OCTOBER 29, 2025

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'd like to remind you that Peter's first work of fiction, "St. Michael of Birmingham" is out now. Make no mistake, 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

(Kia)

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Every once in a while, a press release hits our AE inbox and lands with a thud. This past week, it was one from Kia, teasing the 2027 Telluride. Kia's PR minions began with this: "Suggestive, thought-provoking, captivating, iconic, Kia reveals the first teaser images of the all-new 2027 Telluride SUV ahead of its global debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. On November 20, Kia America will pull the covers off one of the most anticipated new vehicles of the year and unveil the second generation of one of the brand's most successful vehicles in company history." (One of the most anticipated new vehicles of the year? Really? And "suggestive, thought-provoking, captivating, iconic...? Yes, the Telluride was and is a huge success, but I would use none of those adjectives to describe it.) The Kia PR minions should have stopped there, but no. "Firmly rooted in Kia's Opposites United form language that embraces the contrasts between nature and humanity, the teaser images hint at a square shouldered, upright silhouette framed by thin vertical LEDs bathed in red and amber. Inspired by its namesake Colorado town, aggressively defined triangular creases in the fenders resemble the chiseled facets of a diamond and capture the essence of the towering Rocky Mountains." First of all, "Opposites United"? We're used to design operatives waxing eloquently about their own work, but this? Please. And embracing "the contrasts between nature and humanity"? Wow. And, fenders resembling "the chiseled facets of a diamond and capture the essence of the towering Rocky Mountains"? Ouch, Baby. I'd go on, but there's really no need to. This release is a New Dimension of Suck, and it pegged the AE Unmitigated Bullshit Meter. -PMD

(Porsche images)

Porsche is buried in all the money it blew on the EV "thing" so we're going to see new Porsche EVs for some time to come, even as it continues to build-out its ICE portfolio. Next up from the German manufacturer? The 2026 Macan GTS EV. With up to 563HP of overboost power and maximum torque peaking at 704 ft-lbs, a limited-slip rear differential and a sport-tuned air suspension with lower ride height, the Macan GTS "aims to offer the most agility and cornering prowess of any Macan model," according to Porsche PR minions. (Which is a real stretch considering how much the thing weighs. -WG) Other stuff? 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds; a "track mode" cools the battery and extends performance; and a new GTS Interior Package features stitching that matches the exterior paint color. The Macan GTS shares its rear electric motor with the Macan Turbo, which is the largest and most powerful motor of the range with a rotor diameter of 230mm, an active length of 210mm and utilizing a highly efficient 900-amp pulse inverter made with silicon carbide (SiC) transistors. Like the Macan Turbo, the transmission features a ratio of 9.0 to 1 and is rated for higher loads. The 100-kWh high-voltage battery can be charged from 10-80 percent in as little as 21 minutes under ideal conditions with a suitable fast charger, reaching up to 270 kW in the process. The 2026 Macan GTS stickers for $103,000 and can be ordered now. The first vehicles are expected to arrive at US Porsche Centers next Spring.

 

(Toyota images)

The Toyota RAV4 it is the best-selling small SUV in America, and since its arrival in the U.S. in 1996, over 6.4 million RAV4 models have been sold. Now, the next generation is set to arrive with new interior and exterior styling, the latest Toyota Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid powertrains, technology updates, and improvements to comfort and handling. The 2026 RAV4 will come in three distinct exterior styles: The core design includes LE, XLE Premium, and Limited grades. The rugged design comes on the Woodland grade. The SE, XSE and the all-new GR SPORT model (shown) make up the sport grades. The chassis has been modified with added frame rigidity and new suspension components. RAV4’s electrified Hybrid and PHEV models represented over half of RAV4 sales in 2024. For the 2026 model year, Toyota will move to a 100% electrified lineup, with a choice of RAV4 Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid models. Hybrid models will be available in a choice of Front- or Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive, depending on grade. PHEV models will have AWD standard. Hybrid AWD models have a 236HP (net system combined), which is up from 219HP on the prior generation. FWD models have a 226HP (net system combined), a jump of 23HP over the outgoing gas FWD model. Fuel economy is up to a 44 MPG manufacturer combined rating (FWD). Engine torque is 163 lb.-ft. for either FWD and AWD drivetrain; electric motor torque (MG2) is 153 lb.-ft. Toyota’s 6th generation Plug-in Hybrid powertrain sees a 23% increase in manufacturer estimated all-electric driving range, with up to 52 miles. The system also increases output, with 324HP (net combined system) (a 22HP increase) while delivering a manufacturer estimated 41 MPG combined rating (a +3 MPG increase for the SE, XSE PHEV grades). The 2026 RAV4 Hybrid models are expected to start arriving at U.S. Toyota dealerships in December of this year. The starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) will be in the low $30,000’s (Hybrid FWD model). Full pricing will be available at a later date. The 2026 RAV4 PHEV models are expected to start arriving at U.S. Toyota dealerships in the spring of 2026. Editor's Note: Not our cup of tea by any stretch, but we're quite sure they'll sell the shit out of 'em. -WG

 



The AE Song of the Week:

It's nature's way of telling you something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you in a song

It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way of telling you
Something's wrong

It's nature's way of telling you, soon we'll freeze
It's nature's way of telling you, dying trees

It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way of telling you
Something's wrong
It's nature's way, it's nature's way
It's nature's way, it's nature's way

It's nature's way of telling you
It's nature's way of telling you
Something's wrong
It's nature's way of telling you
It's nature's way of telling you
In a song, oh-h

It's nature's way of receiving you
It's nature's way
It's nature's way of retrieving you
It's nature's way
It's nature's way of telling you
Something's wrong, something's wrong, something's wrong

"Nature's Way" by Spirit, from the album "Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" (1970).* Written by Randy California. Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Listen to it here. 

*This song is a reflection on mortality, and also a lament for the fate of the Earth, as nature is telling us that something is wrong. The song was written long before climate change became a hot topic, but even in 1970, some ecologically minded songwriters were concerned about Mother Earth. It was written by Spirit's guitarist, Randy California. It was a very personal song, and in some ways, his maxim. The song deals with how nature guides you, and that's just what he did throughout his career. Spirit reached #25 US in 1969 with "I Got A Line On You," a track from their second album, but the group remained on the fringes of breakout success, in part because they turned down an invitation to play Woodstock.

California got heavy into LSD and became even more mercurial. In 1970, he was riding a horse on the streets of Topanga Canyon when he fell off and fractured his skull. The same year, he wrote "Nature's Way," which was included on Spirit's fourth album,Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. California left the group in 1972 and the band splintered soon after. Sardonicus found a following and eventually sold over a million copies, prompting an ill-fated band reunion in 1976. California died in 1997 at age 45 when he drowned in Hawaii. David Briggs, who was one of Neil Young's producers, produced this track. The back was dealing with a lot of internecine conflict at the time, and Briggs helped keep them focused and productive enough to complete the album.

Randy California recorded various versions of this song as a solo artist. In interviews, he sometimes talked about never being able to get it right. The album is named after a 1963 horror movie called Dr. Sardonicus, about a man whose face is frozen in a creepy grin after he digs up his father's grave.

Spirit's bass player at this time was Mark Andes, who a few years later founded Firefall. In the 2010s, Firefall started performing the song, in part to honor Randy California, and in 2020 they recorded it for their album Comet with Timothy B. Schmit from the Eagles and John McFee from the Doobie Brothers performing on it.

"I wanted to give Randy a little love and I had been asked by lots of different people to record their version of 'Nature's Way' with them," Anders said on the Songfacts Podcast. "I resisted because I felt whoever I do 'Nature's Way' with, it's like I'm endorsing or acknowledging that it's worthy of that. When Firefall started to mine the depths of the root system of the group's family tree, those songs really got a great response, so we started to play 'Nature's Way,' and the way we played it was pretty much how we recorded it. Timothy recorded his vocal in his studio and we sent that to John McFee, who put on a little pedal steel. So, it was a fun deal and it was to honor Randy." (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)

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