Looking Out - The Podcast

Hosted by Drew Smith & Joe Simpson

Technology Arts Design Society Culture

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Connecting the dots across mobility, design, and culture. The partner show to Looking Out - The Newsletter.

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28 recent

August 12, 2026Episode 2856 min

EP28 - The Identity Issue Pt. 2

A few weeks ago, we introduced the uni-context—a theory that might explain why every new car is starting to look the same.This week, we go one layer deeper: identity versus character.Identity is what lets you recognise a supercar as a supercar, whether it was built in Modena or Atlanta. Character is something else entirely—it's specific to place, specific to person, and made just as much from what's "wrong" with a thing as what's "right".We talk about Chris Bangle's idea of cars as avatars, why Hyundai and Renault seem to have held onto character while so many premium brands have lost it, and how a data-obsessed, insight-hungry corporate culture might be quietly killing off taste and discernment.And we ask the harder question underneath it all: what does it actually take—for a brand, or for a person—to trust yourself enough to be different?That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

August 3, 2026Episode 271 hr 11 min

EP27 - The Identity Issue Pt. 1

We promised that we'd follow up with a discussion about the exterior of the Ferrari Luce. And we have. Sort of.The challenge is that, beyond slinging epithets its way, there's really not a lot to say that hasn't already been said.Or is there?In this episode, we explore the uni-context, a philosophical concept — developed by Agnes Callard — that might explain why everything is starting to look the same, including Ferrari's first EV.We also explore the movements in our garages (farewell, good ship Margot!), Drew's experience of designing a pilgrimage in Japan, and the rather underwhelming introduction of the Audi Nuvolari.Sources:Derek Thompson: A Philosopher's One-Word Theory to Explain Why the World Feels So WeirdThat's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

March 4, 2026Episode 261 hr 22 min

EP26 - The (not so) Ferrari Luce

Jony Ive and Marc Newson have made their mark with the interior of the new Ferrari Luce. The response has been predictably immediate and intense.Some see a revolutionary rethinking of how electric cars should feel. Others see a perfectly resolved collection of beautiful objects that nonetheless miss what a Ferrari should be all aboutWhat does this interior say about how we design cars, and the relationship between industrial and automotive designers and car culture? And what's the difference between "good" design and character?Drew and Joe unpack the debates that the Luce has sparked—and discover that, whether you like it or not, there's far more to talk about than meets the eye.That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

December 11, 2024Episode 251 hr 21 min

EP25 - The Jaguar Type 00: but what does it mean?

There's been a lot said about how the Jaguar's rebrand and the Type 00 look. But what do they mean? And what do they say about the culture of the company that created them? Joe and Drew dive in to the most talked about launch in a long time.Links:Rory Sutherland on the rebrandWhy Jaguar Had To Blow Up Its Brand In Order To Save ItWhy Does The New Jaguar Type 00 Look Like A Concrete Shithouse? An Ex-Jaguar Land Rover Designer ExplainsEmergency Pod: Jaguar’s Rebrand - Fearless or Foolish?Emergency Pod: New Jaguar revealed - Worthy or Wasted?That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

November 22, 2024Episode 2454 min

EP24 - The Opinion Episode

Joe and Drew aren't short of opinions. While the boys might be sometimes (often?) wrong, at the very least, an opinion gives us something to discuss, something to weigh the merits of. In this episode of Looking Out, they sincerely wish the automotive industry would have some stronger opinions of its own.Topics covered include the relaunch of Scout by Volkswagen, the Paris Motorshow, Renault's emerging range of retro EVs, the 5, the 4, and the upcoming Twingo, and the Zeekr Mix.That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

October 15, 202442 min

EP23 - The Tesla Robotaxi event and the state of the automotive industry

What the hell happened at Tesla's We, Robot event!? Joe and Drew dive in to the design disappointments of that fateful day and reflect on an industry in short supply of inspiration.That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

August 12, 202446 min

EP22 - Bugatti's poorly-parked wiper problem & a massive miss for CarPlay

Hoo boy, it's been a beat!But: Joe and Drew are back with a dissection of everything that's wrong with the Bugatti Tourbillon's windshield wiper, and the massively missed opportunity that is Apple's second-generation CarPlay.That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

June 26, 202443 min

EP21 - How to design characterful cars

This episode gets personal! Join Joe and Drew as they explore the sensory and emotional components of car design through the lens of their beloveds: the Mercedes W140 S-Class and the Porsche 911. In this episode, they delve into their stories with these cars and how they came to be so meaningful to them.They also discuss the importance of strong convictions around what character means to a brand, and how cars are paragons of multi-sensory orchestration.That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

June 5, 2024Episode 2046 min

EP20 - Making Sense of The Software-defined Vehicle

In this episode, we dive in to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and what they mean for the customer experience. We cover why car makers are developing them, including their need to diversify revenue streams in saturated markets, and the ability to deliver over-the-air updates. We also talk about some of the pitfalls, like accelerated obsolescence and good ol' enshitification. And we talk about the character we loose when everything becomes software-defined.📨 Subscribe to Looking Out - The Newsletter, the partner to the podcast.https://automobility.substack.com🤝 Connect with us on LinkedInDrew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewpasmith/Joe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-s-92863a2/🔗 LinksSam Saha's superb deep-dive on the software defined vehicle: https://sambuddha.com/share/vehiclesoftware/Saha_DefiningVehicleSoftware_002_SDV.pdf📸 Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/lookingoutpodcast/⏰ Time stamps00:00 Pre-roll03:42 The impending obsolescence of the software-defined vehicle05:31 Background for the show11:54 The car as part of a much larger ecosystem17:18 The questionable wisdom of trying to do it all19:33 Data as the new oil and the enshitification of the car23:00 The pros of Ford Pro46:11 Post-roll🎧 Listen and subscribe to the podcastApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/looking-out-the-podcast/id1636199763Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0YschSrj672jQOGt3R5eE5?si=59bde6c819844fc8Other platforms and streaming - https://podcast.lookingout.ioThat's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com

May 8, 2024Episode 1951 min

EP19 - From Milan Design Week to the Beijing Auto Show

Joe and Drew take a look at the most significant exhibits and announcements coming out of Milan Design Week, and the Beijing Auto Show. And they touch on Tesla. How couldn't they?📨 Subscribe to Looking Out - The Newsletter, the partner newsletter to this podcast.https://automobility.substack.com🤝 Connect with us on LinkedInDrew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewpasmith/Joe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-s-92863a2/📸 Follow us on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/lookingoutpodcast/That's it for this episode! Thanks for listening.If you like what you hear, please leave a review for us on your favourite podcasting platform. It helps other folk like you find us!And you can sign up for Looking Out - The Newsletter, the sidekick to our podcast, here: automobility.substack.com