JULY 10, 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 PR minions say that the new, limited-edition Audi RS 6 Avant GT2 "represents the pinnacle of its model series." The limited-edition model features exclusive exterior and interior details that pay homage to the legendary Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO racing car from 1989. That memorable racing machine inspired this special edition, which will be limited to 660 cars. The RS 6 Avant GT2 will be available in Nardo Grey and Arkona White. Pricing information and availability were not given, but since the 2024 RS 6 Avant Performance stickers for $125,800, we can only imagine how much the premium will be on this limited-production Audi.

  

(Maeving images)

Maeving is the British electric motorcycle manufacturer that became known for those looking for beautiful bikes geared toward urban riding, with its first model – the RM1 – quickly becoming the best-selling electric motorcycle in the UK, and one of the best-reviewed worldwide. The company's newest model - the all-electric Maeving RM1S - is now available in the US market. Costing $8,995 and initially launched in California with additional states to follow, the British-built machine (designed by a team of former Triumph engineers) blends classic motorcycle design with the performance and ease of a modern EV. The Maeving RM1S has a top speed of 70 mph, a range of 80 miles and is powered by a rear hub-mounted motor providing 7.0 kW continuous power (10.5kW peak) and torque of 184 ft-lbs. All this is delivered at a curb weight of 293 lbs. and a seat height of 785 mm to provide confidence-inspiring maneuverability at both low and high speeds. To suit the needs of all riders, the power pack from the RM1S can either be charged in situ or easily removed to a home or place of work and charged at a standard socket. Powered by two batteries (containing LG 21700 cells) that sit in a redesigned case in the place of a conventional petrol engine, these can be charged from 20 to 100% in just three hours from a wall socket. With a significant packaging change over the RM1, this now allows the “tank” in front of the rider to provide 2.6 gallons of lockable storage space for even further usability. Classic styling cues, inspired by the board tracker bikes of the 1920’s and the café racer era, come in the way of the twin shocks, analog speedometer and a beautiful crafted diamond-stitched solo seat. These are juxtaposed with powerful LED lighting and the safety of responsive calipers biting on single discs front and back with linked braking. And while the Dunlop K70 tires sitting under the stunningly crafted carbon fiber fenders/mudguards may look old, they provide contemporary performance, which, along with three switchable riding modes, allows riders to get the most from the RM1S in all conditions.

(Bentley images)

Bentley Motors has revealed the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed, "redefining the ultimate blend of supercar performance, handcrafted luxury and everyday usability," according to Bentley PR minions. Details? A comprehensive exterior and interior redesign influenced by the coach-built Bentley Bacalar and Batur. An all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain with 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, from a 4.0-liter V8 working in tandem with a 190 PS electric motor. 0-60 mph takes 3.1 seconds, with the benefit of 50 miles (81 km) of usable electric-only range (on the EU drive cycle) and a total range of 534 miles (859 km). A new chassis system with new two-chamber air springs paired with new dual-valve dampers, along with Bentley Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control), eLSD and torque vectoring. The Continental GT boasts a 49:51, rear-biased weight distribution for the first time in the car’s history. For the first time in the history of the Continental GT, the convertible Continental GTC is being launched concurrently with the coupe, and both coupe and convertible models will be crafted entirely by hand at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe, England. Production and deliveries are due to begin in Q3. No price info as of yet.

 

The AE Song of the Week:

Did you see your friend crying from his eyes today
Did you see him run through the streets and far away
Did you see him run; did you see him fall
Did his life flash by at the bedroom door

Did you hear the news it came across the air today
Someone has been found on the rocks down in the bay
Did you see him hide; did you see him crawl
Does his life mean more than it did before

Did you see that man running through the streets today
Did you catch his face, was it 10538

"10538 Overture" by Electric Light Orchestra, from the album "No Answer" (1971).* Written by Jeff Lynne. Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Watch a live performance of the song from Hyde Park here. 

*The Electric Light Orchestra was formed by members of an English group called The Move. They wanted to create a new band with a string section along with traditional instruments. They took their name because they combined electric rock instruments with orchestral instruments. "Light Orchestras" were small orchestras popular in England in the '60s. Roy Wood, Bev Bevan, and Jeff Lynne formed the last lineup of the Move and kept it going "to pay the bills" as they (with the assistance of later-ELOer Richard Tandy) recorded the first "Electric Light Orchestra" LP. It was this lineup that produced the last Move single, "California Man," backed with the original version of "Do Ya," which later became a hit for ELO (and a minor one for Todd Rundgren). At the time, an ad for their album Out Of The Blue was the most expensive billboard ever erected on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. On their 1978 tour, they opened their shows by emerging from a giant spaceship. A lot of people thought it looked like a hamburger. Most of the production was done by Lynne, with various musicians brought in to form the "orchestra." In order to reproduce their sound live, some backing tracks were on tape at their concerts. They were one of the first bands accused of lip-synching. Their first manager was Don Arden. When he lost interest in the group, he gave them to his daughter Sharon who ran Jet Records. Sharon married Ozzy Osbourne a few years later. They are one of the few English bands that were much more popular in America than their home country. Their first tour was canceled because their rehearsals sounded so bad. It took them a while to get their live sound right. There is no Behind The Music on ELO because they were not scandalous. They had plenty of access to drugs and groupies, but didn't want either. They gave those indulgences to their roadies when they came along. They broke up in 1986. Jeff Lynne planned a tour with the new version of the group in 2001, but canceled it when they could not sell enough tickets to justify the expense. ELO's first live TV appearance was an episode of VH1 Storytellers in 2001. Their first American LP release received its name when a United Artists executive miscalculated the time difference between LA and London. When he called the office of EMI records, no one was there to pick up the phone, so the UA executive wrote down on his pad "No answer." CBS Sports used their instrumental composition "Fire on High" in their promotions in the mid-to-late '70s. Considered to be one of the most talented producers in rock history, Lynne has produced albums for Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and George Harrison. He joined them, along with Bob Dylan, in 1988 to form The Traveling Wilburys. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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