Unnamed Automotive Podcast

Is the world ready for a version of the Nissan GT-R that costs over $200,000? Guest Chad Kirchner explains why the NISMO makes sense - and who it makes sense to - after driving the automaker's most expensive sports car to date. Benjamin relates his experiences with the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550, the first re-design of the boxy G-Class in decades, and argues with Sami about whether it truly has a place in this world. Finally, the three engage in a spirited debate about where, exactly, the 2019 Jeep Gladiator fits in the existing mid-size pickup truck hierarchy.Links: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 Review — How much are you willing to pay to be different? That’s the question that the excellent, and over-qualified 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 asks luxury SUV buyers. Slab-sided styling and go-anywhere off-road capability are major standouts in its segment, but few will actually need the extras offered by one of the last rugged overlanders left on the premium market. On The Road: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 — For the 2019 model year, Mercedes-Benz finally elected to update the G-Class—the only member of its current lineup still riding on a platform brought to life via slide-rules and long-division rather than the fully-digital design environments now commonplace throughout the industry.

When a Japanese company pays for a Germany automaker to build its flagship sports car, and then lets it sell a more powerful roadster version of its own, Benjamin is there to try to make sense of it all. The 2020 BMW Z4 M40i turns out to be more impressive than inspected after a week together on the road. Sami follows up with a comparison test between the 2019 Toyota Corolla sedan versus the 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan. Has Toyota finally caught up to its Korean rival?Links: 2020 BMW Z4 Review — Comfortable and stylish, the 2020 BMW Z4 M40i might not be a pure sports car, but it’s an excellent open-top tourer, and that’s OK. Those looking for a more focussed performance experience will want to keep shopping, while the rest of the fun-in-the-sun roadster crowd should find plenty to love about the mightiest Z4.

Benjamin's love for the BMW M850i is no secret - but when the roof gets sliced off, will his heart stay true? A week in the 2019 BMW M850i Cabriolet has a surprise ending that leaves Sami shocked. The pair then go on to discuss Sami's time in the 2019 Honda Passport, and debate whether anyone is really heading down to their local Honda dealer to pick up an off-road capable SUV.

What's it like to sample a fleet of museum-quality Lexus classics? Sami finds out after spending a few days in Costa Rica with the original LS, RX, SC, and more. He also pilots the refreshed 2020 Lexus RX and makes the startling discovery that its infotainment system might actually now be on par with the rest of its luxury rivals. Benjamin, on the other hand, is filled with anguish and despair after enduring hundreds of miles behind the wheel of a rental Fiat 500X while driving through the French countryside.

It's a battle of the turbocharged V6 engines as Sami discovers something old and something new while comparing the 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class against the 2019 Audi A6. Benjamin discovers that a week with an old friend leaves him feeling more sad than energized after driving the DSG-equipped 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit edition. Has the Veloster N broken his brain?

Do you need an SUV that can bounce itself out of the snow or mud? Sami tries to answer that question, and more, with his in-depth review of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Meanwhile, Benjamin counters with the one Ford Mustang model the pair had yet to drive: the GT Performance Pack 1.

Is the Autostadt the German Disneyworld for Volkswagen fans? After spending a day there, Benjamin certainly thinks so, and he goes into detail about VW's unusual theme park for gearheads. He also gets some wheel time with the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon. Sami continues his campaign for Korean supremacy as he is wow by his experience with the 2020 Kia Telluride full-size SUV.Links: A Visual Tour of VW’s Autostadt, an Amusement Park for Car Nerds — Since “car city” opened its 69-acre spread in the year 2000, 2.6 million Volkswagen customers have picked up their new car there, and that’s not counting the millions more who have visited even though they haven’t bought anything. What draws so many to this enormous facility snugged right next to the VW mothership, the largest automobile factory in Europe? We visited the Autostadt, cameras in tow, to give you a better idea of its charms.

How much do the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the 2019 Porsche Macan S luxury SUVs have in common? Sami travels to Germany and Newfoundland, for some reason, to sample these two refreshed models. Meanwhile, Benjamin sticks closer to home to spend a week with the 2019 Toyota CH-R - an SUV that doesn't quite live up to the anticipation.

What change have been made to the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350? Is it still the king of pony-land? Chad Kirchner guest hosts on the show to give his perspective after taking the new GT350 to the track. Sami and Benjamin discuss their time in the 2019 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack 1 and 2 cars to see just how well they compare against the road course chops of the Shelby.

Benjamin falls in love with the rowdy 2019 Hyundai Veloster N, and is convinced it's the most fun hot hatch on the market. Sami thinks Benjamin might be crazy. The pair also discuss the future of the N Performance brand, and what vehicles might be ripe for their own N treatment.

When is a style icon just another four-door coupe? When it's the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, according to Sami after a weary week together with this in-betweener. Benjamin has a better time with the Sky One-Touch convertible version of the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle that tries to be the best of both worlds to soft-top and hardtop lovers. Finally, Benjamin challenges Sami to a weird car name lightning round.

Will the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC have what it takes to unseat the Tesla Model X, the Audi e-tron, and the Jaguar i-Pace? Sami has the scoop after spending a couple days behind the wheel of the latest German electric car under dreary Norwegian skies. Benjamin's week is a little sunnier, as he samples the 2019 Lexus UX and discovers that the Japanese automaker has been smart when shrinking down its luxury formula. Finally, Benjamin relates two shocking tales of mechanical woe from his most recent Datsun track adventures.

Is the 2020 Toyota Supra just as good the second time around? After a full day at Summit Motorsports Park - and a fair bit of street driving - Sami spills the beans on his Supra secrets. Benjamin goes in a family-friendly direction with the 2019 Cadillac XT5, a handsome SUV that might just be a little too expensive if you get crazy with the options.

Is the 2019 Genesis G70 the real sports sedan deal not just on the track, but in the day-to-day? Benjamin certainly thinks so after spending a week behind the wheel of the turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 model - even after having sampled the completely-redesigned BMW 3 Series the week before. Sami gets to the bottom of whether the 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback has a chance at toppling the excellent Honda Civic hatch, just before the pair segue into the death of a longtime five-door friend of the show, the Volkswagen Golf.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series has been completely redesigned in a bid to capture past driving glory. Benjamin spends a week behind the wheel of the 330i xDrive to discover what's good and what's still so-so about the German automaker's sales leader. Sami pits another all-new sedan - the 2019 Nissan Altima AWD - against a perennial favorite in the 2019 Honda Accord 1.5T and isn't nearly as impressed. The pair wrap things up with an update on Benjamin's Jeep Grand Wagoneer project, and what happens when you turn to the internet underground to try to by some tapes for your truck, man.