JANUARY 8, 2020
Monday, January 6, 2020 at 09:44AM 
(Mercedes-Benz images)
Okay, so this is the Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR concept that was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show on Monday night. Inspired by the second AVATAR movie that's coming soon (Really? We thought it was inspired by "Joker"), and as if that's not enough it is inspired by the "world of Pandora" and "a completely new interaction between human, machine and nature." Mercedes PR minions were working overtime on this release, saying, "The holistic concept of the VISION AVTR combines the design disciplines interior, exterior and UX on an unprecedented scale. The distinctive inside-out design structure combines inside and outside into an emotional whole and was inspired by several creatures from the movie AVATAR. With its stretched "One Bow" design and organic design language, the VISION AVTR offers a visionary outlook on the design of the future." Man, they pack a lot into these concepts, don't they? Other details? Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the multifunctional control element in the center console allows human and machine to merge. By placing the hand on the control unit, the interior comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the driver by his or her heartbeat and breathing. By simply lifting the hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm of the hand, through which the passenger can intuitively choose between different functionalities. For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. The curved display module creates the visual connection between passengers and the outside world. Oh, there's more. The 33 "bionic flaps" on the back of the vehicle are reminiscent of scales of reptiles. They can communicate with the driver and through the driver with their outside world through naturally flowing movements in subtle gestures. Due to the possibility to drive the front and rear axles in the same or opposite direction, the VISION AVTR can move sideways by approximately 30 degrees, in contrast to conventional vehicles. The so-called "crab movement" gives the concept vehicle an animal-like appearance even in its movement. Alrighty then! The only detail about this thing that interests us? The VISION AVTR concept vehicle is projected to use a revolutionary battery technology based on graphene-based organic cell chemistry that is completely free of rare earths and metals. The materials of the battery are compostable and therefore completely recyclable. In this way, electric mobility becomes independent of fossil resources. As a result, Mercedes-Benz underlines "the high relevance of a future circular economy in the raw materials sector." Now that's a fantasy worth pursuing.
(Hyundai images)
And, there's this: Uber and Hyundai Motor Company have announced a new partnership to develop Uber Air Taxis for a future aerial ride share network and unveiled a new full-scale aircraft concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). In this partnership, Hyundai will produce and deploy the air vehicles, and Uber will provide airspace support services, connections to ground transportation and customer interfaces through an aerial ride share network. Both parties are collaborating on infrastructure concepts to support takeoff and landing for this new class of vehicles. Hyundai has worked with Uber Elevate to develop a PAV (Personal Air Vehicle) model, the S-A1, that utilizes innovative design processes to optimize electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for aerial ride sharing purposes. Hyundai’s S-A1 is designed for a cruising speed up to 180 mph, a cruising altitude of around 1,000-2,000 feet above ground, and flying trips up to 60 miles. The 100% electric S-A1 utilizes distributed electric propulsion powering multiple rotors and propellers around the airframe to increase safety by decreasing any single point of failure. Having several smaller rotors also reduces noise relative to large rotor helicopters with combustion engines, which is very important in urban areas. During peak hours it will require about five to seven minutes for recharging. The SA-1 is designed to take off vertically, transition to wing-borne lift in cruise and then transition back to vertical flight to land. It will be piloted initially, but over time they will become autonomous. The cabin is designed with four passenger seats, allowing riders to board/disembark easily and avoid the dreaded middle seat with enough space for a personal bag or backpack.
VW. A year after officially announcing the end of the Beetle's production, Volkswagen has produced a final tribute to the car. "Taking the celebration of life to the world stage," as VW's PR minions describe it, the Beetle will be honored in an animated short film called “The Last Mile,” which will debut during ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2020’ on ABC. According to Saad Chehab, senior vice president, VW brand marketing, "While we chose the classic Beetle as the star of the animation, additional campaign components in Times Square honor the latter two generations of cars and their place and presence in American culture. We are proud of our past but our eye is on the future – hence our choice of New Year’s Eve to hint at our upcoming long-range EV and the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport.” Many other promotional elements are planned for the New Year's Eve festitivities, including a social media campaign focusing on fan-sourced content, which will play out on @VW social media channels. Editor's Note: Well, alrighty then! While we like the animated short (produced by ad agency Johannes Leonardo), something seems missing. It doesn't feel heroic enough as a sendoff for this iconic vehicle. Maybe it's the use of animation (or maybe it's the ridiculous ending in which the Beetle flies away and turns into a bug)... it just doesn't seem to capture the significance of the moment. -WG. Editor-in-Chief's Note: I concur, for the most part. On the one hand, kudos to VW for acknowledging the passing of the Beetle; on the other hand, the weirdness factor for weirdness sake is high. As in Not. Very. Good. And Saad Chehab's explanation for it all didn't add one scintilla of clarity to the whole thing. Nicely done! -PMD (12/31)
Editor-in-Chief’s Note. From the “We’re Not Buying It” File. Mercedes-Benz is delaying the launch of its EQC BEV crossover in this market for at least one year. Mercedes conveniently attributed the delay of the $68,000+ BEV to strong demand for the EQC in Europe. We think the real reason is closer to the fact that based on the tepid response to Audi’s E-tron BEV crossover in this market, Mercedes is hedging its bets, big-time. The transition to the all-BEV-all-the-time auto market here in the U.S. is going to be painful. -PMD (12/18)
(Porsche images)
This is the new 2020 Macan GTS (for "Gran Turismo Sport"). Powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375HP and 383 lb-ft of torque, it also has a newly adapted PDK dual-clutch transmission, which helps launch it from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, or to the same speed in 4.5 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package, and on to a top track speed of 162 mph. Other stuff? Standard adaptive air suspension, which can lower the chassis by 10 millimeters; 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels; big cast iron brakes (360 x 36 millimeters at the front, 330 x 22 millimeters at the rear); and standard Sport Exhaust. You can order the optional Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) with tungsten carbide coating (390 x 38 millimeters at the front, 356 x 28 millimeter at the rear), or the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) measuring 396 x 38 millimeters at the front and 370 x 30 millimeters at the rear. A bunch of special interior accoutrements finish off the package. How much? The new 2020 Macan GTS starts at $71,300 (gulp), excluding $1,350 for delivery, processing and handling (but good luck finding one for that much). It is expected to arrive here next summer. (12/18)
(Audi images)
The new Audi RS Q8 has a 4.0-liter Twin-Turbo V8 with 600 PS and 590 lb-ft torque. 0 to 62.1 mph takes 3.8 seconds and with the optional dynamic package it achieves a top speed of 189.5 mph. “For the first time in the 25-year history of Audi RS models, we are putting a large SUV coupé with the genes of a true high-performance sports car on the road,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. In other words, SUV Hell continues until further notice. How much? We don't know yet, but in Germany it starts at 127,000 euros, so rest assured you will have to bring a boatload of ca$h to get one here. (12/18)
AE Song Lyrics of the Week:
Making friends with shadows on my wall
All night hearing voices telling me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for something
Feeling like I'm headed for a breakdown
And I don't know why
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be, me
Dodging glances on the train
And I know, I know they've all been talking about me
I can hear them whisper
And it makes me think there must be something wrong with me
Out of all the hours thinking
Somehow I've lost my mind
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
Pretty soon they'll come to get me
Yeah, they're taking me away
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be
How I used to be
Well, I'm just a little unwell
How I used to be
How I used to be
I'm just a little unwell
