March 16, 2016

Audi. Editor's Note: Audi unveiled a new campaign for the 2017 Audi A4 this week, declaring "Intelligence is the new Rock and Roll." Ugh. We wanted to like it, but it's just way too smug and too cliche. It's basically a riff on the "revenge of the nerds" idea - smarts are cool, brainiacs are where it's at, etc. Trouble is, Silicon Valley made nerds cool, oh, about 20 years ago, so Audi is late to that party. AND, this has basically ALWAYS been Audi's brand positioning - appeal to the "march to a different drummer" guy/gal, the (nerdier) one who is smart enough to go for German technology/engineering first and foremost over the more overt luxury of say, a Mercedes or Lexus. So there's not much new here, just a repackaging of the message with "rock and roll" in a way that is supposed to seem hip and oh-so-cool but instead just feels like a whole lot of trying too hard on Audi's part. -WG. Editor-In-Chief's Note: Audi has been spinning its wheels in the advertising arena for a while now. Too smug, too cocky and ultimately, too predictable. It was getting old three years ago, now it's just flat-out tedious. The amazing thing is that the Audi brain trust believes they really have it goin' on. Au contraire. They need to take a step back - way back - and revisit their whole M.O. because they're clearly lost in the haze of their own aura, going nowhere. -PMD

(GM/Chevrolet images)

We'll let Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM Global Product Development and Chief True Believer explain the all-new 2017 Camaro ZL1: “The Camaro ZL1 is designed to excel at everything. It’s a 2+2 coupe offering incredible performance – acceleration, handling and braking – with the highest levels of technology and perfect chassis damping, making it suitable for everyday driving. It will compare well to any sports coupe, at any price and in any setting.” The Good Stuff? The ZL1 is powered by the supercharged LT4 6.2L V-8 Small Block engine, with intake and exhaust specifically tuned for Camaro. It is rated at an estimated 640 horsepower (477 kW) and 640 lb-ft of torque (868 Nm). The LT4 is backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission or all-new, available paddle-shift 10-speed automatic that has a 7.39 overall ratio for smaller steps between gears. It enables the LT4 engine to remain at optimal rpm levels during acceleration, particularly when exiting corners, for quicker laps and ultra-quick responses on both up- and down-shifts. Aero? The lower grille opening offers greater airflow compared to the Camaro SS, and the upper grille incorporates a new version of the “flow-tie” open bowtie insignia. There’s a ZL1-specific hood, with a carbon fiber insert and heat extractor that pulls hot air from the engine compartment. Additional changes include a larger front splitter, unique rockers, a wing-style rear spoiler and wider front fenders – all tuned to improve aerodynamics for greater high-speed stability.

The ZL1 comes standard with Recaro front seats, along with a sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob. Chevrolet’s Performance Data Recorder is available.

Other ZL1 features include an updated Magnetic Ride suspension, Performance Traction Management, electronic limited-slip differential, Custom Launch Control and Driver Mode Selector. It also weighs 200 pounds less, while offering approximately 60 more horsepower and 80 more pound-feet of torque for a jacked-up power-to-weight ratio. The 20-inch forged aluminum wheels have Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires with a compound and construction developed exclusively for the Camaro (285/30ZR20 front and 305/30ZR20 rear). And? Brembo brakes with six-piston monobloc front calipers – featuring the ZL1 logo – and massive, 15.35-inch (390 mm) two-piece front rotors.

Reuss added: “Driving the Camaro ZL1 is best described as ‘fast with finesse.’ It is beautifully balanced, with perfect damping and isolation for optimal performance and driver confidence in virtually any situation – from the Pacific Coast Highway to Willow Springs to Pomona.” We add: Hell, Yeah! The Camaro ZL1 goes on sale late this year. Here's the video. 

(Mercedes-Benz)
This is the Mercedes-AMG GLC43. The details? 3.0-liter V6 Biturbo engine with 362HP and maximum torque of 384 lb-ft, 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with shortened shift times and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive (configured with a rear bias). Big-ass brakes, 20 inch wheels and a bunch of other stuff. Zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, according to Mercedes. The new Mercedes-AMG GLC43 will debut at the New York International Auto Show and will be on sale in US dealerships by the end of 2016.

 (Mercedes-Benz)

(PPG)
An immaculate 1939 Oldsmobile convertible nicknamed "Olds Cool" won the 53rd annual Ridler Award at the recent 2016 Detroit Autorama held at Cobo Hall. The custom build is owned by Bill and Debbie Thomas of Georgetown, Texas. The car was meticulously constructed over four years by Harold Chapman and his team of talented craftsmen at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, also of Georgetown. The machine gleams in a custom-mixed metallic PPG ENVIROBASE® High Performance finish in Kona Brown by renowned painter Charley Hutton, owner of Charley Hutton’s Color Studio, in Nampa, Idaho. It was Hutton’s fourth Ridler honor. Previous wins came in 2005, 2007 and 2013. It was also the fourth time in nine years that an entry painted with PPG Automotive Refinish products took the prize. The highly revered Ridler Award is presented to the most outstanding custom car or truck making its debut appearance at the Autorama, an event—now in its 64th year—held every winter in the Motor City. The Ridler Award is officially known as the Don Ridler Memorial Award. It was established in 1964 and named after the man who made the Detroit Autorama the nation’s premier custom car show. To qualify for the award, a car must debut at the Detroit Autorama. Entries are judged on creativity, engineering and workmanship. From the initial field of competitors, eight cars — known as the “Great Eight” — are chosen as finalists. The winner is selected from this elite group. The owner of the winning car receives a cash award and a special embroidered jacket along with the greater prize of the coveted Ridler Award trophy representing the ultimate in custom design brilliance.

Editor's Note: “The Decision” is the first of five video shorts from the Ford Motor Company about the development of the Ford GT. It features Bill Ford Jr., Raj Nair, Dave Pericak and Edsel B. Ford II, who attended the 1966 race with his father, Henry Ford II. The shorts will culminate in one long-form documentary that will follow the development of both the Street Car and Race Car version of the Ford GT from the decision to build the cars to the return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. (The Autoextremist makes a cameo appearance as well.) Watch it here. -WG