Editor-In-Chief's Note: The E-Train has officially left the station, folks. California - the world’s fifth-largest economy - will stop selling gasoline-powered automobiles within 15 years, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday. “For too many decades, we have allowed cars to pollute the air that our children and families breathe,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday. “You deserve to have a car that doesn’t give your kids asthma. Our cars shouldn’t make wildfires worse — and create more days filled with smoky air.” The California Air Resources Board will develop regulations that ensure every new passenger car sold in the state is electric or zero-emissions by 2035, and automakers would be required to have all medium- and heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles be zero-emission by 2045. One crucial part of the order? It does not prevent Californians from owning or selling used cars with internal combustion engines, or buying them outside the state. The California auto market is not only responsible for around 11 percent of vehicle sales in the U.S., the state’s emissions standards are followed by 13 other states as well as the District of Columbia. So, make no mistake, this decision will set the tone for the entire industry. -PMD
(VW)
Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced an agreement with Electrify America to provide owners of the all-new 2021 VW ID.4 electric SUV with three years of unlimited charging sessions on the nation’s largest open DC fast charging network at no additional cost to the vehicle’s purchase price. To increase range confidence, Volkswagen will provide ID.4 customers, who lease or purchase the electric SUV, with access to Electrify America’s more than 470 charging stations and more than 2,000 DC fast chargers, including a newly completed cross-country route to take electric vehicle (EV) drivers from Washington, D.C., to L.A. Electrify America is currently the only open, public charging network to offer chargers with power levels up to 350 kilowatts. Across the country, 96 percent of the population lives within 120 miles of an Electrify America charger. Delivering on Electrify America’s commitment to seamless and convenient charging, Volkswagen customers will be able to manage their charging plan through an app provided by Electrify America. To meet current and future demand, Electrify America continues to expand rapidly, with plans to install or have under development approximately 800 total charging stations with about 3,500 DC fast chargers by December 2021.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced an agreement with Electrify America to provide owners of the all-new 2021 VW ID.4 electric SUV with three years of unlimited charging sessions on the nation’s largest open DC fast charging network at no additional cost to the vehicle’s purchase price. To increase range confidence, Volkswagen will provide ID.4 customers, who lease or purchase the electric SUV, with access to Electrify America’s more than 470 charging stations and more than 2,000 DC fast chargers, including a newly completed cross-country route to take electric vehicle (EV) drivers from Washington, D.C., to L.A. Electrify America is currently the only open, public charging network to offer chargers with power levels up to 350 kilowatts. Across the country, 96 percent of the population lives within 120 miles of an Electrify America charger. Delivering on Electrify America’s commitment to seamless and convenient charging, Volkswagen customers will be able to manage their charging plan through an app provided by Electrify America. To meet current and future demand, Electrify America continues to expand rapidly, with plans to install or have under development approximately 800 total charging stations with about 3,500 DC fast chargers by December 2021.
(Lotus)
Lotus has revealed further details on its Evija all-electric hypercar in a new film featuring engineering development vehicle testing on the 2.2-mile track at Hethel. Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes for Lotus, provides extensive new commentary on key elements of the Evija project while behind the wheel. In the film, Kershaw reveals how from the earliest discussions about what the Evija should be, the goal was to create a hypercar with genuine everyday usability. He reveals new details on the progressive deployment of power and torque through the car’s five drive modes. Range mode is limited to 1,000PS of power and 800Nm of torque, and intelligently switches the Evija from four-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive to maximize the distance available from the battery and its intelligent power management system: City provides greater power control and decreases the level of regenerative braking for urban environments; Tour provides automatically switchable four-wheel or rear-wheel drive, delivering over 1,400PS of power with torque-vectoring; Sport delivers performance figures of 1,700PS and 1,700Nm linked to stability control systems to increase traction levels; and Track mode is the most extreme, boosting power delivery to the maximum 2,000PS, while delivering the highest level of torque-vectoring with the Evija’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) available on request. “Lotus cars are very nimble," Kershaw continues, "inspiring great confidence when being driven, and the Evija is no different to that.” Lotus says that "with class-leading in-gear acceleration and an output of 2,000 PS – making it the most powerful series production road car ever built – it sets new standards in the global hypercar market." We'll see how it turns out in production form. In the meantime, watch the video here.
Lotus has revealed further details on its Evija all-electric hypercar in a new film featuring engineering development vehicle testing on the 2.2-mile track at Hethel. Gavan Kershaw, Director of Vehicle Attributes for Lotus, provides extensive new commentary on key elements of the Evija project while behind the wheel. In the film, Kershaw reveals how from the earliest discussions about what the Evija should be, the goal was to create a hypercar with genuine everyday usability. He reveals new details on the progressive deployment of power and torque through the car’s five drive modes. Range mode is limited to 1,000PS of power and 800Nm of torque, and intelligently switches the Evija from four-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive to maximize the distance available from the battery and its intelligent power management system: City provides greater power control and decreases the level of regenerative braking for urban environments; Tour provides automatically switchable four-wheel or rear-wheel drive, delivering over 1,400PS of power with torque-vectoring; Sport delivers performance figures of 1,700PS and 1,700Nm linked to stability control systems to increase traction levels; and Track mode is the most extreme, boosting power delivery to the maximum 2,000PS, while delivering the highest level of torque-vectoring with the Evija’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) available on request. “Lotus cars are very nimble," Kershaw continues, "inspiring great confidence when being driven, and the Evija is no different to that.” Lotus says that "with class-leading in-gear acceleration and an output of 2,000 PS – making it the most powerful series production road car ever built – it sets new standards in the global hypercar market." We'll see how it turns out in production form. In the meantime, watch the video here.
(BMW)
This is the new 2021 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe. Powered by the latest version of the 3.0-liter, inline-cylinder, BMW TwinPower Turbo S58 motors producing up to 503HP, the new M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe also offer the choice of a traditional 6-speed manual transmission. Four models will be offered at the global market launch next March: the RWD, manual-transmission M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe and the RWD, automatic transmission M3 Competition Sedan and M4 Competition Coupe. Summer 2021 will see the addition of M xDrive for the Competition models. How much? $69,900 for the M3 Sedan; $72,800 for the M3 Competition Sedan; $71,800 for the M4 Coupe and $74,700 for the M4 Competition Coupe. ($995 Destination is additional.) Editor-in-Chief's Note: We could have posted a bunch of pictures and provided more details, but these things are so relentlessly ugly that We. Just. Don't. Care. -PMD
This is the new 2021 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe. Powered by the latest version of the 3.0-liter, inline-cylinder, BMW TwinPower Turbo S58 motors producing up to 503HP, the new M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe also offer the choice of a traditional 6-speed manual transmission. Four models will be offered at the global market launch next March: the RWD, manual-transmission M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe and the RWD, automatic transmission M3 Competition Sedan and M4 Competition Coupe. Summer 2021 will see the addition of M xDrive for the Competition models. How much? $69,900 for the M3 Sedan; $72,800 for the M3 Competition Sedan; $71,800 for the M4 Coupe and $74,700 for the M4 Competition Coupe. ($995 Destination is additional.) Editor-in-Chief's Note: We could have posted a bunch of pictures and provided more details, but these things are so relentlessly ugly that We. Just. Don't. Care. -PMD
A hideous abomination. Or an unmitigated disaster. Take your pick.
(VW images)
The production version of the ID.4 BEV has been officially unveiled by VW. The compact SUV will be available in rear-wheel drive 201HP 82 kWh (launching first) and all-wheel-drive 302HP 82 kWh configurations. Range is estimated at 250 miles for the ID.4 1st Edition. The MSRP starts at $39,995 for the ID.4 Pro (before potential $7,500 Federal tax credit). Three years of fast charging with Electrify America will be provided at no additional cost. Reservations for the ID.4 start online today (9/23) with the 50-state launch beginning in early 2021. When localized production begins in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting in 2022, the anticipated MSRP will drop to around $35,000.
The production version of the ID.4 BEV has been officially unveiled by VW. The compact SUV will be available in rear-wheel drive 201HP 82 kWh (launching first) and all-wheel-drive 302HP 82 kWh configurations. Range is estimated at 250 miles for the ID.4 1st Edition. The MSRP starts at $39,995 for the ID.4 Pro (before potential $7,500 Federal tax credit). Three years of fast charging with Electrify America will be provided at no additional cost. Reservations for the ID.4 start online today (9/23) with the 50-state launch beginning in early 2021. When localized production begins in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting in 2022, the anticipated MSRP will drop to around $35,000.
(Ringbrothers)
Custom car builder and parts manufacturer Ringbrothers recently completed and delivered a 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer commissioned by hip-hop superstar Future. The Blazer features a 6.2-liter LS3 engine that produces 430HP and is mated to a 4L80-E transmission. Future’s K5 Blazer also features a custom tan interior by Upholstery Unlimited with several Ringbrothers touches throughout. A custom BASF British Racing Green paint scheme is atop a body refinished with 3M products, while gold 18-inch HRE wheels complete the look. “We first started building Blazers a few years back, and they’ve really taken off in popularity since then,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “There is no assembly line at our shop, as each build is completed by hand, bespoke to the owner’s request. There is no other Blazer in the world like this one.” Known for its muscle car builds, Ringbrothers completed its first K5 Blazer in 2018. The platform took off in popularity, and Ringbrothers released several K5-specific products, including a glove box door, hood hinges, and a dash gauge bezel. Future’s Blazer features those parts, along with a custom carbon fiber hood and custom tailgate with integrated seating. The musician’s Blazer also features a JL Audio sound system. “We’re humbled that people continue to come to us for special projects like this,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring. “We realize that our customers could get a new Ferrari or Lamborghini but choose us instead. It’s an honor we don’t take lightly, so we put our heart into each project. We’re glad Future appreciates that.” For more information on Ringbrothers, the K5 Blazer, and Ringbrothers billet parts, visit www.ringbrothers.com.
Custom car builder and parts manufacturer Ringbrothers recently completed and delivered a 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer commissioned by hip-hop superstar Future. The Blazer features a 6.2-liter LS3 engine that produces 430HP and is mated to a 4L80-E transmission. Future’s K5 Blazer also features a custom tan interior by Upholstery Unlimited with several Ringbrothers touches throughout. A custom BASF British Racing Green paint scheme is atop a body refinished with 3M products, while gold 18-inch HRE wheels complete the look. “We first started building Blazers a few years back, and they’ve really taken off in popularity since then,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “There is no assembly line at our shop, as each build is completed by hand, bespoke to the owner’s request. There is no other Blazer in the world like this one.” Known for its muscle car builds, Ringbrothers completed its first K5 Blazer in 2018. The platform took off in popularity, and Ringbrothers released several K5-specific products, including a glove box door, hood hinges, and a dash gauge bezel. Future’s Blazer features those parts, along with a custom carbon fiber hood and custom tailgate with integrated seating. The musician’s Blazer also features a JL Audio sound system. “We’re humbled that people continue to come to us for special projects like this,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Mike Ring. “We realize that our customers could get a new Ferrari or Lamborghini but choose us instead. It’s an honor we don’t take lightly, so we put our heart into each project. We’re glad Future appreciates that.” For more information on Ringbrothers, the K5 Blazer, and Ringbrothers billet parts, visit www.ringbrothers.com.
(Jeep)
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
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
AE Song of the Week:
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sitting
In the old man's bar
Waiting for his turn to die
The cowboy kills the rock star
And Friday night's gone too far
The dim light hides the years
On all the faded girls
Forgotten but not gone
You drink it off your mind
You talk about the world
Like it's someplace that you've been
You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
'Cause you're livin' in a world
That you're best forgotten around here
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sitting
In the old man's bar
Waiting for his turn to die
You choke down all your anger
Forget your only son
You pray to statues when you sober up for fun
Your anger don't impress me
The world slapped in your face
It always rains like hell on the loser's day parade
You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
'Cause you're livin' in a world that you're best forgotten
And when you're thinkin' you're a joke
And nobody's gonna listen
To the one small point
I know they been missin' 'round here
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sitting
In the old man's bar
Waiting for his turn to die
You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
'Cause you're livin' in a world
That you're best forgotten
And if you're thinking you're a joke
And nobody's gonna listen
To the one small point
I know they been missin' round here
'Round here
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sitting
In the old man's bar
Waiting for his turn to die
"Broadway" by The Goo Goo Dolls from the album "Dizzy Up The Girl" (1998)* Watch the video here.
*This was written by Goo leader John Rzeznik about the neighborhood where he grew up. It was a "Blue collar working class" type of place as he called it. In an interview, he stated that it had a church and a bar on every corner, hence the lyrics "You pray to statues when you sober up for fun." The music video reflects the song. The "Broadway" they are talking about is the one in Buffalo, New York, not in New York City. (Knowledge by songfacts.com)