buying an Acura Integra A-Spec over the ADX.Nissan has revealed its next-generation Rogue and teased the upcoming XTerra. Kia is laying out its plans through 2030 including a midsize pickup with hybrid and EREV drivetrains and more EVs. Hyundai is launching an Ioniq sub-brand in China. BYD wants 20 dealers in Canada by the end of this year and is planning to install 300 1,500-kW charging stations in the UK in the next 12 months. VW has ended production of the ID4 in Chatanooga and the Scout Traveler and Terra might be delayed. Listener Michael Burns jumps in from the Discord to tell us about his recent car shopping experience and we have Nicole's interview with Nissan CMO Allyson Witherspoon from the NY Auto Show.Chad's Star Trek podcastGreyhound NationLinks2026 Kia CEO Investor Day: Kia to Drive Exponential Growth and Manufacturing Innovation by Expanding Its Full Electrified Vehicle Lineup and Strengthening Future Business CapabilitiesNext-Gen Toyota GR86 Set for Hybrid Era Without Losing Its Soul - AutoblogBYD confirms UK's fastest EV chargers: 1500kW network detailed | AutocarVolkswagen Updates Chattanooga Production Strategy | ReleasesScout's Terra Pickup May Not Arrive Until 2030: ReportBYD to open 20 Canada stores, eyes local EV factory - Automotive NewsHyundai Motor Company Launches IONIQ Lineup Brand in China with the Premiere of Two New Concept Cars - ReleasesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Unfortunately, it's Robbie's turn to lose his voice this week so our pal Perry Stern stepped in which worked out well because he was also at the New York Auto Show with us last week and we have lots to talk about. Before that Nicole shares her thoughts on the Dodge Durango Hellcat, Perry drives the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and Sam has the VW Jetta GLI.From the New York show we have the Hyundai Boulder, Kia Seltos, Kia EV3, Kia PV5 taxi, Volkswagen Atlas, and Subaru Getaway. Stellantis wants to build Leap Motor EVs in Canada and ride hail drivers are paying exhorbitant fees to rent cars.We also have a conversation with Gentex VP Craig Piersma about full display mirrors and Dodge/Chrysler CEO Matt McAlear.LinksHyundai Boulder Concept Takes Aim at Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco2027 Kia Seltos HEV Overview2027 Kia EV3 OverviewAll-new 2027 Volkswagen Atlas debuts at the New York International Auto Show | ReleasesKia and BraunAbility Unveil an All-Electric Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi Concept for New York2027 Subaru Getaway EV: 420 HP Three-Row Family SUV | KTLAThese Are The BEST And WORST Trucks At The 2026 New York Auto Show! - YouTubeStellantis wants to build Chinese Leapmotor EVs at its idled Canadian plant | ElectrekHow a Family of 3 Lives on $25,000 in Corona, QueensAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week Nicole has been driving the Hyundai Santa Cruz trucklet and Sam had the Genesis GV80 Coupe in Prestige Black (aka the Darth Vader edition).In the news, Infiniti unveiled the its own crossover coupe, the QX65 and Nicole spoke with product marketing manager Brian Maragno. Chevrolet took the wraps off the new Corvette Grand Sport and its 6.7-liter LS6 small-block V8. Afeela is finally calling it quits. VW CEO Thomas Schafer blames his predecessor for allowing the company to go with so many touch controls and bad door handles. We look back at the Audi R8 V12 TDI that never made it to production. Nissan has refreshed the Versa for the Mexican market but America can't have it. GM has started road testing of its hands-off, eyes-off level 3 automation. We remind all of our listeners to not be jackasses. E15 is coming to your local gas pump soon and Hyundai plans to launch 36 models by 2030.Links2027 Nissan Versa Specs Revealed—Is the U.S. Missing Out? - AutoblogAudi R8 V12 TDI: The 738lb ft diesel monster they couldn't build | AutocarIn the AutoblogGreen Garage: Audi Q7 4.2 TDIThe All-New Mercedes-Maybach VLS: A Grand Limousine Offering Peerless Comfort and A True Luxury Experience for PassengersGM begins supervised public-road testing of next-generation automated technologyDiscontinuation of Development and Launch of AFEELA 1 and the Second Model of AFEELA VehiclesInfiniti Adds Coupe-ified QX65 Midsize Crossover – Wheel BearingsChevy Is Bringing Back The LS V8, And This Time It’s A 6.7-Liter Lump Of American Muscle - The AutopianGenesis Might Be Building a 600-HP V8 GV70 Magma - AutoblogVolkswagen boss: “proper door handles and buttons are a non-negotiable for me” | Top GearBMW Driver Arrested After Road Raging Against Cyclists Then Trying To Arrange A Fight With One Of Them Over Instagram - The AutopianThe Feds Plan To Start Diluting Gasoline This May: ExplainedHyundai Accelerates North American Growth With 36 New and Enhanced Vehicle Launches Through 2030 - ReleasesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sam's getting better but his voice is still a bit hoarse as he drove the Infiniti QX60 Sport AWD. Nicole had her turn in the Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line without a turbo and was still impressed.In the news, BMW has unveiled its new i3, an all-electric 3 series, with up to 440 miles of EPA range and 400-kW charging while Rolls-Royce has decided to keep offering V12s for a while. Lexus is about to start offering its next-generation ES sedan with the battery electric version arriving before the hybrid. Carvana is expanding from used to new car sales by buying some Stellantis dealers. A couple of people with shady business records are back as Trevor Milton pitches an AI powered business jet and Malcolm Bricklin is pitching an electric 3-wheeler. Stellantis EVs can officially Supercharge now and there are rumors of a more powerful Grand Sport Corvette for 2027.LinksThe new BMW i3. Second model of the Neue Klasse.2026 LEXUS ES LAUNCHES WITH BATTERY-ELECTRIC MODELS, NEW HYBRID COMING SOONYou Can Now Buy a NEW Jeep or Ram Without Ever Stepping Foot in a Dealership: Here's How!Convicted Nikola Fraudster Trevor Milton Gets The Team Back Together For One Last Job - JalopnikStellantis EVs can officially supercharge nowBMW Will Make V12 Engines Beyond 2030Bricklin 3EV: Coming Soon? | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide®https://archive.abuelsamid.com/?p=3201Grander Than Grand? Rumors Suggest New Corvette V-8, Two 2027 C8 Grand Sport ModelsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Sam is a bit under the weather, but he talks about driving the Mazda CX-30 S Aire Edition while Nicole had the Toyota Tundra Platinum Off-Road and Robbie got to try out the Everrati Land Rover Classic.Nicole and Sam both had the chance to drive the new 2027 Kia Telluride in Santa Barbara and Hyundai looks set to follow it's Kia cousin by ditching the V6 engine. Honda has cancelled all of its North American EV plans and Afeela is probably going next. Rivian has dropped pricing on the new R2 and it's not starting as cheap as many hoped. GM steps up to help get an EV1 back on the road. VW is renaming its EVs and so is Cadillac. The FTC is warning car dealers about hidden fees, and Volvo is also dropping the EX30. We also have conversations with Zach Walker and Marc Winterhoff from Lucid and Kurt Kahl from Kia.Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.comLinks2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid First Drive: The Sweet Spot Before You Go Full EV | GreenCarshttps://www.testmiles.com/2027-kia-telluride-hybrid-more-space-better-mpg/The all-new PALISADE Performance | SUV - Hyundai WorldwideHonda Is Canceling All Its New Electric Cars For America As Gas Prices Soar - The AutopianHonda Killing Its EVs Might Mean Sony Is Screwed, Too - The AutopianRivian R2 Electric SUV: Price, Range & FeaturesGM Finally Does the Right Thing for an EV1The successor to the ID.3 is called ID.3 Neo. Digital product updates for ID.4, ID.5 and ID.7 | Volkswagen NewsroomCadillac’s Naming Convention Is Changing AgainTrump FTC warns 97 auto dealership groups about advertised prices - Automotive News.pdfVolkswagen's Component Locking Makes Home Repairs Too Expensive To Be Feasible - JalopnikFor Sale: Volvo EX30 Wheels, Never Turned - JalopnikEverratiAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Nicole tells us about driving home in a remote area of New England in the Range Rover Sport SE Dynamic while Robbie shares some thoughts on the new Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE. Sam shares thoughts on the gas guzzling Toyota Sequoia and has mixed feelings on the Polestar 4.While visiting his daughter in Denver, Sam saw one of the new Waymo Ojai robotaxis in her neighborhood. Lexus announces pricing of the new 2026 ES which will start cheaper for the electric version than the hybrid. Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh provides updates on the brand's progress toward production. Kia is dropping the EV6 GT from its US lineup and Hyundai is dropping standard versions of the Ioniq 6. Chris Fuell is out at Chrysler and replaced by Matt McAleer. Kia added a solar canopy to its West Point Georgia factory to protect cars from hail and make some power.BYD has launched a new version of its Blade battery that charges at up to 1,500-kW. Our pals at TFL have acquired a very dubious vehicle and Nicole shares thoughts on the base R/T version of the Hurricane-powered Dodge Charger. Sam recommends a croissant place in Denver.Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.comLinksWaymo robotaxis are now operating in 10 US cities | TechCrunch2026 Lexus ES Pricing Revealed, and the EV Costs Less Than the Hybrid2027 Scout Traveler and Terra Harvester EREV Details, Engine, and Launch UpdatesTariffs Just Killed the Kia EV6 GT in America - AutoblogDodge Brand CEO Matt McAlear Appointed as Chrysler Brand CEO and Head of Alfa Romeo Brand North AmericaKia Built a Massive Solar Canopy to Shield 15,000 Vehicles From HailBYD unveils Blade Battery 2.0: 10-70% in 5 mins, 10-97% in 9 mins, and 20,000 flash charging stations in 2026La Croissanterie DenverGarage Find - This Is By Far The Most Underrated 4x4 AND Now It’s Ours!Nicole Drives the 2026 Dodge Charger R/T in VermontAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy