NOVEMBER 18, 2020

(Jeep images)
Sometimes you just gotta give the people what they want, and the operatives at FCA's Jeep know exactly what Jeep people wanted: And it is not another proposed EV off-roader, but a Wrangler with a honkin' V8 stuffed in it. Jeep PR minions are calling the 2021 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon 392 "the most capable and powerful Wrangler yet." The potent 6.4-liter V8 in the Wrangler Rubicon 392 has 470HP and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. Jeep PR minions says that the Wrangler Rubicon 392 delivers "the best of both worlds" with greater off-road capability with greater approach and departure angles, suspension articulation, maneuverability and water traversing up to 32.5 inches and a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds – 40 percent faster than a V6 Wrangler Rubicon. The new Wrangler Rubicon 392 marks the return of a production V8 to the Wrangler for the first time in nearly 40 years. The good stuff? A TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters is standard; Trail Rated capability in any condition with a Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case and intuitive full-time four-wheel-drive; heavy-duty wide track Dana 44 axles with Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials and electronic front sway-bar disconnect; upgraded frame rails, factory 2-inch lift, unique suspension geometry, heavy-duty brakes and FOX high-performance shocks and standard 33-inch tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. Jeep operatives say that the 6.4-liter V8’s abundant torque and engine braking, combined with a 48:1 crawl ratio and unique torque converter locking strategy, enables Wrangler Rubicon 392 to "confidently crawl up and down steep grades at engine idle speeds." More good stuff? Functional exterior appointments include active dual-mode exhaust sound and unique quad tailpipes; a functional hood scoop feeds cool, outside air to the V8; the tri-level Hydro-Guide™ air intake system can channel up to 15 gallons of water a minute away from the engine; a secondary air path built into the hood allows engine to power the Wrangler Rubicon 392 up to top speed even if the hood scoop is completely obscured by mud, snow or debris; the leather-wrapped steering wheel features an aggressive rim section for extra grip and ergonomic comfort; the aluminum paddle shifters are a first for Wrangler; integrated upper bolsters in the front seats keep driver and passenger comfortably secure; the Off-road Plus drive mode lets drivers lock the rear axle at high speeds while in 4 High; unique exterior bronze accents denote Wrangler Rubicon 392 and new half-doors are available for those who crave an open-air feeling. “This is the most powerful, quickest, most capable Jeep Wrangler we’ve ever built,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. “The factory lift and abundant low-end torque from the V-8 makes the Rubicon 392 the king of the hills, whether you’re rock crawling at low speeds or powering up an incline. And, when pavement replaces dirt, Rubicon 392 makes quick work of the road.” The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 goes on sale in the first quarter of 2021. Editor-in-Chief's Note: We love this thing. -PMD

(BMW images)
The MINI brand is using #NEXTGen to present, in a world exclusive, the MINI Vision Urbanaut – an all-new interpretation of a vision of space. This is a digital concept designed to offer "more interior space and versatility than ever before, but still on a minimal footprint," according to MINI minions. "The MINI brand has always stood for 'Clever Use of Space'. In the MINI Vision Urbanaut, we extend private space far into the public realm, creating completely new and enriching experiences," explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “MINI sees its future self primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘MINI moments’. The MINI Vision Urbanaut uses three curated MINI moments – 'Chill', 'Wanderlust' and 'Vibe' – to present a wide range of possible usage scenarios. The Chill moment invites you to catch a breath and pause in the here and now. The car becomes a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey. Wanderlust is the only MINI moment where the MINI Vision Urbanaut is being driven or driving with automated driving functions. The moment Vibe puts time with other people at center stage – in every way,”adds Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design. The exterior and interior change to reflect the MINI moment at hand and give the experience the best possible stage. An all-encompassing user experience design, sustainable materials and a purely electric drive system are additional ingredients of the overall concept. Editor-in-Chief's Note: An updated Brubaker Box! -PMD

(Honda images)
Leveraging its strong presence in esports and gaming,  Honda unveiled a prototype of its 2022 Civic on Twitch Tuesday night. The 11th-generation Civic "draws inspiration from timeless elements of Honda design, including a low and wide stance, low beltline, clean and sophisticated detailing, and an open and airy cabin," according to Honda PR minions. The prototype model unveiled previews the arrival of an all-new Civic lineup, beginning late spring 2021, with the launch of the Civic Sedan. Other Civics to follow include the Civic Hatchback, Civic Si and the high-performance Civic Type R. “Civic has always exceeded expectations, and the all-new Civic will continue that legacy of setting the standard for compact cars with human-centered design, outstanding dynamics, style, safety performance and driver enjoyment,” said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Why Honda operatives decided to show a "prototype" now - with guarded pics - is beyond me. If the Civic Sedan is truly arriving "late spring 2021" then why not do a proper unveiling after the first of the year? I expect the new Civic to be excellent, but this kind of ham-fisted reveal makes no sense. -PMD

(Mercedes-Benz)
MotorTrend has announced that the Mercedes-Benz E- Class lineup is the winner of MotorTrend's 2021 "Golden Calipers" for Car of the Year. "The E-Class carries the stout imprimatur of old-school luxury, from the graining of the wood to the suppleness of the leather seats, to the consistency of design all around the exterior and interior. Yet it also carries the latest in automotive technology, be it in the realm of safety, assisted driving, or infotainment," said Mark Rechtin, MotorTrend editor-in-chief. "There is something simply reassuring about sitting inside a whisper-quiet-yet-thunderous Mercedes- Benz." The Mercedes-Benz E-Class outperformed five other finalists: the BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe, Hyundai Sonata, Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, Nissan Sentra, and Porsche Taycan. In awarding the Mercedes-Benz E-Class its Car of the Year status, MotorTrend's senior features editor Jonny Lieberman summarizes, "Mercedes could have slapped some new body panels on, updated the engines, and called it a day. But the engineers went the extra mile. They pulled the all-nighter. The Mercedes is a superior vehicle in terms of ride quality, dynamics, kinematics, or any other measurements you can think of. The result? Car of the Year." Editor-in-Chief's Note: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup was a surprise, especially considering that I heard from plenty of people who assumed that the all-electric Porsche Taycan would get MotorTrend's COTY this year. And given the list of finalists, I understand those assumptions. But it appears to me that the MotorTrend editors were recognizing the continuous engineering done by Mercedes-Benz over the decades on their bread-and-butter car; and that M-B operatives refuse to give up on polishing their "standard" car to the Nth degree. The detailed engineering and execution in the new E-Class are indeed impressive. As for the Porsche, as much as I appreciate the engineering effort and the on-the-road design presence of the Taycan, the fact that it weighs 5200 lbs. is just a huge turnoff to me. (And when you drive one you can feel every single pound.) I get the reality of the weight of the batteries, blah, blah, blah, but still, it seems to be as far away from the Porsche "vision" as you can get. Porsche needs to come up with something else to demonstrate their "E" cred, something that weighs 40 percent less and doesn't hinge on a list of excuses in order to be considered "Porsche-like." -PMD

(Porsche Design images)
Editor-In-Chief's Note: It's no secret that Design is my favorite part of this business. I have been privy to many previews of future designs over the years, but never for Porsche. Calling it their "Unseen" series, Porsche has decided to reveal some of its most compelling concepts from its design center's secret archives, including these six hypercars never before seen by the public. The first image (above) is of the Porsche 906 "Living Legend" from 2015 (a hard model in scale, 1:1). Using the iconic 906 racing car from the 60s as its inspiration. -PMD
The basic idea of the Porsche Vision 918 RS from 2019 (also a hard model in scale, 1:1) was an evolutionary design for the 918 Spyder. 
Another hard model in scale 1:1 is the Porsche 920 from 2019. The design brief revolved around the idea of how to go about combining the formal language of Porsche's road sports cars with the functional design of a prototype racing car. The result? An extreme hypercar with an aerodynamically optimized body and a central cockpit that blurs the boundaries between racing track and road.
Based on the Porsche 99X Electric, the Porsche design team developed a hard model in scale 1:1 of a radically light, fully-electric single-seater racing car for private racers called the Porsche Vison E. 
Porsche won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times with its radical 919 Hybrid. Using the dominating LMP1 racing car as a starting point, Michael Mauer and his team developed the Porsche 919 Street in 2017 as a clay model in scale 1:1. It was proposed as a special series of machines for private racing drivers.
The Porsche 917 Living Legend (a clay model in scale 1:1, from 2013) was conceived as a tribute to the Porsche 917 KH driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood that won the first overall victory for Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970. When Porsche returned to the LMP1 class in 2013, the team in Weissach developed a modern interpretation of the winning car of yesteryear, resplendent in the red and white livery of Porsche Salzburg. The Porsche 918 Spyder served as the technical inspiration. "In the super sports cars from Porsche, you always have the feeling of practically sitting on the road between the high wheel arches," says Michael Mauer. "We wanted to emphasize this even further." Editor-In-Chief's Note: This is my personal favorite. -PMD

AE Song of the Week:

1, 2,
1, 2, 3

Wake up kids
We've got the dreamers disease
Age 14 we got you down on your knees
So polite, you're busy still saying please
Frienemies, who when you're down ain't your friend
Every night we smash their Mercedes-Benz
First we run, and then we laugh 'til we cry

But when the night is falling
You cannot find the light
You feel your dreams are dying
Hold tight

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give upYou've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

I'm comin' home baby
You're tops,
Give it to me now

Four a.m. We ran a miracle mile
We're flat broke,
But hey we do it in style
The bad rich
God's flying in for your trial

But when the night is falling
You cannot find a friend (friend)
You feel your tree is breaking
Just then

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to live
Can't forget
We only get what we give

This whole damn world, could fall apart
You'll be ok, follow your heart
You're in harms way, I'm right behind
Now say you're mine

You've got the music in you
Don't let go
You've got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don't give up
You've got a reason to liveCan't forget
We only get what we give

Don't let go
I feel the music in you
Don't let go
Fly high, high

What's real, can't die
You only get what you give
You only get what you give
Don't give up
Just don't be afraid to leave
Health insurance rip off lying FDA big bankers buying
Fake computer crashes dining
Cloning while they're multiplying
Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson
Courtney Love, and Marilyn Manson
You're all fakes
Run to your mansions
Come around
We'll kick your ass in
Don't let go
One dance left
Don't give up
Can't forget

"You Get What You Give" by The New Radicals from the album "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed, Too" (1998)*. Watch the video here. 

*Singer-songwriter Gregg Alexander wrote this about people who aspire to be famous, and his cynicism toward the world of "celebrity." He's saying that people should just be themselves instead of aspiring to be someone else. The closing lyrics of this song caused controversy as they accused Marilyn Monroe, Beck, Courtney Love and Hanson of being fakes and that the New Radicals will "kick their ass in." Apparently not all of these artist held a grudge: Hanson collaborated with Gregg Alexander on their song "Lost Without Each Other" on the Underneath CD. The video was shot at a shopping mall in New York because Gregg Alexander said it epitomized society's fake culture of encouraging people to spend. Since disbanding the group in summer 1999, Alexander has written songs for the likes of Sophie Ellis Bextor, Ronan Keating, Mel C and Enrique Iglesias. His most well known composition is probably "The Game Of Love" by Santana and Michelle Branch, which earned a Grammy in 2003. (Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)