SEPTEMBER 20, 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 

(Honda)

Honda is calling the Motocompacto a modern, all-electric take on the early '80s Honda Motocompo. The Motocompacto is "a fun-to-ride 'first and last mile' solution designed for the new realities of urban mobility with zero-emissions range up to 12 miles," according to Honda PR minions. What do you get? The ultra-compact design becomes its own lightweight, compact and stackable carrying case, and it charges in just 3.5 hours with an on-board charger. Sales will begin exclusively at Motocompacto.honda.com, and at Honda and Acura automobile dealers in November with an MSRP of just $995. Watch the video here. 

  

(GMC images)

GMC unveiled its 2024 Acadia at the Detroit Auto Show, saying that it "sets new standard for premium SUVs; greater versatility, sophisticated interior and exterior design, advanced tech and luxe cabin experience," according to GMC PR minions. It is - big surprise - longer, wider and taller, with increased passenger spaciousness, extended third-row cargo space and increased front-row leg room. Other stuff? A portrait-oriented 15-inch-diagonal infotainment screen, available Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance feature and compatible Google built-in technology. The manufacturer also said that it will offer the "most capable Acadia AT4 ever" with lifted ride height, Active Torque Control AWD system and off-road suspension. It will be available next spring, supposedly.

(Cadillac images)

Cadillac introduced a refreshed and more advanced 2025 CT5 at the Detroit Auto Show, calling it "a bolder vision of the luxury sport sedan," according to Cadillac PR minions. The 2025 CT5 features a revised front fascia, and offers more standard comfort, safety and technology features, while also incorporating the brand’s 33-inch-diagonal LED color touchscreen display. The 2025 CT5 is distinguished by a new, bolder front-end design, which complements its dramatic fastback profile. The updates include a lower and wider front grille with redesigned Cadillac signature vertical lighting and stacked LED headlamps. Additionally, the CT5 Sport trim features a performance black mesh grille and black surrounds. The 2025 Cadillac CT5 will be produced at GM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly facility in Michigan, with production to begin in spring 2024. Additional details and pricing will be announced in the future.

(Ford images)

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Ford unveiled its new 2024 Ford F-150^® truck at the Detroit Auto Show. Available starting early 2024, "the truck is designed to enhance the ability to tackle challenges with purposeful features and tech. It has Built Ford Tough^® capability to handle tough pursuits. And it has a tough new design, including the new available Pro Access Tailgate for even more access and utility," according to Ford PR minions. Stuff? Increased production of PowerBoost™ Hybrid for 2024, trims from XL through Platinum Plus, and off-road ready models like Tremor (shown), Raptor and Raptor R. Engine choices include a 2.7-liter EcoBoost, 3.5-liter EcoBoost, 3.5-liter PowerBoost, 3.5-liter High Output (F-150^® Raptor^®), 5.0-liter V8 and 5.2-liter supercharged V8 (F-150^® Raptor R^®). The Big News, at least according to Ford, is its trick tailgate, which opens not only the traditional way but also from the side. Ford is touting this as some cosmic breakthrough, but there's not much new under the sun in this business, and those readers out there of a certain age will recall many '60 and '70 model station wagons with similar tailgate operation. Oh well, Ford operatives are pleased and proud of themselves, at least for a day. -PMD

(Jeep images)

Jeep PR minions are calling the 2024 Gladiator "the most capable and refined Gladiator yet." The 2024 Gladiator features a new seven-slot grille, a windshield-integrated trail-ready stealth antenna and seven all-new wheel designs. It also offers a folding windshield, three roof choices and three door choices, including available half doors and removable doors. The Gladiator can deliver up to 7,700 pounds max towing and can handle up to 1,725 pounds max payload. Other stuff? A refined interior with more technology, including available 12-way power adjustable front seats, and all-new instrument panel featuring the Uconnect 5 system with best-in-class standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with improved speech intelligibility. Two new models - Mojave X and Rubicon X - expand Gladiator’s portfolio with integrated off-road camera, steel bumpers and Nappa leather-trimmed 12-way power adjustable front seats. 

Letter from L.A.

By Tom Pease

Beverly Hills. I hate to be the old fart in the room, but as far as the Motocompacto goes, I just have to. First of all, that thing looks to be to size of a large suitcase. I also have to note that nowhere do they say how much it weighs, but looking at the interwebs it’s hardly svelte at 41lbs. I’d love to see the hipsterette shown happily zipping down the glassy-smooth sidewalk in the video try to wrestle it onto a crowded subway or an owner explain to the boss that it needs to charge in the break room for a few hours so he/she can go home. Not to mention that some cities ban those contraptions from city sidewalks. But hey, you can put stickers on it! Thanks, I’ll save the grand and spare myself the dirty looks I’d get from the other commuters after banging their shins with forty pounds of plastic cutesy-poo, and manage the first and last mile with Shanks Mare. Then at least my Apple Watch won’t bug me to take more steps...

 

The AE Song of the Week:

The power of love is a curious thing
Make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a hawk to a little white dove
More than a feeling, that's the power of love

Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream

Stronger and harder than a bad girl's dream

Make a bad one good, mmh make a wrong-one right
Power of love will keep you home at night

Don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That's the power of love
That's the power of love

First time you feel it might make you sad

Next time you feel it might make you mad

But you'll be glad baby when you're found
That's the power that makes the world go 'round

And it don't take money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden, it can be cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life

They say that all in love is fair
Yeah, but you don't care
But you know what to do

When it gets hold of you

And with a little help from above
You feel the power of love
You feel the power of love
Can you feel it? (hmm hmm)

It don't take money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
Tougher than diamonds and stronger than steel
You won't feel nothin' 'til you feel
You feel the power, feel the power of love
That's the power, that's the power of love

You feel the power of love

You feel the power of love
Feel the power of love

"The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis & The News from the "Back to the Future" Original Soundtrack (1985).* Written by Christopher John Hayes, Huey Lewis and John Victor Colla. Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind.

*This song was featured in the movie Back to the Future and included on the soundtrack. It plays in a scene where Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) hears it as he rides his skateboard from Doc's house to school. The film's director, Robert Zemeckis, wanted Lewis to do the song - Huey Lewis & the News were rising stars with a modern sound that worked well in the movie, which takes place in both 1955 and 1985. Lewis had never done film work and hesitated at first, since he didn't want to write a song called "Back to the Future." When Zemeckis told him that the song didn't have to be about the movie, Lewis accepted the challenge. The song has a very universal message that works very well outside of the film. Lewis was newly married and had two young children when he wrote it with his bandmates Johnny Colla and Chris Hayes. His family provided inspiration for the lyrics. Lewis was working on this song while the movie was in post-production. By the time Lewis delivered the song, most of the scenes were mixed; the only place the song worked was the scene where Marty is on his skateboard going to school. This scene has nothing to do with the power of love, but music fits the vibe and works in context. The song was released before the movie and entered the Hot 100 (at #46) on the chart dated June 29, 1985. The film was released on July 3, and shot to #1 at the box office, where it stayed until late September, interrupted only by National Lampoon's European Vacation for a week in July. "The Power of Love" took longer to reach the top, finally hitting #1 on August 24 and staying for two weeks. It was the first of three US #1 hits for the group - they later hit the top with "Stuck With You" and "Jacob's Ladder." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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