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Alan hasn’t driven a test car or seen the sun in months! Is Alan still a car expert if he can’t even get cars to test drive? Luckily, the car drought has ended and Alan has received word that he will be getting a new car to test! Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, also got a new car to test, the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon, and fills us in on its capabilities. Then, we chat with Executive Publisher for Autotrader, Brian Moody, about some stylish, boxy SUVs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, and Cadillac’s new BLACKHAWK V8. Changing gears, we have a Bible study with Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, before getting back to the motorsports news. NASCAR has started letting small crowds attend races, announced three new inductees into their hall of fame, and have put much effort into fitting all 36 races into this season. Wrapping up, Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, reviews the all-in-one package that is the 2020 AMG C63 S, and comments on the nature of car nomenclature, and virtual car launches. Don’t miss this episode!

·[00:00:00] Is Alan Still A Car Expert?

·[00:05:18] BJ Road Tests Volkswagen Arteon

·[00:12:31] Volkswagen Arteon: Stunning Design

·[00:19:51] Potty Horror with Alan Taylor

·[00:28:18] A Throwback to Boxy, but Cool SUVs

·[00:35:53] Cadillac Quietly Releases a Monster V8

·[00:42:13] Scales, Feathers, NASCAR Hall of Fame

·[00:49:05] NASCAR Allowing Fans, With Masks

·[00:54:45] NASCAR Trying Hard to Deliver Races

·[01:02:06] 2020 AMG C63 S Can Do It All

·[01:11:09] Nomenclature and Electric Car Stocks

·[01:18:07] Swim Stories and Virtual Car Launches

[00:00:00] Is Alan Still A Car Expert?

Covid-19 has made it hard for manufacturers to send out cars for press testing.  Alan hasn’t driven a new car for almost 3 months, but he finally got the call from a manufacturer asking him to test out one of their vehicles. Speaking of review cars, Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, just got a Volkswagen Arteon to test. Alan fills us in on the depressing situation Steven Cole Smith finds himself in, and gives us an update on Brian Moody’s test driver. 

[00:05:18] BJ Road Tests Volkswagen Arteon

Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, has been driving the Volkswagen Arteon, Volkswagen’s relatively new flagship sedan. It’s such a great looking car that if you couldn’t see the Volkswagen badge you’d probably think it was an Audi. Despite it looking like an expensive car it actually is pretty affordable, starting at $35,000 and going up to $46,000 with options added on. Volkswagen designs their cars with fun in mind, and it definitely comes through in the Arteon. 

[00:12:31] Volkswagen Arteon: Stunning Design

The Volkswagen Arteon is poised to challenge the Infiniti Q50 for its luxury title. Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, breaks down the Volkswagen Arteon’s many features and the intention for it to compete with the Infiniti Q50. The Arteons design is stunning, but looks aren’t everything. Volkswagen’s flagship produces 268 HP and 258 ft-lbs of torque with an all wheel drive system. Couple all of that with a very smooth ride and you’ve got a hit on your hands. Interestingly, the Arteon is a sedan with a quirk, it has a hatchback, providing more room for storage without compromising the body lines.

[00:19:51] Potty Horror with Alan Taylor

Have you ever driven a large motorhome to a big gathering during a hot summer month? Well you may notice that your motorhome becomes the ‘pitstop’ for everyone in attendance. Alan sure noticed this, and he shares the story of the time his RV sewage got backed up, with Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody. Let’s just say the moral of the story is be careful of the red release button on the end of the sewage tube, or you might end up with a shoe full of poo.

[00:28:18] A Throwback to Boxy, but Cool SUVs

Lately, boxy old SUVs have become a popular trend. Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, brings us a list of the best boxy SUVs for us to keep our eyes out for. First up on the list, the Mitsubishi Montero 1982-1999 is a great, reliable little off-roading SUV. The 1986-1999 Nissan Pathfinder is a simple but great SUV and is priced affordably. Next, the 1970-1996 Land Rover Range Rover is higher up on the budget at $15,000-$20,000 for a nice one over 100,000 miles. Not as glamorous as the last pick, the 1994 Ford Explorer has a two door option and sells for around $2,000-$5,000. Last on the list is the 1990-2001 Jeep Cherokee; these vehicles are iconic, reliable, and shooting up in value. Tune in to catch all the details.

[00:35:53] Cadillac Quietly Releases a Monster V8

Cadillac developed a new engine called the BLACKWING V8, a 4.2L V8 that pushes 500 HP and around 600 ft-lbs of torque. Autotrader, Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has test-driven the new Cadillac CT6 TT V8 and shares his impressions. Cadillac gave it an all wheel drive system, so it can put all the power down and hug the road while doing so. The CT6 TT V8 does zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds, which is amazing for a big sedan.  One drawback is that it will run you about $90,000, but you have to think of it on the same level as the BMW 7 Series. Even though it’s a crazy car, you can likely pick one up at your local Cadillac dealer.

[00:42:13] Scales, Feathers, NASCAR Hall of Fame

Did you know that certain parts of Leviticus forbid the eating of any sea creature without fins and scales? Well, if you’ve been missing that crucial piece of the puzzle – don’t worry, Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, is here to educate us on some parts of the Bible we might not know about. After our Bible study class, we check in with NASCAR and their three newest inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Tune in to learn more.

[00:49:05] NASCAR Allowing Fans, With Masks

There’s more to NASCAR right now than confederate flag controversies. Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, discusses the reopening of NASCAR events to the public, albeit on a highly reduced scale. The recent Homestead race had about 1,000 people in attendance, and the upcoming July 15th race at Daytona is only going to allow a total of 5,000 fans! If Steven didn’t live so close by, he says he’d just skip it this year. 

[00:54:45] NASCAR Trying Hard to Deliver Races

NASCAR is chomping at the bit to get back on schedule. Automotive Journalist for Autoweek, Automobile Magazine, and Grassroots Motorsports, Steven Cole Smith, tells us about the first IndyCar race of the year and how it’s crowd, or lack of, really got under the skin of Texas Motor Speedway President, Eddie Gossage. Alan wonders if the drivers even notice the lack of fans, but Steven assures him that they really do. That’s why NASCAR is trying to get people in seats, and all 36 races into the calendar this season. What would it take to get you to go to a crowded event right now?

[01:02:06] 2020 AMG C63 S Can Do It All

Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, had the good fortune recently to spend some quality time behind the wheel of the 2020 AMG C63 S. This is one of those cars that feels like it is capable of anything and everything – from grocery runs to setting fast track times. Karl dashes our dreams of ever owning one of these extremely well made machines by giving us the price; starting out at $75,000 and clocking in at $95,000 as tested. Also, listen in for an explanation on the different classes of Mercedes brand vehicles. 

[01:11:09] Nomenclature and Electric Car Stocks

You used to be able to tell what kind of engine displacement a car had by the numbers on the badge. For example, with the 2020 AMG C63 S, the C would denote the class, and the 63 would translate to 6.3L. Sadly, as Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, points out – that is a thing of the past. We also chat about the tendency for new electric car companies to pop up, increase heavily in stock value, and never turn a profit. Don’t you find it weird how these electric car companies stocks are oftentimes valued higher than Ford?

[01:18:07] Swim Stories and Virtual Car Launches

Once upon a time in California, Alan had to change High Schools because he got into an argument with his swim coach. At a swim meet some time in the future, he had to swim against his old team, but the old coach wouldn’t let anyone swim against him. That’s kind of what it feels like to witness a virtual car launch! Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, says that there is an undeniable energy to having a crowd full of people start to take pictures as the curtain drops and a manufacturer’s latest creation is unveiled to the world. A certain magic is lost without that live interaction and feedback. Do you think a valuable aspect is lost without the live crowds?

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist, Voice of Reason

·Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autorader

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

·Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Kelley Blue Book/ Autotrader/ Dealer.com

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry 
Copy Editor: Caleb Hayward
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Brian Moody
Contributor: Steven Cole Smith
Contributor: Karl Brauer

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

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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.