(Audi images)
The 2022 Audi E-Tron GT is coming. Audi's version of the Porsche Taycan starts with the E-Tron GT, which has 235HP at its front motor and 429HP at its rear motor. The motors’ net combined output is 469HP, or up to 522HP with overboost for 2.5 seconds with launch control, and 464 lb-ft of torque (472 lb-ft with overboost). This allows the E-Tron GT to repeatedly accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds on the way to a top track speed of 152 mph. The RS E-Tron GT shares its front motor with the entry E-Tron GT but has a more powerful rear motor, capable of producing 450HP. Together, the front and rear motors in the RS E-Tron GT produce a net 590HP and up to 637HP with overboost. Total system torque is 612 lb-ft. The RS E-Tron GT can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and has a 155 mph top track speed. As in the Taycan, the E-Tron GT has a two-speed transmission, providing the E-Tron GT with rapid acceleration when it is needed and a taller second gear for sustained highway stretches. You also get: 20-inch 5-double-spoke alloy wheels with gray accents are standard (vehicles equipped with the performance package get 20-inch 5-double-spoke alloy wheels with black accents); the RS E-Tron GT comes with standard 20-inch 5-spoke AERO wheels or available 21-inch wheels; Standard on RS E-Tron GT models is a lightweight, high-strength, five-layer carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof – a first for an Audi vehicle and "a segment-exclusive feature," according to Audi PR minions; Available HD Matrix-design headlights with Audi laser light for greater high-beam visibility; Standard is a leather-free interior featuring recycled materials; Dinamica® and Alcantara come standard; Nappa leather is available; the “monoposto” cockpit angles the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit and 10.1-inch MMI touch response displays toward the driver. (Really? "monoposto" Ugh.) And, per usual, a bunch of other stuff that will cost you serious ca$h-ola. How much? The E-Tron GT Quattro Premium Plus starts at $99,900. The E-Tron GT Quattro Prestige, $107,100; And the RS E-Tron GT. $139,900. They will be arriving this summer at some point. We can wait.
(Jaguar UK)
Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary C-type sports racer by creating a strictly limited production run of new C-type Continuation cars, which will be hand-built at Jaguar’s world-class Classic Works facility in Coventry. The C-type Continuation program will allow historic motor racing enthusiasts to purchase a new, factory-built example of the ultimate 1953 disc-brake-equipped ‘works’ C-type direct from Jaguar for the first time. The C-type, which was originally made between 1951-53, was famed for its exceptionally fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer. The C-type won the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s seven outright wins at the French endurance classic. From 1952, the C-type pioneered the adoption of innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, with a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop scoring the first win for a disc-braked car with Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix in France. The C-type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans again in 1953 - another first for disc brakes - and also enjoyed success in the hands of private owners. How many will be built? Eight. How much? Figure between $1.5 - $2 million.
(Jaguar UK)
(Jaguar UK)
(Photo ©JDHT)
The No.18 Jaguar C-type of Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton wins the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans.
AE Song of the Week:
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change, hey, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey, hey
Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
Now that she's back from that soul vacation
Tracing her way through the constellation, hey, hey
She checks out Mozart while she does tae-bo
Reminds me that there's room to grow, hey, hey
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol' Jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the milky way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always sticking up for you even when I know you're wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone
Conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had, and me
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back toward the Milky Way
And are you lonely looking for yourself out there?
Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
"Drops Of Jupiter" by Train from the album "Drops Of Jupiter" (2001)*. Watch the video here.
*In an interview with VH1, lead singer Pat Monahan revealed that he wrote this song about the death of his mother. Train released their first album in 1998, and were touring that year when Monahan's mom was dying of lung cancer - she was a heavy smoker. This was before the widespread use of cell phones, and Monahan made many stops to pay phones on the tour to speak with his mom during this difficult time. In December of that year, his mother died, and in early 1999 Train was working on their next album when their record company started pressuring them for a hit. Monahan returned to his childhood home in Pennsylvania, and woke one morning with the words "back in the atmosphere" in his head. Beginning a time of healing, he started to compose the song. Said Monahan: "Loss of the most important person in my life was heavy on my mind, and the thought of 'what if no one ever really leaves? What if she's here but different. The idea was, she's back here in the atmosphere." He recorded a demo of the song and played it a week later for Donnie Lenner, who was president of Columbia, their record company. While Monahan wasn't sure how the song would go over, Lenner loved it and told him it was his Grammy song. He was right: It won Grammys for Best Rock Song and Best Instrumental Arrangement With Accompanying Vocalist. Lenner had Train record the song quickly so they could put it on the album and use it as the title track. Why are there drops of Jupiter in her hair? Pat Monahan told Buzzfeed it was part of his vision: "My mother, she was able to swim through planets and turn them into whatever she wanted - they didn't have to be what we know them to be. So she actually had Jupiter in her hair, when she was talking to me." Monahan said of this song: "It was an obvious connection between me and my mother. 'Drops of Jupiter' was as much about me being on a voyage and trying to find out who I am. The best thing we can do about loss of love is find ourselves through it." (Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)