AUGUST 12, 2020

(Hyundai)
Uh-oh, here comes the Battle of the "IQs." Hyundai has formally announced the launch of its new IONIQ brand dedicated to BEVs. Hyundai plans to offer customer-centric EV experiences "centered on connected lifestyle solutions in line with Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’" according to the company's PR minions. Hyundai plans on introducing three new dedicated models under the IONIQ brand over the next four years. “The IONIQ brand will change the paradigm of EV customer experience,” said Wonhong Cho, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company. “With a new emphasis on connected living, we will offer electrified experiences integral to an eco-friendly lifestyle.” It's funny, but that quote could have come from every single auto manufacturer jumping into the EV space. Hyundai first introduced the term IONIQ, which fuses “ion” and “unique” (we thought it came from "Vodka" and "Tonic" -PMD) when it announced Project IONIQ, a long-term research and development project focused on eco-friendly mobility. Based on the project, Hyundai introduced a vehicle named IONIQ in 2016.

(Cadillac images)

Cadillac’s move into an all-electric future began Thursday evening (August 6) with the debut of its LYRIQ show car - a fully electric luxury crossover with striking design features. The propulsion system and supporting technologies "position Cadillac to be a leader in electrification, connectivity and automated driving" according to Cadillac PR minions. The LYRIQ is based on GM’s next-generation, modular electric vehicle platform and driven by the Ultium propulsion system, allowing Cadillac to deliver customers a variety of range and performance options. Cadillac is designing LYRIQ to offer beyond 300 miles of range on a full charge, based on internal testing. Ultium’s state-of-the-art NCMA (nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum) chemistry uses aluminum in the cathode to help reduce the need for rare-earth materials such as cobalt. In fact, GM engineers reduced the cobalt content by more than 70 percent, compared to current GM batteries. The advanced battery chemistry is packed in large, flat pouch cells that enable smart module construction to reduce complexity and simplify cooling needs. Additionally, the battery electronics are incorporated directly into the modules, eliminating nearly 90 percent of the battery pack wiring, compared to GM’s current electric vehicles. Other details? Charging options that fit a variety of preferences for home, the workplace and on the road — including DC fast charging rates over 150 kilowatts and Level 2 charging rates up to 19 kW2; rear-wheel drive and performance all-wheel drive configurations; the latest version of Super Cruise3 - the industry’s first truly hands-free driver assistance feature - available on more than 200,000 miles of compatible highways and recently enhanced to include automated lane change; new technologies such as dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display and remote self-parking; Cadillac's most seamless and adaptive technology interaction with the driver and passengers, including the latest Cadillac user experience, which is showcased in a 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED screen the spans the entire viewing area of the driver. “Led by LYRIQ, Cadillac will redefine American luxury over the next decade with a new portfolio of transformative EVs,” said Steve Carlisle, executive vice president and president, GM North America. “We will deliver experiences that engage the senses, anticipate desires and enable our customers to go on extraordinary journeys.” The production date has not been announced.

(Maserati)
Maserati has expanded its Trofeo collection with the main emphasis being more horsepower. Following the launch of the Levante Trofeo in 2018, the new Quattroporte and Ghibli Trofeo are now available. To highlight Maserati’s all-Italian identity, the colors chosen for the Trofeo collection launch are those of the country’s flag: green for Quattroporte, white for Levante and red for Ghibli. The heart of Ghibli and Quattroporte Trofeo is the 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo with 580HP at 6,750 rpm and peak torque of 538 lb-ft. The engine, which was first revealed in the Levante Trofeo, is built at the Ferrari plant at Maranello to Maserati’s specifications, and has been modified and developed to deliver equally impressive performance on the rear-wheel-drive sedans. Ghibli and Quattroporte Trofeo are now the fastest Maserati sedans ever, with a top speed of 203 mph (326 km/h). Levante Trofeo’s maximum speed is 187 mph (302 km/h). There are countless other trick details in these new Maserati sedans as well. Ghibli and Quattroporte Trofeo will be built at the Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli Plant (AGAP) at Grugliasco (Turin), while the Levante Trofeo is built at the Mirafiori (Turin) plant. 

(Dodge)
Dodge bills the new 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock as "the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car." Powered by the same supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® high-output V-8 that powers the SRT Hellcat Redeye, the SRT Super Stock features a revised powertrain calibration that increases power output to 807HP. The "Widebody" comes standard on the Challenger SRT Super Stock, making room for the wider wheels and standard drag radials. Other stuff? Uniquely tuned Bilstein adaptive-damping high-performance suspension; Lightweight all-aluminum Brembo four-piston brake calipers and 14.2-inch vented rotors; Standard lightweight 18-by-11-inch wheels in Low Gloss Granite finish; Sticky 315/40R18 Nitto NT05R drag radials at all four corners; and a Performance-tuned asymmetrical limited-slip differential with a 3.09 final drive ratio. The Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock has a starting U.S. MSRP of $79,595 (excluding destination). Dealer orders will open later this month with production starting at Brampton (Ont.) Assembly Plant this fall. Deliveries to Dodge//SRT dealerships are scheduled to begin later this year.

(Jeep)

The Jeep® brand announced the #JeepTopCanine finalists on Tuesday, August 11. Chosen from thousands of entries, the brand narrowed it down to eight finalists. Fans can now vote for their favorite at www.JeepTopCanine.com. The winning dog will be named the first-ever #JeepTopCanine on National Dog Day, Wed., Aug. 26, and will be the newest (and cutest) face of the Jeep brand across its social media channels, appearing in exclusive content for the next year, until National Dog Day 2021. Fans can vote now from August 11 through August 18 at www.JeepTopCanine.com: 

• Bear, Northborough, Massachusetts
• Floyd, San Diego, California
• Macy, Edmeston, New York
• Louis, Edwards, Illinois
• Luna, Pflugerville, Texas
• Stark, Ivyland, Pennsylvania
• Rollo, Columbus, Ohio
• Peaches, Madison, Virginia

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Ram will officially unveil the all-new 2021 Ram 1500 TRX on Monday, August 17, at noon EDT (9 a.m. PDT). The debut of the TRX - Ram’s new performance-focused off-road pickup - will be streamed online and available for public viewing at www.facebook.com/RamTrucks and www.youtube.com/RamTrucks. -PMD

A Live Stream "Motoring" Event from Portlandia. This year's Portland Adult Soapbox Derby has been cancelled. But in its place is an online race of sorts: The Portland All-Ages Shoebox Derby. It is open to all ages and uses miniature cars. This is not Pinewood Derby racing, as those car parts are strictly forbidden. We are Portlandia. We do things differently. Anyway, the event will be live-streamed, and given the nature of F1 racing these days... I think it can be just as exciting as marble racing. - Dave Guyette, AE's Portland-based correspondent.

https://www.pdxshoeboxderby.com/  

Livestream Details:

August 15th 1pm-5pm

Free viewing from the following stations:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn0r3G_0nF_PvzqFSyw9MyQ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PDXsoapboxracer

AE Song Lyrics of the Week:

The local rock group down the street
Is trying hard to learn their song
They serenade the weekend squire
Who just came out to mow his lawn
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Rows of houses that are all the same
And no one seems to care

See Mrs. Gray, she's proud today
Because her roses are in bloom
And Mr. Green, he's so serene
He's got a TV in every room
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Mothers complain about how hard life is
And the kids just don't understand

Creature comfort goals, they only numb my soul
And make it hard for me to see
(Ah ah ah) ah thoughts all seem to stray to places far away
I need a change of scenery

Ta ta ta ta, ta ta ta ta
Ta ta ta ta, ta ta ta ta

Another pleasant valley Sunday
Charcoal burning everywhere
Another pleasant valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)
Another pleasant valley Sunday (a pleasant valley Sunday)


"Pleasant Valley Sunday" by The Monkees, from the album "Pisces, Aquarious, Capricorn & Jones Ltd (1967)*. Watch the original video here. 
*Gerry Goffin and Carole King (Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC) wrote this about Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, New Jersey, where they lived at the time. The Monkees fourth single, it is an ode to the simple life in happy suburbia. While studio musicians were brought in to play on many songs for The Monkees, the band did play on this one - for the most part. Peter Tork played piano and Mike Nesmith played the famous opening guitar riff. Chip Douglas, a former member of The Turtles who produced the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd album, played bass and came up with the guitar part, which was based on The Beatles "I Want to Tell You." He taught it to Nesmith, who overdubbed it twice. You can see him play the line during a close-up for the "video." Guitarist Mike Nesmith and drummer Micky Dolenz handled the vocals on this track (Dolenz also sang on "I'm A Believer"). Peter Tork of The Monkees explained to Bruce Pollack in 1982: "A notion of mine that I was real pleased with took over at one point, and that was having two guys sing in unison rather than one guy doubling his own voice. So you've got Mike, who was really a hard-nosed character, and Micky, who's a real baby face, and these two voices blended and lent each other qualities. It's not two separate voices singing together, it's really a melding of the two voices. Listening to that record later on was a joy." Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork both cited this as their favorite Monkees song in a 1997 interview with Mojo. This was used in a 2008 episode of the TV show Family Guy in a scene that was a homage to The Monkees, complete with a comic chase scene.(Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)