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2022 Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class price and specs V8-powered Benz S580 L, V12-powered Maybach S680 to join range late in 2021 Long wheelbases and equipment lists for flagship models Prices start from $329,900 before on-road costs The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class range will expand by the end of 2021 with the addition of two new, more potent flagship models: the Mercedes-Benz S580 L 4Matic, and the Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic. Set for first local customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2021 (October to December inclusive), the long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S580 L 4Matic and Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic – priced from $329,900 and $565,800 before on-road costs respectively – join the six-cylinder S450 and S450 L variants that comprised launched locally with the new S-Class in March. Powering the S580 L is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8, sending 370kW and 700Nm to all four wheels through a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. A 48-volt mild-hybrid system (including an integrated starter-generator unit) can add up to 15kW/200Nm of electrical assistance under heavy load. Equipment additions over the lesser S450 L 4Matic include nappa leather upholstery, insulated windows, Digital Light LED headlights (with 1.3 million micro-mirrors and 2.6 million pixels, which can project images onto the road), and adjustable air-chamber front seats with massaging. Those features join carry-over items from the S450 including a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone mirroring, wireless charging, air suspension, power-closing doors, a 15-speaker Burmester 3D sound system, power-adjustable heated and cooled front seats, and dual-zone climate control. Options on the S580 L include a 31-speaker Burmester 4D surround sound system, and E-Active Body Control active air suspension (with 48-volt anti-roll stabilisation). Sitting atop the local S-Class line-up is the Mercedes-Maybach S680, branded under Mercedes' ultra-luxurious Maybach sub-brand. Under the bonnet sits a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine, routing 463kW and 900Nm to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the S450, S450 L and S580 L, the Maybach lacks a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The Maybach's additions focus on the rear seats, with a 180mm-longer wheelbase than long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz models making space for power-operated Rear Comfort Doors, MBUX Interior Rear Assistant, 'exclusive' nappa leather in 'designo' style, high-pile floor mats, a unique seatbelt feeder design, and a centre-mounted rear tablet. Also standard are Energizing Packs for front and rear passengers, plus the aforementioned Burmester 4D sound system, adaptive ambient front and rear lighting, warmed seats, armrest and centre console, a heated steering wheel adorned in polished woodgrain and nappa leather, unique interior trim inlays, and TV and DAB+ digital radio tuners. There's also a revised exterior appearance with a Maybach-specific grille, 20-inch forged alloy wheels and a selection of available two-tone finishes, plus standard-fit rear-wheel steering which can turn the rear wheels by up to 10 degrees in either direction. Above: Mercedes-Maybach S680 interior Order books for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580 L 4Matic and Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic open in the third quarter of 2021 (July to September inclusive), ahead of first deliveries in the fourth quarter (October to December). 2021 Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Australian pricing Mercedes-Benz S450 4Matic – $240,700 Mercedes-Benz S450 L 4Matic – $264,900 Mercedes-Benz S580 L 4Matic – $329,900 Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic – $565,800 source

Specifications for the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 7 electric vehicles have been unofficially confirmed, courtesy of details shared with US media including Carscoops. The Ioniq 6 mid-size sedan (shown below in Prophecy concept guise) will arrive in late 2022, underpinned by Hyundai, Kia and Genesis' modular E-GMP platform. Two powertrain configurations will reportedly be available, with an entry-level single-motor variant sending 160kW to the rear wheels and a flagship all-wheel-drive variant offering 230kW – with both drivetrains offered in the related Ioniq 5 medium SUV. Energy will be drawn from a 73kWh lithium-ion battery pack, permitting a “targeted range” in excess of 480km (300 miles). Meanwhile, the Hyundai Ioniq 7 full-size SUV (rendered at bottom by Korean artist NYMammoth) will launch in early 2024, as a large SUV sized similarly to the Palisade, with six- and seven-seat configurations claimed to be on offer. The option of rear- and all-wheel drive layouts will also be available, likely offering the same or similar power figures as its smaller stablemate. Targeted range will also be comparable to that of the Ioniq 6, this time coming via a 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack to account for the SUV's increased heft. The Ioniq 5 mid-size SUV was revealed earlier this year, with first local deliveries slated for the third quarter of 2021 (July to September inclusive). Pricing is expected to start in the mid-$60,000 range. A spokesperson for Hyundai Australia told CarAdvice the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 7 would both be offered for the local market, however was unable to provide further details for the vehicles. This story will be updated when more information becomes available. source

Nissan’s flagship full-battery electric vehicle (EV), the Nissan LEAF, is now available in the Philippines for PHP 2.798M in 3 dealerships. Nissan is also establishing 7 charging stations in the country through its dealerships, creating the largest nationwide EV charging station network. The zero-emission Nissan LEAF is the embodiment of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the automotive company’s approach to changing the way cars are driven, powered, and integrated into society. The electric vehicle exemplifies this philosophy in three key aspects: Intelligent Power, Intelligent Driving, and Intelligent Integration. Intelligent power As an embodiment of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the Nissan LEAF represents innovations in the areas of power delivery. It has a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery that has a range of up to 311-kilometers on a full charge, based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standards. This is the equivalent of traveling between Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City twice a day for five days for a daily commute, or a one-way out of town trip to Baguio. Powering the Nissan LEAF is a revolutionary, all-electric e-powertrain providing a maximum output of 110kW or 150ps and 320 Nm of instant torque. The Nissan LEAF can go from zero to 100kph in 7.9-seconds while reaching a top speed of 140kph. Charging the Nissan LEAF is easy and convenient as owners are provided with multiple charging options. The car can be fully powered up in 15 to 18 hours at home through a dedicated wall outlet with the supplied universal charging cable. Owners can also go to quick charging stations found in select Nissan dealerships nationwide and power up their Nissan LEAF to a full charge in as fast as 40 to 60 minutes. Intelligent driving A welcome innovation for drivers everywhere is the Nissan LEAF’s e-Pedal. This feature allows drivers to start, accelerate, decelerate, and stop using just one pedal by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the accelerator. When the accelerator is fully released, regenerative and friction brakes are applied automatically, bringing the car to a complete stop. This makes the Nissan LEAF ideal for stop-and-go city traffic since the need to shift from one pedal to another is reduced, making driving simpler and more convenient. The Nissan LEAF is also packed with intelligent driving assistance features that give drivers more confidence and peace of mind. These features include Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Around View Monitor, High Beam Assist, and Hill Start Assist. It also features Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and Intelligent Trace Control to help ensure the safety of both the driver and passengers. Both contemporary and timeless, the Nissan LEAF has a sleek design starting with the two-tone body and its iconic floating roof. The EV Blue accents and V-Motion grille complement the entire look. The interior greets both drivers and passengers with spacious seating for five. Intelligent integration More than just a car, the Nissan LEAF also has vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology that enables bi-directional charging to use energy from the LEAF battery to power homes and equipment, or simply give back energy to the power grid. “Finally bringing the Nissan LEAF to the Philippines is a high point in our efforts throughout the years to inform and educate the Filipino public on the benefits of EV adoption. The Nissan LEAF is key to realizing our vision of enriching Filipino lives towards a more connected, sustainable, and resilient society,” says Atsushi Najima, president and managing director of Nissan in the Philippines. “The Nissan LEAF’s launch in the Philippines is the latest chapter in our electrification strategy in ASEAN. This is part of Nissan’s DNA of daring to do what others don’t as we make electrified mobility more accessible to the people in the region,” adds regional vice president for Nissan ASEAN Isao Sekiguchi. The Nissan LEAF also comes with a 3-year vehicle warranty or for the first 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. It also comes with an 8-year battery warranty or for the first 160,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Customers can avail of the Nissan LEAF from three dealerships: Nissan Mantrade Makati, Nissan Otis, and Nissan Cebu South-V. Rama, each equipped with EV charging systems for the exclusive use of Nissan LEAF owners. Four more dealerships will offer the much-awaited EV within this year, all similarly equipped with charging facilities. source

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed the seventh-generation S-Class range will double in size in the fourth quarter of this year, when new V8-powered S580L and V12-powered Maybach S680 variants of the upper-large sedan are due. The short-wheelbase S450 ($240,700 plus on-road costs) and long-wheelbase S450 L ($264,900) continue to open proceedings but are joined by the mid-range S580L ($329,900) and flagship Maybach S680 ($565,800). Whereas the S450 and S450 L are motivated by a 270kW/500Nm 3.0-litre single-turbo inline six-cylinder petrol engine, the long-wheelbase S580 L ups the ante with a 370kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Either way, a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is fitted alongside Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive and EQ Boost 48V mild-hybrid systems, with the latter providing up to 16kW/250Nm of electric boost for short periods. Then there’s the extra-long-wheelbase Maybach S680 that uses the same transmission-drivetrain combination but stands out with a 463kW/900Nm 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12, which isn’t long for this world due to tightening emissions regulations. For reference, standard equipment in the S450 includes adaptive air suspension, Multibeam LED headlights, power-closing doors, auto-folding side mirrors with heating, keyless entry, rear privacy glass and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, push-button start, a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen MBUX multimedia system, satellite navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 710W Burmester sound system with 15 speakers, three-dimensional (3D) 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, a power-adjustable Nappa leather-trimmed steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, and dual-zone climate control feature. Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep and steering assist (including emergency), adaptive cruise control (with stop and go functionality), traffic sign recognition, high-beam assist, active blind-spot monitoring, exit warning, park assist and surround-view cameras. The S450 L adds power-adjustable rear seats, rear climate control and rear-front airbags, while the S580 L goes even further with Digital Light LED headlights, an augmented reality (AR) head-up display, active multi-contour seats and Nappa leather upholstery. To justify its positioning, the Maybach S680 also gets full rear-wheel steering, a TV tuner, digital radio, a rear entertainment package, a Burmester 4D surround-sound system, rear seatbelt feeders, exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, high-pile floor mats and adaptive ambient lighting, among other features. Order books for the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 rival’s expanded line-up open in the third quarter, so start saving now. source

Ofgem is targeting motorway service areas and key trunk road locations across the country with cabling needed to install 1,800 new ultra-rapid charge points, tripling the current network. The energy network regulator said a further 1,750 charge points will be supported in towns and cities, talking of the need to upgrade infrastructure to support the switch from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric. The investment will be delivered in the next two years and is part of a plan that aims to ensure Britain has the energy infrastructure it needs to support the move to low carbon transport and heating while maintaining secure supplies. The magnitude of this investment is expected to be in the order of over £40 billion through Ofgem's regulation of energy networks. Every region in Britain is said to benefit from the announcement, with 204 net zero projects worth £300 million across England, Scotland and Wales. These low-carbon projects will start this year, supporting clean transport and heat, and opening up local electricity grids to take on more low carbon generation. While electric car ownership is on the rise, Ofgem research has found that 36% of households that do not intend to get an electric vehicle are put off making the switch over a lack of charging points near their home. Ofgem believes an extensive motorway charging network and more charging points in cities and train stations will help address it. Cities such as Glasgow, Kirkwall, Warrington, Llandudno, York and Truro will benefit from increased network capacity to support more ultra-rapid charge points, increased renewable electricity generation and the move to more electric heating for homes and businesses. Investment also covers more rural areas with charging points for commuters at train stations in North and Mid Wales and the electrification of the Windermere ferry. Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: "This £300 million down payment is just the start of building back a greener energy network which will see well over £40 billion of investment in Britain's energy networks in the next seven years. "The payment will support the rapid take up of electric vehicles which will be vital if Britain is to hit its climate change targets. Drivers need to be confident that they can charge their car quickly when they need to. We're paving the way for the installation of 1,800 ultra-rapid charge points, tripling the number of these public charge points. Drivers will have more charging options for longer journeys. "In the year that Glasgow hosts the COP26 climate summit, the energy networks are rising to the challenge and working with us and partners to accelerate projects that can start now, benefiting consumers, boosting the economy and creating jobs." Rachel Maclean MP, transport minister said: "I warmly welcome today's news from Ofgem, which will greatly improve the resilience of our charging network as we build back greener. "With more than 500,000 electric cars now on UK roads, this will help to increase this number even further as drivers continue to make the switch to cleaner, greener vehicles." David Smith, chief executive at ENA which represents the UK and Ireland's energy networks businesses said: "With just a few months left until COP26 we are delighted to have been able to bring forward such a crucial enabler of the Prime Minister's green recovery ambitions. Delivering a green recovery for seas, skies and streets, over £300m of electricity distribution network investment will enable wide-ranging projects which help tackle some of our biggest Net Zero challenges, like electric vehicle range anxiety and the decarbonisation of heavier transport. "This new funding shows the social, economic and environmental benefits that can be brought forward by industry working closely with a flexible regulator." Keith Bell, member of the Climate Change Committee, said: "This joint initiative by Ofgem and the electricity distribution network companies is a welcome development, showing flexibility in the regulatory arrangements in the long-term interests of energy users. On the journey to Net Zero, we need to make it as easy as possible for people to manage without their combustion engine cars. "Electric vehicles are looking more and more attractive, but we need to make sure they can be changed easily, and that means having the right infrastructure - charge points and network capacity - in the right place at the right time. "As well as enabling charging of electric vehicles and the electrification of heat, network investment will provide support for supply chains and, where projects require expansion of the workforce, the creation of new jobs. It will be an essential complement to a smarter power system where innovative information technology and attractive energy tariffs for consumers will ensure we make best use of our electricity system infrastructure." John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco, said: "This announcement by Ofgem is exactly what is needed if the green motoring revolution is to stay on track. "Consumers are committed to greener motoring, and that was confirmed in a recent survey we carried out of UK car owners. Almost a third said they would consider buying electric as their next car, but had concerns about the capability of the charging infrastructure. "At the end of the day, car owners will be reluctant to trade in their diesel and petrol motors for electric if they feel that charging their cars will become an inconvenience. "If they are going to be persuaded to early switch to electric now, investment in the charging infrastructure has to be the top priority." source

Skoda has launched the off-road Scout version of its new Octavia estate exclusively to emergency services customers. Powered by a choice of 2.0-litre diesel engines with 150hp and 200hp outputs, the new Octavia Scout is offered exclusively with an all-wheel drive DSG transmission. The Octavia Scout comes with off-road modifications as standard, with 15mm extra ride height over the Octavia estate for a total ground clearance of 161mm, as well as a 15.8° approach angle, 13.9° departure angle, and ramp angle of up to 19.7°. Its Rough Road Package - including a rear axle skid plate, revised suspension springs, and Scout-specific chassis tuning - enables paramedics, police and other emergency services to reach areas off road more safely. The Scout is also the only car in the Octavia model series to offer the optional Off-Road function. This feature adapts the settings of the stability systems to off-road driving, ensuring smoother power delivery and holding the DSG gearbox at higher rpm before shifting. Tightening of safety belt tensioners is deactivated (if Crew Protect Assist is available) and ambient lighting is adjusted, while Hill Descent Assist further improves off-road safety. Like the standard Octavia estate, the Scout has 640 litres of boot space can hold all the equipment that any police force, fire and rescue service or ambulance paramedic team needs. Externally, the Scout is differentiated by its unique off-road front and rear bumpers, Scout-specific black plastic trims and Scout badges on the front wings. For further modifications specific to individual use cases, buyers can make use of Skoda's in-house package. Called 'One-stop shop' and exclusively available to emergency services fleets, it allows vehicles to be purchased directly or financed through Volkswagen Financial Services. Skoda can then provide vehicles fully converted to suit specific requirements, giving fleet managers the peace of mind that the conversion, breakdown recovery, service, maintenance and repair requirements are built into one complete package. source

The Ford S-Max is one of the survivors of the car industry. Conceived at a time when there was still great demand for MPVs or 'people carriers' before the SUV boom of the past ten years, it still forms part of the Ford line-up when many other brands have long given up on this sector. A sister model to the Galaxy (which would perhaps not still be around itself were it not for the economies of scale of being built on the same architecture as the S-Max and the Mondeo, as well as its popularity with private hire cab companies over the years, such as Addison Lee) the S-Max compromises a little on practicality - the third-row seats have less headroom - but delivers a driving experience more akin to a saloon or estate. The current Mondeo, launched in 2014, has been available with a petrol-electric powertrain option - initially a niche offering in the saloon, targeted more at the North American market, but broadened to include estate versions in 2019 - and has now been made available in the Galaxy and S-Max. Priced within £625 of the equivalent 190hp diesel version for the ST-Line version, the new S-Max Hybrid has lower CO2 emissions than the diesel and is around two BIK tax bands lower. Drive duty is shared between a combination of 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine (with lean fuel-burning capability prioritised over outright power), and a 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery powering an electric motor, the latter capable of running the car alone over short distances and low speeds. The cabin is perhaps beginning to age slightly with the car now entering its seventh year on sale. The 8in touchscreen's position is integrated into the dashboard rather than free-standing as seems to be the more accepted position now, and the graphics perhaps aren't as crisp as we've become used to. Despite the car's CVT auto, which seems counter-intuitive to enthusiastic driving, the S-Max's steering feel and body control still make it the MPV for those who'd rather be behind the wheel of something more engaging. As the battery is much smaller than a plug-in hybrid, there is no real difference in luggage space or practicality, and all seven seats operate in the same way and offer the same space as a petrol or diesel version. It is also priced lower than a PHEV would be, but the CO2 emissions and BIK tax are higher, although slightly lower than the diesel equivalent. Unfortunately, for businesses choosing the Hybrid, the residual value forecast is not as strong as that of the diesel, so it might cost marginally more to run. However, on our short driving route, made up of fast, out-of-town roads as well as some driving at low speeds, the trip computer was showing comfortably higher than the official 43.5mpg, in the low 50s. Clearly, depending on the user profile, there is potential to make the S-Max Hybrid more cost-effective than the diesel. Ford S-Max 2.5 Hybrid Titanium Lux P11D: £38,765 Residual value: 30.8% Depreciation: £26,807 Fuel: £7,752 Service, maintenance and repair: £2,292 Cost per mile: 61.4p Fuel consumption: 43.5mpg CO2 (BIK %): 147g/km (33%) BIK 20/40% a month: £213/£426 Luggage capacity: 285 litres (behind third-row seats) Engine size/power: 2,488cc/190hp source

CHENNAI, India - Automakers Renault, its alliance partner Nissan Motor Co and Hyundai Motor Co face temporary factory closures in India due to growing unrest among workers concerned about rising COVID-19 infections. Workers at Renault-Nissan's car plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu will go on strike on Wednesday because their COVID-related safety demands have not been met, a union representing the workers told the company in a letter on Monday. Hyundai said it would suspend operations at its plant, also in Tamil Nadu, for five days starting Tuesday, after several workers staged a brief, sit-in protest on Monday amid rising cases in the state. "The management agreed to close the plant after workers expressed concerns over safety after two employees succumbed to COVID," E. Muthukumar, president of the Hyundai Motor India Employees Union, told Reuters. The unrest highlights the challenges companies face in India amid a huge wave of COVID-19 infections, an overwhelmed health system and a shortage of vaccines which is making employees more fearful. Tamil Nadu is one of the worst hit states with more than 30,000 cases a day last week. The state, an auto hub known as India's Detroit, has imposed a lockdown until May 31 but allowed some factories, including auto plants, to continue operating. The strike threat at the Renault-Nissan plant came ahead of a court hearing on Monday over allegations from workers that social distancing norms were being flouted and factory health policies did not sufficiently address the risk to lives. Renault-Nissan has said it is following COVID-19 safety protocols. At the hearing, a lawyer for the workers argued that while the company had reduced the number of shifts, production numbers had not been cut and the headcount remained the same leading to crowding on the factory floor. The company told the court it had reduced the workforce to around 5,000 from 8,000. It also said it had vaccinated employees over 45 and was willing to inoculate those under 45 if vaccines were made available. The two-judge bench presiding over the case said that while the health of workers is paramount, if industries go down there will be no place for them to work. They also said the company must not take advantage of the exemption granted by the state and should reduce production to meet only necessary export orders. "The production should have fallen ... You also have to assuage the feeling of the workers," said the court, which will next hear the case on May 31. The union, which represents about 3,500 workers at the plant, said in its May 24 letter to Renault-Nissan that workers would not return until they felt safe. The workers' demands include lower production so there is better social distancing, vaccinations and higher insurance cover to include medical expenses for their families. source

Tesla increased the starting prices of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover by $500. The Model 3 now starts at $41,190 for the Standard Range Plus model, and the Model Y starts at $53,190 for the Long Range model. Tesla previously decreased both models' prices and dropped the Model Y's Standard Range model from its lineup prior to increasing their prices again. Tesla has increased the price of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover once again after previously decreasing both models' starting prices at the beginning of the year. The Model 3 now starts at $41,190 and the Model Y at $53,190. Electrek reports that Tesla increased prices for the Model 3 and Model Y in March, April, and earlier this month. The latest pricing update is an uptick of $500, but both models are now a full $3000 more expensive than they were when Tesla initially decreased their prices in February. Car and Driver has reached out to Tesla to see why it has been steadily increasing prices. We think that it's due to the semiconductor shortages. Tesla did halt Model 3 production for a few days in February. The Model 3 Performance and Model Y Performance's starting prices remain unchanged at $58,190 and $62,190. The Model 3's entry point is for the Standard Range Plus model, which comes standard with rear-wheel drive and an EPA-estimated range of 263 miles. The Model 3 Long Range model now starts at $50,190, and it has all-wheel drive and 353 miles of EPA-estimated range. Tesla discontinued the Model Y's Standard Range model earlier this year, so its starting price is for the Long Range Model. The EPA estimates it will travel 326 miles on a single charge. Tesla's Model 3 is still more expensive than other electric vehicles available today, but it offers more range. The Model Y Long Range is more expensive than the Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1, which has less EPA-estimated range at 305 miles. source

Ioniq will be a new subbrand for Hyundai, marking its EV lineup. The electric-only platform of the Ioniq 5 means more room in the cabin. The U.S.-market Ioniq 5 will come in both single- and dual-motor configurations, making 225 and 320 horsepower, respectively. It is slated to go on sale this fall, with other Ioniq models coming in 2022 and 2024. After first getting an online look at the electric Ioniq 5 in February, we finally got to see it in person. There was no driving yet, but we did get to slide the console back and forth, admire its contemporary hatchback design, and make a smoothie in its cargo area. (That's thanks to the 12-volt outlet in the charging handle that can power anything from an air compressor to our item of choice, a blender.) The name "Ioniq" will recur. It's a subbrand specifically for electric vehicles, and Hyundai says there are a bunch of those coming, all based on the new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The Ioniq 5 is the first to be released, a compact SUV intended to compete with fellow electrics from Ford (the Mustang Mach-E) and Volkswagen (the ID.4). Because it’s built on a platform designed solely for electrics, the 5 packs a roomy interior into a relatively small exterior package. The Ioniq measures 182.5 inches in overall length, 6.5 inches longer than the compact Hyundai Tucson, but with a 1.8-inch-shorter overall height, giving it more of a carlike feeling from the outside—it's a very sporty hatchback in profile. Here's where the dedicated electric platform does its magic. Because the designers don’t have to work around placing an engine in the front or allowing room for a transmission tunnel underneath, the wheelbase and the cabin can stretch out. The 5's wheelbase, at 118.1 inches, is almost four inches longer than that of the much bigger Hyundai Palisade, which should make for a pleasant ride quality. Because the design allows for a totally flat floor, Hyundai can offer more legroom in the middle back seat, and neat features like the sliding console in the front of the top trim Ioniq 5 Limited. Good news for those who carry a bag: there's room in the console, and in front of it, to put a purse or backpack. Bad news for those who didn’t want to go top trim: the sliding console is on the Limited only. Like many new electric offerings these days, the Ioniq 5 will be available in a single- or dual-motor configuration. The rear-drive single motor generates 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which Hyundai says will propel the 5 from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The all-wheel-drive dual-motor version gets you 320 horses and 446 pound-feet of torque. It’s quicker, too. According to Hyundai, it should be able to hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. but how far can it go and how fast can it charge? Those are the big electric-car questions, right? The Ioniq 5 has an 800-volt operating system, similar to what we've seen from quick-charging luxury electrics like the e-tron GT and the Porsche Taycan. At a compatible charger, the 5 can go from 5 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes and get you 68 miles of range in just five minutes. You can charge at a slower charger, of course . . . it's just going to take longer. Final numbers for range haven’t been released, but Hyundai is hoping for 300 miles from the RWD version and around 270 from the racy AWD one. We couldn’t test any of that in the studio, but we were able to explore the interior. The first thing you’ll notice when you step inside is a sense of space. It’s funny how embedded the hump of a transmission tunnel is in our idea of what a car interior will look like. Not seeing it is almost like walking into a formerly cluttered room where someone has removed the excess furniture. The result is a clean and open cockpit with lots of room front and rear. The front seats recline and have a footrest, for maximum napping during your 18 minutes of recharging. The materials in the interior are made from a variety of recycled fabrics, but compared to those in some of Hyundai’s recent gas SUVs, they seem a little bland. There are no cool patterns, no interesting textures. To liven things up, the door panels feature a glowing speaker surround and a floating armrest, and the instrument cluster and infotainment screens stretch across the dash for 24 inches of glowing interactivity. To the left of the gauges, a fun addition: there’s a magnetic square of dash for sticking family photos or parking garage tickets. When we get to drive the Ioniq 5, we look forward to testing the head-up display with its augmented navigation, which projects directions and distances "into" the real world through the HUD display. The 5 also comes with Hyundai’s Highway Driver Assist 2 (HDA 2) which includes such smart cruise control features as automatic lane changes and junction-crossing. Before we left the studio, Hyundai suggested we test out the Vehicle 2 Load feature, which is an integrated 12-volt outlet in the charging handle that can power lights, compressors, small refrigerators, or, for our test, a smoothie blender. BYOB (Bring Your Own Blueberries). The Limited trim also has a 12-volt in the cabin. If you’re excited about the 5 but are wishing it was bigger, or smaller, more sedanlike, or offering a third row, all of that is yet to come. Because the E-GMP platform is so configurable, Hyundai will be able to stretch, shorten, raise, or widen it to fit all manner of upcoming electrics. And there are a lot of them. Hyundai says it's planning 23 new electrics by 2023, and we'll also be seeing versions from Kia, and Genesis. So if the 5 doesn’t charge you up, stay tuned for more, and if it does, we should start seeing them here in the States by fall of 2021. source

Owners of some older Tesla Model S and Model X EVs in Norway reported degraded battery range and charging times following a 2019 software update. Tesla is being ordered to pay the owners the equivalent of $16,000 each, and it's not the first time the EV maker has been fined in Norway. A similar class-action case is pending in the U.S. Tonight, on "Unsolved Software Updates," a mysterious battery drain appears out of nowhere in Norway. One day, owners of older Model S sedans wake up to find their sleek American EVs dropping range and taking longer to charge. Is this just normal battery age and stress in one of the coldest climates on earth? No, Forbrukerklageutvalget (Consumer Complaints Committee)! According to Norwegian authorities, it's a case of new software intentionally slowing down older hardware. Electrek reports that Norway's equivalent of the Federal Trade Commission is ordering Tesla to pay roughly 10,000 owners whose vehicles allegedly degraded after a 2019 software update. The affected vehicles include the 2016 Model S P85D—the same car, when new, that Norway revealed was not making its advertised 691 horsepower—and the Model X P85D. Once the fastest, longest-range, and priciest Tesla trim on sale, the P85D appeared to lose range and take significantly longer to charge immediately following the update, according to Electrek. Tesla sends and installs software updates automatically to every car. Exact declines are unknown, but remember how one generation of iPads and iPhones suddenly slowed to a crawl and lost power after an Apple software update? The new Apple software was supposed to preserve an older device's battery but instead made the devices randomly slow and shut off. That update cost Apple $113 million to settle last year. Tesla owners in the U.S. have reported similar concerns as Norwegian owners had on the same cars, according to Electrek, and one Californian initiated a class-action lawsuit against the automaker months after the update, which is still pending. But U.S. Tesla owners haven't gotten a penny. In a few months, unless Tesla responds to prove otherwise, Norwegian owners will be receiving the equivalent of $16,000 for their troubles. (In 2016, Norway forced Tesla to pay these P85D owners nearly $8000 each for their cars' horsepower deficit.) When this software update rolled out, Tesla had the most consumer complaints of any automaker in Norway, according to the Los Angeles Times. Norwegians also buy Teslas—and EVs in general—at some of the highest rates of any country. All this is to say: If you apply a software update and find your car, phone, or other digital device is now worse off, you're not crazy. If you are in Norway, you could contact the Forbrukerklageutvalget. Otherwise, record the evidence and submit a fraud claim to the FTC, which has the real power to investigate the next Unsolved Software Update. source

Max Mosley, the former FIA president and a controversial figure for much of his life—for different reasons—died today at the age of 81. Mosley led the FIA as its president from 1993 until 2009. Jean Todt has served as the president of the organization since 2009. Todt tweeted about Mosley's legacy today on Twitter. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Max Mosley." Todt tweeted. "He was a major figure in @F1 & motor sport. As @FIA President for 16 years, he strongly contributed to reinforcing safety on track & on the roads. The entire FIA community pays tribute to him. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family." The second son of British politician Sir Oswald Mosley and Diana Mitford, one of the famous Mitford Girls, Mosley spent his childhood in Ireland before being sent to school in France and later in Germany. A very bright man like his father, he was probably meant to go into politics, but his father’s adventures in the 1930s as the leader of the British Union of Fascists meant that the Mosley name was electoral poison and he was never able to go down that path. After studying at Oxford he graduated with a degree in physics in 1961. He then began reading law at Grays Inn in London and qualified as a solicitor in 1964. After a visit to Silverstone in the early 1960s got his attention, Mosley soon became involved in racing. He drove in mainly club events, but having access to money he was able to buy himself a Formula 2 car in 1968 and founded the London Racing Team with Chris Lambert. Max raced in the F2 event at Hockenheim in which Jim Clark was killed. After Lambert was killed in an accident with Clay Regazzoni at Zandvoort in August the same year, Mosley became Piers Courage’s teammate in Frank Williams’s F2 team. Mosley knew he was not really good enough to go to Formula 1 and retired as a driver in 1969. He established March Engineering with Robin Herd, Alan Rees, and Graham Coaker. The company was a great success as a racing-car production company, and March cars won many championship although it never really lived up to its potential in Formula 1. Jackie Stewart drove to victory at the Spanish GP of 1970, but the March Racing factory team won only twice, with Vittorio Brambilla in Austria in 1975 and with Ronnie Peterson at Monza in 1976. Mosley became increasingly involved in the politics of the sport in league with Bernie Ecclestone, and after March withdrew from F1 at the end of 1977, Mosley left and became the legal advisor to FOCA (Formula 1 Constructors Association) and a member of the FISA F1 Commission. Mosley played a leading role in the FISA-FOCA war between F1 and member teams of 1980-82, which led to the Concorde Agreement, of which he was one of the architects. After the political battles were over, Mosley took three years out of the sport before becoming president of the Manufacturers Commission at the FIA in 1986. At the same time, he was involved in the establishment of Simtek Research in 1989, although he sold his share of the company when he became president of FISA (the sporting subsidiary of the FIA) in 1991, ousting Jean-Marie Balestre by 43 votes to 29. Mosley announced that he would resign after a year so that he could be judged on his merits, but 12 months later he was re-elected for a four-year term. He then engineered the merger between the FIA and FISA, and in October 1993 became the FIA president for a four-year period. He was re-elected in October 1997, and again in 2001 and 2005. Mosley achieved a huge amount in terms of road safety, particularly with the Euro NCAP program. In Formula 1, he led the revolution in safety after the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994. His political skills were much needed as the FIA president, but he had weaknesses, too, one of them being a huge distaste for Ron Dennis of McLaren, perhaps because Dennis was a former mechanic who was more successful in F1 than Mosley had ever been. He also lost patience in his dealings with F1 teams and began to behave in a way that often bordered on dictatorial, steam-rolling opposition and even criticism. In the end, many of Mosley's achievements in motorsport and safety were overshadowed by a sex scandal that came to light in a tabloid newspaper. Mosley claimed invasion of privacy and launched a campaign through the courts to stop the same sort of thing from happening again. His case resulted in a court victory in 2008 and the closure of the News of the World and a long-running battle with media magnate Rupert Murdoch. After winning his privacy lawsuit and leaving his position at the FIA, Mosley largely retired from public life. He is survived by his wife and one son, and was predeceased by another son. Source

Name: .DjC. Newspaper written on: 23/05/2021 The newspaper was approved by (/f proof): .DjC. | Click The title of the newspaper: Gennaro Gattuso Newspaper (Photo): Click Other specifications: Source wiki > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaro_Gattuso

Billions of dollars in Covid aid cushioned financial losses caused by the pandemic at some of the nation’s largest hospital chains. But those bailouts also helped sustain the big chains’ spending sprees as they expanded even more by scooping up weakened competitors and doctors’ practices. More consolidation by several major hospital systems enhanced their market prowess in many regions of the United States, even as rural hospitals and underserved communities were overwhelmed with Covid patients and struggled to stay afloat. The buying spree is likely to prompt further debate and scrutiny of the Provider Relief Fund, a package of $178 billion in congressional aid that drew sharp criticism early on for allocating so much to the wealthiest hospital systems, and that had no limits on mergers and acquisitions. The Biden administration is now weighing which hospitals and health providers will get the remaining $25 billion. “It was not the intent to be a capital infusion to the largest and most financially stable providers to allow them to simply grow their slice of market share,” said Representative Katie Porter, Democrat of California. She is calling for hearings and for the Federal Trade Commission to review whether the funds were properly used for patient care and operations. The hospitals say the Covid aid played no role in these deals, some of which were in the works before the pandemic. Major hospital chains argue that their size and reach helped them better care for patients, allowing them to divert supplies and people to hard-hit areas during the health crisis. “Consolidated systems have saved lives during Covid,” said Dr. Rod Hochman, the chief executive of Providence, a large chain, and chairman of the American Hospital Association, at a Senate hearing this week. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are pushing for greater oversight of hospitals. In the hearing on Wednesday, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota, asked for more resources so regulators could tackle “the vicious cycle” of hospital consolidation. “When mergers are anti-competitive, they must be stopped,” she said. Major employers had warned Congress that bailouts to the health care industry could spur even more consolidation and lead to price-gouging in medical care. Some of the nation’s most powerful hospital chains, experts cautioned, would take advantage of the crisis, resulting in even higher prices for medical care that would wind up on the shoulders of private insurers, employers and individuals. Editors’ Picks “The big well-resourced hospitals had, frankly, a banner year, and they are now in a position to swallow up these smaller, more vulnerable groups,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, the chief executive of the Purchaser Business Group on Health, which represents large employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Walmart that provide health benefits for their workers. Congress provided capital to hospitals that did not need it, said Zack Cooper, a Yale health economist. An early critic, Mr. Cooper says he remains concerned about how the aid has fueled the expansion of already powerful systems. “Regulators should really be looking at the transactions occurring,” he said. CommonSpirit Health, a Catholic nonprofit system that is one of the biggest hospital networks with about 140 hospitals in 21 states, received well over $1 billion in federal aid to counter any financial losses caused by the shutdowns of lucrative elective surgeries and higher Covid-related costs. In January, one of its divisions merged with Virginia Mason health system in Seattle in a move that strengthened CommonSpirit’s sway in Washington State. It also picked up a small hospital network in Arizona and helped start a company to analyze patient data across 40 states. “We have continued to prioritize growth,” Lloyd H. Dean, CommonSpirit’s chief executive, said at an investor conference earlier this year. In Washington State, CommonSpirit’s newfound clout could lead to higher prices, said Glenn Melnick, a health economist at U.S.C. Sol Price School of Public Policy. It is already among the most expensive hospital systems in the nation, by one analysis. Big hospitals “get their tentacles in, and then they carve up the markets,” he said. CommonSpirit says it ended 2020 with a small loss, in spite of the federal aid. In Washington State, it plans to expand access to care for low-income individuals, it said. Several other big hospital chains that received some of the largest pandemic general-distribution grants, as identified by Good Jobs First, a research organization, are also buying up more facilities and staff. Providence, a 51-hospital network, got about $1 billion in federal aid and bought two small public hospitals in Northern California last year. “These rural hospitals have been struggling financially with limited public funding,” the network said. “With Providence support, health care access will continue in these rural communities.” Two New Jersey networks, which each received more than half a billion dollars in aid, set their sights on local hospitals. RWJBarnabas Health announced last November its takeover of Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, and Hackensack Meridian Health is trying to acquire Englewood Health over the objections of federal regulators. “If anything, the pandemic delayed the signing of the definitive agreement as opposed to being the cause,” RWJBarnabas said in a statement. NYU Langone Health, a large New York City hospital group that received over $500 million in aid, said it was “in the very early stages of exploring a relationship” with Long Island Community Hospital, the last remaining independent hospital on Long Island. Many of these same big chains, shored up by federal grants, are now in better financial shape than they were before the pandemic. Many are sitting on billions of dollars in cash. While most of the provider aid has been distributed, the Biden administration is expected to begin doling out the remaining funds, estimated at $25 billion of the original $178 billion, said Kristen O’Brien, a vice president for McDermott+Consulting in Washington, D.C. Hospitals are asking for more time to spend the money. How the aid was spent has not been fully documented. While the larger hospital networks aggressively sought the funds from the start, smaller organizations, children’s hospitals and those in rural areas or serving large numbers of low-income patients had more difficulty securing the aid because of the way the funding formula was structured. In a later round of funding decisions, officials with the Department of Health and Human Services reviewed applications more closely, and in some cases, reduced or denied requests, Ms. O’Brien said. Grants given after the initial rush were more targeted, to those hospitals in Covid hot spots or rural areas. A few large chains, including HCA Healthcare and the Mayo Clinic, returned at least some of the money, in the wake of disclosures that wealthier hospitals had received far more aid while reporting healthy profits. Overall, the aid program did prevent hospital closings, said Ken Marlow, a lawyer with K&L Gates in Nashville, who advises hospitals. “We haven’t seen a real avalanche of these distressed hospitals coming on the market.” But some may no longer be able to resist takeovers or mergers. “Those providers are potentially more distressed as a result of the stress of the pandemic and will have to be thinking hard about the future, their survival,” said Torrey McClary, a lawyer with Ropes & Gray who also counsels hospitals. Experts fear the aid program has had the opposite effect of what it was intended for — saving hospitals. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we found, paradoxically, it accelerated centralization and consolidation,” said Dr. David Blumenthal, a former Obama administration health official and the president of the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit research group. “Even though it sustained smaller players, it enhanced the ambitions and capabilities of larger players.” The pace of deals announced last year was on par with previous years, according to Kaufman Hall, a Chicago consulting firm. There were 79 hospital deals, down slightly from 92 in 2019. In the first three months of 2021, the number was lower than the same period of 2019, but it included large transactions like the potential combination of two private equity-backed hospital chains, LifePoint Health and Ardent Health Services. Other kinds of deals, like the hospital purchase of a physician practice, are small and often fly under the radar of regulators. Because they involve private organizations, they are not typically required to disclose the details. The big systems have also continued to extend their control over doctors’ groups and related businesses. Tenet Healthcare, a for-profit chain that received more than $500 million in federal aid, announced a $1 billion purchase of 45 ambulatory surgery centers last December. “The government support we received was used solely for the purpose of providing Covid relief,” the company said. Ascension, a large faith-based system that received more than $1 billion in aid, said in March that it was investing in a partnership to buy surgery centers. The company said, in a request for comment, that its investment funding in surgery centers predated the pandemic. Some doctors’ groups, shut down for months on end, may feel driven into the folds of a larger tent to ensure that they remain financially stable. In testimony before Congress last month, Leemore Dafny, a health economist at Harvard and a former federal antitrust official, urged lawmakers to pay special attention to patterns in these smaller transactions. “It is precisely during this time of change in the health care system that the risks of consolidation are highest and the rewards of vigilance will be greatest,” she said. Many of the big spenders among the hospital chains already charge the highest prices, often more than twice what Medicare pays for the same procedure, according to a RAND Corporation analysis. CommonSpirit, itself the result of the 2019 merger between Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, is among the most expensive hospital systems, according to RAND. And Dignity’s prices were three times Medicare’s rates. Other pricey hospitals also announced deals. Banner Health, a system based in Phoenix with about 30 hospitals, acquired Wyoming Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital, in October. Banner received more than $400 million in federal aid, according to the Good Jobs First data. Banner said it provided the medical center with “critical resources during the pandemic.” MultiCare a Tacoma, Wash., system that received nearly $300 million in federal aid, finalized its takeover of Capital Medical Center in Olympia last month. The network said the RAND analysis was flawed and the acquisition streamlined care. In one case, regulators took a close look at the potential consequences of these deals. Last July, Cedars-Sinai, a Los Angeles hospital group that RAND calculated was charging three times the Medicare rates, announced it was taking over Huntington Hospital, with 619 beds in Pasadena, Calif. Cedars-Sinai received about $200 million in federal aid, in addition to tens of millions of dollars in other grants for treating increasingly high Covid patient caseloads as the crisis raged in California. An analysis conducted for state regulators found Huntington’s prices could increase by as much as 32 percent if it merged with Cedars-Sinai and wielded that combined negotiating power. Cedars-Sinai and Huntington sued the California attorney general in March, seeking to prevent the state from capping Huntington’s prices and restricting consolidated negotiating power. Those limits were ordered by Xavier Becerra, the state attorney general for California who is now the nation’s Health and Human Services secretary. “We are shocked at the unprecedented overreach of the conditions being imposed,” said Dr. Lori J. Morgan, the chief executive of Huntington Hospital, in a statement. “Rather than benefiting our community, the conditions primarily benefit health insurance companies.” Cedars-Sinai said the acquisition would reduce costs. “Without affiliation, stand-alone hospitals such as Huntington face significant obstacles to their long-term ability to serve the community,” it said. Federal regulators are also challenging the Englewood Health-Hackensack Meridian merger in New Jersey over concerns it would raise prices. While Hackensack said the deal was in the best interest of patients, a hearing before an administrative judge is scheduled for this summer. Source

How many doughs can serve as a base for pillowy cinnamon buns in one moment, and not-too-sweet hamburger buns the next? A relative of Hokkaido milk bread and French brioche, this enriched bread has unparalleled versatility. It also defies categorization: Its silky, delicate, lightly sweet crumb has as much in common with pastry as it does with bread, allowing it to move fluidly from sweet to savory. As with most yeasted doughs, nailing this one requires special attention to time and temperature, as well as an understanding of gluten development. But once you learn how to conjure up this shape-shifting bread, you might very well find yourself eating it, in some form or another, all day long. Start With a Tangzhong This bread’s feather-light texture comes from using a tangzhong, or “water roux,” which originated in Japanese baking but was popularized throughout Asia and beyond by the Taiwanese pastry chef Yvonne Chen. (Another Japanese technique known as yudane, which uses boiling water, is similar.) In breadmaking, tangzhong is a mixture of flour and water (or milk) that is cooked on the stovetop before it’s added along with other ingredients. Cooking alters the chemical structure of flour, breaking down the starches and causing them to swell and absorb water to a much greater degree than they would without heat, in a process known as gelatinization. Inside the dough, the tangzhong absorbs even more water, making the final bread softer, fluffier, springier and more resistant to staling. No Need to Proof Your Yeast You may notice that the accompanying recipe omits any “proofing” of the yeast, calling instead for the yeast to be added directly to the dough. While it was once necessary to dissolve active dry yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar and wait for it to bubble (therein “proving” it’s alive), active dry yeast has become more reliable. If you keep your yeast sealed and refrigerated, and it’s not approaching the expiration date, you can be confident it’s active. There’s even an advantage to adding it to the dough directly: The motion of the mixer dissolves the granules slowly, which helps prevent the dough from fermenting too quickly. Mix Low and Slow Gluten forms when certain proteins in wheat come into contact with water, and kneading or otherwise working bread dough develops more gluten, lending breads like sourdough their chewy texture. It might seem counterintuitive, then, that a soft, tender bread like this one requires lots of gluten development. But gluten provides structure, allowing the dough to expand dramatically in the oven, and supporting the bread as it cools so it doesn’t collapse. Because the proteins in wheat are slower to absorb water than starches, the dough should be mixed slowly at first, so resist the urge to increase the speed and hurry things along, since it could impede development. The whole process takes time, especially since you’re adding fat, which inhibits the formation of gluten bonds, so set your timer and consider putting on a podcast while the mixer does the work. At the end of the suggested mixing time, make sure the dough has sufficient “strength,” or gluten development, by doing a windowpane test. Work a small portion of dough outward between your fingertips. A well-developed dough will stretch, without breaking, into a thin membrane that light can pass through. Temperature Matters Ensuring that your dough bakes into soft pull-apart bread is largely about controlling the temperature during mixing. The prolonged action of the dough being worked generates friction, causing it to warm, and a too-warm dough can ferment too quickly, throwing off the rise. It may also become greasy when the butter is added and lack elasticity, leading to a dense, dry crumb. To prevent this, make sure that the tangzhong isn’t the least bit warm when you assemble the dough, and that your eggs and butter are cold. Even at cool room temperature, the buttery dough will be quite soft, so a slow rise in the refrigerator will firm up the butter and make the dough workable. (Bonus: The cold rise also helps develop flavor.) Shape Your Dough Cold In general bread and pastry terms, cold dough is easier to handle than room temperature dough, and that is especially true for a butter-rich dough like this one. When cold, the butter is firm and the dough can be shaped and manipulated easily. As it warms though, the butter softens and the dough becomes stickier and looser, so try to work efficiently. Pay Attention to Rise A well-developed dough will triple in volume (or more) from the initial dough to the finished bread — if, that is, you proof it sufficiently. Make sure you let the dough rise until it has doubled in size. Keep it covered, since a dry surface will prevent the dough from expanding properly, and lightly mist it with water, if needed. (A little humidity will help the process along.) Once the dough has doubled in size, you can expect it to expand at least 50 percent in the oven. Source

All weekend long, publisher Paradox Interactive is hosting a huge sale on Steam in conjunction with its PDXCon Remixed digital convention. The Steam Paradox Interactive Sale, which runs until May 24, includes discounts on PC games like Crusader Kings III and Empire of Sin. On top of all the game deals, three titles are free to play for the next few days: Cities: Skylines, Stellaris, and Surviving Mars. Both Cities: Skylines and Stellaris serve as pillars in the 4X genre, helping players get acclimated to the genre's rather slow output. Not quite a 4X game, Surviving Mars features many of the same city buildings elements players can expect from other Paradox-published strategy RPGs. All three games can be downloaded and played with no strings attached until May 24. If you end up enjoying them and want to keep playing, you can buy either of these Paradox-published titles at up to 80% off The sale also slashes prices for other titles from the publisher's catalog. This includes strategy RPGs Crusader Kings III at 20% off, Empire of Sin at 50% off, and Surviving the Aftermath at 25% off. Furthermore, the Paradox sale discounts various Paradox-related DLC for games like Europa Universalis IV, Hearts of Iron IV, Prison Architect, and others. Source

While Gears of War has always been published by Microsoft, the IP wasn’t always owned by the company. Back when Gears of War was still under Epic Games, the title was used for internal testing purposes, leading to a version of Gears of War 3 for the PlayStation 3. Now, this PS3 version of the game is publicly available for the first time. Up until 2014, Epic Games owned the Gears of War IP. During development of Gears of War 3, the company prototyped a version of it for the PlayStation 3 as part of a technical test in May 2011, footage of which can be seen below: To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of this unreleased version of the game, PixelButts, a QA developer and archivist, uploaded the PS3 build of Gears of War 3 to Archive.org. Epic Games previously confirmed that this build of the game was real but was never intended for a release – Unreal Tournament was also used for testing purposes. Unfortunately, you can’t just burn a disc and boost this up on a PlayStation 3, to actually play this build of Gears of War 3, you would need a PS3 Dev Kit. KitGuru Says: While this build won’t be playable for many, it is still nice to see this particular piece of gaming history preserved. Source

Cozy farming simulators have seemed to have made a bit of a comeback in recent years with games like Alchemic Cutie, Ooblets, Story of Seasons, and more coming to various gaming platforms. And now there is another one on its way from Twin Hearts and PQube. Kitaria Fables is a unique farming simulator since it also doubles as an RPG. As mentioned above, in Kitaria Fables players can farm and craft as well as take on quests and engage in combat to protect their animal neighbors. For the RPG aspect of Kitaria Fables, players are tasked with protecting Paw Village from the growing hoards that wish to destroy it. There is a lot to explore and players will be able to find material and ingredients to build their farm on their adventures through the world of Kitaria. However, there are monsters to be slain and Kitaria Fables boasts real-time combat with a variety of combat styles that can be tweaked through different types of magic and weapons. As players advance, they will be able to craft more powerful weapons and armor. All the while, players will be tending and growing their own farm back in the village to aid them on their adventures. And all of this can be done either solo or with a friend through Steam remote-play. Kitaria Fables releases on September 3 to a variety of platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. However, for those gamers that enjoy having a physical copy to show off, those will only be available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Right now there are limited editions that are up for pre-order which includes the physical copy as well as a key chain and some art cards. Source

Yesterday, Blizzard shared the first look and provided some new details regarding Overwatch 2. When it was initially revealed, Blizzard detailed the new single-player campaign component coming to the game but didn’t really go into any details regarding PvP. Blizzard revealed how things will be changing for the sequel and provided the first look at some of the new ways to play, new looks for characters, and new maps. The biggest change coming to Overwatch 2 is that the core PvP experience will shift from six players per team to five players per team. In the standard game modes of Overwatch 2, each team will have one Tank, two Damage, and two Support heroes. “At the heart of this change lies the change in mentality surrounding the role of Tank, previously discussed during BlizzConline, towards one more focused on brawler-style gameplay,” Blizzard said. Changing from teams of six to five also impacts other roles for the game. With that, Blizzard has introduced Role Passives. These are new passive abilities that will have Damage heroes moving slightly faster than other roles, Support heroes regenerating health automatically after staying out of combat for a short period, and Tanks taking reduced knockback and providing less ultimate charge to opponents who damage them compared to other roles. The live stream also provided a first look at some hero-specific changes that Blizzard is making. Mei’s Endothermic Blaster slows and deals damage but will not freeze enemies in Overwatch 2. Blizzard will also be making adjustments to heroes like Bastion who will be reviewed and reworked from the ground up, which will result in major changes to how the heroes play. The shift is going to result in rebalancing and adjustments across the board. Overwatch 2 will bring in new game modes to the series. The live stream provided a new look at the new game mode Push. In Push, players will clash to take control of a robot that starts in a central location and “push” it toward the enemy team’s base. Blizzard is also working on another new game mode that will be revealed later. Blizzard also confirmed that the Assault game mode will be leaving from the Competitive playlist in Overwatch 2 and will be replaced by a new game mode. The live stream showcased five maps including the first look at Rio’s Escort PvP map, New York City (hybrid), Rome (Push), and the never-before-seen Monte Carlo (Escort). Blizzard also showcased the new look for Torbjorn, McCree, and Widowmaker. You may also notice some changes to the UI and HUD for some heroes like Mercy and Zenyatta. Source

A short clip of the late Chester Bennington featured on Slash’s song “Crazy” has surfaced. The track was supposed to be featured on Slash’s 2010 debut solo album but the feature of the track was prevented by Linkin Park’s camp. Instead of featuring Bennington, Slash moved on to recruit Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead for the song, which turned out to be titled “Doctor Alibi.” Slash discussed the collaboration between himself and Bennington during a 2018 interview with Variety, where he stated, “His family has got it, so it would be totally up to them. It was really good. He was awesome. It would be fine with me if they wanted to [release] it. Musically, it’s basically the same as the Lemmy song, but the lyrics are really poignant.” The one-minute snippet of the performance features a guitar-heavy presence that complements Bennington’s unique vocals. The leaked audio from the track originated from Big Chris Flores, the producer who recorded Slash’s solo LP. The full-length version of “Crazy,” which had featured additional bass and drum from Flores, was created with the intent to be eventually released in the future. The song was set to benefit 320 Changes Direction, which was a mental health awareness organization that was created by Bennington’s wife, Talinda Bennington. Flores commented on the unreleased track by stating, “I think part of the reason it got shelved for so long was out of respect, just waiting for Linkin Park to release whatever they were going to release with Chester and then give Talinda and his mom time to figure out if they wanted to do anything with it. Slash hadn’t heard anything from them and it just was forgotten about, I feel like, so it was just perfect timing [to release a snippet.]” Source

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Bruno Mars has been given his fifth RIAA Diamond certified single. This makes him the first artist in history to receive five RIAA Diamond certified songs. Before receiving such an honorary title, Mars already had three RIAA diamond certified singles from “Just The Way You Are,” “Grenade,” and “Uptown Funk!.” The two singles that brought him to that coveted number five were “That’s What I like,” and “When I Was Your Man.” While many artists have achieved such high-ranked success like going platinum or gold, a diamond single has been proven to be a rarity in the music industry. Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America said that what makes Mar’s success so extraordinary is the fact that fewer than 60 Diamond Single Awards have ever been given out. With five Diamond Single Awards in his possession, Mars now tops every single artist in the music industry who has ever received a Diamond Single Award. “Congratulations to Bruno Mars – the first artist with five Diamond Single Awards in the history of RIAA’s Gold and Platinum program,” Glazier said, “This milestone is a testament to Bruno’s unstoppable creative genius and the incredible partnership he has built with the team at Atlantic Records.” The success comes as Mar’s recent hit, “Leave the Door Open,” the single he and R&B powerhouse Anderson .Paak released as Silk Sonic, remains at the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the second week in a row as well as 702 million global streams, and 222.5 million views on Youtube. Mar’s other hits such as “Nothin’ On You ft. B.O.B” and “Locked Out of Heaven” have all been #1 hits in previous years upon release. Mar’s meteoric rise to fame began at the start of the 2010s when he collaborated with artists like B.O.B on “Nothin’ On You” and Travie McCoy on the single “Billionaire.” He eventually received high critical praise from his debut album, Doo Wops and Hooligans, which featured tracks such as “Just The Way You Are,” “Grenade,” and Talking To the Moon,” and went on to win Grammys for Unorthodox Jukebox, and 24k Magic. Source

Fans on Day 1 of HARD Summer Music Festival 2016 The state of California has announced that its easing up on current capacity limits and social distancing requirements. Starting June 15, the state will fully reopen and lift current restrictions, including mask requirements for those who are vaccinated. The lifted restrictions will specifically target events such as large gatherings, such as concerts, with more than 10,000 people. The state advises that for events like that, a system should be implemented where those who attend either verify their vaccination or supply a negative Covid-19 test. It is suggested that if an attendee is not vaccinated and does not choose to take a Covid-19 test, wearing a mask will be recommended. As for indoor events, the maximum capacity will be set at 5,000 attendees and still recommends that proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test is shown. Along with that, those who are unvaccinated and decide not to provide negative test results will then be required to wear a mask. With nearly 35 million vaccine doses already being administered in the state of California, Mark Ghaly, Health and Human Services Secretary, stated, “Californians who want a vaccine should have a fairly easy time getting on at this point.” The state is currently incentivizing getting vaccinations by holding giveaways. The Los Angeles Lakers are offering the chance to win a pair of season tickets for those who get their first vaccination dose over the course of this weekend. State officials are looking to increase the number of vaccination doses given out in order to maintain some stability with the virus. “It’s not that we won’t see Covid cases moving forward, it’s not that we won’t see even some isolated outbreaks, but we do have the tools to be able to manage that and we have the ultimate tool, vaccination, to be able to keep those opportunities for outbreaks to occur to a minimum and keep any spread contained,” said Ghaly. Source

It really isn’t easy getting to know the artists that we admire. A piece of art that you love and cherish could very well be created by a monster or someone who isn’t exactly a great person. No, sometimes the best art is created by people who suffer from their own demons and take it out on those all around them. In the case of German filmmaking legend, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, his works mean a great deal to the cinema world while contemporary director Oskar Roehler hasn’t found his grand audience, yet both are matched with similar predatory tendencies. In Roehler’s newest picture Enfant Terrible he maniacally sheds a light on Fassbinder’s downfalls in a way that seems cruel and almost untrue. The film operates as a means to expose without honoring the mythic writer-director in the slightest– and fails to tap into the magic that has surrounded the late filmmaker’s films. In the late 1960’s, a troubled young playwright decided to take his avant-garde talents from the open German stage to the screen. Rainer Werner Fassbinder (played by Oliver Masucci) has a grand plan: make seven films in a year. He does it, but at the cost of gradually descending into a spiral of abusive relationships, drugs, and plenty of alcohol. As we meet the casts of his first few films, we can only gather that he uses these people as a means to stick a huge middle finger to the conventions of cinema and as a crutch to fuel his self-destructive habits. Every step of the way, Fassbinder never finds a way to redeem himself and is further portrayed as a hostile freak and that could be a huge fault on part of Roehler’s vision of the director. While I have only seen Beware a Holy Whore and The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant and know a few details about Fassbinder through a fanatic friend, I do understand the director had a specific charm to his works. In those two films, there is a lovely emotional energy that feels like a mess, but controlled like a noise musician who really knows what he is doing. Enfant Terrible never feels like this and instead feels cold and emotionless. Even in the tender moments between Fassbinder and his lover, Salem (Erdal Yildiz), we are never given the weight of Fassbinder’s feelings and instead are given the weight of his actions. In Petra Von Kant we get a good look of even the titular character’s horrible view of the world, yet here we just see action. Now, this works well if this was the purpose of the film, but to suggest that Roehler’s intention was to purely portray a beloved figure as someone irredeemable, then you have to wonder why it is done so evilly. Verdict: 3 out of 5 Stars Enfant Terrible does provide an engaging story to say the least and it is a pretty film. The harsh neon lights and hand painted studio set pieces are very crafty and nice to look at. It does remind me of Francis Ford Coppola’s One From the Heart because of this, but I am only familiar with that through screenshots (I would love to see the film). Masucci does a great job of being a complete scumbag and troubled artist that it is almost believable that he really is Fassbinder (but certainly not at age 22). These things just don’t add up when you consider the portrayal. Oskar Roehler’s Enfant Terrible isn’t a bad film, but it does a bad job at portraying a versatile legend in the film world: Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Here, we get a one note and unbearable character that doesn’t have much to him except abusing lovers, drinks, and painkillers. When you consider this and how much a director has influence on a picture, you wonder their true motivations. In Fassbinder’s case it was to sleep with a cute guy or to have a good time. In Roehler’s, it feels like it’s to smear a dead man’s name. Source