OCTOBER 26, 2022

 

(Toyota images)
Get ready for the all-new Toyota Crown, a new model that's going to get a big-time push from the Japanese automaker. The Toyota Crown will reside at the top of the company's sedan lineup and offer standard AWD and the choice of two electrified Toyota powertrains, including the new "Hybrid MAX" system. The Crown will be available in three versions: XLE, Limited and Platinum. The hybrid powertrains include the Hybrid MAX, or the Toyota Hybrid System (THS). Hybrid MAX is Toyota’s all-new performance hybrid that puts out a manufacturer estimated 340HP and a net 400 lb-ft. of torque. Exclusive to the Platinum grade, it pairs front and rear electric motors with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and direct shift 6-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid MAX is designed to produce strong torque at low RPM and has an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined city/highway fuel economy rating.The XLE and Limited grades are equipped with the Toyota Hybrid system that pairs front and rear electric motors with a 2.5-liter engine. This hybrid system can achieve an EPA-estimated 41 MPG combined city/highway rating. Built on Toyota’s GA-K platform (TNGA-K), the Toyota Crown features an elevated stance that comes in part from standard 19-inch or available 21-inch wheels – the largest ever equipped on a Toyota sedan. Besides giving drivers a clearer view of the road, the Crown's height also elevates the vehicle’s hip point, enabling easy vehicle entry and exit. Toyota is making a big deal about the Crown’s design, suggesting that it "throws off the conventions of the typical sedan with a side profile that flows to a broad rear end. The dynamic body style is amplified by rounded and sweeping character lines which give it a launch ready, head-turning look." Uh, maybe. On the inside, the Crown's spacious cabin has a premium feel that offers unique color combinations and available leather seating. Other stuff? A full digital display, piano key controls, vertical wireless charging port and the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with available 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system pack in tech and entertainment. Available colors include Black, Oxygen White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Heavy Metal and Supersonic Red. A unique bi-tone paint is available on the Platinum grade, pairing black paint that extends from tip to tail, with a pairing choice of Oxygen White, Heavy Metal, Supersonic Red or an all new, bi-tone only Bronze Age color (shown). The all-new Toyota Crown will start at $39,950 for the XLE grade, $45,550 for the Limited grade and $52,350 for the Platinum grade. Toyota Crown is expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in early 2023.

(Aston Martin images) 
Aston Martin has launched its most significant product marketing campaign of 2022, making its luxury SUV DBX707 the star of a new cinematic film featuring acclaimed British actor Felicity Jones. The new creative was shot amongst the intense British landscape of Dartmoor National Park, and features the BAFTA and Academy Award-nominated actor delivering a monologue on "power" to camera as an Aston Martin Racing Green DBX707 appears on the horizon and roars into the scene. Watch it here.  

(Porsche images)
The latest from the grifters at Porsche: The SUV company - formerly known as an exclusive maker of sports cars - has come up with yet another way to extract as much ca$h-ola from its enthusiast faithful as they possibly can. The latest scam? Something called "The Tribute To Carrera RS Package," which is designed to be added to your 911 GT3 RS order. The package, which pays tribute to the iconic 911 Carrera RS 2.7, will be available exclusively in the U.S. market. It includes "unique" styling elements for both the exterior and interior, a unique Porsche Design timepiece (of course it does), several accessories and an NFT program that are all unique to the package. Five decades ago, the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was the top performing 911 of its day, and was available from the factory with wheels and graphics in Viper Green. The new Tribute to Carrera RS Package comes with white paint offset by accents in Python Green and uses the 911 GT3 RS equipped with the Weissach Package, and a leather and Race-Tex interior as its starting point. Specially colored Exclusive Manufaktur elements include magnesium wheels painted in Python Green, brake calipers in High Gloss Black, as well as Python Green mirror caps, GT3 RS side graphics, a special RS logo on the wing end plates featuring the American flag, PORSCHE script on the underside of the wing and a GT3 RS graphic on the rear bumper. The standard Weissach Package adds significant amounts of exposed carbon fiber to both the interior and exterior, as well as chassis components in the same material. Other stuff? Deviated stitching in green, illuminated doorsill guards with “Tribute to Carrera RS” script, a center console lid embossed with the “RS” logo and keys painted in white. The package-specific Porsche Design watch with a winding rotor in Python Green is designed to look like the magnesium wheel of the car, and adds a strap with matching stitching as well as a white bezel. A custom car cover, RS valve stem caps with script in Python Green, key caps in Python Green, custom license plate frames and a pair of 1:43 scale model cars, one being the 1973 Carrera RS and the other a replica of the new car, will also be included. As if that wasn't enough, the package includes an NFT program that rewards customers with digital badges signifying their attendance at key racetracks and Porsche events. The NFT owner (aka The Biggest Tool in the Shed) will also get physical vehicle graphics to accompany the digital keepsake so their achievements are visible in both the virtual world and to anyone in the car’s presence. The Tribute to Carrera RS Package will be available to order for customers with an existing 911 GT3 RS allocation through a Porsche Dealer in the U.S. How much? The 911 GT3 RS equipped with the unique Tribute to Carrera RS Package will carry a total MSRP of $312,550 not including a $1,450 delivery, processing and handling fee. In other words, Ka-Ching!

(GMC images)
GMC has introduced the Sierra EV, expanding its portfolio of all-electric trucks. GMC will be the only brand to offer three all-electric trucks, with the Sierra EV joining the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV. Underpinning these three trucks is GM’s advanced Ultium Platform. The new GMC EV offering will be led by the 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, which will be available at launch in early 2024. GMC will introduce the Sierra EV AT4 and Elevation trims in the 2025 model year. Some highlights: GM-estimated range of 400 miles (640 km) on a full charge; GM-estimated 754HP and 785 lb-ft of torque in Max Power mode; Onboard Power Station Pro turns Sierra EV Denali into a mobile power source, with up to 10.2kW of off-board power that can be used in a variety of situations; 800 Volt DC Public Fast Charging capable at up to 350kW, enabling up to 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes — the best charging capability in the EV truck segment. The 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 is expected to have a starting MSRP of $107,000 (plus DFC). Further details for the full range of Sierra EV models will be announced closer to the start of production, with MSRPs starting around $50,000 (plus DFC). Reservations for the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 will be available to the public starting Oct. 20, 2022, at 5 p.m. EDT, at www.gmc.com. Watch the intro video here. 



The AE Song of the Week:

Hmm, da-da-da-da-da
Da-da-da, hmm
Da-da-da-hmm (yeah, yeah)
Oh, ah

White shirt now red, my bloody nose
Sleepin', you're on your tippy toes
Creepin' around like no one knows
Think you're so criminal
Bruises on both my knees for you
Don't say "thank you" or "please"
I do what I want when I'm wanting to
My soul so cynical

So you're a tough guy
Like it really rough guy
Just can't get enough guy
Chest always so puffed guy
I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I'm the bad guy
Duh

I'm the bad guy

I like it when you take control
Even if you know that you don't
Own me, I'll let you play the role
I'll be your animal

My mommy likes to sing along with me
But she won't sing this song
If she reads all the lyrics
She'll pity the men I know

So you're a tough guy
Like it really rough guy
Just can't get enough guy
Chest always so puffed guy
I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I'm the bad guy
Duh

I'm the bad guy
Duh
I'm only good at bein' bad, bad

(Ahh)
(Ah)
I like when you get mad
I guess I'm pretty glad that you're alone (so icy)
You said she's scared of me?
I mean, I don't see what she sees
But maybe it's 'cause I'm wearing your cologne (let's go)

I'm the bad guy (damn right)
I-I'm the bad guy (aw, yeah)


"Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish, from the album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" (2019).* Written by Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas Baird O'Connell. Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.

 
*This twitchy, bass-heavy banger finds Billie Eilish taunting her abusive lover. She tells him she's in control of their relationship as she enjoys playing the role of a docile girlfriend.

I like it when you take control
Even if you know that you don't
Own me, I'll let you play the role
I'll be your animal

During the hook, Eilish accuses the dude of just playing tough when it's she who is really the "bad guy."

I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type
I'm the bad guy

Eilish has the power to make the important people in her lover's life upset. The song is Track 2 on the album, preceded by "!!!!!!!," a 14-second introductory skit about Invisalign in which we hear Billie Eilish joking about removing her aligner and getting her album done and drilled out. Her brother and producer Finneas explained to Vulture that his sister had to take her Invisalign out for recording sessions because it gave her vocals a lisp, but she became so used to wearing the aligner that she often forgot. He compared the noise she made to Lil Wayne's lighter flick sound featured on Tha Carter II songs such as the title track and "Fireman." "I have so much audio of her taking out her Invisalign that I was like, 'Billie, this is gonna be your version of the Lil Wayne lighter flick,'" Finneas said. "You know how when you listen to a new Lil Wayne song he's lighting up a blunt in the song? I was like, 'Bill, this is gonna be your signature sound.'" Finneas said that he and his sister decided to include the skit to lighten the mood on When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. "When we were wrapping it up, I felt like the album was pretty dark and covered a lot of heavy stuff, with songs like 'Bury A Friend' and 'Listen ' and 'Ilomilo'" he explained. "The art that I like that is the darkest… if there's an element of humor in it, I think I take it even more seriously. It really resonates with me. It was really important with this album to find a sense of humor in the midst of all of this heaviness." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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