AUGUST 16, 2023
Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 08:10AM 
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
The LC 500 Inspiration Series returns for the 2024 model year in a special edition that "showcases a unique aesthetic that thoughtfully blends design with performance, including front bumper canards and a coupe-exclusive carbon fiber fixed rear wing spoiler," according to Lexus PR Minions. The Inspiration Series features a Polar Surge Satin (exterior) and Deep Blue (interior) on coupe models. The convertible mirrors these colors and adds a Blue fabric top. On both models, the white matte exterior finish – sealed in by a satin lacquer topcoat – contrasts with the black finishes on the front grille surround, headlamps, taillamp, rocker garnish and outer mirrors. Standard 21-inch forged wheels with matte black paint complete the exterior look. The LC 500 Inspiration Series "draws from Lexus’ racing heritage with aerodynamic enhancements including front bumper canards to balance lift, and a coupe-exclusive carbon-fiber fixed rear wing spoiler to assist with handling stability," according to Lexus. (Really? That's a stretch. - PMD) Additional performance highlights include a standard Torsen® limited slip differential, rear performance dampers, front and rear underfloor braces, and a standard carbon fiber roof. A Deep Blue monotone interior with contrasting grey stitching features Alcantara®-trimmed sport seats and headliner (coupe) or semi-aniline trimmed seats and Lexus Climate Concierge with upper body heating (convertible). The LC 500 Inspiration Series comes standard with a Mark Levinson® 13-speaker 915-watt Reference Surround Sound Audio system, SmartAccess Key Card, and a Head-Up Display. Lexus Interface with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and the connected services featured in the 2024 LC 500 and LC 500h are also standard on the Inspiration Series. The coupe starts at $116,700; the convertible at $121.900. The 2024 LC 500 Inspiration Series is expected to arrive in dealerships in early fall 2023 with just 125 units available in North America.
Mercedes-AMG previewed the next generation of the Mercedes-AMG GT during the run-up to the 72nd Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach. The new two-door model is the fifth vehicle to be developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. The all-new AMG GT has a modified dimensional concept compared to its predecessor but remains true to its dynamic, high-performance character. "The new AMG GT embodies the brand's high level of performance luxury like no other product from Affalterbach," according to Mercedes-AMG PR Minions. We're quite sure it will be reasonably priced (not).
Cadillac has unveiled the all-electric 2025 ESCALADE IQ, "a reimagination of the luxury full-size SUV experience, brimming with iconic design, the highest level of craftsmanship and the latest automotive technology," according to Cadillac PR Minions. The highlights: A Cadillac-estimated 450 miles of range; a curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch total diagonal LED display; available Super Cruise® driver assistance technology; vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging technology with GM Energy’s available Ultium Home products and much more. “ESCALADE IQ raises the standard just as the original Escalade redefined luxury a quarter-century ago,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. "ESCALADE IQ was envisioned to be the best-driving, most maneuverable Escalade to date, and the collaboration between Cadillac Engineering and Design ensured the production model remained faithful to the goal," according to the manufacturer.
It’s the first full-size SUV from Cadillac built on GM’s modular EV propulsion architecture, the Ultium Platform, and incorporates GM’s Ultifi software platform to support and deliver ongoing software updates to its expansive technologies. The ESCALADE IQ features independent front and rear suspension, with power transferred to 24-inch wheels with 35-inch tires via front and rear drive motors that work in conjunction as an eAWD system. A suite of fully integrated advanced technologies including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension isolate passengers from undesirable road surfaces while providing precise steering and feel. The Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system enables the vehicle to be lowered up to 2 inches (50 mm) and raised 1 inch (25 mm), while additional features such as the standard Four-Wheel Steer, available Cadillac Arrival Mode and Low Ride Mode which enables the ESCALADE IQ to be driven at low speeds with the suspension fully lowered.
Four-Wheel Steer reduces the turning diameter to only 39.4 feet (12 meters) at lower speeds and reduces the turning diameter by more than 6.5 feet for greater maneuverability in parking lots and tighter overall turning radius. It also enhances handling and stability at higher speed, particularly when trailering. Cadillac Arrival Mode is a unique Four-Wheel Steer feature that allows the ESCALADE IQ to move diagonally, making it easier when pulling into or out of tight spaces.
A 24-module Ultium battery serves as the foundation of the ESCALADE IQ, producing more than 200 kWh of available energy. It also employs a flexible, high-voltage architecture that enables 800-volt DC fast charging, the quickest form of charging currently available, providing up to 100 miles of range in 10 minutes of charge time.
ESCALADE IQ will be equipped with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) bidirectional charging technology with GM Energy’s available Ultium Home products, providing customers with the ability to send power directly from the vehicle to a properly equipped home. This capability will be enabled via an over-the-air software update for the 2025 model year. ESCALADE IQ will also offer the option of Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) offboard power, allowing the vehicle to power external devices. The ESCALADE IQ uses its Ultium battery pack as part of its fundamental body structure. This allows the battery pack to provide the vehicle’s impressive Cadillac-estimated 450 miles of range while also protecting the battery in the event of a crash and adding overall strength and rigidity to the vehicle.
The electric propulsion configuration — consisting of the battery pack, power electronics and a two-motor eAWD system — offers great power on demand and surprising performance, including:
- Up to 750HP with driver-selectable Velocity Max (Cadillac estimate)
- Up to 785 lb-ft of torque with driver-selectable Velocity Max (Cadillac estimate)
- 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds with driver-selectable Velocity Max (Cadillac estimate)
- Up to 8,000 pounds of towing capability (Cadillac estimate)
I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
Hey, mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed?
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No" was all he said
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
I picked up my bags, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw old Carmen and the Devil, walking side by side
I said, "Hey, Carmen, c'mon, let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around"
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
Go down, Miss Moses, ain't nothin' you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the judgment day
Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Annalee
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Annalee company"
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
[Rick Danko]
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
Said, "I will fix your rag, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
I said, "Wait a minute Chester, you know, I'm a peaceful man"
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can"
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
[Helm and Danko]
Catch the cannonball, now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low, and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here, with her regards for everyone
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
"The Weight" by The Band from the album "Music From Big Pink" (1968).* Written by Robbie Robertson, Publisher: Songtrust Ave, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch this special video of "The Weight" featuring Robbie Robertson and Ringo Starr and others here.
*"The Weight" tells the story of a guy who visits Nazareth (Pennsylvania), and is asked by his friend Fanny to visit several of her friends. "The Weight" that is his load are all these strange people he promised he would check on. The song was never a big hit, but it endures as a classic rock stapleThe Band's guitarist, Robbie Robertson, claims the song was influenced by the work of Luis Buñuel, a Spanish director who made some of the first movies dealing with surrealism. Robertson was intrigued by the characters in his films, who were often good people who did bad things. Robbie Robertson got the only writing credit for this song, although other members of the group claimed that they contributed to this as well as many of their other songs and were not credited. Since only the writer receives royalties for a song, this created a great deal of tension in The Band. The vocals on the original recording are shared by Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, and Levon Helm, who harmonize on the choruses. Helm takes lead on the first three verses; Danko takes the fourth ("Crazy Chester followed me...); Helm and Danko share the last verse ("Catch the cannonball...). One of the distinctive characteristics of The Band was their three lead vocalists. Helm had the added challenge of singing from behind his drum kit when they played live. Nazareth, where the story takes place, refers to the town in Pennsylvania about 70 miles north of Philadelphia. The rock group Nazareth got their name from this line ("Went down to Nazareth, I was feeling about half past dead..."). RIP Robbie Robertson. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG