AUGUST 23, 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 

(Ford images)

Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you like being Ricky Racer at your local cars and coffee, Ford has just the thing for you. Ford PR Minions are calling the 2025 Mustang GTD, "the most audacious and advanced Mustang ever, a limited-edition, street-legal performance car designed in parallel with Mustang GT3 race car and ready to take on the world’s best performance cars." The limited-production machine makes extensive use of carbon fiber in the body; a first-of-its-kind suspension that adjusts spring rate and ride height settings for track or street conditions; active aerodynamics; a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with unique dry sump oil system; 8-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle and carbon fiber driveshaft for near ideal weight balance; magnesium wheels; available titanium exhaust; and carbon ceramic brakes. The Mustang GTD is heavily influenced by the ongoing development of the new Mustang GT3 racing machine that will compete in IMSA and on the global stage next season. The 5.2-liter supercharged V8 has a targeted output of over 800HP, and the stated goal is for a sub-7-minute lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Production of the Mustang GTD will be severely limited - although who's kidding whom here, if you have the ca$h-ola, I'm sure they'll cobble together enough pieces to build you one - and pricing is expected to begin at approximately $300,000. (Go ahead and add at least $25,000 to that now. Make that $50,000 closer to intro.) The initial build of the GTD will start at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant and then it will be transported to Multimatic facilities in Markham, Canada, where it will be handcrafted by the Multimatic technical teams. The Mustang GTD will be available in late 2024, or early 2025 (that means late spring 2025 at the earliest). Interested? Go to ford.com for more information. This is Ford's blatant attempt at grabbing some of that Porsche 911 GT3/GT3 RS market. It won't work, but it will certainly get a rise out of the Mustang Faithful. -PMD

(Lamborghini images)

Lamborghini has unveiled the Lanzador concept, "a concrete vision of a future purely-electric fourth series production Lamborghini," according to Lamborghini PR Minions. The Lanzador is a high ground-clearance GT with 2+2 seats, "staying true to Lamborghini’s unmistakable DNA and offering best-in-class sportiveness and fun-to-drive character," according to the Italian manufacturer. The concept car fits in with the Italian super sports company's "Direzione Cor Tauri" strategy and its roadmap towards decarbonization and electrification announced in 2021. The Lanzador gives an insight into the series model to be built beginning in 2028. "With the fourth model concept, we are opening a new car segment: the Ultra GT. This will offer customers a new, unparalleled Lamborghini driving experience thanks to pioneering technologies," said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. The all-electric concept car is "a Gran Turismo with entirely new proportions and unparalleled on-board experience via new infotainment features, and a pure design combining ultra high-performance elements of the Revuelto super sports car and the animated versatility of a Urus," Lamborghini's PR Minions continued. "With Lanzador we are looking into our future without forgetting our DNA. The first coupés from Lamborghini with their front engines were sporty, elegant Gran Turismos suitable for everyday use as 2+2-seaters. The concept for our fourth production model leverages our philosophy of super sportiness combined with brave new technologies and fearless design, perfectly fitting into our Direzione Cor Tauri strategy,” explains Winkelmann.

(Jaguar)

Jaguar Classic showed its handbuilt D-Type and C-Type Continuation machines at the Rolex Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca last week. Each Jaguar Classic Continuation machine takes more than 3,000 hours to build by experts based at JLR Classic Works in Coventry, UK. If you're serioisly interested, you can go to www.jaguar.com/classic.

(Mercedes-Benz images)

The second-generation Mercedes‑AMG GT Coupe is the new flagship model from Mercedes‑AMG. "It features a highly dynamic driving experience as well as enhanced comfort and practicality for everyday use," according to Mercedes-AMG PR Minions. What do you get? AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active roll stabilization, rear-axle steering and active aerodynamics to deliver precise handling. Fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive for the first time, in combination with a Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine. The exclusive AMG sports car architecture with the elaborate composite aluminum body structure allows for the spacious interior with available 2+2 seating and ample room for luggage. The 2024 AMG GT Coupe is powered by an exclusive, handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine in two performance levels. In the AMG GT 63, the engine delivers 577HP and 590 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 3.1 seconds, and the top speed is 196 mph. In the GT 55, the V8 unit produces 469HP and 516 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph takes 3.8 seconds, and the top speed is 183 mph. The engines are assembled entirely by hand at the company's site in Affalterbach according to the "One Man, One Engine" principle. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coupe and AMG GT 55 Coupe will arrive at U.S. dealerships sometime in the first half of 2024.

(Honda images)

American Honda has announced the return of two popular miniMOTO models for the 2024 model year: The Monkey (above) and Super Cub (below). Originally introduced in the early 1960s for a Honda-owned Japanese amusement park called Tama Tech, Honda's Monkey remains true to its roots, with a fun-yet-practical character. Its authentic retro styling is contrasted by state-of-the-art performance, thanks to features like programmed fuel injection, ABS brakes, plush suspension and a capable 124cc engine. The Monkey's small stature, light weight and practical performance "combine to deliver an approachable, enjoyable riding experience for a wide variety of riders," according to Honda PR Minions. It will be available in Pearl Black (shown) and Pearl Nebula Red. How much? MSRP is $4,299 and it will be available in September. Holding the crown of the most popular motor vehicle of all time, with over 100 million units sold worldwide since its introduction in 1958, the Super Cub offers "an unparalleled combination of practical simplicity and retro styling," according to the manufacturer. The Super Cub features a step-through chassis, clutch-free four-speed transmission, and a 124cc four-stroke engine that delivers impressive fuel efficiency and plenty of power for zipping around town. You also get front-wheel ABS, fuel injection and an electric starter. MSRP: $3,899, and it's available in Pearl Gray starting in October.

The AE Song of the Week: 

All day staring at the ceiling

Making friends with shadows on my wall
All night hearing voices telling me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for something

Hold on
Feeling like I'm headed for a breakdown
And I don't know why

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me

And how I used to be, me

I'm talking to myself in public
Dodging glances on the train
And I know, I know they've all been talking 'bout me

I can hear them whisper

And it makes me think there must be something wrong with me
Out of all the hours thinking
Somehow I've lost my mind

But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be

I've been talking in my sleep
Pretty soon they'll come to get me
Yeah, they're taking me away

Yeah, I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be

Hey, how I used to be
How I used to be
Well, I'm just a little unwell
How I used to be
How I used to be

I'm just a little unwell

"Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty, from the album "More Than You Think You Are" (2003)*. Written by Robert Thomas. Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.

*This song was written by Macthbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas. On the live DVD Show he explained that this song is about people who are "Fucked-up and feel alone like that," adding, "We all feel a little fucked-up sometimes... you're not alone." In an interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Thomas said: "'Unwell' is about having a despondent relationship with yourself. In the end, it's a positive song, because you come to terms with the fact that you're not crazy."The Meiert Avis-directed music video follows Thomas through a psychotic episode that includes driving around town with an animated dog while being pursued by A Clockwork Orange-inspired characters. The band chose the director's treatment over many other submissions because it was the weirdest. Avis also directed clips for U2 and Bruce Springsteen, among others. The lyrics center on Thomas coming to terms with how uncomfortable he felt as a rock star. He recalled the story behind the song in a Genius attribution: "We were going into our third record. It came from the idea of still not feeling comfortable in my own skin, and the job sometimes even less so. I was always very comfortable in small groups, and I was always very comfortable on a stage. And then never comfortable in the group. You'd do things where you're out and amongst, and I was never really comfortable. That led me to having really crazy panic attacks and having to figure out a way to get all of that under control. Once I started to get older, once I started to grow up, the fabrication that I'd made of how comfortable I was and how secure I was in myself started to go away. I was left with the reality I need to deal with how uncomfortable I am at all times, how unsure of myself I am, every word that comes out of my mouth, in every situation. 'Unwell' was the beginning of that for me." The song features some a six string banjo played by Matchbox Twenty multi-instrumentalist Paul Doucette. Thomas recalled: "It was kind of awesome, because at the time, everything was either Ludacris and Nelly or boy bands. And then we were hanging in there with a song with a banjo in the intro. That felt like a little win for us. When I wrote that song, it was a much faster song. It was Paul who was like,'It's like that, like you're playing it on the piano. Slow it down there.' It made all those lyrics seem a little more poignant. A lot more longing to it then it would have. I think I wanted it to sound like a Nelly song." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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