We kick off the show chatting with the Editor of AutoNXT and Contributor for MSN.com, Perry Stern, about SEMA’s cancelation, the BMW X6 M and BMW X5 M Competition, and the Mojave Gladiator package. Up next, Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, and NACTOY juror and board member, Karl Brauer, discusses the new Honda Odyssey and the legacy it carries, the 2020 Cadillac Lyriq and Cadillac’s commitment to having an all electric lineup by 2030, and California’s war on car modification. Changing gears, Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, reviews the 2020 Toyota Tacoma and discusses the technological explosion in vehicles we’re experiencing. Closing out the show, Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist CarGurusBoston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, gushes over the 2021 Lexus LC 500 and its visually stunning design; though it does have as a few interior design quirks, but overall it is absolutely amazing. We also discuss the new Gordon Murray T50 and how it is slated to bookend the supercar era. 

·[00:00:00] SEMA Canceled/ BMW X6 M Competition

·[00:06:16] BMW X6 M vs BMW X5 M, and Competition

·[00:12:30] What Do You Get With Mojave Gladiator

·[00:19:51] The New Honda Odyssey, and It’s Legacy

·[00:28:23] 2020 Lyriq and Cadillac’s All EV Promise

·[00:35:52] California Mod Ban, Car Supply/Demand

·[00:42:12] 2020 Toyota Tacoma Gets Nice Updates

·[00:48:44] Technology Explosion in Auto Industry

·[00:54:44] Toyota Tacoma is a Great Off-Road Truck

·[01:02:05] 2021 Lexus LC 500 is Visually Stunning

·[01:11:55] Small Gripes About 2021 Lexus LC 500

·[01:18:06] Gordon Murray T50 and Lexus LC 500

[00:00:00] SEMA Canceled/ BMW X6 M Competition

Last week we let you know that CES for 2021 has been canceled, now we’re back to give you more bad news – November’s SEMA Show has been canceled as well. Perry Stern, Editor of AutoNXT and MSN.com Contributor, says we should just end 2020 early and get on to the next year, but there are still bright spots in the year. Bright spots like when journalists like him and Alan get to drive cars like the BMW X6 M Competition! This 617 HP beast is quick, and full of features. Tune in to learn more. 

[00:06:16] BMW X6 M vs BMW X5 M, and Competition

Editor of AutoNXT, Perry Stern, is driving the 2020 BMW X6 M Competition and having a blast. Alan also got to drive a M Competition series car recently, the 2020 BMW X5. We discuss the differences and similarities between the two vehicles, like the coupe vs traditional SUV stylings. We also take a look at some of the BMW X6’s more expensive competition, like the Mercedes AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Coupe, Lamborghini Urus, and more. 

[00:12:30] What Do You Get With Mojave Gladiator

We all know a lot of Jeeps are ‘trail rated’, and what that entails, but what does the ‘desert rated’ Mojave Gladiator have? Perry Stern, Editor of AutoNXT, recently got to test drive the Jeep Gladiator Mojave and explains all of its bells and whistles. This is a very tough vehicle that you can take off jumps in the sand dunes and land safely, much like the desert warriors of the Baja 500. Tune in to learn more.

[00:19:51] The New Honda Odyssey, and It’s Legacy

When the second generation of the Honda Odyssey released in 1999, it took the market by storm. Ever since then it’s been on a steady cruise to domination of the minivan world. Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, and NACTOY juror and board member, Karl Brauer, discusses the new Honda Odyssey and all of its features and comfort. Listen in if you’re in the market for a minivan.

[00:28:23] 2020 Lyriq and Cadillac’s All EV Promise

Cadillac has been showing some teaser shots of the 2020 Lyriq, an all electric SUV. Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, and NACTOY juror and board member, Karl Brauer, gives us what little details he can and discusses Cadillac’s commitment to an all-electric lineup by 2030. Will they be able to keep to this schedule, and who will even keep them in check if they don’t? It almost seems like free points with the progressive crowd. What do you think about Cadillac’s plan?

[00:35:52] California Mod Ban, Car Supply/Demand

California has been on a strict streak with cars lately. Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, and NACTOY juror and board member, Karl Brauer, tells us about their new policy of flagging cars for inspection and retrofitting even if the aftermarket modifications used don’t affect their emissions. We also discuss the strange dynamic between supply and demand in the car industry right now. Tune in to get caught up on the car market. 

[00:42:12] 2020 Toyota Tacoma Gets Nice Updates

The Toyota Tacoma has dominated the midsize truck segment for a long time, but it started to feel like it was lacking for a few years. Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, got behind the wheel of this iconic pickup and had a blast zipping across the Nevada desert. This is everything you want a midsize truck to be, it grabs and grips everywhere and also has a decent ride on the freeway. This year sees the inclusion of many missing features like smart keys with push button configuration, wireless charging, and other technology package staples. Tune in to learn more.

[00:48:44] Technology Explosion in Auto Industry

Alan was driving his 1998 GMC and enjoying the absence of all of the new electronic nannies, until he went to back up! Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, discusses the change in technology in modern cars, and how we still have a long way to go. We are in the interim period between driving our own cars and sending our truck to Home Depot to load up on supplies. One of these days those annoying vehicle nannies will save your life, so maybe it’s worth the hassle. 

[00:54:44] Toyota Tacoma is a Great Off-Road Truck

If you’re looking for a great work truck, the base model of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a great option starting at $26,000. Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, says you might want to wait for the reveal of the new Toyota Tacoma before you pick one of these up, though, as there should be some screamin’ deals around the corner. The Tacoma has always been a highly sought after truck; heck, Alan has seen these things with almost 300k miles selling for $18,000 on Autotrader. They’re great, they run forever, and BJ gives them a solid 4 of 5 thumbs up for their off-road capability. You can’t go wrong with a Toyota Tacoma.

01:02:05] 2021 Lexus LC 500 is Visually Stunning

Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, has been driving the 2021 Lexus LC 500 and he is blown away! It is extremely visually stunning, and has a naturally aspirated V8 engine to boot! Alan just got his hands on the 2020 BMW M8 Competition Convertible, and while this car does beat out the Lexus in terms of raw power, George says the LC 500 looks like it costs about twice as much as it does. Tune in to learn more about this fantastic sports convertible. 

[01:11:55] Small Gripes About 2021 Lexus LC 500

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 is a fantastic car all around, but it’s not perfect. Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, is a huge fan of the Lexus LC 500, it’s comfortable, has a great suite of technology, and is visually stunning, but  he still has a few gripes. It uses the shifter from the Toyota Prius, it still doesn’t have a touchscreen display, and it’s trunk is incredibly tiny! If that’s all the negative George has to say about this vehicle, though, you can rest assured that it is fantastic.

[01:18:06] Gordon Murray T50 and Lexus LC 500

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible and the BMW M8 Competition Convertible are both amazing, beautiful cars, but what do Alan and Co-founder of Cartender and Freelance Automotive Journalist CarGurus, Boston Globe, and U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, rate them? We wrap up our review of these two beastly machines and give a few last details about them. Then, we discuss the new supercar from Gordon Murray Automotive, the designer of the McLaren F1.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: Karl Brauer | Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, and NACTOY juror and board member

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

·Contributor: George Kennedy III | Co-founder, Cartender | Freelance Automotive Journalist CarGurusBoston Globe/ U.S. News & World Report

·Special Guest: Perry Stern | Editor, AutoNXT | Contributor, MSN.com

Vehicles Discussed:

BMW X6 M Competition, BMW X5 M Competition, Jeep Gladiator Mojave, Honda Odyssey, 2020 Cadillac Lyriq, 2020 Toyota Tacoma, 2021 Lexus LC 500, GMA T50, BMW M8 Competition, 1998 GMC Sierra

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry 
Contributor: Karl Brauer
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: George Kennedy III
Special Guest: Perry Stern

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

***

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.

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