2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S: Beautiful, Expensive Beast

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Not too many years ago, the term “four-door sports car” rattled automotive purists. It’s now part of the accepted lexicon only to be replaced with the latest oddity, “supercar luxury family sports sedan.” A few abound including the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S. The addition to the German stalwart manufacturer began as a 2016 model as a two-seat coupe. But a convertible and four-door sedan are now offered. The niche of niche segments also includes the Audi S7 and RS 7, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe and the Porsche Panamera.   For 2021 (2022 models are

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Hydrogen Highway goes awry in Hyundai Nexo

About 55 years ago, the Chevrolet Electrovan debuted as the first modern hydrogen-powered vehicle. It weighed 7,100 pounds. It had a top speed of 70 miles per hour, a milestone achieved in an eternity of 30 seconds. The vehicle was scrapped not too long after its short life only in General Motors’ testing facilities. The Electrovan had a 150-mile range but its alternative fuel was expensive. And its large carrying containers, positioned behind the middle bench seat, didn’t define automotive safety. Not much in the technology’s sustainable future occurred for nearly a half-century. Hydrogen cars most prevalent in California Now,

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#208, 2021 LA Auto Show debrief, hydrogen woes, new RV

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:32 — 46.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAfter a 10-day public run and a two-day media preview, the LA Auto Show ended Nov. 28. It was the industry’s first major show since the beginning of the Covid-1 pandemic. The Weekly Driver Podcast was on site to take in the sights and sounds. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I drove from Sacramento to Los Angeles round-trip in a 2020 Hyundai Nexo. Despite being two years old, the hydrogen-propelled SUV had been driven only about 1,500 miles. We added another 900 miles, give or

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A Simple Guide For Purchasing A New Motorcycle

Buying a new motorcycle can be exhilarating. But it can also be an overwhelming process without proper guidance. Many factors need to be considered and you may not know where to start. But don’t fret. Here’s a practical guide on how to purchase a new motorcycle: Select A Dealership When you decided to purchase a motorcycle, determine where you’re going to buy it and its price. The purchase will likely be from a dealership like the official BMW motorcycle dealership to an online marketplace like Craigslist. But it’s paramount to consider the reputation, reliability and overall service of dealerships or

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Holiday gifts for drivers, car-camping mattresses to kayaks

Stranded travelers forced to sleep in their cars many experience wondrous spirit-of-the-adventure memories. They might also endure near catastrophes best forgotten. Luno believes its car air mattresses add joy to the appeal of “roughing it.”   Air mattress options suitable for 42 car brands and in more than 2,000 configurations are the company’s forte. Luno started about five years ago when company founders decide to save money while skiing on Mammoth Mountain. They slept in their Subaru in makeshift accommodations. Holiday Gifts For Drivers: Car-Camping An idea was born: To make the next car-camping trip more comfortable with high-end comfort.

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#204, New Book: The Checkered Past of Al Unser Jr.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:44 — 42.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAl Unser Jr., born into one of motorsports’ most prominent racing families, won the Indianapolis 500 twice and two IndyCar Championships. But he was also troubled. Unser abused alcohol and drugs and it destroyed a marriage. Friendships ended and he was arrested multiple times for drunken driving and domestic violence. Unser’s struggles and his winding road in recovery is the subject of the new book, “A Checkered Past.” Al Unser Jr.: A Story To Tell The race car driver, recently re-married, tells his story

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Toyota no longer king of the green car industry

It’s hard to believe that Toyota, the automaker behind the hugely successful hybrid-electric Prius, is no longer viewed as the green car industry leader. According to Danny Magill, an analyst at the London-based think tank InfluenceMap, Toyota has gone from a leading position to an “industry laggard” in clean-car policy as other automakers push ahead with ambitious electric vehicle (EV) plans. InfluenceMap gives Toyota a “D-” grade—the worst among automakers—saying it exerts policy influence to undermine public climate goals. While companies like Tesla have produced fully electric cars now part of the EV rage, Toyota, focusing on gas-electric hybrids and

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Concept cars: back to the future again — maybe

Concept cars, also called prototypes, are showcased at auto shows to test media and public interest. The idea began in 1938 with the Buick Y-Job, a specialty vehicle presented as a vision of how future cars might look in 20 years. The idea of forecasting the automotive future stuck. Nearly 85 years later the practice remains, including during the LA Auto Show. Its 10-day run, the show’s first edition since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ends today at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Themes presented in concepts change. Sometimes a one-off creation is so bizarre its only job is

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#207, Live at the LA Auto Show: Back to the Future, Maybe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:39 — 35.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe LA Auto Show advanced to the second and final media day Thursday and The Weekly Driver Podcast was back in the vehicle showcase halls at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It was a day for a visit back to the future — maybe. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia visited with representatives from a variety of concept vehicles, some from established manufacturers, others from new carmakers. As in previous years, concept cars showcased at the LA Auto Show are tentative at best. None

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#206, Live from the LA Auto Show; It’s Electric

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:28 — 36.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe 2021 LA Auto Show media days began Wednesday, Nov. 17, marking the first major automotive show of the season after a two-year COVID-19 pandemic. The Weekly Driver Podcast was in attendance for the first of our daily episodes. A few minutes after the show opened, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia visited various halls at the Los Angeles Convention Center. We viewed the new models of legacy brands, Ford to Chevrolet, Honda to Chrysler. And we viewed a slew of current and pending

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Ford goes retro with zero-emissions F-100 pickup truck

What once was old is new is old again — the Ford F-100 Eluminator pickup truck. The automotive industry best-selling truck manufacturer recently announced the concept — a zero-tailpipe-emissions. demonstration truck. It’s powered by the new Ford Performance Parts Eluminator electric crate motor customers can now buy online. Based on a heritage 1978 F-100 pickup, the F-100 Eluminator concept features all-wheel-drive via two electric motors shared with the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Two electric traction motors drive the front and rear wheels, packing 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque. Ford F-100: The Past Is The Present The

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NVIDIA reveals AI solutions including autonomous driving

During the recent GTC Fall 21 keynote address this morning, NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang announced industry-transforming AI and accelerated computing solutions to address the world’s toughest problems, including autonomous driving for tomorrow’s car. Here are the highlights of the address: Omniverse Replicator for DRIVE Sim – An engine for generating synthetic data with ground truth to train AV perception networks. Synthetic data has proven to be an incredibly effective tool in accelerating AV development. Now using Omniverse Replicator, DRIVE Sim produces hard/impossible ground truth that humans can’t label, such as velocity, depth, occlusion, severe weather conditions and edge

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2022 Genesis GV70: An SUV star is born

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Nearly 20 small luxury crossover sport utility vehicles are available in 2022 models — Acura to BMW, Infiniti to Mercedes-Benz. All simultaneously have unique and shared traits. The names change; the vehicles often don’t. Further, there’s no exact definition of what makes an SUV or any other car achieve luxury status. The luxury tagline is used to define vehicles offering better performance, plush interiors made with high-end material as well as top-line safety and advanced technology features. The luxury definition was once reserved for luxury-only brands, namely German stalwarts. Several manufacturers, some formerly consider economy-based, have changed the dynamic. Still,

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#205, 2021 LA Auto Show back with electric vibe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:04 — 50.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAfter one delay and one cancellation, the LA Auto Show is back for the first time in two years. Like many businesses, the automotive industry has suffered. But its first major auto show since the Covid-19 pandemic began will be held Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. David Fortin, Head of Consumer Marketing for the event, is our guest on Episode #205 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Fortin the pending show and the expected

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4 Vital Steps To Take After A Car Accident

It’s common for drivers to be distracted when using their cellphones or listening to music. Inclement weather and poor road conditions also contribute to car accidents. If you’re involved in an accident, stay calm. First, determine if you and your passengers are safe before thinking about calling anyone or exchanging information with other drivers. When an accident occurs, here are four priorities: Exchange Information With The Other Party Car accidents can be stressful and confusing. It’s vital you take a few minutes to reduce your stress level. If the severity of the accident warrants, call your car accident lawyer, and

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#203, PitStopConnect.com helps predict, prevent auto tragedy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:39 — 28.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBen Auslander, vice president of sales and marketing for PitStopConnect.com, is enthusiastic about all things related to predictive analytics in automobiles. And he has been for a long time. Auslander, our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast, worked on the GM Onstar program for more than 12 years. He helped launch VW’s connected car program in North America. He also worked for Charge Point as its Automotive Director. Pitstopconnect.com sees the driving future “It’s allowed me to see and understand a broader

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