DECEMBER 13, 2023

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 

(Cadillac images)

Cadillac has confirmed the expansion of its EV portfolio with the VISTIQ. Slotted between LYRIQ and ESCALADE IQ, the VISTIQ "is a distinctive and innovative luxury three-row SUV, designed for the modern family," according to Cadillac PR minions. Last month, Cadillac confirmed the 2025 OPTIQ, which will act as the entry point for the brand’s EV lineup in North America. Additional OPTIQ details will be revealed next year, while VISTIQ details - including available features and pricing - will be released next year. Which means what, exactly? Well, what it means is don't expect to see the VISTIQ before late '27, at the earliest.

The Washington Post, along with other media outlets, is reporting that Tesla is recalling more than 2 million vehicles to fix Autopilot systems that U.S. safety regulators determined did not have enough controls to prevent misuse. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tesla’s method of ensuring drivers are still paying attention while the partially automated system is activated is “insufficient.” The recall comes after a years-long investigation - finding 736 crashes with 17 fatalities - into crashes while the Autopilot system was activated. “There may be an increased risk of a crash,” the agency wrote, in some situations when the system is engaged “and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged.” NHTSA said that Tesla will send out a software update to fix the problems affecting its 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The recall covers nearly all of the vehicles Tesla sold in the United States. Editor's Note: Peter has been warning that Tesla and its egregiously irresponsible founder would pay dearly for this "FSD" fiasco. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the financial hits to come against Tesla. - WG

Editor-in-Chief's Note: According to a memo obtained by Automotive News, Ford has told its suppliers that it will cut the output of its F-150 Lightning EV pickup in half in 2024, due to "changing market demand." ICE vehicles will not be affected. How's that EV thing working out again? -PMD

(Lexus images)

Yet another new "ground-pounder" enters the market, this time it's the 2024 Lexus GS. The high hard ones? It will be powered by a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 with 349HP and 479 lb.-ft. of torque (a Hybrid powertrain will be available in the U.S. at a later date). It will be equipped with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and Lexus Interface with 14-inch multimedia touchscreen. Also, newly available are the Overtrail and Overtrail+ grades with standard 33-inch All-Terrain tires/18-inch wheels. The GX is rated at up to 8,000 lbs. towing capacity. It is expected to arrive at Lexus dealerships in early 2024 with a starting MSRP of $64,250 (includes Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee). 

 

(Komatsu)

General Motors and Komatsu will co-develop a hydrogen fuel cell power module for Komatsu’s 930E electric drive mining truck, the world’s best-selling ultra-class haul truck. GM, a leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology, and Komatsu, a global manufacturer of mining and construction equipment, will jointly design and validate the technology. Lightweight and quick to refuel, hydrogen fuel cells are ideal for electrifying applications traditionally powered by diesel engines. Hydrogen provides an effective method to package large quantities of energy onboard the vehicle, without compromising payload carrying capacity. Additionally, fuel cells provide an excellent zero tailpipe emissions solution for vehicles with extreme hauling requirements, like the Komatsu 930E mining truck, with its nominal payload of 320 tons. These vehicles typically operate at a single mine throughout their life, which simplifies the challenges of sizing and deploying an effective hydrogen refueling infrastructure to service the vehicle fleet. “At GM, we believe fuel cells can play an integral role in a zero-emissions future, helping to electrify heavier-duty applications, beyond passenger vehicles,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM’s Global HYDROTEC business. “Mining trucks are among the largest, most capable vehicles used in any industry, and we believe hydrogen fuel cells are best suited to deliver zero emissions propulsion to these demanding applications.” Komatsu’s fuel cell-powered mining trucks will provide an additional pathway for decarbonization beyond battery-trolley or battery-static charging solutions, without the need for additional charging infrastructure within mines. GM and Komatsu intend to test the first prototype HYDROTEC-powered mining vehicle in the mid-2020s at Komatsu’s Arizona Proving Grounds (AZPG) research and development facility. This vehicle will be powered by over 2 megawatts of HYDROTEC power cubes.

(Photo by Jim Fets for General Motors)

The GM HYDROTEC fuel cell power cube, which contains more than 300 hydrogen fuel cells and provides 77 kilowatts of power. 

(Mercedes-Benz images)

This is the new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE. The roadster’s Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine and AMG Electric Drive Unit produce 805HP combined system output and up to 1,047 lb-ft combined system torque. This makes the new E PERFORMANCE model the most powerful SL to date. The immediate response of the electric drive on the rear axle, rapid torque build-up and linear power delivery enable acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Standard AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active roll stabilization and active rear-axle steering provide a wide spread of driving characteristics – from comfortable to highly dynamic. Fully variable all-wheel drive and ceramic high-performance composite brake system come standard. Extensive customization options including MANUFAKTUR paints and upholstery complete the package. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE arrives at U.S. dealerships in 2024. 

 

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 found out long ago

It's a long way down the holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Take a ride on the West Coast kick
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

I found out long ago
It's a long way down the holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road
Holiday road

"Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham, from the "National Lampoon's Vacation Sound Track" (1983).* Written by Lindsey Buckingham. Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here. And a recent "live" version here. 

*One of the great road songs, Lindsey Buckingham wrote "Holiday Road" for the 1983 Chevy Chase movie National Lampoon's Vacation, where it plays over the opening credits. The film follows the misadventures of the Griswold family as they set out from Illinois to California in the trusty station wagon en route to Wally World. The film did very well, helping to popularize this song. In his work with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist, Buckingham wrote songs of depth and meaning. "Holiday Road" allowed him to step outside of these constraints to compose a simple, jaunty song with no relation to his other work. He kept it simple; the chorus is simply the words "holiday road" repeated four times, and the verses are very basic. This song was used in all of the Vacation sequels: National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), Vegas Vacation (1997) and Vacation (2015). In that last one, three different versions are used: the original, a reflective cover by Matt Pond, and country-tinged version by Zac Brown Band. Fleetwood Mac was on hiatus when Buckingham released this song. He had already released one solo album, Law and Order (1981), which contains the #9 hit "Trouble." His next album, Go Insane, was released in 1984 with a title track that reached #23. But ask just about anyone to name one of his solo songs, and they will likely recall "Holiday Road" which, thanks to the Vacation movies, became his most popular song. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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