SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 09:50AM 
The Jeep® brand and Ann Druyan, the widow and collaborator of Carl Sagan, have joined together to create the 90-second video "Pale Blue Dot," which launches the new Jeep Wrangler 4xe and puts attention on efforts to combat climate change. With every completed view of “Pale Blue Dot” on Jeep brand’s YouTube page, the brand will make a contribution to Coalition for Rainforest Nations and the Carl Sagan Institute of Cornell University to combat climate change. On Feb. 14, 1990, famed scientist Carl Sagan gave the world an astonishing vantage point of the planet we call home. In 1981, Sagan, a member of the mission’s imaging team, began lobbying NASA to turn Voyager 1’s camera for one last look homeward, once it had completed the first reconnaissance of the outer planets. The resulting image with the Earth appearing as a tiny speck, miniscule in size from out beyond Neptune, almost 4 billion miles away, became known as "the pale blue dot." The brand worked together with Emmy and Peabody Award-winning American writer, producer, director Ann Druyan (Founder and CEO of Cosmos Studios, maker of science-based entertainment) on creative elements of the piece, hinging on Carl Sagan’s narration. The Jeep brand’s “Pale Blue Dot” video includes passages from Sagan’s 1994 book "Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space” in which he spoke in-depth about the photograph. Editor-in-Chief's Note: This video is well worth your time, it is beautifully executed. -PMD
Nissan has unveiled the Z Proto, signalling the company's intent to launch a new generation of its Z sports car. Shown at an event beamed around the world from the Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, Japan, the prototype features new design inside and out, as well as an upgraded powertrain with a manual transmission. This is what Nissan PR minions say: "the Nissan Z Proto pays full respect to 50 years of Z heritage. At the same time, it's a thoroughly modern sports car." Editor-In-Chief's Note: This is what I say: Really? That's all you got, Nissan Design? How many times can you go to the same well? Why not re-manufacture the original Z with a modern drivetrain, technology and safety systems? Or is that what the Z Proto is supposed to be? I hope "Z" aficionados are happy, but I'm feeling none of it. I've seen this before, oh, about 100 times. It's derivative, predictable and boring. I am not impressed. -PMD
Audi has unveiled a trio of 2021 RS models now on sale to customers in the U.S., but bring piles of ca$h-ola: The Audi RS 6 Avant ($109,000) is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 591HP and 590 lb-ft of torque; and a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. An exclusive RS Tribute Edition (just 25 units), which pays homage to the 1994 RS 2 Avant, will also be available in the U.S. The second generation of the RS 7 five-door coupe ($114,000) is also equipped with the 4.0-liter TFSI® bi-turbo V8 with 591HP and 590 lb-ft of torque. And the RS Q8 ($114,500) is the first RS SUV in the U.S. Featuring the same bi-turbo V8 engine to deliver RS performance and driving dynamics, the RS Q8 is currently the fastest production SUV to lap the renowned Nürburgring racetrack with an official time of 7 minutes and 42.2 seconds (which is apropos of exactly nothing, by the way). Due to niche buyers who Just. Must. Have. a high-performance wagon, we expect the RS 6 Avant to be in high-demand and hard to come by.
The new GMC HUMMER EV will be unveiled on Tuesday, October 20. A standout available feature of the new Hummer EV is its industry-leading "Crab Mode" - allowing it to move in a diagonal direction – which is enabled by its four-wheel steering capability. Customer reservations for the GMC HUMMER EV will be available through GMC.com and at participating dealers on October 20. More information is available at https://www.gmc.com/electric-truck/hummer-ev.
(Ford images)A new Tremor Off-Road Package will be available on the 2021 Ranger, creating "the most off-road-ready factory-built Ranger ever offered in the U.S.," according to Ford PR minions. Ranger Tremor features a lifted suspension with off-road tuned FOX™ 2.0 monotube dampers and rear piggyback reservoirs; specially tuned front coilover and rear leaf springs; 32-inch Continental General Grabber™ all-terrain tires and six-switch auxiliary power pack to manage accessories including winches, light bars and air compressors. Along with its General Grabber tires and new wheel lips, Ranger Tremor also has a 1-inch wider stance; Magnetic-painted wheels; hoop-style steps; rear recovery hooks; painted grille; and optional hood and body graphics; plus package-exclusive seats with Miko suede inserts and black interior accents. The Tremor Off-Road Package will be available on mid XLT and high Lariat series 2021 Ranger trucks with the SuperCrew 4x4 configuration. How much? The Package MSRP is $4,290. 2021 Rangers equipped with the Tremor Off-Road Package will be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, with production slated to begin early next year.
Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the all-new Hyundai Tucson. The fourth-generation compact SUV is a global model, with a long-wheelbase variant and a short-wheelbase variant depending on the market. It's hard to believe, but Hyundai has sold more than 7 million units globally since its original launch in 2004. Hyundai expects the new model to attract even more customers with its "cutting-edge design, roominess, class-leading digital capabilities, dynamic ride and handling and excellent fuel efficiency," according to Hyundai PR minions. The all-new Tucson goes on sale in Korea in September as a 2021 model. It will go on sale in the U.S. and other global markets as a 2022 model starting next year. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Are we excited? Nope. -PMD
The latest from the Bring Ca$h-ola File: This is the new Bentley Continental GT Mulliner coupe. It features bespoke craftsmanship and unique Mulliner features that "define the pinnacle of luxury in the Continental family," according to Bentley PR minions. It was designed and built by Bentley Mulliner – Bentley’s own bespoke division – and the oldest automotive coach builder in the world. What do you get? A choice of 88 Mulliner piano veneers; a unique Double Diamond front grille; a new Mulliner 22" wheel design (aka HUGE); contemporary technical finishes and a bespoke Mulliner interior crafted entirely by hand, including 400,000 stitches in the cabin "to deliver exceptional quality." And you can choose between a 6.0-liter W12 with 626HP, or a 4.0-liter V8 with 542HP. Orders are being taken beginning in October, with customer deliveries sometime next year. How much? Bentley didn't say.
The 2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic bridges the gap between Defender and Defender X with a tougher exterior look and unique interior fittings to set it apart from the rest of the lineup. The Defender X-Dynamic can be enhanced further with a choice of S, SE and HSE Specification Packs. Other details? A maximum payload of up to 1984lbs, static roof load of up to 661lbs, dynamic roof load of 370lbs, towing capacity of 8,201lbs and wading depth of up to 35.43 inches. Land Rover Terrain Response® technology offers a new Wade program and off-road Configurable Terrain Response® allowing experts and novices to optimize traction in various conditions. The 2021 Land Rover Defender is available to order now, priced from $46,100 in the U.S. You can configure one at www.landroverusa.com
Oh look! Yet another supercar, this time from Maserati. The MC20 was unveiled in Modena on September 9th. The new MC20 (MC for Maserati Corse and 20 for 2020) is "the Maserati everyone was waiting for," according to Maserati PR minions. (Really? Not feeling it at the moment, but okay.) It features the new "Nettuno" engine, a 621HP V6 with 538 lb-ft of torque that delivers 0 – 60 mph in under 2.9 seconds and a top speed over 202 mph. The Nettuno is the first engine with MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion) technology, the "ground-breaking" combustion system was developed in-house by Maserati. The MC20 weighs 3306 pounds, which yields a weight/power ratio of 5.3 pounds/HP. The MC20 was designed in Modena and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant, where Maserati's models have been built for more than 80 years. The new production line, created in the spaces where the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models were assembled until November 2019, is now ready for action in the historic plant. The site also features a new paint shop incorporating innovative, environment-friendly technologies. Nettuno will also be built in Modena, at the newly established Maserati Engine Lab. The new MC20 will be connected at all times with the Maserati Connect program. The full range of services includes connected navigation, Alexa and Wifi Hotspot and can also be managed through the Maserati Connect smartphone or smartwatch App. For the launch, Maserati has also developed six new colors to characterize MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. Each of them has been conceived, designed and developed exclusively for this car and they all convey important themes: a strong reference to Made in Italy, to Italian identity and to the land, as well as one linked to Maserati tradition. The production launch is scheduled for the end of 2020 with orders accepted beginning September 9th.
AE Song Lyrics of the Week:
One! Two!
Back then long time ago when grass was green
Woke up in a daze
Arrived like strangers in the night
(Fab! Doot, doot, doot doo)
Long time ago when we was fab (Fab!)
Back when income tax was all we had
Caressers fleeced you in the morning light
Casualties at dawn
And we did it all
(Fab! Doot, doot, doot doo)
Long time ago when we was fab (Fab)
In my world you are my only love
And while you're in this world
The fuzz gonna come and claim you
But you mo better wise
When the buzz gonna come and take you away
Take you away. Take you away
The microscopes that magnified the tears
Studied warts and all
Still the life flowed on and on
(Fab! Doot, doot, doot, Gear!)
Long time ago when we was fab (Fab)
But it's all over now, baby blue
(Oo! doot, doot doot. Fab!)
Long time ago when we was fab
(Fab!) Like this pullover you sent me
(Fab! Doot, doot, doot. Gear!)
And you really got a hold on me
(Fab! Doot, doot, doot, Gear!)
"When We Was Fab" by George Harrison from the album "Cloud Nine" (1987)*. Written by George Harrison and Jeff Lynne. Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; Concord Music Publishing LLC. Watch the video here.
*George Harrison wrote this about the days of Beatlemania, when the group was known as "The Fab 4." With the lyrics, he was just having a goof - he called it "complete joke words." The lyrics were written after the track was complete; Harrison gave it the working title "Aussie - Fab" because it was written in Australia and it sounded like a Beatles song. He decided to use "fab" in the title and make it a playfully nostalgic song about The Beatles. Harrison wrote a far more sanguine song about The Beatles - "All Those Years Ago" - in 1981 following John Lennon's death. Jeff Lynne of The Electric Light Orchestra wrote this song with Harrison and also produced it with him, along with the rest of the album. A huge Beatles fan, Jeff also appears briefly in the video for this song (look for the big afro). Lynne's influence on this song is apparent in the cello, which was played by a Philharmonia Orchestra member named Bobby Kok. Two of the Fab 4 played on this song: Ringo Starr was the drummer. Knowing he had his former bandmate on board, Harrison started writing the song thinking of a drum pattern Ringo would have played back in the '60s. Harrison came up with a drum part that he thought mimicked the Beatles song "Glass Onion," but he later realized it didn't. Harrison and Jeff Lynne put the song together at end of 1986 when they went to Australia to see the Adelaide Grand Prix. They ended up at someone's house for dinner and there was a grand piano there. They both sat down and started writing the chords, then the verse melody. They recorded their impromptu session on cassette, which they recovered when they started recording the album in England. They stole the bridge from another song they were working on and further refined the track before finally writing the lyrics. Harrison hadn't released an album since Gone Troppo in 1982, which was hitless. When he delivered Cloud Nine in 1987, the title was an apt description for how Warner Bros. Records, the distributor for Harrison's Dark Horse label, felt about it. They gave it a huge promotional push that helped send the first single, "Got My Mind Set On You," to No. 1 in America and several other countries. "When We Was Fab" was the follow-up and was a solid hit. It was his last new song to chart in the US. (Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)