In the News – Page 29 – RPM News Weekly

Tech Talk on RPM: RAV4 Hybrid Proves Surefooted

11-05-19 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

A new version of an old friend showed up in the driveway of Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis looking a lot like the familiar RAV4 compact crossover but bearing better fuel economy tidings by virtue of its hybrid powertrain. Evidence the blue swatch beneath the automaker’s front emblem as a sure sign that this ute is going green.
There are also vehicle depreciation data and spaceship abort tests to sort out as well as a sensor glove for prosthetics and space selfies for would-be astronauts.
Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

2019 Toyota RAV4 — **Toyota RAV4 Hybrid**
*Photo: RPM News Weekly*

All-Wheel Drive
2.5-liter Inline 4-cylinder Gasoline Engine
Electric Motor
219 total system horsepower
Drive Modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt
Pedestrian Detection
Radar Cruise Control
Lane Departure Alert
Digital Rearview Mirror
41 city / 38 highway / 40 mpg combined
$38,294 as driven (before tax incentives where available)

Automotive News:

Vehicle Depreciation List – The Better & The Worse

2018 Jeep Wrangler Moab Edition — **iSeeCars.com ranks the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with the lowest depreciation**
Featured above is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited – Moab Edition
*photo courtesy of Jeep Media*

Musk Minute:

SpaceX StarShip Readies For Test

video courtesy of NASASpaceFlight.com via YouTube

Other Tech News:

Sensor Glove for Prosthetic Hand Users

**Sensor instrumented glove can be worn over a prosthetic hand to provide human-like sensory perception.**
*(Image provided by Purdue University)*

NASA Selfie App

Innovative Features Found On GMC Sierra Pickups

GMC Reps Showcase 1500 & 2500 Models at NEMPA

GMC Northeast Communications Manager Iman Jefferson, as well as GMC Vehicle Performance Engineer Jim Holtgreven join RPM News Weekly anchor Rich Taber at the New England Motor Press Association headquarters in Middleboro, MA for an informative discussion about the GMC Sierra pickup truck.
Highlights include the vehicle’s growth in the marketplace led by AT4 and Denali models, the available 30K+ towing capacity and the wealth of innovative features now offered such as the CarbonPro Bed, Transparent Trailer rearview imaging and MultiPro Tailgate.

Tech Talk on RPM: CA Fires to Roman Fountains

10-29-19 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

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

Automotive News:

2020 GMC Sierra HD Pickup

2020 GMC Sierra HD AT4
*Image Courtesy of GMC*

Hyundai HDC-6 Neptune Fuel Cell Concept

Hyundai HDC-6 Neptune Concept
*Image Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company*

2020 MINI Electric Hardtop

Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Day

Musk Minute:

SpaceX StarShip Moon Mission

Exodus AstroClipper

Exodus Space Clipper — The Exodus AstroClipper
*Image Courtesy of Exodus Space*

Other Tech News:

Roman Street Fountains

‘Tech Talk’ on RPM: Lexus UX Hybrid Enjoins the Unexpected

10-01-19 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

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.

Ride of the Week:

2019 Lexus UX 250h

Series-Parallel Gasoline-Electric Hybrid
2-liter 4-Cylinder Engine
High Output Electric-Drive Motor w/ EV Mode
181 Total System Horsepower
Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
24kW Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery Pack
41 City / 38 Highway / 39 Combined MPG Rating
Start-Stop Engine Technology
Adaptive Cruise Control
Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Departure Alert
All-LED Exterior Lighting
18-inch Sport Wheels
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
CD Player
Blind Spot Monitoring
$42,710 as driven

‘Tech Talk’ On RPM: Safety Stars Come Out For Honda Civic

9-24-19 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis revels in the safety ratings and satisfying cosmic blue aura of the turbocharged 2019 Honda Civic 1.5T Touring Edition 4-door sedan.
Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2019 Honda Civic 1.5T 4-Door Touring Edition

1.5-liter Turbocharged 4-Cylinder Engine w/ 174 hp
Continuously Variable Transmission w/ Paddle Shifters
5-Star NHTSA Safety Rating
30 City / 38 Highway / 33 Combined MPG Rating
Eco Mode
Adaptive Cruise Control
Collision Mitigation Braking
Lane Keeping Assist
Forward Collision Warning
Automatic Emergency Braking
LED Headlights
Remote Engine Start
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
10-Speaker Audio System
Heated Seats
$28,220 as driven

More Automotive News:

Acura Visits NEMPA
Acusensus Distracted Driving Detection

Musk Minute:

Anticipation Mounts for Elon’s Sept. 28th Starship Update
Beach Front Buyout

Other Tech News:

2019 Government Invention Of The Year
Soft Wearable Medical Sensor

Performance At Acura Turns On The Lights

Brand Officer Jon Ikeda Talks Up NSX Flagship & TLX PMC Edition

Call it a halo car or call it a flagship, either way the Acura NSX is all performance. But that’s not as far as the brand is going in that direction according to Jon Ikeda, brand officer at Acura who recently paid a visit to NEMPA headquarters in Middleboro, MA.

Turning the lights on performance across the lineup will be the company’s goal going forward.

As proof, he brought along a special PMC edition of the TLX, one of just 360 or so that will be built alongside the NSX at Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.

Riding high on a very successful racing season, Acura has even more in the works including a return of the Type S. It’s all part of the automaker’s efforts to deliver a consistent message of performance.

The Acura TLX PMC Edition offers a total performance package starting at $48,950.

Watch the video for full interview.