APRIL 8, 2026
Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 08:16AM
Editor

 

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 


SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: We are relaunching Peter's book with a new title, The Knowing One. It seems there was some confusion that this was a religious book, which could not be further from the truth! This is Peter's first work of fiction, and as we said previously, it doesn't resemble anything you've read from him before. In fact, it is quite a dramatic departure. It is mystical. It is sexy. It is funny. It's moving. And it is a flat-out wild ride unlike anything you've experienced. Having said that, it is definitely not for everyone, but then, it is from PMD, so that probably shouldn't come as a surprise! Check it out on Amazon Kindle here. -WG

 

(Hyundai images)
In a surprise debut at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai introduced a design preview of the brand’s first U.S. body-on-frame vehicle, a production midsize pickup truck due by 2030. The Hyundai Boulder Concept's upright two-box silhouette with “Art of Steel” form language "promises to deliver confident new levels of off-road prowess, with genuine towing/hauling ability," according to Hyundai PR minions. Hyundai confirmed that future body-on-frame vehicles will be designed in America, developed for America and built in America using Hyundai U.S. steel. Editor-in-Chief's Note: 2030 is a long way away, but make no mistake, Hyundai's competitors are quaking in their boots over this vehicle. - PMD


(Kia images)
Kia has unveiled the 2027 Kia Seltos at the New York International Auto Show. Larger, wider and roomier than previous generation, the new Seltos "delivers best-in-class capability, with more legroom (including best-in-class rear legroom), headroom, shoulder-and-hip room adding up to more passenger and cargo room," according to Kia PR minions. The details:

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Given everything we know, the Seltos is going to be an extremely tough competitor in this market segment. -PMD

 

(VW images)
VW has introduced the second-generation Atlas at the New York International Auto Show. The new Atlas "builds on the success of the original with bolder design, smarter tech, and premium features where they matter most," according to VW PR minions. The high points? All-new modern sheet metal meets a completely reimagined cabin with real wood décor and ambient lighting as standard, with available 15-inch infotainment, Nappa leather, and massaging front seats. More "family-friendly" features are standard, including power tailgate, rear sunshades, dual wireless charging, and voice control. A new front center airbag helps to enhance safety, while the standard IQ.DRIVE driver assistance suite adds upgrades as well. The new VW MQB evo platform preserves the spacious third row and generous cargo room. The updated EA888 evo5 turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI® engine, produces 282HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. It offers more power, and is anticipated to provide better fuel economy than the previous model. The new Atlas will be available at VW dealers next fall.

 

 

(Honda)

No, it's not an April Fool's prank from Honda (at least we don't think so -WG.) This is something Honda calls the Fastport - a new Honda B2B business dedicated to transforming last-mile delivery logistics with micromobility solutions. Honda showcased the Fastport eQuad and Fleet-as-a-Service (FaaS) platform at the New York International Auto Show. Fastport "enables commercial customers to replace traditional delivery vans one-for-one, helping to improve operational efficiency and keep packages moving through busy urban areas with less environmental impact," according to Honda PR minions. The zero-emission eQuad is engineered specifically for bike-lane use, combining a pedal-by-wire assist system with swappable Honda Mobile Power Pack batteries and advanced software-defined vehicle technology. With features such as regenerative braking, modular cargo configurations and an enclosed rider cabin, the eQuad delivers an efficient and highly adaptable solution for dense urban environments. For more information about Fastport, go to https://fastport.honda.com.

 


Editor-in-Chief's Note: For our video this week, we're featuring Dan Gurney in "The All-American Victory" from the Revs Institute in Florida, chronicling Dan's sensational F1 win in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, in 1967. Watch it here. -PMD   

 

 

The AE Song of the Week:

I was born long ago
I am the chosen, I′m the one
I have come to save the day
And I won't leave until I′m done

So that's why, you've got to try
You got to breathe and have some fun
Though I′m not paid, I play this game
And I won′t stop until I'm done

But what I really want to know is
Are you gonna go my way?
And I got to, got to know, eh
I don′t know why, we always cry
This we must leave and get undone
We must engage and rearrange
And turn this planet back to one

So tell me why, we got to die?
And kill each other one by one
We've got to hug, and rub-a-dub
We′ve got to dance, and be in love
(But what I really want to know is)
Are you gonna go my way?
And I got to, got to know

C'mon!

Are you gonna go my way?
′Cause baby, I got to know, yeah

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz from the album "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993).* Written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig David Ross. Lyrics courtesy of musixmatch. Watch the Official Music Video here.

*This song is about Jesus Christ, whom Lenny referred to as "the ultimate rock star." It's about how God gives choice to man about where to turn. The opening lines spell it out:

I was born long ago
I am the chosen I'm the one
I have come to save the day
And I won't leave until I'm done

This was not released as a single in the US, but in 1995 a live version was used as the B-side of Kravitz' "Rock And Roll Is Dead." Kravitz played this on Saturday Night Live in 1993.

In an interview posted on his website, Kravitz explained the origin of this song: "We were just jamming in the studio. You know, I was jamming with Craig Ross, who I wrote the song with. It was one of those songs that happened in 5 minutes. We were jamming. I thought there was something happening. I told Henry to turn the tape machines on, and we played it. And that was it. And then I went and wrote the lyrics on a brown paper bag, I remember at my loft on Broome Street at the time. Went in and sang it the next day. And that was it."

Kravitz thought he came up with a cool song but didn't expect it to become a big hit. He told Rolling Stone in 2018: "I thought the subject matter was really interesting, because it's coming from the mouth of Jesus Christ, as I thought. So basically, 'Are you gonna go my way?' meaning 'my way of love.' I had no idea that that song would become what it became. No idea. There was nothing on the radio like that. And the recording is so raw, it's ridiculous."

This was a #2 hit on the Modern Rock chart. Because it was released as an airplay-only single in the US, it wasn't eligible for the Hot 100. At the time, many record labels chose to only release promo singles to radio stations so listeners would have to buy the whole album to hear the song. While the strategy worked for album sales, it also kept artists off the chart until the rules changed in 1998.

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" was Kravitz' first Top 20 album in the US, where it peaked at #12. It hit #1 in the UK, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia. "Are You Gonna Go My Way" earned Kravitz Grammy nominations for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo and Best Rock Song. He lost to Meat Loaf for "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" and Dave Pirner for Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train." respectively.

The music video, directed by Mark Romanek, finds Kravitz and his band performing beneath a brilliant chandelier. The mesmeric lighting display was made of 983 cylindrical incandescent light tubes. Originally designed for aquarium use, each tube could be brightened and dimmed to create patterns of light. The clip earned Kravitz the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Artist.

Tom Jones recorded this for the 1995 comedy The Jerky Boys. It's also been covered by Robbie Williams, Mel B, and Adam Lambert. It was also used in the 1994 movie I Love Trouble, starring Julia Roberts. It also showed up on The Simpsons ("How I Spent My Strummer Vacation" - 2002) and Sex and the City ("Ghost Town" - 2001). A remixed version was used at the opening theme to the 2001 video game Gran Turismo 3. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

 

 

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG
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