Sunday
Jan312021
FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 08:51AM 
(GM)
Last week, GM announced that it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and has committed to setting science-based targets to achieve carbon neutrality. The company has also signed the Business Ambition Pledge for 1.5⁰C, an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders. “General Motors is joining governments and companies around the globe working to establish a safer, greener and better world,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO. “We encourage others to follow suit and make a significant impact on our industry and on the economy as a whole.” In addition to GM’s carbon goals, the company worked with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop a shared vision of an all-electric future and an aspiration to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035. GM’s focus will be offering zero-emissions vehicles across a range of price points and working with all stakeholders, including EDF, to build out the necessary charging infrastructure and promote consumer acceptance while maintaining high-quality jobs, which will all be needed to meet these ambitious goals. “With this extraordinary step forward, GM is making it crystal clear that taking action to eliminate pollution from all new light-duty vehicles by 2035 is an essential element of any automaker’s business plan," said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. "EDF and GM have had some important differences in the past, but this is a new day in America — one where serious collaboration to achieve transportation electrification, science-based climate progress and equitably shared economic opportunity can move our nation forward.” Editor-In-Chief's Note: This is as real as it gets and it's a big-time commitment on GM's part. To be sure, a lot will have to happen between now and then, but 2035 is not that far away. We're heading for a different world, folks. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Guilty as charged. Fiat Chrysler admitted last week that it had reached an agreement to settle a criminal probe by U.S. prosecutors into conduct of some former employees tied to the ongoing UAW corruption scandal, as Automotive News first reported. FCA's U.S. division, which is now part of Stellantis, agreed to plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act and pay a $30 million fine. The automaker has also agreed an independent compliance monitor for three years. U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said the criminal conduct by FCA and its executives has significantly undermined the confidence and trust those working in the plants and assembly lines hold in their leaders. The crimes, he said, have also undermined the workers trust in the integrity of the collective bargaining process. The fine sounds like a lot, until you consider the possibility that FCA and its operatives, plus the participating conspirators at the UAW, squandered hundreds of millions of dollars over the years. All together now, Not. Good. -PMD
(Jaguar UK)
Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary C-type sports racer by creating a strictly limited production run of new C-type Continuation cars, which will be hand-built at Jaguar’s world-class Classic Works facility in Coventry. The C-type Continuation program will allow historic motor racing enthusiasts to purchase a new, factory-built example of the ultimate 1953 disc-brake-equipped ‘works’ C-type direct from Jaguar for the first time. The C-type, which was originally made between 1951-53, was famed for its exceptionally fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer. The C-type won the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s seven outright wins at the French endurance classic. From 1952, the C-type pioneered the adoption of innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, with a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop scoring the first win for a disc-braked car with Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix in France. The C-type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans again in 1953 - another first for disc brakes - and also enjoyed success in the hands of private owners. How many will be built? Eight. How much? Figure between $1.5 - $2 million.
(Jaguar UK)
(Jaguar UK)
(Photo ©JDHT)
The No.18 Jaguar C-type of Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton wins the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans.
(ICON images)
ICON 4x4 has made its reputation breathing new life into all manners of vintage transportation by injecting builds with modern upgrades as part of the company’s Old School Edition series. The newest addition to the ICON 4x4 Old School series to come off the line is this Eucalyptus Green FJ44 four-door truck with a powder-coated aluminum body. The newest Old School FJ44 preserves the original aesthetic of the legendary Landcruiser while vastly upgrading the rig’s performance and safety and reducing emissions, alongside a host of sophisticated features cleverly concealed within. “Our Old School Edition builds present a unique aesthetic that many of our clients really respond strongly to these days,” comments ICON Founder and CEO Jonathan Ward. “With people spending a lot more time close to home, a lot of our owners are taking more time to adventure in our vehicles, which really resonates with us. Transportation has always presented the prospect of freedom, and seeing our trucks come off the line and hearing these fantastic stories about how they are being used has been incredibly rewarding. Taking a truck like this 1972 rig, restoring, rebuilding it, and then releasing it back into the wild to be used as it was intended is what ICON 4x4 is all about.”
Last week, GM announced that it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and has committed to setting science-based targets to achieve carbon neutrality. The company has also signed the Business Ambition Pledge for 1.5⁰C, an urgent call to action from a global coalition of UN agencies, business and industry leaders. “General Motors is joining governments and companies around the globe working to establish a safer, greener and better world,” said Mary Barra, GM Chairman and CEO. “We encourage others to follow suit and make a significant impact on our industry and on the economy as a whole.” In addition to GM’s carbon goals, the company worked with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop a shared vision of an all-electric future and an aspiration to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035. GM’s focus will be offering zero-emissions vehicles across a range of price points and working with all stakeholders, including EDF, to build out the necessary charging infrastructure and promote consumer acceptance while maintaining high-quality jobs, which will all be needed to meet these ambitious goals. “With this extraordinary step forward, GM is making it crystal clear that taking action to eliminate pollution from all new light-duty vehicles by 2035 is an essential element of any automaker’s business plan," said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. "EDF and GM have had some important differences in the past, but this is a new day in America — one where serious collaboration to achieve transportation electrification, science-based climate progress and equitably shared economic opportunity can move our nation forward.” Editor-In-Chief's Note: This is as real as it gets and it's a big-time commitment on GM's part. To be sure, a lot will have to happen between now and then, but 2035 is not that far away. We're heading for a different world, folks. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Guilty as charged. Fiat Chrysler admitted last week that it had reached an agreement to settle a criminal probe by U.S. prosecutors into conduct of some former employees tied to the ongoing UAW corruption scandal, as Automotive News first reported. FCA's U.S. division, which is now part of Stellantis, agreed to plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act and pay a $30 million fine. The automaker has also agreed an independent compliance monitor for three years. U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said the criminal conduct by FCA and its executives has significantly undermined the confidence and trust those working in the plants and assembly lines hold in their leaders. The crimes, he said, have also undermined the workers trust in the integrity of the collective bargaining process. The fine sounds like a lot, until you consider the possibility that FCA and its operatives, plus the participating conspirators at the UAW, squandered hundreds of millions of dollars over the years. All together now, Not. Good. -PMD
(Jaguar UK)Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary C-type sports racer by creating a strictly limited production run of new C-type Continuation cars, which will be hand-built at Jaguar’s world-class Classic Works facility in Coventry. The C-type Continuation program will allow historic motor racing enthusiasts to purchase a new, factory-built example of the ultimate 1953 disc-brake-equipped ‘works’ C-type direct from Jaguar for the first time. The C-type, which was originally made between 1951-53, was famed for its exceptionally fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer. The C-type won the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s seven outright wins at the French endurance classic. From 1952, the C-type pioneered the adoption of innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, with a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop scoring the first win for a disc-braked car with Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix in France. The C-type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans again in 1953 - another first for disc brakes - and also enjoyed success in the hands of private owners. How many will be built? Eight. How much? Figure between $1.5 - $2 million.
(Jaguar UK)(Jaguar UK)(Photo ©JDHT) The No.18 Jaguar C-type of Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton wins the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans.
(ICON images)ICON 4x4 has made its reputation breathing new life into all manners of vintage transportation by injecting builds with modern upgrades as part of the company’s Old School Edition series. The newest addition to the ICON 4x4 Old School series to come off the line is this Eucalyptus Green FJ44 four-door truck with a powder-coated aluminum body. The newest Old School FJ44 preserves the original aesthetic of the legendary Landcruiser while vastly upgrading the rig’s performance and safety and reducing emissions, alongside a host of sophisticated features cleverly concealed within. “Our Old School Edition builds present a unique aesthetic that many of our clients really respond strongly to these days,” comments ICON Founder and CEO Jonathan Ward. “With people spending a lot more time close to home, a lot of our owners are taking more time to adventure in our vehicles, which really resonates with us. Transportation has always presented the prospect of freedom, and seeing our trucks come off the line and hearing these fantastic stories about how they are being used has been incredibly rewarding. Taking a truck like this 1972 rig, restoring, rebuilding it, and then releasing it back into the wild to be used as it was intended is what ICON 4x4 is all about.”
Powered by an aluminum 6.2 LS Generation GM fuel-injected V8, ICON’s new Old School Edition FJ can produce up to 430HP and 450 lb./ft. of torque. Mated to the engine is an Aisin Warner AX15 five-speed manual transmission and an Atlas II two-speed transfer case. When combined with ICON’s hydroboost-assisted Brembo Sport Brakes, this vintage 1972 truck "handles far better than the original vehicle," according to ICON. With Dynatrac Dana 60 rear axles and Dana 44 front axles and a Fox Racing coil-over sport suspension, the Old School Edition FJ is built to adroitly manage almost any terrain. ICON’s FJ rides on sticky BF Goodrich all-terrain 285/65/18 tires mounted to ICON’s rugged vintage-inspired wheels crafted of forged aluminum to complete the Old School aesthetic.
The FJ’s custom interior includes an NEX 8600 multimedia system complete with a reverse camera, Apple Carplay, a state-of-the-art navigation system, Bluetooth capabilities and Focal K2 speakers. The vehicle’s roof is covered by a seven-layer insulated gray canvas soft top to perfectly offset the truck’s earthy green colorway. Machined aluminum interior trim sharply outlines the FJ44’s door map pockets, dash panels, knobs, seat hardware, and even the parking brake handle. The FJ44’s heavy duty yet generous bucket seats are expertly integrated into the front four seats of the vehicle, while ICON added heating capabilities to drastically improve passenger comfort. Two retro-style jump seats were carefully added to the rear of the vehicle in an homage to the exact seats used in the original 1972 FJ44.
How much for going "Old School"? The ICON 4x4 Old School Edition series starts at $237,000, but it is just one of the many lines of vintage-inspired trucks currently being made by the company in California. For more information on ICON 4x4’s FJ44 Old School Edition, go to www.icon4x4.com . AE Song of the Week:
If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I could take you for a ride
I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm
Where the music don't stop for life
Glitter in the sky, glitter in my eye
Shining just the way I like
If you feeling like you need a little bit of company
You met me at the perfect time
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugar boo, I'm levitating
The milky way, we're renegading
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I got you, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
I believe that you're for me, I feel it in our energy
I see us written in the stars
We can go wherever, so let's do it now or never
Baby, nothing's ever ever too far
Glitter in the sky, glitter in our eyes
Shining just the way we are
I feel like we're forever every time we get together
But whatever, let's get lost on Mars
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugar boo, I'm levitating
The milky way, we're renegading
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I got you, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm levitating (woo)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast-off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my ass off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast-off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my ass off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugar boo, I'm levitating
The milky way, we're renegading
I got you, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on dance with me
I'm levitating (woo)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm levitating (woo)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I got you, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight
You're my starlight
I need you all night
Come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
"Levitating" by Dua Lipa from "Future Nostalgia" (2020)*, Written by: Koz, Clarence Bernard Coffee, Dua Lipa and Sarah Hudson. Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group; Warner Chappell Music; Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video featuring DaBaby here.
*Over an elastic bassline and syncopated handclaps, Dua Lipa sings of riding into outer space with her lover. Dua Lipa's songs are often upbeat musically, but with downbeat lyrics about romantic difficulties ("Don't Start Now," "Break My Heart"). However, "Levitating" is an all-round euphoric jam. "It's about having fun and meeting someone and falling in love and thinking, 'You've probably met me at the perfect time, let's just go for it," Dua Lipa explained to Apple Music. "It's the feeling when love makes you feel like you're levitating. It's otherworldly." Dua Lipa wrote the song with Katy Perry and Camila Cabello collaborator Sarah Hudson, and with Clarence Coffee Jr. of The Monsters and The Strangerz production and songwriting team. The same people also penned her "Physical" single along with Jason Evigan. Production is courtesy of Stephen "Koz' Kozmeniuk, who previously collaborated with Lipa on "Hotter Than Hell" and "IDGAF." The song clocks in at 103 BMP, the same heart-thumpin' rhythm as the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." Dua Lipa told the BBC this was the track that helped shape the Future Nostalga album and they got "so excited" in the studio that the recording session became a spontaneous party. "We ate so many doughnuts that we were literally levitating because we were so high on sugar," she said. The song finds Lipa trying her hand at faux-rapping reminiscent of Blondie's 1981 song "Rapture." "Things get quite Daft Punk-y here, but it's playful, and the middle eight is almost like my British version of Blondie's rapping," she told Apple Music about the track. "I felt like I needed to get my British side across as well on this record, because sometimes people don't actually know where I'm from." (Knowledge courtesy of songfacts.com)
