Tag Archives: argument

The FTC Isn’t Happy About Microsoft’s Plan To Lay Off Activision Workers

At the center of the FTC’s argument lies the obvious contradiction between Microsoft’s earlier assurances and its current actions. During the preliminary merger assessment course of, Microsoft informed the courts that Microsoft and Activision Blizzard would function as separate entities following the merger. The tech large had additionally promised the court docket that it will keep the pre-merger establishment.

However, Microsoft’s current choice to chop greater than 1,900 jobs in its online game division additionally included Activision staff. The FTC argues that had Activision been actually impartial as Microsoft initially claimed, these layoffs at Activision would have by no means occurred.

It’s price noting that the job cuts at Activision Blizzard spanned a number of groups, together with Blizzard’s esports divisions and subsidiary studio Toys for Bob. Also affected have been staff related to Blizzard’s unreleased survival recreation, codenamed Odyssey. Microsoft defended its actions and claimed that the layoffs have been a part of an “execution plan” to scale back “areas of overlap” between Microsoft and Activision.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is presently deliberating on the FTC’s enchantment, and issues might take an fascinating flip if it guidelines in favor of the FTC.

Five Most Aerodynamic Electric Trucks Currently On Sale

A continuous argument revolves round why one would purchase an electrical automotive over a conventional gasoline-powered one. For the time being, gas-powered models still dominate U.S. auto sales due to one main downfall – vary nervousness. Until electrical vehicles manage to find a way to have unlimited range, many consumers will stray away from them for vary nervousness alone.

While conventional fossil fuel-fed vehicles solely require a fast five-minute pitstop on the gasoline station now and again to replenish their gasoline tank, electrical automobiles usually require hours of charging for under a handful of miles of vary – depending on your electric car battery type and charger, after all. That stated, electric cars have many other benefits over gas cars. So a lot so, that some companies will convert your ICE-powered car into an EV in case you fork over sufficient money.

The fundamental level of the argument is that electrical automobiles emit no hazardous emissions whereas driving. Furthermore, because of energy being out there instantaneously, electrical vehicles are usually faster than gas-fed vehicles. This article focuses on the aerodynamic traits of electrical automobiles.

Considering there isn’t any want for engine cooling, electrical vehicles usually do not have gaping grilles on the entrance. Regardless of your tackle its attractiveness, this enables electrical vehicles to have a extra flush fascia, and in flip, its sleekness permits for a drag coefficient far decrease than any fashionable gasoline-powered automotive.

In order to provide the newest and correct info attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and from authoritative sources such because the EPA and Inside EVs. The record has been organized in descending order of their drag coefficient ranking.

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GMC Hummer EV Pickup

Drag Coefficient: 0.50

Back within the day, everybody raved in regards to the authentic Humvee’s offroad capabilities. Since then, different related merchandise rose to the market such because the Hummer H1, H2, and H3 underneath General Motors’ possession.

That stated, just a few years again, GMC launched a new electric version called the Hummer EV that shares the blood of the unique Humvee. The fundamental distinction is that the Hummer EV advantages from fashionable expertise, permitting it to CrabWalk for instance. The GMC Hummer EV’s Crabwalk system turns the rear wheels as much as 10 levels which permits the Hummer EV to maneuver back and forth.

GMC Hummer EV Pickup Specs

2X

3X

Motor Setup

Two electrical motors

Three electrical motors

Horsepower

570 hp

1,000 hp

Torque

7,400 lb-ft

11,500 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

N/A

3.0 seconds

Maximum Range

311 miles

359 miles

Payload Capacity

1,300 lbs

1,300 lbs

Towing Capacity

12,000 lbs

8,500 lbs

Starting Price

$98,845

$106,945

(Data sourced from GMC)

Key Features

  • Removable roof panels
  • Adaptive air suspension
  • “Watts to Freedom” launch management

Not solely is the GMC Hummer EV one of the crucial distinctive takes on reviving a mannequin title, however the Hummer EV additionally serves as an honest road-trip automobile due to its 0.50 drag coefficient. The EPA claims that the 2024 GMC Hummer EV can achieve 59 MPGe in the city, and 48 MPGe, leading to a mixed common of 53 MPGe.

Ford F-150 Lightning

Drag Coefficient: 0.40

Also taking the title of an previous revered pickup truck, the surprisingly quick Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, the Ford F-150 Lightning is Ford’s newest electrical pickup truck that encapsulates every little thing you’re keen on in regards to the 14th-generation F-Series Ford pickup and provides an electrical powertrain into the combination. Being faster than the present Ford F-150 Raptor, the considerably normal-looking Ford F-150 Lightning acts as a wonderful sleeper.

Ford F-150 Lightning Specs

Pro

XLT

Lariat

Platinum

Motor Setup

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Horsepower

462 – 580 hp

462 – 580 hp

462 – 580 hp

462 – 580 hp

Torque

775 lb-ft

775 lb-ft

775 lb-ft

775 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.1 seconds

< 4.0 seconds

< 4.0 seconds

< 4.0 seconds

Estimated Range

240 miles

240 – 320 miles

240 – 320 miles

240 – 320 miles

Payload Capacity

1,802 – 2,235 lbs

1,802 – 2,235 lbs

1,802 – 2,235 lbs

1,802 – 2,235 lbs

Towing Capacity

5,000 – 10,000 lbs

5,000 – 10,000 lbs

5,000 – 10,000 lbs

5,000 – 10,000 lbs

Starting Price

$49,995

$54,995

$69,995

$91,995

(Data sourced from Ford)

Key Features

  • All fashions come normal with all-wheel-drive and a dual-motor setup
  • Can act as a generator to energy a mean family for as much as three days (Mega Power Frunk)
  • 15.5-inch touchscreen infotainment show with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Three totally different trim ranges of the Ford F-150 Lightning exist, every sharing the identical 0.40 drag coefficient. Although they differ in energy and obtain barely totally different scores in keeping with the EPA, the top-tier Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range has a 78 MPGe within the metropolis, and 63 MPGe on the freeway which ends up in a combined 70 MPGe EPA-estimated rating.

However, Consumer Reports says that the F-150 Lightning misses its EPA-rated range. Fortunately, the F-150 Lightning is probably the most reasonably priced choice on our record as we speak, however prices can tally up rapidly relying on choices and trim ranges.

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RAM 1500 REV

Drag Coefficient: 0.34

Although the electrical model of the RAM 1500 pickup truck is but to go on sale, Stellantis made some daring claims about this electrical truck. Being in its fifth era, the RAM pickup underwent a plethora of modifications all through the years with efficiency examples just like the RAM TRX, however the 1500 REV (brief for Revolution) is an entire new tackle the RAM pickup that sits on the STLA Frame body-on-frame design particularly made for full-size electrical automobiles.

Ram 1500 REV Specs

Tradesman

Big Horn/Lone Star

Laramie

Limited

Tungsten

Motor Setup

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Horsepower

654 hp

654 hp

654 hp

654 hp

654 hp

Torque

620 lb-ft

620 lb-ft

620 lb-ft

620 lb-ft

620 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.4 seconds

4.4 seconds

4.4 seconds

4.4 seconds

4.4 seconds

Estimated Range

350 – 500 miles

350 – 500 miles

350 – 500 miles

350 – 500 miles

350 – 500 miles

Maximum Payload Capacity

2,700 lbs

2,700 lbs

2,700 lbs

2,700 lbs

2,700 lbs

Maximum Towing Capacity

14,000 lbs

14,000 lbs

14,000 lbs

14,000 lbs

14,000 lbs

Starting Price

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

(Data sourced from Stellantis)

Key Features

  • All trim ranges will function the identical powertrain
  • Weatherproof frunk with 15 cubic toes of storage
  • 10 minutes of cost time will give 110 miles of vary with 800-volt DC quick charging

Stellantis claims that the brand new RAM 1500 REV will have a staggering 0.34 drag coefficient, which can permit for as much as 350 miles of vary within the base 168 kilowatt-hour mannequin 1500 REV and as much as 500 miles within the 229 kilowatt-hour mannequin. Do be aware that as of writing this text, the RAM 1500 REV nonetheless must be examined in the actual world, however till then what Stellantis says is the legislation.

Tesla Cybertruck

Drag Coefficient: 0.34

Only launched just a few weeks in the past, the Tesla Cybertruck finally reached showroom floors after what appears like an eternity of ready. For the time being, Tesla solely presents the all-wheel-drive Cybertruck, however quickly a sooner mannequin referred to as the Cyberbeast will attain clients, in addition to a less expensive rear-wheel-drive variant. Although the EPA is but to launch official info relating to the Cybrertruck, Tesla launched info to the general public.

Tesla Cybertruck Specs

Rear-wheel-drive

All-wheel-drive

Cyberbeast

Motor Setup

Single electrical motor

Two electrical motors

Three electrical motors

Horsepower

N/A

600 hp

845 hp

Torque

N/A

7,435 lb-ft

10,296 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

6.5 seconds

4.1 seconds

2.6 seconds

Estimated Range

250 miles

340 miles

320 miles

Payload Capacity

2.500 lbs

2,500 lbs

2,500 lbs

Towing Capacity

7,500 lbs

11,000 lbs

11,000 lbs

Starting Price

$60,990

$79,990

$99,990

(Data sourced from Tesla)

Key Features

  • Touchscreen for each entrance and rear passengers
  • Boxy styling that appears like nothing else on the street
  • Scratch-resistant exoskeleton exterior, bulletproof doors and windows

Despite its curb weight of practically 7,000 kilos, the Cybertruck ‘s 0.34 drag coefficient, and shares the same battery as found in the Tesla Model 3 battery. Tesla additionally states that the Cybertruck will acquire 136 miles of vary in solely quarter-hour when hooked as much as a Tesla’s Supercharger network.

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Rivian R1T

Drag Coefficient: 0.30

Despite being comparatively new to the market, Rivian already has two fashions on its lineup, the Rivian R1S electric SUV, and the R1T electric pickup truck that changed the game. Sharing related design languages, the R1T has the bottom drag coefficient on our record as we speak coming in at 0.30. The Rivian R1T is offered with either two electric motors, or an excellent mightier four-motor setup.

Rivian R1T Specs

Dual-Motor

Performance Dual Motor

Quad-Motor

Motor Setup

Two electrical motors

Two electrical motors

Four electrical motors

Horsepower

600 hp

700 hp

835 hp

Torque

600 lb-ft

700 lb-ft

908 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.5 seconds

3.5 seconds

3.0 seconds

Estimated Range

270 – 410 miles

270 – 410 miles

270 – 410 miles

Payload Capacity

1,760 lbs

1,760 lbs

1,760 lbs

Towing Capacity

11,000 lbs

11,000 miles

11,000 lbs

Starting Price

$71,050

$85,800

$88,800

(Data sourced from Rivian and InsideEVs)

Key Features

  • Built-in air compressor within the mattress
  • 14.9 inches of floor clearance
  • Hidden storage tunnel underneath the rear mattress

Offered in a wide range of trim ranges, the Rivian R1T’s vary extremely will depend on which mannequin you go for. The EPA estimated that the dual-motor Rivian R1T fitted with 21-inch wheels will obtain 82 MPGe within the metropolis, and 74 MPGe on the freeway, leading to a mixed 78 MPGe ranking.

Here’s How Top Gear’s Stig Kept His Identity A Secret For Years

Ben Collins was the white-suited Stig for eight years on Top Gear, coinciding with the show’s peak. In a recent video interview from the Road To Success podcast, he shared insights on working there, and the lengths he went to keep his “tame racing driver” identity under wraps.

Collins began his racing career at 18 years old and eventually raced in the top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Team Ascari. His opportunity with Top Gear arose not long after.

Wanting to be involved with the franchise, Collins had a try-out at the Dunsfold Aerodrome circuit in a Ford Focus. Despite not being initially impressed, the show’s producer, Andy Wilman, later called him back and presented him with a white suit.

Top Gear's ex-Stig Ben Collins

To maintain his alter ego secret, Collins would wear a balaclava to conceal his face on set and never remove his helmet while there. He would change clothes in a van when filming on location.

He even utilized a pseudonym, Richard Jameson, for hotel check-ins, derived from the names of the show’s hosts – Richard Hammond, James May, and Jeremy Clarkson.

Collins regretted a Top Gear segment that never came to fruition, where the hosts would race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He viewed it as the perfect project for The Stig, but unfortunately, it didn’t materialize.

In an interview, Collins expressed his love for his time with Top Gear. Eventually, his cover was blown by a story in the BBC Radio Times, and he felt the show was phasing him out. He had his final episode with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.

After leaving the show, Collins faced a legal battle with the BBC over his book, The Man in the White Suit: The Stig, Le Mans, The Fast Lane and Me, which he describes as the most stressful period in his life.

He currently runs the Ben Collins Drives YouTube channel, diving into the world of high-performance vehicles such as the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 Formula 1 car.

2023 Toyota Prius Review: A Stylish Hybrid

There is a strong argument that suggests all new vehicles should be hybrids. The Prius, although not the only hybrid option available, offers the convenience of saving gas without requiring any significant changes to driving habits. You don’t need to plug it in, which makes it extremely easy to use.

What sets the 2023 Prius apart is its attractive design. It is a hybrid that catches your attention. I even found myself turning my head to look at one as it passed by, and I was already driving a Prius myself!

Starting at under $28,000 (plus destination charges), the Prius feels like a fantastic deal. Even the higher-spec $35,000 Limited model is competitively priced considering its features. For those with an interest in electric vehicles and access to parking and charging facilities, the Prius Prime, with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, offers additional benefits. Nevertheless, there is plenty to appreciate in a stylish and practical car that is fuel-efficient and reasonably priced.