Motor Trend Audio

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.