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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #362

If there’s one thing that the Swiss people are known for, it’s having a lot of money! Which is why it is fitting that the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) would showcase some of the wackiest, most outlandish, and of course, ridiculously expensive concept cars on the planet. Reporting from Geneva, Switzerland, so we don’t have to, Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, fills us in on some of the craziest concept cars he’s witnessed. It isn’t all highfalutin dream-cars in Geneva; the Mazda CX-30, Subaru e-Boxer engine, and Honda e Prototype have much more grounded philosophies in mind. Changing gears, Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, gives us his drive review of his new Ford GT (finally!), and discusses electric vehicles and the effects of trade tariffs on the automotive industry. Next, Co-founder of  CarTender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, makes a case for electric cars and showers praise upon the 2019 Dodge Charger SXT AWD. Closing the show, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, offers her opinion about some of the strange (and amazing) designs at the Geneva Motor Show. While the Hispano Suiza Carmen and Engler F.F. Super Quad may be goofier looking than Donald Duck’s best buddy, cars like the Bugatti La Voiture Noire and Kia Imagine are inspired and beautiful.

 

• [00:00:00] Lancia Stratos and GFG Style Kangaroo
• [00:06:27] Mazda CX30 and Honda e Prototype
• [00:12:32] Subaru e-Boxer and Electric Vehicles
• [00:19:53] Electric Vehicles Just Need Good Range
• [00:28:24] Finally Behind the Wheel of the Ford GT
• [00:35:54] Tariffs Causing a Ripple Effect
• [00:42:15] Appeal of Formula E and EVs
• [00:48:28] Electric Cars: Novelty or the Future?
• [00:54:45] 2019 Dodge Charger All-Wheel Drive
• [01:02:06] Horrible Designs from Geneva Motor Show
• [01:12:39] La Voiture Noire and Mini Cooper Hybrid
• [01:18:07] Kia Imagine and VW I.D. Buggy Concepts

 

Discover more about segments and guests below…

 

[00:00:00] MAT Stratos and GFG Style Kangaroo

Another month, another car show. What makes the Geneva International Motor Show so important? Some would say that it is an industry catch all, where the most insane, high-dollar autos can be found next to the newest daily drivers. Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, tells us about the return of the Estrados, but not from Lancia. We also hear about the GFG Style Kangaroo, a new supercar that looks like the lovechild of a Bugatti and a Lamborghini, and touts a top speed of 155 MPH and an electric range of 280 miles. Listen in for more details.   

 

[00:06:27] Mazda CX-30 and Honda e Prototype

The Geneva Motor Show is home to many over-the-top concept cars and wacky vehicles, but that doesn’t mean the mainstream automakers don’t have a presence. Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, informs us on Mazda’s move to a dual numbering system for its newest model. The Mazda CX-30 is a handsome compact crossover that finds itself somewhere between the CX-3 and CX-5 in terms of size. We also hear about the Honda e Prototype, a new electric car which has the stylings of an old 70s Civic. Unfortunately for anyone interested, Honda currently has no plans to release it in the United States. Are you excited for the Mazda CX-30?

[00:12:32] Subaru e-Boxer and Electric Vehicles

The demand for all-electric vehicles is still very low, compared to internal combustion engines, but there is a case to be made for electric assisted engines. Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, praises Subaru’s new e-Boxer engine. Imagine the combination of a powerful Subaru WRX engine with the instant off-the-line torque of an electric motor. Just take a second and imagine yourself behind the wheel of that car. There, wasn’t that nice? Alan still can’t help but wonder what kind of future electric cars will have in the automotive industry at large. Tune in for Brian’s thoughts on the matter.

 

[00:19:53] Electric Vehicles Just Need Good Range

While most companies are still having trouble getting their all-electric vehicles (EVs) to appeal to a wider audience, there is one company that is doing it right. Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, discusses the success of Tesla, especially as they ramp up production, come down in price, and continue to hold their value in recent months. Another company that has been making headway in the EV market is Chevrolet. The Chevy Bolt is a very respectable all-electric ride that makes up for what it lacks in style with affordability and range. Brian thinks that this just may be the key to unlocking electric vehicles to the masses; if you bring down the price and increase the range, more people will have access to them. Is range a concern for you when thinking about electric vehicles?

 

[00:28:24] Finally Behind the Wheel of the Ford GT

It’s been in production, it’s been in the shop, but it hasn’t been on the road, until now. That’s right, we’re talking about Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer’s new Ford GT. After waiting for it’s protective cover to be successfully installed and weeks of rain, one sunny day off, Karl finally got to take his dream car on a ride. There’s just something about owning this car that makes driving it better. Karl has driven McLarens, Ferraris, and all manner of supercar, but none of them hold a candle to his Ford GT. Its precision and capabilities elevate it to a whole new plane. Hear more about Karl’s Ford GT impressions.

 

[00:35:54] Tariffs Causing a Ripple Effect

This year has not been great, so far, for the automotive industry. While most expect a slump in January and for sales to pick back up in February, the upturn did not come last month. Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, explains that this could be in-part due to the recent tariffs on imports from places like China. The automotive industry isn’t alone, Alan knows people at Craftsman who have reported difficulties in relation to the current trade war. Will these tariffs continue to cause a global ripple effect?

 

[00:42:15] Appeal of Formula E and EVs

Some automakers seem to be putting all of their eggs in one basket, banking on electric vehicles to carry them into the future. Alan just doesn’t see the appeal. Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, says there are plenty of fun things to do with EVs! If you’re a fan of racing, Formula E has been getting better and better with new battery tech. Instant torque really gets a car going fast too, which makes them tons of fun to drive. Are you a fan of electric sports cars?

[00:48:28] Electric Cars: Novelty or the Future?

Recently, London decided to commit to banning gas powered cars from their city. Will this line of thinking eventually make its way to the United States. Alan sure hopes not. Next, Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, isn’t worried about it, because who drives in large cities anyway? It’s a pain. Most people make use of public transit and Uber these days. George also dispels the fear of Tesla’s burning batteries, saying these were very isolated incidents and changes have been made to protect Tesla owners. Are electric cars the wave of the future?

[00:54:45] 2019 Dodge Charger All-Wheel Drive

As much as Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy III, appreciates electric vehicles, he still loves the throaty roar of a V8 engine. Recently, George got to drive the 2019 Dodge Charger SXT AWD and was very impressed. A comfortable, spacious interior, all-wheel drive, and a big beefy engine are all things that make George give this vehicle a thumbs up. Listen in for more about the prolific Dodge Charger.

[01:02:06] Horrible Designs from Geneva Motor Show

Watching the Geneva Motor Show from afar can be very interesting, and very frustrating, since most of these cars will never grace US soil! Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, and Alan keep tabs on some of the wacky rides coming out of Switzerland on Autoblog’s Geneva Motor Show article. One insane ride that caught their eyes was the Engler F.F. Super Quad; this vehicle touts racecar-like speeds with ATV handlebar steering, but none of the ‘modern’ safety conventions of a windshield, seatbelt, or doors. Hear what BJ and Alan thought of the Gunetta Akula, Hispano Suiza Carmen, Honda e Prototype, and Gumpert Nathalie Race.

[01:12:39] La Voiture Noire and Mini Cooper Hybrid

If any auto show were to unveil the most expensive car in history, it’d be the Geneva Motor Show. Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, was blown away by the elegant design of Bugatti’s new one-off supercar, La Voiture Noire. Six exhaust pipes, 1479-HP and 1180 lb-ft of torque, and the Bugatti name add up to roughly $18 million (after taxes), making it the most expensive new car ever. Changing gears, Alan recently drove a 2019 Mini Cooper JCW Hybrid and he was very impressed with the instantaneous ‘get-up-and-go’ that the electric motor added to the car. Are you a Mini Cooper fan?

[01:18:07] Kia Imagine and VW I.D. Buggy Concepts

The Geneva Motor Show truly has some of the most unique cars in the world. Continuing our oogle-fest, automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, fills us in on the $3 million, 1600-HP Koenigsegg Jesko, which may be in competition with John Hennessy’s Venom F5 on the way to 300 MPH. Changing gears, we learn about the Kia Imagine Concept that sports a sexy masculine stance, and the Volkswagen I.D. Buggy Concept with 200-HP and 200 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 of 7.2 seconds. Listen in to stay up to date on these amazing vehicles.

 

Explore More with Helpful Links:

• Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autorader
• Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Autotrader/ Kelley Blue Book/ Dealer.com
• Contributor: George Kennedy III | Co-founder, Cartender – Freelance Automotive Journalist, CarGurus/ Boston Globe/ U.S. News and World Report
• Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive journalist
• Website: Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS)
• Website: Tesla
• Website: Subaru e-Boxer engine
• Vehicle Mention: Mazda CX-30
• Vehicle Mention: Ford GT
• Vehicle Mention: 2019 Dodge Charger SXT AWD
• Vehicle Mention: Hispano Suiza Carmen
• Vehicle Mention: Engler F.F. Super Quad
• Vehicle Mention: Bugatti La Voiture Noire
• Vehicle Mention: Kia Imagine

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
• Dodge
• Foundation of Human Understanding
• Go RVing
• Patriot Outreach
• Shell
• Subaru
• The Little Rock Foundation

 

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