OCTOBER 4, 2023
Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 08:55AM 
The original - and still our favorite - Autoextremist logo.
The AE Quote of the Century: Everybody loves The High-Octane Truth. Until they don't. -WG
(Honda images)
Inside, the Black Edition's upscale look and feel continues with exclusive features and styling enhancements, including ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and red-accented perforated leather seating. The Black Edition is the only Passport trim with red contrast stitching on the steering wheel, seats and door panels, and red accent lighting illuminating the dash, doors and center console. The Black Edition logo is embossed on the front seats and floor mats. All 2024 Passports benefit from a new wider center console with a large, newly-integrated armrest and expanded storage. The center-console storage bin can now swallow a full-size tablet, and an improved storage tray ahead of the shifter is large enough to accommodate two large smartphones, side by side.
(Toyota)
Toyota revealed a premium special edition Tundra at the State Fair of Texas. The 1794 grade, which is named after the ranch at the San Antonio plant that assembles Tundra was built upon, gets even better with the 1794 Limited Edition, which focuses on an elevated premium leather interior experience and the addition of enhanced off-road capability. This new special edition will be offered in a limited run of 1,500 units. Based on the 1794 Tundra grade, the 1794 Limited Edition comes with a Crew Max cab, 5.5-foot bed, four-wheel drive and the I-FORCE Max powertrain, all standard.
The unique premium leather and its design were developed through a collaboration with the Texas-based Saddleback Leather Company. Several Saddleback Leather Company accessories that match the truck will be offered, including a large overnight bag, tool roll, owners’ portfolio, key glove and a small pouch. Other stuff? You also get an upgraded FOX suspension and an off-road inspired wheel and tire combination. The 2.5-in.-diameter FOX® Internal Bypass shocks with piggyback reservoirs and a 1.1-inch lift improve the stance of the truck and add to the truck's off-road capability. A dark chrome grille and body side moldings are also included, along with blacked-out accents, unique stamped tailgate, and, inside, an embossed label that marks the truck as one of 1,500. The Tundra 1794 Limited Edition will be available in dealerships in spring of 2024. It is available in colors Wind Chill Pearl, Midnight Black Metallic, Blueprint and Smoked Mesquite.
On the eve of its international dynamic debut at the Autodromo Piero Taruffi in Vallelunga, Lamborghini factory driver Andrea Caldarelli has begun testing the new Revuelto, the first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) from the Italian manufacturer. Unveiled in the brand’s 60th anniversary year, Revuelto "defines a new paradigm in terms of performance, sportiness, and driving pleasure from its unprecedented new architecture, innovative design, maximum-efficiency aerodynamics, a new carbon chassis concept, and a 1015 CV powertrain that combines the new V12 engine with three electric motors," according to Lamborghini PR mimions. Caldarelli has won some of the most prestigious titles in the endurance category driving for Lamborghini, including the triple crown of the GT World Challenge Europe in 2019 and the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTD category. Caldarelli will also be part of the crew that will contend the 2024 season of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the wheel of the new Lamborghini SC63.
(Porsche images)
The monitors of the two fender-mounted exterior cameras blend harmoniously into the interior on each side. Special graphics for the splash screen of the central display and the limited-edition number on the instrument panel have been given the shapes of the racing car, while ambient lighting adopts the theme of the color-adjustable main headlights for the interior. All safety features comply with the applicable FIA standards. The particularly rigid roll cage design permits the installation of the driver's seat only. As is the case with the 911 GT3 R in use worldwide, the limited "rennsport" is thus a single-seater racing car.
The 18-inch BBS competition wheels are painted Dark Silver Metallic.
The design of the huge rear wing is reminiscent of the Brumos Porsche 935/77, which Peter Gregg, together with the Dutchman Toine Hezemans and the German Rolf Stommelen, took the seventh overall victory for a Porsche at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1978. A light bar consisting of fine LED strips, also incorporates illuminated Porsche lettering. The largely open rear apron dispenses with grille covers and paneling for weight reasons.
Porsche is offering the 911 GT3 R rennsport with a bodyshell painted in Agate Grey Metallic and bodywork in pure carbon. The racing car will be available for the first time in seven colors, including Star Ruby and Signal Orange, for example. In addition, there are three exclusive paintwork designs available that make further customization possible. Thorsten Klein, Style Porsche Project Manager for the GT3 R rennsport: "Porsche has been shaped by its rich history. This is especially true in racing. This has subsequently inspired us, of course, but by no means did we want to produce a copy or an obvious retro paint job. The three options we selected are new interpretations that are realistic and not some blatant nod to the brand’s history."
Porsche Motorsport is offering the limited edition 911 GT3 R rennsport at a price of $1,046,000 plus transport, options, and applicable taxes. Potential customers can register interest via this link. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Never missing an opportunity to up-charge their well-heeled "enthusiasts" - I don't call Porsche the "Greed Merchants" for nothing - the 911 GT3 R rennsport will immediately begin occupying the 77 garages of people hell-bent on being the Biggest Tools in the Shed. These cars won't be raced, but they might appear at a track day somewhere, only to be exercised gingerly for fear of diminishing their value. It's too bad, but as long as Porsche can continue to extricate boatloads of ca$h from their willing "enthusiast" collectors, this dance will continue. -PMD
Hey hey hey hey
Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you
And so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moving
The smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided you're the one I have decided
Who's one of my kind
Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Hey hey hey hey
Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me
You gave my life direction
A game show love connection, we can't deny
I'm so obsessed
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna
And I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind
Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Well you can cut a rug
Watching you is the only drug I need
So gangster, I'm so thug
You're the only one I'm dreaming of
You see I can be myself now finally
In fact there's nothing I can't be
I want the world to see you'll be with me
Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Hey hey hey hey (tonight)
Hey hey hey hey (tonight)
*Joni Mitchell wrote a song about Woodstock without attending the festival, and Train lead singer Pat Monahan wrote this one about Burning Man without ever setting foot in the Nevada desert. Some of his friends were going, and he was intrigued by the festival, which culminates with a huge effigy set ablaze. Monahan imagined beautiful women dancing around the flames and came up with the lyric about an unforgettable girl who blows his mind. Train had a hit in 2001 with "Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)" and another in 2003 with "Calling All Angels," but then they derailed, with Monahan going through a divorce and losing a good friend to suicide. He poured his heart out on their 2006 album For Me, It's You, but no hits came of it, and the group went on hiatus. When they returned to make their 2009 Save Me San Francisco album, they filled it with upbeat pop songs, the poppiest being "Hey Soul Sister," which was the first single. Train was once again on track and back on the charts. According to Pat Monahan, he wrote this song and "If It's Love" the same day in New York City after a few days of little sleep. Monahan says that when he doesn't sleep, he does better work, and when "Hey Soul Sister" came to him, it was quick and easy. Since their name conveniently rhymes with "sister," in the chorus Monahan namechecks Mr. Mister, a group known for their hits "Kyrie" and "Broken Wings." Musically, the special sauce in this song is the ukulele. "The ukulele made everybody happy," Monahan told PopEater. "I think that along with the song itself and the melodies, people gravitate towards that positive part of it. The ukulele made a big difference." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG