AUGUST 28, 2019

Editor-In-Chief's Note: Ferdinand Piech, the former chairman and CEO who transformed Volkswagen into one of the world’s biggest automakers, has died. He was 82. He died Sunday at a hospital in Bavaria, Germany, according to Bild newspaper. Countless things will be written about the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche - his biggest achievement while running VW was the acquisition of Porsche in 2012 - but I will always remember him for building one of my all-time favorite racing cars, the Porsche 908 Spyder. Piech was a brilliant, visionary engineer and an egomaniacal leader who operated from the "My Way or the Highway" school of management, frequently jettisoning managers who had the temerity to question him; and he was responsible for some of the biggest flops in automotive history, including the VW Phaeton. But there's no question he was a towering figure in the automotive world. “If I want to achieve something, I approach the problem and push it through without realizing what’s happening around me,” he wrote in his 2002 autobiography. “My desire for harmony is limited.” Amen to that. -PMD

(Mercedes-Benz images)
The new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is powered by a turbocharged, 3.0-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine with 429HP and a maximum torque output of 384 lb-ft. Its EQ Boost starter generator delivers an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short periods, and also feeds the 48-volt onboard electrical system. The EQ Boost starter-generator combines the function of a starter and an alternator in a powerful electric motor that is located between the engine and transmission. This innovation as well as the intelligent charging electric auxiliary compressor and exhaust gas turbocharger all have the same goal, "to enhance the hallmark AMG performance and driving dynamics, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions," according to Mercedes-AMG PR minions. The GLE 53 Coupe accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Along with the 48-volt technology, the GLE 53 Coupe has fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, an AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission and a 2.4 in shorter wheelbase than its SUV sibling. Driving dynamics are further enhanced by the AMG drive programs and the AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension based on AIRMATIC. And the AMG-specific grille also visually reinforces its official membership in the AMG family. Pricing and timing will be announced later. 

(BMW)
The Frankfurt Motor Show will see the world premiere of the third-generation BMW X6, the car that established the Sports Activity Coupé segment ten years ago. At the event, BMW will also present a one-off vehicle with a Vantablack® VBx2 nanostructure paint finish. This exclusive show car is the result of a collaboration between BMW and Surrey NanoSystems, the inventors of the Vantablack technology.The BMW X6 is the first and only vehicle in the world to feature a Vantablack VBx2 paint finish. A surface coated in Vantablack loses its defining features to the human eye, with objects appearing two-dimensional. This can be interpreted by the brain as staring into a hole or even a void, making Vantablack a rather unsuitable vehicle paint finish, as it blots out virtually all the design details and highlights. For this reason, the BMW X6 was coated in the VBx2 variant initially developed for use in architectural and scientific applications. This coating can be sprayed on and has a one-per-cent total hemispherical reflectance (THR), meaning it is still considered “super black” while enabling a small amount of reflection from every angle. Thus, materials painted with it seem to lose their three-dimensional appearance – as demonstrated impressively on the BMW X6. Vantablack - the “blackest black” was originally developed for aerospace applications. The name Vantablack has already become synonymous with an entire range of extremely black coatings and paints such as VBx2. It contains an acronym of the technology enabling this superior black in its first two syllables, which stand for Vertically Aligned Nano Tube Array, a matrix made out of carbon. Each of these carbon nanotubes has a length of 14 to 50 micrometres, with a diameter of 20 nanometres, making it around 5,000 times thinner than a human hair. As a result, around a billion of these vertically aligned carbon nanotubes fit into one square centimeter. Any light striking this surface is almost completely absorbed rather than reflected, and effectively converted into heat. This technology was initially developed for coating space-borne components. As Vantablack can be applied at temperatures from as low as 430 degrees Celsius, it is suitable for delicate materials such as aluminum, and optical components coated in Vantablack enable observation of faint stars and distant galaxies that stray light from the sun makes difficult to detect. The first generation of Vantablack introduced by Surrey NanoSystems in 2014 absorbed up to 99.965 percent of light, almost completely eliminating reflectance and stray light.

(Porsche images)
The 2020 Porsche Macan Turbo has quicker acceleration, a higher top track speed and improved braking ability over the previous Macan Turbo. Powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 434HP (324 kW) from 5,700 rpm to 6,600 rpm and 405 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,600 rpm, it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds (or 4.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package). Top track speed is now 167 mph. The same engine is also used in the Cayenne and Panamera model lines and replaces the 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 used in the previous Macan Turbo. As with other Macan models, power is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive. An exclusive front fascia with three large air intakes, Sport Design side Skirts and Sport Design exterior mirrors in body color differentiate the Turbo, as do dual strip LED fog lights above the left-front and right-front air intakes. LED headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) are standard equipment. The same revised rear light design that characterizes the rest of the Macan model line is also incorporated in the new Macan Turbo, along with a redesigned fixed rear roof spoiler specific to the Turbo model.  
The standard equipment on the new Macan Turbo is tweaked as well, including Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). What is that? The brake rotors are coated in an ultra-hard layer of tungsten carbide, which reduces brake dust by up to 90 percent and provides sharper a response to pedal input from the driver. White calipers help visually define these brakes, underscoring the reduction in brake dust. After an initial driving period, the rotors also take on a mirror-like finish. A Sport Exhaust system also joins the list of standard performance equipment. 20-inch Macan Turbo wheels are also standard and offer a one-inch increase in standard wheel diameter. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) dampers are also standard equipment. Optional height-adjustable air suspension with optimized rolling pistons and new shock absorber hydraulics, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV +) and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are available as extra-cost options.
The 2020 Macan Turbo interior includes an Alcantara® roof liner, 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats with Memory Package and a 665-watt, 14-speaker Bose® Surround Sound system. As with other new Macan models, a 10.9-inch full HD touchscreen offers the latest version of Porsche Communication Management (PCM), which includes Porsche Connect Plus, adding an LTE telephone module, an integrated SIM card and a slot for an external SIM card, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot and a one-year subscription to numerous Porsche Connect services, including connected navigation. A Multifunction GT Sport steering wheel is also available as an option. Starting with the 2020 model year, the Macan also offers Qi inductive charging. This feature is included in the Smartphone Compartment, which is optionally available on all Macan models. 
The 2020 Macan Turbo is expected to reach U.S. dealerships sometime in the fourth quarter of 2019. The starting MSRP will be (gulp) $83,600 (excluding $1,350 for processing, delivery and handling). 

(Mercedes-Benz)
Mercedes-Benz PR minions call the new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 "an unrivalled entry in the compact SUV segment." But then again, they would. It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder developing 302HP and 295 lb-ft of torque from 3000-4000 rpm. It also has an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed transmission and variable AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. It won't be here for another year, which is good thing, because it really is one homely SUV.
(Mopar)
Mopar celebrates a decade of factory-vehicle customization with the unveiling of the Mopar ’19 Dodge Challenger. Based on the 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack, the Mopar ’19 Challenger carries several exterior and interior features only available on this limited production Mopar-branded muscle car. Available in either Pitch Black or White Knuckle, the Mopar ’19 Challenger starts with the R/T Scat Pack model and adds unique Mopar Shakedown graphics accented with asymmetrical Mopar Blue center stripes that run from the top of the front fascia to the rear decklid spoiler. A Shaker Hood package by Mopar provides a hint of vintage styling with an active, air-gulping scoop flanked with Shaker badges on both sides. Functional black hood pins provide a classic look. Out back, the rear decklid spoiler carries a unique Mopar Design badge. Standard 20-inch x 9-inch forged aluminum wheels riding on Goodyear P245/45ZR20 performance tires are enhanced with genuine Mopar-branded center caps and valve stem caps. Mopar wheel locks are standard. It is powered by the 392-cubic inch HEMI® V-8 with 485HP and 475 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a quick-shifting TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission is optional. A Mopar cold air intake delivers performance-enhancing airflow to the engine. Mopar strut tower braces help increase structural rigidity of the chassis for sharper handling. The braces and strut caps are silver-coated to dress up the underhood appearance. Stopping power is provided by Brembo four-wheel disc performance brakes with red calipers. On the inside, performance front cloth seats wear a two-tone Mopar logo embroidered into the seat backs and a custom Mopar ’19 instrument panel badge adorns the passenger-side air vent. Completing the standard interior accessories are premium Berber floor mats and polished door-sill guards with the Challenger logo. With a starting U.S. MSRP of $45,835, dealer orders for the Mopar ’19 Dodge Challenger open in September 2019. Vehicles are expected to begin arriving in dealerships in the fourth quarter 2019. 

Editor-In-Chief's Note: A new ad campaign for EVs by Electrify America goes about it all the wrong way and fails miserably. Our resident AE EV expert, Allen Bukoff, explains why. -PMD

Me and my innovative new vehicle. We're just normal.

by Allen Bukoff

Detroit. Electrify America and their San Francisco ad agency have a new campaign for electric vehicles:  "EVs are NORMAL NOW." This is wrong. It's also a weird way to try to sneak a revolutionary transportation transition past the public.

EVs are quite different from ICE vehicles. In lots of different ways -- large and small. There are many ways in which EVs are better -- sometimes a lot better (and more fun), as in instant torque and acceleration.

The new ad campaign by Electrify America and Eleven seems to be based on the idea that people are scared of EVs and of anything that might make them look "abnormal."  If they can reassure people that EVs are really just normal and okay now, a lot more people will consider them. As the recent AutoThink EV study has shown, people aren't leery of EVs, mostly they have condescending negative attitudes about EVs, many of which are inaccurate and out of date. Proclaiming EVs as being "normal" is not going to fix that.

Eleven must not have even talked to any EV owners/drivers. EV vehicle owners as a group generally rave about their vehicles and will bore you talking about how special (i.e., un-normal and great their driving and ownership experience has been -- compared to their ICE vehicle experience. Very few EV drivers are even considering going back -- trading their EV back in for an ICE vehicle. EVs are NOT normal vehicles.

Eleven and Electrify America must also have completely failed to study the advertising for the Volt. Chevrolet and their ad agencies -- Goodby Silverstein & Partners and then Commonwealth//McCann -- spent nearly ten years trying to pass the Volt off as being mostly just a regular car (e.g., "More Car Than Electric"), and it is now a case study in advertising failure.

What a super-dumb way to try to build desire and excitement for such a major and still innovative product purchase: it's just normal, it's like everything else, it's really nothing special. 

To ad insult to injury, Eleven has created several videos that illustrate how things can become "normal" by comparing EVs to the past: early internet email and online dating. EVs ARE ABOUT THE FUTURE! Show people that. Don't tie them to the quirky past.

I'm beginning to think EV advertising is completely cursed.

AE Song Lyrics of the Week:

As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" - Elvis Costello