Autoextremist.com ~ the bare-knuckled, unvarnished, high-electron truth...

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

(Chevrolet images)

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are freshened inside and out, with a more powerful diesel engine option available later in production and new technology enhancements designed to provide greater confidence and security behind the wheel. Key highlights and features include: Freshened exterior design with bolder signature lighting and all-new lighting animations, new available 24-inch wheels and more; New interior design centered on an all-new best-in-segment 17.7-inch-diagonal central touchscreen, along with an enhanced High Country interior and additional refinements across the lineup; New, available second-generation 3.0L turbo-diesel Duramax engine with 10 percent more horsepower than current models, which will be available later in production; Ride and handling enhancements engineered for greater driving refinement; Enhanced safety and technology includes Connected Cameras - a fully integrated network of cameras that allow customers to remotely view the interior and exterior of their vehicle, in addition to recording events like crash and theft (some features may require an OnStar plan). The refined, second-generation 3.0L inline-six turbo-diesel Duramax offers more power, particularly when trailering. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and is offered on all retail trims, including Z71 for the first time. Launched previously on the Silverado 1500, the new diesel engine is rated at 305HP and 495 lb-ft of peak torque, increases of 10 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively, over the current diesel engine’s 277HP and 460 lb-ft of torque. A retuned turbo compressor, along with new, higher-flow fuel injectors, revised piston-cooling oil jets, new steel pistons and improved temperature control features with the cooling system’s Active Thermal Management contribute to the engine’s enhanced power, while new sound absorption materials and a tuned air induction system help balance its performance with quietness and improved refinement. A 5.3L gas V-8 remains the standard engine for LS, LT, RST, Z71 and Premier trims. The 6.2L V-8 is standard on High Country and available on RST, Z71 and Premier. The new diesel engine will be available in 2025 after initial launch. The all-new 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban go on sale a year from now. Additional details, including pricing, will be announced closer to the start of production.

Suburban High Country.

2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 and Suburban High Country.

(Toyota images)

The dominant vehicle in the mid-size pickup truck - the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma - has been completely redesigned and reimagined. Toyota engineers focused on quality, durability and reliability, while incorporating modern tech, much improved styling and enhanced capability. Built on the TNGA-F global truck platform shared with Tundra, Sequoia and Land Cruiser, the all-new Tacoma was designed and engineered specifically for the U.S. market. Constructed from a high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame, it adds numerous features that off-road enthusiasts will love. One high point for the new generation Tacoma is a fully redesigned coil spring multi-link rear suspension. Available on most grades, this new suspension improves overall ride and handling for excellent on- or off-road manners. The new Tacoma is powered by turbocharged i-FORCE 2.4-liter engine that produces up to 278HP and 317 lb.-ft. of torque. The available i-FORCE MAX hybrid produces up to 326HP while delivering 465 lb.-ft. of torque, the most torque in the mid-size truck segment. The all-new 2024 i-FORCE Tacomas are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in December of 2023, with i-FORCE MAX models expected to arrive in the spring of 2024. All of the 2024 Tacoma prices are up considerably, as you might have guessed. Tacoma offers superior performance at an incredible value with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of just $31,500. MSRP for i-FORCE MAX models will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

(Porsche images)

Porsche has unveiled a heavily-revised third-generation Panamera featuring a new, optional Porsche Active Ride suspension; Improved E-Performance with more power and greater range; revised exterior design "with more pronounced emphasis of width." (Really? It needed more width? -WG) New digital cockpit and enhanced offering of innovative driver assistance systems. At launch, Panamera and Panamera 4 models will also be available. Their 2.9-liter V6 turbo engine features optimized boost pressure, injection volume and ignition timing. As a result, it now develops 348HP and 368 lb.-ft. of torque – an increase of 23HP and 37 lb.-ft. compared to the previous model. This increase in power helps the Panamera to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and improves the top track speed to 169 mph. The all-wheel drive variant Panamera 4 achieves 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and has a top track speed of 168 mph. Porsche also plans to offer four different E-Hybrid powertrains. All E-Hybrid variants profit from more capable hybrid technology that offers more power, greater range and improved efficiency. The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is the first model to be introduced and will come equipped with a completely revamped 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with an electric motor generating 140 kW (187HP), which is powered by a 25.9 kWh battery. The system power of the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is 670HP and 685 lb.-ft. of torque. The electric motor is integrated into the housing of the heavily updated 8-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. Without the need for separate housing, around five kilograms of weight were saved. The integration of the unit into the oil circulation system also optimizes the thermal efficiency of the electric powertrain and allows for a higher consistent output, improved efficiency as well as increased recuperation power for the E-motor. The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and on to a top track speed of 195 mph. The third-generation Porsche Panamera has an expanded level of standard equipment including a two-valve, two-chamber air suspension, LED Matrix Design headlights, drive mode switch on the steering wheel, a cooled smartphone compartment with inductive charging and an improved air particulate filter with GPS-based automatic recirculation. How much for all of this wonderfulness? The 2024 Porsche Panamera starts at $99,900, not including a $1,650 delivery processing and handling fee, while the Panamera 4 begins at $106,900. Both models are expected to reach U.S. Porsche dealers next spring. Specifics on the U.S. pricing and arrival timing of the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid will be announced at a later date.

The AE Quote of the Week:

“He’s listed as day to day, but then again, aren’t we all?” - Vin Scully

The AE Song of the Week:

I can't stand to fly

I'm not that naive
I'm just out to find
The better part of me

I'm more than a bird, I'm more than a plane
I'm more than some pretty face beside a train
And it's not easy to be me

I wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see

It may sound absurd, but don't be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed, but won't you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
And it's not easy to be me

Up, up and away, away from me
Well, it's all right, you can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy or anything

I can't stand to fly
I'm not that naive
Men weren't meant to ride
With clouds between their knees

I'm only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
Inside of me
Inside me
Inside me
Inside of me

I'm only a man
In a funny red sheet
I'm only a man
Looking for a dream

I'm only a man
In a funny red sheet
And it's not easy

It's not easy to be me

"Superman" (It's Not Easy) by Five for Fighting, from the album "America Town" (2000).* Written by John Ondrasik. Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Original Music Video here.

*This song about trying to fit in was written from Superman's point of view. The superhero is portrayed as misunderstood and not as powerful as people see him: "I'm only a man in a funny red sheet." Superman may be invincible, but he has feelings too, and while he's off saving the world he sometimes wonders if anyone thinks about what he is going through. The song reflects what John Ondrasik (who is Five For Fighting) felt at the time - he released his first album, Message for Albert, in 1997 and it went nowhere. Explaining what led him to write the song, which appeared on his next album, Ondrasik told us it was "frustration about the inability to be heard." He later explained: "I've learned 10 years later that it's pretty damn easy to be me. I could never write that song now." (Here's our full John Ondrasik interview.) This became very popular after the September 11 attacks. The reflective tone fit very well with the mood of the United States, and many radio stations put it in heavy rotation. Ondrasik heard from emergency workers and others who found it a source of comfort after the attacks. Ondrasik performed this song on October 20, 2001 at the "Concert For New York," a tribute to the police, firefighters, and rescue workers involved in the World Trade Center Attacks. It was a very touching moment, and he called this performance "the most important thing I'll ever do musically." Ondrasik stood next to James Taylor and Pete Townshend at the end of the show when they all sang "Let It Be." The video was done in one shot using a motion control technique where a robotic camera is used to create smooth movements, stopping at key points along the way. It was shot in front of green screens so the backgrounds could be composited in later. The clip starts with a shot of John Ondrasik's pregnant wife, Carla, who is holding their young child. At the end of the video, they show up again on a bed, and we see Ondrasik join them. Ramaa Mosley, who directed the video, told us: "When I wrote the idea for the video, I knew that John was married and his next baby was on the way. I knew that while on the road he really missed his family, so I came up with the idea of the video ending with him reunited with them. It just felt like 'Superman' was a metaphor for John going out into the world to accomplish big things but always carrying his family in his heart." The band name comes from a hockey term. If you get a penalty for fighting, you serve five minutes in the penalty box. The band is actually just Ondrasik. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG