MARCH 29, 2023

(Cadillac images)
Cadillac has announced the development of Cadillac House at Vanderbilt — a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the individualized, bespoke client experience of the Cadillac CELESTIQ, the world’s first all-electric ultra-luxury sedan. The Saarinen-designed facility at General Motors’ Global Technical Center was restored to bring together select clients and designers for unprecedented collaboration on the ultra-luxury EV. Located on the modernist-style General Motors Global Technical Center campus, in Warren, Michigan, Cadillac House at Vanderbilt will welcome clients to collaborate personally with CELESTIQ designers and a concierge for an unparalleled custom commission experience. Cadillac will start the process of selected client engagements in late spring, with the facility welcoming the first clients in late-summer 2023. “Every CELESTIQ is personally commissioned and working on-site with our Cadillac designers provides clients an elevated experience,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “It’s a unique opportunity to collaborate with our design team, enabling clients to directly translate their vision of their CELESTIQ into a one-of-one piece of moving sculpture.” The new Cadillac House is named after pioneering designer Suzanne Vanderbilt, who, in her day, was one of only a few women working in automotive design industry-wide. She joined GM Design in 1955, shortly before the Global Technical Center was inaugurated, and worked in the Cadillac studio. Her early work included the design of two unique vehicles: a 1958 Eldorado Seville Coupe called Baroness and the Cadillac Saxony convertible. She performed collaborative work with the Advanced Interior and Research Studios, designing safer vehicle interiors and securing two patents. Over the years, she provided essential mentorship to the next generation of women designers, before retiring in 1977. GM's Global Technical Center, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2014, is an icon of mid-century design and set the standard for the modern American corporate campus. It was the first major commission awarded to the celebrated modern architect Eero Saarinen. The building that Cadillac House at Vanderbilt inhabits — located directly across the lake from the main entrance — originally served as Central Restaurant and was an open space where the brightest creative and technical minds met to collaborate and design the future of transportation. In 1955, the design won an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

(Lamborghini images)
In the marque’s 60th anniversary year, Automobili Lamborghini has unveiled the Revuelto, the first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle) from the manufacturer. The new naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 mid-mounted engine is complemented by three electric motors, one of which is integrated into the new double-clutch eight-speed gearbox. This is mounted transversely and placed for the first time behind the combustion engine. In what has been the transmission tunnel since the days of the Countach, there is a lithium-ion battery instead, which powers the electric motors. The electric motors boost power delivery at low revs and can also turn the new Revuelto into a purely electric car, reducing overall CO2 emissions by 30% compared to the Aventador Ultimae. Although production details and pricing haven't been announced, Lamborghini expects the new Revuelto to deliver acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 350 km/h. 

(Kia images)
The new Kia EV9 features a choice of electric powertrain configurations based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and utilizing Kia’s fourth-generation battery technology. A 76.1-kWh battery is offered exclusively with the RWD Standard model, while a 99.8-kWh battery is fitted in both the RWD Long Range and AWD variants. The RWD Long Range model utilizes a 150 kW/350 Nm electric motor, delivering a 0-to-100 km/h time in 9.4 seconds (preliminary estimate). Also powered by a single electric motor, albeit a more powerful 160 kW/350 Nm variant, the Standard RWD EV9 can accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 8.2 seconds. The AWD variant is equipped with two electric motors that together have a total power output of 283 kW and a combined torque of 600 Nm. This combination enables the SUV to go from 0-to-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. An optional Boost feature - available for later purchase at the Kia Connect Store - increases torque to 700 Nm, enabling the EV9 to accelerate from 0-to-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Kia EV9 RWD Long Range model with 19-inch wheels offers an estimated target range of over 541 km, according to WLTP. Using an 800 Volt charging system, the vehicle’s battery pack can be replenished with sufficient charge to power the vehicle for 239 km in approximately 15 minutes. Kia is set to embark on a series of global campaign activities, led by the statement ‘Here to reshape the way we move’. The EV9 is set to make its inaugural physical debut at the Seoul Mobility Show 2023 later this month. It will then be showcased at this year’s New York International Auto Show in early April.

(Chevrolet)
GM has announced that the Chevrolet Camaro will be retired at the conclusion of the 2024 model year. The final, sixth-generation Camaros will come off the assembly line at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Michigan in January 2024. "As we prepare to say goodbye to the current generation Camaro, it is difficult to overstate our gratitude to every Camaro customer, Camaro assembly line employee and race fan,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet. “While we are not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured, this is not the end of Camaro’s story.” Chevrolet will offer a Collector’s Edition package on the 2024 Camaro RS and SS, and on a limited number of ZL1-equipped vehicles available in North America. The Collector’s Edition will pay homage to Camaro, referencing ties that date back to the development of the first generation Camaro in the 1960s, when the program’s initial code name was Panther. More information on the 2024 Camaro and the Collector’s Edition package will be available closer to the start of orders this summer.

(Dodge images)
Dodge has unveiled the quickest, fastest and most powerful muscle car in the world, the 1,025-horsepower 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. This is the brand’s seventh and final “Last Call” special-edition model, and it was introduced Monday (3/20) evening at the Dodge Last Call Powered by Roadkill Nights Vegas performance festival at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With its 1,025-horsepower (at 6,500 rpm), 945 lb.-ft. (at 4,200 rpm) production HEMI® engine, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 reaches 60 mph in a blazing 1.66 seconds and features the highest G-force acceleration of any production car at 2.004 gs. The Demon 170 can also reach 900 horsepower and 810 lb.-ft. of torque on E10 fuel. Just how quick is it? The Challenger SRT Demon 170 runs the quarter-mile in an NHRA-certified 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph. The Demon 170 also receives an NHRA violation letter “ban” for running a sub-nine-second quarter-mile without a safety cage and parachute. Extensive component upgrades/features critical to harnessing the 1,025 horsepower include: A modified 3.0-liter supercharger featuring a larger snout with 105mm throttle body and 3.02-inch pulley;All-new driveline includes HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) processed housings, larger 240mm ring and pinion, pressure cast new case and new mountings, rear axle housing is 53% stronger with new geometry rear differential housing and featuring Direct Connection logo, larger rear cover-mount fasteners, increased case depth and more; the rear prop shaft is 30% stronger than the original Demon and stronger half shafts are designed with larger inner-connecting spline and revised heat treatment; 315/50R17 Mickey Thompson ET Street R drag radials — never offered before on a production car — critical to vehicle performance, deliver extra traction; the patent-pending TransBrake 2.0 includes torque-shaping capability, a technology used in competitive drag racing with easier driver interaction to dial-in preset torque limits; Unique Drag Mode suspension provides maximum forward drive and custom race settings for drag calibrations; Revised rear suspension for an increased contact patch and it is the first factory production car built with staggered drag radial tires and fender flares. You also get:

• Red keys only for the Challenger SRT Demon 170 — horsepower output is determined by the percentage of ethanol detected in the fuel
• Primary engine power components are completely upgraded — camshaft is the only significant part untouched
• High-flow fuel rail and injectors are capable of providing 164 gallons of fuel per hour, more than the average U.S. shower head
• Features including optional Lacks Enterprises industry-exclusive two-piece lightweight carbon-fiber wheels help Challenger SRT Demon 170 realize weight savings of 157 pounds in comparison to Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody
• Removal of front flares generates a weight savings of 16 pounds
• Air-Grabber hood and Air Catcher headlights maximize air intake flow; Air-Grabber hood bezel laser etched with “Alcohol Injected” logo
• Innovative SRT Power Chiller, a purpose-built production car first for the original Demon, diverts the air conditioning system to cool the supercharger intercooler for optimal air intake temperature
• Drive Modes, including an updated Drag Mode, and performance pages provide customizable settings for transmission, suspension, steering and more
• Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available in 14 exterior color options and carries a unique reworking of the original Demon badge featuring a 170-neck tattoo and new E85 representative yellow Demon’s eye
• Interior adds a yellow and red serialized Demon instrument panel badge with four interior choices, including standard lightweight cloth with driver seat only, optional full cloth interior, premium Black Nappa leather and Alcantara or Demonic Red Laguna leather
• One-of-a-kind owner content includes a commemorative Demon decanter set with personalized and serialized owner information and an available customized Goodwool car shell
• Challenger SRT Demon 170 personalization options through Direct Connection will include harness bar with coordinating lightweight carbon-fiber rear seat delete inserts

The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 production will be limited to at most 3,300 units, with 3,000 for the U.S. market and 300 for Canada, and with final total based on production capacity. The Challenger SRT Demon 170 will be available at a MSRP of $96,666 (excluding destination and fees). Additionally, owners of original 2018 Challenger SRT Demons who secure an allocation will be able to match the same vehicle identification number as their original Demon. Enthusiasts can view available dealer allocations for the new Challenger SRT Demon 170 via the Dodge Horsepower Locator tool at DodgeGarage.com, with ordering beginning March 27, 2023. Dealer orders at MSRP will receive priority scheduling. Watch a video here.

The AE Song of the Week:

I was born from love, and my poor mother worked the mines
I was raised on the Good Book of Jesus
'Til I read between the lines
Now I don't believe I want to see the morning

Going down the stoney end
I never wanted to go down the stoney end
Mama, let me start all over
Cradle me, Mama, cradle me again

And I can still remember him with love light in his eyes
But the light flickered out and parted
As the sun began to rise
Now I don't believe I want to see the morning

Going down the stoney end
I never wanted to go down the stoney end
Mama, let me start all over
Cradle me, Mama, cradle me again

Never mind the forecast 'cause the sky has lost control
'Cause the fury and the broken thunders
Come to match my ragin' soul
And now I don't believe I want to see the morning

Going down the stoney end
I never wanted to go down the stoney end
Mama, let me start all over
Cradle me, Mama, cradle me again

Going down the stoney end
I never wanted to go
I never wanted to go
Mama, I never wanted to go

"Stoney End" by Laura Nyro, from the album "More Than A New Discovery" (1966).* Written by Laura Nyro. Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Lyrics powered by LyricFind. Listen to Laura's original recording here. Listen to Barbra Streisand's cover of it here. Watch Sara Bareilles perform "Stoney End" at Laura Nyro's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 here. And watch a CBS News Sunday Morning profile from 2001 on Laura Nyro here. 

 *Laura Nyro (October 18, 1947 – April 8, 1997) was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. She achieved critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969) and had tremendous commercial success with various artists recording her work. Wider recognition for her artistry was posthumous while her contemporaries such as Elton John idolized her. She was praised for her strong emotive vocal style and 3-octave mezzo-soprano vocal range. Between 1968 and 1970, a number of artists had hits with her songs: The 5th Dimension with "Blowing Away", "Wedding Bell Blues", 'Stoned Soul Picnic", "Sweet Blindness" and "Save the Country"; Blood, Sweat & Tears and Peter, Paul and Mary recorded "When I Die"; Three Dog Night and Maynard Ferguson recorded "Eli's Comin'"; and Barbra Streisand recorded "Stoney End", "Time and Love", and "Hands off the Man (Flim Flam Man). Nyro's best-selling single was her recording of Carole King's and Gerry Goffin's "Up on the Roof." Nyro was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2010) and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2012). (Knowledge courtesy of Wikipedia and Songfacts.com)

 

Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG