--- title: "The Drive-In: Come Chat With Us About Monterey, Electric Dodges, and Driving the GR Corolla" description: "Looking for ways to avoid work on one of the last summer Fridays? Come chat with the staff of The Drive about anything and everything." date: "2022-08-26" modified: "2022-08-26" authors: - name: "Kyle Cheromcha" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/culture/the-drive-in-come-chat-with-us-about-monterey-electric-dodges-and-driving-the-gr-corolla" categories: - "Culture" - "Features" - "News" --- # The Drive-In: Come Chat With Us About Monterey, Electric Dodges, and Driving the GR Corolla ![1986\_Cargo\_Van]() *\Toyota\* I don't know who said that August was supposed to be a slow month, but damn, it has been exactly the opposite in the car world. From one of the most news-packed Monterey Car Weeks in history, to the death of the [Dodge Challenger and Charger]() and the birth of the [brand's first electric muscle concept](), to the announcement that we'll finally see the [next Ford Mustang in September]() ... we've all been drinking from a firehose lately. As we said in July, going forward we'll be doing these hangout posts on a regular basis on the last Friday of the month. And believe it or not, here we are again. So let's dive in and while away our second-to-last summer Friday together. Just like you, we've had our hands full keeping up with all the news out there. Monterey brought us everything from Koenigsegg's CC850 [with its wild automatic-and-a-gated-manual transmission](), to [a new roadster Chiron]() marking Bugatti's last W16 car, to the awkward premiere of the new DeLorean. But we still found time to bother Christian von Koenigsegg [for his opinion on the C8 Corvette]() ("mind-blowing," he says), and talk to Bugatti's design director [about why he's scared of screens](). We'll continue to roll out more stories from Pebble Beach next week, including a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most high-dollar car auctions on the planet with RM Sotheby's. Leading up to that was Dodge Speed Week, where Dodge showed off its [new Hornet crossover]() (that [Alfa's not too thrilled about]()), confirmed the death of the current Challenger and Charger, and showed an electric muscle concept with an awesome retro design and questionable fake engine noise. And if that wasn't enough, we decided to throw our epic DC Down Under project into the mix, in which staffers James Gilboy and Lewin Day attempted (key word there) to drive a Kia EV6 across the Australian Outback. I know you've got questions [about how it ended](), so, ask away. As for what we've been driving, senior editor Aaron Cole is currently flying back from a few days behind the wheel of the new VW ID Buzz van, and though I don't think he'll be able to sign on to answer questions, we'll relay whatever you want back to him. Next week, deputy editor Kristen Lee will be jetting off to drive the much-anticipated Toyota GR Corolla and manual transmission Supra, and yes, she is stoked. Beyond that, we've also been in the new VW Golf R, Genesis Electrified G80 (dumb name), Rivian R1T, Hyundai Kona N, Honda Passport Trailsport, BMW i4, and a 1968 Mercedes 280 SL Pagoda for good measure. **UPDATE 4p ET:** I think we're done! Thanks everyone, and have a great weekend. *Got a tip? Email tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()