MARCH 27, 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 

(Mercedes-Benz images)

The all-new Mercedes-Benz G-Class will be arriving soon, offering "improved performance from the electrified powertrain, expanded driver assistance systems, elevated comfort and enhanced technology," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. Established in 1979, the G-Class has evolved from its utilitarian roots while retaining its unmistakable character. The all-new Mercedes-Benz G 550 is powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with turbocharging via an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric auxiliary compressor, delivering 443HP and 413 lb-ft of torque. A 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG) provides support at lower engine speeds with an additional 20HP and 148 lb-ft. The engine is coupled to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with torque converter that is specially adapted to the needs of the G 550. The wide spread of gear ratios "makes driving comfortable and quiet, especially at low engine speeds, while also optimizing efficiency," according to Mercedes. Three speed sensors allow for what is known as skip shifting, in which – depending on the driving situation – several gears are skipped. The shift behavior changes based on the preselected DYNAMIC SELECT drive program. Drivers can also manually control gear changes using the DIRECT SELECT shift paddles on the steering wheel. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 550 arrives at U.S. dealerships in second half of 2024.

(Nissan)

This is what Nissan PR minions had to say: "Sporting bold shapes and undeniable style that would be as at home in a sneakerhead's collection as in their driveway, Nissan today unboxed the all-new 2025 Kicks with an interactive experience in Brooklyn, at the opening rounds of the 2024 NCAA® Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center." This is what AE says: We couldn't be less interested in this product. Over and out.

(The Petersen Automotive Museum)

The Petersen Automotive Museum's newest exhibit, “GM's Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars from the Joe Bortz Collection,” is now open in the Audrey and Martin Gruss Foundation Gallery. This exhibit showcases the legacy of GM Motorama shows in the 1950s, featuring six extremely rare GM concept cars displayed together for the first time. Cars on display include the 1955 LaSalle II Roadster, 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, 1955 LaSalle Sedan, 1953 Buick Wildcat, the 1953 Pontiac Parisienne and a completely original and unrestored 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Special (above). The exhibit highlights the history of General Motors’ traveling Motorama shows, which legendary GM stylist Harley Earl used to present experimental non-production cars that featured unique design and technological concepts. A few of the vehicles, like the Corvette, even went into production. Most “Dream Cars” were sent to scrap yards after their time in the spotlight, but four were saved from near destruction at Warhoops Auto and Truck Parts in Sterling Heights, Michigan, by Warhoops employees. Bortz rescued the cars and painstakingly restored the 1955 LaSalle II Roadster and 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne after both were cut in half in preparation for the crusher. The 1955 LaSalle Sedan is presented in its “junkyard fresh” condition.

These cars are the Picassos and Rembrandts of this automotive generation,” said Bortz. “To see six of them together, all from the ‘50s, and all the real deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

We’ve never displayed a collection of concept cars quite like this at the museum,” said Terry L. Karges, executive director of Petersen Automotive Museum. “We are thrilled to display these iconic cars and illustrate the significant role Motoramas played in automotive history.

GM's Marvelous Motorama: Dream Cars from the Joe Bortz Collection” will be on display until March 2026. To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit Petersen.org/exhibits

The AE Song of the Week:

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof
In the paper today tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the T.V. page

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Now I'm walking again to the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)
Hey now, hey now
Don't let them win (they come, they come)
Don't let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now)

"Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House from the album "Crowded House" (1986).* Written by Neil Finn. Publisher: BMG Rights Management. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here. 

*Neil Finn, the Crowded House lead singer, explained the song in an interview with Goldmine: "I wrote that on my brother's piano. I'm not sure if I remember what the context was, exactly, but it was just about on the one hand feeling kind of lost, and on the other hand sort of urging myself on: Don't dream it's over. That one actually fell out literally, without me thinking about it too much." "Don't Dream It's Over" is the biggest hit for Crowded House, which formed after the New Zealand group Split Enz, well, split. This was 1985; group members Neil Finn and Paul Hester (drums) teamed with Nick Seymour (bass) to form a new group, which they named Crowded House during the making of their first album - they were living together in a very tight space while working on the album in Los Angeles, thus the band name. "Don't Dream It's Over" took a while to catch on, but when it did it became a global hit, reaching #2 in America, where it was held back by Aretha Franklin's duet with George Michael, " I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)." The next single, "Something So Strong," went to #7 in America, but they never again cracked the Top 40 here. The rest of the world was a different story. Crowded House landed lots of hits throughout Europe, particularly in the UK, and were a top draw in Australia and New Zealand. They took a hiatus in 1996 but returned from time to time and started touring again in 2007. Subsequent lineups often included Finn's musician sons Elroy and Liam. When Crowded House reunited in 2016, Neil Finn explained that he's happy to keep playing this one. He told ABC: "I really enjoy singing it every time I do it, and I'm super pleased and proud that the song that is almost the most identifiable for us is, I think, one of my best songs." This was the one Crowded House song Fleetwood Mac performed on tour when Neil Finn joined the band in 2018. Stevie Nicks joined him on vocals for these performances and often gave the song a glowing introduction. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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