Sunday
Feb082026
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 08:16AM
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
(Toyota images)
Toyota has totally reimagined the Highlander for 2027, embracing the EV "thing" with a conviction that must leave its competitors scratching their heads. The highlights? Besides the all-electric powertrain, the new Highlander has three-row seating for up to seven passengers; 45-cubic feet of rear storage with the third row folded flat; it is equipped with Toyota's latest audio multimedia and Safety Sense systems; battery modules are assembled at the newly opened Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina Battery Plant and Partner Supplier in the U.S.; two grades, Limited or XLE, with available Front- or All-Wheel Drive; XLE AWD and Limited AWD Models equipped with 95.8-kWh battery Have 320-mile manufacturer estimated total driving range rating; up to 338HP (combined system) and 323 lb.-ft. of Torque; equipped with North American Charging System (NACS) Port for wide access to thousands of DC fast charging stations in the U.S. The Highlander is the fourth BEV in the U.S. Toyota Lineup and Toyota’s first three-row BEV Model in the U.S. It will be assembled in the U.S. at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky. Sales of the new Highlander are expected to begin in late 2026, continuing into early 2027. The MSRP will be announced closer to on-sale date. Editor-in-Chief's Note: This is a huge deal for the EV "thing" and an even bigger test of Toyota's marketing might. A giant "we'll see" as we like to say. -PMD
How bad is it for Ford? From Michael Martinez at Automotive News, late Tuesday afternoon: "Failed investments in money-losing electric vehicles and a late-year disruption of aluminum supplies for F-Series pickups drove Ford to an $11.1 billion net loss in the fourth quarter, resulting in the automaker’s worst financial performance since 2008. Fourth-quarter revenue declined 5 percent to $45 billion, and adjusted earnings before interest and taxes plunged by more than half to $1 billion. For the full-year, Ford lost $8.2 billion, largely because of its EV write-downs and $2 billion in tariffs. The automaker’s 2025 tariff bill ended up roughly doubling its previous projection following a late-year change to offsets by the Trump administration. It was Ford’s third-worst performance ever and third full-year loss in the past six years. Editor-in-Chief's Note: All together now - Not. Very. Good. -PMD
(Mercedes-Benz images)
The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ offers a "highly dynamic AMG driving experience," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. It features a further developed AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with even more agile response and a high-revving character; A stronger exhaust note and over boost torque contributing to the dynamic driving experience; AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with optional electronically controlled limited slip rear differential and a Special Golden Accents Package with exclusive features, limited to the 2027 model year. At the heart of the new model is the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with twin charging via an exhaust gas turbocharger and an electric auxiliary compressor. The engine produces 443HP and delivers a maximum torque of 443 lb-ft (472 lb-ft for 10 seconds at 5,200 rpm with over boost). The revised six-cylinder engine is complemented by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT® TCT 9G transmission and the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. Additionally, it features an optional electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and Drift Mode, available for the first time in an AMG SUV. This enables experienced drivers to explore the full range of driving dynamics on closed courses. Available in both SUV and Coupe (shown) body styles, the 2027 AMG GLC 53 arrives at U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2026. Editor-in-Chief's Note: I've had recent experience with the GLC 300 Coupe and it is quite good. This version sounds like fun. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Another automaker has reported a huge hit to its bottom line. Stellantis, the foreign-owned company with operations based here – and make no mistake, even though it is referred to as part of the "Detroit 3" it most definitely is not – has reported a hit of €22 billion to "primarily reflect a strategic shift to put freedom of choice – from a growing range of EVs, hybrids and advanced internal combustion engines – at the heart of the Company’s plans," according to its PR minions. Yeah, sure. Park this in the "It Won't Be Long Now!" File. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Alain de Cadenet's superb automotive series – "Victory By Design" – doesn't get nearly enough attention. We aim to rectify that in the coming issues of AE. This week, the subject is Maserati. Watch it here. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Alain de Cadenet's superb automotive series – "Victory By Design" – doesn't get nearly enough attention. We aim to rectify that in the coming issues of AE. This week, the subject is Maserati. Watch it here. -PMD
The AE Song of the Week:
Wah-wah
You've given me a wah-wah
And I'm thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah
You made me such a big star
Being there at the right time
Cheaper than a dime
Wah-wah, you've given me your
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Oh, you don't see me crying
Oh, you don't hear me sighing
Wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free, wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
Oh, you don't see me cryin
Wah-wah
You've given me a wah-wah
And I'm thinking of you
And all the things that we used to do
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah
You made me such a big star
Being there at the right time
Cheaper than a dime
Wah-wah, you've given me your
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Oh, you don't see me crying
Oh, you don't hear me sighing
Wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free, wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
Oh, you don't see me cryin
Hey baby, you don't hear me sighing
Oh, no, no, no, no
Wah-wah
Now I don't need no wah-wahs
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free of wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah
Oh, no, no, no, no
Wah-wah
Now I don't need no wah-wahs
And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free of wah-wah
I don't need no wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah, wah-wah
Wah-wah, wah-wah
"Wah-Wah" by George Harrison from the album "All Things Must Pass" (1970)*. Written by George Harrison. Publisher: BMG Rights Management. Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind. Listen to it here.
*Harrison wrote this during the Beatles' Let It Be sessions after he and Paul McCartney had a nasty fight that led to George quitting the group on January 10, 1969. The sessions were being recorded for the documentary Let It Be, which wasn't sitting well with Harrison. After he left, The Beatles tried recording without him, but didn't get very far. After a meeting on January 15 where McCartney and John Lennon agreed to give him more input, Harrison agreed to come back to the fold. "Wah-Wah" ended up on his first solo album, All Things Must Pass, released November 27, 1970. Harrison wasn't the first Beatle to temporarily quit the group. Ringo Starr walked out during the White Album sessions a year earlier.
A wah-wah pedal is a device used to create various effects on electric guitar, but the term has a different meaning in this song. In an interview with Crawdaddy magazine, Harrison explained: "That was the song, when I left from the Let It Be movie, there's a scene where Paul and I are having an argument, and we're trying to cover it up. Then the next scene I'm not there and Yoko's just screaming, doing her screeching number. Well, that's where I'd left, and I went home to write 'Wah-Wah.' It had given me a wah-wah, like I had such a headache with that whole argument. It was such a headache."
Bobby Whitlock played keyboards on the album. After the sessions, he formed Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton, who also played on the album. Whitlock told Songfacts, "I was the last one to show up at the session. I was running late and my car went down on me. It was getting started, I walked in and Phil Spector said, 'Phase those drums! Phase those guitars!' He's standing there looking out like he's the captain of a ship, and he says, 'Phase everything!' A guy had to operate this phase shifter by hand; his name was Eddie Albert, and he had to work it by twisting this knob to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right. You had to do it manually then. He's saying, 'Phase this, phase that,' I come in, I'm late and Billy Preston's sitting down at the organ; Gary Brooker is on the piano, where's my spot? Everything was on the downbeat. I said, 'I've got it, give me that little piano over there, I've got my part.' I played everything that nobody was playing - I played on the upbeat. That's me on the electric piano playing the exact opposite."
On the album, the "O'Hara-Smith Singers" are credited on this track. According to Whitlock, that was him and Clapton. Harrison did just one solo tour in his lifetime (in 1974), and "Wah-Wah" wasn't on the setlist. He performed the song live just twice - at the two Concert For Bangladesh shows he organized at Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971. This was the first major charity concert, with appearances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston and Ringo Starr. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
*Harrison wrote this during the Beatles' Let It Be sessions after he and Paul McCartney had a nasty fight that led to George quitting the group on January 10, 1969. The sessions were being recorded for the documentary Let It Be, which wasn't sitting well with Harrison. After he left, The Beatles tried recording without him, but didn't get very far. After a meeting on January 15 where McCartney and John Lennon agreed to give him more input, Harrison agreed to come back to the fold. "Wah-Wah" ended up on his first solo album, All Things Must Pass, released November 27, 1970. Harrison wasn't the first Beatle to temporarily quit the group. Ringo Starr walked out during the White Album sessions a year earlier.
A wah-wah pedal is a device used to create various effects on electric guitar, but the term has a different meaning in this song. In an interview with Crawdaddy magazine, Harrison explained: "That was the song, when I left from the Let It Be movie, there's a scene where Paul and I are having an argument, and we're trying to cover it up. Then the next scene I'm not there and Yoko's just screaming, doing her screeching number. Well, that's where I'd left, and I went home to write 'Wah-Wah.' It had given me a wah-wah, like I had such a headache with that whole argument. It was such a headache."
Bobby Whitlock played keyboards on the album. After the sessions, he formed Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton, who also played on the album. Whitlock told Songfacts, "I was the last one to show up at the session. I was running late and my car went down on me. It was getting started, I walked in and Phil Spector said, 'Phase those drums! Phase those guitars!' He's standing there looking out like he's the captain of a ship, and he says, 'Phase everything!' A guy had to operate this phase shifter by hand; his name was Eddie Albert, and he had to work it by twisting this knob to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right. You had to do it manually then. He's saying, 'Phase this, phase that,' I come in, I'm late and Billy Preston's sitting down at the organ; Gary Brooker is on the piano, where's my spot? Everything was on the downbeat. I said, 'I've got it, give me that little piano over there, I've got my part.' I played everything that nobody was playing - I played on the upbeat. That's me on the electric piano playing the exact opposite."
On the album, the "O'Hara-Smith Singers" are credited on this track. According to Whitlock, that was him and Clapton. Harrison did just one solo tour in his lifetime (in 1974), and "Wah-Wah" wasn't on the setlist. He performed the song live just twice - at the two Concert For Bangladesh shows he organized at Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971. This was the first major charity concert, with appearances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston and Ringo Starr. (Knowledge courtesy of Songfacts.com)
Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG
