Touch a screen or tap a button? We take you straight into the dashboard debate reshaping car design as Euro NCAP updates its safety protocols to favor physical controls for core functions like turn signals, wipers, hazards, the horn, and SOS. We unpack why tactile interfaces reduce glance time, how human factors drive safer choices at highway speeds, and where minimalist interiors hit their limits when real drivers need fast, error-proof inputs.

From Europe’s new rating criteria to China’s proposed rules mandating fixed buttons with minimum sizes, the global tide is turning. We explore how major brands are responding: Volkswagen restoring knobs and switches after admitting the all-touch pivot went too far, Mercedes replacing fussy haptics with rockers and rollers, Hyundai keeping high-frequency hardware to lower stress, Tesla reportedly reviving turn signal stalks, and BMW balancing sweeping displays with dedicated safety buttons. It’s not anti-tech; it’s pro-context—screens for setup and infotainment, hardware for what you must hit without looking.

We widen the lens with a quick lap through the racing calendar and a timely tour of auto history, showing how innovation thrives within clear rules. Then we connect the dots to today’s EV market reset, with carmakers writing down big bets as adoption slows. The throughline is simple: design that honors human realities wins. Less menu-diving, more muscle memory. Fewer taps, more trust.

If you care about smarter car interfaces, safer roads, and technology that serves drivers—not the other way around—this episode is your roadmap. Listen, subscribe for more honest car talk, and leave a review with your take: buttons back, or screens all the way?

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Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

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Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

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info@inwheeltime.com

Craving a road trip that feels like a rolling car show with heart? We map out the Hot Rod Tour of Texas with organizers Bobby and Sabra Sparkman and dig into why this hill country run sells out fast, brings a symphony to the town square, and caps the weekend with a secret drive-in feature on the biggest screen at Stars and Stripes. From the free Thursday night kickoff in downtown Victoria to carefully scouted stops that can handle 350 cars, you’ll hear how the team balances logistics, safety, and pure fun.

We share what registration includes—driver and passenger shirts, two catered meals, and venue access—and why Eventbrite helps keep scammers away. The route heads north through the hill country with a Texas history stop at a restored fort, quick time at a beloved New Braunfels shop, and awards at the Luckenbach post office. Hotels in Victoria, New Braunfels, and Fredericksburg filled fast, so we offer tips on booking and why planning early matters. Along the way, we spotlight the culture that makes this tour special: teens piloting with grandparents, builders unveiling progress, Sabra’s hand-made caps selling out, and the Cobars returning to play beneath vintage aircraft.

We also widen the lens. Bobby’s crew supports car culture year-round with city shows, festival events, and cruises that keep people driving rather than parking. Then we switch gears for Motor Minute and tackle planned obsolescence—myth or real strategy—and close with a frank review of the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid calligraphy AWD, covering design, mileage, and everyday comfort.

Spots are already about 75 percent full. Join the ride, invite your co-pilot, and get your registration in before the last weekend of April sneaks up. If you enjoy this show, tap follow, share it with your car club, and leave a quick review so more drivers can find us.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
----- -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

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For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com

What if your tires could quietly renew their own grip as you drive? We kick off with a clear look at regenerative tire technology, unpacking how smart materials might maintain tread depth, extend tire life, and improve braking and safety in wet and dry conditions. From early patents to bold prototypes, we highlight Goodyear’s recharge concept and Michelin’s expanding tread blocks, then get honest about the hurdles that stand between lab success and daily commuting: durability, heat cycles, debris, and cost.

Then we trade lab coats for landscapes and plan a spring pilgrimage across Texas bluebonnets. We share practical, photo-friendly routes with timing tips shaped by weather and bloom cycles. The Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg brings sweeping hills and Indian paintbrush accents; Muleshoe Bend near Spicewood frames Lake Travis with easy trails and family space; Ennis maps more than 40 miles of viewing with a festival vibe; Brenham’s barns and fences add texture to wide fields; and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin offers curated displays that respect the land. Think golden-hour light, weekday visits, and staying on public roads to protect fragile blooms.

To round out the ride, we deliver a grounded review of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD. The boxy, modern design turns heads, while a two-foot display span, separate climate controls, dual wireless charging, and comfortable seating for up to seven make daily life simple. The 1.6L turbo hybrid returns strong real-world mpg with calm, composed handling, and the cabin feels thoughtfully laid out—though we still wish for a dedicated volume knob. We compare pricing and rivals like the Kia Sorento, Toyota Highlander, and Mitsubishi Outlander, and share straight-talk shopping advice so you can find the right trim at the right price.

Join us to connect future-focused tire tech with near-term road trips and a practical SUV you can buy now. If you enjoyed the ride, follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who loves cars and wildflowers.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

---- -----
Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?

In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
----- -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/

https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime

https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime

For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at

info@inwheeltime.com