APRIL 24, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 08:28AM 
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-in-Chief's Note: A couple of things. So, the UAW wins at VW's Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant. Does that mean it's just the first domino to fall and that other southern manufacturing facilities will follow suit? Don't be so sure. Also, I saw my first Tesla Cybertruck in the flesh on the roads around here. On the one hand, I do appreciate the "marching to a different drummer" nature of it; vive la difference and all that. On the other hand, it's just a visual oddity - make that a flat-out abomination - and nowhere near the breakthrough that people were expecting. - PMD
The 116-kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the ladder frame ensures a low center of gravity. To protect it from water and dirt intrusion, it is housed in a torsion-resistant casing. Underbody protection made from an intelligent mix of materials including carbon-fiber protects the battery.
The all-new electric G-Class is powered by four individually controlled electric motors located near the wheels. These are integrated into the ladder frame and develop a combined output of 579HP and 859 lb-ft of torque.
The all-new electric G-Class includes virtual differential locks through torque vectoring. The innovative drive concept of the all-new electric G-Class enables unique functions for off-road driving: G-TURN, G-STEERING and the intelligent off-road crawl function.
The G-ROAR sound experience includes a G-Class-specific driving sound, an "aura" and various "event" sounds. (Oh no, the synthetic sound design for EVs is now a full-blown epidemic. We can hardly wait.-WG)
A slightly raised hood, new A-pillar trim, spoiler lip on the roof strip and flared rear wheel arches featuring "air curtains" contribute to optimized aerodynamics and interior aeroacoustics.
A redesigned off-road control center, new OFFROAD COCKPIT and "transparent hood" function enable a digital off-road experience.
The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system with 12.3-inch driver display and 12.3-inch central multimedia display with touch control are equipped standard.
Advanced safety and assistance systems support drivers.
For 2025 model year, the electric G-Class is exclusively available in the U.S. in the EDITION ONE special edition, which features expanded standard equipment and unique design elements.
Prices were not given, but suffice to say, we're guessing an MSRP approaching $200,000 for the EDITION ONE. Oh, and one other thing? The weight of the vehicle is conspicuously absent from the "War and Peace" press release, but the official Mercedes-Benz figure given for the ICE G-Wagon is around 5,500 lbs. We're guessing you can add 2,000 lbs. to that figure for the all-electric model. -PMD
The latest from Porsche is the Cayenne GTS, which features an upgraded suspension and an improved twin-turbo V8 designed by Porsche and produced in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The engine now makes 493HP, a 40HP increase compared to the previous Cayenne GTS. The maximum torque is now 487 lb.-ft., 30 lb.-ft. more than before. The eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission enhances acceleration through noticeably quicker reaction and gear change times in the Sport and Sport Plus modes. The new Cayenne GTS accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and on to a top track speed of 171 mph. Another technical advancement is the separate water-cooling circuit for the all-wheel drive system Porsche Traction Management (PTM). This technology was adapted from the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT model. The 2025 Cayenne GTS models will be available to order shortly and are expected to reach Porsche Centers in the U.S. in Fall 2024. How much? Remember, these are the "Greed Merchants" from Porsche, who specialize in extracting huge chunks of ca$h-ola from their brand-obsessed faithful. MSRP for the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS will be $124,900, while the 2025 Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe will have an MSRP of $129,500 (not including tax, title, registration, dealer charges or a $1,995 delivery, processing and handling fee).
(Mercedes-Benz images)
The Toyota Camry has dominated the best-selling sedan category for 22 years in the U.S. due to its decent looks, quality and dependability. The new 2025 Toyota Camry is going exclusively hybrid and combines a refreshed exterior, a new interior design and new technology features. The 2025 Toyota Camry pairs the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS 5) with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine and has a standard 225HP (net-combined) horsepower with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and 232HP on Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) equipped models. The Toyota Camry delivers a manufacturer-estimated combined 51 MPG rating on the LE FWD grade. The Toyota Camry, for the first time on a hybrid, offers available Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) across all four grades: LE, SE, XLE and XSE. With a dedicated rear electric motor, the AWD system supplies power to the rear wheels for additional traction when needed, either in adverse weather conditions, accelerating from a stop or during dynamic driving around curves. The 2025 Toyota Camrys are expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late spring 2024 with a starting MSRP of $28,400 (not including a Dealer Processing and Handling fee of $1,095) – more than $400 less than the outgoing Camry Hybrid base grade and includes more standard features.
Don't stop and lose your touch, oh no, baby
Hard times knocking on your door, I'll tell them you ain't there no more
Get on through it, roll with it, baby
Luck'll come and then slip away, you've gotta move, bring it back to stay
You just roll with it, baby, come on and just roll with it, baby
You and me, roll with it, baby, hang on and just roll with it, baby
The way that you love is good as money
I swear by stars above, sweet as honey
People think you're down and out, you show them what it's all about
You can make it, roll with it, baby
When this world turns its back on you,
hang in and do that sweet thing you do
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
Come on and just roll with it, baby, you and me, just roll with it, baby
Now there'll be a day you'll get there, baby, you'll hear the music
play, you'll dance, baby
You'll leave bad times way behind, nothing but good times on your mind
You can do it, roll with it, baby
Then you'll see life will be so nice, it's just a step up to paradise
You just roll with it, baby, you just roll with it, baby
You and me, just roll with it, baby, Come on and just roll with it, baby
"Roll With It" by Steve Winwood, from the album "Roll With It" (1988).* Written by Brian Holland, Edward Holland Jr, Lamont Dozier, Will Jennings and Steve Winwood. Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Original (and very cool) Music Video here.
*This song is about overcoming obstacles and working with what life gives you. Winwood emerged as a successful solo artist in the '80s after struggling with personal problems, including a divorce. Winwood wrote this song with the lyricist Will Jennings, who worked on most of Winwood's solo hits. Winwood's biggest solo hit in the US, this spent four weeks at #1 and also topped the pop chart in his native Britain. The album of the same title also topped the US albums chart. The Memphis Horns played on this song, giving it a brassy Motown feel. Motown Records thought the song was too similar to the 1966 track "(I'm A) Road Runner" by Jr. Walker & the All Stars, released on Motown's subsidiary Soul Records. After legal action, the writers of "(I'm A) Road Runner" - Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland - were added to the credits of "Roll With It." Winwood was 40 years old when this went to #1 in America in July 1988. The older crowd was well represented in pop music at this time - Chicago, George Harrison and The Beach Boys all had chart-toppers as well. It was a time when older-skewing songs like "Roll With It" could share space on pop playlists with the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Poison. This song holds the distinction of being the last #1 song of Casey Kasem's 18-year run as original host of the American Top 40 radio show (he would rejoin the show 10 years later) - and the first #1 song for the show under Kasem's successor, Shadoe Stevens. David Fincher, who later directed the films Seven, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Gone Girl, The Game, Fight Club, Zodiac and The Social Network, directed the music video. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG