SEPTEMBER 4, 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 

(Audi images)

Audi of America has announced an extensive freshening for the 2025 Audi A3 and S3 (shown) sedans, with all models arriving with standard quattro® all-wheel drive. The 2025 A3 "becomes more appealing, more comfortable, and more digital than ever, thanks to its sharpened exterior design, extended standard equipment, new interior materials and access to the Audi app store..." according to Audi PR minions. The S3 sees increases in performance with added power, chassis upgrades and the addition of an advanced torque splitter – first introduced for the Nürburgring lap-record holding RS 3. Both the 2025 A3 and S3 are powered by turbocharged 2.0L TFSI® 4-cylinder engines and arrive standard with quattro® all-wheel drive paired to 7-speed S tronic transmissions. With quattro now standard on the A3, the model also receives a 15 lb.-ft. increase in engine torque to 236 lb.-ft., reducing the 0-60 mph time to 6.0 seconds. The 2025 S3 sedan sees a 22HP increase to 328HP. The power increase comes with improved throttle response, thanks to a new turbocharger preload feature. This advancement increases the available torque when returning to the throttle by opening the throttle valve while coasting, helping maintain higher turbo velocities, which are designed to reduce turbo lag. The maximum torque of 295 lb.-ft. is now available in a wider rpm range between 2,100 and 5,500 rpm. Top speed for the S3 is limited to 155 mph. Prices start at $38,200 for the A3, $48,700 for the S3 (not including $1295 for destination and delivery).

(Aston Martin images)

Aston Martin has announced the return of the one of its most legendary names: Vanquish. The brand's new halo model is powered by a new 5.2-liter Twin-Turbo V12 that develops 824HP and 738 lb.-ft. of torque, taking the machine to a top speed of 214mph. Technical highlights? A new chassis structure featuring a +80mm increase in wheelbase; Bilstein DTX dampers, Electronic Rear Differential (e-diff) and AML specific 21-inch Pirelli P ZERO™ tires. Full-length panoramic glass roof and bespoke, state-of-the-art infotainment system are distinctive signatures of the all-new ultra-luxury interior. Aston Martin PR minions say that the new Vantage offers an "unprecedented combination of refined comfort, supercar performance and pinpoint dynamics..." The new Vantage will be limited to under 1000 production examples each year, with first deliveries scheduled to begin in Q4. No pricing information was released, but we're guessing in the neighborhood of $450,000. Watch the intro video here. 

The AE Song of the Week:

In a way, I need a change
From this burnout scene
Another time, another town
Another everything
But it's always back to you

Stumble out, in the night
From the pouring rain
Made the block, sat and thought
There's more I need
It's always back to you

But I'm good without ya
Yeah, I'm good without you
Yeah, yeah, yeah

How many times can I break till I shatter?
Over the line can't define what I'm after
I always turn the car around
Give me a break let me make my own pattern
All that it takes is some time but I'm shattered
I always turn the car around

I had no idea that the night
Would take so damn long
Took it out, on the street
While the rain still falls
Push me back to you

But I'm good without ya
Yeah, I'm good without you
Yeah, yeah, yeah

How many times can I break till I shatter?
Over the line can't define what I'm after
I always turn the car around
Give me a break let me make my own pattern
All that it takes is some time but I'm shattered
I always turn the car around

Give it up, give it up, baby
Give it up, give it up, now
Now

How many times can I break till I shatter?
Over the line can't define what I'm after
I always turn the car around
All that I feel is the realness I'm faking
Taking my time but it's time that I'm wasting
Always turn the car around

How many times can I break till I shatter?
Over the line can't define what I'm after
I always turn the car around

Don't wanna turn that car around
I gotta turn this thing around

 "Shattered (Turn The Car Around)" by O.A.R. from the album "All Sides" (2008).* Written by Gregg Wattenberg and Marc Roberge. Publisher: Reach Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch the Official Music Video here.

*In O.A.R. frontman and founder Marc Roberge's Songfacts interview, he explained: "What this song's really about is these people in my life – or in anyone's life – you have all these people coming up to you, 'Man, if my boss wasn't such a jerk I'd be making… whatever.' Or, 'If my wife didn't hold me back, I would be a football player.' Whatever it is, everyone's always got these complaints they're blaming on everyone around them. And they're constantly saying, 'Man, I was the shit without you. I could do whatever I wanted.' You know, all these things. And the main line at the end where it says, 'I've gotta turn this thing around,' it's basically just saying it's not about all these other people. It's not about the people holding you back. It's really about you. So, the 'I'm good without you' part is this guy is trying to convince himself, 'All right, I'm in the car, I'm outta here. I'm gonna go be a rebel, I'm gonna be a kid, I'm gonna have tons of girls,' all this stuff. And he always comes back because he realizes, 'That's not her problem, it's my problem. I need to fix what I've got here.'" This was O.A.R.'s biggest hit with mainstream radio listeners. Marc describes how the song came to life: "'Shattered' always had something about it that we really liked. I wrote it with Gregg Wattenberg, who's a friend of mine. We just like to write songs. I have a lot of buddies like that, who I just like to sit around and write songs with. He came up with this piano-driven song that sounded like the finished product is now, but not very close. So, I took it with me, we went on the road, we started writing songs for the record. And then I kept listening to this thing that we'd written, and I came up with this melody, this one line, 'How many times can I break 'til I shatter.' And that was all I had for a couple of weeks. But I just kept coming back to it. And by the time we were ready to press 'record' on the album, this was the absolute last demo that was approved by the band. Not because it wasn't good. It just wasn't finished yet. So, they said, 'Let's give it a shot,' and we recorded it. And I was always positive – I always knew this was gonna be a good song. Because it flowed, and it felt really good. So, when the lyrics came in, we said, 'Oh, this is definitely the one…' The same day, we knew that this was gonna be the first single." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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