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#we all navigate at diff speeds
inkz123 · 3 months
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Flops down tired from schoolwork but wooo
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idiosys1 · 21 days
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10 Essential Features Every Business Website Needs in 2024
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In today’s digital age, having a well-designed and functional website is crucial for any business. A website is often the first impression prospective customers have of your brand, and it can make or break their decision to get you on- board. When you’re working with a web design company, it’s important to ensure your website has the necessary traits that will ensure its success in 2024. Let’s explore the ten must-have elements every business website needs this year.
1. Mobile Responsiveness With the majority of internet users accessing websites via mobile devices, mobile responsiveness is no longer optional — it’s mandatory. When building a website, ensuring that it adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices is crucial. A responsive design provides a consistent user experience across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, reducing bounce rates and improving customer satisfaction.
If you’re a web designer or working with a web design company, pay special attention to the mobile version of your site. A website that doesn’t perform well on mobile can drive away potential customers before they even have a chance to explore what you offer.
2. Fast Loading Speed In a fast-paced world, no one has time to wait for a slow-loading website. A delay of even a few seconds can lead to a significant drop in conversions. Therefore, optimizing your website’s loading speed is essential. Compress images, minimize CSS and JavaScript, and leverage browser caching to ensure your pages load quickly.
When building a website, consider using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to monitor and improve load times. We, Idiosys Tech, the best website design company in Kolkata can help you identify and fix any speed-related issues, ensuring that your site offers a smooth, fast experience for all users.
3. Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) A well-designed website guides visitors toward taking specific actions, such as signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting your business. This is achieved through clear and compelling CTAs. Your CTAs should be strategically placed throughout your website, using concise and action-oriented language.
For web designers, the placement and design of CTAs are crucial. They should stand out from the rest of the content while still aligning with the overall design aesthetic. Whether you’re working with a top web design company in Kolkata like Idiosys Tech or independently, the goal is to create CTAs that convert visitors into customers.
4. SEO-Friendly Structure Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical aspect of building a website that attracts organic traffic. An SEO-friendly website structure includes clean URLs, proper header tags (H1, H2, etc.), and meta descriptions that are optimized for relevant keywords. Additionally, using alt text for images and ensuring your site is easy to crawl by search engines can significantly improve your rankings.
5. Secure Hosting and SSL Certificate Security is a top priority for any business website, especially with increasing concerns about data breaches and cyber threats. A secure website builds trust with your audience, ensuring that their information is protected. This is where SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates come into play. An SSL certificate encrypts data transferred between the user’s browser and the server, providing a layer of security that is essential in today’s online environment.
When building a website, choose a reputable hosting provider that offers robust security features, including SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular backups. Idiosys Tech, a web development company in Kolkata can recommend trusted hosting solutions that align with your security needs.
6. User-Friendly Navigation Good navigation is the backbone of a successful website. Visitors should be able to find what they are looking for with minimal effort. A well-structured navigation menu helps users easily access different sections of the site, improving their overall experience. When designing navigation, simplicity is the key. Avoid cluttering the menu with too many options, and use clear, descriptive labels.
7. High-Quality Content Content is the king, as the saying goes, and this holds true in 2024. High-quality content not only informs and engages your audience but also plays a crucial role in SEO. Your website should feature well-written, informative content that answers your visitors’ questions and provides value. This includes blog posts, product descriptions, service pages, and more. It’s important to create content that is not only relevant but also optimized for search engines.
8. Integrated Social Media Links Social media is an integral part of any digital marketing strategy. By integrating social media links into your website, you allow visitors to easily connect with your brand on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This not only increases your online presence but also fosters a community around your brand.
When you are trying to build a website, first ensure that social media icons are prominently displayed, preferably in the header or footer of the site. Idiosys Tech, a top website design company in Kolkata can help you seamlessly integrate these links to enhance your overall digital strategy.
9. Analytics and Tracking Tools To measure the success of your website, it’s important to track key metrics such as traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. Tools like Google Analytics and heatmaps provide valuable insights into how visitors interact with your site. This data can then be used to make informed decisions about design changes, content updates, and marketing strategies.
10. Accessible Design Accessibility is becoming increasingly important in web design. Your website should be usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This includes using appropriate color contrast, providing text alternatives for images, and ensuring that the site can be navigated using a keyboard.
When building a website, consider the various needs of your audience. Idiosys Tech, a top web development company in Kolkata can help ensure that your site complies with accessibility standards, making it inclusive and welcoming to all users.
Conclusion
In 2024, building a prominent website requires more than just aesthetic appeal. By incorporating these ten exclusive features, you can create a website that not only attracts visitors but also converts them into loyal customers.
When you’re partnering with Idiosys Tech, the best web design company in Kolkata, these elements will ensure that your website is well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern digital landscape.
Remember, the key to a successful website lies in balancing functionality with user experience. With the right features in place, your website can become a powerful tool that brings growth and success for your business.
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Why is a mobile-friendly design important for business websites?
A mobile-friendly design ensures your website looks great and functions well on smartphones and tablets, catering to the increasing number of mobile users.
How does fast loading speed impact a business website?
Fast loading speeds improve user experience, reduce bounce rates, and positively impact search engine rankings, helping to attract more visitors.
What is a call-to-action (CTA) button, and why is it important?
A CTA button prompts visitors to take specific actions, like signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase. It guides user behavior and helps achieve business goals.
How can I make sure my website is SEO-optimized?
Ensure your website uses relevant keywords, has high-quality content, is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and includes meta tags and alt text for images.
What is a content management system (CMS), and why is it important?
A CMS allows you to easily create, edit, and manage your website content without needing technical skills, keeping your site up-to-date and relevant.
How does an FAQ section benefit a business website?
An FAQ section addresses common questions, reducing customer service inquiries and helping visitors find information quickly.
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Please check the blog post: https://shorturl.at/XrPKQ
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mvautoservicerepair · 11 months
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Wangara's premier Differential repair services
When it comes to vehicle maintenance and repairs, certain components play a critical role in ensuring your vehicle's safety and overall performance. One such crucial component is the differential. Located in the rear or front axles of most vehicles, the differential allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds while turning, ensuring stable and smooth driving. If you're in Wangara and in need of expert differential repair services, MV Auto Service Repair is your go-to destination for all things related to diff repairs.
Understanding the Importance of Differential Repair
The differential is an often-overlooked component of a vehicle, but it plays a vital role in its functionality. Whether you're driving a compact car, a heavy-duty truck, or an off-road vehicle, the differential is responsible for distributing power to the wheels, allowing them to rotate at varying speeds. This differentiation is necessary for smooth turns and maintaining traction, especially when navigating corners or uneven terrain.
Over time, the differential can wear down due to regular use, and when it does, issues can arise. You might notice symptoms such as strange noises when turning, reduced traction, or even a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency. These issues should not be ignored, as they can lead to more significant problems if left unattended.
MV Auto Service Repair: Your Differential Experts in Wangara
MV Auto Service Repair, located right in the heart of Wangara, is a trusted name in the automotive repair industry. We specialize in a wide range of auto services, and our expertise extends to the critical area of differential repairs.
Here's why MV Auto Service Repair stands out as Wangara's premier differential repair service:
1. Specialized Knowledge: Our team of highly trained and experienced mechanics understands the intricacies of differentials. We are equipped with the latest tools and diagnostic equipment to identify and address any issues efficiently.
2. Comprehensive Services: From differential fluid changes to complete differential rebuilds, we offer a wide range of differential repair services. No matter the make or model of your vehicle, we can handle the repair with precision and care.
3. Quality Parts: We use only high-quality, manufacturer-approved parts and fluids, ensuring that your vehicle's differential receives the best possible care.
4. Timely Repairs: We understand that your vehicle is essential to your daily life, and we aim to get you back on the road as quickly as possible without compromising on quality.
5. Transparent Communication: At MV Auto Service Repair, we believe in clear and open communication with our customers. We'll keep you informed about the repair process, any additional issues we identify, and the estimated cost.
The Differential Repair Process at MV Auto Service Repair
When you bring your vehicle to MV Auto Service Repair for differential repair, you can expect a comprehensive and professional process. Here's a step-by-step look at how we handle differential repairs:
Initial Assessment: Our expert technicians will begin by assessing the condition of your vehicle's differential. This includes a visual inspection and a road test to identify any noticeable issues.
Diagnosis: If we detect a problem, we'll use advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. This ensures that we don't overlook any underlying problems.
Recommendations: Once we've identified the problem, we'll provide you with a detailed explanation of the issue and our recommended repair or maintenance plan. We believe in transparent and honest communication, so you'll be fully informed about the necessary work and associated costs.
Repair or Maintenance: With your approval, we'll proceed with the repair or maintenance. Our skilled mechanics will use their expertise and quality parts to ensure your differential is in excellent working condition.
Quality Check: Before we consider the job complete, we'll conduct a thorough quality check to ensure that the repair has been executed to our high standards.
Final Inspection: Once the work is done, your vehicle will undergo a final inspection to ensure that everything is in order and that you can drive away with confidence.
Customer Satisfaction: At MV Auto Service Repair, your satisfaction is our top priority. We'll make sure you're pleased with the service and address any questions or concerns you may have.
The Importance of Regular Differential Maintenance
While addressing differential issues is essential, regular differential maintenance can help prevent problems from arising in the first place. At MV Auto Service Repair, we recommend that our customers in Wangara consider differential maintenance as part of their routine vehicle care. This includes periodic differential fluid changes and inspections to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
By investing in regular differential maintenance, you can extend the life of your vehicle's differential, maintain optimal performance, and avoid costly repairs down the road. Our team can provide guidance on the recommended maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle.
Conclusion: Trust MV Auto Service Repair for Your Differential Repairs in Wangara
Your vehicle's differential is a crucial component that should not be overlooked when it comes to maintenance and repair. If you're in Wangara and experiencing differential issues or are due for regular maintenance, MV Auto Service Repair is your trusted partner for all your differential repair needs.
With a team of skilled technicians, a commitment to quality, and a dedication to transparent communication, we ensure that your vehicle's differential receives the best care possible. Visit MV Auto Service Repair to learn more about our differential repair services in Wangara and how we can keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. Don't let differential problems compromise your driving experience; let the experts at MV Auto Service Repair get you back on the road with confidence.
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europeanoffline · 2 years
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2014 jeep grand cherokee navigation update
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, the 470-horsepower 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT proves that utility and eye-popping performance can indeed go hand in hand. But despite our affection for diesel technology, the new EcoDiesel’s $4,500 premium combined with pricey urea exhaust fluid refills every 10,000 miles makes it a tough pill to swallow. As for power, all three engine choices are highly-competitive in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. When the asphalt ends, the 2014 Grand Cherokee impresses with its ample ground clearance, abundance of traction, and innovative off-road tech. While there, however, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s large, square mirrors and boxy shape create noticeable wind noise. The electric-assisted steering is light during low-speed maneuvers, yet weights up appropriately at speed. The highway ride – where we predict the 2014 Grand Cherokee will spend the bulk of its service – is surprisingly resilient and far more composed than its rugged demeanor suggests. Driving the Used 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee When it comes time to sell, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is expected to hold slightly above-average resale values, higher than the Nissan Pathfinder and VW Touareg, but falling well short of the Toyota 4Runner. Before buying, take a look at KBB.com’s Fair Purchase Price at the bottom of this page to see what others in your area are paying for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Most 7-passenger SUVs like the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer share a similar base price with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Volkswagen Touareg carries a starting price of nearly $45,000, but includes a more extensive set of standard features and luxury-car ride quality. The less-capable Ford Edge opens around $28,500, with the Toyota 4Runner coming in closer to $32,000. Adding a Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, or Quadra-Drive II 4-wheel-drive system will cost you an extra $2,000, $2,500, or $3,500, respectively. The Grand Cherokee SRT begins right around $64,000 and tops out near $68,000. The range-topping Harman Kardon sound system has 19 speakers, a subwoofer and an 825-Watt amp.Base prices for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee range from just shy of $30,000 to roughly $52,000. If you have a model with Jeep’s Uconnect System, there’s a big 8.4-inch touchscreen with 3D navigation, DAB radio plus Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands. It can show a traditional-looking speedo, the sat-nav map, or various vehicle systems. Sat-nav, stereo and infotainmentĪll models have a TFT screen display at the centre of the instrument cluster, which is customisable for settings and graphics. The Overland comes with a panoramic roof, air suspension and an electronic limited slip diff, while the Summit adds bi-xenon headlamps, 20-inch polished alloys, and the plushest interior with a high-output sound system. From the Limited model upwards you get leather seats, while the Limited Plus adds sat-nav.
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The cabin also comes with well-finished silver trim and plush leather seats, while further down the centre console there’s a set of buttons and a rotary dial to adjust the suspension according to the terrain.Įquipment levels are a real Grand Cherokee plus point, with all models getting cruise control, climate control, a CD auto-changer and alloy wheels. The dashboard gets a TFT display in front of the driver that features a speedometer that can have selectable information displayed within it. There’s a touchscreen infotainment system that’s shared with other high-end models from the FCA group. Climb inside, and the Jeep has a functional layout that is pretty easy to get along with.
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adrenalineguide · 3 years
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Jeep Wrangler Sport S and Mustang 2.3L Convertible: Two Fours for Summer Fun
Words and Photos By Michael Hozjan
No I’m not talking about cases of beer. I’m referring to the number of cylinders found under the hood of two American icons in the automotive landscape – the Jeep Wrangler and Mustang. Don’t scoff, four cylinders have been making a huge come back in recent years and no, these are not your grand dad’s four cylinders. Both the Jeep and the Mustang rely on turbocharging to get the extra oomph when needed all while delivering below average thirst numbers compared to their V6 and V8 counterparts. Let’s face it do we really need all that horsepower all the time and isn’t it nice to save some bucks at the pump.
Jeep Wrangler Sport: Back to its roots
“There’s something amiss here.” I tell myself as the engine comes to life. I hit the off button and check for the glow plug light, there isn’t one. For some reason the engine doesn’t sound the same, and yet there’s something eerily familiar about the sound.  I mistakenly expected the Wrangler to be diesel powered, which it was not. The diesel mill is offered in the Gladiator that I was due to drive, but at a later date. Blame it on old age or just on my eagerness to get behind the wheel of one of my favorite rides.    
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Well one thing lead to another and another and before I knew it, it was several days later that I popped the hood to gaze upon the turbocharged inline 2.0L four cylinder. THAT’S what the sound was… somehow, the engineers at Jeep have managed to get the sound of the old familiar World War II era four cylinder Jeep into this modern, 80th anniversary edition Wrangler…or maybe it’s just me. One thing is certain, it doesn’t sound like the Wrangler I’ve been accustomed to.
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Maybe it’s just coincidence, maybe it’s good corporate planning, with Jeep’s closest off-road capable rival, the Ford Bronco making its debut this year, Jeep has stepped up the ante, not only have they launched the Wrangler Xtreme Recon equipped with the first ever 35-inch rubber straight out of the factory, but are also offering a slew of powerplants to make any competitor nervous: beginning with this week’s tester, there’s the 2.0 L turbocharged four cylinder mated to the 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic, the trusty old 285 horsepower Pentastar 3.6L V6s remain and come with either a manual or automatic trans, there’s also a mild hybrid version mated to the 3.6L tagged the eTorque, a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 with 442 lb-ft of torque and 260 horses and for the first time in four decades, the Wrangler gets a V8. Available exclusively (dare I say for the time being) in the Rubicon 392 trim, the 6.4L throws out 470 horses and the like amount of torque through the eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and Selec-Trac full-time active transfer case.  It blasts the Rubicon 392 to 100 km/h in less than five seconds making it the quickest Wrangler in history!
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Well it appears the Jeep has come full circle with their mills, reverting back to four cylinder power to move their off roaders about. But don’t think for a minute that these are the old WWII flatheads. No sir, and not one but two count them, two four cylinders are offered. Aside from my Snazzyberry Pearl colored 2.0L turbocharged tester which pumps out 270 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing 2,000 lbs (907 kilos), that’s 35 more lb-ft of torque than its V6 counterpart, there’s also an electrified four cylinder that adds an electric motor. The plug in hybrid 4xe delivers 375 horses!  Stay tuned for more on this one.
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Above and below: There’s nothing missing in the four that you wouldn’t find in the six.
If you’re a regular reader of my posts you’ll know that I do NOT check performance numbers or price tags before I get a feel for what the vehicle feels like. Does it feel like 300 horses, does it feel like 400 lb-ft of torque? I tend to reserve looking at the stats until after my first, second and third impression. That said, despite having 270 horses, it still seemed a bit anemic from my previous Wrangler encounters (with the V6). There’s a noticeable difference at half throttle when leaving a red light or stop sign, but that quickly disappears as you build up speed. Punch the go pedal however to wake up the turbo boost and grab on to the steering wheel. The torque kicks in and bites the tarmac like a banshee. Suddenly Jeeps decision to go with this combo makes perfect sense.
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On the highway the four delivers smooth, linear power and actually feels better mated to the 8-speed automatic than the six. Passing semis or climbing grades isn’t a problem and while I didn’t get the chance to go off-roading I suspect that the added torque would be able to let this Wrangler do some serious climbing prowess without hesitation.
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Of course one of the other main attributes is that the Wrangler can shed its top when the weather turns warm. With two tops available it still remains the only convertible SUV in the market.
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Above: A hidden cubby hole under the trunk floor comes in handy
One of the Wrangler’s Achilles’ heals has always been it’s thirst for fuel. My best has usually been around 12L/100 kms even when feathering my foot. Well the 2.0L netted me a 9.75L/100 average, on top of which a $200 saving over the automatic trannied V6 makes getting into a Wrangler a lot easier. The Sport S starts at $45,465, my fully loaded tester came in at a substantial premium, which leads me to want to see this mill in the 2-door Wrangler variant with a manual transmission. Now that would truly be full circle. If you’ve always wanted a Wrangler but weren’t crazy about their fuel consumption Jeep has just given you several reasons why you should reconsider.
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Price as tested: $62,030 *
*Includes excise tax and destination fees
Mustang 2.3L Convertible: Is this the best Mustang ever?
It’s a balmy July afternoon, the kind we wait all year long for and fantasize about from December through to March. I’m in the left lane of the 401 heading west, passing semi after semi. The sun is beaming down on me and I get to thinking how nice this thing would be for a cross-country run. Indeed it doesn’t get much better than this. There are so many semis it reminds me of the rocking chair scene in The Bandit, only I’m not driving a T-top black Firebird with a roaring V8 and Sheriff Buford T Justice chasing me, but a drop top Antimatter Blue (yes that’s the hue) Mustang with a turbocharged 2.3L four cylinder.  
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For decades Ford has been grappling with the notion of having both a high performance Mustang and an economy Mustang, and yes when it first debuted there were trims that encompassed both. But over the years that concept got lost with muscle cars taking the limelight. It wasn’t until the gas crisis of ’73 that the economy car resurrected itself in the Mustang II, but in the process lost the muscle slice of the pie.
Well guess what, the 2.3L fits both bills easily. Yes diehard muscle heads may pooh pooh the thought of another four cylinder in a Mustang but they have no idea what they’re missing out on.
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Pillaged from the darling all-wheel-drive Ford, the Focus RS, the 2.3L mill has been turned longitudinally to fit into the pony car. Although Ford has given the Mustang a larger twin scroll turbo, there are 18 fewer horses pulling the pony car over the RS. Torque however has been retained.  
With 310 horses and 350 lb-ft of torque on tap mated to an optional 10-speed automatic my tester galloped along without so much as missing a breadth. Thankfully Ford has retained the 6-speed manual. My unofficial timing showed zero to a hundred kilometers shot in at 4.6 seconds!  I have to say that as sweet as the four cylinder is, the exhaust note just tries to hard and gets annoying after a while.  It’s like look at me, look at me. Oh shut up! Thankfully there is a shut off switch.
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My ‘stang came with the High Performance Package, a $6,500 option inherited from the Mustang GT, which meant stickier 19” Pirelli rubber over the base car’s 17” units, larger brake rotors with four piston calipers, stiffer springs, a beefier rear sway bar, strut tower brace, a larger rad, a 3.55:1 limited slip diff. In other words, all the right stuff to make this a serious tourer.    
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Above and below: Top up or top down the Mustang looks great. Front spoiler is part of the High  Performance Package.
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Another plus for the four-cylinder argument is better balanced shedding 147kilos (auto trans) off its front axle. The result is a crisper handling ride with a nominal amount of body roll, less nosedive under hard braking. Switching driving modes from Normal to Sport mode for attacking the lakeside twisties shows the car’s true potential with the engine’s responsiveness hitting the sweet spot over 2,500 rpm and the fun factor sans V8.  
This would make an interesting track car.
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Inside you get all the usual fan fare of goodies including cooling and heated power leather seats.  The hi-po package adds an oil pressure and turbo boost gauge and engine spun aluminum instrument panel. Fit and finish is spot on with comfortable buckets making the drive that much more enjoyable.
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Above: Despite what it looks like my 6’ frame spent several hours back there in a friend’s convert for a three-hour trip to the Syracuse Nationals a few years back without a single complaint.
Like the Jeep the Mustang doesn’t come cheap. While the base price is a very reasonable $43,370, my tester’s option list added another $11,800 to the price tag. Stepping up to the $6,500 high performance package is a no brainer, especially if you’re a serious driver, but while the 10-speed is perfectly matched to the engine and responds wonderfully to throttle inputs I’d go with the 6-speed manual and trim $1,750 off the tag. Other options included $1,000 AM/FM/CD/HD radio, $2,300 for adaptive cruise, voice activated touch screen navigation and the Ford Safe & Smart package.
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In a move I just don’t understand is the spare tire/wheel has been relegated to option status! In its place is a compressor - just the ticket for a bent rim, blow out or flat in the middle of nowhere on a dark rainy night. Come on Ford!
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Yes the Mustang buyer has a number of trims and powerplants to opt for all the way to the 100 grand Shelby GT500 but really, wouldn’t you rather have a car that hits all the right fun buttons without breaking the bank while still passing a gas station or two ( I averaged 10.7L/100 km). Oh and let’s not forget the savings on the insurance premium on the four cylinder So shrug the V8 monkey off your back and hit the road in a four.
Price as tested:  $56,970*
*Includes destination charges
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careerplus7 · 2 years
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Virtual HR Customer Service Representative - Salem, VA 24153
Virtual HR Customer Service Representative - Salem, VA 24153
#HR #jobopenings #jobs #career #hiring #Jobposting #LinkedIn #Jobvacancy #Jobalert #Openings #Jobsearch
Description
Last year our HCA Healthcare colleagues invested over 156,000 hours volunteering in our communities. As a(an) Virtual HR Customer Service Representative with Work from Home you can be a part of an organization that is devoted to giving back!
Work from Home, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance and more.
Fertility and family building benefits through Progyny
Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical and financial wellbeing
Family support, including adoption assistance, child and elder care resources and consumer discounts
401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Retirement readiness and rollover services and preferred banking partnerships
Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships)
Colleague recognition program
Time Away From Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence)
Learn more about Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.
Would you like to unlock your potential with a leading healthcare provider dedicated to the growth and development of our colleagues? Join the Work from Home family! We will give you the tools and resources you need to succeed in our organization. We are looking for an enthusiastic Virtual HR Customer Service Representative to help us reach our goals. Unlock your potential!
The HR Service Center (HRSC) Customer Service Tier I Representative is a member of the HR Service Center team, responsible for providing front-line customer service and support to employees (active and inactive), managers, HR Field staff, and company vendors for questions, issues, and problems related to HR and Payroll Tier I. The HRSC Tier I Customer Service Representative will perform administrative, and data/records management activities in support of HR and HRIS functions, including interpreting life-cycle reports, onboarding, status change, compensation, separations, etc. The HRSC Customer Support Tier I Representative will work under direction from the HRSC Supervisor to ensure HR service delivery is consistently high-quality.
Provides customer service by answering HRAnswers calls, documents all customer inquiries and resolutions received via phone calls. Ask HR, Chat, mailboxes or alternative streams of input in order to identify, diagnose, and initiate research necessary to resolve customer issues in a timely manner, as needed
Provides support within a HR Line of Business
Cleary communicates problem symptoms and consults with CS Tier 2 representatives as necessary to aide in resolving customer issues/requests and ensure all pertinent information is included
Escalate unresolved issues as needed
Perform any other duties as needed
Provide assistance on navigating internal resources on self-service and HR technology tools
Strong Customer Service skills
1 year of experience in HR preferred
Virtual employees are required to have high speed interview with 60 MB download and 10 MB upload
"There is so much good to do in the world and so many different ways to do it."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr. HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
Be a part of an organization that invests in you! We are reviewing applications for our Virtual HR Customer Service Representative opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your application and help us raise the bar in patient care!
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
This position is incentive eligible.
Apply Now: https://bit.ly/jumprecruiter
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sloopimports · 3 years
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A guide to the Essentials of your First Off-Road Adventure
Some people enjoy driving on straight, well-metaled roads with traffic lights, signs, and laws that indicate when and where they can travel. It's easy. It's just another day at the office. Well-intention ed.
Then, there comes in the adrenaline junkies who not only love to drive, yet also thrive for it.
Off-Roading is a sport that is widely popular because of the high in adrenaline and adventure and as a result, makes its way too risky as well. However, no matter how much fun off-roading or camping in the dark forest sounds exciting it is important to keep some of the essentials for your first off-road adventure. Along with that, we will be providing you a handy guide which would be including the vocabulary you need to know, mostly about the parts of your vehicle. For instance, many of you might not be aware of the high lifter snorkel kit and what does it include. Let Us Get Started With This - 
The Essentials You Need For Your First Off-Road 
Never Forget the First Aid 
Off-road trails are typically found in rural areas that are several miles from any medical facilities. As a result, you can evaluate your fitness levels before embarking on a multi-day off-roading adventure. Regardless of your fitness, you should still have a first-aid kit with you. Plus, you cannot ignore the unpredictable nature of the off-roading trials, many people experience health problems. Therefore, for these situations, a first aid kit can be your only best friend. Make sure that the kit includes emergency medical supplies and keep it in the easily accessible part of your ride. 
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Advance in Protective Accessories 
4x4s are very powerful vehicles. Even the most powerful vehicles, however, are vulnerable to injury, particularly on unforgiving off-road trails. You should invest in attachments that shield your 4x4 not only from the outside but also from the inside if you want to reduce the harm it sustains. Aftermarket bumpers, which protect the exterior from damage, and vehicle snorkel kits, which provide protection while navigating through deep water, are two of the most common protective accessories.
Take A long A Whistle
You can't expect the same level of mobile connectivity on off-road trails as you can in the region. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you actually need assistance, you'll need a way to reach out to others. All you'll need is a good old whistle to get the job done. Locals are always drawn to whistles, and it could mean the difference between getting out of a precarious situation and getting trapped in one.
The Locking Differential 
The wheel turn speed is regulated by a "diff lock." To compensate for the terrain, the wheels normally spin at different speeds. Adjustments would be made automatically by the car's machine. Modern cars only need the push of a button to unlock the lockers, while older cars need manual locking. As a result, the wheels will spin at the same rate. When you're stuck, this is critical because the machine will offer more power to the wheel with the least resistance, exacerbating the problem.
Below given are some certain equipment that you will be most likely to take along with you on the average off-road adventure. 
An extra full gas tank 
A high lift jack
High lifter snorkel
A shovel 
Extra water for the radiator 
Spare tire and tools to change tires 
Tow rope
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rebeccacclarke-blog · 6 years
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Week 10: Individual App design research- Prototyping Questions
What elements do you like?
Rebecca’s App design:
Willow & Pauline: 
Colour- simple- one colour didn’t take too much away from info- easy to navigate- nothing missing- location things are distracting, grey colour, or less opacity
Phatt: 
A very realistic app. FAQ has too much info. I like the keypad screen instead of it linking straight to dialling the company. Make actions more cohesive i.e some pages animate across/ left and some slide up. No back button on ‘Pay with’  page. Match review colours with meaning as it’s quite confusing. What do the red/ green/ orange colours stand for in the review? Green colour means low price however there might be less parking available, doesn’t understand what the colour stands for. If arrow points left, screen should flow/ slide left too. Everything else like the colour and font work well together!
Tammy:
I like the grey arrow tab. I prefer the pages to slide left/right rather than up/ down because it’s how apps normally work so we’re used to it. It can be a bit too much. I really like the home page design because the layout looks good however colour can be improved.
Natalie: I like the colour and how it’s simple. I like the icons with the pin/ car and it’s the same throughout all the pages and makes it cohesive. Really good overall but not sure if I like the green since it usually goes with environmental and money/ cash related so not suitable for a parking app.
G:
 No back button- on timer. Add notification- for topping up time- don’t want to think about it- organization is good- buttons are too big
Likes the colour-coded aspect of the reviews
Debbie’s App design:
Natalie:
Colour, cute, font is really cute
Have an option for saved park (bookmark option maybe)
Phatt:
Contrast colours work well together. Make the background for homescreen teal to tie in with the rest of the app more.
For ‘add new card’ screen, have another option. No question mark- change to confirm
Like the rounded font, easy to read
For hamburger option, don’t make it go back to the home screen but keep it in the side menu
Cute icons, but needs more
Understandable and easy to use
Tammy:
Like the two colours in title screen.
Like the font
Cute design. Like the colour combination. Add new icon for successful screen
The colour combination, easy to understand layout
Willow & Pauline:
Similar to Michelle’s just diff colour.
Map - showed up the different prices and places and could click - simple and clean layout but preferred the other colours more as looked like taxi
G: 
Nice to have a visual to see how much time is leftover
Needs to have a date enter for the Booking Function
Text size for ‘Save Location’ is not easy to read, maybe make it bigger
Michelle’s App design:
Phatt: 
Colours, icons, everything, the gradient, it’s so cute, the flow is good, understandable, easy to use, i like how the colour is clear, font is cute and easy to read, simple and it suits the colour and i love it!
Tammy: 
I love the colours from the first look. I like the rounded font, apps normally use typical fonts like arial etc so it’s boring however with the rounded look it’s more friendly. Love the gradient circles combined with the icons. I especially like the icons because it’s colourful and detailed yet simple. 10/10!
Natalie: 
It’s so cute and pretty. I like your icons! (the car icon, it’s not too much and simple) I like the history tab. I like how the font is really easy to read. Easy to use. Add a bookmark/ saved/ favourite locations for facilities that they find for the future.
Willow & Pauline: 
colour, pleasing- book a carpark- plus of minus- auto calculate easy as. Illustrations were nice.
G: 
I like how I can go back. Like having a choice to move around. Reviews text is a bit small. per/hr. I like the circle/ timer, nice visual. Type in end time.
Delete account button/ log out?
In general of our apps:
1) Favourite colour choices and fonts?
Willow & Pauline: 
Pauline is Bias to blue but likes the blue or greeny blue as it is one colour, white and one colour worked really well and kept it clear and simple. Could maybe use the blue used as detail colour accent.
Tammy: 
Blue/ purple with the pink accent because it stands out the most. It’s very calming especially when combined with the gradient. It might appear very colourful however when using it on the phone it’s not and it’s simple and clean. For the font I prefer Rebecca’s font when she uses the bold with the normal typeface style in the title ‘ParkPal’.
Natalie: 
Favourite colour choice is Michelle’s because it’s the easiest to see (dark background with white font). Along with the font since it’s bubbly and cute. Debbie’s light font is really nice as well as Futura.
Phatt: 
I didn’t have a favourite however it would look nice with Debbie’s yellow and Michelle’s blue! Because it’s a good colour combo for both genders. Michelle’s pink might be aimed for female audience. Rebecca’s green is a bit harsh and green usually means ‘go’ like in traffic lights but your app is for parking. Blue represents calming and when you park your car it’s parked and still, not moving. Font choice favourite is Debbie’s, I prefer the rounded font more rather than Arial. Arial font is too typical and simple as you see it everywhere.
2) Overall favourite and why?
Willow & Pauline: 
Both think we need to combine the different aspects and incorporate it into one app.
Tammy: 
I like all of them! You should combine Michelle’s colours with some of Rebecca’s designs and Debbie’s icons as well as Michelle’s icons.
Natalie: 
I like all of them. Each parts of each of our designs should be combined. I like Michelle’s colours and Debbie’s font as well as how simple Rebecca’s one is.
Phatt: 
My overall favourite is Rebecca’s because it looks more realistic. More general for everyone to use because car parking, most people are adults so keeping it simple might be better. However for the icons I like Michelle’s because it’s easy to understand.
3) What stood out to you the most?
Willow & Pauline: 
How it automatically calculated prices- easy and quick- in a rush for parking seemed speed up process. Showed prices for each parking worked well
Tammy: 
The designs and functionality works well i.e the map $ where you can tap to see prices. Colours stood out to me the most especially Michelle’s. Also the icons (particularly the vector line art with the sparkles)
Natalie: 
Michelle’s stood out to me the most because of her icons. I don’t like reading and when there’s a lot of pictures it’s easy to understand. It’s really nice when you book/ pay and the icons pop up because it relates to what it says so it’s just nice.
Phatt: 
The design and functions. I didn’t like how there’s too much blank/ negative space on certain pages. I liked how in Michelle’s one her layout is clean and also stands out with the box + shadow along with the gradient circle. I prefer having the book, find, pay on the top than bottom. I prefer Debbie’s review design with a solid colour contrasting against the white. I like Rebecca’s side menu with the profile photo and her realistic keypad screenshot. Also having the main logo flow across all the pages (if you have space). 
G: 
Consider open navigation and user needs as they’ll want to be able to easily change out or decide that they want to cancel bookings. Maybe have a calendar pop-up to select booking dates.
4) What mood/ style did you like the most?
Willow & Pauline: 
Green and blue- one colour and white or black. Two colours need to go together really well otherwise distracting, that’s why I liked the green as it was striking and blue seemed to work well too.
Tammy: 
Simplistic style, clean and minimalistic. Rebecca’s one was good but she could add colour to the background instead of having a plain white background. I like the teal colour!
Natalie: 
I like Debbie’s mood the most personally but I’m not sure if others would prefer it since it might remind them of ASB. Michelle’s style was my favourite because of the icon drawings and lowkey kawaii, i love it.
Phatt: 
Debbie’s font and colour is quite friendly and playful. It’s simple and minimal which I like. Michelle’s I like her icon’s the most and the gradient circles also the blue colour is calming and good colour to view since it’s cool toned. Rebecca’s I liked her flow and information throughout her pages.
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tenacioususedcars · 4 years
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The firm favourite used Ford Ranger holds up well
Ford has sold about 200,000 Ford Ranger in the past five years, which means there are plenty of second hand versions available at a huge discount. Here’s what you should look out for.
The Ford Ranger for sale has practically reached cult car status. Designed and engineered in Australia, though built in Thailand, it has passionate and loyal owners.
In the past three years, the Ranger’s finished second only to ute rival Toyota HiLux as Australia’s best-selling vehicle, so clearly our love affair with Ford’s one-tonner is enduring, especially with the lifestyle versions.
Ford asks between R323,400 for the cheapest dual-cab, so for many people a new example is unaffordable to many. Little wonder they’re desirable used bakkie buys but late-model examples are still big investments.
You might want a Ranger for its tough good looks but you’re also buying one of the best all-round one-tonners in a crowded, competitive market.
It’s comfortable enough even without load in the tub (certainly more so than a HiLux), well-equipped and tows up to 3500kg. The 3.2-litre five-cylinder or later 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder are eager performers.
It trumps many rivals with excellent 237mm ground clearance, 800mm wading depth and rear diff lock. The PX2s also scored electric power-assisted steering, meaning light effort and easy manoeuvrability around town and quite effortless off-road.
No modern one-tonne ute is particularly easy to live with in town — they’re cumbersome, need big parking spaces, don’t enjoy cornering and the cost to own and run is more than a family car. Among the dual-cabs, the Ranger’s hailed by road testers and owners alike as one of the better for daily duties with impressive driveability and even reasonable fuel economy.
Which used Ranger model to choose from Group 1 Cars’s selection? The PX2 launched with 26 4WD variants, so study the Ranger’s full specifications carefully.
Mid-spec XLTs were the popular choice, with decent infotainment and navigation via the eight-inch touchscreen. If safety’s your thing, the XLT (and Wildtrak) had an optional Tech Pack adding adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and reversing camera. From June 2016, the infotainment was upgraded with desirable Apple CarPlay/Android Auto for XLT and Wildtrak.
 The XL and XL Plus grades were more basic with steel wheels, vinyl floor and antique infotainment. The XLS added alloys and carpet, the XLT got a towbar and dual-zone climate control and the Wildtrak took on leather heated seats and ambient lighting. The FX4 launched in February 2017 had black body bits and leather seats.
In the super-cab body style, the rear seat lacks comfort and Isofix points, making dual cabs better for family use.
When the PX3 Ranger arrived in September 2018, the big deals were the 2.0-litre bi-turbo mated to a 10-speed auto gearbox — and the Raptor, the new chief ute rooster. Also available were autonomous emergency braking and further active safety kit.
What to look for
Any Ranger you consider should have an impeccable service record: intervals are annual or every 15,000km. Be wary of any seller telling you they know their way around a vehicle and have performed oil changes in the car port. If the 3.2-litre’s oil is allowed to drain out completely and not refilled rapidly, there’s a danger the oil pump won’t be able to self prime, toasting the engine.
As these Rangers are reasonably new-ish, and with Ford’s reasonable capped price service charges, favour one with a full dealer service history, or at least the stamp of a specialist independent garage.
How’s the Ranger been used? Its good looks work for it here: many have been driven exclusively on road by those keen on the image of a rugged lifestyle without actually taking part. Prioritise any with low kilometres, free of any off-road specific enhancements, and the only scratches in the tub being from the weekly shop.
Any that have been used for regular heavy towing (such as circumnavigating Australia with a caravan), beach or off-road driving — look for underbody bashes and scrapes, small scratches to the body panels and caked-on mud or sand in hard-to-reach places — will have lived a tougher life than the city slickers but need not be dismissed.
Check the ownership history. At this age, one private owner from new is the target. Any owned by a worksite or mining company will no doubt have lived a tougher life with less love lavished.
High used prices make a pre-purchase inspection a no-brainer. Spend a few hundred bucks on a specialist – or get Ford to do it – and you could save thousands down the line.
If on test drive there are nasty vibrations, harsh gear changes, rattles, knocks or misfires from the engine, or excessive smoke from the exhaust, look elsewhere. Many Ranger engines and gearboxes have been replaced under warranty.
Test in high and low-range off-road too. Some owners report the transmission popping back into 2WD.
Among known flaws are aircon failure and electrical gremlins. If adaptive cruise control is fitted, test it out, along with Bluetooth and the screen’s functionality.
There have been numerous model and year-specific recalls. Check any against the vehicle’s details at productsafety.gov.au
Being such a popular vehicle means there are numerous owner and enthusiast resources online. Join the Ford Ranger Club Australia’s Facebook page for a gold mine of relevant information. 
Enduringly popular — and for good reason. Many owners find Rangers reliable and excellent all-rounders on-road, off-road and as workhorses. The XLT and Wildtrak dual-cabs are best for lifestyle use, unless you can dig deep for the “we all want one” Raptor. Lingering reliability doubts remain. Favour any in warranty, perfect service records are a must and get an expert pre-purchase inspection performed.
 Article from: https://ultimateusedcars.wordpress.com/2020/08/03/the-firm-favourite-used-ford-ranger-holds-up-well/
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airflashmls · 4 years
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2016 AUDI S5 FOR SALE! https://bit.ly/2XlXeda Maserati of Fort Lauderdale (954) 607-7928 Audi S5 Cabriolet quattro S Tronic AWD Prestige - ASSISTANCE - SPORTS DIFF - CARBON - LOADED - $75,875 MSRP - We are proud to present this gorgeous Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige. Finished in Sepang Blue Pearl Effect over Lunar Silver and Black Leather, the S5 Cab has been driven very few easy miles by ONE previous owner. Expertly maintained by an Authorized Audi Dealer, it is in excellent condition throughout. This Audi S5 Cabriolet has been equipped with many fine options: - Prestige Trim ($6,250) - Navigation Plus - Parking System with Rearview Camera - Audi Adaptive Light - Audi Side Assist - Audi Connect with Online Services - Driver Assistance Package ($2,750) - Audi Adaptive Cruise Control - Dynamic Steering - quattro with Sports Differential ($1,100) - Audi Adaptive Damping Suspension ($1,000) - 5-Arm Rotor Design Wheels in Titanium Finish ($800) - Alu-Optic Package ($550) - Carbon Atlas Inlays ($500) - Audi Guard All-Weather Floor Mats ($180) - Supercharged Badges ($145) - $75,875 MSRP Audi's S5 Cabriolet is the drop-top version of one of the most beautiful German sport coupes every created. Elegant yet muscular lines, and an athletic stance join an amazingly executed interior and futuristic details. Audi's 3.0L supercharged V6 belts out over 330HP and effortlessly catapults the S5 Cab to speed. Its sophisticated S-Tronic 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission is incredibly smooth in Auto mode, and offers race car shifts in Manual mode. LED running lights and Audi's signature horseshoe grille will announce your presence! If you are in the market for an Audi S5 Cabriolet, please call or email us today. Maserati of Fort Lauderdale 5401 N. Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale,FL 33308 (954) 607-7928 • • • • • #AUDIS5 #audis5coupe #audis5sportback #audis5v8 #audis5 #audisportback #audi #sportsback #audib8 #audir8 #audia4 #audisport #audisline #sline #audiworld #audicars #audiclub #audis4 #audia5 #audia3 #carsunitepeople #amazingcarsdaily #supercarlife #supercarsofinstagram #supercars247 #airflashmls #classifieds #ferrarifortla (at Maserati of Fort Lauderdale) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA37RUBAjNI/?igshid=1rovf7bq7h6v9
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perksofwifi · 5 years
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2021 GMC Yukon Denali Review: A Quick Spin in GMC’s New Big Boy
Prior to the gala launch of the 2021 GMC Yukon in Vail, Colorado—GMC is the official vehicle of Vail Resorts—the Professional Grade folks let us take their new flagship Yukon Denali for a brief spin in a carefully groomed snow-covered parking lot. Full disclosure: This drive never topped 15 mph. Still, it was roughly as informative as the ride-alongs we were granted at the Chevy Tahoe launch a month ago.
First of all, when we peered under the extensive interior camouflage we could see and feel sumptuous leather on the dash and door tops sporting a rather coarse alligator-like grain. The Light Shale (creamy) leather seats, featuring perforated inserts, were luxuriously trimmed in contrasting teak-colored welting and X-cross stitching. This interior might just possibly give the Lincoln Navigator a run for its money.
We started off with the two-speed transfer case set to its Auto mode and headed off to a pair of “split mu” events that alternately placed the left or right tires on grippy rubber while the opposite side was on slick, wet snow. Naturally, the truck stepped off smartly in each case, and we were left to imagine its electronic limited-slip diff reacting just that nano-bit more quickly than the Tahoe/Suburban’s new mechanical one could have.
From this event, we wheeled around to face a daunting 20-degree metal-grate incline ramp. Before attacking it, though, we pressed the button to engage 4WD Lo mode. Then we pressed a button inside the left-most rotary dial on the dash, which causes the outer ring to select ride height. (This dial otherwise selects between the four drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul.)
One twist of the dial to the right raises the suspension an inch, a second raises it another inch. This 2-inches-up mode is only accessible with 4WD Lo engaged. The suspension can be lowered manually by twisting left, but it will drop the first inch automatically when you shift out of 4WD Lo. The trucks automatically lower 0.75 inch for aerodynamics at highway speeds and can be manually lowered 2 inches from the standard ride height for easy access. There’s even an automatic-lowering mode that will either drop when you shift to park or begin lowering when the truck drops below 15 mph so it’s already down when passengers want to climb out (the system stops lowering if a door opens).
Anyway, once up on our tippy-toes the truck mounted and scaled the ramp with ease. We were told to stop and hold midway up, prompting a “Hill Start Assist Active” message to appear on the instrument panel screen. This prevents the truck from rolling back. During this exercise we also engaged the forward camera view to fill in the substantial forward blind spot caused by that gigantic hood. (There are nine camera views that show potential obstacles ahead, behind, and to either side of the truck and to assist with parking maneuvers or when attaching a trailer.) At the top of the ramp we engaged the de rigueur hill-descent control, which can be set to automatically maintain any speed from 1 to 19 mph using whatever combination of engine and friction braking makes sense. The set speed is selected via the cruise-control switches.
Throughout these few exercises the driver information center kept us apprised of the truck’s roll and pitch angle, the steering angle, and which axles were engaged and in which mode. For a vehicle that makes no pretense at running the Rubicon and isn’t even the off-road-optimized trim level (that’s the AT4’s purview), the Yukon Denali boasts a pretty impressive roster of tools to assist the casual trail runner on those occasional excursions off-road.
We’re itching to pit the Yukon Denali against a Lincoln Navigator. And now we’re tempted to include an off-road element in that matchup.
The post 2021 GMC Yukon Denali Review: A Quick Spin in GMC’s New Big Boy appeared first on MotorTrend.
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/gmc/yukon/2021/2021-gmc-yukon-prototype-first-drive-review/ visto antes em https://www.motortrend.com
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numberplates4u-blog · 5 years
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Ford Fiesta ST review – still the class leader?
For  Agile and engaging chassis, punchy engine, improved cabin Against  Ride remains very firm, not the raw thriller of its predecessor Doesn’t quite have its predecessor’s spark, but the new Fiesta ST is still a hugely entertaining class leader Ford’s latest Fiesta ST has big boots to fill. The old ST was one of the best performance cars Ford has ever made – a car capable of fighting right at the top of its class in terms of performance and driving fun, and excellent value for money, too, with entry-level models undercutting most rivals by thousands. On paper the new model does the same, with a tempting starting price of £18,995 and performance figures that beat the top ST200 version of the old car. The new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine matches the old car’s output without resorting to an overboost function and the ST still offers three- and five-door formats (an increasingly rare attribute in modern hatches) and a six-speed manual gearbox. But the best news is that the new ST doesn’t just look good on paper. While it’s lost a little of the old car’s raw character and feels a little bigger on the road – an unavoidable side-effect of the car being more liveable – it’s still a riot to drive, from the ultra-quick steering to an engaging drivetrain and effervescent character. Ford Fiesta ST in detail Performance and 0-60 – Quicker than the old car and up at the sharp end for the class, with a 6.5sec 0-62mph time and 144mph top speed. We prefer the old engine’s character, but the new three still impresses. Engine and gearbox – Three cylinders, 1.5-litres and a turbocharger – all fixed to a six-speed manual gearbox. Engine uses cylinder-deactivation tech for better economy. Ride and handling – Still one of the best small hot hatchbacks. Sharp steering and great body control give the ST real agility. MPG and running costs – No more frugal than its predecessor on paper or on the road. Running costs shouldn’t be too high, but keep an eye on those Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. Interior and tech – A big improvement over the old car. Grippy Recaro seats are welcome, improved dash and infotainment set-up even more so. Design – Three- and five-door options, with just enough aggression to mark it out as a performance model. Looks better at the front than the back. Prices, specs and rivals The Fiesta remains a decent value proposition, though ultimately few will go for the basic £18,995 ST-1 model. Just one per cent, according to Ford’s figures, with 28 per cent opting instead for the £19,995 ST-2 and a full 71 per cent will opt for the £21,495 ST-3. Five-door versions – available on the ST-2 and ST-3 – cost an extra £600, and are expected to account for around a quarter of ST sales. The model itself will account for around a tenth of all Ford Fiesta sales in the UK. ST-1 models get 17-inch wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, keyless start, cruise control, Recaro seats, halogen headlights and selectable driving modes. ST-2s wear a slightly flashier 17-inch wheel design (with 18-inch optional), with climate control, heated seats, privacy glass, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen, while ST-3 upgrades to 18-inch wheels, navigation, a TFT screen ahead of the driver, a parking camera, leather trim and a heated steering wheel. > Best hot hatches To this you can then add various option packages. Most popular by a hair will be the performance pack, with a fifth of buyers spending an extra £850 (on ST-2 and ST-3 only) to get a Quaife limited-slip differential, launch control and shift lights. B&O Play audio is £350 and LED headlamps (ST-2 and ST-3 only) are £600. Most ST buyers will also go for the car’s signature Performance Blue paintwork – a £745 option. Image 17 of 18 Image 17 of 18 It’s feasible then that many customers will spend over £24,000 on their STs rather than the headline £18,995, but that’s still in the same ballpark as the relatively few remaining rivals in this class – the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport has recently gone off sale pending emissions upgrades but cost £23,550 when it was on sale. The current Renault Sport Clio 200 isn’t our favourite hot hatch, but at £20,300 it offers similar performance to the Fiesta (albeit through an auto ’box) for a similar price to the lower-spec STs, while the 220 Trophy is a better effort (though still not as good as it should be…) for £23,000. The Fiesta is currently the class leader, but unfortunately that’s as much down to a lack of competition as it is any inherent talent. Performance and 0-60 The new ST isn’t short of performance. Make use of the launch control function (engaged via the steering wheel buttons) and keep your right foot pinned as you shift through the gears (thanks to flat-shifting technology) and you should match Ford’s claim of a 6.5sec 0-62mph time and eventually a 144mph top speed. The three-cylinder engine definitely has a different aural character to the old ‘four. Not an unpleasant one, at that – it’s definitely among the angrier threes we’ve heard, and while Ford uses sound generation to enhance its note inside the cabin, it’s not too artificial – and the active exhaust out back is making a ‘proper’ noise anyway. > Best hot superminis Much of the time it doesn’t really sound like a three-cylinder, so different is it from the usual economy car fare, but nor does it sound like a four-pot. We still prefer the raspy, induction-noise-heavy note of the old four-cylinder, but we could definitely get used to the triple. Image 2 of 18 Image 2 of 18 There’s little difference in the way the new engine delivers its power, either, with good throttle response from low revs all the way to the upper reaches of the rev counter. It doesn’t quite cover the last 1000rpm or so with the verve of the old car, though flick through the gears quickly enough and there’s sufficient torque to chirp the tyres even on the change to third. This much power in a small car still feels ever so slightly unhinged, too, making the ST feel exciting before you’ve even reached a corner. The limited-slip diff can make the steering a little fighty from low speeds, and particularly on bumpy surfaces, but that’s all part of the thrill of a compact hot hatch like this. Thankfully, the brakes are up to the task of shedding all that speed, and while they began grumbling after a few hot laps around the Goodwood race circuit, actual braking performance remained fairly consistent.Engine and gearbo Engine and gearbox It’s out with the old 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine and in with a new 1.5-litre turbocharged triple for the new ST. It’s definitely a step forward in terms of cleanliness and economy, at least on paper, with the new unit allowing you to travel an extra mile on every gallon of fuel and using a petrol particulate filter to meet the latest Euro 6.2 standards. The engine also uses cylinder deactivation technology – the first on a three-pot – with cylinder one shutting down at low revs and low loads to the benefit of economy, firing back up in 14 milliseconds when more torque is required. It’s imperceptible to the driver, and ST owners are less likely to experience it anyway than their counterparts in less sporty Ford Focuses using the same powerplant… Image 15 of 18 Image 15 of 18 In numeric terms the new ST develops 197bhp and 214lb ft of torque, both of which shade the ST’s standard predecessor, though there’s less of a difference to the ST200 and various Mountune-fettled STs. To this new three-pot Ford attaches a six-speed manual transmission, with the option of a Quaife mechanical limited-slip differential to handle drive to the front wheels. STs feature both electronic sound generation inside the cabin and an active exhaust, and the behaviour of both varies depending on the driving mode (Normal, Sport and Track) selected. Ride and handling Handling was always the old ST’s strongest point and it remains so with the latest model. It’s one of the most entertaining hatches on sale, pairing agility with interactivity and feeling as approachable when you first start exploring its abilities as it is capable when you’re more familiar. Steering first. It’s sharp – Ford says it has the fastest rack of any Ford Performance model (around 14 per cent faster than the old car’s set-up) and you get a reaction from the car the instant you steer off the straight ahead. Yet it’s not nervous – just responsive and well-tuned to the rest of the chassis. > Ford Puma - review, history, prices and specs There’s good weighting, too, increasing progressively through the different driving modes, though there’s not much feel until you’re really putting some loads through the tyres, at which point you’re probably travelling rather quickly. If there’s a demerit it’s that the steering is so quick you don’t really feel like you’re having to actually do much to navigate most corners, which takes away some interactivity and enjoyment on all but the twistiest of roads. Image 5 of 18 Image 5 of 18 You’ll spend some time fighting the limited-slip diff on rougher surfaces too, but the Fiesta otherwise seems relatively untroubled by cambers and ruts in the road. The diff isn’t as aggressive as some, but it’s satisfying to get on the gas early out of a corner and feel your line tightening rather than washing wide – and the ST’s rear axle always feels willing to help out by slipping just enough to minimise understeer from turn-in all the way to corner exit. The ride? Well, that’s still pretty firm – to the point of annoyance on some surfaces, though it’s not as punishing as the old model, and to the ST’s credit it never feels like it’s being shaken apart even on rougher roads. Just like the old model, the firmness bleeds off as speeds rise, the frequency selective passive dampers seemingly happier dealing with greater loads. Body control is excellent, and with minimal roll you can quickly find and then exploit the front-end grip available. MPG and running costs Manufacturers have several reasons for downsizing engines, from fuel economy to economies of scale, but if it’s the former then the new engine gains nothing over its predecessor. In fact, it loses slightly, at 47.1mpg combined compared to 47.9mpg for the old car. Economy in the real world is unlikely to be better, either – our old long-term Fiesta ST had averaged 38.1mpg during our tenure, and in mixed driving we saw high-30s in the latest model, too. If you opt to take your ST on a track – a not unreasonable scenario, given how entertaining the new car is when freed from the constraints of road driving – then you’ll need to keep a beady eye on the gauge, too, as the car we tried burned through over half a tank in a few short sessions around the Goodwood circuit. We’d estimate economy in the low teens in such a situation. Image 11 of 18 Image 11 of 18 It’s difficult to estimate other costs at this stage, though all STs wear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, and burning through a set of those will cost around £120 per corner (delivered from Blackcircles) for the cars on 205/45 R17s, and about £150 a corner for the ST-3 on its 205/40 R18 wheel and tyre set-up. The ST’s 136g/km of CO2 means a first-year VED rate of £205, and then £140 a year thereafter. In terms of BIK for those lucky enough to have an ST as a company car, all three models sit in the 28 per cent bracket. Interior and tech The interior of Ford’s previous Fiesta wasn’t great even from the start, with a dashboard that looked like it’d been cribbed from an old Nokia, and as the competition quickly improved (particularly in terms of infotainment) the Ford trailed even further behind. ST models had great seats, but they always felt like they were mounted a little too high. No such issues in the latest car. Its cabin won’t be remembered as a design classic, and isn’t as ruthlessly ordered as that of a Polo or as imaginative as a Mini – it does the job and no more – but it’s such a huge improvement on its predecessor that owners will have very little to complain about. Image 3 of 18 Image 3 of 18 The ST still gets great seats, too, though those of larger frame may find themselves a little pinched – the Recaros feel like they’ve been developed for a racing driver’s physique. There’s plenty of adjustment in the seat and wheel, though, and you sit a little lower, for a cosier feel than before. The steering wheel is perhaps both a little too large in diameter and a little too thick in profile – the trend for fat wheel rims shows no sign of diminishing – but overall this is a good driving position, with decently placed pedals and a snappy gearlever a relatively short movement away from the wheel. It’s a big improvement technologically, too. On the infotainment side a 6.5-inch screen is standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 operating system, with an 8-inch screen with navigation optional. A B&O Play audio system is also optional, while ST-3 models get a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster which conveys more information than the simpler clusters in the ST-1 and ST-2. Various safety systems are also included, while on the performance front you get technologies such as launch control, flat-shift gearchanges, and three driver modes – Normal, Sport and Track – with varying levels of steering weight, throttle response, exhaust noise and stability control intervention. Design The Fiesta ST uses much the same ingredients as other cars in this class, but throws a few herbs and spices into the mix to give the car its own flavour. Thus you get a fairly conventional chassis set-up: steel monocoque with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear, with electrically assisted rack and pinion steering. But you also get Ford’s patented ‘force vectoring springs’ – directionally-wound and non-interchangeable coil springs as an alternative to the Watt’s linkage. The aim is the same – improving lateral location of the axle – though the ability of the springs alone to apply vector forces to the suspension save the 10kg that Ford says a Watt’s linkage would add. Image 8 of 18 Image 8 of 18 The dampers use frequency-selective damping (a technology developed by Koni, and also used on some Mercedes-Benz and Jeep models) which offers some of the benefits of active dampers without the complication of electronics – an ability to deal with high-frequency bumps and high-amplitude undulations without too great a compromise on either ride quality or body control. In terms of styling, the ST is more conventional. You get three- or five-door options and it looks like… well, a Fiesta. The front end is a little smoother than before and the rear a little blander to our eyes, but ST models do get a subtle body kit and some less subtle 17-inch and 18-inch wheel designs to differentiate them from regular Fiestas. 13 Jul 2018
http://www.evo.co.uk/ford/focus/st
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Ford Fiesta ST review – still the class leader?
For  Agile and engaging chassis, punchy engine, improved cabin Against  Ride remains very firm, not the raw thriller of its predecessor Doesn’t quite have its predecessor’s spark, but the new Fiesta ST is still a hugely entertaining class leader Ford’s latest Fiesta ST has big boots to fill. The old ST was one of the best performance cars Ford has ever made – a car capable of fighting right at the top of its class in terms of performance and driving fun, and excellent value for money, too, with entry-level models undercutting most rivals by thousands. On paper the new model does the same, with a tempting starting price of £18,995 and performance figures that beat the top ST200 version of the old car. The new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine matches the old car’s output without resorting to an overboost function and the ST still offers three- and five-door formats (an increasingly rare attribute in modern hatches) and a six-speed manual gearbox. But the best news is that the new ST doesn’t just look good on paper. While it’s lost a little of the old car’s raw character and feels a little bigger on the road – an unavoidable side-effect of the car being more liveable – it’s still a riot to drive, from the ultra-quick steering to an engaging drivetrain and effervescent character. Ford Fiesta ST in detail Performance and 0-60 – Quicker than the old car and up at the sharp end for the class, with a 6.5sec 0-62mph time and 144mph top speed. We prefer the old engine’s character, but the new three still impresses. Engine and gearbox – Three cylinders, 1.5-litres and a turbocharger – all fixed to a six-speed manual gearbox. Engine uses cylinder-deactivation tech for better economy. Ride and handling – Still one of the best small hot hatchbacks. Sharp steering and great body control give the ST real agility. MPG and running costs – No more frugal than its predecessor on paper or on the road. Running costs shouldn’t be too high, but keep an eye on those Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. Interior and tech – A big improvement over the old car. Grippy Recaro seats are welcome, improved dash and infotainment set-up even more so. Design – Three- and five-door options, with just enough aggression to mark it out as a performance model. Looks better at the front than the back. Prices, specs and rivals The Fiesta remains a decent value proposition, though ultimately few will go for the basic £18,995 ST-1 model. Just one per cent, according to Ford’s figures, with 28 per cent opting instead for the £19,995 ST-2 and a full 71 per cent will opt for the £21,495 ST-3. Five-door versions – available on the ST-2 and ST-3 – cost an extra £600, and are expected to account for around a quarter of ST sales. The model itself will account for around a tenth of all Ford Fiesta sales in the UK. ST-1 models get 17-inch wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, keyless start, cruise control, Recaro seats, halogen headlights and selectable driving modes. ST-2s wear a slightly flashier 17-inch wheel design (with 18-inch optional), with climate control, heated seats, privacy glass, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen, while ST-3 upgrades to 18-inch wheels, navigation, a TFT screen ahead of the driver, a parking camera, leather trim and a heated steering wheel. > Best hot hatches To this you can then add various option packages. Most popular by a hair will be the performance pack, with a fifth of buyers spending an extra £850 (on ST-2 and ST-3 only) to get a Quaife limited-slip differential, launch control and shift lights. B&O Play audio is £350 and LED headlamps (ST-2 and ST-3 only) are £600. Most ST buyers will also go for the car’s signature Performance Blue paintwork – a £745 option. Image 17 of 18 Image 17 of 18 It’s feasible then that many customers will spend over £24,000 on their STs rather than the headline £18,995, but that’s still in the same ballpark as the relatively few remaining rivals in this class – the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport has recently gone off sale pending emissions upgrades but cost £23,550 when it was on sale. The current Renault Sport Clio 200 isn’t our favourite hot hatch, but at £20,300 it offers similar performance to the Fiesta (albeit through an auto ’box) for a similar price to the lower-spec STs, while the 220 Trophy is a better effort (though still not as good as it should be…) for £23,000. The Fiesta is currently the class leader, but unfortunately that’s as much down to a lack of competition as it is any inherent talent. Performance and 0-60 The new ST isn’t short of performance. Make use of the launch control function (engaged via the steering wheel buttons) and keep your right foot pinned as you shift through the gears (thanks to flat-shifting technology) and you should match Ford’s claim of a 6.5sec 0-62mph time and eventually a 144mph top speed. The three-cylinder engine definitely has a different aural character to the old ‘four. Not an unpleasant one, at that – it’s definitely among the angrier threes we’ve heard, and while Ford uses sound generation to enhance its note inside the cabin, it’s not too artificial – and the active exhaust out back is making a ‘proper’ noise anyway. > Best hot superminis Much of the time it doesn’t really sound like a three-cylinder, so different is it from the usual economy car fare, but nor does it sound like a four-pot. We still prefer the raspy, induction-noise-heavy note of the old four-cylinder, but we could definitely get used to the triple. Image 2 of 18 Image 2 of 18 There’s little difference in the way the new engine delivers its power, either, with good throttle response from low revs all the way to the upper reaches of the rev counter. It doesn’t quite cover the last 1000rpm or so with the verve of the old car, though flick through the gears quickly enough and there’s sufficient torque to chirp the tyres even on the change to third. This much power in a small car still feels ever so slightly unhinged, too, making the ST feel exciting before you’ve even reached a corner. The limited-slip diff can make the steering a little fighty from low speeds, and particularly on bumpy surfaces, but that’s all part of the thrill of a compact hot hatch like this. Thankfully, the brakes are up to the task of shedding all that speed, and while they began grumbling after a few hot laps around the Goodwood race circuit, actual braking performance remained fairly consistent.Engine and gearbo Engine and gearbox It’s out with the old 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine and in with a new 1.5-litre turbocharged triple for the new ST. It’s definitely a step forward in terms of cleanliness and economy, at least on paper, with the new unit allowing you to travel an extra mile on every gallon of fuel and using a petrol particulate filter to meet the latest Euro 6.2 standards. The engine also uses cylinder deactivation technology – the first on a three-pot – with cylinder one shutting down at low revs and low loads to the benefit of economy, firing back up in 14 milliseconds when more torque is required. It’s imperceptible to the driver, and ST owners are less likely to experience it anyway than their counterparts in less sporty Ford Focuses using the same powerplant… Image 15 of 18 Image 15 of 18 In numeric terms the new ST develops 197bhp and 214lb ft of torque, both of which shade the ST’s standard predecessor, though there’s less of a difference to the ST200 and various Mountune-fettled STs. To this new three-pot Ford attaches a six-speed manual transmission, with the option of a Quaife mechanical limited-slip differential to handle drive to the front wheels. STs feature both electronic sound generation inside the cabin and an active exhaust, and the behaviour of both varies depending on the driving mode (Normal, Sport and Track) selected. Ride and handling Handling was always the old ST’s strongest point and it remains so with the latest model. It’s one of the most entertaining hatches on sale, pairing agility with interactivity and feeling as approachable when you first start exploring its abilities as it is capable when you’re more familiar. Steering first. It’s sharp – Ford says it has the fastest rack of any Ford Performance model (around 14 per cent faster than the old car’s set-up) and you get a reaction from the car the instant you steer off the straight ahead. Yet it’s not nervous – just responsive and well-tuned to the rest of the chassis. > Ford Puma - review, history, prices and specs There’s good weighting, too, increasing progressively through the different driving modes, though there’s not much feel until you’re really putting some loads through the tyres, at which point you’re probably travelling rather quickly. If there’s a demerit it’s that the steering is so quick you don’t really feel like you’re having to actually do much to navigate most corners, which takes away some interactivity and enjoyment on all but the twistiest of roads. Image 5 of 18 Image 5 of 18 You’ll spend some time fighting the limited-slip diff on rougher surfaces too, but the Fiesta otherwise seems relatively untroubled by cambers and ruts in the road. The diff isn’t as aggressive as some, but it’s satisfying to get on the gas early out of a corner and feel your line tightening rather than washing wide – and the ST’s rear axle always feels willing to help out by slipping just enough to minimise understeer from turn-in all the way to corner exit. The ride? Well, that’s still pretty firm – to the point of annoyance on some surfaces, though it’s not as punishing as the old model, and to the ST’s credit it never feels like it’s being shaken apart even on rougher roads. Just like the old model, the firmness bleeds off as speeds rise, the frequency selective passive dampers seemingly happier dealing with greater loads. Body control is excellent, and with minimal roll you can quickly find and then exploit the front-end grip available. MPG and running costs Manufacturers have several reasons for downsizing engines, from fuel economy to economies of scale, but if it’s the former then the new engine gains nothing over its predecessor. In fact, it loses slightly, at 47.1mpg combined compared to 47.9mpg for the old car. Economy in the real world is unlikely to be better, either – our old long-term Fiesta ST had averaged 38.1mpg during our tenure, and in mixed driving we saw high-30s in the latest model, too. If you opt to take your ST on a track – a not unreasonable scenario, given how entertaining the new car is when freed from the constraints of road driving – then you’ll need to keep a beady eye on the gauge, too, as the car we tried burned through over half a tank in a few short sessions around the Goodwood circuit. We’d estimate economy in the low teens in such a situation. Image 11 of 18 Image 11 of 18 It’s difficult to estimate other costs at this stage, though all STs wear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, and burning through a set of those will cost around £120 per corner (delivered from Blackcircles) for the cars on 205/45 R17s, and about £150 a corner for the ST-3 on its 205/40 R18 wheel and tyre set-up. The ST’s 136g/km of CO2 means a first-year VED rate of £205, and then £140 a year thereafter. In terms of BIK for those lucky enough to have an ST as a company car, all three models sit in the 28 per cent bracket. Interior and tech The interior of Ford’s previous Fiesta wasn’t great even from the start, with a dashboard that looked like it’d been cribbed from an old Nokia, and as the competition quickly improved (particularly in terms of infotainment) the Ford trailed even further behind. ST models had great seats, but they always felt like they were mounted a little too high. No such issues in the latest car. Its cabin won’t be remembered as a design classic, and isn’t as ruthlessly ordered as that of a Polo or as imaginative as a Mini – it does the job and no more – but it’s such a huge improvement on its predecessor that owners will have very little to complain about. Image 3 of 18 Image 3 of 18 The ST still gets great seats, too, though those of larger frame may find themselves a little pinched – the Recaros feel like they’ve been developed for a racing driver’s physique. There’s plenty of adjustment in the seat and wheel, though, and you sit a little lower, for a cosier feel than before. The steering wheel is perhaps both a little too large in diameter and a little too thick in profile – the trend for fat wheel rims shows no sign of diminishing – but overall this is a good driving position, with decently placed pedals and a snappy gearlever a relatively short movement away from the wheel. It’s a big improvement technologically, too. On the infotainment side a 6.5-inch screen is standard with Ford’s SYNC 3 operating system, with an 8-inch screen with navigation optional. A B&O Play audio system is also optional, while ST-3 models get a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster which conveys more information than the simpler clusters in the ST-1 and ST-2. Various safety systems are also included, while on the performance front you get technologies such as launch control, flat-shift gearchanges, and three driver modes – Normal, Sport and Track – with varying levels of steering weight, throttle response, exhaust noise and stability control intervention. Design The Fiesta ST uses much the same ingredients as other cars in this class, but throws a few herbs and spices into the mix to give the car its own flavour. Thus you get a fairly conventional chassis set-up: steel monocoque with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear, with electrically assisted rack and pinion steering. But you also get Ford’s patented ‘force vectoring springs’ – directionally-wound and non-interchangeable coil springs as an alternative to the Watt’s linkage. The aim is the same – improving lateral location of the axle – though the ability of the springs alone to apply vector forces to the suspension save the 10kg that Ford says a Watt’s linkage would add. Image 8 of 18 Image 8 of 18 The dampers use frequency-selective damping (a technology developed by Koni, and also used on some Mercedes-Benz and Jeep models) which offers some of the benefits of active dampers without the complication of electronics – an ability to deal with high-frequency bumps and high-amplitude undulations without too great a compromise on either ride quality or body control. In terms of styling, the ST is more conventional. You get three- or five-door options and it looks like… well, a Fiesta. The front end is a little smoother than before and the rear a little blander to our eyes, but ST models do get a subtle body kit and some less subtle 17-inch and 18-inch wheel designs to differentiate them from regular Fiestas. 13 Jul 2018
http://www.evo.co.uk/ford/focus/st
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Text
Jira Software 8.1.0 Release Notes
We're pleased to present Jira Software 8.1.
Highlights
Issue archiving (Jira Data Center)
Managing old components
Development info on issue cards
Flexible boards
More performance improvements
Jira Data Center on Microsoft Azure
New JMX metrics
Small improvements to make your day
Resolved issues
Get the latest version
Interested in trying a shiny new version? Don't forget to renew your active software maintenance! Renew now.
Read the upgrade notes for important info about this release and see the full list of issues resolved.
Compatible applications
If you're looking for compatible Jira applications, look no further:
Jira Core 8.1 release notes
Jira Service Desk 4.1 release notes
Issue archiving (Jira Data Center)
You can now keep your Jira instance neat and tidy by archiving issues that have not been updated for months. This is the first milestone of issue archiving, and we’re working hard to bring you more in the next releases, so stay tuned!
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At this point, you can use API to archive and restore individual issues, export the list of archived issues, or use the basic UI toolset to archive up to a thousand issues at once and restore them individually whenever they’re needed again. Learn more
Managing old components
To help you manage the data you use more efficiently, we've introduced component archiving. Now, whenever admins decide a component is no longer needed, they can archive it. It will be tagged as "Archived" and as such will disappear from selection options. For the issues in which the component has been selected, it will become read-only. Learn more
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Development info on issue cards
Tired of having to click on each issue on your board to see the information from your development tools? Now you can add the development tool info directly to your cards by adding the Development field to your Card layout. Navigate to your board, select Board > Configure > Card layout, and then select Development from the relevant Field name dropdown to add it to your cards.
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Next time you visit that board, the development information for each issue will be displayed on the cards. You can add or remove the development information for your cards on an individual board basis.
Flexible boards
You can now resize the ‘Issue details’ panel as you see fit! This was already available on Scrum and Kanban backlogs, but since boards are just a click away... we’ve brought these changes there, too. We’ve also added horizontal scrolling to boards with many columns, just so everything fits nicely, even on small screens.
More performance improvements
The board picker effect
The board picker is this little thing at the top of the side navigation, where you can quickly switch between the boards. Although our data shows that only 4% of visitors interact with the board picker, Jira loads the list of boards every time you open the page. Simplicity is king, so we’ve shaved off a few tasks needed to put the list of boards together, and made Jira do the math only when you interact with the picker icon.
You won’t see a difference when using the board picker, but you will see it everywhere else! This change does wonders to Jira performance, improving the speed of boards, backlogs, issue view, and every other page that displays the side nav, as Jira no longer needs to do the unneeded calculations.
Speed of color
To make your issues more visible, you can assign colors to issue cards based on various JQL queries. Calculating all these JQLs and showing them as colors put a lot of effort on Jira, so we’ve decided to change it, also bringing more speed to your boards and backlogs. To let you in on some details here, we first load and display the content of the page, and then apply colors only to visible issue cards. This change reduces the number of JQL queries loaded at once, and improves the loading time of boards and backlogs.
As always, you can check the performance results in Performance and scale testing.
Jira Data Center on Microsoft Azure
We’ve improved our Microsoft Azure deployment templates for Jira Data Center on Microsoft Azure. Check them out on the Azure Marketplace (for beginners) or from our Bitbucket repo (for advanced users).
These new templates address many known issues, improve disaster recovery, add support for Application Insights and analytics, and make it easier to configure both SSL and Custom Domain Names. We also made some under-the-hood changes that fix many architectural changes.
Oh, and the new templates apply to all Jira versions, not just 8.1.
New JMX metrics for more insights into Jira performance
We have added additional indexing instrumentation that is exposed through JMX so that you can diagnose performance issues related to indexing. The new metrics available over JMX expose more details than the old ones and there are more of them so that the data is more accurate.
For more information, see Live monitoring using the JMX interface.
We've also made changes to Atlassian profiling. Now profiling traces merge identical sibling frames so logs are easier to parse and traces report time spent in tenths of milliseconds. Additionally, we have moved profiling information from the standard log to a separate log file: atlassian-jira-profiler.log.
For more information, see Logging and profiling.
Small improvements to make your day
Sorting projects by columns
To browse your projects more easily, you can now sort the list of projects by columns. Whether it’s specific project type, category, or even project lead you’re looking for, just click the column name and have the projects roll out right at your feet.
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Additional custom fields in batched email notifications
You can now add additional custom fields to your email notifications to describe them more precisely. Such custom fields will be included in every email notification for an issue, unlike other fields that are included only if their value has changed (notifications are all about diff). Some of our users use custom fields in this way to add security levels to an issue and have them displayed in every notification related to an issue. By doing so, they can properly categorize or hide important notifications. Learn more
Something off with the activity on your account?
To let you better sleep at night, we’ve added information about your recent login attempts to your user profile. You can now check when was the last successful or failed login, to determine if somebody tried messing with your account. Until now, this was only available to Jira admins, so go ahead and flex your admin muscles! To find this info, click your avatar at the top-right in Jira, and select Profile.
Shiny new avatars
In the past few months, we did a lot of big UI changes to bring Jira closer to our new Design direction. Following on this, we’ve updated the user and project avatars, changing the color palette and shapes, and bringing a bit more variety so everybody can choose something for themselves.
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Issues in Release
Fixed: Moving issues across kanban backlog throws an error
Fixed: Title & Description overlapping in backlog view
Suggestion: Make it possible to find selected board without loading all boards in jira agile
Fixed: REST call lastVisited executes board-scope-filter which leads to performance overhead
Fixed: board-scope-filter executed too many time which leads to performance overhead
Fixed: Performance of findRapidViewsByProject degrades with number of Boards
Fixed: Roadmap gadget doesn't work when added as external gadget in another instance
Suggestion: As a user I would like to resize the Detail View in Work mode
Fixed: Supported platforms page for Server 8.0 references Jira 8.1
Fixed: In the Atlassian Village there are people with missing names.
Fixed: Batched notification in Romanian language causes Velocity template error which is also included into notification
Suggestion: Remove the stale indexing Job associated with current node on startup
Fixed: Using filter picker in gadgets logs JS error 'Object doesn't support property or method includes' in IE 11
Suggestion: As an JIRA Datacenter Administrator I want to delete reindexing task from offline node
Fixed: Associating a Prioriy Scheme with a large number of projects never completes
Suggestion: Allow Non-JIRA admins to be able to see the Last Login Time and Login Count for their accounts
Suggestion: Archive project components
Suggestion: Archiving Old Issues
Source
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Road Tests: 2020 GMC Acadia AT4
Vital Statistics
Engine: 3.6 liter
Horsepower: 310
Torque: 271 lb-ft.
0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
1/4 mile: 14.8 seconds @ 93 mph
EPA: 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway
While the vast majority of SUVs never see anything more adventurous than a gravel driveway, part of their appeal is that you could venture a lot farther off pavement… if you wanted to. And of course looking the part is an even bigger piece of the package. Well, GMC has you covered, with a new Acadia where that rugged look shines.
On sale for 3-years now, it’s time for the 2nd generation GMC Acadia to get some updates. And while they were at it, they decided to toughen up its image a bit with this new 2020 GMC Acadia AT4. 
If you’re familiar with the GMC Sierra AT4, you’ll remember it’s a beefed up version of the Sierra 1/2–ton pickup with some substantial off road chops; thanks to a suspension lift, locking diffs, Rancho monotube shocks, and protective skid plates.
Well, unfortunately none of that applies to this Acadia AT4. This is mostly just a trim package that consists of unique grille, black chrome accents, and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, though nice looking 20s are optional. 
It comes with the V6 only, as neither of the Acadia’s 4-cylinders are available here. But, the 3.6-liter would be our choice anyway, with its 310-horsepower and 271 lb-ft. of torque, it’s more than up for the job of moving this 4,000-lbs. plus utility around. 
Naturally, all-wheel-drive is standard. It’s GMC’s latest automatic twin-clutch system that includes a dedicated off-road mode, as well as tow/haul, and the ability to lock it into two-wheel-drive. 
The new part of the powertrain for all 2020 Acadia’s, is a 9-speed automatic transmission; and with it, the removal of the console shifter, replaced by a row of buttons at the base of the center stack. 
The 3-additional gears certainly help the acceleration cause. At our test track, we got to 60 a half second quicker than before, at a fine 6.3-seconds.
It doesn’t feel overly torquey at launch; but that, as well as all-wheel-drive, helps you get away cleanly; and the power really starts to pour on as the revs climb. As you’d expect, gear changes happen early and often; but they’re both quick and smooth. Our best ¼-mile pass was 14.8-seconds at 93 miles-per-hour. Again, about a half a second quicker than a V6 Acadia with the 6-speed. 
More sidewall flex, and the all-terrain compound of the tires, result in a slight downgrade in handling; but nothing that would give us pause. It mainly presents itself by turning in a little slower, and loosening up the back end a bit. Steering is very tight and direct, so we had no problem staying on top of it. 
Stopping distance was actually less than what we had achieved before, at 111-feet from 60; good pedal feel, and great stability throughout. 
For customers not interested in the AT4’s macho makeover; there’s other Acadia news for 2020. 
All trims get their own unique styling tweaks, there’s a new 230–horsepower I4 turbo engine available, and the infotainment system gets an uprade to become more user-friendly, including easier to use navigation and higher resolution for the back-up camera display.  
Other tech upgrades include a new Head-Up display, and GM’s rear camera mirror. 
Save for some AT4 logos, not much else changes inside. You can outfit your AT4 with either 5,6, or 7-passenger capacity; our test rig stuck with the standard 2 rows of seating with a rear bench for three. Plenty of space for those passengers; and the split bench both slides and reclines.  
Lots of big, traditional controls remain; and while we mourn the loss of the console shifter, it’s removal has created some welcomed additional storage space.
Gauges are a fairly traditional twin-dial setup with just a small info screen; but everything is clear and easy to monitor at a glance. 
Cargo capacity remains unchanged, and is about average for the segment, at 41.7 cubic-ft.; expanding to 79.0 with the rear seatbacks folded. 
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 18-City, 25-Highway, and 21-Combined; our average, just about spot on, at 21.7 miles-per-gallon of Regular grade. 
At $42,495, AT4 pricing is almost exactly the same as an SLT with the V6; which is about 10-grand over a base 4-cylinder Acadia, but still much less than top Denali trim. 
So, the 2020 GMC Acadia AT4 may not be the serious off-road machine that some of us may have wanted, but it’s also not priced like one; it’s simply a new rugged-looking, yet attractive Acadia option that comes with little to no compromise. 
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cars4starters · 5 years
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What is it?
Mitsubishi’s Triton utility needs no introduction, with its Decepticon-like front styling.
It seems like the new model was only released a few months ago, yet it has already been updated.
Triton continues to sell well with a reputation for value, while Toyota’s Hilux and the Ford Ranger slug it out for the top two spots in this section of the market.
What’s it cost?
Triton was updated in October, with the GLS gaining keyless entry and one-touch start, plus a rear diff lock for better off-road performance.
The 4×4 pickup range kicks off the GLX Double Cab, priced from $37,490, followed by the GLX + at $40,990, our GLS at $45,140, Toby Price Edition at $48,140 and the GLS Premium with an auto at $52,490.
Only the top spec GLS Premium comes with an auto, which adds $2500 to the price of other models.
GLS is equipped with a more sophisticated Super select II 4WD system, with selectable off-road modes and a rear differential lock.
The safety story is a strong one with a five-star rating, seven airbags including a driver’s knee bag, plus Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM) with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS).
They certainly don’t make ’em like they used to — thank goodness.
There’s cloth trim, dual zone climate air, rear-view camera, LED headlights, cruise control, speed limiter, side steps, front and rear parking sensors, auto high beam, auto lights and wipers and an auto dimming rear view mirror.
The 7.0-inch touchscreen includes DAB digital radio, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity, but alas it’ doesn’t make the short list of models that qualify for satellite navigation.
Our test vehicle was also equipped with an optional tonneau and a bullbar (that enhances rather than detracts from the look).
What’s it go like?
This version of Triton feels more like a traditional 4×4 than a smooth, road-going vehicle, with jiggly suspension and rubbery steering.
Like most utes, it’s also fitted with rear drum brakes.
It’s fairly responsive to the throttle though.
Seating in the front is reasonably comfy, with a steering wheel that is both height and reach adjustable.
Rear legroom is not generous, but at least the seat back is inclined, and there’s a fold down centre arm rest and two USB ports in the back.
There’s a couple more USB and an HDMI port in the front too.
The 2.4-litre four cylinder turbo diesel produces 133kW of power and 430Nm of torque, and in our test vehicle was paired with a 6-speed auto, complete with paddle shifts.
The new 6-speed tranny features a taller top gear optimised to lower revs at higher speeds, making it a quieter and more comfortable over long distances.
GLS rides on 18 inch alloys, with 265/60 Dunlop rubber, with double wishbones, coil springs and stabiliser bar at the front, and traditional leaf-springs supporting the back which is better for carrying loads.
The Super-Select 4WD-II system offers 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (lock up) and 4LLc (lock up in low gear) modes to deliver optimum traction and handling characteristics over all surfaces.
In low range you get to choose from Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand or Rock modes.
While on-road performance is so so, it all comes together nicely off road where we rate the Triton a confident medium duty proposition.
With 220mm of ground clearance and protection underneath, it had no problems with our favourite fire trail, which includes some challenging rocky sections.
Not one oops moment.
The system regulates the amount of wheel slip to maximise all-terrain performance and self-extraction capability from poor road conditions.
Rated at 8.6L/100km, we were getting 7.1L/100km from the 75-litre tank after 370km.
Unlike the SUVs in the range the trip computer in this one did not keep resetting, so we can report the figure with some confidence.
Maximum towing capacity with this model is 3100kg and it can carry a 910kg payload in the back.
The tub by the way is 1520mm long, 1470mm wide and 475mm deep with 1085mm between wheel arches — with six tie-down points.
The spare is a full-size alloy.
What we like?
Bullbar
Off road ability
Good looking wheels
Good fuel economy
Roof mounted rear air vents
What we don’t like?
Jiggly ride
Rubbery steering
No satnav
No digital speedo
Silly floor mat hooks
No tray liner
Tonneau cover not standard
The bottom line?
$45K driveaway is a great price for a car that looks and goes as well as this one does. Shame it doesn’t come with satnav though . . .
CHECKOUT: Mitsubishi Triton: pace but no space
CHECKOUT: Mitsubishi Triton: if looks could thrill
  Mitsubishi Triton: Priced to yell! #Aussie #carnews #carphotos #carreviews #cars4starters #notjustcars #4x4 #GLS #Mitsubishi #Review #Triton What is it? Mitsubishi's Triton utility needs no introduction, with its Decepticon-like front styling. It seems like the new model was only released a few months ago, yet it has already been updated.
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