X-amining the 2019 BMW X4 xDrive 30i

After an opening tribute to entertainer Louis Prima, Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis trumpets his experiences behind the wheel of the 2019 BMW X4 xDrive 30i.

2-26-19 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

After an opening tribute to entertainer Louis Prima, Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis trumpets his experiences behind the wheel of the 2019 BMW X4 xDrive 30i. Tech Talk is a weekly feature on KOWS 92.5 FM radio Newtopian Dream program hosted by RT Newt.
Rick also offers up a brief Musk Minute from the world of Elon Musk happenings and gives a rundown of current space technology news including updates on the Space X Dragon capsule, Spaceship Two VSS Unity, the JAXA asteroid probe and a tiny moon of Neptune.

Ride of the Week:

2019 BMW X4 xDrive 30i

BMW X4
2019 BMW X4
  • 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder
  • 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission
  • Sport & Manual shift modes
  • Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
  • Launch Control
  • xDrive all-wheel-drive system
  • LED Headlights w/ Cornering Lights
  • LED fog lights
  • 10-way power front sport seats
  • 2-way power-adjustable side bolsters, thigh support
  • Anti-theft in-dash stereo w/ CD/MP3 player
  • iDrive system with on-board computer and Controller
  • Park Distance Control, front and rear
  • BMW Assist eCall™ w/ Enhanced Automatic Collision Notification

Musk Minute

Consumer Reports Drops Model 3 Recommendation

Tesla Model 3
photo courtesy of Tesla

Dragon Capsule to Space Station

Dragon Carrying Cargo To International Space Station
photo courtesy of Tesla

More Tech Talk News:

Spaceship Two VSS Unity Carries First Female Commercial Passenger

Spaceship VSS Unity Crew
Virgin Galactic Makes Space for Second Time in Ten Weeks with Three On Board
photo by Quinn Tucker ©Virgin Galactic 2018

Hayabusa2 Probes Target Asteroid Ryugu

Hayabusa2 probes target asteroid Ryugu
photo coutesy of JAXA, University of Tokyo, Kochi University, Rikkyo University, Nagoya University, Chiba Institute of Technology, Meiji University, University of Aizu, AIST

Hubble Spots Tiny Neptune Moon Hippocamp

Hippocamp, discovered in 2013, shown inside the red box.
Image Courtesy of Mark R. Showalter, SETI Institute

2019 NEMPA Winter Vehicle Test Day!

RPM News recently attended the New England Motor Press Association’s Winter Vehicle Test Day, where we asked NEMPA members what they look for in a winter vehicle. Watch this video to find out what they said.

RPM News recently attended the New England Motor Press Association’s Winter Vehicle Test Day, where we asked NEMPA members what they look for in a winter vehicle. Watch this video to find out what they said.

John Paul ‘The Car Doctor”
The All New Nissan Kicks
Ford Ecosport

Tech Talk Drives Toyota 4Runner

Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis explores the uncommon merits of the 2019 Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium edition with KOWS 92.5 FM radio host RT Newt.
Also, quick analyses of the Space X Raptor Engine test, George Low’s importance in landing a man on the moon, Mars InSight lander seismometer shield, and NREL’s floating solar panels assessment.

2-05-19 Tech Talk

~ Recorded Live from KOWS FM 92.5 ~

This week, Tech Talk commentator Rick DeMeis explores the uncommon merits of the 2019 Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium edition with KOWS 92.5 FM radio host RT Newt.
Also, listen for quick analyses of the Space X Raptor Engine test, George Low‘s importance in landing a man on the moon, Mars InSight lander seismometer shield, and NREL’s floating solar panels assessment. See below for additional information.

Ride of the Week:

2019 Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium

2019 Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium
  • 17-in. 7-spoke alloy wheels
  • Part-time 4WD w/ Active Traction Control
  • Hill Start Assist Control, Multi-terrain Select & Crawl Control
  • Locking rear differential
  • SofTex®-trimmed heated and power-adjustable front seats
  • “TRD Off-Road” red lettering on driver and front passenger headrests
  • “TRD Off-Road” external hard badges
  • Backup camera w/ projected path
  • Towing capacity of up to 5000 lb.
  • Entune™ Premium Audio w/ Integrated Nav & Entune® App Suite

Musk Minute

Space X Tests Raptor Engine

More Tech Talk News:

Air & Space Magazine Celebrates George Low and Apollo 8

George Low and Dale Myers discuss Apollo 13 prelaunch activities.
photo courtesy of NASA.gov

Mars Probe Seismometer Protector Cover

Wind and Thermal Shield protects InSight’s seismometer.
image: © NASA/JPL-Caltech


National Renewable Energy Lab Assesses Potential of Floating Solar Panels

Cox Automotive Analyst Michelle Krebs Talks to RPM NEWS Weekly About Current SUV Trends.

Michelle Krebs
Michelle Krebs speaks to NEMPA

Cox Automotive Executive Analyst, Michelle Krebs, was on hand at the New England Motor Press garage to talk about the current SUV trend, while more importantly bringing some insight into what’s really going on in the car market.

RPM News Weekly’s Rich Taber chatted with Michelle Krebs after the meeting, discussing automotive sales trends and what might be on the horizon – including where electric vehicles fit into the picture.

Boston Auto Show Recap!

Additional Camera: Rane Newcomb

While not as big as the New York and Detroit auto shows, there was still plenty to see and do at the Boston Auto Show (aka New England International Auto Show).

Here are some highlights from the show. We’d like to thank all of the people who took time out of their busy day to talk to RPM NEWS Weekly.

About the NEIAS

The 2019 Boston Auto Show is underway, RPM News talks to Paragon Group VP & New England International Auto Show Producer Barbara Pudney about what to expect at this year’s show.

Boston Cup Classic Car Show Founding Chairman Rich Doucette talks to Rich Taber

Rich Doucette, Founding Chairman of the Boston Cup Classic Car Show and curator of the New England International Auto Show ‘ScrubaDub Car Wash Muscle Car Showcase’ talks to RPM News about his own automotive history, The Boston Cup Classic Car Show and future classics.

2020 Jeep Gladiator Regional Debut

The Jeep Gladiator made its (Northeast) regional debut at the 2019 New England International Auto Show in Boston. Brandon Grimus, Jeep Gladiator Brand Manager, talks to Rich Taber about this all-new Jeep and reviving the iconic Jeep nameplate.

Cape Anne Electric Bikes

Sometimes it’s not all about the cars at the New England International Auto Show. Kathy Reed from Cape Anne Electric Bikes talks to Rich Taber about the benefits of Cape Anne’s lineup of electric bikes. You could say these bikes are hybrids (human-electric?) and can be driven on electric power, pedal power, or a combination of both.

Cape Anne also features rentals, so if you’re going to be vacationing in the Cape Anne area next summer, be sure to check them out!

Thanks again to Barbara Pudney, Rich Doucette, Brandon Grimus, Kathy Reed, Chris Russell & Rane Newcomb.

Corvette: American Original

Corvette fans, are you looking for something fun to do during the winter (other than making snow-donuts in a Z06)? Well, you’re in luck. The guys from Everyday Driver (Todd Deeken & Paul Schmucker) have released their 5th feature film – Corvette: American Original.

A follow-up to their 2013 Porsche film 50 Years of the 911 and the 2016 BMW M3 documentary ICON, American Original is certainly Everyday Driver’s most ambitious film to date.

While there were only eight variations of the Porsche 911 to drive at the time of filming 50 Years of the 911, for Corvette: American Icon Everyday Driver drove 13 different Corvette models spanning seven generations of the celebrated sports car.

So, while you’re sitting around waiting for the ice in your driveway to melt, check out the latest film from Everyday Driver.

If the 5-star ratings on Amazon are any indication, it’s certainly worth the $3.99 (HD) rental.

Click the link or the image below to find out more: