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.
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.
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.
An EV’s vary is considered one of its largest energy, and these electrical vehicles show they provide greater than what’s marketed.
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.
The iconic Ford F-150 troopers on as one of the best of one of the best for 2024. The full measurement pickup stays king.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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