MARCH 30, 2022

(Toyota Images)
Toyota has unveiled the all-new 2023 GR Corolla, "bringing the performance, handling and functionality that hot hatch fans love," according to Toyota PR minions. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team led the development, with Akio Toyoda - aka "Morizo" - signing off on approval. Powered by a lightweight, G16E-GTS turbo-charged, direct/port injected three-cylinder engine, the GR Corolla delivers 300HP and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, with output hitting peak torque at 3000-5500 rpm, with max horsepower coming at 6500 rpm. The GR Corolla features a unique triple exhaust that’s designed to reduce back pressure for maximum power delivery. The G16-E engine is paired with Toyota’s rally developed GR-Four All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) drivetrain. This system gives drivers a choice of 60-40, 50-50 or 30-70 power distribution to the front and rear wheels. GR Corolla will be offered exclusively with a manual transmission. The GR is built on Toyota’s GA-C platform, with enhanced frame reinforcements developed specifically for GR Corolla at the GR Factory at Toyota's Motomachi plant. Functional exterior air vents and aerodynamic features support the GR's mission. The GR Corolla will come in two grades, Core and Circuit Edition. The Core Grade will be available later this year in white, black and Supersonic Red. It will have a color keyed roof with rear lip spoiler, GR-Four stamped side rockers and wide-fender flares. On the inside, seating for five will come with GR logos on the fabric sport seats. The Circuit Edition will be a limited-run model available in 2023. Standard colors are white, Supersonic Red and Heavy Metal with the same GR-Four stamped side rockers and wide fenders as the Core. It adds a forged carbon fiber roof, vented bulge hood and a sporty rear spoiler, Brin Naub® suede-trimmed sport seats with red accents and a launch-year-exclusive Morizo-signed shift knob. The GR Corolla will also come equipped with the all-new touchscreen Toyota Audio Multimedia system. Pricing will be announced later this year.

(Lotus Images)
This is the all-new and all-electric Eletre, a "Hyper-SUV" from Lotus. Peter Horbury, Senior Vice President, Executive Advisor, Design, commented: “The Eletre is a rare creative opportunity in performance car design – the chance to start with a blank sheet of paper and develop an all-new vehicle that takes a brand in a completely fresh direction. There has been a close working relationship and much collaboration between the Lotus design studios in Warwickshire and Hethel. The result is a ‘Hyper-SUV’ that is genuinely different to what’s on the market; the electric powertrain has inspired a ‘cab-forward’ design that echoes the iconic mid-engined layout of Lotus sports cars, creating a unique look and position in the SUV segment. The arrival of the Eletre signals the start of a new era of pure electric SUVs.” "Bold, progressive and exotic, with iconic sports car DNA evolved for the next generation of Lotus customers, it boasts the soul of a Lotus with the usability of an SUV," according to Lotus PR minions. The Eletre is the first of three new Lotus "lifestyle EVs" due over the next four years, with design language inspired by the world’s first British EV hypercar, the Lotus Evija. The Eletre is a UK-led design, with engineering support from Lotus teams around the world. The Eletre has the most advanced active aerodynamics package on any production SUV, according to Lotus. Its unique design ‘porosity’ means air flows through the vehicle for improved aerodynamics, speed, range and overall efficiency. Other stuff? Power outputs start at 600HP.A 350kW charge time of just 20 minutes for 400km (248 miles) of driving. The Eletre accepts 22kW AC charging. A target driving range of c.600km (c.373 miles) on a full charge. Capable of 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in less than three seconds. Extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum for weight reduction throughout. The interior includes highly durable man-made textiles and sustainable lightweight wool blends. And the Eletre is said to have "world-first" deployable LIDAR technology in a production car to support intelligent driving technologies. Editor-in-Chief's Note: That's a giant list of boasts, but as with any of these new BEVs, it remains a giant "we'll see" for us until it reaches actual production, which allegedly starts later this year at an all-new hi-tech facility in China.

(Stellantis)
A brand new inline six-cylinder at the Twilight of the ICE Age? Yes, you read that correctly. Stellantis has revealed a new, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, inline, six-cylinder engine, named Hurricane, that "delivers better fuel economy and fewer emissions than larger engines while at the same time generates more horsepower and torque than many competitors’ naturally aspirated V-8 and boosted six-cylinder power plants," according to Stellantis PR minions. Designed with an inherently smooth-running I-6 configuration and state-of-the-art technology, the Hurricane twin-turbo’s robust base architecture enables Stellantis propulsion systems engineers to create two distinct variants: 

• Standard Output (SO): Optimized for fuel economy, including the use of cooled exhaust gas circulation (EGR), while delivering enhanced power and torque (more than 400HP/450 lb.-ft. of torque)
• High Output (HO): Optimized for great performance (more than 500HP/475 lb.-ft.) while maintaining significant fuel economy during heavy use, such as towing.

Stellantis says that the Hurricane twin-turbo achieves this V-8-rivaling performance while being up to 15% more efficient than larger engines. The Hurricane twin-turbo I-6 is designed to account for potential future integration with electrification for low-emission vehicles (LEVs). State-of-the-art technologies include Plasma Transfer Wire Arc (PTWA) sprayed cylinder coating, and high-pressure gasoline direct injection. Two low-inertia turbochargers power the Hurricane’s rapid response to throttle inputs, along with enhanced torque output for chores, such as towing without sacrificing fuel economy. First vehicles with the new Hurricane engine reach dealership showrooms this year.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a 911 being built at the Porsche factory? Watch a special time-lapse video from Porsche here. It's fascinating. -PMD

(Mercedes-AMG images)
This is the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series - the most powerful customer sports car ever developed by Mercedes-AMG. With this exclusive, track day use-only limited edition, the Mercedes-AMG motorsport department is celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Affalterbach-based company. Limited to 55 units, the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series serves as a memento to AMG founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher and their philosophy: making the best even better yet. The heart of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series is the Handcrafted - and enhanced - AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine from the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. For instance, thanks to custom motorsport injectors and a specific engine application, the power unit equipped with a flat-plane crankshaft now delivers 778HP and 627 lb-ft of torque. A sequential Hewland HLS 6-speed racing gearbox with adjustable differential transfers the power to the rear axle. Like in all the models from the GT family, it has been installed on the rear axle in transaxle configuration and has a torsion and torque resistant connection to the engine by means of a carbon fiber torque tube. The suspension of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series features comprehensively adjustable four-way Bilstein dampers and a bunch of other tricks. Other stuff? The hood, fenders, side sills, trunk lid and rear bumper are made of carbon fiber, helping to reduce the curb weight to 3,086 lb. The integrated louvers of the carbon wing on the front axle provide a higher downforce. The side sills with elements of black visible carbon, transitioning into vertical blades both at the front and the rear, significantly contribute to an optimal airflow around the vehicle. To ensure effective cooling of the rear brakes, the sills also incorporate cooling air ducts. The rear bumper with double diffuser and lateral wheel arch air outlets also speaks to the racing DNA of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series. Exclusive, high-sheen milled and forged 18-inch wheels are used. An exclusive semi-gloss special finish in MANUFAKTUR Cirrus Silver Magno with design elements in red and anthracite is applied. Contemporary racing safety equipment and Big-Ass brakes are also included. The steering wheel, exclusively developed for the GT Track Series in cooperation with the sim racing experts at Cube Controls, has a wide adjustment range and numerous control opportunities. The pedals can also be adjusted. The dashboard with visible carbon and a matte finish includes a fully programmable BOSCH DDU 11 Driver Display Unit, designed for intuitive operation and user-friendliness. Moreover, it incorporates a comprehensive data logging system for motorsport purposes, for instance a lap trigger to keep track of lap times. The GT Track Series is one of the first cars to feature the newly developed system. The special series is limited to 55 units, each of them built by hand in Affalterbach. A high-quality embossed "1 of 55" plaque in the interior identifies every Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series as a unique piece from the special edition. Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series owners benefit from a comprehensive service and support range that is continually being developed and expanded. It also includes such privileges that normally are exclusive to the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams: a technical training prior to delivery of the vehicle, individual engineer support during track days and club sport activities upon request, a service hotline during race weekends, as well as logistical services such as an optimal spare parts supply. Technical support is guaranteed by the motorsport experts at HWA AG, carrying out services and rebuilds as Mercedes-AMG's development and production partner. The exclusive online-based ordering and information system "Customer Service Portal" is in place for ordering accessories and spare parts as well as providing all technical documentation. Worldwide sales of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series are being handled from Affalterbach where Mercedes-AMG has its headquarters. Customer delivery of the special edition starts in the second quarter of 2022. The list price of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series including air conditioning is € 369,000 plus VAT. A spare parts starter set, seat and helmet ventilation system, drinking system and passenger safety cell are available as options. Further equipment options are available upon request. We can bet you will see one at a Big Deal auction by next fall, if not before.

The AE Song of the Week:

Ridin' down the highway
Goin' to a show
Stop in all the byways
Playin' rock 'n' roll
Gettin' robbed
Gettin' stoned
Gettin' beat up
Broken boned
Gettin' had
Gettin' took
I tell you folks

It's harder than it looks
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you think it's easy doin' one-night stands
Try playin' in a rock roll band
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll

Hotel
Motel
Make you wanna cry
Ladies do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin' old
Gettin' gray
Gettin' ripped off
Underpaid
Gettin' sold
Second-hand
That's how it goes
Playin' in a band

It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it's rough and mean
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll
It's a long way to the top
If you wanna rock 'n' roll

It's a long way
It's a long way
It's a long way
It's a long way

"It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock 'N Roll)" by AC/DC from the album "TNT" (1975)*. Watch the video here. 

*This is an autobiographical song by AC/DC describing their struggles as they try to make it big by delivering a top notch live show night after night. It was genuine: At the time, they were just getting started and playing some seedy venues with even seedier business associates. The hard work eventually paid off, and several years later the band was selling out arenas. "It's A Long Way To The Top" really summed us up as a band," Angus Young told Rolling Stone. It was the audience that really allowed us to even get near a studio. A study in contrast is the Boston song "Rock And Roll Band," released in 1976. That song tells the story of a similar struggle, but it was completely made up: Boston was a studio act first and foremost and had immediate success with their first album. According to Bon Scott's biographer Clinton Walker, this tongue-in-cheek song "has become an anthem." It was the band's best single to date reaching #5 in the Australian charts. Heavy metal tracks are usually dominated by ego-tripping guitar solos; this song is unusual because instead of a lengthy guitar solo it features interplay between Angus Young on lead and Bon Scott on the bagpipes. Ronald Belford (Bonnie Scotland) Scott was born in Scotland - as were the Young brothers. The somewhat older Scott arrived in Australia with his family some 11 years before the Youngs emigrated; he learned recorder and drums, and was a proficient bagpipe player. The song runs 5 minutes and 15 seconds, which is quite long for a single. The band made a video to promote the single and the album. This was filmed on February 23, 1976 when they rode through the center of Melbourne on an open topped truck accompanied by three members of the Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band. The most noticeable feature of the video is that the vocalist was really enjoying himself, but, Walker adds, "it's as if Bon acknowledges he's living on borrowed time, and luckily at that." It would not be such a long way to the top for AC/DC, but four years later almost to the day, it would all be over for Bon. On February 19, 1980 he was found dead on the back seat of a car in London, having literally drunk himself to death. In 2004, one of the streets in Melbourne near where this video was filmed was renamed "ACDC Lane" in honor of the band. The street was formerly known as Corporation Lane. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)