Motor Trend Audio

David Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief of the Hot Rod Network is pushing the boundaries of the term "hot rod" with his ongoing project. Most people envision a hot rod to be a pre-war coupe whose interior and exterior has been customized and its engine modified for higher performance. However, for David it's a full-size 4-door pickup...with a diesel engine...that is 4WD. In our conversation with David he expands on his project truck, explains how hot rodding is being redefined and how the two go together

The Acura NSX was a stunning and memorable car when it made its debut in 1990. Now over 10 years after the first generation was discontinued, the brand's second generation halo car is finally ready to hit the market. We've been teased with concepts of the new NSX over the years at different auto shows and events. It wasn't until the completed car was revealed that we got a chance to speak with exterior design leader Michelle Christensen. We also get a chance to drive the NSX on, both, the street and at the track and review its performance with Nick Robinson from Acura R&D. Listen in as co-Host Alex Stack joins Charlie to compare design and driving impressions.

Mazda invited Charlie and Shawn to tour its collection of historic vehicles. Located in the basement of the Mazda Research and Development Center in Southern California, the collection showcases the company's historic cars, trucks, concepts and race cars as well as the company's rotary engine and manufacturing technology. Mazda motorsports spokesman Dean Case gave us his background, followed by insight into the Mazda motorsports development ladder and some of the well-known drivers with roots to the program. While touring the collection we had the chance to meet Mazda's design manager, Ken Saward, in addition to Randy Miller, a motorsports engineer who touches on the heritage of the MX-5 and how, for 2016, it will be available as a Global Cup Car straight from the factory in Hiroshima.

Fritz first visited the podcast on Episode 40 and we couldn't wait to get him back. He is a longtime friend of the program who buys, sells and owns lots of vehicles. All of his vehicles work hard, many get modified, some even expire but they are all loved and cared for by this effervescent enthusiast. Listen in as Fritz shares stories about his unique, varied and unusual fleet of vehicles (Swedish Army Unimog, anyone?) and the adventures he has had in them.

The SEMA Show is the place to see all the new, creative and innovative automotive products that power and transform the automotive industry. We meet Mike, a 17-year-old with health issues whose wish was to some day be able to attend the largest automotive aftermarket event in the world. The Make-A-Wish Foundation made Mike's dream come true and sent him to Las Vegas to take in the SEMA Show and we add to that dream by introducing him to legendary builder Chip Foose. We're also joined by SEMA VP of Marketing, Ira Gabriel, who tells us how anyone can attend SEMA Ignited—the official post show after party open to the public featuring many of the unique cars on display, the builders, food, music, celebrities and more. Our last guest is Brian Lohnes, co-founder and managing editor of BangShift.com, who also moonlights as a race announcer and has all kinds of cool stories to go with his cool announcer voice.

Our friend Mimi is the Executive Editor of Marin, a local lifestyle magazine for a county situated between San Francisco and California's wine country and one of the more affluent and well-educated populations in the United States. She was surprised to learn that a local chef drove a Pontiac GTO to the Farmer's market. She charged us to find other restaurateurs in the area that drove heavy metal. We speak with Ben Balesteri at Poggio Trattoria in Sausalito about his fabled 1970 Pontiac GTO. We then met Tim Humphrey at the Tiburon Tavern and talked about his 2010 Dodge Charger. Finally, Ged Robertson met us at Shoreline Café, one of his establishments, to discuss why he drives a 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Convertible..

Every year, the staff of Motor Trend does extensive testing of dozens of new vehicles and awards the best overall Car, Truck and SUV in each category. Winning the Motor Trend Car, Truck or SUV of the Year award is one of the most coveted automotive honors around, and for good reason. No one goes as far as Motor Trend to fully evaluate and track-test vehicles to determine the single best vehicle in each category against six key criteria: advancement in design, efficiency, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, safety and value. This year, for the first time, Motor Trend announced the winners at a festive industry wide award ceremony. We speak with the recipients moments after they receive their award.

We revisit actor Ed O'Neill to check up on how he likes owning a Tesla. He also talks about his wife's new electric Fiat 500. However, the real reason we visit was allow him the opportunity to drive the all-new Mazda MX-5 Miata. He drives it for a day and he gives us his overall impression of the vehicle as well as how he believes it compares to his Porsche Boxster S. We also catch up with Hollywood car guy Josh Hancock again, this time on the Fox Studios lot to try to talk about upcoming movies and the cars they will feature. Josh can't divulge too much about the movies, but he shares lots about the new Petersen Museum and the cars he would recommend to the stars.

Charlie makes the annual mid-winter trek to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). It's seems like it's never easy to get there but always worth the effort as the NAIAS is one of the most significant Auto Shows in the world. Who better to muse over this year's show then career auto journalist Paul Eisenstein, Publisher of The Detroit Bureau. Join a worn out Paul and Charlie as they recap the significant events and cars of NAIAS 2016.

Whiteroof Radio (WRR) is a podcast that for 10 years has talked all about MINI. Don Burnside ("db"), the host of WRR, joins us to share insights on all things MINI, podcasting and his love for Motor Trend Audio. Ralf also joins the show this week as a revenge visit. He had previously been on Episode #60 and wanted to defend his preference for sedans. Heck, he flew back over from Germany so we had to air his grievance...but only cause he's a fan of the show.

Wheeler Dealers, Britain's most popular car show, recently opened up a new workshop in Southern California and Charlie and Shawn pay them a visit. We talk with car enthusiast Mike Brewer about what led to the show expanding its operations to the USA as well as master mechanic Edd China about the creativity behind the show. We enjoy the show and are interested in learning how the endless sunshine and the Americanization of the English language is affecting the duo while talking cars, of course.

Google opened it doors to demonstrate the two vehicles that they are currently using to develop a fully autonomous car. The first is a fleet of converted Lexus RX450hs covered with sensors and loaded with computing power. The second is a purpose built pod-like vehicle lacking a steering wheel, accelerator, brake pedals, and a dash. Join Charlie as he meets up with Editor-In-Chief Ed Loh to get an update on Google's self-driving car project and catch a ride in the two vehicles. Correspondent Alex Stack followed the drive and joins the conversation.

The final Verizon IndyCar Series race of 2015 was one for the books, featuring a hotly contested win to wrap up a season full of drama and tragedy. With the final race awarding double championship points, six drivers were in contention for the crown. Join us trackside for both the final qualifying rounds and the day of the race, along with motorsport reporters Ed Jenks and Dicken Wear as we share insight of the season and drama leading up to this year's finale. Additionally, we join the pre-race press conference with drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Josef Newgarden, Graham Rahall and Will Power.

Closing out our series at Pebble Beach, we feature conversations with a Judge, and Designer and a Museum Curator. The irrepressible yet introspective Dan Neil is a Pulitzer Prize-winning automotive journalist, Pebble judge and friend of the podcast. We also catch up with GM Design's Director of Advanced Design, Frank Saucedo and an expert on all things luxury, the Executive Director of The Blackhawk Automotive Museum, Tim McGrane.

We love talking to designers and we are thrilled to engage three of the best. Jason Castriota dropped out of Art Center College of Design for good reason. Karim Habib created an homage to BMW race cars that people want to buy now. Frank Stephenson offers up a remarkable commentary on design that you'll want to listen to more than once.

The Concours d'LeMons celebrates the oddball, mundane and truly awful of the automotive world. Held on the day before the Concours d'Elegance, LeMons is a sarcastic gathering of awful cars, owners and alleged aficionados who obviously have a love for cars that's more than skin deep. Wayne Carini, from the TV show "Chasing Classic Cars" joins in on the fun.

The Quail has become one of the most exclusive gatherings on the calendar of events over the Pebble Beach weekend. There are only a limited number of expensive tickets available. The Quail has a relatively small but incredibly complete group of cars on display. This includes an eclectic collection of historic/collector cars which are surrounded by the newest offerings from the worlds luxury car brands. In and amongst all this are extravagant lifestyle displays along with great food and music. Charlie and Alex got there early to spend the day soaking it all in and found the time to rub elbows with Bentley, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

This, the second episode from Pebble Beach, covers our attempts to see and do everything we can as the weekend schedule is full of opportunities for anyone who loves cars. We somehow avoid the traffic as we visit the Concours d'LeMons, Concorso Italiano and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion races. Finally, Sunday we spend the day on the fabled fairway at Pebble Beach with some of the world's most fantastic cars. Along the way we meet up with a couple of collector car icons whose companies bear their names--Barry Maguire and McKeel Hagerty.

It's all hands on deck! Charlie, Shawn and Alex set out to plot their descent on the Monterey Peninsula in an effort to cover as much of the "Pebble Beach Weekend" as possible. In this first of many episodes, listen in on the gang sharing their impressions of the cars and events that make this weekend so great.

Charlie joins over 1300 MINIs as they attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most MINIs in a parade. The parade route goes over the Mackinac Bridge, which joins lower and upper Michigan. We learn to use our hand as a map, get to meet the guys who planned the event, the local police chief and our friends from White Roof Radio.