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Despite being fairly different cars for sale years apart, there's a common thread running through the Renault Sport Megane 275 and Honda Civic Type R. Specifically, those who love them won't stop bleating on about just how good these odd-looking, front-wheel drive hatchbacks are. Just as it was pretty much from the Megane's launch in 2009, now it is with the Civic: in the eyes of testers, it can do no wrong, winning every comparison test at a canter and bringing joy to those jammy enough to secure a long-term loan. Owners are equally obsessed too, it would seem. Which probably gets a tad repetitive for everyone else, who tend to just buy Golfs regardless. But we'll continue to bang the drum for cars like the Megane and Civic, because they prove that mainstream manufacturers can summon genuinely great driver's cars from workaday hatchbacks. Of course, Renault Sport has already changed tack somewhat, and is about to adopt a very different course altogether; Honda will surely have to follow suit in time. But right now, Honda sells brand-new one of the very best front-wheel drive cars ever, with perhaps the best manual gearboxes on sale, for comfortably less than £40k. In 2021, that's cause for celebration. At the same time, really good examples of Renault Sport's finest, like the car seen here (and which you might recognise as Ben Lowden's very own), are available for comfortably less than £20k. With almost five years having passed since a Megane like this one lined up against a turbo Type R, a rematch opportunity was obviously too good to pass up. Honestly, it's so nice to see one of these Meganes up close again, to have the time to appreciate it rather than snatch a glance of Flame Red as it whooshes past in the opposite direction. Obviously, it's more muted against the Civic, the stance quite narrow and almost perched on its springs. Like the Clios of this era, however - and rather unlike the Civic, broadly speaking - it's the little details that mark the Megane out. The bulky arches to fit wider wheels and RevoKnuckles, the centre exit Akrapovic, the way the whole car points to the diamond on the front grille, informing how it will drive - it's all there, for those who want to look. It's a similar story inside, where fripperies are eschewed for nailing the basics that only the dedicated few will appreciate. Maybe you're sat a bit high against the Civic, but the Recaro is a great seat, the wheel is pretty much spot on, and the dials are clear and the pedals perfectly placed. The interior encapsulates all that's great about the car; there's precious little fuss, in the grand scheme of things, with absolute focus instead on whatever will make it as great to drive as possible. Which we'll get to in a second. Before then, it's worth reiterating - in case you hadn't heard - just how good this Civic Type R is. It flies in the face of all current convention - it's manual only, it looks how it looks and it doesn't have 15 suspension settings - yet it operates with total aplomb. The 320hp engine has turbocharged torque alongside a vibrant top end, the chassis is immensely grippy yet communicative, the brakes are firm but still progressive - you name a compelling hot hatch trait, chances are the Civic has it nailed. Even when conditions don't suit it, the car draws incredible traction and purchase from the surface, inspiring confidence and ensuring enormous speed. The way it melds usability with engagement is seldom seen at any price point or executed so well; the Type R can be driven like any other Civic with no fuss at all - or you could never use the rear seats and enormous boot and still have the best driving hot hatch around. You'd drive it to the Nurburgring tomorrow if possible, and enjoy every second. And before the affordability of the old Megane is mentioned, its £32,555 as tested price in 2016 is £36,280 in today's money - the Civic currently starts at £36,320... That said, not even a car of the Honda's calibre threatens to overawe the Megane experience. Despite the fact this car is now five years old and apparently in need of an Ohlins rebuild. Nor can the weather. Because truly great cars remain so indefinitely, and will reveal something of that quality whether you have five minutes or five years behind the wheel - the Megane remains unequivocally brilliant. You need make no allowances or concessions for the Megane's age; the car is so finely honed that even after so many years away it takes no time to get familiar. Where the current R.S. 300 has a tendency to baffle its driver with 4Control steering, here the wheel and front axle response are immediate, fast yet completely faithful and sufficient to make even the Civic look a tad soft. The delay in the Honda's throttle has gone, too, replaced with an accelerator pedal of millimetric precision. And if the brakes aren't quite a match, then they're still brimming with feel. As always with Renault Sport cars, it's the chassis' star that shines brightest. Where the Civic would rather you drive to its style, the Megane is apparently endlessly malleable and accommodating, with the immediacy and tenacity of its LSD-equipped front end dictating it all. It can do fast, poised and accurate as well as any other, though it can also play at a more traditional hot hatch cornering approach, simply manipulated by throttle and brake. Like an old 911, the Megane's dynamic repertoire is sufficiently broad to keep its owner engrossed and entertained for a very long time indeed. It's a trick that hasn't yet been replicated, either, the Civic far more about outright grip and composure than a multi-faceted, immersive approach. If time has been kind to the Honda thanks to sympathetic model year updates, it's been equally favourable - if not more so - to the Megane. Sure, they really don't make them like they used to; but here's a hot hatch with a flavour of the old school alongside contemporary performance, equipment and manners. No wonder Ben had to buy another one. For the sake of the narrative, it would have been nice to say the Megane's relative lack of popularity in period was a mystery - but we all know that isn't true. With dorky looks, no automatic option and three doors only, Renault Sport's laudable commitment to the purist was always likely to hobble its attractiveness to the broader buying public. That's before considering the ride; perhaps trying Ben's car on timeworn Ohlins was unfair, but there isn't any denying the Civic is markedly comfier on a pockmarked road - and no less capable in outright terms. The Megane's appeal was narrow, then, but laser guided in its accuracy. The Renault Sport models tapped into exactly what a small bunch of hardcore enthusiasts - and motoring journalists - wanted from their hot hatches, and that continues to this day. Which is probably why they were all so upset when it was replaced; this isn't an experience that can be repeated anywhere else, no hot hatch that's better combined all the attributes that make a fantastic driver's car. Which isn't to say the Civic doesn't have its advantages. Despite that soft initial throttle response, the powertrain is more exciting, revving out with greater vigour than the Megane's 2.0-litre turbo and matched to an exemplary six-speed manual. There's no doubt, either, that most (if not all) drivers would be faster in the Honda than the Renault on any road or track, in a far more accommodating car for the journey home as well. It's a mighty achievement, the FK8 Civic Type R, especially with this facelift, one that will eventually assume its place in the hot hatch hall of fame once people have gotten over the fact it doesn't look like an Audi S3. It is certainly an icon of this decade, and deserves all the praise that has been (and will continue to be) heaped upon it. On the other hand, that an old Megane worth less than half as much can deliver an equally vivid and absorbing drive serves to highlight just what a special car it is, come rain or shine, road or circuit. If any doubt lingered, if there was any residual suspicion that we looked back on the Megane too fondly, a comparison with the current class best has reasserted its copper-bottomed claim to greatness. Ben's one isn't for sale (not yet, anyway), but plenty more are - and it's hard to think of many better ways to spend the money. SPECIFICATION | MEGANE RENAULTSPORT 275 CUP-S Engine: 1,998cc 4-cyl turbo Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive Power (hp): 275@5,500rpm (Ben's car 290hp) Torque (lb ft): 265@3,000-5,000rpm (Ben's car 316lb ft) 0-62mph: 5.8sec Top speed: 158mph Weight: 1,394kg (EU, with driver) MPG: 37.7 (NEDC combined) CO2: 174g/km (NEDC) Price: £23,935 (£32,555, comprising 19-inch Speedline STEEV with Bridgestone Potenza tyres £1,000; ID Flame Red paint £625; Recaro seats with Carbon Leather £1,300; R-Link multimedia and navigation £400; RS Monitor V2 £295; Ohlins Road&Track dampers £2,000; Akrapovic titanium exhaust £2,500 and Climate Pack £500) SPECIFICATION | HONDA CIVIC TYPE R GT Engine: 1,996cc, 4-cyl turbocharged Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive Power (hp): 320@6,500rpm Torque (lb ft): 295@2,500-4,500rpm 0-62mph: 5.8sec Top speed: 169mph Weight: 1,405kg (Honda kerbweight) MPG: 33.2 (WLTP) CO2: 193g/km Price: £36,320 (as standard; price as tested £37,160 comprised of Bolt Blue paint for £850) Source

Mazda is dropping the CX-3 from its lineup after the 2021 model year. The CX-3 is smaller and older than the newer CX-30, which is similar in size and price. 2021 CX-3s should remain in inventory for a little while longer. The sun will set on Mazda's smallest crossover, the CX-3, after the 2021 model year. We're not too surprised to hear this, as Mazda essentially replaced this older model with the newer CX-30 recently. The two compete alongside each other in the subcompact-crossover segment, and the CX-30 is more powerful, more spacious, and more upscale than the dated CX-3. While the CX-30 is based on the compact Mazda 3, the CX-3 was based on the tiny subcompact Mazda 2, which meant it was considerably smaller inside than many of its competitors. It debuted for 2016 and has received only minimal updates over the years. Mazda reduced its lineup to a single trim level recently, marking the beginning of the end for this model. We wonder if Mazda may eventually rename the CX-30 to CX-3 as a result of this change. This would provide more consistency in the brand's SUV lineup, as other models have single-digit monikers including CX-5 and CX-9. Source

Mazda is discontinuing the 6 mid-size sedan for the U.S. market. The 2021 model year will be its last and it won't return for 2022. A future Mazda 6 is rumored to be on its way with a new rear-wheel-drive platform and an inline-six engine. Mazda will no longer offer the 6 mid-size sedan in the U.S. after the 2021 model year. The current third-generation 6 has been around since 2014 and will not be available for 2022, meaning Mazda is the latest automaker—following Ford, Chrysler, and a few others—to exit the popular family-sedan segment. While this is the end of the road for now, it doesn't necessarily mean that Mazda is done with mid-size sedans forever. Rumors persist that Mazda will launch a new sedan model on the company's new rear-wheel-drive platform that could utilize its new inline-six engines. When asked about the potential for a future rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6, a company spokesperson told C/D, "We cannot share details of future products at this time." The cancellation announcement does call into question whether this new model will once again utilize the 6 nameplate, as Mazda could introduce a new moniker to reflect the sedan's new mission. If it comes to fruition, we likely won't hear more about this new Mazda sedan for a while longer, as it's expected to arrive sometime in 2022 as a 2023 model. In the meantime, 2021 Mazda 6 sedans will remain on sale at dealerships until inventory runs out. Source

Logistics surrounding the debut of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning hinged in part on an unfair-trade dispute about batteries that carried the potential of delaying the truck's spring 2022 launch. Fortunately, two battery suppliers reached a $1.8 billion settlement that will help ensure battery supply for the rollout of the new electric pickup. The Lightning's battery will be built through a joint venture with SK Innovation in Georgia, and its production is unrelated to the other Ford EV, the Mustang Mach-E. Ford, freed from a trade dispute involving two of its battery suppliers, will build the F-150 Lightning's packs at a new plant now under construction in Georgia. Late this week, the automaker said it will partner with SK Innovation, a Korean supplier that also makes batteries for Volkswagen and Kia, to assemble 60 gigawatts' worth of batteries each year in Commerce, Georgia. That adds up to roughly 400,000 of the Lightning's longest-range packs—a massive undertaking that, in sheer volume, represents nearly half of all F-series sales—and by 2030, Ford wants to quadruple that output from all of its battery plants worldwide. The joint venture is to be called BlueOvalSK, Ford said. Ford can rightly boast about its manufacturing prowess now, but early last month, Dearborn appeared like a potential casualty in a bitter war between two of Korea's biggest battery suppliers. Ford had already been receiving heat from the United Auto Workers, which in March blasted the company for planning to build a second unnamed EV in Mexico, alongside the Mustang Mach-E, instead of in Ohio. But the bigger problem started back in April 2019, when LG Chem, which makes the Mach-E's batteries, filed a dispute with the U.S. International Trade Commission against rival battery maker SK Innovation, which by year's end in 2019 was under contract for the Lightning. At this same time, SK was breaking ground on its Georgia plant—its first in America, nearly a decade after LG Chem opened its first domestic plant for the Chevrolet Volt—that would supply Ford as well as Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant. LG claimed SK stole trade secrets in part by hiring "about 100 of its employees," according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The company filed a complaint against SK on April 29, 2019, to trigger what's known as a Section 337 investigation. That part of a 1930 tariff law gives companies an expedited process outside the normal courts to seek damages against imported products that violate copyright, infringe patents, and "misappropriate trade secrets," according to the Trade Commission. In response to this complaint, a panel of judges can approve a cease-and-desist order against the offending company and block its imports. Only the President of the United States has authority to override the Trade Commission, and only within 60 days. At the end of May 2019, the Trade Commission announced it would investigate the claims. That put SK's entire $2.6 billion factory, which promised 2600 jobs and hundreds of thousands of batteries for Ford and VW, in jeopardy. Source

Dear friend, you should not borrow the money. Secoundly. It's not our fault .

Numele tău: D J C Numele jucătorului sancţionat: @Faiq.King Data şi ora sancţiunii: 09:49AM Sancţiune: verbal warning (0.5/3) Motivul sancţiunii: Violation all of the rules Link către topicul sancţiunii: Click Alte precizări: -

- Nume: .DjC. - Rang: Network Anchor (4) - Data săvârşirii emisiunii/concursului: 21.05.2021 - Tipul emisiunii/concursului: Talk show with the subject of Smash or Pass - Numele celor care au participat la emisiune/concurs: [uV]AloneKiNG | [LDV][HaVaNa] - Dovada (screenshot) pentru tipul concursului/emisiunii [/l]: https://imgur.com/PLeLwHB - Dovada (screenshot) cu [/livemembers]: https://imgur.com/uM65sBw - Alte precizări: @AloneKiNG | @h a v a n a

- Nume: .DjC. - Rang: Network Anchor (4) - Data săvârşirii emisiunii/concursului: 20.05.2021 - Tipul emisiunii/concursului: Contest with the subject of Roman Numbers - Numele celor care au participat la emisiune/concurs: [AIM]FacTOT.FailMachine | [uN]whoisCOCO | arjun4237[KING] | [uN]sL0wLy.TheFiSH | FIGHTER.NSA[VIP] - Dovada (screenshot) pentru tipul concursului/emisiunii [/l]: https://imgur.com/d0yD0PZ - Dovada (screenshot) cu [/livemembers]: https://imgur.com/wojmeTV - Alte precizări: @.Aku-ule

While Windows 10 on ARM devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro X aren’t particularly great for gaming, you can still enjoy a couple of eSports titles on such devices. Over the last few years, several games have received support for Windows 10 on ARM devices, including popular titles like League of Legends, DOTA 2, Starcraft 2, CS: GO, and more. Now, Blizzard has announced that it is also adding Windows 10 on ARM support to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. If you have a Windows 10 on ARM device, you can now test World of Warcraft on it by downloading the latest build of the Chains of Domination Public Test Realm (PTR). To join the PTR, you’ll first need to create a new PTR account. To do so, you’ll need to follow these steps: Log in to Blizzard Account Management by following this link. Select the “Games and Subscriptions” option. Select “Create PTR Account” in the “Starter Editions & Public Test Regions” section. Click the “Create Account” button. After creating a new PTR account, you’ll have to join the PTR on the Battle.net app. Follow these steps to join the Chains of Domination PTR: In the Battle.net app select “World of Warcraft” in your Games list. In the menu above the “Play” button, chain your Region/Account to Public Test Realm. Click on “Install” to install the PTR client. Click on “Play” to log in to the Public Test Realme, and select any of the available Test Servers. Once you’re logged in, you can either create a new test character or copy over a character from your live account using the “Copy Character” button. Do note that you may encounter unexpected issues since this is an early release. In case you do, make sure you leave your feedback in the announcement thread on Blizzard’s forum. Source

In November of last year, electronic producer i_O, formally known as Garrett Falls Lockhart, passed away at the age of 30. At the time of his death, the cause was unknown but it has now been released. EDM has reported what the cause of death has been listed as. According to EDM, “The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s report listed a thyroid condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. The report also notes that Lockhart died at his home.” Lockhart’s family has made an official statement regarding his death. “After 5 months of testing, the conclusion is that, while Garrett did suffer from depression and anxiety, he did not take his own life. It is our hope that Garrett’s premature death can be used to create and normalize conversations surrounding mental health issues, realizing there may be underlying disease of conditions requiring medical attention.” When Lockhart passed away, an announcement was posted on his official instagram page. The post read, “On Monday, November 23rd, the world lost a beautiful soul, Garrett Falls Lockhart, also known as i_o. This extremely talented spirit taught us that even if nothing matters, you can still lead with love. Garrett’s truth and soul lives on through the music he shared. Rest in peace, Garrett. We love you.” Lockhart’s death was a huge loss to the EDM community as well as his close family and friends. Shortly after his passing, the EDM community held a tribute for the producer and DJ to remember the influence he has had on those around him as well as the influence his music has had on his fans. Source

Raised on Hawaii’s sparsely populated, heavily-forested island of Kauai, it’s only natural that a tropical influence would seep into singer-songwriter Eli Smart’s music. Later in life he spent time a world away, studying at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institution for Performing Arts in the United Kingdom. Together, these two disparate influences meld together into a style he cleverly refers to as “Aloha soul.” He recently released a new EP called Boonie Town, a record that shows off Smart’s ability to meld classic genres like soul, blues and pop with tropicalia influences. The first single from the album is “Highschool Steady,” and we’re premiering a live performance video of the track today. The live cut, just like the studio version, is built around a slick, funky-soul style guitar riff that is drenched in laid-back island vibes. The live cut shows off the fun-loving vibe of Smart and his bandmates, all the while their impressive chops as performers are evident. “I wanted to shoot the live version of this tune in my old room on Kauai (where we shot the music video) so it would have a similar theme and atmosphere to the proper video,” said Smart. “I got all my mates together and we learned the tune in a few takes, they’re all such amazing players! I even got my dad to play Hawaiian lap steel guitar for this version, it glued the live version together in such a beautiful way. The band is Jordan Paul on lemon shaker and backing vocals, Kaniho on bass, Cory Mira on guitar, Kirk Smart on lap steel and Hamster on drums. Shot by Cliff Mello and recorded by Andrew Vastola! The dream team!!” Music has always been a big part of Smart’s upbringing – his grandmother Denise Kaufman was known as Mary Microgram and played guitar in the all-female psych rock band Ace of Cups. That musical heritage runs through to his father, mother and grandfather, all jazz musicians, with Smart saying his mother’s songwriting is a “massive” influence on his own music. Another big influence for Smart was Beleza Tropical, a compilation of Brazilian classics curated by David Byrne and released in 1989. He came across this album while working at the island’s only record shop, Hanalei Strings. The tropicalia influence from that record is evident in his technique on “Highschool Steady.” Source

Singer-songwriter Chris Robley’s new album A Filament In the Wilderness of What Comes Next is the soundtrack of a man reckoning with a country that is (and has been) defined by complicated issues that require nuance just to understand, let alone solve. From current issues like the police murder of Sandra Bland, immigration, and the violence and brutality of unchecked capitalism, as well as historical events like the 1975 evacuation of Saigon, Robley’s background as an award-winning poet gives him the ability to address these issues with empathy and wit. Today we are premiering the latest song from In the Wilderness of What Comes Next, “There’s A Bird,” which balances its serious subject matter with somewhat silly, visually stimulating video directed by his own eight year old daughter. “THIS is what happens when you let an eight-year-old direct a music video,” Robley said. “Stinging eyes and lots of smiles. I get accused of writing depressing songs. It’s true. I’m guilty. So I thought that letting my daughter direct a video for “There’s a Bird” would lend a little… levity. I’m confident she delivered, with extra face-fulls of absurdity.” A major impetus for the making of In the Wilderness of What Comes Next revolves around his realization that his dying father supported the Trump campaign in 2016. This surpised the songwriter, who had known his father to be a lovely, respectful, humble man – all traits that are the antithesis of Donald Trump. Ultimately, Robley finds hope in the future of America, concluding the album with the nine-minute epic “Filament.” Source

English singer Kate Nash shared a new video for her song “Misery,” on May 19, 2021. The video was written, directed and edited by Nash and was produced by Frederik Thaae. The song begins upbeat, with Nash crooning over the chugging of the strings. “Misery is out to get you,” she sings. The beat drops and the claps of percussion drive the song forward into the chorus. As the song continues, the strings drop out and Nash’s vocals take center stage, backed up only by staccato synths. The song finishes with Nash promising, “When you feel like that/I got your back.” “Misery,” despite its morose title, is a dancey and fun track from Nash. The video features Nash in a bright red dress and a veil covering her face, contrasting strongly with the background of white snow and muted evergreens. The video is over-the-top in every sense of the phrase– Nash’s acting and lip syncing is exaggerated, her costumes make her stand out against the snowy landscape, and the effects seem to poke fun at music videos past, layering different clips of Nash over herself, utilizing filters that contrast the clips of Nash, and using slow motion as the song reaches its climax. In addition to her career as a musician, Kate Nash has worked as an actress. She starred as Rhonda Richardson in the Netflix Original GLOW and appeared in several British television shows, including Truth Seekers (2020) and Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (2019). Nash released her first album in 2007, Made of Bricks, which charted at No. 1 in the UK. She’s released three other studio albums, including My Best Friend is You (2010), Girl Talk (2013) and Yesterday Was Forever (2018). Mxdwn author Chloe Jordan reviewed Yesterday Was Forever, “Yesterday Was Forever perhaps references the feelings that Nash’s fanbase feel—that their teen days were forever ago, and how the pain they experienced then felt as if it lasted forever. She achieved what a crowd-funded album should by feeding her fans exactly what they expected. Unfortunately, the album is too indulgent in all the ways. It’s too long, too formulaic, and too reliant on attempting to recreate the past.” Nash has released 22 singles and four EPs, including iTunes Festival: London 2010 (2010), Death Proof (2012), Have Faith With Kate Nash This Christmas (2013) and Agenda (2017). Recently, Nash released a cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and a music video for her song “Body Heat.” Source

Kia has released detailed U.S. specs for the 2022 EV6 electric crossover. The least powerful version has rear-wheel drive and 167 hp, while the performance GT model has all-wheel drive and 576 hp. The standard EV6 models will arrive in the U.S. early in 2022, with the GT arriving in late 2022. When Kia's new 2022 EV6 electric car arrives in the U.S., it will offer an extremely broad lineup including two battery-pack sizes, one- and two-motor configurations, and a ridiculously large horsepower spread. The least powerful EV6 has 167 horsepower while the most powerful GT version has more than three times as much, with 576 hp. The base model has a single electric motor that powers the rear wheels and a 58.0-kWh battery pack. There's also a rear-wheel-drive EV6 with the larger 77.4-kWh battery pack that should offer the longest range of any model. Kia claims that multiple configurations will meet its claim of 300 miles on a charge, but hasn't yet offered specific numbers. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration requires opting for the larger battery pack. Its front and rear electric motors provide a total of 313 horsepower, and Kia claims it gets to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The top-dog EV6 is the GT model, which has the 77.4-kWh battery pack and more powerful front and rear electric motors for a total of 576 hp. Kia says it accelerates to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. The EV6 will be able to charge at DC fast-chargers at up to 350 kilowatts, meaning it can add a claimed 70 miles of range in 5 minutes and go from 10 to 80 percent charge in 18 minutes, Kia says. A First Edition model will be offered in three different color combinations: white with a green interior, yellow with a black interior, and matte grey with a black interior. It will be limited to 1500 units and reservations will open June 3. It has AWD and the larger battery as standard and comes fully loaded with options such as a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, and a premium audio system. We expect the EV6 to start around $45,000 when it reaches U.S. showrooms early in 2022. The GT is likely to cost considerably more, possibly around $55,000. Source

The California DMV confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that it is taking a look at how Tesla talks about its "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) technology. In the fine print, the automaker makes it clear that FSD is not actually fully self-driving. But CEO Elon Musk has said multiple times that self-driving Teslas are just around the corner, with the latest missed deadline the end of 2020. We've said it before, and we'll keep saying it for a while: there are no full self-driving cars available for sale today. There are test programs, sure, but completely autonomous vehicles remain a technology from the future. Auto companies that try to promote their driver-assistance features as "full self driving" could run afoul of regulators. See also: Tesla. The California Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed to the Los Angeles Times this week that it is reviewing Tesla's claims for its "full self-driving" option. Although FSD isn't widely available today, it's been available for pre-purchase for a couple years now. It's currently priced at $10,000 and available on every Tesla. The DMV did not provide any more details about the review, but the Times notes that if the DMV finds Tesla's communications to be misleading, then it could suspend or revoke the company's autonomous driving testing permits, and then, a DMV spokesperson told the Times, "a vehicle operating on public roads using autonomous technology without first obtaining a permit can be removed from the public roadway by a police officer." Tesla's Autopilot adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology is standard on each of its model lines today, while FSD is a stand-alone option. The first major, and widely available, FSD release, which Tesla calls "Autosteer on city streets," is supposed to be released later this year. However, in the meantime, those who opt to pay for the future download now get a few extra features in the meantime, including automatic lane changes on the highway, automatically slowing for stop signs and traffic lights, Summon, and auto park. The fine print does make it clear that Autopilot "require active driver supervision and [does] not make the vehicle autonomous," but that disclaimer can be found on the order page, not where Tesla describes the technology on its model pages. Tesla's FSD hype has already landed the company in legal trouble. In July 2020, a German court ruled that the automaker misled consumers about its vehicles' automated driving abilities, and banned Tesla from using the words "full potential for autonomous driving" and "Autopilot inclusive" in its ads. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made multiple bold statements about his vehicles' autonomous driving technology. Last July, for example, he claimed fully autonomous technology would be ready by the end of 2020. "I'm extremely confident that Level 5 or essentially complete autonomy will happen, and I think it will happen very quickly," he said at the time. "I think at Tesla, I feel like we are very close to Level 5 autonomy. I think I remain confident that we will have the basic functionality for Level 5 autonomy complete this year." Musk has not commented or tweeted about the California DMV situation. According to documents obtained by PlainSite, Tesla privately told the California DMV late last year that FSD is not actually a fully autonomous technology. There have already been a number of crashes involving Teslas where there were questions about whether the drivers thought the car was able to drive itself. There have also been cases where drivers specifically attempted to defeat the vehicle's modest safety features, which are supposed to only keep working with an attentive driver in the driver's seat. Currently, the DMV considers Tesla Autopilot to be a Level 2 driver-assist technology, the Times notes. There are many other Level 2 driver-assistance technologies on the market, and the automakers selling these vehicles do not describe the technology as fully autonomous. Source

Radford has confirmed that its first sports car will be a mid-engined coupe directly inspired by the Type 62 racing car that Lotus developed in the sixties, with the model name signifying the run total for the model. Developed by a three-man team featuring Jenson Button, the 2021 car – dubbed Project 62 for now – will be a two-seater “endowed with luxurious appointments befitting a high end bespoke coachmaker”, as well as athletic handling ensured by a partnership with Lotus Engineering, which will see the British firm co-develop the underpinnings. As we've reported before, 2009 F1 champ Button will be tasked with deciding the car’s final setup, with mechanic Ant Anstead and designer Mark Stubbs contributing to the engineering and styling, respectively. Now though, the influence of the original Lotus Type 62 is clear, evidenced by pictures of Button driving the motorsport-derived sixties model to learn about its character and capabilities – and ensure they’re mirrored in the new, much plusher 21st century model. The design of which, just to confirm, is yet to be revealed. The pictures here are of the original Lotus. You’d be forgiven for not being familiar with the Type 62’s story as it was short enough, with the model born as a testbed for Lotus’s ‘907’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the late sixties. Just two prototypes were made, using a spaceframe chassis design and F1-derived suspension, with the 240hp mid-mounted motor powering the rear wheels. Lotus actually entered one of the prototypes into competition and it won in class at its first event, the 1969 BOAC 500, which took place at Brands Hatch and featured Porsche 908s and Ford GTs at the head of the field. “For me, a key purpose of Radford is to celebrate iconic automotive moments by bringing them back to life for a new, modern audience. Our first car, Project 62 embodies that ethos to a tee,” said Button. “With the dynamic development of our car already well underway, we are working hard to ensure we do this car justice, and I can't wait to put it through its paces on the Radford Track before inviting today’s Project 62 owners to come and do the same.” Radford's business case is to make low-run luxury commissions “true to timeless designs”, with the Type 62-inspired model its first offering. No doubt it's Button's involvement and the promise of Lotus handling that prompted the initial interest in build slots - according to the firm itself - although no pricing has been revealed yet. And we've little indication as to what the car looks like when not presented as a teaser image. Petrol power seems almost inevitable (albeit not guaranteed) given the promise of raw driving performance and the lip service paid to its inspiration. One thing is for sure, with an engine in the correct location and Lotus Engineering pulling the levers, the car will likely deliver in the chassis department. And in the final year of the 25-year-old Elise, we certainly won't begrudge another example of its handiwork. Source

Retro themed EVs are nothing new these days - just look at the Honda e. But we haven't seen many manufacturer-commissioned electric restomods, tremendously costly Astons and Jaguars notwithstanding. This latest Opel concept might be the first of its kind, then, bringing back the much-loved Manta coupe for the 21st century and the electrification of motoring. At the moment it's just a one-off to celebrate half a century of the name. However, there's enough of this Manta that looks and sounds production-ready to be encouraged about its future viability. It doesn't have 2,000hp, gullwing doors or a claimed 600 miles of range; everything is quite modest, realistic and eminently achievable for small, smart, urban coupe. Take the way it looks; obviously the ElektroMOD pays homage to the original with touches like the 'Manta' badges, circular rear lights and Ronal wheels. It's sufficiently modern, too, with the Pixel-Vizor front end, LED running lights and digital interior with a Pure Panel of displays. But none of it seems far-fetched, even for a concept. It just looks like a nicely executed, modern reinterpretation of the small, rear-drive coupe. As for power, the new Manta uses a 31kWh battery (the new Mokka-e uses a 50kWh, the Honda e is 35.5), which supplies just enough energy for 147hp and 166lb ft. No crazy output concepts here! The range is estimated at 200km, or 124 miles, comparable to the new Mazda MX-30. Regenerative braking helps sustain that, and a 9kW onboard charger means a full rejuice would take less than four hours. All sounding quite normal, isn't it? What's less normal is the presence of a gearlever. Vauxhall hasn't supplied any detail on how the four-speed manual actually works in the context of the car's presumably quite straightforward EV drivetrain, but given a lack of involvement is one of the main EV gripes, any concessions to actual driving are surely to be welcomed. Note the Petri three-spoke wheel, too, just like an original. With so much potential, then, it's frustrating that Vauxhall and Opel are apparently nonplussed by the production viability of the Manta GSe ElektroMOD. Beyond confirming its one-off special status, the makers have only pledged to offer electrified variants across their ranges by 2024. But how better to launch into a brave new era than with an attention-grabbing coupe? Certainly, it's more credible than yet another SUV. The level of detail that's gone into this concept would suggest Opel has invested no little love into it. We live in hope... Source

- Nume: .DjC. - Rang: Network Anchor (4) - Data săvârşirii emisiunii/concursului: 19.05.2021 - Tipul emisiunii/concursului: Contest with the subject of Math - Numele celor care au participat la emisiune/concurs: [SoA]AJstylesAM | IAWY[ZEW] | [RW]Noah_Maslinar | [TLG]Clau[D]iu | [SoA]dotzo - Dovada (screenshot) pentru tipul concursului/emisiunii [/l]: https://imgur.com/c0cXyPi - Dovada (screenshot) cu [/livemembers]: https://imgur.com/a/xxYVOhD - Alte precizări: Aku-ule

Rock duo Death From Above 1979 debuted a blistering single “Free Animal,” back in March, which was featured on the group’s latest studio album Is 4 Lovers. The groovy indie rock song left plenty of room for reinterpretation, and the duo has now dropped two new remixes of the track by ROMES and JFK MSTRKRFT + Shelley Johannson, respectively. The single followed the release of “One+One” which came out in February. The ROMES remix of “Free Animal” opens up with a bombastic electronic beat, with a dark synth line grooving through the song’s bridge before dropping off into a glitchy version of the track’s chorus. While the track has a slight dance punk feel, its overall vibe hosts a stadium feel that would be at home at a major festival. In contrast, JFK MSTRKRFT + Shelley Johannson’s version of the song is more dance-oriented; hosting some techno-rock flairs that would make the late Andy Weatherall proud. The song later descends into pure rave-inspired bliss, with infectious synth chords and a pounding beat charging through the track, while its dark vocal samples provide an eerie backdrop. This vibe fits into the Is 4 Lovers‘ vibe, which features a plethora of electronic dance influences. “Blending blown-out synths, wide, abysmal bass and intricate, pinpointed percussion, Is 4 Lovers functions in the perfect median of propulsive garage-pop gusto and intelligent EDM ornamentation—at once compressed and explosive, glossy and grainy, wide and arrowed. It’s their most novel yet,” mxdwn reviewer Logan Blake explained. Source

Heavy metal outfit The Devil Wears Prada has released a new single called “Nightfall,” the opening track for their upcoming EP ZII, out on May 21 via Solid State Records. This track was performed on the band’s latest live stream in support of the EP, which occurred on Saturday, May 15. “Nightfall” is an aggressive metal track, with harsh vocals that jump alongside the riotous drum pounds and blistering guitar riffs that lead its main instrumental. During the song’s down section, The Devil Wears Prada’s vocalist Mike Hranica releases dark, unholy growls that fit perfectly well with the track’s riffs. “Sonically, I think ‘Nightfall‘ is a celebration of what the band did for a long while,” Hranica explained. “I remember that it’s the first song I completed vocally and I know that it’s straightforward — very much straightforward. Lyrically, an atmosphere is created concerning the attack rather than the anatomic details of the undead themselves. It’s a thumper with no introduction to kick off the EP.” The upcoming ZII record serves as a continuation of The Devil Wears Prada’s massively influential Zombie EP, which saw them explore heavier sounds. This EP was the subject of an entire live stream last fall, where the group performed the record in its entirety alongside the Space EP. Back in 2019 The Devil Wears Prada released The Act, was supported by the hit single “Chemical.” Although originally labelled as a Christian metal act, the band has found success outside of the scene, with their music reaching metal and independent charts. Source

Motion City Soundtrack has announced a slew of winter tour dates, which are set to kick off next January at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The tour will wrap up in Los Angeles, California and see the group hit cities such as New York City, Austin, Detroit, Chicago and Atlanta. Its been some time since Motion City Soundtrack released music, as their latest studio album Panic Stations came out in 2015. The record saw the band refine their style of pop punk, while also hosting an energetic sound that pleased the band’s diehard fans. Although the group has been relatively quiet during the COVID-19 pandemic, the band’s frontman Justin Courtney Pierre released the solo album An Anthropologist On Mars last year. “Closer ‘Days Will Run Away’ is by far the high water mark of Panic Stations, not least of all because it’s the only track that has any dynamic range to speak of,” mxdwn reviewer Conor Fagan explained. “It’s one of those slow burning punk dirges with a giant climax that anyone who’s ever listened to rock music will be able to see coming a million miles away, but it’s still a refreshing break from Motion City Soundtrack’s monotonous pop punk format.” Originally formed in Minneapolis back in 1997, Motion City Soundtrack quickly made a name for themselves in the pop-punk scene for utilizing moog synthesizers within their music. After the release of An Anthropologist on Mars, Motion City Soundtrack embarked on a tour followed by a several-year hiatus. Tour Dates 1/01 Milwaukee, Wi – The Rave 1/02 Cincinnati, Oh – Bogart’s 1/04 Cleveland, Oh – House Of Blues 1/05 Indianapolis, In – Egyptian Room At Old National Centre 1/07 Detroit, Mi – The Fillmore Detroit 1/08 Buffalo, Ny – Town Ballroom 1/09 Pittsburgh, Pa – Tbd 1/11 Philadelphia, Pa – The Fillmore 1/12 Silver Spring, Md – The Fillmore Silver Spring 1/14 Boston, Ma – House Of Blues 1/15 Sayreville, Nj – Starland Ballroom 1/16 New York, Ny – Terminal 5 1/18 Charlotte, Nc – The Fillmore Charlotte 1/20 Orlando, Fl – House Of Blues 1/21 Atlanta, Ga – Buckhead Theatre 1/22 Nashville, Tn – Marathon Music Works 1/24 St. Louis, Mo – The Pageant 1/25 Lawrence, Ks – Granada Theater 2/08 Austin, Tx – Emo’s 2/09 Dallas, Tx – House Of Blues 2/11 Denver, Co – Summit Music Hall 2/12 Salt Lake City, Ut – The Depot 2/14 Seattle, Wa – Neptune Theatre 2/15 Portland, Or – Crystal Ballroom 2/17 Sacramento, Ca – Ace Of Spades 2/18 Berkeley, Ca – The UC Theatre 2/19 San Diego, Ca – House Of Blues San Diego 2/20 Anaheim, Ca – House Of Blues 2/22 Phoenix, Az – The Van Buren 2/23 Los Angeles, Ca – Belasco Theater Source

Legendary Britpop outfit Oasis will be the subject of a new concert documentary focused on their 1996 performance at the Knebworth Festival in England, where they performed to a group of 250,000 people. This project is being produced by RSA Films, with Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher serving as the project’s executive producers. The film will be directed by Jake Scott, who has done numerous videos for the band and other prominent groups such as R.E.M, U2, The Verve and The Rolling Stones. Oasis’ performance at the festival followed the release of their sophomore effort (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, which is considered a landmark record of the Britpop movement. Although the record originally received lukewarm reviews, it was a hit with audiences and created a lot of anticipation for the band’s follow-up Be Here Now, released a year after the 1996 Knebworth Festival. “It’s a story driven entirely by the music, a rock and roll experience, told in the moment, like a visual stream of consciousness that is built around the extensive archive footage from the event. No on-camera interviews or unnecessary celebrity recollections,” Scott explained in a press release. Oasis famously split up in 2009, following years of tension between the Gallagher brothers who were the main face of the band. Noel Gallagher recently admitted that he wish he played the event that preceded to the group’s break-up, and shared a previously unreleased Oasis song called “Don’t Stop” last year. Liam Gallagher held a live stream titled Down By The River Thames last December. Source

Square Enix revealed during its Final Fantasy XIV Digital Fan Festival livestream event on Saturday that the Endwalker (Gyōgetsu no Finale) expansion for its Final Fantasy XIV MMORPG will release on November 23. Pre-ordering the expansion will give players early access to it on November 19. The company streamed full trailers for the expansion. English Version Japanese Version The expansion will introduce the new Reaper job class. Square Enix streamed a trailer for the new job class. The expansion will introduce the male version of the Viera race in its update patch 6.0. The Viera race originally launched with the game's third expansion, Shadowbringers, in July 2019. The company also announced that it will launch a female version of the Hrothgar race at a later date. The expansion will introduce six new areas and dungeons within the game. The game will have a new data center in Oceania that will become available before the patch 6.1. Square Enix delayed the launch of the data center because of travel restrictions due to COVID-19. The open beta for the PlayStation 5 version of the game launched worldwide on April 13. The PS5 version will officially launch with the game's patch 5.55 on May 25. Endwalker, the game's fourth expansion, will feature the new job Sage (healer), as well as Reaper (melee DPS). Square Enix describes the story of the expansion: Endwalker features the climax of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark story, in which Warriors of Light will encounter an even greater calamity than ever before as they travel to the far reaches of Hydaelyn and even to the moon. In addition to bringing the long-running story arc that began with A Realm Reborn™ to its conclusion, Endwalker will mark a new beginning for the beloved MMO, setting the stage for new adventures that longtime fans and new players can enjoy together. The new expansion will include a level cap increase from 80 to 90, new dungeons, a new high-difficulty raid, new "small-scale PvP content," new areas, a new beast tribe, new gear and crafting recipes, a new residential district, and more. Game director Naoki Yoshida had stated the new expansion's release was delayed by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Square Enix released Final Fantasy XIV Online for personal computers in September 2010. After criticism from fans, the company revealed an updated version of the game titled Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn that added a new world and story. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn launched on Windows PC and PS3 in August 2013, and then on PS4 in April 2014. The game's companion app for iOS and Android launched in August 2019. Square Enix released the first expansion for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, titled Heavensward, in June 2015. The second expansion, Stormblood, launched in June 2017. The game has surpassed 20 million registered users worldwide. The Final Fantasy XIV Dad of Light live-action television miniseries debuted on Netflix in the United States in September 2017. The original source material also inspired a live-action film remake with a new cast that opened in June 2019. The game is also inspiring a live-action series at Sony Pictures Television and Hivemind. Source

The PS5 doesn't have a dedicated, automatic system for upgrading PS4 games to the current generation like Xbox does with Smart Delivery, but it does still support upgrades on a whole bunch of PlayStation games. Many of these upgrades are completely free, requiring you to only claim the digital PS5 version from the PlayStation Store, while a few others have a small fee or another stipulation. We've rounded them all up below to help make it easier to choose what you take with you from PS4 to PS5, and included dates for some of the biggest upcoming updates. Additionally, we've also provided a list of games that support the Game Boost feature on PS5, which provides enhancements to PS4 games without completely upgrading them to PS5-native software. Games with free PS5 upgrades Assassin's Creed Valhalla Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & Secret Fairy Balan Wonderworld Borderlands 3 Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead Bugsnax Concept Destruction Control (only for Ultimate Edition) Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time Crimsonland Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5 version releasing late 2021) Cyber Shadow Dead by Daylight Destiny 2 Dirt 5 Disco Elysium: The Final Cut Dreaming Sarah Final Fantasy XIV (May 25) Freddy Spaghetti Hitman 3 Immortals Fenyx Rising Just Dance 2021 (physical version) Jydge King Oddball Maneater Marvel's Avengers Mortal Kombat 11 Nioh 2 No Man's Sky Outriders Override 2: Super Mech League Planet Coaster Poker Club Praey For The Gods Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Resident Evil Village Ruinverse Sackboy: A Big Adventure Shakedown: Hawaii Spider-Man: Miles Morales Subnautica Subnautica: Below Zero Terminator: Resistance Enhanced Tesla Force The Elder Scrolls Online (June) The Pathless The Persistence (June 5) Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Undead Horde Watch Dogs: Legion Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood Wreckfest (June 1) WRC 9 Yakuza: Like a Dragon Games with paid PS5 upgrades not exceeding $10 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War ($10) PS4 games with Game Boost or other upgrades on PS5 Blood & Truth Days Gone Firewall: Zero Hour Ghost of Tsushima God of War Ratchet & Clank Rocket League Shadow of the Colossus Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Tom Clancy's The Division 2 Zombie Army 4: Dead War Source

Kia's flagship sedan, the K9, has been updated with a new design. The K9 was sold as the K900 in the U.S. until Kia recently canceled it for our market. We don't expect the K9 to return to our shores anytime soon. Although it was recently dropped from Kia’s U.S. lineup, the K900 luxury sedan continues on in Kia’s home market of Korea. Called the K9 there, it’s now the beneficiary of a comprehensive update that brings a new look and presumably an upgraded interior. Kia has only shared photos of the exterior so far, and the new K9 has a classier look that’s somewhat reminiscent of the related G90 sedan from Hyundai's Genesis luxury brand. The new front grille is imposing, and the updates at the rear include an interesting new taillight treatment with a full-width light bar that goes across the trunklid. The K900 offered a single powertrain in the U.S., a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Other engines are available globally, including a 5.0-liter V-8 and a naturally aspirated version of the V-6, but Kia has yet to release detailed specs for the updated version. We don't think the K9 will make its return to the U.S. market, as sales were slow here and the Genesis division has taken over as Hyundai-Kia's luxury marque of record. But we can still admire Kia's large-sedan lineup from afar, as both the K9 and the slightly smaller K8 are introducing some interesting designs to the lineup that may eventually propagate to other Kia models that will be sold on our shores. Source