This week Rich and Peter discuss the upcoming New England Motor Press Association Winter Vehicle Test Day along with this week’s rides of the week, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the Jeep Gladiator.
This week RPM Podcasters Rich Taber and Peter Ciani discuss the upcoming New England Motor Press Association Winter Vehicle Test Day along with their rides of the week – the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the Jeep Gladiator.
~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~
Lots of mass for the money is how Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis describes the 7-passenger 2020 Toyota 4Runner in this week’s episode. But, there’s plenty of other good reasons to like the $49,905 4×4 Limited version of this popular SUV, not the least of which is its ability to hold value in the marketplace. Have a listen and be prepared to discover the inner workings of government safety ratings while you’re at it.
Want more? Well, the plate is also filled with heaping helpings of technology news including the latest adventures in Musk enterprises, NASA’s research in building fungi structures on Mars, a plan from Rolls Royce to re-utilize old nuclear reactor sites, and a hybrid polar research vessel.
Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
2020 Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Limited
photos: RPM News Weekly
See our Photo Gallery for more pics.
NHTSA Star Safety Ratings Update
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announces its plan to propose significant updates and upgrades to the New Car Assessment Program
Safety Ratings Explained
CARFAX provides an Understanding of NHTSA and IIHS Ratings
Sudden Acceleration in Tesla Models
NHTSA to investigate reported “sudden unintended acceleration.”
Rolls Royce Plans Mini Nuclear Reactors
UK Govt. & Industry Collaborate On Compact Nuclear Power Station
Hybrid Arctic Research Ship Sir David Attenborough
~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~
Likened to blasting off in a Saturn 5 rocket, acceleration in the 2020 Jaguar I-Pace gave Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis some memorable thrills. But, it was the complete package – minus a rear windshield wiper – that left the most lasting impression with this all-electric crossover. Whether it was the elegance of its well-equipped interior, its 200+mile driving range or the multitude of safety intervention technologies, the I-PACE made winter here in New England feel a bit less threatening.
There’s more on the launchpad, though, including the gigantic price paid for the Bullitt Mustang, Tesla’s Shanghai mega-factory, the most popular vehicles state-by-state and more. Have a listen.
Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
tiled photos by RPM News Weekly
See our Photo Gallery for more pics.
| SPECIFICATIONS current as of 1/13/2020 | JAGUAR I‑PACE S | TESLA MODEL X LONG RANGE | AUDI E-TRON PREMIUM PLUS |
| Base MSRP | $69,850 | $84,990 | $74,800 |
| Destination & Handling | $1,025 | $1,200 | $995 |
| Federal Tax Credit | − $7,500 | − $0 | − $7,500 |
| Base Price w/ Tax Credit incl. Destination & Handling | $63,375 | $86,190 | $68,295 |
| Coverage / Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles w/ Elitecare | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| 0–60 mph (seconds) | 4.5 | 4.4 | 5.5 (with boost engaged) |
| Est. Range (miles) | 234 | 328 | 204 |
| Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ | Standard | N/A | Standard |
| Park Assist | Standard | Optional | Standard |
| Leather Seats | Optional | N/A | Standard |
| Head-Up Display | Optional | N/A | N/A (available on other trim) |
EPA estimated all-electric range in the I-PACE is 234 miles. Estimated mileage is 80 city / 72 highway / 76 combined MPGe, where MPGe is the EPA-equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation. Actual range and mileage will vary.
Federal tax credit ranges from $0 to $7,500. Actual savings may vary.
Additional benefits may be available depending on location.
Steve McQueen’s Bullitt Mustang Sells For $3.7M
Most Popular New & Used Cars By State
New analysis by car search engine iSeeCars.com
Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory Delivers 1st Model 3 Vehicles
Elon Musk dances to celebrate and announces a future Tesla vehicle will be designed in China and sold globally
Medical Emergency On Space Station
Astronaut developed a deep vein thrombosis in jugular vein
The New England International Auto Show creates the foundation for this episode of the RPM News Weekly Podcast, where a conversation builds that allows the next-gen Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and the all-new Ford Mustang Mach-E all electric crossover utility vehicle to take center stage. Viewed through the eyes of RPM Podcasters Peter Ciani and Rich Taber, the auto show taking place in Boston through Monday, January 20, 2020 seems to have crossed a bridge, giving the next wave of alternative vehicles a clear channel to the New England automobile market.
~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~
It’s not everyday that one tosses the word gravitas into the description of a compact utility vehicle, but that’s just what Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis saw fit to do for the Kia Soul X-Line. With good reason as he explains. Have a listen.
That’s not all he covers this week, though. There’s mention of autonomous driving LiDAR from Robosense, also an interesting survey of the most popular vehicles around the country and a bunch more.
Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
tiled photos courtesy of Kia media
Going clockwise starting at top left, photos provided by
Ford Media, RPM News Weekly, Honda Media, Chevrolet Media
RoboSense LiDAR Vehicle Control
SpaceX Launches Latest Constellation of 60 Starlink Satellites
Starship Launch Imminent… Two to Three Months?
~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~
While certainly not a dime-a-dozen SUV, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC offered Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis one of life’s simplest pleasures… blessed quietness.
As hard to come by these days as is many a golden rule, silence is one of many luxuries you can count on when traveling in the GLC. Redesigned for the 2020 model year, the GLC epitomizes the contemporary world of Mercedes family transportation – distinctive, connected and uncompromising in its ability to woo the senses.
Also on the agenda this week are EV battery charging with artificial intelligence, dreams of WARP drive, probing the sun and robotic weed mapping and zapping.
Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC
photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz media
Micropulse 5-Minute EV Charging
video courtesy of GBatteries
Elon Musk Envisions Mars City Forcing Development Of Warp Drive
