SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

(Chevrolet images)
Chevrolet has totally refreshed its Silverado pickup for 2022. The big news? A new flagship Silverado - the ZR2 (shown) - "delivers next-level off-road capability right from factory and validated in the grueling Best in the Desert off-road racing series, with front and rear e-lockers and Multimatic DSSV dampers," according to Chevrolet PR minions. The ZR2 includes: A standard 6.2L V-8 engine, delivering 420HP and 460 lb-ft of torque, mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission; the first application of the aforementioned Multimatic 40mm DSSV spool-valve dampers, which feature three separate spool valves to control damping and three connected chambers for fluid flow; uniquely-tuned springs that, with the Multimatic dampers, increase maximum front and rear suspension travel, compared to the Silverado Trail Boss; front and rear e-lockers; specific off-road chassis and suspension calibrations, including Terrain Mode, which allows one-pedal rock crawling; specific 33-inch off-road MT tires; a unique skid plate package and new high-approach steel front bumper designed for off-road strength, durability and clearance that enables an improved 31.8-degree approach angle compared to other Silverado off-road models. Other Silverado news for 2022? It has a fully redesigned, new premium interior on LT and above with standard 13.4-inch-diagonal color touchscreen and a elevated exterior design refresh across the lineup. Super Cruise driver-assistance technology will be available on the High Country with available trailering (late availability) and standard Chevy Safety Assist on all-new enhanced trims. Also new for 2022 is an enhanced, stronger version of the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine that offers more torque than any base engine in its class and the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel max towing is increased by 4,000 pounds to 13,300. The thoroughly refreshed Silverado arrives at dealerships in the spring of 2022.

(Subaru images)
Subaru of America has unveiled the all-new 2022 WRX "with the most advanced features, design, and performance in its nearly 20-year history," according to Subaru PR minions. The fifth-generation WRX is powered by a new 271HP 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER® engine that is paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or new automatic transmission. Also new for 2022, the WRX adds a new top-of-the-line GT trim with a new automatic transmission, the Subaru Performance Transmission, as standard. The new WRX GT offers a first-ever for WRX - new electronically controlled dampers - that can tailor the dynamic performance to the driver’s preferences with Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings. The Drive Mode Select also offers additional options to configure steering feel, damper settings, SI-Drive settings, and more, with up to 430 different customization options. An high-definition tablet-style 11.6-inch SUBARU STARLINK® Multimedia system and latest generation EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology is also available. For the first time, the WRX will be built on the Subaru Global Platform, "which offers increased safety, improved dynamics, and reductions in noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH)," according to the manufacturer. The 2022 WRX will be available at Subaru retailers in early 2022.




The AE Song of the Week:

I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
Tried to tell you
But you look at me like maybe
I'm an angel underneath
Innocent and sweet

Yesterday I cried
Must have been relieved to see
The softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
All rolled into one

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

So take me as I am
This may mean
You'll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that
When I start to make you nervous
And I'm going to extremes
Tomorrow I will change
And today won't mean a thing

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

Just when you think, you got me figured out
The season's already changing
I think it's cool, you do what you do
And don't try to save me

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

I'm a bitch, I'm a tease
I'm a goddess on my knees
When you hurt, when you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numb, I'm revived
Can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it any other way


"Bitch" by Meredith Brooks from the album "Blurring The Edges" (1997).* Written by Meredith Anne Brooks and Shelly M. Peiken; Publishe: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management; Lyrics licensed and approved by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.

*Despite starting in the music industry at the age of 15, Meredith was 38 when she released "Bitch," her debut single. "Bitch" is one of those borderline offensive words, which created some problems for radio stations playing this song. While Elton John's "The Bitch Is Back" proved that it was possible to have a hit song with "Bitch" in the title, some radio stations still refused to mention this by its name, instead referring to it as "a song by Meredith Brooks." Brooks says the song is about "re-education and realignment," adding, "until women integrate their shadow selves they can't become whole." Brooks wrote this with Shelly Peiken, who later co-wrote Christina Aguilera's "What A Girl Wants," but had yet to write a hit. She told the story in a Songfacts interview: "Meredith Brooks had a development deal on Interscope Records. She was writing and turning in songs to them and they kept dismissing her songs. I think she had one more song left and if they passed on it she would have to leave. She was introduced to me by her manager and I went to see her play at a club in Hollywood. I thought she had balls. I thought she could really sing. But I didn't know what to write with her. Then I had this really miserable day and I started writing a song with the line, 'I hate the world today.' I thought, Oh my God, I'm gonna call that girl Meredith because she needed a song to bring to Interscope. So I called her the morning after I had this idea and she loved it. She came over and we wrote it together start to finish. She picked up an acoustic guitar and honestly, it was just line, line, line, line. It was like ping pong. It was really wonderful. That's the way it's supposed to be: Somebody says a line and it makes you think of another line. When we were done, we were excited, but I never like to get my hopes up because this business is full of disappointments."  She made a demo and took the song to Interscope and they passed! Her manager got in the car and went over to Capitol and Capitol signed her that day. She called me and she said, 'They're gonna release this as a single.' And I thought, 'No way.' "I had been writing songs that were recorded as album cuts for 10 years without ever having a song on the radio in my country. When I first heard it, I was riding down a hill in Laurel Canyon in my tiny little Miata. I had a huge pregnant belly up against the wheel and I was listening to K-ROQ and I heard, 'I hate the world today' and I nearly peed in my pants." When "Bitch" took off, Interscope signed Brooks. She and Peiken wrote six more songs that were included on the Blurring The Edges album, which sold over a million copies. This was enough to buy Peiken a house with her own studio. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)