APRIL 5, 2023

(Stellantis)
Stellantis unveiled its all-new, all-electric 2025 Ram 1500 REV – the first battery-electric light-duty pickup truck from Ram Truck – at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday (4/5). The 2025 Ram 1500 REV will offer customers two all-electric options, including a standard 168-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack with a targeted range of up to 350 miles and an optional 229-kWh large battery pack with a targeted range of up to an unsurpassed 500 miles. (Emphasis on the word "targeted" here; in other words, we'll believe it when we see it. -PMD.) Both can add up to 110 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes with 800-volt DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, according to Stellantis PR minions. Other stuff? Vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid bi-directional charging will allow the Ram 1500 REV to charge another Stellantis battery-electric vehicle, or provide power back to the grid. An onboard power panel in the bed can provide up to 7.2 kW while an available onboard power panel in the front trunk provides up to 3.6 kW. Other targeted performance figures include a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, 654HP and 620 lb.-ft. of torque, up to 24 inches of water fording, up to 14,000 pounds towing and a maximum payload capacity of 2,700 pounds. No pricing info was released, and we don't expect it to show up in market for 20 months at the earliest.

(Petersen Automotive Museum images)
In collaboration with Porsche Cars North America, a 40-car display titled “We Are Porsche” will celebrate the storied marque’s 75th anniversary, and feature key models, along with motorsport and celebrity personalities behind the brand’s success at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Cars like the 1959 Porsche 718 RSK (above), 1964 Porsche 904 GTS and the 1958 Porsche 356 Carrera GT Speedster raced by Bruce Jennings - among many others - will be on display.

(Genesis images)
Genesis has unveiled the GV80 Coupe Concept at its Genesis House New York. “It emphasizes the duality of the Genesis brand by showcasing the antagonistic character that lives within the Athletic and Elegance parameters of Genesis’ design philosophy,” said Luc Donckerwolke, Group Chief Creative Officer. (Really? Geez. -PMD) The GV80 Coupe Concept "combines the practicality of a lifestyle-oriented SUV with the dynamism of a sports car. It is a statement of intent for more emotional, performance-oriented models and a preview of Genesis’ future programs," according to Genesis PR minions. Genesis’ rear-wheel-drive platform provides the basis for the GV80 Coupe Concept’s long hood and dash-to-axle proportions. The model’s design is also emphasized by its Magma exterior color (paging Dr. Evil! -WG), which was inspired by the brand’s Distinctly Korean ethos. While describing the color, Donckerwolke said: “The color symbolizes the self-confident and passionate attitude of Korea. There is a quiet, efficient, disciplined and humble first impression soon contrasted by a high performing and extroverted attitude.” Editor-in-Chief's Note: Sometimes designers just talk to themselves too much. This just in - not every thought balloon is worth repeating. -PMD

(BMW Images)
This is the only BMW worth owning as far as AE is concerned. The BMW M2 is powered by a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6-cylinder that differs in only a small number of details from the engine employed in the BMW M3 and BMW M4 models. Developing a maximum output of 338 kW/460HP, peak torque of 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) is produced between 2,650 and 5,870 rpm, with maximum output arriving at 6,250 rpm. The new engine revs to a maximum 7,200 rpm, accompanied by a M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps. Power is relayed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard. The Drivelogic function offers a choice of three shift settings. A six-speed manual gearbox is available as an option. It features Gear Shift Assistant, which uses engagement speed control to ensure slip-free operation when downshifting under braking into corners. If required, the Gear Shift Assistant can be deactivated in the M Setup menu. The new BMW M2 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds with the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission; and in 4.3 seconds with the six-speed manual gearbox. Zero to 124 mph takes 13.5 seconds (automatic) or 14.3 seconds (manual). The limited top speed of the new BMW M2 can be raised from 250 km/h (155 mph) to 285 km/h (177 mph) by specifying the optional M Driver’s Package. Party on!

(GM)
GM is bragging on its BrightDrop progress. The company has started shipping the first 500+ BrightDrop Zevo 600s built in the first quarter at CAMI Assembly, its large-scale manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada, that opened three months ago. The company is reporting that demand for its commercial EVs is at an all-time high, with its model year 2023 Zevo 600 already sold out. And, Ryder plans to add 4,000 BrightDrop EVs to their rental and lease fleet through 2025. New BrightDrop customers include American Tire Distributors, WasteNot Compost and Rexel USA, in addition to already announced customers FedEx, Walmart, Hertz, DHL Express and Purolator. GM aims to reach a 50,000-unit annual volume capacity for its electric delivery vans by 2025.

(Cadillac images)
Cadillac has announced the development of Cadillac House at Vanderbilt — a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the individualized, bespoke client experience of the Cadillac CELESTIQ, the world’s first all-electric ultra-luxury sedan. The Saarinen-designed facility at General Motors’ Global Technical Center was restored to bring together select clients and designers for unprecedented collaboration on the ultra-luxury EV. Located on the modernist-style General Motors Global Technical Center campus, in Warren, Michigan, Cadillac House at Vanderbilt will welcome clients to collaborate personally with CELESTIQ designers and a concierge for an unparalleled custom commission experience. Cadillac will start the process of selected client engagements in late spring, with the facility welcoming the first clients in late-summer 2023. “Every CELESTIQ is personally commissioned and working on-site with our Cadillac designers provides clients an elevated experience,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “It’s a unique opportunity to collaborate with our design team, enabling clients to directly translate their vision of their CELESTIQ into a one-of-one piece of moving sculpture.” The new Cadillac House is named after pioneering designer Suzanne Vanderbilt, who, in her day, was one of only a few women working in automotive design industry-wide. She joined GM Design in 1955, shortly before the Global Technical Center was inaugurated, and worked in the Cadillac studio. Her early work included the design of two unique vehicles: a 1958 Eldorado Seville Coupe called Baroness and the Cadillac Saxony convertible. She performed collaborative work with the Advanced Interior and Research Studios, designing safer vehicle interiors and securing two patents. Over the years, she provided essential mentorship to the next generation of women designers, before retiring in 1977. GM's Global Technical Center, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2014, is an icon of mid-century design and set the standard for the modern American corporate campus. It was the first major commission awarded to the celebrated modern architect Eero Saarinen. The building that Cadillac House at Vanderbilt inhabits — located directly across the lake from the main entrance — originally served as Central Restaurant and was an open space where the brightest creative and technical minds met to collaborate and design the future of transportation. In 1955, the design won an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

 
The AE Song of the Week:

Right from the start
You were a thief, you stole my heart
And I, your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me, that weren't all that pretty
And with every touch you fixed them
Now you've been talking in your sleep oh oh
Things you never say to me oh oh
Tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love
Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
I'm sorry I don't understand
Where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine (oh we had everything)
Your head is running wild again
My dear we still have everythin'
And it's all in your mind (yeah but this is happenin')
You've been havin' real bad dreams oh oh
You used to lie so close to me oh oh
There's nothing more than empty sheets between our love, our love
Oh our love, our love
Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
I never stop, you're still written in the scars on my heart
You're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
Oh tear ducts and rust
I'll fix it for us
We're collecting dust, but our love's enough
You're holding it in
You're pouring a drink
No nothing is as bad as it seems
We'll come clean
Just give me a reason just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again
Just give me a reason, just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
It's in the stars, it's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again
Oh we can learn to love again
Oh we can learn to love again
Oh that we're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

"Just Give Me A Reason" by Pink (with Nate Ruess) from the album "The Truth About Love" (2012).* Written by Pink and Nate Ruess. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Original Music Video here. 

*This stripped-back piano piece was written by Pink with Fun frontman Nate Ruess. The song is about the desire to hold on to a relationship even when it appears to be breaking down, and was inspired by a hypothetical argument over butter. Pink told the streaming service Spotify: "Sometimes [one partner] can be like, 'The way you passed me the butter this morning, I kinda feel like we're going to be over in a month and we need to talk' and he's like, 'I just passed you the f---ing butter, what are you talking about?' and that's how I felt the song should go, 'We're growing apart, you don't spoon any more, like it's all over.'" The song was produced by Jeff Bhasker, who had previously worked with Ruess on Fun.'s Some Nights album. However, it was the first time Pink had worked with Bhasker.Pink duets with Ruess on the track, but she had to trick him into singing his part. She recalled to Spotify: "I was like, 'no, this is a story, this is a conversation this song' - it needs the other perspective whether it's a guy and a girl, or two girls or two guys. 'I came in and tried to convince him that this was how the conversation was going to go and it was interesting you know, he was like 'I'll just do the demo cos I don't know about duets' and I totally tricked him into doing it, and I am so glad I was able to. 'I think now he's very happy that he did it, I think it's a beautiful song and I'm really, really proud of it." Running 4:03, this ballad is more subtle than most hit songs of the time, but it employs some clever songwriting techniques to help its appeal. The piano melody at the beginning changes when the verse starts, but comes back for the pre-chorus ("you've been talking in your sleep..."), so we've already been given a taste of it by the time the song gets going. This first pre-chorus is sung by Pink; the second one ("You've been havin' real bad dreams...") starts with Ruess but then Pink joins him, although the instrumentation is identical for both sections. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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