OCTOBER 5, 2022

(Audi images)
Memo to all of you ICE enthusiasts out there: The new R8 GT marks the end of the road for Audi's V10. Twelve years after the debut of the first Audi R8 GT, Audi Sport GmbH is launching the second edition of the new Audi R8 Coupe V10 GT RWD. The naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 is increased to 602HP, making it the most powerful rear-wheel drive machine in the history of the brand. A new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster shifts and the new Torque Rear driving mode allows drivers to choose their own level of ESC support. This enables controlled and simultaneously precise oversteering. The seven-stage torque rear can be adjusted via the control knob on the steering wheel. The new R8 GT is limited to 333 units worldwide, and new and exclusive exterior and interior features will pay homage to the first generation of the R8 GT, including sequential numbering, special light alloy wheels, and an interior trimmed in black and red. The new Audi R8 GT will be available at dealerships starting in 2023. U.S.–specific details - including volume and pricing - will follow at a later date.

(Lamborghini images)
Automobili Lamborghini has unveiled the new Urus S. The successor to the original Urus, it "delivers increased power combined with luxurious versatility and presence to confirm its status as the ultimate lifestyle Lamborghini Super SUV," according to Lamborghini PR minions. The twin-turbo V8 gets a power increase to 666 CV, which matches that of its Urus Performante stablemate (So, what's the point of the Performante? Just sayin' - WG), delivering an improved weight-to-power ratio of 3.3 kg/CV. Acceleration is improved, with the Urus S going 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 12.5 seconds. With a top speed of 305 km/h, the Urus S brakes from 100 km/h back to zero in just 33.7m. Its twin-turbo engine delivers 850 Nm of maximum torque at 2,300 rpm up to a maximum 6,000 rpm. A re-tuned exhaust system delivers a more distinct sound at start-up and a sharper note in each drive mode. The Urus’ chassis features adaptive air suspension, which "ensures super sports driving enjoyment but smooth handling on road surfaces in STRADA, SPORT, CORSA and EGO drive modes," according to Lamborghini. The Urus S has off-road capability, too, with its immediately-available torque response and body balancing according to the particular requirements of its off-road drive selectors: TERRA, NEVE and SABBIA (As if anyone is going to take one of these off-road. -PMD). With the same powertrain calibration as the Urus Performante (Again, why the Performante then? -WG), the Urus S delivers optimum responsiveness and performance when required, alongside luxurious everyday driving pleasure from the Urus’ "finely-tuned chassis settings." The Urus S is "the ultimate lifestyle Super SUV," added Lamborghini PR minions. Timing to the U.S. market as well as pricing will come at a later date.

(Audi images)
Audi has added some new editions to its E-Tron family: The new Q4 40 E-Tron with rear-wheel drive (above). In this configuration, the Q4 40 E-Tron can achieve an EPA estimated range of up to 265 miles. Powering the Q4 40 E-Tron is a permanent synchronous electric motor on the rear axle producing 201HP. The Q4 50 E-Tron and its Sportback variant (below) come equipped with an asynchronous motor in the front, and a permanent synchronous motor in the rear, raising the horsepower to 295. How much? The Q4 40 E-Tron is $48,800. The Q4 50 E-Tron is $53,800. And the Q4 Sportback 50 E-Tron is $56,800.

(BMW images)
As its 50th anniversary celebrations continue, BMW M GmbH is introducing the high-performance BMW XM with the first plug-in hybrid drive system from BMW M. The M HYBRID system in the BMW XM consists of a new 483HP V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and a 194HP electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. Together, they generate a maximum system output of 644HP at 5,400 RPM and 590 ft-lbs of torque between 1,600 and 5,000 RPM. Power is channeled to the road via the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The M HYBRID system also enables purely electric driving with a range of 30 miles (estimated range of up to 30 miles according to preliminary BMW AG tests based on the EPA’s test procedure standards). The BMW XM shares its drive concept of an eight-cylinder combustion engine supported by an electric motor with the newly developed endurance racing car from BMW M Motorsport. The BMW M Hybrid V8 will go racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America in 2023. The following season, it will power BMW M Motorsport’s return to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The extensively updated, 4.4-liter engine utilizes the thermodynamic benefits of a cross-bank exhaust manifold. A reinforced crankshaft drive, further developed turbocharging – mounted close to the exhaust manifold and with an electrically controlled blow-off valve – plus a new vane-type oil pump and a weight-minimized plastic oil sump all play a role in increasing the engine’s efficiency. An optimized oil separation process with variable impactor enhances the engine’s emissions performance. The VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control now includes a switchable rocker arm on the exhaust side, which allows the engines exhaust valves to be shut entirely. This way, when the driver releases the accelerator, a higher proportion of the braking energy can be fed into the high-voltage battery by means of recuperation. How much? The base MSRP is $159,000 plus $995 destination and handling. Production will start in the fourth quarter of 2022 at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina.

The AE Song of the Week:

Another night slowly closes in
And I feel so lonely
Touching heat freezing on my skin
I pretend you still hold me
I'm going crazy, I'm losing sleep
I'm in too far, I'm in way too deep over you
I can't believe you're gone
You were the first, you'll be the last

Wherever you go, I'll be with you
Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame

Watching shadows move across the wall
I feel so frightened
I wanna run to you, I wanna call
But I've been hit by lightning
Just can't stand up for fallin' apart
Can't see through this veil across my heart, over you
You'll always be the one
You were the first, you'll be the last

Wherever you go, I'll be with you
Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame

I'm going crazy, I'm losing sleep
I'm in too far, I'm in way too deep over you
You'll always be the one
You were the first, you'll be the last

Wherever you go, I'll be with you
Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame

Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Wherever you go, I'll be with you
And whatever you want, I'll give it to you

"The Flame" by Cheap Trick, from the album "Lap Of Luxury" (1988).* Written by Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. Publisher: Songtrust Ave; Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the band perform it live in Sydney, Australia here. 

*Cheap Trick had a huge breakthrough with their 1979 live album Cheap Trick at Budokan, which brought "I Want You To Want Me" into the Top 10. In 1980, bass player Tom Petersson left the group, and for most of the decade they had a hard time finding another hit, with none of their singles reaching the Top 40. Peterson returned to the group for their 1988 album Lap of Luxury, which included the big ballad that would get them back on the airwaves: "The Flame." This was the dawn of the hair metal era, when the likes of Cinderella and Poison were cracking the charts wide open with similar songs. Cheap Trick already had the MTV-ready look and the rock pedigree, they just needed the song. "The Flame" checked all the boxes, and although it wasn't something the band would whip up themselves, they liked it better than the other option. In an interview with Gerry Galipault, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos explained: "The vice president at Epic told us he had these two songs and they're both gonna be #1. He goes, 'We got one for you and one for the group Chicago, but you can have first choice.' He said, 'I think the one 'The Flame' would be good for you guys.' The other one was 'Look Away,' and it sounded like some girl singing on the demo. We really didn't like that song anyway, so 'Sure, we'll do 'The Flame.' We're game.'" It was written by the songwriting team of Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. They wrote it for the British singer Elkie Brooks, but she wouldn't record it, so Mitchell put his voice on the demo and shopped the song around. It found its way to Epic Records, which gave it to Cheap Trick. The song is a tender ballad where the singer tells a girl he will always be there for her. It was not typical of Cheap Trick's sound, and was also their only hit not written or co-written by their guitarist Rick Nielsen. This was Cheap Trick's only #1 hit, remaining at the top spot in the US for two weeks in the summer of 1988. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)



Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG