FEBRUARY 28, 2024

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 

Editor's Note: As reported by Automotive News, Buick has debuted a new tag line - its first since 2008 (who knew?) - "Exceptional by design." The line comes just in time for Buick's new brand campaign, highlighting Buick's updated vehicle portfolio and the redesigned tri-shield logo that debuted last year (wow). According to Molly Peck, CMO for global Buick and GMC, ""It's time for us to tell consumers exactly what we stand for, and to tell them in a way that's very fresh and exciting, signaling that something big is happening at Buick." Sounds great - but what, exactly, is this 'something big' that's happening - the redesigned tri-shield?  "We have a bit of a blank slate with Buick," Peck continued. Well, yes, that's true, as in, Buick basically doesn't stand for anything and hasn't for a long time. Okay, moving on. Apparently, Buick tested potential tag lines in focus groups and quantitative research. As always, I would love to know what the other choices were that enabled this bit of inspiration to emerge the winner. One of my favorite highlights from the research - one consumer said, "I did not realize there was a space between Kia and BMW." (Sure, "real" people talk like that all the time. Hint: No one outside of the car business talks like that!!!) And finally, Buick marketers reveal their desired outcome with the new campaign - getting people to exclaim, "Oh my gosh, that's Buick? I can't believe that. That is a brand that I want to get to know." Right. Sounds just like those Chevy spots from a few years back, when the "real people" were falling all over themselves to exclaim that the Chevy in question couldn't possibly be a Chevy; it was just too awesome! - WG

Editor-in-Chief’s Note: I concur. And if that insipid music that Buick used is dead and buried, then that would at least be a positive. -PMD

(Hearst images)

The 2025 Ram 1500 truck was introduced to the media last week and the big news? Stellantis operatives have come up with a new "Tungsten" level trim that starts at $89,150. Yes, you read that correctly - $90k for a damn pickup truck. Apparently, Ram honchos believe that they have the magic formula for market success, because Brant Combs, brand manager for the Ram 1500 told Automotive News, "I think that people want something that can do it all. You talk about the price, but there is a value proposition there. That truck is more comfortable, more quiet and has more power than luxury sedans, and it can tow over 11,000 pounds. It can have your kids' hockey bag in the back seat, you can have the whole family in there comfortably. It does everything and there is no compromise." Editor-in Chief's Note: Value proposition? Please. And by the way, WTF? No, Brad, we'd rather talk about the price, as in what the hell is going on out there in Auburn Hills? This thing is a pickup too far, a blight on the automotive landscape for people who have too much money and reduced mental capacity. What a frickin' joke. -PMD

 

(Photos courtesy of RM Sotheby's Private Sales)

We have no reason to show this famous Ferrari to our readers except it's so frickin' cool that we couldn't resist. This is the 1958 "Pontoon Fender" Testa Rossa, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful body designs ever created. The Testa Rossa was the most successful series of sports racing cars in Ferrari's illustrious history, securing four World Championships and four overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1958 to 1962. Chassis 0738 TR was raced in nearly 20 period races with four overall victories over a 10‑year racing career, and it is one of only 19 examples to leave the Ferrari factory with the "Pontoon Fender" bodywork by Scaglietti. Fully restored by Ferrari Classiche in 2013, this example is one of the very few Testa Rossas to be Red Book certified as retaining both its matching-numbers engine and gearbox. It will be offered for the first time in over a decade from a prominent American Ferrari collection.

(Toyota images)

The Toyota Land Cruiser is back after a two-year hiatus. It is equipped exclusively with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 326HP and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, full-time four-wheel drive with center- and rear-locking differentials, and a bunch of other stuff, of course. It is expected to be available this spring with a starting MSRP of $55,950.

 

(Singer Vehicle Design images)

The 300th Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer – Classic Study has been completed in California. The 1990 Porsche 911 Targa (Type 964) was restored in collaboration with its owner who has named their car the ‘Sotto’ commission. This car is an example of Singer’s personalization services and love affair with the 911. Its specification represents requests made by its owner and include:  

• Presented with carbon fiber bodywork in Resistance Blue with ghosted side stripes
• Bespoke interior trimmed in Orange leather with black stitching
• Lightweight carbon fiber track seats with woven leather centers and nickel grommets
• Naturally aspirated, 4.0-liter air-cooled flat six paired with a 5-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels
• Carbon ceramic brakes
• Titanium sports exhaust 

Founded in 2009, Singer is now synonymous with the concept of Reimagining – bringing together heritage with twenty-first century engineering and material science. Singer now employs more than 600 people with world-class teams in California and the UK. "On behalf of its global clientele, Singer brings together beauty, craftsmanship and innovation," according to Singer PR minions.

 

 

The AE Song of the Week 

So long ago, I don't remember when

That's when they say I lost my only friend
Well, they said she died easy of a broken heart disease
As I listened through the cemetery trees

I seen the sun comin' up at the funeral at dawn
Of long broken arm of human law
Now it always seemed such a waste, she always had a pretty face
I wondered why she hung around this place

Hey, come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

She said, "it's cold
It feels like Independence Day
And I can't break away from this parade"
But there's got to be an opening
Somewhere here in front of me
Through this maze of ugliness and greed

And I seen the sun up ahead at the county line bridge
Sayin' all is good and nothingness is dead
We'll run until she's out of breath
She ran until there's nothin' left
She hit the end, it's just her window ledge

Hey, come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

Well, this place is old
It feels just like a beat-up truck
I turn the engine, but the engine doesn't turn
Well, it smells of cheap wine, cigarettes
This place is always such a mess
Sometimes, I think I'd like to watch it burn
But I sit alone and I feel just like somebody else
Man, I ain't changed, but I know I ain't the same
But somewhere here in between the city walls of dyin' dreams
I think of death, it must be killin' me

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Come on try a little
Nothing is forever
There's got to be something better than
In the middle
But me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one headlight

"One Headlight" - by The Wallflowers, from the album "Bringing Down The Horse" (1996).* Written by Jakob Dylan. Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the video here. 

*Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan wrote this song. He explained the meaning: "I tend to write with a lot of metaphors and images, so people take them literally. The song's meaning is all in the first verse. It's about the death of ideas. The first verse says, 'The death of the long-broken arm of human law.' At times, it seems like there should be a code among human beings that is about respect and appreciation. I wasn't feeling like there was much support outside the group putting together the record. In the chorus, it says, 'C'mon try a little.' I didn't need everything to get through, I could still get through - meaning one headlight." Jakob Dylan is Bob Dylan's son, but he went to great lengths to stay out of his father's aura. Jakob moved from Los Angeles to New York City, where he formed The Wallflowers. He tried hard to conceal his lineage, which meant playing small clubs, dealing with flaky bandmembers, and navigating the often-predatory industry - all the stuff any other singer-songwriter would have to deal with. That self-imposed struggle paid off with songs like this one, which would be hard to write without getting some dirt under your fingernails. "One Headlight" followed "Sixth Avenue Heartache" as the second promotional single from the group's second album, Bringing Down The Horse. These songs weren't sold as singles in America, so they weren't eligible for the Hot 100 (Billboard changed this rule a few years later), but they both got lots of airplay and made The Wallflowers a big name. It was redemption for the band, whose first (self-titled) album was released on Virgin Records in 1992 and stiffed. Virgin tried to use the Bob Dylan connection to promote it, which didn't sit well with Jakob, and the band left the label. They landed on Interscope, which was a much better fit. With T Bone Burnett (who used to back Bob Dylan on guitar) producing, everything clicked. "One Headlight" won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 1998 ceremony. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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