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're thrilled to announce the debut of Peter's first work of fiction, "St. Michael of Birmingham." 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
(Lamborghini)
Bonjour to Lamborghini Temerario: the new HPEV (High-Performance Electrified Vehicle) super sports car unveiled in France. The Temerario is the latest creation from the Sant’Agata Bolognese workshops - a new hybrid supercar featuring a twin-turbo V8 with a combined 920HP. It reaches a top speed of over 340 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds. "It also features a brand-new sound signature, specifically designed to heighten emotion with every acceleration," according to Lamborghini PR minions. The Temerario is Lamborghini’s second model in the High-Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV) range, following the Revuelto, and it completes the hybrid transition of Lamborghini’s entire range, following the recent launch of the Urus SE. The Temerario offers significantly more interior space than its predecessor and features "a low, ergonomic seating position allows the driver and passenger to feel perfectly connected and integrated with the car, while ensuring high levels of comfort, in line with Lamborghini’s philosophy of 'feeling like a pilot,'" according to the manufacturer. At the event, a special version of Temerario was unveiled - the Temerario Alleggerita (lightweight) - in its Verde Mercurius color. This version features a lightweight chassis, sharpened aerodynamics and cutting-edge onboard technology, "crafted for an immersive and extreme driving experience," according to Lamborghini PR minions. The event was held at L’Élysée-Montmartre in Paris, one of the city’s most iconic venues.
(Toyota images)
Toyota isn't backing away from expanding its EV offerings, apparently. The Japanese auto manufacturer just announced the all-new 2026 Toyota C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). With a combined system output of 338HP and standard All-Wheel Drive, it has a manufacturer estimated 0-60 mph time of around 5 seconds. The 2026 C-HR BEV will be powered by a 74.7 kW battery and have a manufacturer-estimated all-electric range rating of 290 miles. It will come equipped with a North American Charging System (NACS) port, giving it access to thousands of DC charging stations nationwide. It will also be capable of charging on Level One and Level Two AC power sources. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters that control regenerative braking power are also standard. When activated, four different levels of regenerative braking power can be selected to convert kinetic energy to electric energy, adding charge to the traction battery. It will come in SE and XSE grades and have standard interior features like a 14-inch touchscreen that runs the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, fully digital gauge cluster, dual wireless chargers in the center console and the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system. The cabin also has seating choices from fabric and SofTex®-trim to synthetic suede and SofTex-trim. When will it arrive at U.S. Toyota dealerships? "Sometime in 2026," according to Toyota.
(Toyota)
It turns out this is Toyota EV week here at AE. (Who knew? -WG) This is the new Toyota 2026 bZ Woodland BEV. It is equipped with standard All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE®, and it will have a highly capable combined system net output of 375HP with a manufacturer-estimated all electric driving range rating of up-to 260 miles. It also brings additional midsize SUV utility, with 8.3-inches of ground clearance, 3,500-pound towing capacity and available All Terrain tires. It will be available in early 2026.
(GM)
General Motors and LG Energy Solution will commercialize lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells for future GM electric trucks and full-size SUVs, in a new battery technology breakthrough. This builds on a partnership between the two companies to develop prismatic battery cell technology and related chemistries. GM aims to become the first automaker to deploy LMR batteries in EVs. Ultium Cells, a GM and LG Energy Solution joint venture, plans to start commercial production of LMR prismatic cells in the United States by 2028, with pre-production expected to begin at an LG Energy Solution facility by late 2027. The final production-design of these LMR battery cells will be validated at GM’s Battery Cell Development Center in Warren, MI, which is expected to open earlier that year, as well as LG Energy Solution’s facility. Battery cathodes require materials like cobalt, nickel and manganese, with cobalt being the most expensive. LMR battery cells use a higher proportion of more affordable manganese, while also delivering greater capacity and energy density. Battery engineers at GM and LG Energy Solution have developed a new LMR prismatic battery cell that unlocks 33% higher energy density compared to the best-performing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based cells – at a comparable cost.
(Toyota images)
The Toyota bZ All Electric SUV adds range, charging and exterior updates for 2026, including: Up to 314 miles of manufacturer-estimated range (XLE, FWD Plus model), an increase of 25% over the outgoing model (previously rated at 252 miles). It is equipped with North American Charging System (NACS) port for access to thousands of DC fast charging stations, and it will also have the convenience of Plug & Charge capability. The new bZ will have up-to 50% more horsepower, with 338HP (combined system net) on AWD models, up from 214HP (combined system net) on the prior AWD model. Other stuff? A restyled exterior, with front-end design changes to fascia and lighting, with newly available color-matched overfenders for a sleeker look (That's debatable - WG). A new instrument panel design with a larger 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and customizable ambient lighting available in XLE and Limited grades, both in a choice of Front- or All-Wheel Drive (FWD or AWD). The 2026 Toyota bZ is expected to start arriving at Toyota dealerships late in 2025. The MSRP will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
The AE Song of the Week
"Everywhere" by Michelle Branch from the album "The Spirit Room" (2001).* Watch the Original Music Video here.
*Everywhere" was Michelle Branch's first single; she wrote the song in her Sedona, Arizona, bedroom when she was about 15-years-old, not long after getting a guitar for her 14th birthday. In the song, her special someone is with her (metaphorically) everywhere, so even when they're apart, she can feel his presence. It's almost like he's a ghost, as Branch sings about "the part of you that's drifting over me." She's been asked about the deeper meaning in the song but insists it has none, saying the lyric is simply "teenage rhyme." She elaborated in a 2021 Songfacts interview, saying: "It's that feeling when you can't stop thinking about somebody. They literally permeate your thoughts and drift into everything that you're thinking about, or every little thing reminds you of that person. Still to this day, people ask what it's about and try to find a deeper meaning than a high school crush, and I'm flattered that so many people have different applications for it."This is Branch's most popular song, but it took her a while to warm up to it. For years, she slagged it off, saying in a 2005 interview that she "despised" the song. "I was really young when I wrote it," she said. "For a lot of people that's their first impression of me, so I'm kind of stuck in this song that I wrote that doesn't really mean anything to me and I'm kind of embarrassed about. It just doesn't mean that much to me."
In its original form this song was much more subdued and Branch's label, Maverick Records, had no intention of funding the recording. But when Michelle played it for John Shanks, the producer Maverick paired her with, he heard potential in the song and had her record it anyway, tweaking the melody and giving it a huge chorus. When the label heard this new version, they were thrilled and made it the first single. Shanks, who had previously worked with Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt, earned a writing credit for his contribution. "Everywhere" is a great example of Branch's unique vocal styling where she stretches out the last word of each line:
You're everywhere to me-eee
And when I close my eyes it's you I see-eee
Branch was 18 when "Everywhere" was released. She made an album herself the previous year that she sold at shows, but had just a small following. Maverick Records, faced with the challenge of promoting a song by an unknown artist, tried an unconventional marketing strategy. Instead of begging radio stations to play it, they paid AOL - an early online portal - to feature it on their music channel, where it was very well received. This led to play on MTV's Total Request Live and the song took off from there.(Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: You can access previous issues of AE by clicking on "Next 1 Entries" below. - WG