2019 Toyota Yaris Review: Small & Steady Wins The Race

2019 Toyota Yaris Review: Small & Steady Wins The Race 90Solid2019 Toyota Yaris Overall ImpressionDon't judge a book by the cover!It's small but more fun than it looks!Great option for a first-time buyer.ProsHandlingFuel Economy Standard Features ConsRear Passenger RoomThere’s more choices in the compact sedan market than ever with affordable and fuel-efficient models across the segment. But what if you are searching for one that’s also packed with lots of safety features and still enjoyable to drive? The 2019 Toyota Yaris is a car you should have on your shopping list, especially if you have a younger person in your home heading to college. 
This week, we’ve been driving the 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE.
What’s New For 2019
Last year’s Yaris iA has been renamed to just Yaris. The compact car comes as a sedan only, although there’s new front and rear styling treatments. Three trim levels are now available: L, LE, and XLE.
Features & Options: Nicely Balanced 
The top-trim 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE comes standard with forward collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Infotainment features include the center console controller, a seven-inch display, voice recognition, Bluetooth, two USB ports, an auxiliary audio jack, HD and satellite radio, and a six-speaker sound system.
The XLE gets upgrades over the standard model with 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, heated outside mirrors, LED turn signals, and keyless ignition and entry. The XLE loses the option of the manual transmission but gains automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers and climate control, simulated leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Two drive settings (Normal and Sport) complete the list of features for the 2019 Toyota Yaris XLE.
Total MSRP including destination: $19,470. By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Yaris starts at $15,450.  
2019 Toyota Yaris interior layout.
Interior Highlights: Softer Yet High-Tech
Despite the lower price point, the cabin impressed us from the moment we jumped inside. The upright touchscreen and circular vents come right from the page of a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. It’s unusual to find this kind of material quality and fit and finish in a subcompact costing less than $20,000. There’s plenty of soft-touch materials throughout, and the infotainment system features the kind of connectivity a high-tech generation wants.
The seven-inch touchscreen kept our attention with its easy-to-read display. Room up front is typical for a subcompact but rear passengers will feel a bit cramped on longer jaunts around town. The rear seats fold flat and open up to the sedan’s trunk to accommodate extra cargo. For a young college student, there is enough room for books, groceries, and laundry.
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2019 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter engine producing an ample 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft. of torque. Although small, the engine uses direct injection and variable valve timing with a 12:1 compression ratio to increase performance and efficiency. EPA fuel economy figures are 32/40 city/highway and 35 combined with the six-speed automatic gearbox.
In terms of fuel economy, the 2019 Toyota Yaris leads the pack when compared to other small cars. 

Related: Another detailed look at the 2019 Toyota Yaris.
Driving Dynamics: More Fun Than It Looks 
There’s a lot to like about the Yaris with its sporty driving dynamics. It’s a driver’s car from the start and offers plenty of fun for urban-dwellers. We drove the compact sedan through the streets of Denver, and mountains west of the city to give it a thorough testing. When we hit snow this week, the front-wheel drive Yaris had no problem on the roads.
The Yaris hugged the mountain curves with ease and has little body lean. The automatic gearbox is a nice change from CVT transmissions which are common in smaller cars today. The six-speed automatic never hunted for the right gear and it doesn’t have the annoying whine normally associated with a CVT. 
On the open road, the power could be more, but it’s just fine for urban commuters and students traveling home for the weekend. As we motored through the city, the Yaris is the ideal size. Visibility is good and the handling is tight with MacPherson struts in front and the torsion beam in the rear.
Conclusion: An Affordable Option 
For fuel mileage and city commuting, the 2019 Toyota Yaris is the way to go. It’s affordable and offers a more engaging driving experience than other small cars on the market. 
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Toyota Yaris Gallery








Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.



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Letter From The UK: Mini At Sixty: A Personal View

Letter From The UK: Mini At Sixty: A Personal View Geoff Maxted, founder of DriveWrite Automotive, examines how one tiny car changed the course of history. 
After World War II, it became apparent that the cars of Britain were dated in both technology and design at a time when petrol was still rationed and people were recovering from the horror of conflict. As a nation we needed cheering up. The big, black behemoths of the automotive pre-war years were starting to look their age and consumed scarce fuel at an alarming rate.
Meanwhile, across the pond, the American car industry was burgeoning with fantastic, chrome-bright and modern vehicles rolling off the production lines. Something needed to be done.
Early Days: Instant Allure
One day, a man said, “Hang on a minute lads, I’ve got a great idea.” Unfortunately for my story, that man was Michael Caine in The Italian Job movie. It is not known what the engineer Alec Issigonis said when he came up with the great idea of the transverse engine in a very small and economical car, but the outcome was a vehicle that in 1959 transformed an industry.
The British Motor Corporation Mini was born.
Although front-wheel drive was not a new idea, the genius of turning the diminutive 850cc BMC ‘A’ Series four-cylinder engine sideways to allow 80 percent of the floorpan of this small car to be given over to passengers and luggage was. The Mini, with its funky round centre console and 18-inch long stick shift, went on to become the iconic car of the 1960’s and was the true star of The Italian Job. The Mini continued to be popular for the next two decades, over which time it evolved, becoming perhaps less attractive but certainly more advanced.
Despite the instant allure, the fact is the build quality, especially by today’s standards, was terrible. It was a cheap car and made no apologies for that. The Mini was a ‘people’s car,’ a four-seat runaround for the sweaty masses and the masses bought into it in droves. It handled well, sipped fuel, and offered the average driver that ‘in-crowd’ vibe.
Photo: BMW Group PressClub UK.
Related: Looking back to a time when tiny cars ruled the Earth.
The Mini Was My First Car
It came courtesy of my father, who was a policeman and therefore knew people who knew people and was thus able to source things through, let’s say, alternative channels. My car was stripped out inside, although there wasn’t much in there in the first place. It had spent its early years as a modest race car, seen regularly in local events at the famous Brands Hatch circuit.
The race car engine was stripped out (Boo!) and replaced by the standard unit but it didn’t take long to replace the cylinder head with a tuned job, and add a few other unwise modifications to give it a little bit more go. To be honest, I didn’t give much thought to improved braking and the like but, you know, I was young.
In due course, the car was replaced with a nice red Mini Cooper which brought down the vital zero to 60 time to a breathtaking 17.2 seconds. My friends even bought me a drilled-out, wood-rimmed steering wheel for my birthday. Yes folks, it was a babe magnet all right; it’s just that when they saw the driver . . .
Photo: BMW Group PressClub.
Latter Years: The Bell Tolls
From inception, the Mini proved immensely popular in Motorsport as people found ways to tune or replace the original puny power plant. By 1964, the car was sweeping the board on the international rally scene. The company jumped on this and quickly introduced the more powerful Cooper and Cooper S versions, the latter even making an appearance as a police car. Later variants lost that early magic as designers struggled to stretch out the useful life of the model and sales slumped as the car became superseded by other designs.
Eventually the bell tolled in 2000. The Mini was no more.
Of course, time moves on for us all and the desire for bigger, faster cars took over. Even my Cooper was passed on to the new kid on the block as I was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the world of grown-up motoring.
The Lovable Rascal Returns
When BMW absorbed what was left of the moribund UK company, now called the British Leyland Group, it stripped out the assets but retained the Mini name. This was a smart move as it turned out because, although the car was no longer being built, it remained popular as enthusiasts, to this day, continued to keep fifty-year-old cars on the road, thus maintaining the legend.
The German brand was quick to see the opening of a niche and began producing the Mini as we know it in the 21st Century. As a clever marketing ploy, they retained the round centre dash but now packed it with the latest technology. Although purists may grumble, BMW have somehow managed to incorporate at least some of the historic sense of the original car into a modern product, even if the lovable rascal has grown up and gained weight and a big city suit.
Photo: BMW Group PressClub UK.
Rose-Tinted Glasses
The hard truth is that in so many ways, the latest version is far better than the original from 60 years ago. Although, anyone who loves cars would give almost anything to own a 1959 original. I know I would.
After the war years, Britain yearned for a fresh start and, for young people at least, that fresh start began in 1959 with Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley and Marty Wilde (UK rocker. You had to be there.) And of course the BMC Mini. The 1960’s blossomed into an era of new music, new fashions led by the likes of Mary Quant and Carnaby Street, free love and better prospects and free love (so uninhibited I mentioned it twice!).
It was time of peace and rejuvenation and the Mini ruled. It was more than just transport; a whole generation suddenly had the freedom of the road and we made the most of it. At least I think that’s how I remember it. It’s all a bit hazy, man.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
International Mini Meeting 2017 (Westport House, Ireland) Gallery









































Gallery & Cover Photos: BMW Group PressClub.



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Infiniti QX Inspiration: The Potential of Empty Spaces & The Art of Origami

Infiniti QX Inspiration: The Potential of Empty Spaces & The Art of Origami The QX Inspiration is Infiniti’s foray into the EV market.
It has a pair of electric motors and an electric all-wheel drive system.
The coach doors, cab-forward design, and other styling elements are inspired by Japanese culture.
It’s hard to describe the Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept. After all, we’re talking about a concept car here. From the looks of it, the QX is a small and compact SUV on steroids. However, it does give the Lamborghini Urus and Maserati Levante a serious run for cash in terms of design. Despite this, I will reserve my final judgment until the production model is seen in the flesh. As we all know, concept cars are merely a stretch of the imagination.
You can even call them pipe dreams if you want.
But the biggest problem with concept cars is they are merely concepts, and the end result is usually a watered-down version of the original design. The Subaru WRX Concept in 2013, or the Pontiac Sunfire Concept in back 1990 suddenly come to mind.
And since the Infiniti QX Inspiration is a preview of what’s to come as the brand’s first fully-electric vehicle, I’m betting the production version will look pretty similar to the concept. It has to be. How else will it steal the thunder from the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE? Of course, it also has the Mercedes EQ C and Tesla Model S in its sights, so it better be more than just a looker.
Electrified Powertrain: An Inflection Point
Infiniti has yet to divulge any real crucial performance info about the QX Inspiration. Things like battery capacity, range, and torque ratings are forthcoming but it seems as if Infiniti wants us to think beyond horsepower ratings and top speed. For example, during the 2019 North American International Auto Show, the QX Inspiration won Best Future Concept in The Detroit News Readers’ Choice Awards.
We do know, however, there are two electric motors (one on each axle) and an e-AWD system. The latter is Infiniti-speak for electric all-wheel drive, similar to the electric Quattro drivetrain in the Audi e-tron SUV. The QX Inspiration is based on an entirely new platform, allowing the battery pack to live below the vehicle floor. Infiniti says this will help lower the center of gravity for more precise handling.
“The decision to electrify the Infiniti range was an inflection point for our brand,” explained Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Company. “We started to understand the potential of new architectures and technologies and how they could influence a change in how we design our cars.”
Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Related: The best states for EV ownership.
Turning Japanese: Artistry & Imagination
Infiniti wants us mostly to focus on the origami-inspired styling and minimalist exterior design. With finely-balanced organic shapes and a mixture of straight lines, sharp creases, and smooth surfaces, the Japanese DNA is very much evident in the Infiniti QX Inspiration. The front has thin headlamps and an illuminated Infiniti logo. On the other hand, there is no grille or air intake on the front.
But the designers wisely retained the silhouette of an actual grille to give the QX Inspiration a very distinct look. This meant adopting an approach which focused on the open space between the concept’s lines. In particular, Infiniti’s designers were drawn to the character of paper and the art of origami.
“With the QX Inspiration concept, we were inspired by the Japanese concept of Ma, a focus on the lines and the empty space in between,” said Karim Habib, Infiniti Executive Design Director. “What is happening in that space between the lines – the free, natural flow of surfaces – is truly expressive. It’s the empty space between the edges that often carries the loudest message.”

Signature Styling Elements
The sharply-angled D-pillar contains a vermilion signature line to further define the cab-forward profile. Where other Infiniti SUVs have a long hood and a cab-rearward profile, the QX Inspiration is doing the opposite. To prove this point, the concept has shorter front and rear overhangs along with a shorter hood since there’s no need to house a burly gasoline motor.
“Where a V8 engine might move the interior rearward, electrification has allowed us to the move the interior forward and provides for a balanced profile,” Albaisa said.
The Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept rides on a 112.2-inch wheelbase and is about 64 inches in height. Overall length is 183.2 inches. It has the same exterior dimensions as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3. In fact, the proportions are pretty similar to the Infiniti QX50 as well.
In the rear, the QX Inspiration literally shines. There’s a thin light bar that stretches across the tailgate. In addition, there’s an illuminated Infiniti script below the light bar to further add class and refinement. Everything looks crisp and neatly organized, with none of the cartoonist flare common to Japanese concept cars. Lastly, the QX Inspiration sits on louver-inspired 22-inch alloy wheels to complete the look.
The design team was inspired by the Japanese spatial concept of Ma – or the mastery of empty space. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Hospitable Interior: When Empty Spaces Talk
The Japanese are known for their bountiful hospitality, and the same can be said for the omotenashi-inspired interior of the Infiniti QX Inspiration. Thus, the hand-crafted interior is peppered with unique touches, including a Bianco Carrara marble center console, pillar-to-pillar widescreen display, soft ambient lighting, and sofa-like rear seats. The roof panel is even finished in full-grain Japanese red cedar wood.
In fact, there’s so much going on with the interior that it’s hard to keep count.
“We have taken advantage of the EV architecture to develop a lounge-like interior, enabled by the flat floor and the empty space below the dashboard and center console. So really, we’re not just designing the objects inside the car, we’re designing the empty space between objects,” Habib said. “We’re trying to use that space to accentuate the design – you let the empty space talk as much, if not even more, than the forms and objects that are there.”
“Imagine someone clapping. The empty sound between claps is full of anticipation,” Albaisa added. “In this way, the electrification of Infiniti will bring a new simplicity and excitement to the brand.”
What really stands out are the rear coach doors with complimentary, carpet-style entrance lighting. If both features end up in production, it will surely make the Infiniti QX Inspiration stand out from the Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron SUV. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Putting It All Together
Infiniti is keen on joining the electric SUV bandwagon with the QX Inspiration Concept. From the looks of it alone, they have a winner here.
“QX Inspiration is the beginning of a new era for Infiniti, and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand,” Habib said. “New technology has given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy – and this new vehicle communicates the serene strength at our core.”
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Infiniti QX Inspiration Gallery















































Photos & Source: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.



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Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 3: Streamlined Brutale

Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 3: Streamlined Brutale Viaduct Elegy is a four-part series from Automoblog feature columnist Tony Borroz, who broke the law in preparation for writing it. He is a Seattle native and author of The 2018 Indy 500 Notebook and Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Tony grew up in a sportscar-oriented family, but sadly, they were British cars. 
Finally, finally, finally they are tearing down the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a colossal, monumentally-ugly, seismically-catastrophic piece of transportation “infrastructure” that has been a scar on the face of Seattle for the better part of a friggin’ century.
And yesterday I walked on it at sunset with an old friend, apparently breaking the law.
Viaduct Elegy: Chapter 3: Streamlined Brutale
Chapter One: “Walking With Blaine” here. 
Chapter Two: “The New Colossus” here.
In a number of ways, the original builders of the viaduct were up against a no-win situation. They had to design and build an elevated roadway between a city’s downtown high-rises and its waterfront views. No matter which way you look, it’s a mess. Looking from the city, you see vast expanses of concrete and, at best, a gunner slit view of what should be an amazing vista of flooded fjords and snow-capped mountains.
Looking at Seattle, you see a cityscape with a gray scar across its face.
Into The Void
If they had tried to pull this a decade later, it would have been called brutalist, a form of architecture, not without its merits, known for stark, no-frills designs dictated by function over appearance with raw construction materials and mundane functions left exposed if not outright adored. The designers of The Viaduct were of a slightly earlier era, and tried to go for what Americans think of as art deco; speedlines here and there, rounded corners. They wanted something modern that proclaimed a fast-moving city of the near future, but what they got was like a cross between art deco/Streamlined Moderne and a Wehrmacht flak tower.
The proportions were strange from the get go. Rather than evenly spacing the road decks, both are crammed into the top third of the structure, making it look top heavy. The relatively open bottom section just floats there, a void lacking in form, asking to be filled in, but with what? The first story and a half of the outward facing buildings can see under The Viaduct, but they are perpetually in shadow – not something you want to encourage more of in Seattle in, say, February.
It’s a view attenuated and flagged off by a literal mass of concrete that’s two miles long.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct was an elevated freeway in Seattle that supported State Route 99. The double-deck freeway ran north and south, along the city’s waterfront for 2.2 miles, east of Alaskan Way and Elliott Bay, and between the West Seattle Freeway in SoDo and the Battery Street Tunnel in Belltown. Construction consisted of three phases from 1949 through 1959, with the first section opening on April 4th, 1953. Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives.
They wanted something modern that proclaimed a fast-moving city of the near future, but what they got was like a cross between art deco/Streamlined Moderne and a Wehrmacht flak tower.Click To TweetSounds of Fury
The poor people on the second, third and sometimes fourth floors of those buildings had a view right out of a Terry Gilliam movie shot in Volgograd. If you’re lucky, you’d get to stare out of your office window for, in some cases, as little as three feet and then see nothing but concrete. What once was a view of Elliott Bay was now a view commensurate with an elevator shaft. And those were the lucky ones. The unlucky ones looked directly out onto two, and then three lanes of onrushing, southbound traffic mere feet away from where they stood.
Before the advent of double and triple pane glass, the unrelenting cacophony of noise must have been maddening.
I have been in these offices on many, many occasions, and to say it’s unsettling would be an understatement. It’s like sitting in a conference room directly on the edge of the main straight at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You’re sitting there, mid-meeting with a bunch of suit and tie swells when wooOOOOMPH-SSSHHHHhhhhhh!! a fully-loaded semi truck blows by you doing a mile a minute, spraying road grime and muck, and rotten rainwater all over the place, adding another accretion layer of grit and dirt, the color of a soil-covered battleship, onto the window.
Aerial view of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, circa 1970s. Item 76337, Forward Thrust Photographs (Record Series 5804-04), Seattle Municipal Archives.
The poor people on the second, third and sometimes fourth floors of those buildings had a view right out of a Terry Gilliam movie shot in Volgograd.Click To TweetConcrete Jungle
Oh, you thought the lower deck would be dry?
Nice thought, champ.
The expansion joints, even when new, left too big a gap when cold, allowing sheets of rainwater on the upper deck to pour through. This made driving southbound a surreal experience of constantly swirling moisture and tire spray, punctuated by momentarily blinding waterfalls. In many ways, driving on the lower deck was worse than the upper one. The lower deck was perpetually damp, with puddles and slick spots even on sunny days. It was always gloomy and dark. There were notional lights, double florescent jobs that you’d seen in suburban garages, but they were placed once every quarter mile. And most of them were burned out when The Bay of Pigs happened.
You want an office with a view? Not if you were on the first through fourth floors of a waterfront building in Seattle you didn’t
It was supposed to be modern, and it wasn’t. It was supposed to be aesthetically pleasing, and it wasn’t. And to top it all off, it was supposed to be functional, and it wasn’t. It failed in every way it could fail. It was a disaster just waiting to happen . . .
Viaduct Elegy: Chapter Four: A Disaster Waiting To Happen will be published here on Automoblog on Friday, February 22nd, 2019. In the meantime, follow Tony Borroz on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. For more historic photos of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the city of Seattle, visit the Seattle Municipal Archive’s Flickr page. 



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2019 Lexus GS F Review: The Lion of The Lexus Den

2019 Lexus GS F Review: The Lion of The Lexus Den 96Awesome2019 Lexus GS FOverall Impression The GS F goes against the typical Lexus grain.Competes with Germany's top performance cars.ProsPowerful EngineRide & HandlingLuxurious InteriorConsRemote Touch “Mouse"Limited Rear Passenger SpaceWe pulled next to a Ford Mustang at a light. The driver looked over and smiled. When it turned green, I punched the 2019 Lexus GS F, pulling away from the pony car in an instant. We could see him in the review mirror, a look of surprise on his face. The new Lexus GS F is a lot quicker than it looks.
This sedan doesn’t just come with a random sports package and some exterior badging. It’s a true performance car from Lexus. They have infused a performance attitude into every fiber of the GS F.
The GS F borrows performance parts from the RC F coupe and they fit just fine. The sedan gets the high-performance V8 from its RC F stablemate, along with revised braking and suspension systems. The 2019 Lexus GS F competes in a tough segment too, with the BMW M5, Mercedes-AMG E 63, Cadillac CTS-V, and Audi RS 7.
What’s New For 2019
A limited-production, 10th Anniversary Edition is new for the 2019 model year.
Features & Options: Tech & Safety Driven 
The 2019 Lexus GS F ($84,350) stands head and shoulders above lesser GS models because it gets infused with some extra goodies. For example, a torque-vectoring rear differential, an adaptive, performance-tuned suspension, sport steering, Brembo brakes, and special aerodynamic enhancements are each included. 
Other standard features include auto-dimming mirrors, xenon headlights, automatic high beams and wipers, LED running lights, and keyless ignition and entry. Once inside, drivers are treated to power-adjustable front seats with memory functions, leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable steering wheel. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist.
On the technology front, the standard Remote Touch infotainment interface features a 12.3-inch display. Our tester came with the Lexus Enform app suite, which offers an array of subscription-based and connected services. Other technology features include navigation, voice controls, a USB port, and a 12-speaker sound system complete with a CD player and satellite radio.
Finally, our GS F included the heads-up display ($900), and an ungraded, 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system with a six-CD changer ($1,380). Total MSRP including destination: $87,985. By comparison, the 2019 Lexus GS F starts at $84,450. 

Interior Highlights: Luxurious & Comfortable
Stepping inside the GS F reveals special treatments not offered on the standard trims: aluminum pedals, carbon fiber trim, and sport seats we think offer up exceptional comfort and support. The additional Alcantara leather throughout the cabin gives it a sportier feel than other Lexus products, especially around the dash. The dash is characterized by its horizontal lines and cool ambient lighting at the perimeter. Yet, it offers the typical Lexus luxury we think beats even the best German sport sedans.
The fit and finish overall is top-notch. We thought the extra-padded leather panels in rich shades and smooth wood trim really add character to the interior. The giant, 12.3-inch high-resolution display sits ready for commands from the Remote Touch “joystick” on the console. In the back, there’s solid head room for taller passengers but knee room is lacking. Although the rear doors are big, making it easy for adults to climb in and out.

Interior Highlights: Sweet Symphony
The GS F goes against the typical Lexus luxury grain by piping engine and exhaust notes into the cabin. The 5.0-liter V8 powerplant gives out a throaty growl unlike any other model produced by Toyota’s luxury brand. We found ourselves jumping hard on the gas just to hear that sweet-sounding engine. The 10-way power seats, which we put to the test this week, are comfortable, supportive, and have more bolstering for hard cornering.
The color heads-up display helped keep our eyes on the road and it was a good thing as we pushed the GS F hard this week. We got the attention of a few local law enforcement officials who seemed to know I was coming!
Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs
The 2019 Lexus GS F is the quickest sedan the brand has ever built because of the 5.0-liter V8. The engine has 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft. of torque, backed by an eight-speed, Sport Direct-Shift automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters. The 5.0-liter V8 uses forged connecting rods and titanium valves that allow a 7,300-rpm redline. 
With both direct and port injection, this V8 gets an EPA-estimated 16/24 city/highway and 19 combined mpg. 
This is attainable only if you can keep your foot out of it. Good luck with that.

We got the attention of a few local law enforcement officials who seemed to know I was coming!Click To TweetDriving Dynamics: Fast As Lightning 
The ride is smooth enough, considering the GS F gets a sport-tuned suspension with stiffer shocks and springs. But it’s hard to drive the GS F without stopping on the gas! The first time we pushed on the naturally-aspirated V8 and heard the engine and exhaust notes, we wanted to have that thrill over and over again. It’s heard like sweet background music through two speakers, one front, one rear, as it’s piped in.
Lexus says the GS F sprints to 60 in just 4.5 seconds. You know it’s quick when you look down and you’re going 92 mph before you even get on the highway!
On the open road, when weren’t seeing how it handled the corners (where the torque vectoring makes the sedan respond beautifully), the GS F is a comfortable cruiser. The eight-speed automatic is crisp, smooth, and responsive, although it can’t match the German competition’s dual-clutch gearboxes. The big, 19-inch staggered wheels gripped the pavement and the Brembo performance brakes (15-inch front and 13.5-inch rear) help corral all those horses under the hood.

You know it’s quick when you look down and you’re going 92 mph before you even get on the highway!Click To TweetConclusion: A Serious Contender 
The 2019 Lexus GS F S offers a rear-drive platform that’s pushing the limits for the Japanese automaker. It has the character of a true performance car with the luxury you would expect from Lexus. Our experience says Lexus is serious about competing with the top performance cars around the globe.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
2019 Lexus GS F S Gallery






































Photos: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.



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2020 BMW 7 Series: The Big Boss Gets The Flagship Overhaul

2020 BMW 7 Series: The Big Boss Gets The Flagship Overhaul The 2020 BMW 7 Series is the epitome of flagship styling and comfort.
An extensive offering of new technology includes a night vision system. 
Expect more powerful engines and a plug-in hybrid option. 
I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t the new 8 Series the BMW flagship? Not a chance. The 2020 BMW 7 Series is coming to town, and it’s here to show other BMWs who the real boss is. The new 7 Series is a far cry from being a just another traditional luxury-sport sedan. Although previous models were more oriented towards comfort than outright sportiness, the 7 Series never lost that “ultimate-driving-machine” mentality.
In fact, the 2020 BMW 7 Series is proof that luxury, elegance, and prestige is still on the agenda. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Fresh Face For The New Year
There is no denying that massive front grille. It is 40 percent larger than the kidney grille of the previous-generation 7 Series, and it looks remarkably similar to the one found on the massive BMW X7. It even comes with self-adjusting vanes that open automatically when the engine demands more cooling.
In order to further emphasize the taller and wider front, the 2020 BMW 7 Series gets a redesigned hood that extends to the top of the new grille. The lower part in the front bumper receives large air deflectors in place of conventional air intakes. However, those air deflectors are not useless pieces of styling ornamentation. They actually guide oncoming air to the brake air ducts and air curtains. The latter are located behind the front wheels to minimize turbulence around the wheel openings.
The 2020 BMW 7 Series is also one of the first BMW models to receive optional laser headlights. Yes, there are lasers in the front of the new 7 Series. According to BMW, lasers are 1,000 times more powerful than humdrum LED lights. This explains why BMW resisted the urge to equip the new 7 Series with larger headlights. Instead, they settled for slimmer units to give the vehicle a more stern and muscular fascia.
The 2020 BMW 7 Series features a larger kidney grille. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Yes, there are lasers in the front of the new @BMW #7Series.Click To TweetMore Powerful Engines
This is one of the most interesting parts about the 2020 BMW 7 Series. Although the new 7 Series receives a familiar choice of motors, all of them produce more power and torque; definitely not a bad thing to have in a German luxury car.
The base 740i receives a free-revving, 3.0-liter inline six with twin-scroll turbocharging and direct injection. The engine is good for 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft. of torque. The latter is available from a low 1,500 to 5,200 rpm. This is enough for a sprint to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. The 740i xDrive can achieve the feat in 4.8 seconds.
But if you’re one of those 7 Series owners who demand more, the 4.4-liter V8 in the 750i is ripe for the picking. The twin-scroll, turbocharged engine is good for 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft. of torque, which is 80 more horsepower than the previous model. The twin-scroll turbochargers are nestled in the 90-degree angle between the two banks of cylinders.
When equipped with xDrive, the 750i rushes to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
2020 BMW 7-Series. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Although the new @BMW #7Series receives a familiar choice of motors, all of them produce more power and torque; definitely not a bad thing to have in a German luxury car.Click To TweetRevised V12 & Hybrid Powertrain
Of course, what good is a new 7 Series without a new V12 motor to compliment it? The revised 6.6-liter V12 benefits from mono-scroll turbocharging and an all-aluminum construction. This enables the fire-breathing V12 to churn out an amazing 600 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. of torque. This allows the BMW 760i xDrive to sprint from zero to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds.
The 2020 7 Series is also available as a plug-in hybrid. I have no idea why you should choose this variant, but BMW saw fit to install a six-cylinder motor instead of the previous turbocharged four-banger. Along with a new high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor, the BMW 745e can dash to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The total combined power output for the 7 Series hybrid is 389 horsepower and 442 lb-ft. of torque. No word yet on the all-electric driving range, but I sincerely hope it’s more than 14 miles.
All engine variants are coupled with an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive or xDrive is standard across the range except for the base 740i.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Of course, what good is a new @BMW #7Series without a new V12 motor to compliment it?Click To TweetMore Flexible Suspension
The 2020 BMW 7 Series utilizes a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle in concert with an adaptive suspension system. BMW says the rear suspension is unique because it employs dual elastic bearings and specially-tuned “elastokinematics” for excellent directional stability. The adaptive system comes with electronically-controlled dampers and two-axle air suspension with automatic self-leveling. The air supply of the suspension is controlled individually for each wheel, meaning the new 7 Series will remain balanced even if it’s unevenly loaded.
Further, with the Driving Experience Control switch, you can adjust the damper settings manually based on your preferences. You can opt for a more comfortable or sporty ride and even raise or lower the suspension. For example, it can be raised by 0.8 inches at the touch of a button on bumpy road surfaces or steeply-angled driveways.
Softer Steering
The optional Integral Active Steering is something worth adding to the 2020 BMW 7 Series. BMW says the system combines the electro-mechanical and variable ratio steering of the front wheels with rear axle steering. Ultimately, this means the larger 7 Series is easier to maneuver. For example, at lower speeds, only small steering inputs are necessary becasue the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels to cut the turning radius.
By contrast, at higher speeds, the rear wheels follow the same direction as the front wheels, allowing the new 7 Series to better follow the course set by the driver.
Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Bristling With Technology
I was expecting the 2020 BMW 7 Series to come with everything (including the kitchen sink) and I’m not disappointed. On the safety front, the new 7 Series is standard with the Active Driving Assistant Package. The package includes collision and pedestrian warnings, automatic city braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot detection. On the other hand, ticking the option box for BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional adds active cruise control, lane keeping assist, collision avoidance, and automatic lane changing with evasion assistance.
Extended Traffic Jam Assistant is also part of this upgraded safety package. This system handles acceleration and braking and can, with the help of navigation, adjust the speed of the 7 Series for unexpected bends, turns, junctions, and roundabouts. In addition, the camera-based traffic sign recognition system uses navigation data to determine upcoming speed limits.
The 2020 BMW 7 Series receives a heads-up display and night vision. The latter relays a real-time video image to the Control Display showing people, large animals, and other heat-emitting objects. Any objects detected are additionally illuminated using the headlights’ marker light function.
The interior is home to a bevy of soft-touch materials and coordinated design details. Premium Dakota leather is standard while Nappa leather with extended quilting is optional. The 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch control screen are standard as well. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.
Pricing & Availability
The 2020 BMW 7 Series goes on sale this spring with a starting MSRP of $87,445. There are a number of additional options and packages available, each of which are detailed in the table below. Stand alone options include a remote start, 19 and 20-inch wheels, front massaging seats, and a rear seat entertainment system among others.
Like I said, the new 7 Series is a far cry from being a just another traditional luxury-sport sedan.
Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
2020 BMW 7 Series: Options & Packages
 Individual Package
Package Contents
M Sport Package
(740i, 740i xDrive, 750i xDrive and 745e xDrive) – includes M Sport exhaust(750i xDrive only), a choice of 19 inch or 20 inch wheels and tires, M Sport steering wheel, specific aerodynamics, Shadowline exterior trim, Anthracite headliner, M door sills and foot rest and a choice of interior trim.
Autobahn Package
(740i, 740i xDrive and 750i xDrive) – includes Integral Active steering and Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview.
Premium Package
(740i, 740i xDrive and 745e xDrive) – includes Power rear Sunshade and rear side window shades, Heads-Up display along with a choice of Nappa Leather interiors.
Executive Package
(740i, 740i xDrive, 750i xDrive and 745e xDrive) – includes Panoramic Sky Lounge LED Roof, Front ventilated seats, Instrument panel with Nappa leather finish and ceramic controls. Additionally on the 750i xDrive, this package includes Power rear sunshade & rear side window shades.
Cold Weather Package
(740i, 740i xDrive, 750i xDrive and 745e xDrive) – includes Remote Engine Start, Front and Rear Heated Seats and Heated Front Seat Armrests and Steering Wheel.
Interior Design Package
(740i, 740i xDrive, 750i xDrive and 745e xDrive) – includes wood grab handles, Rear Seat Belt Cover in wood trim, Rear Center armrest with wood trim, Luxury Rear Floor Mats and Alcantara Headliner in Coordinated Upholstery Color.
Luxury Rear Seating Package
(All models) – includes Rear ventilated seats, rear comfort seats, Heated steering Wheel with Front & Rear Heated seats and armrests, Rear Massaging seats and 7 inch Touch Command Tablet.
Driving Assistance Professional Package
(All models) – includes Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision avoidance, Steering and Traffic Jam Assistant, Automatic Lane Change, Evasion Assistant & Cross-traffic front alert.
Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package
(750i xDrive and M760i xDrive) – includes Electric Reclining individual rear Seats and Footrest (on passenger side), Executive Lounge Rear Center Console, rear Entertainment Professional.
2020 BMW 7 Series Gallery























Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.



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Letter From The UK: Travelling In Great Britain

Letter From The UK: Travelling In Great Britain
One of the few benefits of living in the UK is that, being a relatively small island nation, nothing is that far away. At a push, a healthy alert driver could go end to end in well under twenty-four hours. This means our diverse and varied countryside, regions, historic towns, and teeming cities are pretty much accessible to all. If you like to travel and see places and things, then it’s all here in a neat package tied up with string.
God’s Country
The UK contrasts hugely with the USA. This writer is regularly astonished by the sights and sounds of inland America. Watching news or movies and seeing empty highways winding through deep, dark forests or running straight as an arrow across wide open plains is awesome. We, with our tiny lanes and byways, can barely comprehend the sheer vastness of the American continent.
We hear tales of American families who drive many, many miles just to get to a McDonald’s. I can walk to mine. Also a Costa, a Burger King, and an Asda/Walmart. That’s the difference between our two nations; but one thing that we can certainly agree on is that it is always best to go on our travels in a good car. For me that means Subaru.
Fear Of European Travel?
As you’ve read often in my Letters, the UK is leaving the European Union and it is all getting very fractious and, frankly, a bit stupid. One alleged “expert” says that we Brits are these days choosing to take our vacations (or “staycations” as they insist on calling them) in the UK because we fear the consequences of Brexit when it comes to visiting Europe.
This is of course arrant nonsense and demonstrates quite clearly how people will say anything to cause division and fear over what is essentially merely a political mess much like the USA is currently experiencing. Politicians eh? Can’t live with them; can’t put them all on a one-way rocket to Mars.
History shows that – Shock! – well before the EU existed, Britons took holidays in Europe. How can it be any different? This is what happens when the lunatics take over the asylum. How happy we would be if politicians and their mouthpieces just left us all alone.
Automoblog Feature Columnist Geoff Maxted on a scenic drive through the British countryside. Those in the United States should consider traveling abroad more often. A May 2017 study by NBC News found that traveling abroad can enhance creativity and lower the risk of depression. Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
To Cornwall In An Outback
But enough of all this grumbling; let’s go on a road trip.
Cornwall is the nearest British county to America. Stand on the lofty mainland eminence of Land’s End and the next stop is the USA. Like many regions, Cornwall has its own identity. It even has its own language that just a few years ago was remembered and spoken by just a few, but is now being learned and spoken by new generations. There is even a band of enthusiasts working for an independent Cornwall. This would be like Florida ceding from the Union.
It is a beautiful county with mixed countryside from the lush green of the South to the rugged moorlands of the North. Surfing is a way of life with Fistral beach at Newquay being the centre of the universe as far as UK surfers are concerned. The Outback below is pictured there.
As an example of UK travel, from my home I can reach Cornwall in under three hours yet the weather is generally milder, and the renowned light beloved of artists and photographers alike is clear and bright, like a child’s eyes. It is a place to relax and unwind; I know, I used to live there.
About The Outback
Subaru offers a small range of cars and I like all of them. The Outback as driven here has a punchy and strong 2.5-liter flat-four “Boxer” petrol engine. It’s a big and roomy four-wheel drive car and very comfortable on the road. It eats long distances, driving through a “Lineartronic” CVT gearbox with ideal ratios for big journeys.
Our car was fitted with Subaru’s Eyesight safety technology and let me tell you it works! We have our fair share of idiots on the road too. The car has all the latest safety technology and all the usual infotainment suspects but, unlike some manufacturers, Subaru does not make a big deal out of it. The dashboard is plain, almost austere, but the seats are big and there’s plenty of family space. This car is all about the business of driving and travelling backed up by Subaru’s legendary symmetrical four-wheel drive.
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
In Padstow
And talking of legends: The scenic coastal town of Padstow, nestling on the banks of the River Camel tidal estuary, is the base for the now global enterprise that is Chef Rick Stein. This is the place he established his first restaurant, still thriving, and where his quayside premises serve that most traditional of British meals, fish and chips.
Often embellished with brown vinegar and salt (honest, it works) this is the traditional British take away meal. When push comes to shove you can keep your oriental cuisine or meat patties in a bun and feed me this. Armies march on this stuff and Rick Stein’s is just about as good as it gets.
So remember: The UK is still worth a visit but instead of going to our capital city London, currently run by a buffoon and where you will pay a king’s ransom for a hotel room, why not instead tour around the country. Car hire is reasonably inexpensive and, getting back to my original point, nowhere is very far away. When all is said and done and despite the best efforts of successive governments, the UK remains a great country. Best seen from a Subaru.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Photo: DriveWrite Automotive.
From NBC News: 5 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Traveling Abroad.



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2019 Infiniti QX50 Features World’s First Production Variable Compression Engine

2019 Infiniti QX50 Features World’s First Production Variable Compression Engine

Infiniti has pulled the wraps off the 2019 QX50 ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Infiniti says the new crossover combines “world-first technologies, standout design, and unrivaled interior space.”
“The 2019 QX50 is the most important vehicle we have ever launched, and it embodies everything the brand stands for: Beautiful design, advanced technology and empowering performance,” said Christian Meunier, Infiniti Global Division Vice President. “As a luxury mid-size crossover, it’s the right vehicle at the right time in one of the world’s fastest growing segments.”
Power & Performance
The 2019 QX50 will be powered by the world’s first production variable compression ratio engine. Infiniti announced the engines in the summer of 2016 after working on the technology for 20 years. The QX50’s 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine adjusts its compression ratio to maximize performance and efficiency. The mindset behind the design is that it combines turbo power with diesel efficiency. Infiniti says this “challenges the notion that only hybrid and diesel powertrains can deliver high torque and efficiency.”
Solid Foundation
An entirely new front-wheel drive platform supports the 2019 QX50, and although Infiniti didn’t say specifically, we imagine this architecture is instrumental for the VC-Turbo engine’s capability. The platform was designed with an emphasis on refinement, rigidity, and interior room. Infiniti did not immediately provide dimensions, only saying the interior space is unmatched in the segment.
Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Exterior & Interior Design
The 2019 QX50 strikes a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and Infiniti’s “Powerful Elegance” design language. The body lines are noticeable and sleek; the vehicle does have quite a bit of character. Inside, the automaker promises top grade materials and craftsmanship, a calm, connected ambiance, and driver-focused technologies, including a complete ADAS suite. Infiniti notes the importance of having a human element in the details and says the new QX50 is designed accordingly.
Pricing & Availability
Infiniti did not include either in their press materials.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 
*ADAS is an acronym for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
Photos & Source: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.



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Letter From The UK: The Meaning of Crossover

Letter From The UK: The Meaning of Crossover


Initially, my idea was to discuss and update Britain’s exit from the European Union (or Brexit as it has come to be known) and its affect on the UK car industry. Unfortunately nothing much has happened. Car manufacturers wait in exasperated anticipation while UK and EU politicians and their bully boy un-elected flunkies argue, throw their toys about, and run home crying. So instead, this week we have advertising, something else that sets my teeth on edge like fingernails scrapping down an old school blackboard.
Black Friday. We have it here too and, America, it’s your fault. Being British of course we do not fight over goods; we do not battle for that last LCD flat screen, no: We queue nicely and wait our turn to buy stuff that was probably to be found cheaper, somewhere else, prior to Black Friday. The fault lies firmly at the feet of advertising executives. In their increasing desperation to come up with new and inventive ways to sell things, advertising is getting more and more silly. Take the “crossover” car.
Cross Over
That’s what the chicken did. It’s what artistes do when they cravenly change music genres to achieve commercial success, much to the disapprobation of their fellows who failed to think of it first. It also now identifies a type of vehicle but I have no idea why.
It is frankly, daft. In British terms, a crossover is just a tall hatchback or a small SUV, depending upon who you listen to. It is in fact just a small car, inflated. Initially, I suppose, the idea was to give the impression that these motors were somehow more rugged. It patently was not true then and it is not true now. They don’t have any more ability or power and can maybe only boast a little more space than the regular small hatchback upon which they are mostly based. It is a case of style over substance.
In days gone by, car advertising was straightforward. One knew where one stood. It described the virtues of the vehicle. It told us by way of the magic of moving pictures how a particular car could improve our lives by dint of its automotive features, performance, sexiness, service intervals, and economy. Everyone was happy. The auto facts were presented. Motoring journalists plied their trade in the large halls and small bars of the world, supporting a generally robust industry.
This vintage Packard advertisement explains how the new models for 1953 have higher compression V8 engines and power steering. Packard says the new Clipper provides “big-car value at medium-car cost” because of the engineering within. As all Packard ads did at the time, it concludes with “ask the man who owns one,” meaning the brand’s reputation is best communicated by those who drive them every day.
The Influencers
Times have changed and with it, the scope of the car ad. Dusty old journalists with pipes and leather patches on their threadbare tweed jackets have given way to bright young things referred to as influencers and vloggers because every car maker in the world wants to sell to the youth of today. Even the new Aston Martin Vantage (which does not look anywhere near as elegant as its predecessor) is, by the company’s own words, aimed at younger buyers.
Young people, with no discernible creative ability other than being able to walk and talk at the same time, shoot video on a bog-standard DSLR and upload it to YouTube and are now actively being employed and paid to shoot cars in moodily visual locations without explaining how they work. And that it seems is enough. We do indeed live in a transient internet world.
TV advertising now shows us beautiful, blemish-free youth cavorting merrily in these very average “crossover” cars as if the vehicle could really make your life better in any way that matters. The message comes through the TV screen with all the subtlety of a one-ton anvil in a Roadrunner cartoon. It is obvious, it is blatant, and it seems to work. The crossover is now the most popular automotive sector in the UK. There is no longer any need to describe the engineering virtues of the vehicle, just the nebulous lifestyle connotations.
This writer is probably as guilty as the rest. Like everyone who works in today’s motor industry, I too am an influencer but only in that I help to promote products and businesses. Mind you, you don’t want me on video; that would be like getting Gabby Hayes to sell your wagon. Car advertising is changing and we change with it, at least for now, because who knows what the future holds.
Millennials are seen enjoying a late model Fiat 500X. A 2013 Adweek feature penned by David Gianatasio explains that Fiat, in an attempt to gain traction in the United States, targeted younger consumers via social media. However, Gianatasio notes many U.S. Fiat dealers felt that strategy lacked a “broad-based” approach and cites Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne telling Automotive News in 2012 the initial advertising campaign was a “poorly executed plan.” Adweek ultimately concluded that Fiat “excelled at peripheral marketing programs while ignoring the bigger brand-building picture.” Photo: FCA US LLC.
Cross Over To Common Sense


At the time of this writing, a small neighbouring country is threatening to block the progress of vital trade talks in the next round of Brexit negotiations because of some local issue. That’s the thing about “communities.” When push comes to shove, we revert to the defence of our realm. Never mind the big picture; never mind the European car industry is all at sea with huge sums of money and very many jobs hanging in the balance. We await an outcome whilst third rate apparatchiks haggle over political trivialities. That’s why the whole thing has stalled.
If these people do not get off their collective euro-butt, stop scoring points, and being devious and disingenuous, and decide instead to “cross over” the line of common sense about the things that really matter, then all the advertising and all the influencing in the world won’t save the car industry. Or Europe.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Cover Photo: From American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America’s Last Independent Automaker by Patrick Foster. We featured the title in our Book Garage series on April 3rd, 2016.



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