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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | #341

Monterey Car Week is fast approaching and promises to bring us the sexiest, classiest, hottest cars of the year in a slew of amazing events. First, Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock of JoshCAR, is working on the upcoming Quentin Tarantino film starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.” Allegedly, production crews shut down seven blocks of Hollywood Boulevard for five days for a practical effect film shoot for the movie. Josh reveals his favorite part of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – the classics! Also, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is an impressive, relatively inexpensive luxury SUV, but Josh thinks most of what is found in this machine could be accomplished in a sedan. Then, Motorz TV host, Chris Duke, shares his experiences at the Craftsman Launch event, including finally meeting Chip Foose, racing go-karts against Ryan Preece, Erik Jones, Richie Crampton, and Wayne Carini. Switching gears, Chris Duke lets us know about his new project for Motorz TV – a Chevrolet C10. Next, Fisker Inc. Chairman and CEO, Henrik Fisker, divulges what he can about the projects he’s working on. While most details are still under wraps, we glean details about the new all-electric shuttle, Fisker’s new high-volume, affordable electric vehicle, and partnerships he has in the works. To close the show, Kelley Blue Book’s Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, discusses what most excites him about Monterey Car Week, including Ford’s announcement of their next heritage model and $40-50+ million Ferrari 250 GTO. Changing lanes, Karl Brauer explains how Kelley Blue Book can provide such accurate values on cars of all makes and models using data that they pull from public auction results, dealer auctions, dealer-to-individual sales, and the information provided to them by Cox Automotive Group. Karl also got to drive the 2018 McLaren 720S and was blown away by how well they were able to balance performance with comfort – no car can do both as well as the McLaren 720S. Are you ready for Monterey Car Week?

 

• [00:00:00] Once Upon A Time
• [00:06:25] 2018 Mercedes GLE SUV
• [00:12:31] Craftsman Launch Event
• [00:19:52] Go-Kart Races at Craftsman Launch
• [00:28:26] Go-Kart Workout and New Craftsman Tools
• [00:35:53] New Motorz Project: Chevrolet C10
• [00:42:14] Catching Up With Fisker
• [00:48:36] Solid State EV Future
• [00:54:45] Part Sharing Is Caring
• [01:02:06] Fisker Appreciation and Musk Woes
• [01:10:43] Monterey Car Week On the Horizon
• [01:18:07] 2018 McLaren 720S

 

Discover more about segments and guests below…

 

[00:00:00] Once Upon A Time

Alan previews what’s in store for this edition of THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor. We catch up with Henrik Fisker about projects he has in the works, chat with Karl Brauer about the 2018 McLaren 720s, and get a teaser of Monterey Car Week events including Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Then, Josh Hancock, Hollywood Car Consultant at JoshCAR divulges details about Quentin Tarantino’s new movie, “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood”, starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film will feature full practical effects (no CGI) shot in film on the streets of Hollywood. In fact, seven blocks of Hollywood Boulevard were shut down for five days to film scenes on location (something that hasn’t been done for a long time). Tune in for more details on Quentin Tarantino’s latest all-star murder mystery thriller.

 

[00:06:25] 2018 Mercedes GLE

JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, plans to drive a Black Label Lincoln Continental to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this weekend, and shares what he’s most looking forward to at the prominent event, the concept cars! Before we dream about the beautiful rides gracing the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, we turn our attention to one of Josh’s recent test drive experiences with the 2018 Mercedes GLE. Josh was thoroughly impressed by the ‘big midsize’ SUV. Heavy luxury vehicles are trending with buyers, and the GLE is no slouch.  Josh comments that the GLE is, “an awful lot of machine that you could accomplish in a sedan.” While inexpensive for a luxury SUV, a class of vehicle that often sees price tags reaching the $100k mark, the $63k equipped price is still quite the expenditure. Will you find yourself in the new 2018 Mercedes GLE?

 

[00:12:31] Craftsman Launch Event

Alan and Motorz TV host, Chris Duke, recently attended the Craftsman Launch event to get a first look at their new line of tools. While Craftsman is putting out 1200 new tools, all made in America, it was their newly upgraded 20v batteries that caught  Alan’s attention. The old battery powered drills used 19.2v, and one might think that with such a seemingly slight upgrade wouldn’t yield much of a power increase, but boy would they be wrong. When you pull the trigger on these new drills, you feel the difference. Learn how Stanley Black and Decker is committed to making every brand under their belt the best they can be, including Craftsman.

 

[00:19:52] Go-Kart Races at Craftsman Launch

What do you get when a 175-year-old company purchases a 90-year-old company? A much-improved Craftsman, that’s what! Motorz TV’s Chris Duke and Alan Taylor were emcees in Baltimore for the Craftsman Launch event August 16th and got to talk to some great influencers, but that wasn’t all they did. Chris shares a story about his go-kart races against Ryan Preece and Eric Jones of Joe Gibbs racing, NHRA Top Fuel Star, Richie Crampton, and master car restorer, Wayne Carini. Needless to say, Chris didn’t win. Would you race against NASCAR and NHRA racers?

 

[00:28:26] Go-Kart Workout and New Craftsman Tools

Racing Go-Karts is much tougher than it may sound. With a grip of death, frantic blindspot checking, and full-body muscle tension, Motorz TV’s Chris Duke got himself a workout on the track against Ryan Preece and Eric Jones of Joe Gibbs racing, NHRA Top Fuel Star, Richie Crampton, and master car restorer, Wayne Carini. “That wasn’t the hardest part,” Chris tells us, “After that, I had to talk to 50 or so influencers on stage!” Next, Chris gives us his top picks of the 1200+ new products from Craftsman, including the V20, V40, and V60 batteries. The V60 is a particularly massive, lunchbox-sized battery, able to power a huge assortment of equipment. The V60 Lawn Mower was another one of Chris’ favorites, making use of the V60 battery to get up and go. They also used the V60 battery on gas-powered lawn mowers as an alternative to the traditional pull-string starter. Which new Craftsman products are you looking forward to?

 

[00:35:53] New Motorz Project: Chevrolet C10

Chris Duke is on the hunt for a Chevrolet C10 for his upcoming season of Motorz TV. With an eye for the classics, he was hoping to get his hands on an ‘87 Chevy C10, but has not been able to find anything in southern California. Luckily, after following and researching a host of C10 builders, Britt of Rust Speed Shop offered up his expertise on ‘67-’72 Chevy C10s and a good ole’ project truck he happened to have laying around. Chris plans to help Britt rebuild this C10 partially at his shop, and then move it to San Diego where he will film a multi-episode series on the history surrounding the C10 and why it is such a big deal. Also, Alan’s next segment on Motorz, which will be part of Drive Towards a Cure for Parkinson’s. Do you share Chris’ love for the Chevrolet C10?

 

[00:42:14] Catching Up With Fisker

Ever since the failure of Fisker Automotive and successive purchasing of the company by the Wanxiang Group, Henrik Fisker has stayed off the radar, but he has not been idle. Calling in from the cockpit of his Fisker Karma, we chat with the legendary automotive designer about some projects he has in the works like an autonomous, all-electric shuttle, an unannounced high volume vehicle, a solid-state battery, and their partnership with Berlin-based, Motech Ventures. Find out what is in store for Fisker, Inc.

 

[00:48:36] Solid State EV Future

Currently, most manufacturers still use lithium-ion batteries to power their EV fleets, but how long will the dominance of this outdated tech last? Henrik Fisker divulges that Fisker, Inc. is ahead of the curve; their CTO is one of the first people in the world to work on solid-state batteries. Due to its solid state (hence the name), the problematic liquid electrolyte isn’t present, which is the main reason lithium-ion batteries combust. Fisker says it’s important for them to be on the cutting edge of technology and they hope to have this technology in production vehicles by 2020. Although this is just an estimate, Fisker is impressed with the results they’ve had so far. Solid state batteries have the potential to yield twice the power at half the price. Keep an eye out for solid state battery-powered vehicles in the future.

 

[00:54:45] Part Sharing Is Caring

There is no questioning Henrik Fisker’s prowess as an automotive designer. The Fisker Karma is an elegant four-door machine, but how will this elegance make its way to the garage of the work-a-day Joe?  While details about their new, affordable electric vehicle (EV) are still under the veil, Fisker can share his intentions for the future. It’s clear that EVs need to be more affordable and to do this, Fisker believes the vehicles and parts must be produced in high volume. To this end, Fisker has made an agreement with a large OEM about sharing his parts to get them produced at a much higher volume and lower cost. Fisker predicts that sharing parts will be the big thing in the next automotive generation; as car manufacturers homogenize, OEMs need to focus their efforts for individuality in a new direction. What makes a car special to you?

 

[01:02:06] Fisker Appreciation and Musk Woes

Karl Brauer from Kelley Blue Book takes a moment to gush over Henrik Fisker’s contributions to automotive design including iconic vehicles like the BMW Z8 and now renamed Karma Revero. We also chat about the recent problems Elon Musk and Tesla have experienced. From Ambien use, Tesla Model 3 production issues, and stock market woes, Musk has been having a rough time over the past few months. Karl muses that Elon Musk needs to find the Pepper to his Iron Man or the Robin to his Batman if Tesla is to survive. Do you think Tesla will prevail?

 

[01:10:43] Monterey Car Week On the Horizon

Monterey Car Week is closing in with great events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance are on the horizon. Kelley Blue Book Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, shares his excitement for Ford’s announcement of their next heritage model; he assumes is the Ford GT 40 MK Gulf #9 which won Le Mans in 1969 will be named. Also, the most expensive car in history could be auctioned off during Monterey Car Week. Karl gives us the details on a Ferrari 250 GTO which could cross the block with a hefty price tag as high as$50million! As we approach the most elegant week of the year for the car hobby, find out what has Karl tingling with anticipation.

 

[01:18:07] 2018 McLaren 720s

Everyone goes to Kelley Blue Book to determine their car’s value, but how does KBB know what our cars are worth? Kelley Blue Book’s Karl Brauer explains that they base their values on a massive level of data including public auction results, dealer auctions, and dealer-to-private individual sales (and that was before they were purchased by Cox Automotive Group). Now they have even MORE data to pull from. Then, Karl can’t wait to share his recent test drive results for the 2018 McLaren 720s with 720 HP, 217 MPH top speed, and a gorgeous exterior design. This machine has luxury, comfort, and speed. You may find cars that are faster on the track or more comfortable in the cabin, but you’d be hard pressed to find any vehicle that does both as well as the 2018 McLaren 720s. Starting at $280k and going up to $340k with all the bells and whistles, this car is definitely priced for luxury. What do you think of the 2018 McLaren 720s?

 

Explore More with Helpful Links:

• Contributor: Josh Hancock | Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen’s Biography
• Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Kelley Blue Book
• Contributor: Chris Duke | Host, Motorz TV
• Special Guest: Henrik Fisker | Chairman and CEO, Fisker, Inc.
• Website: JoshCAR
• Website: Motorz TV
• Website: Fisker, Inc.
• Website: Kelley Blue Book
• Website: Craftsman
• Event: Craftsman Launch
• Event: Monterey Car Week
• Vehicle Mention: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV
• Vehicle Mention: Ford GT Supercar
• Vehicle Mention: 2018 McLaren 720S

Episode Credits:

• Program Host: Alan Taylor
• Producer: Dave Milligan
• Production Assistant: Joanne Bolden
• Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
• Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

• Austin Hatcher Foundation
• Barrett-Jackson
• Brembo
• Bridgestone
• Craftsman
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Go RVing
• KIA
• Patriot Outreach
• Shell
• Subaru

 

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