Accelerate Mpls

This week I had the honor to be a guest on the best second best darn auto podcast on the interwebs, called The RoundAbout Show (RoAB). While I’ve been a guest on the RoAB show before, it is always an interesting experience, in a good way of course.

This weeks theme was “alternative,” as in alternative to a much more obvious and salacious alternative. Hey, it’s not my description. Regardless, we had a ton of fun.

This weeks topics included:

• The blind can drive!
• Water-propelled jetpack
• JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser/Tank
• Mini trucks
• Citroen CX limousine
• LED headlamps boost EV range
• Pumpkin-shaped Model T t-bucket
• Rear-seat karaoke
• Fake ER valet nabs expecting mother’s car

Next up something they call “the blind spot.”  This week featured a discussion about how microbeads could power our hydrogen future.

Next we move into the garage which was quite full. We talked about the 2012 Ford Focus, 2011 Scion tC, 2011 Buick Regal, 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo SE, and the 2012 Nissan NV.

Last but not least we cover highway hearsay. This is where we discuss random things we’ve seen on the road during the past week.

I want to thank Jeffrey Ross, Michelle Naranjo, Steven Ewing, Eric Trytko, Craig Cole and Ben Sanders for having me on the show.

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Episode 37 starts with introducing this weeks guests Zane Merva from AutoInsane.com and Adam Barrera from HighMileage.org. This week we find the garage filled with an Infiniti QX56 that is in Zane’s garage for the week. I had the Mitsubishi Outlander GT and currently have a MazdaSpeed3.

We skip the major news of the week and dive right into our main topic. This week we have a roundtable discussion surrounding the major reveals at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) show.

• 2012 Audi A6
• 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
• 2012 Buick Verano
• Porsche 918 RSR
• Cadillac CTS-V Coupe race car
• 2012 Toyota Prius V
• 2012 Ford Focus Electric
• 2012 Volkswagen Passat
• 2011 Chrysler 300
• 2011 BMW 1M Coupe
• 2012 Ford C-Max
• 2012 Honda Civic Concept

We finish up by discussing our winners and losers of the show.

Last we plug our respective sites: HighMileage.org, AutoInsane, AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

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Episode 36 starts with introducing this weeks guest Nick Saporito from GM Inside News and Ford Inside News. This week we find the garage quite full. Both Nick and I  have had Cadillac Escalade Platinum’s along with Chevrolet Cruze’s. Also in the garage I have a Mitsubishi Evolution MR and Nick has a Buick Regal Turbo.

We then move along to the major news of the week segment. This week included:

• Top 10 ugliest car grilles [Link]
• Dealers are creating monster Camaros [Link]
• Great YouTube find: CHP video from 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake [Link]
• How to install and iPad in your Mustang [Link]

Next came our main topic which was discussing what’s coming in 2011. We take a look at Ford’s financial goals along with some Detroit Auto Show talk.

Last we plug our respective sites: Ford Inside News, GM Inside News, AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

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Episode 35 starts with introducing this weeks guest Craig Cole also known as the skinny one on the RoundAbout Show. Moving into the garage we talk about the 2011 Kia Sorrento EX I was in this past week along with the 2011 Honda Odyssey that just landed in Craig’s driveway.

We then move along into the major news of the week segment. This week included:

• EPA releases fuel economy ratings for the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt
• Electricity providers excited and nervous about possibilities of electric cars (Link)
• Flying cars? Yes! (Link & Link)
• GPS and iPhone radar detectors? (Link)
• Ten worst new cars (Link)
• Lil Pete and Lil Kenny (Link)

Next came our main topic which was discussing General Motors playings matchmaker for current Saturn and Pontiac owners. (Link)

Last we plug our respective blogs, RoundAbout Show,  AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

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Loyal fans, we are back! Sorry for the delay, my work life has been crazy and Justin has school, between the two scheduling has been tough. Episode 34 starts with introducing this weeks guest Drew Dowdell owner of CheersandGears. Moving on we talk a little about the Fireball Run which I was in since the last recording. Moving into the garage we talk about the 2011 GMC DenaliHD I was in for the past week.

We then proceed to the clip of the week segment.  This week we feature a new ad campaign by Chevrolet called Max and Al. (Link)

We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• Outrage over the Chevrolet Volt’s drivetrain (Link)
• Chevrolet Volt not PZEV (Link)
• Is the Chevrolet Cruze really priced out of competition? (Link)
• Disneyland and cars? Definitely! (Link)

Next came our main topic which was discussing Fiat/Chryslers onslaught of new product.

Last we plug our respective blogs, Cheers and Gears,  AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

Episode 33 starts with introducing this weeks guest Nick Salvatore from SpeedSportLife.  Moving into the garage we talk about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne and 1967 Ford Mustang I drove since the last recording. We also heard about the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec Nick was in.  We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• NADA picks vehicles with best cost of ownership (Link)
• Nissan vs. Hyundai – Who is going to be the #2 Asian Automaker (Link)

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Episode 32 starts with introducing this weeks guest Tony Pimpo from GM Inside News.  Moving into the garage we talk about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze press launch I attended last week. We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• New Ford Explorer Debut (Link)
• Leaked Jeep Wrangler Interior (Link)
• 200C drawings out and 900 new workers and second shift at Chrysler plant (Link) (Link)
• 2011 Porsche Hybrid (Link)
• Chevrolet Captiva Photos with no cammo (Link)

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Episode 31 starts with introducing this weeks guest Jeremy Sally from Cheers and Gears.  Moving into the garage we talk about the 2011 Lincoln MKT I was in for the 4th of July weekend, along with the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport I was in the past week. We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• New 2011 Nissan Quest Minivan Images (Link)
• Wall Street Journal believes Kia isn’t long for the U.S. (Link)
• Mitsubishi plans on selling electric car for under $30,000 (Link)
• California ends HOV lane access for Prius and other hybrids
• 19 year old steals bus and crashes it (Link)

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Episode 30 starts with introducing this weeks guest Drew Dowdell owner of CheersandGears.  Moving into the garage we talk about the 2011 Ford Fiesta I was in for the past week along with the Chevrolet Malibu Drew was in. We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• 2011 Honda Odyssey (Link)
• 2011 VW Jetta (Link)
• 2011 Dodge Challenger details (Link)
• Hyundai Equus, Genesis to get 5.0 L Tau V8 (Link)

We then proceed to the clip of the week segment.  This week we featured an ad by Daimler proclaiming the best or nothing. (Link)

This week we introduce a new segment called car spotting.

Next came our main topic which was discussing Tesla and their upcoming IPO and everything that comes along with that.

Last we plug our respective blogs, Cheers and Gears,  AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

Episode 29 starts with introducing this weeks guest Drew Dowdell owner of CheersandGears.  Moving into the garage we talk about the Chevrolet Camaro Colin was in for the past week.  We also take time for a special report on the Local Minneapolis Fisker Karma unveiling that I attended last week.  We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• May Sales
• 2011 Dodge Charger Leaked
• Nissan Leaf will break the EV silence with a digital whistle
• A myriad of GM talk surrounding Ex-CEO Richard Wagoner Jr. and the possibility of a real RWD flagship for Cadillac

We then proceed to the clip of the week segment.  This week we featured Toyota, finally, although indirectly, is now acknowledging their safety failures for the first time in an ad  which Features their new Star Safety System. This system includes ABS, Electronic Stability Control, and the much needed brake over-ride system. (Link)

Next came our main topic which was discussing Mercury’s death and Lincoln’s future.

Last we plug our respective blogs, Cheers and Gears,  AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.

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