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  1. If I was the taliban I would get all my young men to join the army for the last 5 years. Imagine 300,000 men getting a salary for the last 5 years and know all the army secrets. Then now just stand there and let their taliban brothers walk in and take all the big cities!
  2. They should try doing the same survey in Japan. Confirm not so boring. Disclaimer: Not Tiko Thread. For serious discussion only. https://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/plane-cab-american-sex-fantasies-revealed-105943047.html Most Americans aren't as daring as their fantasies, reveal the results of a survey by condom brand Durex, but "sexploration" is thriving, most notibly in transport. In celebration of National Orgasm Day, which took place Thursday in the US, Durex released the results of a survey on Americans' fantasy-versus-reality orgasm experiences, involving 1,000 participants over age 21. Cliché sex fantasies involving beaches and movie theaters abound, although notable was that while only 23 percent of participants fantasized about having an orgasm in a car, 36 percent said they'd found themselves in that situation. The library was the setting of orgasm fantasies for 15 percent of participants, although "sex in the stacks," as it is referred to by college students, has become a legend in campus culture. Putting the airplane cliché to rest, 30 percent of respondents said they fantasized about having an orgasm in a plane, yet only five percent admitted to being members of the Mile High Club. Other locales revealed to be highly idealized by thrill seekers include clothing store fitting rooms, where 22 percent of participants admitted to fantasizing about having an orgasm, while 28 percent said they would prefer it in the office and 20 percent fantasized about having sex on a roof or balcony. However, only five percent of participants could boast of having realized their roof or balcony fantasies. Other notable results included the back of a cab, where 16 percent fantasize about having an orgasm, while 10 percent fantasize about the subway and only two percent have actually lived it. Seven percent fantasize about orgasms in church. Eight percent fantasize about orgasms in a cemetery, but only three percent have realized the fantasy. It is illegal to have sex in public areas in the US, although Durex executives created the survey to encourage partner communication, for 93 percent of those surveyed said a trusted partner makes for more intense orgasms. Survey respondents said they found the home a perfectly galvanizing place for "sexploration," with 54 percent of respondents saying they enjoy sex in the shower and 35 percent admitting to sex in the kitchen.
  3. Anyone planning to return to China, India, Malaysia ?
  4. Tesla Announces Plans For Workers To Build Cars At Home Due To Coronavirus Concerns Not to be outdone by the Big Three that announced comprehensive work-from-home plans for their employees, Tesla announced today a similar set of plans, but also ones that went much further, permitting workers to build Tesla cars in their own homes. The idea was said to have come directly from Elon Musk, according to Musk’s personal secretary Cassandra Clearlyfakeperson. Tesla PR representative Eugene McNotreal provided Jalopnik with a copy of the instructions given to employees, which is both entirely fictional and contains some highly progressive mandates for keeping operations going during the COVID-19 threat: “Employees that have large-scale metal stamping presses at their homes will be asked to take home several rolls of sheet aluminum so that they may stamp hoods and doors,” “Workers with backyard forges may be asked to order steel ingots from suppliers to cast into suspension arms and motor mounting assemblies,” The document goes on to provide download links to CAD files and other engineering documentation. Virtual rooms in the online messaging system Slack have been established for employees to co-ordinate assembly work, and provide a way for employees to coordinate sending partially-completed cars to other employees homes to continue work. Tesla has a special email address set up so when a worker finishes a car, they can request the car be picked up from their home and taken to other employee’s homes for quality control and testing. Fictional Tesla spokespeople pointed to Tesla’s extensive experience building cars in tents as proof that they’re more than prepared to let workers handle putting together Model 3s, Ses, and Xes in their living rooms and backyards. OK, before anyone started forwarding this, this isn't real, PLEASE.
  5. 2020 GMC Acadiahttps://www.edmunds.com/gmc/acadia/2020/ 2020 GMC Acadia First Look The Acadia Is Finally the SUV It Should Have Been at LaunchWhen GMC redesigned the Acadia a few years ago, it made a host of improvements to quality, comfort and technology. Unfortunately, the new Acadia retained the old six-speed automatic transmission, which hurt acceleration and fuel economy, and it came standard with a somewhat overmatched four-cylinder engine. The Acadia's fraternal twin, the Chevrolet Traverse, launched with a nine-speed automatic and the GMC's optional V6 as the standard powertrain. Coupled with the fact that it's larger and it offers more interior space, the Traverse seemed like the default choice for a midsize three-row SUV from General Motors. In the years since, the GMC folks have come up with a few solutions that debut on the refreshed 2020 GMC Acadia. With a new look, better powertrain options, technology upgrades, and even an off-road-themed trim, the Acadia finally has an identity all its own. Playing Catch-UpThe outgoing six-speed automatic got the job done, but we like the new nine-speed unit for 2020, and there's no denying that it offers an advantage in terms of fuel economy. Although the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (193 horsepower, 188 pound-feet of torque) remains the entry-level Acadia engine, higher trims now come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (230 hp, 258 lb-ft) that's much more capable. Notably, the stout V6 engine (310 hp, 271 lb-ft) is still an option for buyers so inclined. At a glance, it looks like GMC is simply bringing the Acadia in line with the Traverse, but take a closer look and you'll see that what it has actually done is differentiate it even more. Identity Crisis No MoreThe Traverse only offers its turbo motor in the "sporty" RS trim, where the engine is tuned to make more torque than the V6. GMC has opted for a different application of the engine, slotting it into a logical place in the Acadia lineup and making for a logical trim-level breakdown. For 2020, the SLT and Denali trims will both come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 230 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This lineup offers a sensible progression and adds value for shoppers at every trim level. It also distinguishes the Acadia's value proposition from the Traverse, making it feel more like a unique product offering. The more aggressive exterior design only helps on that front. The squared-off headlights and big grille are welcome changes for 2020, making the Acadia look more like a GMC truck. We're fans of the tougher appearance, and we're glad to see GMC separating itself and establishing a strong identity. AT4 EverSpeaking of tough, GMC has added an AT4 trim to the 2020 Acadia. With some added cladding and dark accents on the outside, the Acadia AT4 certainly looks the part. While AT4 is meant to be GMC's "off-road" sub-brand, the Acadia AT4 doesn't get any unique trail-busting features. However, it does come standard with AWD and the V6 engine, and it will slot in between the SLT and top-tier Denali trim. That should mean you'll get more power and AWD for less money than the Denali, provided you're willing to forgo some of the Denali's additional luxuries. Add in the styling elements and we think the AT4 makes for an attractive package. Upgrades and UpdatesBeyond the exterior refresh and powertrain improvements, the 2020 Acadia gets some new technology. The 8-inch touchscreen receives a software update, granting the ability to save drivers' preferences into unique profiles. There are also upgrades to the satellite nav and the inclusion of two USB-C ports. Wireless charging is now available, and the high-definition camera that's standard on higher trims has been updated for better image quality. GMC also reports a redesigned center console that allows for more storage space and some suspension fiddling to improve ride quality. Pricing and Release DateGMC has been smart with the 2020 Acadia, and we think shoppers will take note, especially with regard to the improved value proposition from the SLT trim on up. The official MSRP range hasn't been released, but we don't expect it to deviate much from the existing pricing structure. The 2020 GMC Acadia should hit dealerships this fall.
  6. The 2020 Ford Explorer and a New Truck Will Debut Before the New Ford Bronco: Report https://jalopnik.com/the-2020-ford-explorer-and-a-new-truck-will-debut-befor-1831206305 As thirsty as we all are to finally see a new Ford Bronco, an allegedly leaked product plan suggests that we’ll have to wait until we get through reveals of the 2020 Ford Explorer and likely a refreshed Ford F-150 first. The supposed product plan was seen by the folks over at OffRoad.com, and apparently it outlined a plan to reveal the 2020 Ford Explorer, which we’ve already kind of seen, and a new F-Series which is likely a refreshed F-150 before we can get to the goods. The Explorer will drop at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, and OffRoad speculates that the new F-Series “full-size pickup” will follow sometime in the second half of 2019. The new F-Series will also probably introduce a hybrid pickup, which will be, well, something. But just don’t count on too many surprises for the Big Bronco any time soon, unless something leaks. The Baby Bronco already leaked (also through OffRoad.com), but evidently there was no mention of it in this newly seen product plan. Considering Ford’s already issued a fairly revealing teaser of the Baby Bronco, that could also show up in Detroit, or New York show a few months later, or even Los Angeles much later. Now, Ford has already promised everybody that the new Bronco is coming in 2020, but it’s not clear if that means it’ll be a 2020 model year revealed in 2019, or a 2021 model year revealed in 2020. Model years are stupid that way.
  7. Pickup trucks in America are one of the popular choices in the American car industry. Not just American car makers, Japanese like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda has also entered this market segment, without or with failures. Even continental brands like Mercedes Benz is trying to enter this market with it's new X calss, which has not been introduced in the North American market yet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickup_truck Once a work tool with few creature comforts, in the 1950s consumers began purchasing pickups for lifestyle reasons and by the 1990s less than 15 percent of owners reported use in work as the pickup truck's primary purpose.Today in North America, the pickup is mostly used like a passenger car and accounts for about 18 per cent of total vehicles sold in the US. While in the United States and Canada most pickup trucks are used primarily for passenger transport, agriculture, and commercial uses, pickups are also used in law enforcement, the military, fire services, and for pickup truck racing, a form of auto racing using modified versions of pickups mostly onoval tracks. Race pickup trucks are mechanically similar to coupé-shaped stock cars. More reads: https://www.americantrucks.com/a-history-of-the-classic-pickup-truck.html The recent Detriot Auto Show has show cased some of the new models for 2018/19. Let's look at them in the following posts.
  8. Vandal One Is An American Track Car With 560HP Civic Type R Enginehttps://www.carscoops.com/2019/02/vandal-one-american-track-car-560-horses-civic-type-r-power/ The British may be the masters of building lightweight and exceptionally quick track cars, but U.S. firm Vandal wants in on this action – This being their first model, dubbed Vandal One. Underpinning the Vandal One is a carbon fiber monocoque chassis that’s adorned with body panels also made exclusively from carbon fiber. All up, the track car weighs a mere 1,224 lbs (555 kg) and will be sold with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine of the current Honda Civic Type R. This engine typically delivers 306 hp, yet Vandal has managed to bump that up to 340 hp in entry-level guise. For those that want even more grunt, Vandal will sell an upgrade package that increases grunt to 560 horses. As if that wasn’t enough, Vandal says this version of the Civic Type R engine will rev to 9,000 rpm despite the use of forced induction. Unlike the Civic Type R, the Vandal One will be sold exclusively with a six-speed sequential transmission supplied by Sadev. The Vandal One has all the right ingredients to be an absolute ball. Don’t for a second think that Vandal has simply slapped a Honda engine into a carbon chassis, however. The small Detroit company has also developed pushrod front and rear suspension for the sports car that uses JRi adjustable dampers and sway bars. The vehicle’s spring rate can also be customized, while various drive modes adjust the ride height from five inches above the road to just two inches. Each and every Vandal One built will also come complete with a telemetry system which allows for real-time monitoring of vehicle data from the pit lane, while the driver is putting in fast laps. Vandal will sell the base 340 hp One for $119,700 but has yet to release pricing for the more powerful versions. Pre-orders with a $1,000 deposit will open later this year.
  9. 2019 Cadillac CT6 V-Sport revealed with all-new twin-turbo V8 http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2018/03/26/2019-cadillac-ct6-v-sport-revealed-with-all-new-twin-turbo-v8.html Cadillac is turning its flagship sedan into a speedboat. The 2019 CT6 V-Sport debuting at the New York International Auto Show is a high-performance version of the full-size four-door, and introduces an all-new engine to the brand’s lineup. The 4.2-liter turbocharged V8 is Cadillac’s first of the type. The very modern motor features a “hot-V” design that sends the exhaust through twin turbochargers stuffed in-between the cylinder banks. This creates a compact package and helps reduce turbo-lag, courtesy of the shorter distance that the exhaust needs to travel before it hits the turbos. Cadillac says the engine produces 550 hp and 627 lb-ft, while a detuned version be offered in non-V-Sport models with 500 hp and 553 lb-ft. Both are matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy ratings have not been revealed, but the engine is equipped with a stop-start feature that turns it off when the vehicle isn’t in motion. The CT6 V-Sport also features a louder exhaust than other models, a performance-oriented suspension and all-wheel-drive system, summer tires, Brembo brakes and subtly aggressive bodywork. The entire CT6 range is getting a mild styling refresh and updated controls for the infotainment system, with more auxiliary buttons and a knob controller to go along with its touchscreen interface. One thing the V-Sport is not getting is Cadillac’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving aid, which allows for hands-free driving on the highway. The feature is offered on other CT6 models, but not currently destined for what's very much a human driver's version. The CT6 will continue to be built at GM’s Hamtramck, Mich., factory, but the origin of the new V8 is intriguing. It will be hand-assembled at GM’s Performance Build Center, which is located in the Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky where the Chevrolet Corvette is made.
  10. Lincoln's New Nautilus Finally Includes Properly Modern Technology https://www.carthrottle.com/post/lincolns-new-nautilus-finally-includes-properly-modern-technology/ Lincoln is a brand that you wouldn't often associate with the latest and greatest in-car technology, but the new Nautilus finally gives younger buyers something to look at The new Lincoln Nautilus has arrived, with brand new, innovative and amazing technology that absolutely hasn’t been offered on loads of other, cheaper cars for ages. Honest. Lincoln would like you to believe that lane-centring tech is new and exciting, gently nudging the new Nautilus’ steering wheel to keep the car, as the name suggests, in the centre of its lane. No one mention all the compact hatchbacks and affordable saloons that have had this for years… n the new mid-size SUV it pairs with adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a complete halt and set off again in traffic. If the car in front hits the anchors and there’s not enough space to pull up, the lane-keeping tech can also help you attempt to swerve around it. More sensors check your blind spots, for pedestrians and will even trigger automatic brake hold in traffic, so drivers don’t need to sit with their foot on the brake. Quelle horreur. While it isn’t Lincoln’s fault, is it just us or is car design becoming driven by consumer laziness? Anyway, back to the point. The Nautilus, which is named after (take your pick) a mollusc, a series of naval vessels or a 1982 Atari video game, is powered by one of a pair of turbocharged petrol engines. The cheaper entry point is a 2.0-litre four-pot with 245bhp, but the more American option is the 335bhp, 380lb ft 2.7-litre blown V6. Neat tricks up the car’s sleeve, most of which have been seen elsewhere already, include ‘embrace’ lighting when the key-holder approaches the car, seats with 11 channels of two-way adjustment, giving you hours, days and weeks of enjoyment and/or frustration as you try to get the damn chair just how you want it. The backrest will massage your cares away, and on high-spec models you can access heating and cooling. The instruments are now fully digital, using a 12.3-inch screen akin to those that have been used on premium German motors for a few years. The gear shift is a push-button affair, there’s a hidden wireless charging pad and, of course, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. As a bizarre footnote, Nautilus buyers will also be given a six-month membership to the CLEAR scheme, allowing them to “speed through security at participating airports and major arenas nationwide.” While Lincoln cars are not available in Singapore, good to know these cars for interest.
  11. 2020 Jeep Gladiator leaks online ahead of LA Auto Show debut https://www.autoblog.com/2018/11/14/jeep-gladiator-pickup-truck-leak/ This is it! At least, we think this is it. According to a posting on JeepGladiatorForum.com, these images and texts for the 2020 Jeep Gladiator pickup truck were briefly posted on Fiat Chrysler's media site, and at least one enterprising individual managed to snag them before they were taken down. And, while everything is pretty much as we (and everyone else) have been expecting, it's also extremely big news and confirms some important information. According to the leaked document, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator will come standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that can be mated to an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. We'd wager it'll offer the same 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque as in other Wranglerapplications. Bigger news is the optional 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. If it's in the same state of tune as it is in the Grand Cherokee, the Gladiator's dieselwill spin out 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Gladiator's spec sheet lists its max tow rating at 7,600 pounds (probably with the diesel engine) and payload at 1,600 pounds. Two four-wheel-drive systems will be available, and beefy Dana 44 axles joined with electronic lockers front and rear should make the Gladiator a well-sorted off-road machine. Other noteworthy bits include an electronic swaybar disconnect and 33-inch tires. One thing that the Jeep Gladiator will offer that no competitor can match is its open-air capability. We'd expect a soft top to be standard, and this document says two hard tops will also be offered. A five-foot bed offers practicality, and a fold-down windshield ought to please the purists. As for style, well, it's clearly a Jeep. And we mean that in a good way. See for yourself in the image gallery up above.
  12. SSC Tuatara revealed at Pebble Beach with 300 mph target https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ssc-tuatara-revealed-pebble-beach-074002333.html After years of waiting, it's finally here. [uPDATE] SSC North America has contacted us to share a press release (attached at the end). The company says it's ready to start production of the Tuatara and is currently accepting orders, with only 100 cars to be made. These will be assembled at a new factory located at home in West Richland, Washington. The only information released about the hypercar's performance is its ability to exceed 300 mph. SSC has "full confidence" it will hit that mark. The heart of the hypercar in detail Formerly known as Shelby SuperCars, SSC North America has introduced this weekend at Pebble Beach the final version of its Tuatara hypercar, some seven years after presenting the concept. A press release hasn’t been issued yet, but all the juicy specs have been published on the company’s website from where we were able to source the adjacent images. Without further ado, the twin-turbo 5.9-litre V8 produces 1,350 bhp when feeding on premium unleaded and as much as 1,750 bhp on flex fuel. The mid-mounted engine – which has a redline of 8,800 rpm - weighs 194 kilograms and sends its output to the rear wheels through a seven-speed “computerised manual” gearbox featuring “robotic shift system.” The high-performance coupe has a dry weight of just 1,247 kg and an aerodynamically optimised body with a drag coefficient of just 0.279. To achieve that remarkably low weight, SSC used carbon fibre not just for the body and chassis, but even the wheels are made from carbon fibre. The 20-inch set comes wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres measuring 245/35 at the front axle and 345/25 for the rear wheels. Named after a lizard-like reptile originating from New Zealand, The production-ready Tuatara is 4.42 metres long and comes with a wheelbase stretching at 2.67 metres. According to the specs sheet, the hypercar is 2 metres wide and just 1.1 metres tall. Details about performance are not available at the moment of writing, but we’re expecting it to be one of the fastest production cars ever made considering the high power, low weight, and extreme aero setup. It remains to be seen whether it will try and claim the record for the fastest street-legal car, which currently belongs to Koenigsegg and its 277.87-mph Agera RS.
  13. This beast is the 797bhp Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeyehttps://www.topgear.com/car-news/usa/beast-797bhp-dodge-challenger-hellcat-redeye Good news, fans of gratuitously powerful under-tyred muscle cars. Dodge has updated the Challenger Hellcat for 2019, and introduced a new model that borrows bits of engine from the certifiable Demon. This is the Redeye. No, it doesn’t have glaucoma. What it has is the Demon’s the 2.7-litre belt-driven supercharger (the largest fitted to any production car), twin dual-stage fuel pumps, strengthened pistons and connecting rods among other things. Thanks to those modifications, the Hellcat Redeye’s 6.2-litre V8 produces 797bhp – 90 more than a regular Hellcat did when it came out in 2014/15. Torque is up by 57lb ft to an entirely appropriate 707lb ft. Available in standard or ‘Widebody’ (pictured) configurations (wider tyres and arches), the Redeye isn’t a replacement for the standard Hellcat. You can still buy one of those. Nowadays its makes 717bhp, which is still plenty, and will hit 199mph. The Redeye will do 203mph, hit 60mph in 3.4 seconds and trim a tenth from your ¼ mile time (11.1 for the Redeye, to 11.2 for the ‘standard’ car). Widebodys are a bit slower, but look roughly eight-point-three times cooler. The Redeye is only available with the eight-speed auto ‘box, however, whereas the standard car can be specified with a manual. Is that a deal-breaker?
  14. 2019 Chevrolet Blazer: The “Blazer” Is Back!https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2019-chevrolet-blazer-the-blazer-is-back-official-photos-and-info For those of us who have achieved a certain age (if not the maturity that generally comes with it), we know what a Chevrolet Blazer is. It’s the K5: a cut-down full-size pickup with a flimsy removable fiberglass shell covering the bed and cab. It’s kind of ratty because it’s owned by a teenager, it’s been jacked up a mile in the air, and it wears off-road tires that roar louder than a hurricane when they travel over pavement. It’s the truck that always led the conga line to the lake every summer because it was mostly filled with cheap beer and ice. It’s all Alan Jackson songs, T-shirts without sleeves, cutoff Lee jeans, a cooler held together with duct tape, and inner-tubing on the Chattahoochee. A Blazer has live axles front and rear, four-wheel drive, a full frame, and a small-block V-8 with a lumpy idle; and when it rains, that’s when nature itself hoses out the interior. Then there’s this. A 2019 crossover with a unibody structure and transverse mounted engine that Chevy calls “Blazer.” We knew the Blazer. We loved the Blazer. And this, GM, is no Blazer. Get me some Doritos and a six-pack. Coors? Budweiser? Hamm’s? Who cares? I’m going to go float on the raft for a couple of hours and try to get past this. Just Exactly What Isn’t Needed Chevy already has five crossovers and SUVs in its lineup, ranging from the wee little Trax up through the Equinox, Traverse, and Tahoe to the stupefyingly large Suburban. General Motors will rightly brag about how the Tahoe and ’Burban dominate their markets, the Equinox and Traverse are gaining market share, and that the Trax does something or other. The new two-row “Blazer” slots into the narrow space between the Equinox and Traverse, one never before recognized by Chevy. Call it the mid-mid-size, mid-midrange crossover segment. Or call it Chevy’s version of the GMC Acadia. Your choice. What’s obvious is that Chevrolet didn’t need the “Blazer” as much as it needed a chance to pick up some sales in a segment occupied by the Ford Edge and the Nissan Murano. In the current market, practically no one wants to buy a Malibu. The new Blazer is a perfectly rational reaction to what buyers want. And that sucks. Now That That’s out of the Way . . .Okay, the Blazer is what it is: a mainstream crossover. Here’s what to know about it. It is good-looking, with the nose capped by a grille that seems as if it migrated over from the Camaro ZL1, the wheels pushed out to the corners so there are barely any overhangs, and every body panel featuring some interesting sculptural element. Of the now six Chevrolet crossovers and SUVs, this one is the most daring, if such a word can even be uttered in reference to an SUV. Of all the other crossovers out there, perhaps the one the new “Blazer” resembles most is the Lamborghini Urus. You decide which of the two is flattered by that comparison. The basic structural bits are in fact shared with the GMC Acadia and the Cadillac XT5. The new Chevy will be built at GM’s plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico (which doesn’t please the UAW). It’s a five-passenger hauler with both rows offering decent room and well-shaped seats. And in the sports-like RS trim, the interior features bursts of color in the upholstery and along the dashboard that manage the neat trick of being both startling and kind of elegant. The less flashy Premier trim is subdued enough that it may as well be an Equinox. The standard powerplant is the familiar 193-hp 2.5-liter inline-four. More attractive is the equally familiar 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6. Both engines are direct injected, and both feed a nine-speed automatic transmission that can in turn feed an all-wheel-drive system. Fuel-economy estimates haven’t yet been revealed, but they should be a bit better than the Acadia’s since the GMC currently uses a six-speed automatic. Lower-spec Blazers will come standard on 18-inch wheels. Flash a few more bucks and those wheels grow up to 21 inches in diameter, which will impress many, many neighbors. With all the LED lighting and the aggressive-ish styling, finding the right balance between visual dignity and blinding ostentation will be an options-sheet challenge for Blazer buyers. Chevrolet hasn’t announced pricing yet, since the Blazer won’t hit showrooms until early 2019. Expect it to be fully competitive with similar machines, though, because GM actually wants to sell these things. Technodazzle Monster mudder tires and metal dashboards were virtues back in the full-size Blazer’s run, from 1969 to 1994, but now the world wants smartphone integration, backup cameras, and sensors that throw off enough radar waves to irradiate the nation’s almond crop. The new Blazer has six USB ports, a glovebox that snaps open electronically, and all sorts of lane-keeping equipment available. The electronic trick list stretches to include a wireless charging pad, a hands-free liftgate, and a trailer-hookup guidance system, among a few other things, but none of this is surprising in this current environment. Tech is expected. And tech is what the 2019 Blazer offers. Woulda, Coulda, ShouldaJeep can’t keep Wranglers in stock, the Toyota 4Runner has experienced an amazing sales renaissance, and Ford is about to bring back the Bronco. The Blazer name should be on a truly capable off-roader like those beloved machines. Why is Chevy letting this opportunity slide by? Chevrolet has heretofore done a pretty good job of keeping a philosophical handle on its heritage nameplates. Corvettes are still all two-seaters with fiberglass bodies. The Camaro is, as always, a rip-snorting muscle pony even when it’s powered by a V-6. The Blazer ought to be, once again, Chevy’s true off-roader, something that looks awesome covered in mud. Frustratingly, there’s even a product in Chevrolet’s extended family that would make a true Blazer. That’s the Brazil-market TrailBlazer, which shares much of its engineering DNA with the Colorado pickup truck. Bring that thing up, call it the Blazer, and call this one the Vue or the Lumina APV or something. Ironically, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the first Blazer. It’s a name that inspires affection in those of us who admired the original—and even the smaller S-10 versions. And there’s a real passion among us oldsters who drove them both when they were new and when they were decades-old beaters. There are rivers and lakes and big open spaces that call for a real Chevy Blazer to go find them. This “Blazer,” no matter how good a crossover it might be, isn’t that Blazer. Let’s go get sno-cones.
  15. 301 mph, 1,600 hp: Hennessey Venom F5 details emerge https://www.autoblog.com/2017/11/01/301-mph-1-600-hp-hennessey-venom-f5-details-emerge/ Hennessy Special Vehicles is unveiling its much-awaited Venom F5 hypercar today at the SEMA Show (along with a cool new video that fans of early Aerosmith will dig, below), and the beast dubbed "America's Hypercar" is making big promises. Hennesseyteased the stunner a couple weeks ago, saying its intent was to take on the Bugatti Chiron for the title of world's fastest car. Now we have more details to go on for the F5. Its twin-turbo, 7.4-liter aluminum V8 produces an astounding 1,600 horsepower and 1,300 pound-feet of torque, giving it a top speed of 301 miles per hour. Acceleration will be quick: from 0 to 186 mph in less than 10 seconds and 0 to 249 and back to rest in less than 30 seconds, though independent performance tests of course will have to bear out those claims. The engine is mated to a seven-speed single-clutch paddle-shift transmission that drives the rear wheels. Unlike the car it replaces, the Venom GT, which was built atop a Lotus Elise platform, the Venom F5 gets an all-new, lightweight chassis and carbon-fiber body, giving it a curb weight of just 2,950 pounds. "We've designed F5 to be timeless so that in 25 years it will still have a level of performance and design that will be unmatched," CEO John Hennessey said in a statement. "The F5 is an all new car, designed and built from the ground up, from the engine to the chassis. We expect the Venom F5, named for the most powerful tornado speed winds on the Fujita scale, to be the first road car capable of achieving more than 300 mph and have worked closely with Pennzoil to get us across the finish line." The Venom GT, which had a 1,451-horsepower twin-turbo 7.0-liter V8, was unofficially dubbed the world's fastest car in 2014,having hit 270.49 mph, though Bugatti plans to challenge that next year in the Chiron. Base price will be a cool $1.6 million, with just 24 units to be built. And according to "Top Gear," John Hennessey himself will hand-pick its recipients, with first deliveries starting in 2019. More images:
  16. The fifth-generation 2019 Toyota Avalon looks to deliver comfort, style and innovation http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/news/2019-toyota-avalon-preview-article-1.3758122 https://www.motor1.com/news/226265/2019-toyota-avalon-teaser/ There is nothing wrong with being solid and comfortable. Heck. Just think about it: a nice cardigan, a comfortable pair of slippers. A pair of sweatpants. Am I right? Comfortable is also the Toyota Avalon. Has been for four – now five – generations. With every passing model year, the Avalon chases a dream of being all things to its buyers: safe, quiet, roomy, an overall premium experience. With new technology and better mechanicals, the Avalon is gently updated every few years, adding more refinement with each reiteration. All of it without ostentatiousness. Avalon drivers don’t care if you think they’re special. They are special, and they know it. Same goes for the 2019 Avalon. It’s been thoroughly updated in the right places this time, (except for no Android Auto), made better through technology, and with an added investment in the finery of automotive interiors. It’s a worthy fifth interpretation of a car built to be comfortable and consistent. Innovative infotainment features, including Apple CarPlay and Entune 3.0 The last time I checked, Android owns 86.2 percent of the smartphone operating system market. And I’m betting that a fair slice of the full-size, near luxury sedan market is included in that percentage, which makes me wonder why Toyota would opt to offer only Apple CarPlay in the new 2019 Avalon. Hmm. According to Automotive News and a handful of mobile nerd sites, the reason is over legal wrangling about privacy, the control of data, and the simple fact that Toyota wants to own the experience. No matter. Toyota says the Avalon will work with Alexa connectivity, which handles Apple and Android, so there’s that. And the fact that it has Apple CarPlay available is a first and notable move toward making the use of technology easier and more convenient for drivers. That includes Toyota’s Entune 3.0, same system that currently sits in the Camry. For the Avalon, it offers a 9-inch touchscreen, app connections and a whole host of goodies, including standard wireless charging, connected services and an available Wi-Fi hot spot. Otherwise, what you get for the most part with the 2019 Avalon is some notable new technology throughout the vehicle, an updated design, more expansive dimensions, and similar mechanicals to the Camry. That’s no surprise, as the Avalon sits on the same TNGA platform (and others). So like the Camry, it’s safe to assume that the drivability and the power of the car will improve. New technology, new style and a more comfortable, quiet interior Safety-wise, Toyota has added an optional panoramic parking camera, and cross-traffic emergency braking system. Also new (on Touring and Limited) is adaptive LED cornering lights, and what Toyota calls dynamic auxiliary turn signals. The cornering lights enhance visibility when changing lanes or reversing, and the nifty turn signals provide added visibility by operating in a sequential fashion. The automaker also claims additional sound deadening materials (the Avalon was noisy?), as well as an engine sound enhancement feature. Looks and comfort-wise, the Avalon gets an impressive update. True, the grille area resembles a massive black hole to another vortex, but for the most part, the sedan is longer, lower, wider and more muscular in the way it presents itself. Historically, the Avalon has been known more for what’s on the inside than out. With this fifth generation, the styling matters – and passengers will appreciate it. Inside, the cabin is as you’d expect. It’s all luxury, with premium features and materials that would feel at home in a Lexus. There’s the available Yamaha-sourced wood-trim, and soft-touch materials throughout, with a gorgeous center console that seems to flow into the car, trimmed in piano black. Performance-wise, the Avalon will benefit in many of the same ways the Camry did. And that’s swell. For power, the Avalon gets the same 3.5-liter V6 engine found in the Camry, and is mated to Toyota’s 8-speed automatic transmission, will likely producing 301 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. The hybrid variant gets the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, connected to a CVT, also the same powerplant found in the Camry hybrid. What’s also notable in terms of performance is the vehicle’s active variable suspension with adaptive damping. The outgoing rear suspension been replaced by a multilink setup, which provides for a wider track, lower center of gravity, and updated mechanicals. All trims get Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, while the Touring gets a Sport+ setting. The fun is in the plus! What you expect, generation after generation Truly, there’s nothing wrong with being solid and comfortable. In fact, for four generations, the Toyota Avalon has been a cushy ride, a predictable car, and a winner for owners. Regardless of the trend of the day, no matter how many crossovers are sold, there will always be a sizable market for a solid, comfortable and predictable sedan that gets the job done right. That’s the Avalon’s game. And frankly few, if any, can do it better. With this fifth and newest generation, Toyota continues to focus on those things that matter most: convenient technology, safety, comfort and a predicable ride that gets a splash of fun. When you have a busy life and you expect a consistent return with every commute and errand, there’s not much more you can ask for.
  17. The Aria FXE is a 1,150bhp American hypercar If it ever happens, obviously. Watch out Bugatti and Koenigsegg? You won’t have heard of Aria Group, but you’ll have seen its work. The Californian company been building one-off concepts (like the Ford Interceptor and Kia GT4 Stinger) for more than 20 years, and among other things it produces carbonfibre body panels for Singer and its ‘reimagined’ Porsche 911s. And at this year’s LA motor show, it’s revealed a full-on hypercar it hopes will give the European establishment something to think about. It’s called the Aria FXE, and as with all such cars that don’t technically exist yet (although given Aria’s past, we’d say it has a better chance than some), much is promised of its performance. The FXE’s rear axle will be powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged V8, and the front will be electrified for all-wheel drive and a (claimed) total system output of 1,150bhp and 1,316lb ft. We’re told the gearbox will either be a seven- or eight-speed dual-clutch. All this theoretically enables the FXE to reach 60mph in around 3 seconds and hit a 220mph top speed. Aria also plans to offer an entry-level FE that does without the electrified front axle. The FXE’s monocoque chassis and body will be made mostly from carbonfibre, and elsewhere Aria promises “extensive use of 3D printed metal components”. It claims a kerbweight of 1,565kg (70kg lighter than a Porsche 918 Spyder) from a car 4.5m long and 1.9m wide – making it quite a lot shorter and narrower than, say, a Ford GT. We’re told Aria is planning a run of no more than 400 cars – which sounds pretty ambitious. Pricing hasn’t been announced – but as each car will be a bespoke order, it’s likely no two will cost the same. It should go on sale in 2019.
  18. Watch from 7 min onwards. No surprise how they treat the locals and how much amno can be found in a small town.
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyLpmLBgOow Video shows American ambassador in South Korea after being wounded with a blade The US ambassador to South Korea, Mark Lippert, was slashed on his face and arm by a blade-wielding assailant shouting anti-war slogans in an attack in Seoul Thursday, police and television reports said. The United States strongly condemned the "act of violence" which left the ambassador bleeding profusely as he was taken to hospital, and said that President Barack Obama had spoken with him." The President called (Lippert) to tell him that he and his wife Robyn are in his thoughts and prayers, and to wish him the very best for a speedy recovery," said Bernadette Meehan, National Security Council spokeswoman. Witnesses said a man with a blade concealed in his right hand attacked Lippert as he was attending a breakfast function at the Sejong Cultural Institute in central Seoul. Video footage in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed the ambassador being rushed out of the building holding one hand to his bleeding right cheek, and his other hand smeared with blood with an apparent wound to the wrist. Lippert, 42, was bundled into a police car and rushed to hospital, where a US embassy spokesman said he was in a "stable" condition. http://news.yahoo.com/us-ambassador-attacked-seoul-231729097.html
  20. Anyone knows if it is worthwhile to apply for amex? any petrol discounts or benefits of using amex?
  21. http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/02/27/american-ceo-of-singapore-startup-first-meta-dies/ was this in the news? bitcoin exchange startup CEO died of circumstances unknown...
  22. How come American Tourists will submit stories to TRS? http://therealsingapore.com/content/gay-tourists-america-shocked-be-openly-discriminated-singapore Dear The Real Singapore, This is a complaint over the ridiculous treatment me and my boyfriend Walter endured during our visit to Singapore. I am an American tourist who holiday-ed in Singapore last month together with my boyfriend of 5 years. We planned for this holiday for ages and finally booked our tickets to this world renown Garden City. After arrival, we took in the beautiful sights and was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness, diverse cultures and food until something happened. All that initial positivity went out of the window when me and my boyfriend were taking a leisurely stroll at the botanic gardens. Out of the blue, a young local boy accompanied by his mother pointed at us and shouted, "mummy... why are the two boys holding hands?" What came next shocked us beyond words. The lady knelt beside her son, hurriedly covered his eyes and exclaimed at the top of her voice "don't look at them, they are abnormal". After which she dragged the puzzled boy away as though we had the plague! We were both dumbfounded at this shockingly bigoted behavior. Apart from the Christian belt in the South, we would never be subject to such blatant discrimination in the USA. Even President Obama , the most influential man in the world has repeatedly called for universal love and equality. It is thus disappointing that despite being a democracy, Singaporeans are still backward in their mindsets and deny minorities the freedom to love. I write in now because our brush with Singaporean's narrow mindedness happened not only once but twice. Shortly after that episode, while Walter and I were cuddling by the riverside at Clarke Quay enjoying the river breeze, a group of rowdy brown skinned goons ran up to us and screamed "f**king faggots" and ran off laughing like hyenas. What's with this trashy behavior Singapore? Why are we being bullied and insulted for our sexuality? We are paying tourists in your country and this is how you treat your guests? For all your beautiful buildings and wonderful infrastructure, the people of Singapore are sorely lacking in common decency and woefully antagonistic towards us. Where is the love Singapore? How can you proclaim yourself a first world nation when such blatant discrimination against sexual minorities still exists?
  23. old news... but just stumbled onto it. Si-bei sexy! Must share! I always thot those spies r like james bond movie...got chio bu with dua nei nei one..how come tis one dun hav.... LOL MOSCOW (AP) — A U.S. diplomat was ordered Tuesday to leave the country after the Kremlin's security services said he tried to recruit a Russian agent, and they displayed tradecraft tools that seemed straight from a cheap spy thriller: wigs, packets of cash, a knife, map and compass, and a letter promising millions for "long-term cooperation." The FSB, the successor agency to the Soviet-era KGB, identified the diplomat as Ryan Fogle, a third secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, detaining him briefly overnight. It alleged that Fogle was a CIA officer trying to recruit a Russian counterterrorism officer who specializes in the volatile Caucasus region in southern Russia, where the two Boston Marathon bombing suspects had their ethnic roots. Fogle was handed over to U.S. Embassy officials, declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Russia immediately. He has diplomatic immunity, which protects him from arrest. The State Department would only confirm that Fogle worked as an embassy employee, but wouldn't give any details about his employment record or responsibilities in Russia. Some officials also referred inquiries to the CIA, which declined comment. Fogle was the first American diplomat to be publicly accused of spying in Russia in about a decade. While relations between the two countries have been strained, officials in both Washington and Moscow sought to play down the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul to appear Wednesday in connection with the case. McFaul said he would not comment on the spying allegation. Russian officials expressed indignation the U.S. would carry out an espionage operation at a time when the two countries have been working to improve counterterrorism cooperation. "Such provocative actions in the spirit of the Cold War do nothing to strengthen mutual trust," the Foreign Ministry said. Russia's Caucasus region includes the provinces of Chechnya and Dagestan. The suspects in the April 15 Boston Marathon bombings — Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his elder brother, Tamerlan, who was killed in a manhunt — are ethnic Chechens. Tamerlan spent six months last year in Dagestan, now the center of an Islamic insurgency. U.S. investigators have been working with the Russians to try to determine whether Tamerlan Tsarnaev had established any contacts with militants in Dagestan. Despite the end of the Cold War, Russia and the United States still maintain active espionage operations against each other. Last year, several Russians were convicted in separate cases of spying for the U.S. and sentenced to lengthy prison sentences. But Tuesday's case had espionage elements that seemed more like "Spy vs. Spy" than Ludlum and le Carre. Russian state TV showed pictures of a man said to be Fogle, wearing a baseball cap and a blond wig, lying face down on the ground. The man, without the wig, was also shown sitting at a desk in the offices of the FSB, the Federal Security Service. Two wigs, a compass, a map of Moscow, a pocket knife, three pairs of sunglasses and envelopes of 500 euro notes (each bill worth $649) were among the items the FSB displayed on a table. The FSB also produced a typewritten letter that it described as instructions to the Russian agent who was the target of Fogle's alleged recruitment effort. The letter, in Russian and addressed "Dear friend," offers $100,000 to "discuss your experience, expertise and cooperation" and up to $1 million a year for long-term cooperation. The letter also includes instructions for opening a Gmail account to be used for communication and an address to write. It is signed "Your friends." "If this is genuine, then it'll be seen to be appallingly bad tradecraft — being caught with a 'How-to-be-a-Spy 101' guide and a wig. He would have had to have been pretty stupid," said Mark Galeotti, a professor at New York University who studies the Russian security services. Samuel Greene, director of the Russia Institute at King's College London, called the evidence bizarre. "I wouldn't have thought that spies gave each other written instructions," he said in a telephone interview. Greene also noted that the FSB had displayed Fogle's official diplomatic ID, suggesting he was carrying it along with the spy paraphernalia when he was detained. "Maybe this is what the CIA has come to, maybe the propaganda folks in the Kremlin think we are this stupid, or maybe both," he said. A five-minute video produced by the FSB and shown on state TV showed a Russian official speaking to what appear to be three U.S. diplomats who had come to pick up Fogle in the FSB office. The official, whose face is blurred, alleged that Fogle called an unidentified FSB counterintelligence officer who specializes in the Caucasus at 11:30 p.m. Monday. He then said that after the officer refused to meet, Fogle called him a second time and offered 100,000 euros if he would provide information to the U.S. The Russian official said the FSB was flabbergasted. He pointed to high-level efforts to improve counterterrorism cooperation, specifically FBI director Robert Mueller's visit to Moscow last week and phone calls between President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "At a time when the presidents of the two countries are striving to improve the climate of relations between the two countries, this citizen, in the name of the U.S. government, commits a most serious crime here in Moscow," the official said. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki confirmed that an officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was briefly detained and released. "We have seen the Russian Foreign Ministry announcement and have no further comment at this time," said Psaki, who was in Sweden with Secretary of State John Kerry. Little was immediately known about Fogle. A third secretary is an entry level position at the State Department, the lowest diplomatic rank in the foreign service. Putin has stoked anti-American sentiments among Russians in recent years in what is seen as an effort to build support at home. He also appears to have a genuine distrust of Russian nongovernmental organizations that receive American funding, which he has accused of being fronts that allow the U.S. government to meddle in Russia's political affairs. Hundreds of NGOs have been searched this year as part of an ongoing crackdown by the Russian government. Galeotti said the public exposure of Fogle suggests a political purpose behind the detention. He said these kinds of spying incidents happen with some frequency, but making such a big deal of them is rare. "More often, the etiquette is that these things get dealt with quite quietly — unless they want to get a message out," Galeotti said. "If you identify an embassy staffer who is a spy for the other side, your natural impulse is to leave them be, because once you identify, you can keep tabs on them, see who they talk to and everything else." "There's no reason to make a song and dance, detain them, eject them," he said. Greene said Fogle's detention should be seen as part of Putin's confrontation with the opposition and not as something likely to have a major impact on U.S.-Russia relations. "I think this is mostly for domestic consumption in Russia so that people say, 'look at these naughty Americans trying to meddle in our internal affairs and spy on us,'" Greene said. "But everybody's got spies everywhere so I don't see this as a major issue." In Washington, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell also said the incident was unlikely to hamper U.S.-Russia relations. "I'm not sure I'd read too much into one incident one way or another," he told reporters, and pointed to Kerry's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Sweden on Tuesday evening. "We have a very broad and deep relationship with the Russians across a whole host of issues, and we'll continue to work on our diplomacy with them directly." Alexei Pushkov, who heads the international affairs committee in Russia's parliament, wrote in a Twitter post that the spy scandal would be short-lived and would not interfere in Kerry and Lavrov's discussions aimed at bridging deep differences over the civil war in Syria. "But the atmosphere is not improving," Pushkov commented. ___ Associated Press writers Max Seddon in Moscow, Bradley Klapper in Washington and Lara Jakes in Kiruna, Sweden, contributed to this report. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/russian-security-services-say-they-detained-us-diplomat-they-claim-cia-agent
  24. It seems that the Chinese really have a taste for pink cars. Previously, there were already quite a few cars spotted in the pinky wrap. Yet, it seems that the Chinese haven't had enough of pink cars already. Recently, another car coloured in pink was spotted again in the country where pandas come from. This time, it's the Cadillac CTS trying the colour. Well, you see, I myself would rather the car stay in its original colour than pink. The reason is quite straightforward. Somehow, the Cadillac CTS is quite a masculine car. So, can you imagine what kind of man would love to get behind the wheel of such a pink coloured Cadillac? Or, is it possible that the Chinese believe that pink is a lucky colour somehow? Well, fortunately, the car isn't entirely wrapped in pink. It still has some masculinity left intact, thanks to the black wrap extending from its engine hood to the roof and the trunk, in addition to the side mirrors. However, I really wonder whether the owner of the Cadillac CTS in question is a man or a woman. And, if the owner is a man, I wonder what kind of a man he is.
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