Auto News, Subaru ST209, Brembo Red, Hyundai, Car Reviews

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At the recent Motor Press Guild Drive Day event, they held a benefit for a journalist that was hit by a drunk driver. This reminds us how important it is to spread awareness about drinking and driving, and now texting and driving as well! Do NOT drink or text and drive, it isn’t just your life on the line. First up, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, shares his anti-drunk driving sentiments with Alan, and then reviews the Ford Explorer ST that he drove recently. We also talk about up-and-coming Netflix car shows like Hyperdrive, and Kevin Hart’s wreck. Then, Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, re-reviews the Hyundai Kona after getting to drive it in an urban environment – yep, this thing is still impressively equipped for $28,000. Also, Hyundai has decided to pack more value into their cars with a center console airbag, designed to keep front seat passengers and drivers from bonking heads in the event of a side impact collision. Next up, Motorsports Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, gets pumped up for his upcoming Dodge Charger Widebody test drive and reviews the Subaru ST209. Then, we get a motorsports update on the world of IndyCar and NASCAR. Closing out the show, President and CEO of Brembo North America, Dan Sandberg, tells us about his podcast, Brembo Red, where he chats with industry experts and celebrities about their lives and experiences – with the occasional Brembo plug. When you work for the best brake company in the world, it’s tough not to try to work it into the conversation; but what makes Brembo the best? Well, tune in to find out why everyone from prolific manufacturers to cutting edge Formula E racers trust Brembo to stop their cars on a dime.

·[00:00:00] Don’t Drink or Text and Drive!
·[00:06:05] Ford Explorer ST and RAM 1500
·[00:12:30] Netflix Car Shows and Kevin Hart Wreck
·[00:19:51] Hyundai Kona is Feature Packed for 28k
·[00:29:38] Hyundai Adds Center Console Airbag
·[00:35:53] Buying Distractions and GM Strike
·[00:42:13] Upcoming Dodge Charger Widebody Test
·[00:48:07] Subaru ST209 Rips Up the Track
·[00:54:44] Ganassi Ford GT, IndyCar, NASCAR Update
·[01:02:04] Brembo Red – A Car Guy’s Podcast
·[01:10:33] Why Nothing Matches Brembo Brakes
·[01:18:06] High Tech Brembo Brakes for Formula E

[00:00:00] Don’t Drink or Text and Drive!
The recent Motor Press Guild Drive Day event held a benefit for a journalist that was hit by a drunk driver. They raised money, and more importantly brought awareness to the rampant issue of drinking and driving. Alan brings awareness to another issue: texting and driving! JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, is appalled by the idea that people think they have the right to put other peoples lives in danger through their own bad decisions. Don’t drink or text and drive! There’s more at stake than just your life.

[00:06:05] Ford Explorer ST and RAM 1500
As an Oregon resident, you’d think Alan would know what the best selling vehicle in the state is, right? Well, you’d be wrong. Do you know what the best selling vehicle in Oregon is? A Subaru Outback would be a healthy guess, or a Ford F-150, but you’d also be wrong. It turns out that Oregonian’s really love the RAM 1500, as do Arizona, Montana, and Nevada residents. In addition to this factoid, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, also attempts to fill us in on the Ford Explorer ST that he recently drove before getting derailed. Tune in to hear another round of epic Josh and Alan debauchery.

[00:12:30] Netflix Car Shows and Kevin Hart Wreck
Netflix has been leading the way recently in automotive themed television series. JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, discusses the new, as-yet unnamed Netflix scripted comedy series about a NASCAR crew chief starring Kevin James. Josh also gushes about the new Netflix show that has been making big waves in the car hobby, Hyperdrive. Changing topics, we chat about Kevin Hart’s car accident in his new Cuda – don’t worry everyone, he’s fine! Tune in to learn more.

[00:19:51] Hyundai Kona is Feature Packed for 28k
Automotive journalist, BJ Killeen, recently got to take another drive in the Hyundai Kona, but this time she got to ride around the streets of LA, rather than Kona, Hawaii. This ‘cute-ute’ as she calls it, or ‘cute utility vehicle’, starts around $20,000 and has 5 different trim levels. BJ tested the top level trim, which still came in at only $28,000, and was blown away by the amount of features Hyundai packed into the Kona for such a bargain price. The EV iterations of the Kona can see you spending more around $36,000 to $44,000, though. Tune in to find out why BJ loves the Hyundai Kona.

[00:29:38] Hyundai Adds Center Console Airbag
The way cars are designed these days with 10 airbags, you’ll die of suffocation before you die in a crash. Yet, that still wasn’t enough airbags for one car company. Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, explains why Hyundai decided to add a center console airbag. When getting hit in a side collision, drivers and front passengers often knock noggins, and the inclusion of this airbag will help reduce the occurrence of head trauma in relation to these incidents.

[00:35:53] Buying Distractions and GM Strike
Alan has been on a Mercedes-Benz bargain shopping spree to appease his wife’s SUV fever. But any old SUV won’t do, she wants a NEW Kia Telluride! Alan and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, chat about the minor repair work that Alan has had done on his new Mercedes purchases, and the higher than anticipated bill that came with it. Shifting gears, BJ fills us in on the General Motors worker strike situation. Get caught up on the news, listen in.

[00:42:13] Upcoming Dodge Charger Widebody Test
The life of an automotive journalist is filled with rewarding experiences, like test driving the latest and greatest cars! Motorsports Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, shares his excitement about his upcoming test drive of the new Dodge Charger Hellcat Widebody on the Sonoma Raceway in California. Another test drive on Steve’s schedule that really has him jazzed is the new Chevrolet Corvette C8 on the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Tune in to hear what Steve has planned for these awesome rides.

[00:48:07] Subaru ST209 Rips Up the Track
Motorsports Journalist, Steven Cole Smith, isn’t just test some awesome, high power cars in the future, he actually has a review of a spunky, limited run track car from Subaru. Steve had the honor of testing out the Subaru ST209 recently and found it really interesting. Subaru is turning their STI brand into its own division, charged with executing awesome performance vehicles. This ST209 will only be a limited run of 209 cars, but all 209 of those cars will ship to the U.S.; but with 600+ dealers across the United States, we wonder how they will choose where they go. Based on the Subaru WRX STI, this peaky, loud, rough riding 2L turbo makes 341 HP and gives a very visceral, responsive track experience. Tune in to learn more about this fun track car.

[00:54:44] Ganassi Ford GT, IndyCar, NASCAR Update
Things are looking good in the world of IndyCar racing. As TV ratings maintain good standing, they’ve got some good momentum going into the next year. Motorsports Journalist, Steven Cole Smith, gives us the motorsports update, filling us in on the happenings in IndyCar, NASCAR, and drag racing. Also, we learn about the Ganassi IMSA Ford GT invite at which ford let some writers take control of the powerful vehicle at Virginia National Raceway. Tune in to find out more.

[01:02:04] Brembo Red – A Car Guy’s Podcast
As anyone who pays attention to performance car parts knows, if you want stopping power to go with your horsepower, you need Brembo Brakes. President and CEO, Dan Sandberg, chats about how busy Brembo keeps him traveling around the world, and why he has his own Brembo podcast. They first started Brembo Red to get feedback from the customers (race car drivers, famous builders, auto manufacturers) and they ended up with some amazing interviews. With guests like Wayne Carini, Jay Leno, and more, you can’t miss Brembo Red – it’s a car guy’s podcast. Check it out now.

[01:10:33] Why Nothing Matches Brembo Brakes
If you want to keep your family as safe as possible, if you want to stop on a dime, if you’re a professional racer, you need Brembo brakes on your car. Sure, other brakes exist, but no one is as trusted to provide the highest quality, most cutting edge, technologically advanced brakes on the market for fair prices. President and CEO, Dan Sandberg, says there’s a reason everyone from GM, to Lamborghini, to your average trucker trust in Brembo. Listen in to find out more.

[01:18:06] High Tech Brembo Brakes for Formula E
When your products are as good as Brembo’s, you don’t need to do much advertising – your customers find you! President and CEO of Brembo Brakes North America, Dan Sandberg, discusses how Brembo became the exclusive brake for Formula E racing. When you’ve got the insane torque and acceleration of performance electric vehicles, you need the insane stopping power of Brembo brakes to come to a safe stop. Formula E cars are notoriously heavy, so in an effort to reduce overall weight, Brembo has designed a new braking caliper using computer analysis and algorithms to minimize weight and maximize efficiency. Tune in to learn more about the Diadema calipers.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: Josh Hancock | Hollywood Car Consultant, JoshCAR

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist

·Contributor: Steven Cole Smith | Motorsports Journalist, Autoweek/ Automobile Magazine/ Grassroots Motorsports

·Contributor: Dan Sandberg | President/ CEO, Brembo Brakes North America

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Contributor: Josh Hancock
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Steven Cole Smith
Contributor: Dan Sandberg
Contributor: Brian Moody

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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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.

About THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor puts you in the driver’s seat for a unique, fast paced look at today’s automotive industry. This is your pedal-to-the-metal, two-hour thrill ride devoted to the latest car news and test-drive results, how-to tips, car maintenance tips, auto show coverage, expert insights and behind-the-scenes race day action. Don’t miss exclusive interviews with top auto executives, athletes, celebrities and prominent newsmakers from around the world.