FEBRUARY 17, 2021

(Porsche images)
Porsche has introduced its new 2022 911 GT3, a machine that utilizes lessons learned from the company's 911 RSR racing program. It uses extensive lightweight materials, employs refined aerodynamics and a motorsports-derived double wishbone front axle layout. The machine is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter, six-cylinder boxer engine with 502HP and 346 lb-ft of torque that revs to 9,000 rpm. The engine offers extremely sharp throttle response, according to Porsche PR minions, thanks in large part to its six independent throttle bodies. Porsche says that this engine is virtually identical to the unit found in the new, track-only 911 GT3 Cup race car. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission – engineered and tuned specifically for the 911 GT3 - is included as standard equipment, while a six-speed manual transmission is also available to order for customers who prefer a particularly engaging driving experience. This engine, which was first introduced in the limited-production 2019 911 Speedster, has been further optimized for use in the new 911 GT3 with new pistons and a dry-sump lubrication system. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph with the standard seven-speed PDK takes 3.2 seconds and top track speed is 197 mph. The 911 GT3 is based on the 911 Carrera body, but front track width is increased by 1.9 inches. Despite the change in size, the new model weighs almost virtually the same as its predecessor. This is possible thanks in part to a more extensive application of lightweight materials in the body than ever before in a 911 GT3. The hood, rear wing, and fixed rear spoiler underneath the wing are all made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Lightweight, noise insulated glass on all of the windows also aids in accomplishing the ambitious weight target. 
A GT3 Multifunction Sport steering wheel with a 360 mm diameter and upholstery in Race-Tex is standard equipment. For the first time in a 911 GT3, the steering wheel also includes a drive mode switch, allowing the driver to switch between driver configurable settings by simply turning the dial. Four-way Sport Seats Plus are included as standard, while 18-way Sport Seats Plus and carbon fiber Full Bucket Seats, the latter of which save roughly 26 lbs. compared to the standard seats, are available as extra cost options (But, of course. "Extra Cost" are Porsche's magic words.) The PDK gear selection lever - specifically designed for the GT3 - is based on an adapted version of the manual transmission gearshift lever. Unlocking it to change gear selections is possible by pressing on the shift pattern visible on the top. Additionally, this design allows for manual upshifts and downshifts without the use of the paddles. There is also a GT-specific “Track Screen” function that reduces the amount of information in the screens surrounding the analog tachometer to the bare essentials and groups that remaining information closely around the central dial so that remains easily visible. Tire pressure and water temperature are always visible on the left, and on the right the display is individually configurable. The Chrono Package continues to be available as an additional cost option (there are those magic words again). This feature, which differs from the Sport Chrono Package found on many other Porsche models, adds an analog stopwatch on the dashboard and a digital stopwatch in the instrument cluster. This also adds Lap Trigger support. The Lap Trigger, which is available through Porsche Tequipment, allows for very precise measurement of lap times that can be analyzed and compared on a smartphone using the Porsche Track Precision app. 
The double wishbone front axle of the new GT3 is derived from the 911 RSR and 911 GT3 Cup cars and adapted for road use, "marking a major milestone in the history of the 911," according to Porsche PR minions. The new front axle offers even more direct and precise steering than the predecessor. Cornering stability improves, allowing for higher cornering speeds and better mid-corner control over uneven pavement. As with past models, the rear axle uses a multilink design, but for this generation an even greater number of ball joints in both the front and rear are used, further enhancing the capability of the GT3 chassis. In fact, the new GT3 suspension does not share any parts with the current 911 Carrera models. The standard braking system features improvements over the predecessor model with cast iron discs measuring 408-mm in diameter on the front axle, which is a 28-mm increase over the previous generation. Despite sharing a diameter with the recently introduced 911 Turbo models, the discs used for the GT3 are approximately 17 percent lighter due largely to the use of a narrower friction ring. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are also available as an additional cost option. The optional system includes rotors with a diameter of 410 mm in the front and 390 mm in the rear that offer weight savings of about half compared to similarly sized cast iron brake discs and significantly improved thermal load capacity. The ability to deal with very high heat is achieved primarily through special cooling channels in the brake discs as well as newly developed, highly efficient ventilation of the brakes. Other stuff? GT-specific forged alloy wheels with a 20” diameter in front and 21” diameter in the rear. The front wheels are half an inch wider than the wheels of the previous GT3, and gain an inch of diameter in the rear. Despite increased width, the new wheels are also about 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) lighter in total as compared to the wheels on the preceding model. Customers may also specify pinstriping on the wheel in either Shark Blue or Guards Red (wow). Specifically developed ultra high performance summer tires that are 10 mm wider at both the front and rear, now measuring 255/35ZR 20 on 9.5J x 20 front wheels and 315/30 ZR 21 on 12J x 21 wheels at the rear. For drivers who desire an even more track-focused setup, Porsche is offering a street legal track tire – previously reserved for RS models – for the first time. These tires were used to complete the benchmark laps set at the Nürburgring. The new 911 GT3 lapped the 12.944 mile (20.832 km) configuration of the most demanding track in the world, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, in 6:59.927 minutes. During final testing, it lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, traditionally the ultimate proving ground for all sports car developed by Porsche, over seventeen seconds quicker than its predecessor. Aerodynamic details include a new front fascia with integrated cooling intakes as well as an adjustable front spoiler lip and an adjustable front diffuser that can be set up in stages for track use. Specifically developed side skirts optimize airflow around the wheels, and at the rear where swan-neck connections support the rear wing, and a large rear diffuser is visible. As in the front, the rear wing is manually adjustable in stages ranging from settings intended for road use to positions intended for use only on tracks. Even in the “normal” position, aerodynamic downforce is up to 50 percent greater compared to the preceding 911 GT3. When the performance position, which is not intended for street use, is applied to both the front and rear, downforce increases by up to approximately 150 percent. The new Porsche 911 GT3 is expected to arrive in U.S. as a part of the 2022 model year, reaching dealers by Fall 2021. How much? They aren't saying yet.

(Chevrolet images)
Chevrolet has expanded its electric vehicle portfolio with the introduction of the new, all-electric 2022 Bolt EUV (photos below), alongside the redesigned 2022 Bolt EV (above). “We want to put everyone in an EV and the new Bolt EUV and redesigned Bolt EV are crucial to doing so,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “Together, they enable mainstream customers to be part of our vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.” Since the Bolt EV's market introduction in 2017, global sales have topped 100,000, and in the U.S., three-quarters of Bolt EV buyers are new to GM. In addition to broadening the brand’s electric vehicle lineup, the Bolt EUV - it is six inches longer than the Bolt - will also be the first Chevrolet vehicle to offer Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance system for enabled roads. Chevrolet is also making charging more convenient with a new Dual Level Charge Cord, which, for many customers, will eliminate the need to purchase a separate charger for their home. It has a changeable plug that allows the customer to plug into a standard 120-volt three-prong outlet for Level 1 charging and a 240-volt outlet for Level 2 charging up to 7.2 kilowatts. The new Dual Level Charge Cord is standard with Bolt EUV and is available for Bolt EV. For maximum Level 2 charging speed, both vehicles are now capable of 11 kW Level 2 charging, but separate charging equipment (not included) is required. Additionally, Chevrolet will cover standard installation of Level 2 charging capability for eligible customers who purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EUV or Bolt EV. In collaboration with Qmerit, the offer gives customers access to faster charging right where they want it — at home — and with the new available Dual Level Charge Cord, a standalone charging station is not required. The starting price for both vehicles is less than the 2021 Bolt EV. The 2022 Bolt EUV is priced from $33,995 (including destination freight charge), and the 2022 Bolt EV starts at $31,995 (including DFC), before any available state, local or utility incentives. Both will be available this summer. A special, limited-production Launch Edition of the Bolt EUV is also available, offering the Super Cruise driver assistance feature, sunroof, unique wheels, special badging and an illuminated charge port for $43,4953 (including DFC). Customers can reserve the Launch Edition now at www.chevrolet.com.

AE Song of the Week:

They say oh my god I see the way you shine
Take your hand, my dear, and place them both in mine
You know you stopped me dead when I was passing by
And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

Ooh I see you, see you, see you every time
And oh my I, I like your style
You, you make me, make me, make me wanna cry
And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

So I say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me oh oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say move for me, move for me, move for me ay ay ay
And when you're done I'll make you do it all again

I said oh my god I see you walking by
Take my hands, my dear, and look me in my eyes
Just like a monkey I've been dancing my whole life
And you just beg to see me dance just one more time

Ooh I see you, see you, see you every time
And oh my I, I like your style
You, you make me, make me, make me wanna cry
And now I beg to see you dance just one more time

So I say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me oh oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say move for me, move for me, move for me ay ay ay
And when you're done I'll make you do it all again

They say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me oh oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say move for me, move for me, move for me ay ay ay
And when you're done I'll make you do it all again

Ooh (all again, all again)
Woah-oh, woah-oh, oh
Ooh (all again, all again)
Ah ah, ah ah, ay

They say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me oh oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say move for me, move for me, move for me ay ay ay
And when you're done I'll make you do it all again

They say
Dance for me, dance for me, dance for me oh oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I've never seen anybody do the things you do before
They say move for me, move for me, move for me ay ay ay
And when you're done I'll make you do it all again
All again

"Dance Monkey" by Tones and I, from the album "The Kids Are Coming" (2019).* Written by Toni Watson, Published by Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch a dance video choreographed by Liane Blackburn here. 

 *Tones and I (real name Toni Watson), wrote this song when she was a busker playing for tips at Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia. She loved the freedom of busking, but was dismayed by certain drunks and idiots who could ruin the experience. She came to the realization that attention spans were getting shorter now that entertainment is always a click away, so she had to tighten her act to get people to stick around for any length of time. This made her feel like a trained monkey, which inspired the song. If you substitute "sing" for "dance" the meaning becomes more clear, but "Sing Monkey" doesn't sound right, and she wanted the song to be less personal. There was a specific night that led Tones and I to write this song. "I had already been busking for six hours," she told Diffus. "One person ran past and stole my money, and another was drunk and tried to lean over and play my keyboard. The crowd was very drunk and rowdy. I said, 'I'm sorry, but this is it.' They tried to get me to keep playing, then they started booing me, and I was so frustrated because it showed me how people didn't have much patience anymore." Some of the lyrics come directly from what people in the crowd said to her that night:

"I've never seen anybody do the things you do"
"I see the way you shine"
"You stopped me dead when I was passing by"
"You make me wanna cry"

Originally from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Tones and I was working at a clothing store in Melbourne when she decided to take a chance at busking full time. It took her about a year to get a permit that allowed her to play a specific spot in the city, but she had to park far away. This was a problem because she had to transport gear, so she moved her operation to Byron Bay, where she started doing her busking in early 2018. One night, a guy walked past and gave her his card. That person, Jackson Walkden-Brown, became Tones and I's co-manager. The song reached #1 in Australia on the August 5, 2019 ARIA chart. Tones and I was the first female artist to reach the summit in Australia since Delta Goodrem did so with "Wings" in 2015. She was also the first Australian artist to reach the peak position in 2019. (Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)