APRIL 26, 2023

Editor-in-Chief's Note: This week we mourn the passing of Lloyd Reuss, who died last Friday at the age of 86. He was a gifted mechanical engineer who rose to become president of General Motors in 1990, after establishing a stellar track record at Buick. Reuss was a champion of the GM Impact EV concept, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1990. The Impact would go on to be developed into the GM EV1 production car, decades before the EV "thing" became a thing. After Reuss (along with Chairman Bob Stempel) was forced out of GM at the age of 56 in a corporate shakeup in 1992, he would go on to contribute mightily to charitable endeavors for the rest of his days. He notably encouraged young students to embrace the engineering disciplines, becoming the executive dean of Detroit's Center for Advanced Technologies at Focus: HOPE — a position he used to promote engineering and manufacturing programs for inner-city residents. Calling Lloyd a "car guy" really doesn't do the man justice, because he was much more than that. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather - his son Mark is GM's current president - and he conducted himself with the utmost integrity and made meaningful contributions throughout his life. Lloyd was from a different time and a different era in this business, one that in many ways was better than the chaotic environment we live in today. It should also be noted that it is extremely rare that a father and son would go on to become presidents at the same car company. Lloyd was tremendously proud of his son, Mark. And Mark is equally proud of his dad's legacy in the business and in life. But I think if you asked Mark, he was most proud of the family man he called "Dad." -PMD  (Thank you to Automotive News for some of the details.)

(Honda)
The all-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R - the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever sold in the U.S. - has set a new track record for a front-wheel drive car around the iconic 20.8-kilometer Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany during testing and performance evaluation. The officially measured new lap record time for the Civic Type R is 7 minutes 44.881 seconds. For the record-setting lap the Civic Type R was fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tires jointly developed with Michelin using know-how amassed through the development of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, which is the standard tire on the turbocharged hot hatch. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tires will be available through Honda dealers to further enhance the circuit performance of the vehicle, improving dry grip and handling. Watch the full lap here. 

(Mercedes-Benz images)
It's not too early for special versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQS EV models, apparently. The new EQS MANUFAKTUR Signature Editions will consist of four "specially curated" EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan and AMG EQS Sedan models. What do you get? The "highest level of equipment and feature numerous exquisite details to appeal to the most discerning customer tastes," according to Mercedes PR minions. Only a limited number of units will be produced (no shit - WG), arriving in U.S. dealerships in spring 2023. Among the standout features of the EQS MANUFAKTUR Signature Edition: The seats are draped in hand-stitched MANUFAKTUR Signature Exclusive Nappa Leather, as well as the two-tone steering wheel, center console armrest, lower dashboard, and center door panels and armrests. More? The seats have comfort headrest pillows in Microfiber with the embroidered Mercedes-Benz Star or AMG logo. High-pile floor mats throughout the interior are also embroidered with the Mercedes-Benz Star or AMG logo and feature a contrast Nappa Leather border. Another unique interior detail is the "Manufaktur" script in high-gloss chrome on the center console trim. On EQS 580 4MATIC models, an exclusive Rose Gold and High-Gloss Black key adds a further touch of elegance and exclusivity. The EQS MANUFAKTUR Signature Editions also include a custom paint process for Metallic, Non-Metallic and Magno finishes. Each of the four configurations features a unique combination of colors and finishes: 

EQS 580 4MATIC Sedan MANUFAKTUR Signature Edition Configurations

• Silicon Grey Non-Metallic with Mystic Red Exclusive Nappa Leather
• Rubellite Red Metallic with Deep White Exclusive Nappa Leather

AMG EQS Sedan MANUFAKTUR Signature Edition Configurations

• Night Black Magno with Deep White Exclusive Nappa Leather
• Kalahari Gold Magno with Deep White Exclusive Nappa Leather

The 2023 EQS MANUFAKTUR Signature Edition models will arrive in U.S. dealerships in spring 2023. Editor-in Chief's Note: We can wait. -PMD

(Honda images)
Honda calls its Trail125 (above) "approachable, fun and versatile..." It will be available for $3,999 in April. Purchase considerations for around-town transportation "don’t get much more practical than affordability and reliability," according to Honda PR minions, "both of which Honda’s Metropolitan (below) offers in spades." It will be available in May for $2,649. 

The AE Song of the Week:

A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle star dust and to whisper
"Go to sleep, everything is alright"

I close my eyes then I drift away
Into the magic night, I softly say
A silent prayer like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you

In dreams I walk with you
In dreams I talk to you
In dreams you're mine all of the time
We're together in dreams, in dreams

But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone
I can't help it, I can't help it if I try
I remember that you said goodbye

Too bad it only seems
It only happens in my dreams
Only in dreams
In beautiful dreams

"In Dreams" by Roy Orbison, from the album "For The Lonely: 18 Greatest Hits" (1963).* Written by Roy Orbison. Publisher: Barbara Orbison Music Company; Orbi-Lee Music; R-Key Darkus; Songtrust Ave; Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the music video here. And watch the scene from "Blue Velvet" here. 

*Roy Orbison claimed in interviews that the lyrics for this song came to him in a dream; he wrote the music once he woke up. Typical of many Orbison songs, it's a heartbreaker: asleep at night is the only time he can be with the one he loves, as when he wakes up, she's gone. This song is featured in a key scene in the 1986 film Blue Velvet where Dean Stockwell's character lip-synchs to the song. Orbison initially rejected director David Lynch's request to use this song, but later made a video for the track with scenes from the film. The use of this song in Blue Velvet sparked a career resurgence for Orbison. Because of legal entanglements, he didn't have access to the master recordings of many of his hits, so after the movie drummed up interest in his work, he set about re-recording his songs for a compilation called In Dreams: The Greatest Hits. When Orbison asked Lynch if he could use footage of the film in a video for the re-recorded "In Dreams," Lynch not only agreed, but offered to help with the song. With T Bone Burnett producing, Lynch directed Orbison in his performance as he would an actor in a film, and it worked, allowing Orbison to be faithful to the original recording by doing it with no overdubs. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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