Automotive

Episode #037, 2009 Audi R8 

Mr. White’s lucky streak continues unabated as he gets into an Audi R8. Unaccustomed as he is to such exotica, he proclaims the design superior to the F430, though Mr. Black and Mr. Blonde disagree. Discussion covers the engine, the lack of torque-vectoring, the fine exterior design and how it’s the [...]

Episode #036, 2009 Nissan GT-R 

When Mr. White gets a lucky run, he sure makes the most of it. In this segment, the boys discuss Mr. White’s time in a Nissan GT-R. Torque-vectoring, AWD, cast aluminum structural components, just how many tens of thousands of dollars Nissan is eating on each GT-R sold, and the need [...]

Episode #035, Saleen     

Mr. Blue, AKA Mr. Detroit, wanted to talk about Saleen, Hyde Park, and American Sunroof Corporation, ASC. ASC now owns the state-of-the-art niche assembly plant where the Ford GT was built. The boys discuss the potential for Saleen’s new S7 successor, which will sell for a lot less money. Mr. Black holds court [...]

Mr. Black left his product worries behind for a few days and drove from LA to the Bay area in Yellow Bird, including a shot across his favorite road in California. Final destination? Chevron’s research center in Richmond, CA, on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Chevron had invited 15 online journalists to participate [...]

Open Road Podcast
Episode #032, 2008 Compact Trucks, Part 1

A new player enters, Stage Right. Mr Blue is a truck marketing geek. He and Mr Black discuss the potential market for a compact pickup. This is one for marketing people to listen to, or guys who know about trucks.
Duration: 33:06
Size: 29.20 mb
Format: Enhanced AAC
Direct [...]

OK, we didn’t know when to shut up, so we talked about MINI Clubman, the first-gen MINIs we once owned, and then the Smart car, that hedgehog from Stuttgart.
Duration: 23:23
Size: 21.30 MB
Format: Enhanced AAC
Direct download: ORP-Episode031.m4a
Duration: 23:23 Size: 21.50 MB
Format: MP3
Direct download: ORP-Episode031.mp3

Internet entrepreneur and founder of Mahalo.com, Jason Calacanis, joins Mr.
Black, Mr. White, and Mr. Blonde to discuss his recent test drive of a Tesla Roadster.
Jason has a Tesla on order, so Tesla CEO Elon Musk loaned Jason the demonstrator, serial number 0001, for a week-long test on the streets of Brentwood, Santa Monica, and greater [...]

Open Road Podcast
Episode #029, BMW 135i Coupe, Part 4

And now, the perfect substitute for the M3: The 135i Coupe. Can’t wait to drive a Tii.
Duration: 21:54
Size: 19.60 mb
Format: Enhanced AAC
Direct download: ORP-Episode029.m4a
Duration: 21:54
Size: 20.10 mb
Format: MP3
Direct download: ORP-Episode029.mp3

Episode #027, The Bourne Identity

Mr Black and Mr Blonde are joined by the one and only, and apparently infamous, Scott Bourne, the man who created Internet radio. Scott talks about his adventures with World Class Driving, an event company that rents time in exotics. The three also discuss his new purchase, an R-class Mercedes. You [...]

Open Road Podcast
Episode #026, BMW M3, Part 2
With the IS-F covered, the boys move onto the BMW M3, a brilliant technological statement.
Duration: 29:42Size: 23.66 mbFormat: Enhanced AACDirect download: ORP-Episode026.m4a
Duration: 29:42Size: 27.22 mbFormat: MP3Direct download: ORP-Episode026.mp3