The California fires provide the backdrop for opening this week’s episode of Tech Talk where host Rick DeMeis offers some technical insights into the airborne equipment used to fight the conflagration. The discussion evolves into a full blown roundup of topics including a GMC presentation on the new Sierra AT4 pickup, the Hyundai HDC-6 Neptune Fuel Cell Concept commercial vehicle, the MINI Cooper Electric, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Day, the SpaceX Starship moon mission, the Exodus Astro Clipper spaceplane, and ultimately an observation on how to use the free Water Fountains in Rome, Italy. Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
Fire & Rain:
The Sikorsky Firehawk Helicopter
The Sikorsky Firehawk Helicopter Dousing Flames – LA County Image Courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corp.
In this episode, RPM News Weekly Podcasters, Peter Ciani and Rich Taber discuss the celebration of National Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Day which took place on October 8th (10/08).
RPM New Weekly Podcast 10/11/2019
That specific date was chosen to reference the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008). The special day launched four years ago on October 8, 2015 and annually has been officially recognized by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The topic opens up a discussion about the handful of Fuel Cell vehicles that exist in the U.S. automobile market including vehicles from Hyundai (Tucson and NEXO), Toyota (Mirai) and Honda (Clarity), eventually leading the conversation to the subject of alternative-fuel vehicles in general.
2020 Hyundai NEXO Fuel Cell SUV (photo: Hyundai Media)
Also, on the agenda are recent press-car Rides of the Week including the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the all-new Honda Passport, the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV S Edition and the Ford F-150 Raptor.
2019 Honda Passport (photo: Honda USA Media)
Commentators Ciani and Taber also revisit a recent RPM News Weekly interview with Acura’s Jon Ikeda that featured the refocused performance efforts at Acura that have given birth to the PMC Edition TLX, and an explanation of where the NSX sits in the market.
2020 Acura NSX featuring Indy Yellow Pearl (photo: Acura Media)
Where the CR-V is Honda’s benchmark crossover, and the Pilot is its muscular three-row hauler, the 2019 Passport is definitively the brand’s all-new adventure SUV.
Find Your Adventure in the 2019 Honda Passport
Nestled between the popular CR-V and the 8-passenger Pilot in Honda’s SUV pecking order, the mid-size 2019 Passport comes back after a 17-year hiatus as a completely new sport utility vehicle. Aiming to convert mid-size crossover fans from other brands with its family-friendly yet adventure-ready disposition, the Passport offers more ground clearance than its Pilot sibling, as well as better approach and departure angles. And although its tight suspension isn’t fazed by bumps and potholes, giving it a very truck-liked ride, the Passport is actually built on a reinforced unibody frame, the typical architecture of today’s sedans, coupes and light duty crossover utility vehicles. Inside, seating for 5-passengers is roomy and comfortable, especially in our Elite model test car, where perforated leather seats can be heated or ventilated to one’s liking up front, while outboard rear seats offer heated functionality and plenty of legroom. Amenities abound in this top-of-the-line trim which has a base MSRP of $43,680. In-vehicle audio and communication technologies include:
Meanwhile, safety technology is plentiful with features that include:
Backup Camera
Rear Cross Traffic Monitoring
Front & Rear Parking Sensors
Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Collision Mitigation Braking
Power-Folding Side Mirrors
Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand Drive Modes
Honda has outfitted the Passport with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, giving the 4237-pound utility vehicle ample horsepower and torque to get up to speed quickly and to tow as much as 5000 pounds. The tradeoff of course is in fuel economy. Even with the Passport Elite’s admirable 9-speed transmission helping the cause, RPM News Weekly registered an average of 21.2 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving over the course of a week. But there are other factors to consider in this utility vehicle’s favor. Overall handling and stability being foremost. And of course, comfort and convenience are big players in any family-friendly utility vehicle. In all of these areas, the Passport performs well. Where the CR-V is the brand’s benchmark crossover, and the Pilot is its muscular three-row hauler, the 2019 Passport is definitively Honda’s all-new adventure SUV.
The 2019 Lexus UX Hybrid sharpens Tech Talk point-man Rick DeMeis’ appetite for the brand’s luxury sport offerings even when they’re packed into a fuel efficient sub-compact crossover SUV. Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
