2026 Lexus ES First Drive + The Truth on Vehicle Kill Switches

2026 Lexus ES First Drive + The Truth on Vehicle Kill Switches

The Drive with Lauren Fix & Karl Brauer | Episode 36 This week on The Drive, Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer get exclusive early access to the all-new 2026 Lexus ES, including a first look at the complete lineup featuring three hybrid models and two fully electric variants. We sit down with Lexus executives and engineers to learn how the next-generation ES is evolving and what it means for luxury car buyers. We also get a sneak peek at the upcoming 2027 Lexus TZ, Lexus' new all-electric luxury SUV. What does Lexus see coming in the future of luxury transportation, and how are consumer preferences shaping the next generation of vehicles? Joining the show is veteran automotive journalist Mark Vaughn from Autoweek. Based in Los Angeles, Mark shares his impressions of the new Lexus models, discusses the current state of the automotive industry, and offers his perspective on where the market is headed. Then, in our final segment, we tackle one of the most controversial technologies coming to future vehicles: government-mandated vehicle kill switch technology. Is your next car being designed to monitor your behavior? What exactly does the infrastructure bill require? Can your vehicle be disabled remotely? We separate fact from fiction, examine the technology already being installed in modern vehicles, and discuss how advanced driver monitoring, connected car systems, and government mandates could fundamentally change the relationship between drivers and their vehicles. This is a conversation every car owner needs to hear. In This Episode: ✅ Exclusive first drive and interviews on the 2026 Lexus ES ✅ Sneak peek at the upcoming 2027 Lexus TZ electric SUV ✅ Automotive journalist Mark Vaughn joins the show ✅ The future of luxury hybrids and EVs ✅ Government-mandated vehicle monitoring technology ✅ The truth about vehicle kill switches ✅ Consumer privacy, ownership, and connected cars ✅ Automotive news, analysis, and consumer insights Subscribe for weekly automotive news, car reviews, industry insights, and consumer advice from two of the most trusted voices in the automotive world 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to speed with The Drive! https://thedrivecarshow.com/ 👉 Follow us on social media: Join Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer for the ride—follow us on X and FB @thedrivecarshow Syndicated Radio show on both AM, FM and Podcast platforms. 👉 Follow Lauren Fix on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarCoachReports YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@car-smarts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carcoachreports X: https://www.x.com/laurenfix FB: https://www.facebook.com/Car.Coach.Reports Website: https://carcoachreports.com/ 👉 Follow Karl Brauer on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarlBrauerCars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlbrauer X: https://x.com/karlbrauer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlonCars Website: https://www.karlbrauer.com/ #TheDrive #LaurenFix #KarlBrauer #carguys #CarPodcast #AutoNews #CarTalk #AutomotiveRadio #CarShow #AutomotiveExperts #CarReviews #News #AutoIndustry #CarCulture @lexus [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCEDHfFp2GZonrhuAaz7VjPw] ©Automotive Aspects, Inc., 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Tariffs, Car Theft Scams, Military Production & a 1,200 HP Bugatti

The Drive with Lauren Fix & Karl Brauer | Episode 35 This week on The Drive, Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer tackle some of the biggest stories shaping the automotive industry and your wallet. Are tariffs protecting American jobs and manufacturing, or creating more problems than they solve? Lauren and Karl break down the economic impact, the lessons from Europe's declining auto industry, and growing concerns about Chinese-made vehicles and cybersecurity risks. They also explore the surprising connection between America's military readiness and the auto industry. With discussions about automakers once again supporting defense production, history may be repeating itself in ways few consumers realize. Plus: ✅ The alarming rise of digital odometer fraud and how criminals can erase a vehicle's history without rolling back a single mile ✅ The 60-second keyless car theft scam that can turn your own keys against you while you sleep, and the simple steps you can take to protect your vehicle ✅ Karl gets behind the wheel of a 1,200-horsepower Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and experiences Bugatti's incredible new configurator, which lets owners reimagine and even rebuild their existing hypercars ✅ First impressions of the all-new 2027 Chevrolet Bolt ✅ A preview of the latest Lexus ES, one of the vehicles that helped launch the Lexus brand nearly 40 years ago If you love cars, industry news, automotive technology, and the stories shaping the future of transportation, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to speed with The Drive! https://thedrivecarshow.com/ 👉 Follow us on social media: Join Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer for the ride—follow us on X and FB @thedrivecarshow Syndicated Radio show on both AM, FM and Podcast platforms. 👉 Follow Lauren Fix on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarCoachReports YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@car-smarts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carcoachreports X: https://www.x.com/laurenfix FB: https://www.facebook.com/Car.Coach.Reports Website: https://carcoachreports.com/ 👉 Follow Karl Brauer on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarlBrauerCars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlbrauer X: https://x.com/karlbrauer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlonCars Website: https://www.karlbrauer.com/

GM and Honda Delay EVs — is Ford making a huge mistake?

The Drive with Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer | Episode 34 Guest Al Vazquez This week on The Drive, Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer welcome automotive journalist @alvazquez [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCGyXx5n1rClwwb5fSKvmybA] to break down the biggest stories shaping the automotive industry and your freedom behind the wheel. The conversation starts with Formula 1 and the growing backlash against hybrid powertrains following the Miami Grand Prix. Is F1 ready to return to its roots with louder, simpler, gasoline-powered racing? Next, General Motors delays its next-generation electric trucks indefinitely as EV demand continues to soften. Are electric pickups and electric semi-trucks practical for real-world work, or are they a solution looking for a problem? Honda is also pulling back on its EV ambitions after billions in losses. The company has delayed major vehicle programs, cancelled multiple electric vehicle projects, and is rethinking its long-term strategy. What does this mean for the future of electrification? Meanwhile, Ford is moving in the opposite direction. Lauren shares insights from her tour of Ford's Electric Vehicle Development Center and explains how the automaker hopes its new EV platform can compete with China while lowering costs. The show also examines the controversial federal impaired-driving technology mandate, often called the "Kill Switch" mandate. Could future vehicles prevent drivers from starting their cars based on algorithms and monitoring systems? Finally, Lauren and Karl discuss Flock traffic cameras and the growing concerns surrounding vehicle tracking, privacy, surveillance, and government access to driver data. Topics Include: • Miami F1 and the future of hybrid racing • GM delays electric truck production • The reality of electric semi-trucks • Honda's EV retreat and billions in losses • Ford's new low-cost EV strategy • The federal Kill Switch mandate • Flock traffic cameras and vehicle tracking • Automotive freedom, privacy, and technology 👉 Subscribe to The Drive with Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer for weekly automotive news, industry analysis, consumer advice, and the stories the mainstream media often ignores. https://thedrivecarshow.com/ 👉 Follow us on social media: Join Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer for the ride—follow us on X and FB @thedrivecarshow Syndicated Radio show on both AM, FM and Podcast platforms. 👉 Follow Lauren Fix on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarCoachReports YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@car-smarts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carcoachreports X: https://www.x.com/laurenfix FB: https://www.facebook.com/Car.Coach.Reports Website: https://carcoachreports.com/ 👉 Follow Karl Brauer on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarlBrauerCars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlbrauer X: https://x.com/karlbrauer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlonCars Website: https://www.karlbrauer.com/ #TheDrive #LaurenFix #KarlBrauer #carguys #CarPodcast #AutoNews #CarTalk #AutomotiveRadio #CarShow #CarReviews #News #CarCulture #TheDrive #AutomotiveNews #ElectricVehicles #Ford #GM #Honda #Formula1 #KillSwitch #FlockCameras #CarNews #EVs #Privacy ©Automotive Aspects, Inc., 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Kill Switches, Michelin Tires, and China’s Car Collapse

Episode 33 of The Drive with Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer. This week, Lauren and Karl are joined by special guest Jordan Dotson, Michelin Tire Brand Manager, for an in-depth conversation about today’s changing automotive market, vehicle longevity, premium tires, and what drivers can expect in the years ahead. In this episode: Why more Americans are keeping their vehicles longer than ever, and how premium tire technology plays a major role in extending vehicle life. What high new vehicle prices mean for automakers, consumers, and the future of car ownership. Michelin’s newest tires for both the new and used vehicles, plus how the Michelin Promise Plan is designed to build long-term customer confidence and will save you money. The latest developments surrounding connected car technology and the growing concerns over vehicle “kill switch” systems, including whether consumers should avoid certain new vehicles and if these systems can be disabled after purchase. China’s auto industry may be facing a major shakeup as BYD profits plunge amid aggressive EV price wars. Is a major industry reset coming? Karl Brauer reviews the Aston Martin DB12 S and explains what makes this high-performance luxury grand tourer stand out. The Drive with Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer delivers weekly automotive news, industry analysis, car reviews, and insider perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for new episodes, car reviews, industry updates, and automotive news every week. Insight, analysis, and straight talk on the trends shaping today’s automotive landscape. Subscribe for more episodes of The Drive with Lauren Fix & Karl Brauer. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay up to speed with The Drive! https://thedrivecarshow.com/ 👉 Follow us on social media: Join Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer for the ride—follow us on X and FB @thedrivecarshow Syndicated Radio show on both AM, FM and Podcast platforms. 👉 Follow Lauren Fix on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarCoachReports YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@car-smarts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carcoachreports X: https://www.x.com/laurenfix FB: https://www.facebook.com/Car.Coach.Reports Website: https://carcoachreports.com/ 👉 Follow Karl Brauer on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarlBrauerCars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlbrauer X: https://x.com/karlbrauer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlonCars Website: https://www.karlbrauer.com/ #TheDrive #LaurenFix #KarlBrauer #carguys #CarPodcast #AutoNews #CarTalk #AutomotiveRadio #CarShow #AutomotiveExperts #CarReviews #News #AutoIndustry #CarCulture

Tesla FSD Drove 2,000 Miles Alone - Nissan Plots a Comeback

The Drive with Lauren Fix & Karl Brauer | Episode 32 This week on The Drive, Lauren Fix and Karl Brauer are joined by Roman Mica from TFL for a fast-moving, no-nonsense breakdown of the biggest stories shaping the auto industry right now. A leased Tesla Model Y racks up 2,000 miles… without the driver touching the wheel. Is Full Self-Driving finally real, or are we getting ahead of ourselves? Roman reports from Japan after testing Nissan’s new AI ProPilot system in Tokyo. How does it stack up against Tesla’s FSD, and are we any closer to true autonomy? Nissan’s future revealed: a next-gen Rogue Hybrid, the return of the Xterra, and even a new Skyline. Is this a comeback story or wishful thinking? The policy whiplash crushing automakers. EV mandates, shifting regulations, and political turnover are creating chaos in product planning and costing the industry billions. Toyota Tacoma dominance: 20+ years on top and still going strong. Can Ford or GM finally challenge it, or is Tacoma untouchable? Are sedans making a comeback? Rising vehicle prices and changing fuel economy rules could be shifting the market back from SUVs. 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