RAM 1500 & Subaru Legacy Tout Safety First

3-31-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

This week’s edition of Tech Talk opens with news of tech adaptations from New Balance and Bauer Hockey to fight the Corona virus pandemic. Good news for sure. Commentator Rick DeMeis then pluralizes the Ride Of The Week feature, giving us insights into both the RAM 15500 Laramie Crew Cab pickup and the Subaru Legacy Premium edition. One might be inclined to think that these two vehicles couldn’t more different considering the RAM 1500 boasts a hefty 5.7-liter V8 HEMI powerplant while the Legacy does quite well with it’s reliable 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. But where they have something more in common than four wheels is in their each earning a 5-Star Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Stay tuned for more Automotive News, too, with a report from the University of California-Riverside about an EV battery-saving algorithm, and there’s a brief update on Elon Musk’s Starship adventures and a $20K drone competition from NASA. A mention of a PSA video with Moe Howard, which we include below, might help relieve some stress yet be informative. Then, to finish off this edition of the podcast, there’s news of Bell Helicopter developing a new system to replace the tail rotor of a helicopter.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Tech Adaptations To Fight Corona Virus

New Balance Masks
Shoe manufacturer volunteers to make face masks.

Bauer Hockey Face Shields
Filling orders for medical and emergency personnel becomes top priority.

Ride of the Week #1:

2020 RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab

photos courtesy of FCA Media

Ride of the Week #2:

2020 Subaru Legacy Premium

photos courtesy of Subaru Media

Automotive News:

U Cal Riverside EV Battery Charging Algorithm

Musk Minute:

Starship Test Anticipated

In Other Tech News

NASA Langley Drone Competition

PSA featuring Moe Howard

Bell EDAT Four Electric Motor Tail Rotor Helicopter

COVID-19 Stalls Global Auto Events

RPM News Podcast 3-15-20

Keeping the conversation informative yet upbeat in this very challenging period of time for everyone, RPM commentators Rich Taber and Peter Ciani open the discussion with updates on how the corona virus has altered 2020 auto events around the globe. The dialogue then turns to their recent experiences with a run of vehicles from Hyundai. From there, an electric snowblower purchase melts into a bit of ruminating on the EV landscape. Things wrap up with a rundown of developments across RPM News channels. Have a listen and jump into the discussion by leaving a comment.

Segment Locations On The Scrub Bar

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:20 Auto Events Postponed/Cancelled
  • 14:50 Hyundai Elantra Sport
  • 24:38 Hyundai Kona
  • 30:35 Going Electric
  • 35:45 Does Tesla Have An Edge?
  • 42:23 RPM News Channel Developments
  • 47:50 Hyundai Venue – Stay Tuned

Hyundai Elantra Sport

2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport exterior
2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport interior
2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport interior
2019 Hyundai Elantra Sport interior

Hyundai Kona

FIA Formula E

The New York International Auto Show

Wrangler Rubicon Heeds Call Of The Off-Road

3-03-20 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

Built to get to four people to some of the most extreme places on the planet, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon gives Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis a full immersion into its symphony of bells and whistles. Whether one plans to go off-road into the snowy wilderness or sun bathe in a dose of early spring weather while driving with the panels off, this is one 4X4 that doesn’t come up short.
But don’t turn off the audio, yet. There’s more automotive news with highlights from a NEMPA event featuring the redesigned Nissan Titan, a new study from iseecars.com, the weekly Musk Minute and advancements in battery technology and autonomous vehicle intelligence from Rensselaer Poly Tech and MIT, respectively.

Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.

Ride of the Week:

2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

photos courtesy of Jeep Media

  • 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel
  • 260 hp; 442 lb-ft Torque
  • 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
  • Black Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
  • 22 City / 29 Hwy / 25 Comb mpg
  • 3500 lbs. Towing
  • 17-inch Wheels
  • Uconnect 4C Nav w/8.4-inch Display
  • Alpine Premium Audio System,
  • Cold Weather Pkg. w/ Heated Seats & Steering Wheel
  • Remote Start
  • Skid Plates
  • $60,480 As Driven

Automotive News:

NEMPA Hosts Nissan Titan Event
The 2020 Titan debuts in the Boston area. Here are some highlights:

photos: RPM News Weekly

  • Redesigned for 2020
  • 5.6L V8 w/ 400 hp; 413 lb-ft Torque
  • 9-speed Transmission
  • 10,990 lbs. Towing
  • NissanConnect w/Navigation
  • 9-inch Touchscreen
  • Apple CarPlay /Android Auto
  • Rear Door Alert
  • King Cab from $36,190
  • Crew Cab from $38,890

Longest Lasting Cars To Reach 200,000 Miles +
A study by iseecars.com analyzed over 15.8 million cars sold in 2019 to determine which models are most likely to reach 200,000 miles.

Musk Minute:

‘Star Fleet’ Organization Predicted

Starship SN1 Explodes
Incident Occurs During Pressure Test

In Other Tech News

Rensselaer Poly-Tech Institute
Potassium vs. Litium Ion Batteries

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Autonomous Cars See Around Corners Using Changing Light Patterns

DS Techeetah Team Garners E-Prix Double Podium In Marrakesh

Starting at Pole Position, DS Techeetah driver Antonio Felix da Costa drove home the lead 45-minutes and one lap later to clinch the 2020 Marrakesh Formula E-Prix, putting him at the top of the leader board after this fourth race of the season. BMW i Andretti Motorsport driver Max Guenther placed second while da Costa’s teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne, moved up from his 11th starting spot to finish third. 

From left, Max Guenther (BMW I Andretti Motorsports), Antonio Felix da Costa (DS Techeetah) and Jean-Eric Vergne (DS Techeetah) share the podium at the 2020 Marrakesh E-Prix
all photos courtesy of FIA Formula E

Once again, Guenther and da Costa engaged in a spectacular battle early in the race with Guenther edging into the lead at the 19-minutes-remaining mark. However, with energy-use strategy a key factor in Formula E racing, da Costa reclaimed the lead after adding 35kW of power with a run through the ATTACK MODE activation zone, a boost each driver is required to utilize twice during the race.

“The race was actually much harder than it looked… At one point, I had to let Max [Guenther] get really close and push him into using extra energy, while with the second ATTACK MODE I was preventing Andre [Lotterer] from getting within touching distance. In the end it worked out perfectly! ~ Antonio Felix da Costa

Having climbed up the order, Vergne, now in third, overtook Guenther with six minutes and one lap left in the race. With the two DS Techeetah drivers in the lead, Guenther expended considerable energy in his bid to overtake Vergne and have a shot at da Costa for a possible win. In the end, it nearly cost him everything, making it over the finish line with no energy to spare just ahead of Vergne. Meanwhile, da Costa took the checkered flag for DS Techeetah’s first win this season.  

Jaguar/Panasonic driver Mitch Evans was dealt a difficult hand for making a repeat of his win in Mexico City two weeks ago and holding his championship lead when he missed his qualifying run start by a split second forcing him to the back of the grid for a 24th position start. Despite the challenge, Evans valiantly climbed 18 places to finish 6th and earn enough points to sit in second place in the season standings with 56 points behind da Costa’s 67. Guenther sits in fourth with 44 points and Vergne is now in eighth with 31.

Race Results

1Antonio Felix da CostaDS TECHEETAH46:52.757s(28)
2Maximilian GuentherBMW i Andretti Motorsport+11.427s(19)
3Jean-Eric VergneDS TECHEETAH+12.034s(15)
4Sebastien BuemiNissan e.dams+12.282s(12)
5Edoardo MortaraROKiT Venturi Racing+15.657s(10)
6Mitch EvansPanasonic Jaguar Racing+16.335s(9)
7Lucas di GrassiAudi Sport ABT Schaeffler+18.706s(6)
8Andre LottererTAG Heuer Porsche+19.498s(4)
9Oliver RowlandNissan e.dams+20.126s(2)
10Sam BirdEnvision Virgin Racing+20.295s(1)
11Nyck de VriesMercedes-Benz EQ+20.557s 
12Robin FrijnsEnvision Virgin Racing+22.373s 
13Jerome D’AmbrosioMahindra Racing+22.785s 
14Daniel AbtAudi Sport ABT Schaeffler+25.080s 
15Stoffel VandoorneMercedes-Benz EQ+25.969s 
16James CaladoPanasonic Jaguar Racing+26.528s 
17Felipe MassaROKiT Venturi Racing+27.486s 
18Neel JaniTAG Heuer Porsche+44.476s 
19Brendon HartleyGEOX DRAGON+49.002s 
20Nico MuellerGEOX DRAGON+53.075s 
21Oliver TurveyNIO 333+59.969s 
22Pascal WehrleinMahindra Racing+1:13.414s 
23Ma Qing HuaNIO 333+1 Lap 
     
DNFAlexander SimsBMW i Andretti Motorsport33 Laps 

What Do A Wagon, A Pickup, The Green New Deal & Formula E Have In Common?

RPM News Podcast 2-21-20

Weaving their way through the heavy congestion that a very mixed topic load might create, RPM Podcasters Rich Taber and Peter Ciani smoothly navigate the discussion all the way from a stellar Philadelphia road trip in the 2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 AWD to previewing the upcoming New York International Auto Show. Along the way they explore life up north for a week in the GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Crew Cab, venture into the Green New Deal and rally behind Formula E racing. It’s a fun ride – have a listen.

RPM News Weekly Podcast Also Available On Stitcher

Segment Locations On The Scrub Bar

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:45 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 AWD
  • 16:25 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Crew Cab
  • 26:47 Green New Deal
  • 46:12 Formula E Racing
  • 55:52 New York International Auto Show

2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 AWD

2020 Volvo V60 CC T5 AWD
2020 Volvo V60 CC T5 AWD
2020 Volvo V60 CC T5 AWD

2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Crew Cab

The Green New Deal

FIA Formula E

The New York International Auto Show

Jaguar’s Evans Dominates Formula E Round 4

Jaguar / Panasonic driver Mitch Evans ran away with the lead in the fourth Formula E contest of the 2019 – 2020 race season finishing well ahead of his nearest rival after a tumultuous afternoon at the Mexico City E-Prix that saw a slew of mishaps.

“I just want to thank the team for their work in between all the races.” ~ Mitch Evans

Photo: FIA Formula E

Bolting out of second position on the grid Evans managed to take the lead out of Turn 1 and never looked back, ultimately finishing just over four seconds ahead of his closest competitor, DS Techeetah’s Antonio Felix da Costa, while Nissan e.dams’ Sebastian Buemi nabbed points for third.

“It feels really sweet because Santiago was a tough one for us in terms of our race management but today we obviously showed we fixed all the problems, “noted Evans. “I just want to thank the team for their work in between all the races.”

Top Ten Finishes – Mexico City E-Prix
Image Courtesy of FIA Formula E
https://youtu.be/L_D6_snCPeE
Mexico City E-Prix Highlights