AUGUST 11, 2021

(Cadillac images)
The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing (above, in Blue) — the fastest Cadillac production models ever — are available now, "achieving new heights of performance, driver technology and craftsmanship," according to Cadillac PR minions. The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing luxury sport sedans are the most track-capable Cadillacs ever built. The V-Series Blackwings represent the pinnacle of Cadillac performance, technology and craftsmanship. “Driving is always a blend of the quantifiable and the subjective, and in both regards, the new CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing deliver like few other luxury sport sedans,” said Mirza Grebovic, Cadillac performance variant manager. “They’ve got the numbers to stand with the world’s best, but they also transcend the stopwatch with the sort of satisfying driver experience that cannot be defined by lap times alone.” The CT5-V Blackwing is the most powerful and fastest Cadillac production model in history — with a top track speed of more than 200 mph — while the CT4-V Blackwing is the most powerful and fastest-ever Cadillac subcompact. The cars have also posted other impressive stopwatch results. The CT5-V Blackwing uses an upgraded and hand-assembled 6.2L supercharged V-8 rated at 668HP (498 kW) and 659 lb-ft of torque (893 Nm) while the CT4-V Blackwing is driven by an evolution of the Cadillac 3.6L Twin-Turbo V-6, which is rated 472HP (352 kW) and 445 lb-ft of torque (603 Nm). The turbos’ low-inertia turbine wheels enable more precise and responsive application of torque throughout the rev range. Each model is offered with a standard six-speed manual gearbox (get 'em while they're hot) or an available 10-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. “For nearly two decades, enthusiasts have told us how important it is to have the control of a manual gearbox in their performance sedan,” said Grebovic. “The ability to choose the driving experience they want is a luxury in and of itself, allowing them to feel more connected with the vehicle.”The six-speed manual transmission used with each model features unique gear-cut changes that enhance quietness and durability compared to the previous generation. The available 10-speed automatic has been refined and aggressively tuned for performance driving, with calibrations specific for the power and torque curves of the models’ respective engines. Details? CT4-V Blackwing: 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds (automatic), 4.1 seconds (manual). Top Speed (on track): 189 mph (304 km/h). 1/4-Mile Time: 12.14 @ 117 mph. CT5-V Blackwing: 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds (automatic), 3.6 seconds (manual). Top Speed (on track): 200+ mph (322+ km/h). 1/4-Mile Time: 11.30 @ 129 mph. Editor-in-Chief's Note: These will be the fastest, most desirable high-performance sedans you can buy for The End of the ICE Era. And the fact that they're available with a manual gearbox makes them even more desirable. Read the myriad drive reviews for yourselves, these Cadillac high-performance machines are The Real Deal. -PMD

(Audi images)
Speaking of concepts, this is the Audi Skysphere, an electric-powered, two-door convertible "whose lines lead directly to the Audi design of tomorrow," according to Audi PR minions. With it, the brand "is illustrating its vision for the progressive luxury segment of the future," in which the interior becomes an interactive space and the vehicle a platform for captivating experiences. (We can hardly wait.) It features autonomous driving, a revolutionary redesign of the interior and a seamless digital ecosystem. The Audi Skysphere concept shows how the brand is redefining luxury in the future – it’s no longer just about driving. (Oh, great.) The Audi Skysphere concept was designed for two different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sports experience. (Really? Sure.) This makes use of a spectacular technical detail – the variable wheelbase. Electric motors and a sophisticated mechanism with body and frame components that slide into one another make it possible to vary the wheelbase itself and the exterior length of the car by 250 millimeters. At the same time, the vehicle’s ground clearance is adjusted by 10 millimeters to enhance comfort and driving dynamics. With the touch of button, the driver can take advantage of their freedom and choose their own driving experience – either they pilot their 4.94-meter-long e-roadster themselves in “Sports” mode with a reduced wheelbase, while the rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile despite its dimensions. Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in a 5.19-meter GT in the autonomous “Grand Touring” driving mode while enjoying the sky and the scenery, maximum legroom, and the services offered by a seamlessly integrated digital ecosystem. In this mode, the steering wheel and pedals move into an invisible area; the feeling of space in the concept car opens up completely new realms of possibility for such a sporty convertible. Meanwhile, the Audi Skysphere automatically keeps an eye on the road and traffic with its sensor system and drives the occupants safely to their destination. Editor-in-Chief's Note: I like the rear view, but as far as proportions go, the Cadillac Sixteen concept from back in 2003 was light years better. -PMD

(GM Design)
The 2003 Cadillac Sixteen concept.

(Singer images)
The latest from the "Bring Money But You Probably Can't Afford It" File: Singer cars is presenting two more examples of its "unobtanium" 911s to the swells attending Monterey Car Week. Singer will show a client-specification Porsche 911, representing the results of its Dynamics and Lightweighting Study (DLS), for the first time in North America, at The Quail, during Monterey Car Week on Friday, August 13, 2021. The DLS represents Singer’s exploration of the ultra-high-performance potential of the air-cooled Porsche 911, on behalf of their clients. All 75 restorations are sold. Operations for the Dynamics and Lightweighting Study are based in the UK. Singer will also present the latest results of its restoration services from California, referred to as "The Hollywood Commission," in Bahama Yellow over Forest Green. This car is inspired by the 1969 911E, restored by Singer Founder, Rob Dickinson, in 2003. After being used as a daily driver, the reaction to Rob’s car, also in Bahama Yellow, led to the concept of offering restoration services to air-cooled 911 owners. The 1969 car represents the genesis of the Singer idea. 
The Dynamics and Lightweighting Study originated with a request from Singer’s clients to further evolve restoration services for owners of the air-cooled 911. No more than 75 cars will be restored in the UK, each as a bespoke commission for its owner. The starting point is a Type 964 Porsche 911. In cooperation with Williams Advanced Engineering, Formula One technology allowed the development of aero-optimized carbon fiber bodywork, an extensive lightweighting program and a unique, 4.0L naturally aspirated, 4-valves per cylinder, air-cooled, flat six, developing 500HP at 9000 rpm. A formation of additional technical partners included: Multimatic, Bosch, Michelin, Brembo, Hewland and BBS Motorsport. High levels of personalization are available for both exterior and interior, allowing each owner to tailor the precise specifications of their restoration.

Specifications for the Unico commission (the Green 911):

• Naturally aspirated, 4.0L, air-cooled flat six, with 4-valves per cylinder
• 500 HP at 9000 rpm
• Bespoke double-wishbone front suspension and lightweight rear suspension
• Lightweight magnesium gearbox and magnesium center-lock wheels
• CCM-R carbon ceramic brakes with bespoke aluminium monobloc calipers
• Titanium and Inconel exhaust system
• Bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
• ABS, traction control and electronic stability control with selectable drives modes
• Nose lift, lightweight air-conditioning, heated front screen
• Aero-optimized carbon fiber bodywork in Absinthe Green with Nickel polished bright trim
• Light-ghosted side stripes with lettering in Blood Orange
• Lightweight carbon fiber seats in Blood Orange with Nickel polished grommets

Specifications for The Hollywood Commission (the Bahama Yellow 911):

• Naturally aspirated, 4.0L, air-cooled, flat six
• Manual 6-speed transmission with RWD
• Carbon-fiber bodywork in Bahama Yellow with light-ghosted side stripes and green lettering
• Lightweight track seats in Forest Green with bespoke, leather-weave seat centers and brass grommets
• Michelin PS4S tires
• Carbon-ceramic brakes, calipers in Nato Green with white lettering
• External center-mounted fuel filler and side-mounted oil filler
• Titanium sports exhaust system

Interior of "The Hollywood Commission" 911.

(Mercedes-Benz images)
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Sometimes automakers can wallow in nostalgia a little too much, but when you have an automotive legacy like Mercedes-Benz, it's easy to see why. This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL prototype racing sports car (W 194) for the 1953 season (above) was first displayed in 2012 at Monterey Car Week in Pebble Beach. Mercedes-Benz will also be present with several vehicles for this year's event (August 12 – 15, 2021). The focus will be on the history of the Mercedes-Benz SL, and examples of several generations of these sports cars will be on display at Pebble Beach – ranging from the 300 SL racing sports car from 1952 and the legendary 300 SL Roadster from 1957, to an SL 55 AMG from 2003. Mercedes-Benz sports cars have a very close connection with the USA. Back in 1953, Max E. Hoffman was convinced that a sports car from Mercedes-Benz would be successful in the American market. Hoffman, the brand's importer for the eastern United States, traveled to Untertürkheim to promote his idea for extending the model lineup. The minutes of a board meeting on September 2, 1953, showed: "In the USA, people expect Mercedes-Benz, a company with a particularly good name in that country, to offer under all circumstances a sports car which alone can provide a basis for the existence of the dealer organization." These discussions resulted in two models, the 190 SL (W 121) and the 300 SL (W 198). Hoffman was proved right: in 1954 and 1955 alone, no less than 85 percent of the 996 300 SL Coupés built were exported to the USA. Throughout the entire production period, Mercedes-Benz delivered more than half of all its 300 SLs to North America. Mercedes-Benz Classic is presenting six cars from its SL heritage collection in connection with the Concours d'Elegance this year:

• Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194) #5: It was in this very car that Rudolf Caracciola, three-time European Champion of the Silver Arrow era from 1934 to 1939, took fourth place in the 1952 Mille Miglia. Hermann Lang, European Champion in 1939, finished second in the Carrera Panamericana in 1952 in this 300 SL.
• Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 194) #11: the racing prototype further developed for the 1953 season – a true one-off.
• Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W 198), 1957
• Mercedes-Benz 280 SL "Pagoda" (W 113), 1969
• Mercedes-Benz 380 SL (R 107), 1982
• Mercedes-Benz SL 500 (R 129), special model for the USA, the "Silver Arrow Edition," 2001
• Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG (R 230), 2003

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sports car (W 194) from 1952 (left) and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL prototype racing sports car (W 194) for the 1953 season. Photo taken in 2012.

(Bentley images)
Bentley is returning to this year’s Monterey Car Week with a focus on its bespoke and personalization division, Bentley Mulliner. Bentley’s new hybrid range will also make its debut, featuring the Bentayga Hybrid joined by the new Flying Spur Hybrid. The entire Bentley range will be hybrid by 2024, ahead of the launch of the first fully electric Bentley in 2025, according to Bentley PR minions. The new driver-focused Bentayga S and the Continental GT Speed Convertible, along with both coupé and convertible styles of the Continental GT Mulliner, will also appear. Alongside the new models, the engineering cars for two significant Bentley Mulliner programs will appear together for the first time, both in their Americas debut. The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar (below) – a completely bespoke and highly exclusive barchetta, and the first member of the Coachbuilt portfolio – will feature alongside the company's first pre-war continuation project, the Blower Continuation Series (above). Blower Car Zero – the launch member of the Classic portfolio - has deliberately retained the patina from its durability program, proudly wearing its development mileage. Finished in gloss black with Oxblood red leather, the Blower will be displayed at The Quail, and can also be seen driving in the area throughout Monterey Car Week.

(Ford images)
Ford introduced the 2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition - a tribute to the original Ford GT racer - the prototype vehicle that gave life to the company's racing program more than a half-century ago. The limited-edition vehicle is inspired by the 1964 Ford GT prototype that debuted at the New York International Auto Show on April 3, 1964 and went on to become America’s only Le Mans-winning racer. The 2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition shared the spotlight at Monterey Car Week with the only remaining 1964 Ford GT prototype - GT/105 - still in its original livery.
The Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition wears Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue graphics, including an over-the-roof triple racing stripe. Exposed carbon fiber components are prominent, including 20-inch Antimatter Blue-painted carbon fiber wheels, a touch unique to Ford GT, as well as an exposed carbon fiber front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers and rear diffuser finished in gloss. Brembo® brake calipers lacquered in silver with black graphics, plus black lug nuts are also included.
Carbon fiber carries into the cabin as well, with carbon fiber door sills, lower A-pillars and console, along with matte carbon fiber registers. Lightspeed Blue Alcantara®-wrapped carbon fiber seats feature silver stitching, while seating surfaces and head restraints are embossed with the GT logo. The instrument panel is wrapped in Ebony leather and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara, while pillars and headliner are wrapped in Ebony Alcantara. Antimatter Blue appliqués on the instrument panel, door register bezels and seat X-brace are coordinated with the unique wheels. The steering wheel is finished in Ebony Alcantara with black stitching, while dual-clutch paddle shifters are clear and polished.
With the objective of beating Ferrari and winning Le Mans, Ford began development of its own race car in 1963 (with considerable help from Eric Broadley's Lola cars), and less than a year later, the Ford GT prototype (chassis GT/101) was revealed at the 1964 New York International Auto Show. Five GT prototypes were built – the first Ford models to use deep aerodynamic analysis to optimize high-speed performance. (Which is ironic, because the original Ford GT40 racing cars were lethal at high speeds because of severe front-end lift.) These are some of the most significant cars produced by Ford, marking the foundation for the GT program that culminated in the company’s 1-2-3 sweep at Le Mans in 1966. (Fact: The original Ford GT40 racing cars bore no resemblance to the Ford Mk IIs that won Le Mans.) Of the five Ford GT prototypes built, chassis GT/105 is the only one to survive and wear its period-correct livery. Chassis GT/101 and GT/102 were scrapped after Le Mans and Monza crash testing, but that testing was critical in making significant improvements to GT/103, GT/104 and GT/105. Marking the first GT victory, GT/103 won at Daytona in 1965 with Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby behind the wheel, while GT/104 placed third with Bob Bondurant and Ritchie Ginther. Both GT/103 and GT/104 have been repainted and are exclusive displays at the Shelby Museum in Boulder, Colorado.
Modern racing cars are huge. The juxtaposition of the original Ford GT40 to the modern day '64 Heritage Edition is shocking.
Needless to say, we would take the original Ford GT All. Day. Long.

(classiccars.com)

Editor’s Note: Our favorite Monterey Car Week event is Concours on the Avenue, held this year on Tuesday 8/10 in the town of fairytale architecture, Carmel-by-the-Sea. This year marks the 14^th year for the juried event, which closes down Carmel’s world-famous Ocean Avenue for a very cool parade of cars. Focusing on cars usually not seen elsewhere during the truly overwhelming 10-day event that comprises Monterey Car Week, Concours on the Avenue features various marques from 1940–1973, and Porsche and Ferrari models through 1989. Proceeds from the event support the Carmel Foundation, which provides a variety of services to Monterey Peninsula seniors. Check out the article and photo gallery from classiccars.com here. -WG

AE Song of the Week:

I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins
Like dolphins can swim

Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes just for one day

I, I will be King
And you, you will be Queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes just for one day
We can be us just for one day

I, I can remember
(I remember)
Standing by the wall
(By the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads
(Over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall
(Nothing could fall)

And the shame, was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes just for one day

We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes just for one day
We can be heroes

"Heroes" by David Bowie, from the album "Heroes" (1977) *; Written by Brian Peter George Eno and David Bowie. Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TINTORETTO MUSIC; Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here. 

*This song tells the story of a German couple who are so determined to be together that they meet every day under a gun turret on The Berlin Wall. Bowie, who was living in Berlin at the time, was inspired by an affair between his producer Tony Visconti and backup singer Antonia Maass, who would kiss "by the wall" in front of Bowie as he looked out of the Hansa Studio window. Bowie didn't mention Visconti's role in inspiring this song until 2003, when he told Performing Songwriter magazine: "I'm allowed to talk about it now. I wasn't at the time. I always said it was a couple of lovers by the Berlin Wall that prompted the idea. Actually, it was Tony Visconti and his girlfriend. Tony was married at the time. And I could never say who it was (laughs). But I can now say that the lovers were Tony and a German girl that he'd met whilst we were in Berlin. I did ask his permission if I could say that. I think possibly the marriage was in the last few months, and it was very touching because I could see that Tony was very much in love with this girl, and it was that relationship which sort of motivated the song." Bowie moved to Berlin after burning out from touring and fame. He rented a cheap apartment above an auto-repair shop, which is where he wrote this album. Robert Fripp, formerly of King Crimson, played guitar on this track. His band, King Crimson, performed the song at the Admiralspalast in Berlin on September 11, 2016 in celebration of Bowie. This version was released on an EP called Heroes in 2017. Brian Eno, formerly of Roxy Music, helped Bowie write and produce this. Eno moved to Berlin with Bowie and worked on his albums Low, Heroes, and Lodger. These albums were much more experimental and less commercial than Bowie's previous work, but they still sold well in England. Co-writer Eno said of this in the April 2007 Q Magazine: "It's a beautiful song. But incredibly melancholy at the same time. We can be heroes, but actually we know that something's missing, something's lost." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)