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Kicking off the show, Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, chats with Alan about his collision with a Ford F-150, Kia’s decision to scrap the Optima name, and why Alan doesn’t drive his new Toyota Supra. Then, we discuss the new Ford F-150’s five (!!) powertrain options, how to pick a used truck that suits you, and the best minivans for under $5,000. Changing gears, Director of Corporate Communications at Kia Motors America, James Bell, discusses how much the Kia Optima has changed since the last generation, and why that actually caused the team at Kia to ultimately change its name to the K5, and the Telluride’s beyond amazing string of awards and high sales. Closing out the show, Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, gives us his case for electric trucks, describes Nissan’s precarious situation and why the newly unveiled Ariya might not solve it, and the also recently unveiled lineup for SRT vehicles, including a new Hellcat Dodge Durango.

·[00:00:00] Alan Backed Into a Ford F-150

·[00:05:46] Kia Scraps the Optima Sedan

·[00:12:30] Why Doesn’t Alan Drive his New Supra?

·[00:19:51] The Ford F-150 Has 5 Powertrain Options!

·[00:26:20] Chevy, Toyota, Nissan What Do You Pick?

·[00:35:53] Best Minivans Under $5,000

·[00:42:13] How the Kia Optima Changed Kia

·[00:48:27] Why New Kia Optima is Now Kia K5

·[00:54:45] Telluride Selling Fast, Getting Awards

·[01:02:05] Karl’s Case for Electric Trucks

·[01:11:57] Nissan Ariya and EV on the World Stage

·[01:18:06] Dodge Unveils New SRT Vehicles

[00:00:00] Alan Backed Into a Ford F-150

Alan kicks off the show with a bang, telling Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, about how he backed his huge RAM Dually 4×4 Crew Cab into a Ford F-150. Alan was backing up and when his parking sensors would have gone off somebody called him and then the parking sensors turned off and boom he crashed right into a Ford F-150. Is this a common issue on Ram trucks?

[00:05:46] Kia Scraps the Optima Sedan

The Kia Optima has been around for about 15 years and it has been a great car that propelled the Kia brand into the spot it is today. Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Kileen, informs us that Kia is actually scrapping the Optima midsize sedan and replacing it with a new sedan – the K5. The Kia K5 is an all new vehicle built from scratch by Kia on their N3 platform and it has two turbo engine options. The first is a 1.6L turbocharged engine that produces 180 HP and 190 ft-lbs of torque. There is also a 2.5L turbocharged engine with 290 HP, 311 ft-lbs of torque, and a dual clutch wet transmission. The exterior design also got an overhaul. Tune in to learn more.

[00:12:30] BJ Loves Her Toyota Supra Test Car

Alan has a 2020 Toyota Supra launch edition that he barely drives. Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, has actually been driving her Toyota Supra test car, and is blown away. The Supra shares its platform with the BMW Z4, but Toyota did their own tuning to give it a power boost in the 2021 model. With a 3L in-line 6 cylinder engine and twin-scroll turbocharger it outputs 335 HP and 365 ft-lbs of torque. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but Toyota’s tuning has done wonders to this car. On top of that, the Toyota Supra is great bang for your buck, with an MSRP starting at around $50,000.

[00:19:51] The Ford F-150 Has 5 Powertrain Options!

The Ford F-150 is a very popular vehicle and you see them almost everywhere. Ford has made some huge changes to the 2021 F-150 and Autotrader, Executive Editor, Brian Moody, is here with some details. If you’re expecting big exterior design change for the F-150, don’t ge your hopes up; body design of trucks usually doesn’t change as drastically as cars. What you will get with the new Ford F-150, however, is FIVE powertrain options! From a 3.3L V6, to a 5.0L V8, and even a 3.0L V6 Diesel, Ford is bringing a lot to the table. The Ford F-150 also has a hybrid option with an electric motor to assist, and the powertrain is connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission so you can do more with your truck. Are you ready to pick up a new F-150?

[00:26:20] Chevy, Toyota, Nissan What Do You Pick?

Trucks are very handy but not everybody can go out and buy a brand new F-150. That’s why Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has come up with some used truck buying advice. A lot of people love Toyota pickups and they have a cult following and are known for reliability, but if you’re trying to find one that’s pre-owned, you’re going to have to pay a premium. Brian suggests searching for 2002 to 2003 model year Toyota pickups, but you can also save some money if with Nissan pickups. Nissan pickups aren’t as expensive, but you still get great reliability. If you’re looking for something more modern, check out Chevrolet trucks. Brian has a whole host of information about shopping for used trucks, so tune in to learn more.

[00:35:53] Best Minivans Under $5,000

We all know how useful minivans are – you can do anything with them, they’re reliable and they can get you anywhere. Autotrader Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has a list of the Best Minivans under $5,000. Starting off the list we have the Dodge Caravan, around the 2010 model years, but keep your eyes out for the transmission problems on these vehicles, but besides that the engines are great. The best van on this list is the 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey, a very reliable van; even if it has over 100,000 miles, you don’t have to worry. The 2012 Kia Sedona is also a great value for your money; and they have satellite radio and a USB port as far back as 2009. Last on the list, we have the 2009-2010 Mazda5. Most people forgot about this smaller minivans, but these can even be found with manual transmissions.

[00:42:13] How the Kia Optima Changed Kia

Kia has been thriving over the last few years. A major contributor to this success was the Kia Optima. Kia Motors America Director of Corporate Communications, James Bell, explains how the Optima was able to project so much good will onto the Kia brand. When the Kia Optima first came out, it had great warranties, looks, and reliability – in Korea it was named the K5. The price point of the Optima was unbeatable at $20,000. Kia is now completely redesigning the Optima with the new K5 built completely from scratch, since it’s been 11 years since the Optima was released.

[00:48:27] Why New Kia Optima is Now Kia K5

You might think that ditching the Optima nameplate is a bad idea, but there is reason to this madness at Kia headquarters. Director of Corporate Communications at Kia Motors America, James Bell, explains why they decided to go with a new name for the next generation of Optima, rather than continuing its legacy which clearly holds clout with American consumers. It came down to the fact that this new generation is so widely different from the first and second generation Kia Optima, that enough people at Kia felt it needed a new name. Tune in to learn more.

[00:54:45] Telluride Selling Fast, Getting Awards

Alan and his wife have been looking for a Kia Telluride for almost a year! We chat with Director of Corporate Communications at Kia Motors America, James Bell, about the Telluride phenomenon, with its multitude of awards and record sales. Its considered good business when a car gets to a dealership and is sold off within 45-60 days, but all last year the longest average time the Kia Telluride spent at a dealership before being sold off was 12 days. It’s even crazier after the pandemic hit and caused supply issues; now the Kia Telluride stays at a dealership for an average of ONE day before going to their new owners! It’s insane! This SUV is selling like hot cakes, and the whole world is in love with it.

[01:02:05] Karl’s Case for Electric Trucks

Why should people be excited for electric trucks if gas is so cheap these days? Well, Kelley Blue Book Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, argues that its not about the fuel economy, its not about emissions, it’s about the torque! It’s also much easier to hide the cost of electrification in pickup trucks. Tune in to find out why.

[01:11:57] Nissan Ariya and EV on the World Stage

Nissan just unveiled their new all-electric SUV, the Ariya. This causes Alan to wonder: isn’t Nissan struggling, and will this move really help them stabilize?  Kelley Blue Book Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, explains that while Nissan has been in a bit of an upheaval due to the Carlos Ghosn drama and their rocky relationship with Renault, EVs have been a part of their lineup for about a decade. Karl thinks it’s great that they’re coming out with this EV, but it is a small component of what Nissan needs to do to pull themselves out of their current hardship. We also discuss why EVs are still a big consideration for global companies, even if they aren’t very popular in the United States.

[01:18:06] Dodge Unveils New SRT Vehicles

It is time! The embargo on the new SRT lineup has been lifted, and Kelley Blue Book Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, is here to give us the details. First up, if you tought it was downright insulting that the Jeep Cherokee got a Hellcat engine before the Durango, then you will be happy to know that the Hellcat Durango is here! It does 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, a top speed of 180 mph, and has 710 HP! We also find out that a new ‘redeye level’ Charger SRT Hellcat is on the horizon, sporting 797 horsepower. Perhaps the most badass of all, though, is the Challenger SRT Superstock. Set to get as close to the Dodge Demon as possible without dethroning it, the Superstock comes with 807 HP. Tune in to get all of the details.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

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

·Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autorader

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

·Special Guest: James Bell | Director of Corporate Communications, Kia Motors America

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: Karl Brauer
Special Guest: James Bell

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.