Sunday
Oct062019
OCTOBER 9, 2019
Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 11:25AM 
(VW images)
Draped in a livery that subtly harkens back to its retro roots, Volkswagen’s ID. BUZZ CARGO concept vehicle is going coast to coast with Nike to serve runners across the country. The van will make an appearance at Nike’s original storefront in Santa Monica, California, and then make additional stops in Chicago and New York City, giving running communities and onlookers a glimpse at the electrified future of Volkswagen commercial vehicles, and a chance to learn about the history of Blue Ribbon Sports and Nike’s beginnings. Established in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike – founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman – rose to fame through a winning combination of product innovation and customer service. In January of 1967, Jeff Johnson, Nike’s first official employee, helped establish the inaugural BRS storefront at 3107 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. On top of managing the shop, Johnson became known for traveling to local track meets to sell product out of his personal vehicle, a Volkswagen Type 2 Bus. BRS reopened its doors at 3107 Pico Boulevard this year to reconnect to the running community of Los Angeles. The VW ID. BUZZ CARGO tour with Blue Ribbon Sports will include athletic footwear recycling at each installment. Utilizing Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, which gives worn-out sneakers new life by transforming them into materials used to create running tracks, playing turf surfaces and other athletic gear, the two brands will promote a shared focus on sustainability efforts and environmental commitments to athletes and fans all across the country. “To learn Volkswagen played such an important role in Nike’s early history is a really big deal to us,” remarked Saad Chehab, Senior Vice President, VW Brand Marketing. “Supporting the rebirth of BRS is the perfect platform to help promote the common values of our companies, while showing the world VW’s commitment to electrification isn’t just about personal transportation – it’s about moving everything in a smarter fashion.”
Draped in a livery that subtly harkens back to its retro roots, Volkswagen’s ID. BUZZ CARGO concept vehicle is going coast to coast with Nike to serve runners across the country. The van will make an appearance at Nike’s original storefront in Santa Monica, California, and then make additional stops in Chicago and New York City, giving running communities and onlookers a glimpse at the electrified future of Volkswagen commercial vehicles, and a chance to learn about the history of Blue Ribbon Sports and Nike’s beginnings. Established in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike – founded by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman – rose to fame through a winning combination of product innovation and customer service. In January of 1967, Jeff Johnson, Nike’s first official employee, helped establish the inaugural BRS storefront at 3107 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. On top of managing the shop, Johnson became known for traveling to local track meets to sell product out of his personal vehicle, a Volkswagen Type 2 Bus. BRS reopened its doors at 3107 Pico Boulevard this year to reconnect to the running community of Los Angeles. The VW ID. BUZZ CARGO tour with Blue Ribbon Sports will include athletic footwear recycling at each installment. Utilizing Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, which gives worn-out sneakers new life by transforming them into materials used to create running tracks, playing turf surfaces and other athletic gear, the two brands will promote a shared focus on sustainability efforts and environmental commitments to athletes and fans all across the country. “To learn Volkswagen played such an important role in Nike’s early history is a really big deal to us,” remarked Saad Chehab, Senior Vice President, VW Brand Marketing. “Supporting the rebirth of BRS is the perfect platform to help promote the common values of our companies, while showing the world VW’s commitment to electrification isn’t just about personal transportation – it’s about moving everything in a smarter fashion.”
(Honda images)
Thoroughly revamped last year, the 2020 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe begin arriving at dealerships tomorrow (10/8) with a MSRP starting at $19,750 (excluding $930 destination and handling). Newly available last year for Coupe and Sedan, the Civic Sport (above) includes a black-painted rear spoiler, black grille, fog lights with gloss black trim and a center-mounted chrome exhaust finisher styled after Civic Si. Sport interiors feature red gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, paddle shifters on CVT-equipped models, textured aluminum sport pedals and Sport-specific seat materials with a combination of synthetic leather and cloth. Civic Sport models are equipped with a 2.0-liter engine with 158HP and 138 lb.-ft. of torque and available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Other stuff on the Sport? Tuned shock absorbers and rear lower control arms, and a stiffer front stabilizer bar. In addition, all Sport trims have 18-inch wheels wrapped in the same all-season performance tires as Civic Si. The Civic EX, EX-L and Touring (below) trims are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 174HP and 167 lb.-ft. of torque with a 6-speed manual, or 162 lb.-ft. with the CVT.
Thoroughly revamped last year, the 2020 Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe begin arriving at dealerships tomorrow (10/8) with a MSRP starting at $19,750 (excluding $930 destination and handling). Newly available last year for Coupe and Sedan, the Civic Sport (above) includes a black-painted rear spoiler, black grille, fog lights with gloss black trim and a center-mounted chrome exhaust finisher styled after Civic Si. Sport interiors feature red gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, paddle shifters on CVT-equipped models, textured aluminum sport pedals and Sport-specific seat materials with a combination of synthetic leather and cloth. Civic Sport models are equipped with a 2.0-liter engine with 158HP and 138 lb.-ft. of torque and available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Other stuff on the Sport? Tuned shock absorbers and rear lower control arms, and a stiffer front stabilizer bar. In addition, all Sport trims have 18-inch wheels wrapped in the same all-season performance tires as Civic Si. The Civic EX, EX-L and Touring (below) trims are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 174HP and 167 lb.-ft. of torque with a 6-speed manual, or 162 lb.-ft. with the CVT.
(Chevrolet images)
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado will make its first public appearance at the 2019 Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic on Oct.10, driven by Hall Racing. And then the production 2021 Colorado ZR2 will debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The Colorado lineup will now feature greater differentiation from trim to trim and the addition of the new “Sand Dune Metallic” exterior paint color option (shown) available on the Z71 and ZR2 models. All Colorado variants will also include revised front Chevy “bowtie” emblems and embossed “Chevrolet” tailgates in place of the traditional Chevy bowtie on the rear end of the vehicles. The WT, LT and Z71 Colorado trim levels will all receive updated center bars, lower fascias and front skid plates for 2021. WT and LT will feature all-new gold Chevy bowtie logos, while Z71 receives a black bowtie logo. The ZR2 off-road performance variant will be the only Colorado model to feature the all-new, lettered, flow-through “Chevrolet” front fascia (shown). The ZR2 features segment-exclusive Multimatic DSSVTM position-sensitive dampers, standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, 2-inch suspension lift, 3.5-inch wider track, off-road rocker protection, cast iron control arms, Autotrac transfer case, multiple skid plates, and will now come equipped with standard red tow hooks as well. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado will be built at General Motors’ Wentzville Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri, and goes on sale next year. Pricing will be announced closer to production.
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado will make its first public appearance at the 2019 Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic on Oct.10, driven by Hall Racing. And then the production 2021 Colorado ZR2 will debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The Colorado lineup will now feature greater differentiation from trim to trim and the addition of the new “Sand Dune Metallic” exterior paint color option (shown) available on the Z71 and ZR2 models. All Colorado variants will also include revised front Chevy “bowtie” emblems and embossed “Chevrolet” tailgates in place of the traditional Chevy bowtie on the rear end of the vehicles. The WT, LT and Z71 Colorado trim levels will all receive updated center bars, lower fascias and front skid plates for 2021. WT and LT will feature all-new gold Chevy bowtie logos, while Z71 receives a black bowtie logo. The ZR2 off-road performance variant will be the only Colorado model to feature the all-new, lettered, flow-through “Chevrolet” front fascia (shown). The ZR2 features segment-exclusive Multimatic DSSVTM position-sensitive dampers, standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, 2-inch suspension lift, 3.5-inch wider track, off-road rocker protection, cast iron control arms, Autotrac transfer case, multiple skid plates, and will now come equipped with standard red tow hooks as well. The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado will be built at General Motors’ Wentzville Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri, and goes on sale next year. Pricing will be announced closer to production.
(BMW images)
BMW and M GmbH have introduced the BMW M8 Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe Competition. The Gran Coupe rides on a chassis and body that is 9.1-inches longer, 1.4-inches wider, 2.3-inches taller and with an increased 7.9-inch wheelbase over the M8 Coupe, "adding extra stability, comfort and rear interior space without affecting the car’s track-capable agility," according to BMW PR minions (sure). Rear shoulder room is increased by 7.7-inches, rear legroom increased by 7.1-inches and rear headroom increased by 3.5-inches over the Coupe. The greater interior dimensions mean only a modest (you're kidding, right?) 185-pound increase in curb weight - to 4480 lbs.! But, you get 600HP in the M8 Gran Coupe and 617HP in the M8 Gran Coupe Competition models. Zero to 60 mph is in 3.1 seconds (3.0 seconds for Competition model). Production is to begin in November of 2019. Pricing is from $130,000 for the M8 Gran Coupe plus $995 Destination (gulp), and $143,000 for the M8 Gran Coupe Competition plus $995 Destination (double gulp). We could care less about yet another overwrought, porky, German luxury-performance sedan; the only reason we're showing this BMW is because of the jaunty purple paint job.
BMW and M GmbH have introduced the BMW M8 Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe Competition. The Gran Coupe rides on a chassis and body that is 9.1-inches longer, 1.4-inches wider, 2.3-inches taller and with an increased 7.9-inch wheelbase over the M8 Coupe, "adding extra stability, comfort and rear interior space without affecting the car’s track-capable agility," according to BMW PR minions (sure). Rear shoulder room is increased by 7.7-inches, rear legroom increased by 7.1-inches and rear headroom increased by 3.5-inches over the Coupe. The greater interior dimensions mean only a modest (you're kidding, right?) 185-pound increase in curb weight - to 4480 lbs.! But, you get 600HP in the M8 Gran Coupe and 617HP in the M8 Gran Coupe Competition models. Zero to 60 mph is in 3.1 seconds (3.0 seconds for Competition model). Production is to begin in November of 2019. Pricing is from $130,000 for the M8 Gran Coupe plus $995 Destination (gulp), and $143,000 for the M8 Gran Coupe Competition plus $995 Destination (double gulp). We could care less about yet another overwrought, porky, German luxury-performance sedan; the only reason we're showing this BMW is because of the jaunty purple paint job.
(VW images)
Volkswagen of America, Inc. has unveiled the all-new 2020 Atlas Cross Sport. The five-seater version of the Atlas midsize SUV features a pseudo coupe-like design as well as "advanced connectivity and driver-assistance systems," according to VW PR minions. The Cross Sport is 2.8 inches shorter and 2.3 inches lower than the current Atlas. It is 78.3 inches wide and rides on the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. The Cross Sport has 111.8 cubic feet of passenger space, with 40.3 cu ft of luggage space behind the second-row seats and 77.8 cu ft with the second row folded. The Cross Sport will be available with two powertrains: a 276HP V6 and a turbocharged, direct-injected, TSI® four-cylinder engine with 235HP. Both engines are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and are available with Volkswagen’s 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system. The V6 is rated at 5,000 pounds for towing, when equipped with the V6 Towing package. There will be eight - count 'em! - trim levels: S, SE, SE w/Tech, SE w/Tech R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium and SEL Premium R-Line. More details and pricing will be announced ahead of the launch in the Spring of 2020.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. has unveiled the all-new 2020 Atlas Cross Sport. The five-seater version of the Atlas midsize SUV features a pseudo coupe-like design as well as "advanced connectivity and driver-assistance systems," according to VW PR minions. The Cross Sport is 2.8 inches shorter and 2.3 inches lower than the current Atlas. It is 78.3 inches wide and rides on the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. The Cross Sport has 111.8 cubic feet of passenger space, with 40.3 cu ft of luggage space behind the second-row seats and 77.8 cu ft with the second row folded. The Cross Sport will be available with two powertrains: a 276HP V6 and a turbocharged, direct-injected, TSI® four-cylinder engine with 235HP. Both engines are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and are available with Volkswagen’s 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system. The V6 is rated at 5,000 pounds for towing, when equipped with the V6 Towing package. There will be eight - count 'em! - trim levels: S, SE, SE w/Tech, SE w/Tech R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium and SEL Premium R-Line. More details and pricing will be announced ahead of the launch in the Spring of 2020.
AE Song Lyrics of the Week:
Thinkin' 'bout the times you drove in my car.
Thinkin' that I might have drove you too far.
And I'm thinkin' 'bout the love that you laid on my table.
I told you not to wander 'round in the dark.
I told you 'bout the swans, that they live in the park.
Then I told you 'bout our kid, now he's married to Mabel.
Yes, I told you that the light goes up and down.
Don't you notice how the wheel goes 'round?
And you better pick yourself up from the ground
Before they bring the curtain down,
Yes, before they bring the curtain down.
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you.
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue.
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle.
"Badge" (by Eric Clapton and George Harrison). Performed by CREAM. (RIP Ginger Baker).