MARCH 6, 2024

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 

(Hagerty Media)

This stunning 1953 Corvette by Kindig-It Design won the Ridler Award at the 2024 Detroit Autorama. The machine is owned by Dave and Tracy Maxwell, and was secretly designed and built over the last five years. Everything on this custom machine is hand-fabricated, according to Hemmings, "including the body, chassis, suspension and luxurious interior. With a body painstakingly hand-built out of aluminum, the Corvette’s overall design was inspired by Chevrolet’s 1954 concept car called the Corvair, though in Kindig-It fashion, the smooth, sloping lines are further enhanced and even more pleasing to the eye. What’s even more impressive is the car’s V-12 powerplant built by Race Cast Engineering, a company based in Australia best known for its LS engine-based 12-cylinder engines. As it sits, the 9.2-liter V-12 Corvette sends almost 800HP to the rear wheels via an 8L90E eight-speed automatic transmission. The suspension utilizes coil over shocks activated by a cantilever design, with some of the rear components visible in the package tray behind the rear seat to add to the aesthetics." Editor-in-Chief's Note: We have been fans of the creative artistry displayed by the master craftsmen at Kindig-It Design for years, but this machine is truly magnificent and sensational. Just, WOW! - PMD

(Hemmings)

(Street Muscle Magazine)

(Corvette Blogger)

(Dodge images)

Dodge has unveiled its next-generation all-electric Charger. Dodge PR minions are declaring that it is "igniting a new era of automotive muscle, announcing today the global debut of the world’s first and only electric muscle car and the brand’s first multi-energy muscle car." The Charger will retain its title as "the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car," according to Dodge PR minions, led by the all-new, all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, which delivers 670HP and is expected to reach 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.3 seconds and to run the quarter-mile in an estimated 11.5 seconds. Electrified models also include the 496HP 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T. The all-new Dodge Charger features standard all-wheel drive for all models and will offer performance choices via multi-energy powertrain options (aka ICE) — the 550HP Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O. powered by the 3.0L Twin Turbo Hurricane High Output engine and the 420HP Dodge Charger SIXPACK S.O. fueled by the 3.0L Twin Turbo Hurricane Standard Output engine. Two-door coupe versions of the all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will begin production in mid-2024. Production of all-electric four-door Daytona Scat Pack and R/T models will begin in the first quarter of 2025. Gas-powered two-door Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O. and four-door Dodge Charger SIXPACK S.O. models are also scheduled to begin production in the first quarter of 2025. The all-new Dodge Charger will be built at the Windsor (Ontario) Assembly Plant. The all-electric, all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger Daytona models are driven by a 400V propulsion system "that delivers supercharged V-8 performance with zero tailpipe emissions and instant torque response," according to the manufacturer. The system incorporates a high-voltage battery pack, a dual integrated charge module and both a front and rear electric drive module (EDM). The front EDM employs front wheel end disconnect, improving range and efficiency, while the rear EDM includes a mechanical limited slip differential to increase traction and performance. Both front and rear EDMs feature 3-in-1 architecture (inverter, gearbox and motor), with each generating 335HP (250 kW) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. Editor-in-Chief's Note: What Dodge PR minions aren't telling you is that this new Charger is even longer than the outgoing model, and its weight is in the neighborhood of 5800 lbs. We couldn't be any less interested in yet another EV pork machine. The whole "Brotherhood of Muscle" thing stops here. -PMD

(Maserati images)

Maserati has unveiled a new spyder - the GranCabrio - an open-top version of its coupe twin, the GranTurismo. At launch, the Maserati GranCabrio is available in the Trofeo trim level, featuring the 6-cylinder internal combustion Nettuno engine – the most powerful ever built for the Maserati GranTurismo – a 3.0-liter twin-turbo with 542HP. The Trident’s new convertible is 100% made in Italy and features a roof made of fabric, which can be lowered in fourteen seconds even when moving at speeds up to 50 km/h; it also has standard neck warmers to heat the driver and passenger’s necks at three different levels of intensity. One of the optional extras is the wind stopper, which can be used with two passengers and folded manually. When the top is open, it reduces the formation of turbulence inside the passenger compartment and makes it possible to enjoy the best of the vehicle’s aerodynamics. No pricing information was released.

(Aston Martin)

This is the very first Aston Martin motorcycle in history. It represents the union of Aston Martin design and Brough Superior's state-of-the-art engineering. This track-only motorbike is reserved "for only the greatest luxury motorcycle connoisseurs" (obviously). In other words, bring boatloads of ca$h-ola. Aston Martin's Executive President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, says: "This is what we believe a cutting-edge motorcycle should be, so we are very proud to see the Aston Martin wings on a motorcycle for the first time. The finished product is a truly beautiful motorcycle, a design and engineering work of art." It boasts a CNC aluminum frame and carbon fiber bodywork with a 225BHP 997cc V-twin and Garret turbocharger forced induction and is finished in Aston Martin racing livery of Verdant Jade and matte carbon fiber with Photon Lime accents. It comes complete with owner's manual, bike cover, bespoke paddock stand, battery and phone chargers (Wow! -WG). This is the first time that Aston Martin has put its name on a motorcycle, and this particular machine is number 8 of 88 and headed to auction on April 7th, with estimates ranging from £150,000 – £200,000. Developed by Aston Martin and Brough Superior and built for track use only, it is available in two models: the completely sold out AMB 001 developing 180BHP and the almost sold out AMB 001 PRO that develops 225BHP. The AMB 001 PRO has a power to weight ratio similar to a Formula 1 car, according to Aston Martin PR minions. They are handcrafted at the Brough Superior facility in Toulouse in France and take up to two years from order to delivery. Only 88 examples were scheduled to be built.

(Rolls-Royce images)

Calling it "A Coachbuilt Haven of Tranquility," Rolls-Royce has introduced the Arcadia Droptail, a commission for an exceptionally well-heeled customer in Singapore. It is the company's third Coachbuilt Droptail. The commission is named after Arcadia, a place known in Ancient Greece mythology as "Heaven on Earth." Details? The wood section took 8,000 hours to create. Reports suggest it cost at least $30 million, but who knows?

Editor's Note: As reported by Automotive News, Buick has debuted a new tag line - its first since 2008 (who knew?) - "Exceptional by design." The line comes just in time for Buick's new brand campaign, highlighting Buick's updated vehicle portfolio and the redesigned tri-shield logo that debuted last year (wow). According to Molly Peck, CMO for global Buick and GMC, ""It's time for us to tell consumers exactly what we stand for, and to tell them in a way that's very fresh and exciting, signaling that something big is happening at Buick." Sounds great - but what, exactly, is this 'something big' that's happening - the redesigned tri-shield?  "We have a bit of a blank slate with Buick," Peck continued. Well, yes, that's true, as in, Buick basically doesn't stand for anything and hasn't for a long time. Okay, moving on. Apparently, Buick tested potential tag lines in focus groups and quantitative research. As always, I would love to know what the other choices were that enabled this bit of inspiration to emerge the winner. One of my favorite highlights from the research - one consumer said, "I did not realize there was a space between Kia and BMW." (Sure, "real" people talk like that all the time. Hint: No one outside of the car business talks like that!!!) And finally, Buick marketers reveal their desired outcome with the new campaign - getting people to exclaim, "Oh my gosh, that's Buick? I can't believe that. That is a brand that I want to get to know." Right. Sounds just like those Chevy spots from a few years back, when the "real people" were falling all over themselves to exclaim that the Chevy in question couldn't possibly be a Chevy; it was just too awesome! - WG

Editor-in-Chief’s Note: I concur. And if that insipid music that Buick used is dead and buried, then that would at least be a positive. -PMD

 

The AE Song of the Week 

Another night slowly closes in

And I feel so lonely
Touching heat freezing on my skin
I pretend you still hold me
I'm going crazy, I'm losing sleep
I'm in too far, I'm in way too deep over you
I can't believe you're gone
You were the first, you'll be the last

Wherever you go, I'll be with you
Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame

Watching shadows move across the wall
I feel so frightened
I wanna run to you, I wanna call
But I've been hit by lightning
Just can't stand up for fallin' apart
Can't see through this veil across my heart, over you
You'll always be the one
You were the first, you'll be the last

Wherever you go, I'll be with you
Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame

I'm going crazy, I'm losing sleep
I'm in too far, I'm in way too deep over you
You'll always be the one
You were the first, you'll be the last

Wherever you go, I'll be with you
Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame

Whatever you want, I'll give it to you
Wherever you go, I'll be with you
And whatever you want, I'll give it to you

"The Flame" by Cheap Trick from the album "Lap Of Luxury" (1988)*. Written by Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.  

*Cheap Trick had a huge breakthrough with their 1979 live album Cheap Trick at Budokan, which brought "I Want You To Want Me" into the Top 10. In 1980, bass player Tom Petersson left the group, and for most of the decade they had a hard time finding another hit, with none of their singles reaching the Top 40. Peterson returned to the group for their 1988 album Lap of Luxury, which included the big ballad that would get them back on the airwaves: "The Flame." This was the dawn of the hair metal era, when the likes of Cinderella and Poison were cracking the charts wide open with similar songs. Cheap Trick already had the MTV-ready look and the rock pedigree, they just needed the song. "The Flame" checked all the boxes, and although it wasn't something the band would whip up themselves, they liked it better than the other option. In an interview with Gerry Galipault, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos explained: "The vice president at Epic told us he had these two songs and they're both gonna be #1. He goes, 'We got one for you and one for the group Chicago, but you can have first choice.' He said, 'I think the one 'The Flame' would be good for you guys.' The other one was 'Look Away,' and it sounded like some girl singing on the demo. We really didn't like that song anyway, so 'Sure, we'll do 'The Flame.' We're game.'" This was written by the songwriting team of Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham. They wrote it for the British singer Elkie Brooks, but she wouldn't record it, so Mitchell put his voice on the demo and shopped the song around. It found its way to Epic Records, which gave it to Cheap Trick. The song is a tender ballad where the singer tells a girl he will always be there for her. It was not typical of Cheap Trick's sound, and was also their only hit not written or co-written by their guitarist Rick Nielsen. The song succeeded in exposing the band to a much larger audience. This was Cheap Trick's only #1 hit, remaining at the top spot in the US for two weeks in the summer of 1988. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com.)(Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG