Episodes

  • Inside Porsche Special Wishes, Singer Turbos & The Return of Analog Driving
    May 21 2026
    This week on Full Throttle Talk, Blair Smith and Shinoo Mapleton go deep into Porsche’s most exclusive world: VIP customers, Special Wishes, Sonderwunsch builds, Paint to Sample, and one-off factory projects. The episode also covers the Singer Turbo Study, why some high-end restomods barely get driven, the risks of shipping valuable cars, Lotus’ return to ICE and hybrid powertrains, and why the future of enthusiast cars may be less about horsepower — and more about feel. Guest Derek joins the show to share his story from wrenching on an MGB as a kid to helping shape some truly wild Porsche builds, including a Dakar, ST, 918 recommissioning project, and more. Subscribe to the Full Throttle Talk newsletter: fullthrottletalk.com
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Formula 1’s V8 Return, Porsche 964 Debate & Why Lightweight Cars Still Win
    May 14 2026
    This week on Full Throttle Talk, Blair and Shinoo dive into one of the biggest enthusiast stories of the year: Formula 1 moving back toward V8 engines. The guys also debate the rising hype around Porsche 964 values, compare the driving experience of a Lotus Elise 111R vs a real 964 RS, discuss Nürburgring record runs from Volkswagen and Zinger, and break down why lightweight sports cars still deliver the most emotional driving experience. Other topics include: Future ICE engine development from Lotus, Renault & Geely Ferrari 308 GT4 vs Acura NSX vs Porsche 964 Everyday Driver Elise comparison shoot Corvette C8 track-day consumable costs When it’s finally time to sell a car you love Subscribe to the Full Throttle Talk newsletter for behind-the-scenes stories, driving impressions, and enthusiast content: fullthrottletalk.com
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Why Cars Now Cost $50K (And What’s Coming Next)
    May 8 2026
    The automotive world is changing faster than most people realize — and not all of it is good for drivers. In this episode of Full Throttle Talk, we break down what’s really happening behind the scenes: • Why naturally aspirated engines may be disappearing • How government regulations are reshaping the industry • Why new cars are now averaging $50,000+ • The growing influence of China on global car production • And what all of this means for enthusiasts We also get into real-world driving experiences, underrated cars, and why analog driving might be more valuable than ever. If you care about where cars are heading — and what’s worth buying now — this episode is for you. 👉 More content: fullthrottletalk.com
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Slow Car Fast vs. Fast Car Slow: GT3s, Miatas, Manuals & Overrated Icons
    Apr 30 2026
    Blair Smith and Shinoo Mapleton tackle one of the best enthusiast debates: is it more fun to drive a slow car fast or a fast car slow? After Blair spends time in a 992.2 GT3 and Shinoo pushes a Miata through technical canyon roads, they compare modern speed, refinement, NVH, driver involvement, and why some cars feel thrilling while others feel too isolated. They also cover manual transmission take rates, Ferrari’s expensive EV plans, Morgan’s new Super Sport 400, and a few “overrated” cars that might upset Porsche, BMW, and GT-R fans.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Porsche GT3SC, Mustang GTD Ring Domination & The Death of the Manual Transmission
    Apr 22 2026
    This week on Full Throttle Talk, we break down one of the biggest weeks in automotive news. Porsche has officially unveiled the GT3SC, raising questions about what defines a true GT3. At the same time, Ford’s Mustang GTD is putting down blistering Nürburgring lap times, outperforming expectations and shaking up the performance hierarchy. We also explore a deeper question: are we living in the peak era of performance cars—or watching the beginning of the end? In this episode: Porsche GT3SC: Brilliant or unnecessary? Mustang GTD vs Corvette ZR1X: What really matters—power or engineering? BMW’s next generation strategy and the future of enthusiast cars The uncomfortable truth about manual transmissions disappearing “Ugly but lovable” cars that still win enthusiasts over Plus, we answer a listener question about whether the shift away from manuals is driven by data—or a misunderstanding of today’s buyers. If you care about driving, this episode is for you.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • EV Swapped DeLorean, Callaway Partnership & The Cars That Made Us | Full Throttle Talk
    Apr 16 2026
    This episode of Full Throttle Talk dives into everything that makes car culture addictive—from cutting-edge innovation to the analog machines that shaped us. We kick things off with a real-world EV-swapped DeLorean experience and why conversions like this might be the future of classic cars. Then, big news: a new partnership with Callaway Cars—one of the most iconic performance brands in Corvette history. From there, we debate some of the hottest topics in the automotive world: Are manual transmissions really disappearing—or making a comeback? Is a Porsche GT3 Cabriolet a brilliant idea… or completely missing the point? Why the Camaro’s return could reshape the American performance market And in one of our favorite segments yet, we break down the cars and driving experiences that truly made us car enthusiasts—from Porsche 911s to Lotus, BMW classics, and beyond. If you love cars, driving, and the stories behind both—this episode is for you.
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • C8 Z06 Track Impressions, Porsche GT4 Drive & The Best Cars to Track (Budget to $250K)
    Apr 9 2026
    What happens when you take a C8 Z06 on track, compare it to a Porsche GT4, and break down the best cars for track driving at every budget? In this episode of Full Throttle Talk, Blair and Shinu go deep into real-world driving experiences—from Spring Mountain Raceway to canyon runs—plus the latest performance car news and Nürburgring lap time debates. 🔥 In this episode: First-hand experience driving the C8 Z06 on track Why modern performance cars are getting too fast Porsche GT4 canyon drive: precision vs feel The truth about track vs street car performance Nürburgring controversy: race cars vs production cars Best track cars by budget: Why driver skill still beats horsepower (humbling track story included) 💡 Whether you're a weekend canyon driver or thinking about your first track day, this episode breaks down what actually matters—and what doesn’t. 🎧 Listen / Watch Full Episodes: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify 📩 Get the Full Throttle Talk Newsletter: 👉 FullThrottleTalk.com
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • First Track Day Lessons, Z06 Incident & Why Lightweight Cars Win
    Apr 4 2026
    What really happens when you take your car to the track for the first time? In this episode of Full Throttle Talk, the team shares real-world experiences from a recent track day, including a Lotus Elise pushing its limits and a C8 Z06 going off track early in the session. They break down what drivers often underestimate, why lightweight cars can outperform high-horsepower machines, and how real track driving differs from simulation. The conversation also covers Porsche’s new “manual feel” technology, Corvette Grand Sport updates, and the growing appeal of analog driving experiences in an increasingly digital world. For more episodes, insights, and exclusive automotive content: 👉 FullThrottleTalk.com
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    1 hr and 33 mins