July 28, 2021

(McLaren images)
INDYCAR driver JR Hildebrand recently had the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of driving the McLaren Elva. Designed for pure driving connection and engagement, the Elva is the lightest and most driver-focused vehicle in the McLaren model lineup. Powered by an 804BHP twin-turbo V8 engine, the Elva is capable of ferocious acceleration and handling that is both exploitable and accessible – points on which JR is in full agreement…’’The Elva is the newest car in the growing stable of McLaren Ultimate Series machines, with not only hyper-car performance but a hyper-specific use case. Where the McLaren Senna and McLaren Senna GTR exist to be the ultimate in track weapons, the Elva is designed for the ultimate immersive experience on your favorite roads, and to be completely unhidden from your environment - whether that be a coastal sea breeze or the paparazzi flash pulling up on Rodeo Drive. This car isn't for everyone, nor is it for every situation. If it was built for maximum comfort and usability it would have windows, a convertible roof, and a few more places to put your things. But it's not and it doesn't pretend to be. This car is for owning the fact that you, yes *you*, are driving a McLaren Elva, and for freeing yourself from whatever else you have going on to tap into the moment at hand by going for a drive.  It’s impossibly nimble and lightweight, blurring the boundaries between the car and all of its environment. Get this thing in a tunnel, wick it up to 9000rpm, pile on the brakes and bang that downshift – just the snap, crackle and pop that this thing gives you. It provides the purest sensation of connection to the road, it excites all your senses from smell, to taste, to the feeling through the steering wheel. It’s the most incredible machine for the A to A journey, just getting out and driving like nothing else matters.You want to know what it’s like to drive the McLaren Elva? It’s the ultimate driver’s car.’’ -JR Hildebrand. To watch the full JR Meets Elva film go here. Available with a windshield, as driven by JR, or with the innovative Active Air Management System, the McLaren Elva is limited to just 149 examples, with almost limitless possibilities for customization offered by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). For more information visit https://cars.mclaren.com/gb-en/ultimate-series/mclaren-elva

(Bentley Motors Inc. images)
Bentley Mulliner has announced a new carbon fiber wheel developed specifically for the Bentayga. The 22” carbon wheel, engineered by Bucci Composites after years of development, will be the largest carbon wheel in production in the world and offers a range of benefits beyond the initial 6 kg improvement in unsprung mass per wheel. The new carbon wheel has been subjected to the exceptionally rigorous TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverei - Technical Inspection Association) standards - including biaxial stress testing; radial and lateral impact testing for simulating potholes and cobblestones; tire over-inflation and excessive torque tests - and is the first carbon wheel ever produced to pass all tests. One of the most severe tests of the TUV requirements – the impact test -  has shown how the carbon rim is extremely safe in addition to the performance benefits. After a severe impact that would crack or shatter an aluminum wheel causing the tire to collapse explosively, the carbon fiber rim allows a slow tire deflation thanks to the intelligent layering of fiber weaves, allowing the vehicle to come to a controlled, safe stop. For the final sign-off stage, the wheel was put through its paces on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The new 22” carbon wheel will be available to order through Mulliner in late 2021.

The AE Song of the Week:

There goes my old girlfriend, there's another diamond ring
And, uh, all those late night promises I guess they don't mean a thing
So baby, what's the story?
Did you find another man?
Is it easy to sleep in the bed that we made?
When you don't look back I guess the feelings start to fade away
I used to feel your fire 
But now it's cold inside
And you're back on the street like you didn't miss a beat, yeah

Tell me what it takes to let you go
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night without thinking you lost 
Ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go
Yeah
Girl, before I met you I was F.I.N.E
Fine
But your love made me a prisoner, yeah my heart's been doing time
You spent me up like money then you hung me out to dry
It was easy to keep all your lies in disguise
'Cause you had me in deep with the devil in your eyes
Tell me what it takes to let you go
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go
Tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night without thinking you lost 
Ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me what it takes to let you go
Guitar
Tell me that you're happy that you're on your own
Yeah yeah
Yeah, tell me that it's better when you're all alone
Tell me that your body doesn't miss my touch
Tell me that my lovin' didn't mean that much
Tell me you ain't dyin' when you're cryin' for me
Tell me what it takes to let you go
Tell me how the pain's supposed to go
Uh, tell me how it is that you can sleep in the night without thinkin' you lost 
Ev'rything that was good in your life to the toss of the dice?
Tell me who's to blame for thinkin' twice
No no no no
'Cause I don't wanna burn in paradise
Oo
Let go, let go, let go
I don't wanna burn in paradise
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, 
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, 
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, 
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, 
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go

"What It Takes" by Aerosmith, from the album "Pump" (1989)*. Written by Desmond Child, Perry Anthony Joseph and Steven Tyler. Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.

*This song is about breaking up with a girlfriend and wanting to know what it takes to get over it. When they started putting it together, is sounded like a lovelorn, twangy country song, which they remedied by adding electric guitars. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry wrote it with Desmond Child, who had written a few other songs with the band, including "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)." Child has a tremendous hit rate when it comes to songwriting; he's also charted with songs for Bon Jovi, Cher, Alice Cooper and many others. The lyrics, "Girl, before I met you I was F.I.N.E - fine," are a reference to another song on the album: F.I.N.E. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)