Car Chat

Mike Fernie spent 8+ years at DriveTribe, became Head of Video, and helped build some of the channel’s most-loved nerdy engine deep dives — now he’s gone solo on his own YouTube channel. We talk Clarkson/Hammond/May behind-the-scenes, how YouTube actually rewards consistency, and what Mike’s building next (including a big-turbo XJS and the infamous V10 MX-5). https://www.youtube.com/Mike_Fernie En...

Petrol Ped joins me to talk hybrids, from plug-ins to Porsche’s new 911 GTS-T Hybrid. We dig into whether a hybrid is better than the same car without. What makes a good PHEV, why real-world MPG figures are nonsense, and how Porsche is bringing back the ICE Boxster / Cayman. Enjoy. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@PetrolPed Show Notes: 02:51 Plug-In Hybrids vs. Full EVs — The Real-World Trade-Off 06:03...

I sit down with Tiff Needell — racer first, TV legend second — to talk F1 beginnings, Le Mans nights, and how the airfield days birthed that trademark opposite-lock testing style. We get honest about what makes a car feel alive, the quiet magic of cheap manuals, EV tradeoffs, and Tiff’s forever garage from McLaren F1 to Morris 1000. Tiff's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1L311xIKsJMmXpyaF1j...

Al Clark is the founder of Outrun Films and one of the leading automotive directors working in the industry today. From Bugatti and McLaren to Aston Martin, Al’s career spans viral films, major commercials, and the evolution of CGI car production. We discuss his journey from grassroots filming to global campaigns, what goes into making hypercars look their best on screen, and how the industry is a...

Miro Zrnčević is the Chief Test and Development Driver at Bugatti Rimac. We talk about his journey from Croatian car journalist to driving the most powerful hypercars in the world, what makes a great test driver, and how you balance engineering, feel, and feedback at 400 km/h. Enjoy.https://www.rimac-automobili.com/https://www.bugatti.com/ Show Notes: 00:00 The New Era of Hypercars 09:44 From Jour...

Rod Chong is a creative director and automotive cultural icon whose career spans music videos, video games, and real-world car culture. In this episode, Sam explores Rod’s journey from directing rock music videos to co-founding Speedhunters, leading creative direction on Need for Speed and Project CARS, and building cutting-edge car experiences at Race Service with brands like Ferrari and Porsche....

George Williams returns to talk about launching Get Lost Automotive and their first build, Project Safari — a lifted, reimagined Lotus Elise S1. We cover everything from road trip stories to suspension geometry, design philosophy, and how he’s applying his photographic eye to building cars. Enjoy. https://www.getlostautomotive.com/https://www.gfwilliams.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Katarina Kyvalova races everything from pre-war Bentleys to Jaguar E-Types at places like Le Mans, Spa, and Monaco. We talk about her mad first race in a 1928 Bentley, how she handles gearboxes with no synchro, and what it’s really like driving five weeks across the world in the Beijing to Paris rally. Enjoy. https://www.instagram.com/kkyvalova/ Chapters: 00:00 – Why Racing Is Addictive 03:01 – Fr...

Jingyi Chen, Head of Battery at Breathe Battery Technologies, joins me to discuss how software is transforming the way EV batteries are charged, managed, and designed. We get into the science behind fast charging, battery degradation, and why Breathe’s tech is already being used by major OEMs like Volvo, Rimac and Cosworth. Enjoy. https://www.breathebatteries.com Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Smarter b...

Matt Prior is back for a good rant about car tech gone wrong — from driver-monitoring nags to touchscreens where buttons should be. We cover the charm of the Ineos Grenadier, the Ariel Nomad, small luxury cars, and Matt’s latest purchase, plus behind-the-scenes stories from Autocar’s “My Week in Cars.” Enjoy. https://www.autocar.co.uk/ Show Notes: 00:00 – Why Cars Nag You: Attention Assist and Dri...

Simon Saunders, founder of Ariel Motor Company, returns to chat about the all-new Nomad 2, the future of EVs, Ariel's experimental hypercar, and why some cars just make people smile. We also dive into titanium 3D printing, rally testing, and the psychology of driving. Enjoy, https://www.arielmotor.co.uk Chapters: 03:01 Introducing the Nomad 2: Design and Performance Changes 05:58 Off-Road Capabili...

Goran Turkic, founder and CEO of Tedson Motors, returns to the podcast to discuss their bold new project: the Etna. Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, yet radically re-engineered and redesigned, the Etna aims to deliver the most authentic driving experience possible in 2025. Goran shares insights into the challenges of blending Lamborghini's iconic V10 heritage with cutting-edge technology, achiev...

Paul Howse shares insights from his fascinating career as a car designer, highlighted by his 11-year tenure at McLaren Automotive where he was instrumental in designing iconic cars like the McLaren P1 and the 720S. From drawing cars in his school books to refining automotive design at Northumbria and the Royal College of Art, Paul discusses the delicate balance between aesthetics, functionality, a...

Amy Heynes (Shore) is an acclaimed automotive and lifestyle photographer known for her distinctive, storytelling style that blends photojournalism with classic automotive scenes. In this episode, Amy joins Sam Moores to delve into her journey from wedding photography to becoming a prominent figure capturing the emotional and human elements of the automotive world. They discuss the nuances of devel...

Howden Haynes is the Technical Director and co-owner of Progressive Motorsport, known for his engineering skills and extensive experience in top-level racing with Audi Sport Team Joest and Bentley’s Le Mans programs. Howden shares insights into his motorsport journey, from early days at hill climbs to engineering wins at iconic races like Le Mans and DTM. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at th...

In this episode of the Car Chat Podcast, photographer Kevin McCauley, renowned for his distinctive automotive imagery shares insights from his journey from graphic design to professional car photography. Kevin details his evolution from shooting exclusively on iPhones to producing editorial, commercial, and auction photography for leading automotive brands. The discussion explores his unique appro...

Steffen Dobke is the founder of Analogue Automotive, a company that restores and reimagines the Lotus Series 1 Elise. Steffen shares his journey, the philosophy behind Analogue Automotive, and what makes their builds stand out in a world full of ultra expensive 911 restomods. Discover the story and ethos that has shaped these builds. https://analogueautomotive.co.uk/ Enjoy. Show Notes: 00:00 The J...

Joey Seely, founder of E-Motion Engineering, joins the Car Chat Podcast to discuss his journey from motorsport mechanic to running one of the premier automotive tuning and suspension setup companies. Joey shares his expertise on vehicle dynamics, suspension tuning, his motorsport adventures, and what it takes to make a car truly handle. A deep dive for enthusiasts who appreciate the art and scienc...

In this episode, I'm joined by Masa Kuji, co-founder of Built By Legends, the renowned Japanese restomod company that brings iconic cars like the Skyline GT-R and classic Honda Civics into the modern age. Masa shares the fascinating journey from producing English-dubbed versions of legendary Japanese car films like Best Motoring and Hot Version to creating bespoke, high-quality restorations with l...

Jonny Hart, founder of Classic Retrofit, joins the podcast to talk about modernising classic cars while preserving their charm. With a background in aerospace and electronics, Jonny has developed innovative plug-and-play solutions that improve reliability, from fuse panels to full climate control systems. We discuss the challenges of integrating modern tech into old-school vehicles, working with r...

Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili, is a former professional rally driver who now specializes in creating exceptional restomod vehicles, reviving iconic rally legends through modern engineering and innovation. Luca discusses his early career in rallying, sharing pivotal experiences from competing internationally and his transition into entrepreneurship. He reveals the inspiration and...

Riccardo Quaggio is the founder and creative force behind Totem Automobili. Riccardo shares his journey from being a designer at Alfa Romeo to launching a brand that builds fully re-engineered, handcrafted Alfa Romeo Giulia GT restomods with modern technology, custom-built engines, and obsessive attention to detail. https://totemautomobili.com/ We discuss how Totem began with an electric restomod...

This week we are joined by Daniel Morad, professional racing driver and AMG factory driver, to dive into his journey from karting at eight years old to competing on the world’s biggest endurance racing stages. We talk about his early days in go-karting, the challenges of moving through the ranks, and the intense physical demands of racing – including how he bulked up his neck to survive 5G corners...

This week we sit down with Tim Dutton, the man behind Ivan Dutton, a specialist restoration business dedicated to pre-war Bugattis. Tim shares his deep-rooted family history in motorsport and Bugatti restoration, tracing back to his grandfather’s time as a riding mechanic at Brooklands. https://www.duttonbugatti.co.uk/ The conversation covers the intricacies of restoring and maintaining these hist...

Marlon Goldberg shares his journey from car dealerships to founding Workshop 5001, diving into Porsche restoration, car culture, and the importance of technical knowledge in sales. We cover the philosophy behind Workshop 5001 and what makes these cars so special. https://workshop5001.com/ Show Notes: 00:00 The Porsche Restoration Landscape 02:58 Marlon Goldberg: Journey into Porsche Restoration 06...