APRIL 6, 2022

(David Brown Automotive images)
David Brown Automotive has unveiled a limited-edition Mini Remastered Marshall Edition in collaboration with iconic audio equipment company, Marshall Amplification. Conceived to commemorate Marshall Amplification’s 60th anniversary, just 60 examples of these ultra-exclusive Mini Remastered models will be built in both right- and left-hand versions. Each Mini Remastered Marshall Edition will be distinguished from core Mini Remastered examples by unique color, materials and finishes, inspired by the styling of Marshall’s iconic products, and will also be fitted with a number of unique touches that reflect the rich heritage of the iconic audio brand. Design elements evoke the iconic visual identity of the Marshall brand, while a comprehensive list of audio equipment is also installed – including a bespoke Marshall amplifier in the leather-lined boot – all paying homage to the Milton Keynes-based company’s reputation for sonic excellence. The cars will be finished in an exclusive ‘Marshall Black’ paint, complemented by dark-chrome exterior bright work. The darker features are offset by contrasting ‘Marshall Gold’ painted accents: a coach line to the roof, as well as a hand-painted coach line, pinstripes and Marshall logos to the side doors. ‘Marshall Gold’ brake calipers are visible behind the ‘Classic’ 12-inch wheels, capped off with Marshall ‘M’ logo centers, and wheel rims finished in the same gleaming gold - a color long synonymous with the Marshall brand. At the front of the car, a contemporary mesh grille designed to look like the front of Marshall’s audio equipment is also finished in gold while handmade, unique badges to the model have been developed, featuring ‘Marshall Gold’ enameling. There are many unique interior touches throughout, including gold finishes to the dashboard center, switchgear and control panel, as well as the handbrake grip, sculptural side door panel blades, door releases and even the pedals. The door cards are also unique to the limited-run specials, with a specially-sourced fabric that pays homage to the speaker covers on Marshall’s much-loved amplifiers. The seats are hand-trimmed in black leather of the highest quality, complemented by gold contrast stitching, while the back rests are adorned with embroidered Marshall logos. Marshall Edition’s provenance is confirmed by a build plaque fixed to the inside of the glovebox. The Marshall Edition Mini Remastered edition is packed with unique audio features developed in partnership between David Brown Automotive and the engineers at Marshall, including new dashtop-mounted tweeters, additional speakers in the doors and upgraded equipment fitted to the rear parcel shelf. The glove box also features an induction charging point for Marshall’s just-launched Motif A.N.C wireless headphones. In addition to the cockpit’s audio upgrades, the music-theme of Mini Remastered Marshall Edition really comes to life in the leather-lined luggage compartment. The space has been specially engineered to house a fully-integrated Marshall DSL1 Combo amplifier that slides out for access, linked up to an independent power supply for total versatility. The comprehensive audio package is rounded off by a powerful Marshall ‘Emberton’ portable Bluetooth speaker, also neatly integrated into the boot. Based on the highly popular Mini Remastered model, which reimagines the diminutive British motoring icon for the 21st century, Mini Remastered Marshall Edition will - as with all David Brown Automotive Mini Remastered iterations - be painstakingly handcrafted, enhanced with a sumptuous interior and comprehensively remastered mechanicals featuring a 1,330cc A-series engine and a 5-speed manual gearbox, all from David Brown Automotive’s state-of-the-art facility in Silverstone, UK. Marshall and David Brown Automotive will each donate a portion of the proceeds from each sale to the Music Venue Trust, a charity that supports independent concert venues throughout the UK, helping them withstand the damage caused by of the coronavirus pandemic, and emerge from the other side. 

(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.

Shortsightedness, Part Deux.

By Tom Pease

Beverly Hills. What strikes me as even more stupid than having no affordable vehicles out there is that manufacturers are taking a page from Apple in the idea of disposability. It's bad enough that your 5-year-old iPhone becomes so out of date that you are forced to "upgrade" (at full retail, thanks ever so...) to a new one, but your $75k car? Oh, golly, since we went to 5g cell service all your systems are screwed. Just buy a new car! Oh, sorry, we don't support that old, crappy UI because we have a new, crappy UI. Just buy a new car! Oh, sorry, you have the old, legacy charger plug we foisted off on you and it's no longer supported. Just buy a new car! 

Now, we consumers are to blame for being unable to live without real-time directions, 500HP 3-cylinder eco-hybrids, and the latest and greatest in self-driving, parking, lane changing and all. But the first manufacturer who dares to make the new, safe version of a 2CV that's just fast enough, just big enough, just cool enough, leaves the UI crap to Apple and Android pairing and brings it in for under $25K may have a bigger hit than the McRib. 

The AE Song of the Week:

We got the afternoon
You got this room for two
One thing I've left to do
Discover me
Discovering you

One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue

And if you want love
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

Something 'bout the way your hair falls in your face
I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it

You want love?
We'll make it
Swim in a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while

Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

Damn, baby
You frustrate me
I know you're mine all mine all mine
But you look so good it hurts sometimes

Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands)
Your body Is a wonderland

Your body is a wonderland

 "Your Body Is A Wonderland" by John Mayer, from the album "Room For Squares" (2002)*. Written by John Clayton Mayer. Publisher: REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.

*On VH1 Storytellers, Mayer said that the song is about his very first girlfriend, which he had when he was 14-years-old. Said Mayer: "It's really a song about when you could love someone enough to jump into bed at 4 and get out when it's dark, like when you go see a movie and you walk out and it's dark out - same thing except instead of the movie it's sex." Mayer wrote this when he moved to Atlanta and started to write songs. It was the opening guitar part that got him started. He explained: "I had this guitar part and I'd play it for hours - I just wanted to see how liquidy it could get." John Mayer had a short-lived relationship with Jennifer Love Hewitt and the actress was rumored to be the inspiration behind this song. However as Room For Squares was released before the two dated, this was clearly not the case. Hewitt denied the rumors to People magazine when she quipped, "John would have written, 'Your body is a disaster.'" Said Mayer, "This would be the first in a history of songs that were reported that they were written for people they weren't written for." Mayer won a Best Pop Vocal Performance Grammy for this song. He beat legends James Taylor, Elton John and Sting to win it. He performed this at the Grammys in between performances by Vanessa Carlton and James Taylor. They were doing a segment showcasing singer/songwriters. He played this on his acoustic guitar, without a band. In The Office episode "A Benihana Christmas" (2006), Michael Scott and Andy Bernard sing this as a karaoke duet to two waitresses they pick up at Benihana. Mayer agreed to let the show use the song in exchange for a Dundie - an award Michael gives out to Dunder Mifflin employees for quirky achievements. Mayer took the prize for "Tallest Music Dude." (Knowledge courtesy of SongFacts.com)