#152, Jonathan Pierce of Harman gives good sound advice

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:16 — 47.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe next time you hear the quality of the auto system in your vehicle, it’s likely Johnathan Pierce of Harman had something to do with it. Pierce, Senior Manager of Global Experiential R&D for Car Audio at Harman, leads a team of scientist and engineer colleagues. They “apply research and robust measurement techniques to further understand the relationship between an artist’s intent and listener preference.” In other words, Pierce oversees a Harman team that ensures you get what you pay for when you invest

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2020 Lexus LS 500: luxury sedans still matter

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The transportation saturation of SUVs and pickup trucks is ever-increasing. But the 2020 Lexus LS 500, the showcase vehicle in Toyota’s upscale division, is a fine reason why consumers should still consider sedans. Completely redesigned two years ago with a fifth generation, the 2020 LS 500 retains the full-size luxury sedan’s finer attributes. It combines an uber-quiet, comfortable ride, an interior designer’s finest skill and top-line technology. There’s plenty of competition. German brands Audi, BMW Mercedes-Benz and Swedish rival Volvo all attract high praise for their handsome, forward-thinking exteriors designs. But with the South Korean-made Genesis, Lexus has infiltrated the

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#151, Interstate 80 museum honors military history

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About halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco, travelers on Interstate 80 can visit an iconic brewery, renowned confectionery or an indoor-outdoor homage to military transportation within minutes. But a full day’s visit to one or any combination of the attractions is warranted. The setting is a trio of museums all located within a few-mile radius on farmland off frontage roads in Fairfield, an agricultural hub in Solano County. The Anheuser-Busch facility doesn’t have much in common with Jelly Belly or the American Armory Museum. But the latter two destinations share much. Geoff Lippman, the military museum’s general manager and curator,

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Michael Schumacher vegetative, recovery unlikely

Michael Schumacher, the legendary Formula 1 driver who has been in a coma since a 2013 skiing accident, is in a “vegetative state” and has a minimal possibility of returning. The report came from renowned neurosurgeon Erich Riederer during a documentary on French television station TMC. Riederer said Schumacher, 51, is awake but is not responding. The seven-time World Champion is breathing and his heart is beating, but the physician believes the legendary driver’s condition is “the maximum for him.” Schumacher was in a medically induced coma for six months after the head injury suffered in the Swiss Alps. He

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New Hummer EV cruises tough terrain in ‘Crab Mode’

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Could the revitalized Hummer EV get more unique than the original? Yes. How about a feature called “Crab Mode?” The soon-to-debut, all-electric Hummer EV truck will include a feature allowing the vehicle to move terrain diagonally like a sand-dwelling crustacean. Crab Mode will be enabled by the electric pickup truck’s four-wheel steering capability. Its functionality is “tailor-made for off-roading customers,” the manufacturer said. Planned for a May debut, the anticipated return of the Hummer was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hummer EV has a military heritage The odd-looking, testosterone-loaded Hummer was first marketed when AM General began selling a

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Splurging? How about a motorhome for a $1 million

If you’re in the motorhome market and have at least a million dollars to spend, consider the Perfect 1200 Platinum. Variomobil’s newest monster motorhome features a massive living space with three electro-hydraulic slide-outs. It has a symphony hall-grade audio system. It has intelligent lighting, top-line appliances. It has zero towing capacity because it can “swallow” a vehicle as large a Mercedes-AMG GT. The Perfect 1200 Platinum is manufactured by a family-owned business in Osnabrück, Germany specializing in opulent motorhomes. The new model is 39 feet long and weighs 52,000 pounds. Available furnishings and equipment include a touchscreen-controlled induction cooktop, 190-L

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Ford announces next F-150 plus first EV truck

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With several pickup trucks, including the much-touted all-electric options, competition is increasing. The Ford F-150 still rules, but the manufacturer isn’t resting on its success. As such, the production of the next generation of the popular F-150 pickup trucks series has started. The trucks will be made in the company’s Dearborn, Michigan, plant. They’re expected to go on sale in November. The launch of the country’s top-selling vehicle is “on time and on track,” said new company CEO Jim Farley. Ford will debut electric truck in 2022 The manufacturer also simultaneously announced it will join the highly competitive electric truck

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Go take a hike driving a new Winnebago

Winnebago has a new camper trailer with an unusual but appropriate name — The Hike. It’s designed for a more active consumer with an emphasis on accommodating lots of varied gear. The manufacturer is promoting The Hike as ideal for attaching to a 4×4 and with hauling kayak and bikes and heading off-road. It’s available in 20.6-foot single-axle models and 25-foot double-axle versions. An integrated rack system for bikes, paddleboards, kayaks and other recreational gear is a keen exterior feature. Gear is attached directly to the rack with ratchet straps and bungee cords. Winnebago Hike has five floor plans The

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2020 Honda Civic Si: Drive it for the fun of it

Vehicles available with manual transmissions are far removed from their dominant heydays. But consumers who still appreciate driving a stick shift shouldn’t despair. The 2020 Honda Civic Si is among 41 of 325 new models offered with a gearbox and clutch. A decade ago, 37 percent of new cars had manual transmission options. It’s now about 13 percent, including the exceedingly fun-to-drive 2020 Honda Civic Si. The 2020 Honda Civic Si is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. Images © Gretchen Gaither/2020. The Civic Si is the performance-oriented option of one of the best-selling cars in history. Available as

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Most studly truck? 15-year-old Dodge Ram SRT10

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One thing pickup truck owners universally like is power. The power to tow an RV, haul stuff, advance uphill and downhill, trek off-road. It’s what a 2006 Dodge Ram SRT10 does best. But what are the top choices for the most powerful trucks? The website hotcars.com has compiled a list and provides facts, figures and reasoning. The No. 1 vehicle on the list is the 2004-2006 Dodge Ram SRT10. It’s equipped with an 8.3-liter V10 with 500 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. The regular cab version of the SRT10 has a top

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Supercar designer Gordon Murray: McLaren F1 to GMA T.50

Gordon Murray isn’t employed as a mathematician or bariatrician. But no one in the automotive industry knows more about numbers and weight and how to make more less and less more. If less weight means more car, Murray will re-design the aluminum brake and clutch pedals and titanium gas pedal in his newest vehicle, the 2021 GMA T.50, with lattice artwork. It reduces the weight of a solid pedal design by 10.5 ounces. The T.50 name reflects more is less on several levels. The recently revealed supercar is the 50th road or racing vehicle Murray has designed. It celebrates the

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#149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 2)

The Weekly Driver Podcast debuted in September 2017. Bruce Aldrich and I had already collaborated on automotive YouTube videos and attending car shows together for several years. A podcast seemed like an ideal new creative outlet. We’re now 3-years-old and 150 episodes into our show. To celebrate the milestone, Bruce and I independently picked our five favorites episodes. And we discuss them in a double presentation on Episodes #149 and #150. The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years Bruce actually picked six episodes. And among our combined 11 favorites, only one overlapped. We both selected artist Chris Miller. An article

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#149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 1)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:24 — 37.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe Weekly Driver Podcast debuted in September 2017. Bruce Aldrich and I had already been working together on automotive YouTube videos and attending car shows together for several years. A podcast seemed like an ideal new creative outlet. We’re now 3-years-old and 150 episodes into our show. To celebrate the milestone, Bruce and I independently picked our five favorites episodes. And we discuss them in a double presentation on Episodes #149 and #150. The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years Bruce actually picked six

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Deals aplenty available on new 2019 trucks

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Consumers considering buying a pickup should consider new 2019 trucks nearly two nearly years old. The reason: The COVID-19 pandemic stalled production of 2020 models for manufacturers and resulted in the temporary closing of “brick-and-mortar” dealerships. Sales suffered and deals are prevalent. Within two months of the economic downturn, inventory for 2019 trucks and cars increased nearly exponentially. RELATED CONTENT Pickup trucks not perfect but 5 make safety priority Pickup trucks, SUVs rule global market New Ram 1500 pickup truck fastest ever According to iSeeCars.com, the online automotive search engine and research website based in Woburn, Mass., there’s a 10.8

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2020 Aston Martin Vantage: James Bond sports car cool

The video is in black-and-white, the quality marginal, the premise pure action and preposterous fantasy. But it’s James Bond driving an Aston Martin DB5 in the movie Goldfinger, and after 56 years it’s still fun to watch. Perhaps only equaled in brand association by Volkswagen in the hippie movement, Aston Martin is secret agent 007’s getaway car. James Bond, played by Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, drove many other vehicles during the series’ 25 films. None represent the character’s automotive prowess more than his Aston Martin chase scenes throughout the years. The latest film “No Time To Die,” was delayed

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Covid-19 postpones LA Auto Show until May 2021

The LA Auto Show is annually held in November, but it’s the first major national showcase for new models of cars, trucks and sometimes campers and motorhomes. The show must go on, but it won’t be as planned because of Covid-19. Like of auctions, motorsports events and various regional auto shows, L.A. Auto organizers have rescheduled the event until next May. The show’s original dates were Nov. 20-29. And like other events, the event was rescheduled event because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Memorial Day weekend is a fantastic time for enhanced outdoor activations and product debuts. The LA weather creates

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