FEBRUARY 26, 2020

(Polestar images)
Polestar has revealed the Polestar Precept concept, a vision of the brand’s future direction and a clear expression of intent. According to Polestar PR minions, Precept "exhibits the execution of new, more sustainable interior materials, the continued development of the digital user interface and the essence of Polestar design." The name “Precept” was chosen to emphasize the vehicle’s role in setting out Polestar’s intent as the contemporary electric performance brand. “Precept is a declaration, a vision of what Polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant,” commented Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “The car is a response to the clear challenges our society and industry face. This is not a dream of a distant future, Polestar Precept previews future vehicles and shows how we will apply innovation to minimize our environmental impact." In three words? We. Like. It.

(Kia images)
More small SUVs? The market can't get enough of 'em apparently. Kia adds to its SUV lineup with the new Seltos, the brand's version of the Hyundai Kona. Calling it "Rugged, refined and right-sized," Kia PR minions go on to say that the Seltos is "a utility vehicle with an abundance of attitude... modern styling and a penchant for adventure..." Well, alrighty then! The Seltos slots between the Soul and Sportage models, and offers a choice of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder MPI engine with 146HP and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, managed by an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) (on LX, S and EX models), or a 175HP 1.6-liter turbo, and an available all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring cornering control and a lock mode to handle more severe road conditions. The higher horsepower engine is available in six trims: LX 2.0L AWD, S 2.0L FWD, S 2.0L AWD, EX 2.0L AWD, S 1.6T AWD and SX 1.6T AWD. The 2021 Kia Seltos goes on-sale in the U.S. this month. Pricing begins at $21,990 plus destination for the LX AWD and S FWD. 

(Rod Shows)
One of the Sacramento Autorama’s top awards (awarded on February 16th) was the King of Kustoms, which recognized the best 1935-1964 custom build with a focus on body lines, design, flow and quality of workmanship. This year’s winner was Glenn Black with his 1949 Mercury Custom. Judges particularly praised its incredible paint, which perfectly complemented its long swooping lines. We concur. 

(Honda)
Honda has announced what it is calling the the ultimate street-legal track-focused variant of its Civic Type R: The lighter and faster 2021 Type R Limited Edition. It will feature all of the 2020 model year Type R updates, plus additional enhancements. Only 600 units of the 2021 Type R Limited Edition - each with an individually numbered serial plate - will be sold in the U.S. The 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition modifications from stock include: Lightweight, forged aluminum BBS wheels (18 lb. total unsprung weight reduction); a further weight reduction of approximately 28 pounds accomplished via reduced sound deadening materials and removal of features such as the rear wiper, tonneau cover, and rear heater ducts; specially tuned dampers and recalibrated steering for maximum control and feedback. The 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition will come in one model-exclusive color: Phoenix Yellow. Additional model-exclusive treatment includes contrasting gloss black paint on the roof, outside mirror caps, and intake vent on the hood, along with a dark chrome Civic badge on the rear hatch. Manufacturer’s Suggested Pricing for the 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition will be made available closer to its launch later this year. 

Editor's Note: If you missed the survey results from our 2020 Super Bowl AE Auto Meter, you can check them out here. -WG

AE Song Lyrics of the Week:

'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, this life
Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah

No change, I can change, I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next...
I can't change my mould, no, no (have you ever been down?) no, no

Well, I've never prayed
But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now

No change, I can change, I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no

Have you ever been down?
I can't change it you know, I can't change it...

'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony this life
Trying to make ends meet, trying to find some money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down...
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah

You know I can change, I can change, I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next.
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no
You've gotta change my mould, no, no, no
(It's just sex and violence, melody and silence)
(Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence)
(Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence)
(I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down)
(Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence)
(I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down)
(Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence)
(Been down)
(Ever been down)
(Can't change my violence, melody and silence)
(Ever been down)
(Ever been down)
(Ever been down)
(Have you ever been down?)
(Have you ever been down?)
(Have you ever been down?)
(Have you ever been down?)
(Have you ever been down?)

"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve, from the album "Urban Hymns" (1997). Watch it here.  

(The song was based on a sample it uses from the Andrew Loog Oldham orchestral cover of the Rolling Stones' song "The Last Time" and involved some legal controversy surrounding a plagiarism charge. As a result, Mich Jagger and Keith Richards were added to the songwriting credits, and all royalties from the song went to former Rolling Stones manager Allen Klein. In April 2019, Jagger and Richards signed over all their publishing for the song to The Verve.)