S3 Magazine Podcast

S3 MAG recently featured Jzilla's new team cars - a MK7 GTI and a VW Beetle. So James Marcellana & I got no to discuss that, and ended up getting into 'the emotion' behind cars/driving, and how that's a driving force (no pun intended) in what draws us to certain cars. Connection > perfection.

So in this podcast, we talk with Chris from E3 Spark Plugs. Chris is a huge Toyota fan, so we discuss the current 'energy' in the Toyota lineup (GR & TRD models), plus their courage to speak-out against all the recent misinformation surrounding the EV push. We also discuss Chris's role in E3 Spark Plugs.... and spark plug 'myths & truths' in general.

We FINALLY get with James from Jzilla Track Days. Topics of discussion:

Jeepin' Bubba from Black Bear Off-Road (and also a contributor w/ S3) talks about their first SEMA build... and what it took to get a vehicle to The SEMA Show.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the new VW-owned Scout Motors brand. The SUV is the Traveler, and the pickup is the Terra. VW is bringing Scout back as EV-only. The new Scout has no lineage-connection to its past other than name, design, & nostalgia. But off-roaders should appreciate VW’s effort of body-on-frame construction, mechanical front & rear lockers, and a solid rear axle. Additionally, the Traveler & Terra will support large 35” tires from the factory & come with 1-foot of ground clearance. And – they’re intended to be able to wade through 3-feet of water. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there’s little argument that Scout & Volkswagen nailed the design. But alas…

(This is an excerpt from our article on S3mag.com. Please get the FREE S3 Magazine app for our voice on car culture.)

We talk about the greatness of motorsports, and why there's kinda become a disconnect between motorsports and the masses. Then again - when we consider how overall 'disconnected' most new cars have become... it kinda tracks.

It's kinda turned into an annual tradition, but Ben Battles (Battles Digital) and I talk about this year's Slammedenuff event in Sevierville (Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg) Tennessee. See I wrestle with a love/hate thing with stance... as in I love the people & energy, but hate the way they're willing to castrate their cars for an Instagram follower. And every year, Ben Battles makes me try to understand... because he just loves everything all the time lol. I envy that.

Certain vehicle names carry weight. Whether it was performance, prestige, and/or durability… they earned their stripes in automotive history. For example, you’d have to go to some pretty remote corners of the earth to find someone who’s unfamiliar with iconic names like the Corvette, Mustang, Camaro, Jeep, or 911. Today however, the automotive industry is in a thick trend, where they’re resurrecting nostalgic vehicle names of the past. But are they doing it authentically… with respect to the heritage & fanbase? In short – are the modern carmakers doing these names justice? Let’s look at a few examples.

Rumor has it: Toyota MR2 and CELICA are coming back. So what's that mean exactly? It means that IF the rumors are true, then Toyota is the most enthusiast-based & spirited car-maker... by a landslide. Rumors are, both the MR2 and the Celica will get 2-liter turbocharged engines - no hybrid, no electrification. And manual transmissions WILL be available. Both cars will allegedly be all-wheel-drive. The MR2 will be mid-engine, and the Celica will be front-engine.

From their 4x4s to the sports cars, the ENTHUSIAST ENERGY that Toyota has is unmatched. And in a disconnected modern world of generic 'mobility', Toyota is making cars you actually want to drive!!

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Just being real honest here: I have a history of fighting for dying causes. Print magazines, 2-door sports coupes, 2-stroke jet skis, 3-pedal sports cars, 80’s metal, etc. It’s because I put my heart into (and defend) what moves me. And that’s neat & all. But it can also leave me in frustration. So… I was on a boat all this past weekend, and boats have a way of giving you clarity. And the clarity I got was: Follow ‘the energy’.

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