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kiraraneko · 4 years

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CATS as reviewed by a furry

Apparently this is a movie review blog now lmao (listen I just have some Opinions™ I feel like writing down lately) You’ve already heard from a hundred sources about the terrible CGI and bad quality of the film overall, so I’m going to focus more on the characters themselves and how they’ve been translated from stage to film. As someone whose been a fan of CATS since childhood AND is active in the furry community, I hope this will be different from the other reviews. (YES THERE ARE SPOILERS)

Let’s just start this off by saying - everyone who keeps comparing this film to “furry porn” clearly is not familiar with furry porn, because the alleged “hornyness” of the actor portrayals is pretty in-line with the stage play. The only reason this movie comes off as so much more sexual is because the bad fur CGI doesn’t keep your brain from knowing these people are all basically nude. The stage play costumes feature fur tufts and limb wraps that work to somewhat hide the human silhouettes, whereas (even with some characters in coats and accessories) everyone’s fur in the movie is so skin-tight they end up being unmistakably human, so every sway and hip-thrust comes off as slightly disturbing in an uncanny way instead of feline and graceful.

Victoria the White Cat Now here’s where I’ll admit to my blatant bias - Victoria has always been my favorite cat (other than Rum Tum). Here’s a bit of trivia for you: Ever wonder why my fursona is a white cat? (Jumpcut to me as an 8 year old wearing a scarf around my waist, pretending to be Victoria). Her role in the play is small but she’s elegant, beautiful, and an incredibly talented dancer, and I always idolized her for that. So, you can imagine I was pretty delighted to find that she plays the role of “main character” in the film. Now in the play, the cats explain to the audience about who and what they are, with Munkustrap (the grey tabby) serving as a kind of narrator/translator and leader. Since you can’t exactly address a stage audience in a movie, Victoria fills that role of the “questioning onlooker”, which I feel fits her character very well considering she’s both a younger/newer cat to the Jellicle scene and she was the first to accept Grizabella, which connects her nicely to the entire story (both in the play and the movie). What I was markedly less jazzed about was the addition of her own song in the movie. I think it was a nice attempt to expand her role, but as an extension to Memories, I found Beautiful Ghosts to be frankly kind of boring and unnecessary. She’s essentially saying to Grizabella “I was just abandoned and I don’t have anything, at least you have good memories to look back on” which to me, came off as belittling to Grizabella with a dash of “poor me” for Victoria. However, the reprise version with Old Deuteronomy I actually ended up liking much more. It is less condescending when two old cats are singing to one another, versus a kitten who has their whole life ahead of them lecturing Grizabella about a past she knows nothing about. One last thing I’ll note about Victoria is her slight re-design in the movie - she’s been given some light striping patterning as opposed to being a pure white cat. This doesn’t bother me at all as I assume when it comes to lighting and rendering, pure white fur would have been too distracting on screen. Jennyanydots / The Gumbie Cat I’ll just come right out and say that this segment was probably the worst translation from the play in the entire movie, and it happens early in the film, so you’re already questioning what the hell the rest of the movie is going to be like. In the play, she’s a slow-paced and motherly type cat that only becomes energetic at night, when she sheds her fur to reveal a vibrant coat and goes to work teaching vermin of the house good manners and skills like crocheting (as opposed to hunting them, like other cats would do). In the movie, she’s flitting about the kitchen like a hyperactive rabbit, rampantly consumes some of the insects she’s painstakingly coached, and whines about wishing to leave her household. If this butchering of her character weren’t enough, they actually included the fur-shedding bit in an incredibly disturbing skin-unzipping sequence where she steps out of her cat skin to reveal a sparkly dress underneath. Characters in the CATS play occasionally do wear some clothing accessories, but this movie does not know the meaning of subtlety, and various characters are wearing fullbody clothes which even further breaks any illusion of these characters being cats. It just constantly wants to remind you that these are human people in unitards jumping around on a greenscreen. Rum Tum Tugger Undoubtedly a fan favorite, Rum Tum is the rockstar cat who swoons all the kittens and makes a general ruckus, with stylistic influences of Mick Jagger and Elvis. To say the least, I thought his part in the movie was fine, but certainly doesn’t quite have the punch to it that the stage play does. The movie has him breaking into a 50′s style diner while milk is liberally poured for all the younger cats. Both his character and that of the Gumbie cat’s are diminished further as she makes fun of his singing and dance moves - which may have been a funny addition, if it weren’t for her alleging his show-offiishness to a recent neutering. This joke just went a little too far in my opinion, and really detracted from the rest of Rum Tum’s performance. Bustopher Jones A very charming and gentlemanly cat, Bustopher’s sequence started well and then just got really weird. His song prominently describes his love of fine dining, his cheerful demeanor, and his well-groomed fur. The last of which was directly contradicted in the movie, as he rolled around in actual garbage making an utter mess of himself. He’s shown gorging himself through the entire segment with increasing fervor, until it’s just a bit too much to bear witness to. At one point, he’s meant to trapeze into a trash can, but the cat who jumps on the other end of the catapult is markedly smaller, and nothing happens. This is actually quite a funny moment, until once again, the joke goes a little too far and Bustopher comments being “sensitive about his weight”. This is just.. a bizarre comment considering he’s sung an entire song about being charmingly large and we’ve just watched him unabashedly stuff his face for five solid minutes. Applying human weight-shaming to the ideals of a cat is just completely unnecessary, awkward, and contradictory to his character. It changes him from an indulgent but experienced chap into something to be pitied. Asparagus / Gus the Theatre Cat Possibly my favorite segment of the movie, this is the only part I actually teared up at. As a child, I always thought Gus was a very boring character with a boring part, but watching as an adult I can understand and appreciate him much better. Sir Ian McKellen did an absolutely phenomenal job of channeling the frail, endearing, proud character of Gus (despite the wonky camera work of the scene). This might be the only part of the movie that matched, or perhaps even exceeded the stage play version, and I don’t think it’s any surprise that it also happens to be the most subdued sequence, relying almost entirely on character acting and line delivery, instead of fancy effects cluttering up the screen (as this musical should be). The end of his storytelling features some “lightning strikes” for emphasis, created by what I imagine would be a simple shadow stencil, and it added some genuine atmosphere to the idea of Gus as a performer with simple stage effects. It was a nice subtle touch, and I only wish the rest of the movie could have been more like that. I found his line condemning “modern productions” to be more poignant than ever before, and it makes you wonder if this movie suddenly became painfully self-aware. Also I just want to throw this in: Before Gus’s song, there’s an unintentionally hilarious shot of Mr. Mistoffelees walking up on him drinking milk from a dish, except Gus is mostly in shadow with his cat features obscured and is standing fully upright, so he just appears to be a hobo man lapping at a dish, like someone legit just walked up on Ian McKellen being a complete fucking weirdo. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer This segment was another one that just didn’t come across quite right. These two are mischievous partners in crime, causing mayhem and stealing treasures. The '98 film version characterizes them as playful and upbeat, delighting in trouble-making, but they don’t seem to be quite experienced or clever enough to get away 100% of the time. The 2019 version came off as almost.. sinister to me. They coerce Victoria into stealing, frame her, and then leave her to what could nearly be her death, all while sort of talking through their lines with a cold inflection. This is supposed to take after the original “languid” London version, but they don’t play off each other very well and you don’t get a sense of the fun, amusing partnership they’re supposed to have. It’s mostly just watching them destroy several rooms of a house and then leaving Victoria to her fate like utter assholes. I don’t really have anything more to say on these two, it was just kind of bland and forgetful and leaves you disliking them instead of enjoying watching them have a fun romp. Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat I would give Skimbleshanks the award for “most baffling redesign”. As mentioned earlier, this movie takes cats-wearing-clothing to an uncanny level, and this is certainly the uncanny-est. While the play version has him in a cute waistcoat and arm warmers with elbow patches to give a “train conductor” vibe, the movie has him in full bright red overalls, with other reviews calling him “gay nightclub Mario”, lmao! As much as I wanted to enjoy this number, the sight of him was just too weird to look past. The tap dancing during his skit was a fitting addition to his character - he is quite bouncy and light on his feet, so I thought it suited him very well and really liked that part. His song picks up after that, with all the cats dancing on the rail and there’s more weird camera work, at one point zooming out so ridiculously far it’s actually jarring. The rest of his song was okay, a CGI greenscreen that can do anything you want unfortunately just isn’t as creative and inspiring as watching actors build a train engine representation out of junkyard scraps on an actual stage. Magical Mr. Mistoffelees The movie really took some liberties with this character, and I’m still on the fence about whether it was a good choice or not. In the play, Mistoffelees is a magician cat, performing tricks through his segment (including the most complex dance routine of any character) while other cats usually sing about his feats (in the ‘98 film, it’s Rum Tum). They went for the younger, unsure version of Mistoffelees in this new movie, and doubled up on it by turning him into something of a comedic-relief character. He doesn’t quite have a handle on his magic, and he trips up on his words and his feet several times through the movie. This would have been fine if his musical number hadn’t been such a let down. This is supposed to be his grand moment, but his “magic” ends up being underwhelming and the chorus repeats for SO long you’re practically begging for it to end. Where “Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr Mistoffelees?” was once a cheerful and upbeat line, it will certainly become a droning echo in your mind after watching this movie. The added plot of his implied attraction to Victoria I also found kind of weird, though I’ll admit that might just be my personal tastes. I always liked Mistoffelees being a more aloof kind of cat. Grizabella / The Glamour Cat Alright buckle in, I’ve got some strong opinions about this one. Grizabella is undeniably the star of CATS - she’s an incredibly emotional character, visually intriguing, and her performance in the musical is nothing short of heartbreaking. She was referred to as “the Glamour Cat” in her prime, but it has turned into an almost mocking title as the other cats reject and shun her. We never really know why, but it can be implied she may have been cold and elitist to the other cats who once adored her, or had some other tragic and sudden fall from grace. Despite Jennifer Hudson putting in a damn good effort to play the role of this character, the movie itself let her down. The CATS play and the Jellicle ball which it centers around, while being a musical, is foremost a ball in which cats perform for the honor of being chosen. The dancing is just as important as the singing, and Grizabella’s character is heavily communicated by her posture. She’s hunched, stiff and limping, reaching out for others to accept her, and at one point even attempts to mimic some of the other cat’s dance moves before slinking away in shame. The 2019 movie paradoxically chooses to use extremely tight face-shots for just about every character routine. It is frustrating and claustrophobic to watch a movie where cats who are supposed to be expressing their character through movement are shown from only the shoulders up, just standing there singing into a camera - and this frustration is paramount at the Grizabella sequences. Jennifer Hudson, singing her absolute heart out with tears pouring down her face, is still emotionally lacking because of the terrible cinematography refusing to show her doing any actual acting. I was so distracted by the mucus running down her face that I couldn’t even connect with her. I thought the costuming of Grizabella was very well done, but you barely got to see any of it. Overall a very disappointing performance, because Hudson was doing all the right things, and it could have been great if the movie had met her even halfway. Macavity the Mystery Cat Played by the incredible Idris Elba, Macavity underwent some heavy changes and expansion in this new movie. He’s the main antagonist of the play, and most of his antics like committing serious crimes and alluding the police are sung about as rumors but doesn’t himself sing, and actually doesn’t have any speaking lines in the play, adding to his mysterious character. When he eventually appears, he battles with Munkustrap and steals Deuteronomy (who is brought back by Mistoffelees). Macavity is usually depicted with vibrant clashing colors, wild hair, and uses quick threatening movements, while the Idris Elba version rein-visioned him as extremely sleek, black-furred, and sly and cunning, often emerging from the shadows to tempt other cats with their vices. He is given numerous speaking lines, and his villainy is expanded on as he kidnaps the other cats in an attempt to be the chosen Jellicle. I actually quite like this interpretation of the character, and it makes him a little more relatable instead of the vicious enigma he is in the play. Something of note is just how literally the new movie took the rumors of Macavity’s powers. His abilities, which were muted and used sparingly in the play, were used constantly and without hesitation in this movie. He spends most of his time teleporting other characters and creating illusions, but then uses trickery to try and win the Jellicle ball, and fails to demonstrate his power of levitation when it really matters. So whether he does or doesn’t have real powers seems to be.. situational to say the least. Another thing I want to point out is just how uncomfortably sudden Macavity’s reveal is. He spends most of the movie in the shadows hidden under an oversized coat and hat, and then suddenly appears at the Jellicle ball without any disguise on whatsoever. Idris Elba is a damn fine looking dude, and you can clearly see his very human-shaped abs beneath his sleek Macavity fur, which is so close to his actual skintone that I’ve seen him described as “extra naked” and it’s pretty accurate. You just really aren’t prepared for this moment when it happens. Growltiger This guy is a rough and rowdy pirate-esque character with a dramatic love life. His segment was cut from the ‘98 film, so seeing the play in person is just about the only way to experience it. Because of this, it’s probable that many people may not even be aware of this character, so I was pretty excited to hear that he would be featured in the 2019 movie. Growltiger is quite overdue for his time in the mainstream spotlight. Turns out, unfortunately, Growltiger's Last Stand is not what you get. His appearance in the movie is more or less a cameo with a short introduction, and the rest of the time he’s serving as Macavity‘s henchman in the background. This is based on the 2015 revival of him as a dock worker, but I feel it was a weak representation of his character, and really wish he’d been shown in a better light. The movie cuts out pretty much every fight scene, and Growltiger‘s would have been dramatic and fun to watch, especially after Gus’s reminiscing. Instead, he was kind of lazily thrown into a river by Gus, who previously bragged about playing the role of Growltiger on stage, which is kind of an interesting juxtaposition if you don’t think about it too hard. Old Deuteronomy A surprising change was the decision to make Deuteronomy female, played by Judi Dench. I love old grandpa Deuteronomy, but this didn’t really bother me. Deuteronomy is a wise, beloved leader of the Jellicles and there’s not really anything integral about the character that says they couldn’t be female. Deuteronomy carries himself with dignity, but isn’t afraid to dance along with the songs of the other more lively cats, and Judi Dench certainly has an air of authority and respect about her. The character’s songs are reflective and thought-provoking, but once again, the 2019 movie fails to make any of these sequences actually entertaining. The absolute worst part of the entire movie comes at the very end, when Deuteronomy makes horrific, unblinking eye contact with the camera, and slowly talks her way through the Ad-Dressing of Cats. This is absolutely bewildering considering how the movie deliberately sets up Victoria as a main character in place of the audience, only to completely chuck that out the window of a moving car just to break the 4th wall in the most uncomfortable way possible and directly address the audience anyway. What is even the point? I can’t imagine there’s a single person that would watch that and be okay with it. The Ad-Dressing of Cats is supposed to be a cute, fun little recap of everything the cats supposedly taught you, but this movie made it feel like a lecturing stare-down. Other notes The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles was cut entirely from the movie, which is fine because it isn’t integral to the story or anything, considering it was also cut from the stage play when I saw it live. I kind of shudder to think of how The Great Rumpus Cat would have been interpreted in this movie, so I think we were all probably spared some indignities. While this movie was watchable and certainly an interesting take on the play, it creatively added very little and only succeeded in making me desperately want to go watch the ‘98 musical. I thought at least this movie would be a fun soundtrack to view, but many of the songs just didn’t have the punchiness, joy, charm, or energy that I’m used to. There were parts of it that I liked enough to say this isn’t the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but that’s not exactly a glowing review. From the perspective of a theatre fan and a furry: If I want to see CATS, I’m most certainly going to choose the filmed musical over this new movie any day. I’m infinitely more charmed by the graceful 80′s style dancers of the play than I am by the uncanny valley, painfully human cat-people of the new movie (and honestly I haven’t seen a single piece of fanart for it, so that really tells you all you need to know).

#CATS #cats the musical #movie review #furry fandom #rambles #no one is going to read all of this lmao #i just wanted to share my thoughts

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ducktracy · 4 years

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68. buddy’s beer garden (1933)

release date: november 11th, 1933

series: looney tunes

director: earl duval

starring: jack carr (buddy), bernice hansen (cookie)

tom palmer’s been kicked to the curb, and now we have earl duval, buddy’s creator, directing buddy’s beer garden. exciting to note, this is frank tashlin’s first animation credit (as tish tash)! he’d get fired from the sudio in 1934 because he wouldn’t give leon schlesinger a piece of his revenues from the comic strip he ran at the time, “van boring”, a take on his former boss van beuren. he’d rejoin warner bros in 1936 and make cartoons until his departure for disney in 1938, and then ONCE MORE come back in 1943 until a solid departure in 1946.

back to the cartoon: prohibition was on its way out the door, officially ending less than a month after the cartoon was made—beer had been legalized in march of that year. beer gardens were popping up everywhere, and buddy’s own beer garden is no exception. we follow the antics of buddy, cookie, and his dog (who looks different than happy) in a beer garden.

buddy’s gotten a total redesign, which would stay permanent until another redesign later in his career. as poor as tom palmer’s cartoon was, i wish they kept his design from buddy’s day out. he looks a lot more unlikeable LOL, but that’s just my opinion. buddy is strolling around, swinging some beer on his platter and singing “auf wiederseh’n”. a wiener dog trots along behind him, pretzels stacked up on its tail.

he places the beer down on a table (beer flying out of the glasses in pure cartoon fashion) and whips out the table cloth from beneath the mugs with no problem, snapping it and placing it back under with ease. the sound effects are an improvement from buddy’s day out, but still feel rather present instead of integrated into the cartoon. the animation is a lot better, too. maybe a little less so than the bosko cartoons.

any beer garden has a live german band, right? there are an array of spot gags involving the band, including a clarinet player popping his head out of a tuba and playing a very catchy melody. there’s another scene where the bartender pours beer into the mugs in synchronization with the music, and a trombone player sliding the glasses down the counter with each slide (accompanied by the music). this actually made me realize that there was no musical timing in buddy’s day out—well, all of the timing there was wrong and discombobulated, but it’s strange to think about when, at this era, music was always a priority.

cookie makes an appearance, making pretzels by knitting the dough. buddy’s dog salts the pretzels with a salt shaker in his tail. another standard gag, but creative and amusing. at this point, i’m always glad to see creativity and some imagination. i won’t take it for granted any time soon LOL.

another gag i love, tongue sandwiches with actual tongues singing and licking up mustard. there’d be a similar gag with tongue sandwiches in goofy groceries.

elsewhere, there’s a man who looks like he’s an escaped convict, booming “where’s my beer!?” a tiny little waiter dashes over to him with a beer. not waiting for any further invitation, the brute picks up the waiter and tosses back the beer into his mouth. the music they used is really jarring: when he drinks the beer, it sounds like a murder mystery cue?? like the dramatic chipmunk video. it feels out of place and hinders a potentially funny gag.

meanwhile, more musical antics ensue as a gang of drunks sing “it’s time to sing ‘sweet adeline’ again”. side note i guess, i always thought i had heard “sweet adeline” in looney tunes many times, but it was actually because i’ve seen so many episodes of the andy griffith show where they’d sing that LOL. i feel like daffy may have sung it at one point, but i could also be confusing it with “how dry i am”. (edit: yes, i did confuse it so this whole side note was pointless LMAO). a man gets beer foam thrown on top of his bald head, which he uses a comb to comb out, another man plays spaghetti like a harp, and buddy plays beer steins like chimes. also a good gag of the beer mugs kissing (above) when they clink together.

cookie has gone from dough-knitter to cigarette/cigar seller. the ex-jailbird from before flirts with her, tossing a coin into her box and snagging a cigar, cutting the tip with his stein. the animation is nice and fluid, almost jarringly so, like there’s no weight. nevertheless, i’ll take it over the jankiness of palmer’s cartoons. an amusing gag ensues as the brute uses a flamethrower to light his cigar.

back to the german band, the man popping out of the tuba sporting maracas this time instead of a clarinet. seemingly out of nowhere, cookie saunters out into the middle of the garden and does a “sexy” dance (not really sexy at all). the setup would be amusing, just randomly popping out of nowhere and doing some sort of a flamenco dance after german oompah music has been blaring in your ears, but it comes off as too slow and careful, too deliberate. nevertheless, the power of her dance intrigues her patrons. a goat on a poster blows its horns, the dog bounces the pretzels on its tail, a very cartoony piano comes to life and imitates cookie’s dance, as well as the brute from before. buddy is also tossing the beer in the mugs he’s holding, whereas the brute now chews up some olives and spits the pits into a nearby spittoon.

once more to buddy. his surroundings get more screentime than he does! suffering from bosko syndrome, i suppose. he slices up bread and cheese, shuffling the two piles together like a deck of cards. elsewhere, the man inside the tuba now comes out with a piano. the gag is funny, but relied on too heavily.

buddy slides the tray of food off his back and tosses sandwiches onto a table, the man paying him back accordingly. buddy places the tray on his head (i guess another one of those “he can do anything!” indicators) and the beer steins slide and clink together as he walks. one of the steins comes to life and protests “hey, you mug!”, prompting the other to growl “don’t call me a mug, you mug!” i actually enjoyed that, a little bit of cleverness for a change.

this is great gag with great visuals. two men are literally playing their pipes, the smoke anthropomorphized as dancers who sway along to the jaunty rhythm.

suddenly, buddy squeezes himself into the spotlight and says “hold it, folks! a big surprise! this will open up your eyes! introducing someone grand—give the gal a great big hand!” his voice sounds drastically different from buddy’s day out, almost exactly like johnny murray’s bosko. still trying to fill mickey mouse’s shoes, i guess? the animation is jarring, too. melty and blobby, no weight, no spacing, just constantly moving and changing.

beats me how buddy somehow got a caricature of mae west to perform at his beer garden, but nevertheless she struts out and belts her stuff. better than the mae west caricature in i’ve got to sing a torch song, but still mildly disappointing. there’s a shot of a conductor whose lapels roll up and down, but it mainly disrupts the flow of the song, especially with the slide whistle sound effects.

the jailbird finds her to be hot stuff and flirts with her, asking “hello, baby! give me one big kiss!” the voice acting is painful, almost bosko’s holiday painful. it sounds like “hello.... ba-by! give me ooooone! .....biiiiiig kiiiiss.”

nevertheless, the brute is perched under a table, his butt sticking out the other end. the goat on the poster from before headbutts him, causing him to barrel straight into mae. she flies into a tree, whereas the brute flies into a mirror (complete with an OW sound effect with no lip movement). mae falls back to the ground.

the reason buddy got mae west to perform is because HE was her all along. our first drag joke, i think? well, it did one thing effectively: it caught me by surprise. the surprise was slightly ruined, though: when buddy was in the tree (still as mae) you could see him adjusting himself, the wig slipping off slightly. i think it would’ve been better to just wait until he fell back down and crashed, THEN revealing the surprise. the parrot in the cage he used as a makeshift butt turns into a jimmy durante caricature and scoffs “am i mortified!”, iris out.

this was a much better effort than buddy’s day out and i’ve got to sing a torch song for sure. the animation was an improvement, gags were an improvement, sound effects were an improvement, and so on. it still felt rather bland and unmemorable, though. not terrible! but once again, we know little about buddy and are assumed to just know everything about him. it wouldn’t hurt to skip this one, but it wouldn’t kill you to watch it, either.

link!

#lt #buddy’s beer garden #reviews #long post #alcohol tw

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cringevid · 6 years

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my old redesigns vs my new redesigns under the cut! (WARNING, LONG)

twilight: i still like the idea of her having black on her mixed with purples, and a small bit of yellow. i decided to make her in alicorn form this time, with slightly more “studious” hair. i’ve always thought she should wear glasses, much like moondancer. I greatly prefer a shooting star cutie mark, as i find real twi’s cutiemark too complicated but my first redesigns too simple.

applejack: while i like the idea of the ponies sometimes having more natural colors, i think it didn’t mesh well with the show style. i prefer applejack having braids to keep her hair out of the way while working. i gave her a more horse like appearance because of her strength and removed the boots she had before.

Fluttershy: Mainly i changed her hair because her normal hair kind of makes her look like half of her head is bald. I wanted her hair to be long to hide behind, but also somewhat messy that it looks like she could hide among plants. Decided to use a flower from the show this time around. Changed the brown to a better shade. I still like her wearing clothes, especially since I have a hard time deciding what her cutie mark should be. I don’t like her having butterflies, as while they mesh well with her personality, they don’t make me think “oh her destiny is to take care of animals”. Previously I gave her wings to pinkie pie, for multiple reasons, but decided with pinkie’s weird speed, her having wings would make her rival even rainbow dash. It would also take away a lot of episodes surrounding fluttershy’s backstory and even name.

Pinkie Pie: Definitely the one I always have the most trouble with. I keep changing whether to make her hair the trademark blue/yellow, her accessories, or to not use those colors at all. While I still think pegasus pinkie could’ve worked out as well as earth pony fluttershy, I think it would take a much more indepth redesign to have it work well in story. I really prefer her “weird” look in my new one, because I think her fur looks like fireworks or confetti, and her hair looks like streamers. I also used a clip art cutie mark because I think having a rainbow of balloons fits better than the random yellow/blue choice, plus there are six balloons. I like her having accessories so she is “party ready”.

Rainbow Dash: I’ve had a lot of trouble with her as well. I’ve made her different shades of blue, white, gray, and black to match the sky or clouds in the sky. I don’t like the pastel blue one from before at all, as she doesn’t look fierce whatsoever. I still believe her cutiemark should have an actual rainbow instead of a half rainbow lightning mark. I think having both could be a compromise though. I also have another edit I made for her somewhere where she is black with blue punk hair.

Rarity: The main trouble with her, is I like to see her in royal blue, so that she’s seen as regal, and because I think having two purple ponies is kinda overkill. I really hate her canon cutiemark, because it’s so asymmetrical. I’ve tried using the three in the position from the first design, as the form looks similar to a crown, and I’ve tried making one of the three bigger and alone, and more symetrical, then I decided to make it a more normal gem, similar to the cutie mark of amethyst star. I made her hair more natural, and easy to shape if she needs to change her style, and wanted to give her a different tail. With how her canon is, when her tail stops being “sproingy” it ends up dragging on the ground. Giving her a higher, more simple tail seemed right to me. I also like her having those whatever you call it’s on the bottom of her feet so that her design is both more regal and less plain. She still looks fairly plain however, which I believe she makes up for with her fashion and styling. I also REALLY despise her canon makeup since the color of her eyeshadow clashes with her canon hair color. Makeup doesn’t make much sense on fur anyways, so I think the only canon make up should be false eyelashes, but I don’t mind makeup in show that much.

GENERAL POINTS

I think the ponies should have more diverse body shapes. I understand why almost all ponies have the same shape, it’s obviously a lot cheaper that way. However, especially with pegasi having different speeds and ponies like applejack having different strength, it doesn’t make sense for them all to have the same bodies. It ends up making me wonder if something like rainbow dash being a fast flier is simply a mater of practice rather than genetics, and that applejack is only strong from practice as well. But if that were the case, unless all the ponies other than the main six are lazy, I don’t see how we’ve rarely seen any ponies that rival their abilities. I also really like the idea of having heavier ponies, especially considering pinkie pie constantly having less than healthy foods. ESPECIALLY considering the new “love yourself” character in the show that’s literally like. Bigger than Celestia and honestly looks less like a “love your size” candidate and more like a “haha wow fat character” joke. The same seems to happen with Bulk Biceps, he honestly just looks like its supposed to be a joke about steroids or “compensating” for things.

Other than that, I wish the characters just were more diversely colored, as in all of the ponies seem to have a pink or purple color on them, which obviously sell well to some young girls, but I like the characters being more recognizable.

I think fashion is a wasted opportunity in equestria. A mane six character is all about fashion, but we tend to not see them wear anything even in situations where it would make more sense. Especially in the winter or the rain, they sometimes are properly dressed but often aren’t whatsoever. I also think they could use their bags more often, seeing as when they don’t have them, they can’t carry money or any items that might be of use. Pinkie can use the excuse of being weird, but when the other’s pull money or something else from no where, it just doesn’t make sense, save for the times when we see a pony put something in their hair, which can’t be safe. You would also think a fashion forward pony like rarity would be seen wearing clothes more often, or at least styling her hair in a different fashion.

I think more of the female ponies need short hair. Mainly, some of the ponies have jobs where that hair would obviously get in the way.

There are already issues about whether applejack and rainbow dash should switch elements of harmony.

MORE TO COME WHEN I DO ROYAL REDESIGNS

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dipulb3 · 4 years

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2021 Nissan Rogue review: Playing it down the middle

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/2021-nissan-rogue-review-playing-it-down-the-middle/

2021 Nissan Rogue review: Playing it down the middle

The Rogue is currently Nissan’s best-selling vehicle by a long shot, and consumer demand for compact crossovers shows no sign of slowing down. Needless to say, the “don’t screw it up” factor is pretty high with the redesigned 2021 Rogue, which rolls into dealerships later this year.

Quiet, comfortable cabin

Decent fuel economy

Available digital gauge cluster

Enhanced ProPilot driver-assistance tech

Don’t Like

Weak engine performance

Styling isn’t for everyone

Best tech features are only available on the most expensive trim

Smartly, Nissan opted to take a conservative approach to the Rogue’s redux, though you might not think so upon first glance. The boldly styled front end certainly isn’t for everyone — I’m not a fan, personally — but it’s at least expressive, which isn’t something I could say about prior Rogues. The rest of the crossover’s appearance is unsurprisingly conventional, although new two-tone color options are available to give that upright, two-box shape added visual interest. All told, the 2021 Rogue is about an inch shorter in both length and height than its predecessor.

Inside, 2021 Rogue loses half an inch of headroom and 1.5 inches of legroom up front. Rear-seat occupants, on the other hand, enjoy slightly more headroom and legroom than before — 0.7 and 0.6 inches, respectively. A third row of seats isn’t available, and while that might seem like a given considering the Rogue’s small size, keep in mind that Nissan offered a holy-crap-that’s-cramped option from 2014 to 2017. Trust me, the Rogue is better off without it.

The SUV’s back doors now open to a full 90-degree aperture, which makes getting in and out easier and gives you more space when finagling car seats or other bulky items. A similar bit of helpfulness is found in the cargo area, where there’s an adjustable divider in the two-tier load floor. Only available on SL and Platinum grades, this two-piece partition gives you a maximum of 36.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the second-row seats, while the Rogue S and SV make do with 31.6. Regardless of model, folding the back seats flat results in 74.1 cubic feet of room, which puts the Rogue ahead of the Toyota RAV4 (69.8) but behind the Honda CR-V (75.8).

Generally speaking, the Rogue’s interior is perfectly nice. Nissan’s comfy and supportive Zero Gravity seats are standard for both front and rear passengers, came wrapped in leather on my SL tester and is available with quilted, semi-aniline hides on the bougie Platinum. All of the plastics and wood appliqués are nicely grained and none of the vehicle controls feel cheap or flimsy. Well, mostly.

The new electronic gear selector is a particularly lousy part of an otherwise well-built cabin. It looks cheap and feels cheaper. On the other hand, no mechanical linkage to the transmission frees up space beneath the console for added storage, but considering how cavernous the compartment aft of the cup holders is, I don’t imagine needing that extra space all that often.

Most Rogues will roll out with an 8-inch color touchscreen display in the center of the dash, running the newest version of the NissanConnect infotainment system. A larger 9-inch high-definition screen is optional on the SL and standard on the Platinum, with the same NissanConnect software inside. This system isn’t my favorite, with its occasionally laggy response times, but the graphics are nevertheless colorful and crisp — on the HD display, at least — and it’s a step up from the Display Audio and Entune systems offered in the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, respectively.

If you want the mega-tech experience, go for a Rogue Platinum, which comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.8-inch head-up display, as well as a wireless charging pad. It kind of sucks that you have to spring for the most expensive Rogue — $36,525, including $1,095 for destination — to get these niceties, but so it goes. At least Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board. What’s more, wireless CarPlay is optional on the SL and standard on the Platinum, and every Rogue save for the most basic S has an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot as well as four USB outlets (two A, two C).

The Rogue’s interior is clean and modern.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

A whole bunch of driver-assistance technologies come standard on every Rogue, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver alertness monitor, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning and automatic emergency braking. Nissan’s excellent ProPilot Assist joins the standard roster on SV trims and higher, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist for easy-breezy highway commuting. A newly enhanced version of this tech, ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, is optional on the SL and standard on the Platinum. It uses navigation data to adjust the Rogue’s speed for things like tight highway curves and busy intersections, and it can even keep the steering assist active on freeway exit ramps. The uplevel ProPilot software also includes speed-limit adaptation, which is something normally reserved for higher-end luxury cars.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Rogue’s driving experience isn’t so techy; you won’t find turbochargers or electric assistance under the hood. Buyers looking for more punch should check out a Mazda CX-5 with the 2.5-liter turbo, and if you’re all about fuel-sippin’, the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 can be had with hybrid powertrains. The Escape and RAV4 even offer plugin options.

The Rogue, meanwhile, uses a reworked version of Nissan’s long-standing 2.5-liter I4, making 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, increases of 11 hp and 6 lb-ft over the 2020 model. A continuously variable transmission is mandatory across the board, and buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive on every trim level.

The more upright shape results in increased rear-seat headroom.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

Nissan’s CVT is one of the better transmissions of this type, largely fading into the background without roughness or loud droning during acceleration. But the Rogue definitely isn’t quick, and it occasionally suffers on steep grades. Climbing California’s notorious Grapevine on the I-5 freeway at 75 mph requires a heavy right foot, especially since the 2.5 has a dearth of low-end torque. The experience would be worse with passengers and/or more cargo onboard, too. This is where the low-end torque from a turbocharger or added electrification can really help, but competitors generally also make you pay extra for their more-powerful engines. Nissan offered a Rogue Hybrid previously, so perhaps a more powerful engine option will come along in the future.

Fuel economy ratings of 27 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined are on the better side of average for the compact crossover class. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces those figures by one to two mpg depending on trim level, but again, that’s not uncommon for small SUVs. After several days of testing in mixed conditions, my Rogue’s onboard computer shows 28.5 mpg.

The engine itself may be pretty mediocre, but overall, the Rogue drives with confidence and composure. The redesigned rack-mounted electronic power steering is a lot better than in old Rogues, with improved weight and more natural turn-in that doesn’t feel overboosted. Even so, as far as steering feel is concerned, the Rogue, like most other small SUVs, is as dead as your childhood dreams.

Of all the compact crossovers on sale today, the Nissan Rogue is definitely one of them.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

A new, stiffer frame gives the Rogue a solid on-road demeanor, and the suspension is nicely tuned to soak up the sort of rough pavement and occasional pothole you’ll experience in everyday driving. The base Rogue S rides on 17-inch wheels, but 18s and 19s, like the ones on my tester, are available. Brake feel is solid and easy to modulate, and if you hustle the Rogue through a corner you’ll find predictable amounts of body roll. But for the key missions of a Nissan Rogue — running errands, commuting to work, taking the kids to the lake — this vehicle is appropriately tuned.

Pricing for the 2021 Nissan Rogue starts at $26,745 including destination and all-wheel drive is a $1,400 upcharge on every trim. Like every other aspect of the Rogue, this puts Nissan’s CUV squarely in the middle of the compact crossover class.

It’s hard to fault Nissan for playing it straight with the 2021 Rogue. The current model is doing really well for the automaker, and it’s the segment’s third best-selling model behind the Toyota and Honda. Frankly, considering Nissan’s big-picture troubles, it’s probably not a good idea to shake up a winning formula. Is the Rogue the most attractive, most fun-to-drive small SUV? No. But it’s comfortable, spacious, economical and priced right, and those are pretty strong laurels on which to rest.

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sarajonesc · 4 years

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How To Buy Dash In Canada (Quick Start Guide)

A regular in the list of top 10 cryptocurrencies in the market, Dash focuses on speed and highly values privacy.

If you are already looking at Dash, it must be because you have already decided to start investing in cryptocurrencies. Do not worry, I have noted down my research and experience in this quick guide so that you have an easy time navigating through the market.

Should we invest in Dash?

After having invested in it myself, my answer to this question is simple – you definitely should. With its primary focus on heightened security, seamless transactions, and the zeal to create decentralized funding and governing systems, Dash should rank high on your list of priorities when you are looking to invest in cryptocurrencies. While I am penning this down, 1 unit of Dash is equivalent to 114.433 CAD. Its current Market Cap stands at 1,102,228,708 CAD. This figure is enough to signal the fact that it has been reaping benefits in a constantly fluctuating market.

Make sure that you check the price before withdrawing or buying Dash.

After all, it is an astute investment only when you check everything in advance.

How to Buy Dash in Canada:

Buying cryptocurrency has never been this easy. Bitbuy, a Canadian cryptocurrency, offers customers instant access to currencies such as Bitcoin and Etherium. All of this happens through a trading platform, best amongst its peers, which is also known as Pro Trade. Pro Trade is an OTC service.

Having recently redesigned its platform, Bitbuy offers a seamless interface on your desktop as well as your mobile phone. This has complete access to selling, buying, and depositing digital currencies in the same place. The new Bitbuy Wallet feature has raving reviews since it added the Express Interac e-Transfer service. This lets customers use CADs to fund their wallets within two hours. Available from 8 to 8, Monday to Friday, this is one of the fastest ways to do business in the marketplace on a global scale.

Instructions

Go to Bitbuy’s Official Website on your computer/laptop/mobile device.

Remember to verify your account.

Add funds in your Bitbuy account by simply transferring money to your Bitbuy account from your bank account.

Using the funds in your Bitbuy account, place an order.

Wait for a little while and have your Dash deposited in your wallet.

The best part about this entire process is that you can use CADs to make your purchase. You do not need to convert it into Bitcoin or Ethereum to make your transactions. Bitbuy will help you out easily.

Why Trust Bitbuy?

I put my faith in companies that are transparent about their dealings. Bitbuy is one such company that does not hide its activities from its customers.

A few things that make using Bitbuy worthwhile are:

Its simple and lightning-fast user interface.

The Express trade feature enables customers the ability to trade in cryptocurrency with Canadian dollars.

It is one of the easiest processes that users can peruse to deposit funds to purchase cryptocurrency.

If you want to access this feature, you will have to pay slightly extra in terms of conversion rate. You will still make a profit because of its sheer accessibility.

Although Debit and Credit cards are not available on Bitbuy, it makes transactions very easy with Wire Transfer, Interac and Express Interac e-Transfer.

Consider Reading: How To Buy Monero

The post How To Buy Dash In Canada (Quick Start Guide) appeared first on Maple Loonie.

Via https://mapleloonie.ca/how-to-buy-dash-in-canada-quick-start-guide/

source https://mapleloonie.weebly.com/blog/how-to-buy-dash-in-canada-quick-start-guide

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attract-mode-collective · 6 years

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Ready To Wear, Ready To Play

As previously noted, there’s been yet another change in direction for the Attract Mode blog… which I have dubbed Version 2.8 Final CE EX Λ Core Plus Alpha. BTW/FYI. But yeah, been posting on Twitter, a lot. So much so that you may have missed something, so here’s a recap!

Note: was originally going to cover everything tweeted throughout the month, but because there’s so much to cover (and February’s short)… am guessing bi-weekly might be the way to go. Am also going to present things mostly in order.

K, enough chatter: at the very top is another fine example of a Famicom being the ultimate in fashion accessory (via nintendu). And here we have, not designer threads but designer plastic (via gamefreaksnz)...

Speaking of plastic, Sega (or someone who got Sega’s blessing, or maybe not even) made Super Monkey Ball figures? Guess so (via magimacaque)...

I was under the belief that, if I truly wanted to make an impact with the relaunch of the Attract Mode Twitter, I couldn’t just post one single piece of Klonoa fan art, but two...

And I only have one example of Cuphead fan art, but it’s the one that counts (via jothelion)...

It was Kyle who helped kick the Attract Mode Twitter’s rebirth into high gear, with the reveal of his Nintendo Power covers. So to help replay the favor, I must insistent that everyone purchase the hard copy of RPG_Friends (which I first mentioned here)...

Nothing makes me happier than seeing such a dense assortment of Japanese game stuffs (via peazy86)...

... Yet that being said, I also believe less can be more, plus a nice breeze while playing Secret of Mana is... well... nice (via sixteen-bit.tumblr)

These gamer chairs perfectly embody Japanese sensibilities when it comes to furniture, plus are a total 180 to the junk they peddle in the US (via shmups)...

Time for another excellent toco toco vid, this one features your fave old school Capcom illustrator, and mine, Akiman…

youtube

There's so much I love about this interview with the creator of Hong Kong 1997, whose goal was "to make the worst game possible”. Though this picture of the guy is near the top of my list...

I love these kooky kids, thinking they could possibly get away with stealing an entire Final Fight arcade cab (via videogamead)...

Yeah, I feel the same way kid (via tvgame)...

"This is Jesus. He lives inside my Neo Geo MVS cabinet. He was there when I got it. He is glorious." (via arcadephile)...

The pathos that is Sub Zero at the bat, in four modded screenshots(via lanceboyles)...

The pathos that is the Kachō interacting with kids, in just three YouTube screengrabs (via gaijira)...

And the pathos that is Splatoon 2, via two screengrabs and the piece of fan art that resulted (via lunaticobscurity)...

Though in addition to pathos, Splatoon is also filled to the brim with intensity (via thewaragainstgiygas)...

Welcome to VIOLENT CITY (via shmups)...

Also, STAY CHILL (via paperbeatsscissors)...

Not that any band in which music is performed via guitars hooked up to Famicoms is all that typical to being with, but this one is most definitely not typical (via miki800.com)...

youtube

This "what the hell is going on exactly" illustration has motivated me to finally Wario Land a spin at long last (via it8bit)...

Remember Absolutely Rose Street, the Beverly Hills 90210 meets Degrassi meets Wayne’s World-esque show that was actually an infomercial for the Sega 32X in disguise that I wrote about a little whiles ago? Well here's ad for it (via oldgamemags)...

I'm a total sucker for old Japanese video game mags, primarily ones featuring models/statues on the cover (via miki800)...

Another cover to an old Japanese game rag, this one featuring the very first Metal Gear; I wonder if this slightly cutesy take helped to inspire the Metal Gear we meet in Snatcher (via mendelpalace)...

Here we have a page from an 11 page comic, done in a single sitting, for an event that celebrates various pairings of Solid Snake/Otacon, one that's called Snot Week for whatever reason (via millionfish)...

I want this woman to be my mom (via cyberfights)...

Am obsessed with this image of a man playing Xevious in the middle of a desert that's clearly fabricated and clearly from the 80s (via shmups)...

mendelpalace sez: "This picture gives me anxiety" and I feel exactly the same...

This is comparable to my own morning commute, except for the lack of floating cherry blossom petals and various other differences (via tightenupthe)...

Spring is almost here, which means it's time for a new wardrobe, which really means it's time to get new PaRappa attire (via miki800.com)...

If a glitched Nintendo logo when booting up a Game Boy looks fashionable to you, you're in luck (via gameandgraphics)...

Tho if a glitched Game Boy Advance start up is more your style (via corruptionasart)...

Has anyone received this Mega Drive/Genesis chiptune album on a cart (described as a "16-bit VMU") yet? (via catskullelectronics)

Ever wonder what a 3 part symphony, one performed via 5 different Nintendo DSs and 5 different copies of Electroplankton, sounds like? Well wonder no more (via mendelpalace)...

youtube

And ever wonder what an Italian-based, US-born R&B, blues and disco singer (which is how Wikipedia describes Ronnie Jones) thought of video games in the year 1980? Again, wonder no more (via aestheticoftheday)...

youtube

The new DDR, which will record your performance and also add snazzy video effects, is my early contender for GOTY 2018 (via @Sega_AM2)...

youtube

I will never grow tired or bored of watching this run cycle, ever (via shmups)...

What appears to be a Nier motion study (via sixteen-bit)...

Sakura-ha (via rosscountertv)..

To commemorate the discontinuation of the Kinect sensor (via prostheticknowledge)...

Google Translate took the original Korean & translated it as: "Ittsumi! Maria", which @NotLikeFreddy re-translated as: "It's-a me, Mary-o"...

The medium of video games most certainly has many mountains to overcome yet, but there's little denying that we've made some progress nonetheless (via videofame)...

"I have to go now. My planet needs me.” (via sixteen-bit)...

Cuz it's been a while since I shared a gif from Sin & Punishment (via n64thstreet)...

The SNES & Genesis had cool accessories and all, yet I often wonder what it would have been like if 3D printers & Etsy were around back then...

Pretty much the cutest lil thing you'll see all day is this Genesis CDX hooked up to a 5″ Sony PVM (via decideweapons)...

“'Club Sega during the Snow' is a top-tier aesthetic, I think." (via pr0jectneedlemouse)

I love old VG sound team photos, especially when they double as old band photos, like Capcom's Alph Lyra here (via videogamesdensetsu)...

You all have no idea how happy I am to finally see a decent sized version of the flyer for Deadly Sport... again, no idea (via melvanainchains)...

Here's an illustration of Terry Bogard eating a hot dog (with the rest of his Fatal Fury posse chowing down as well)...

... Turns out, Terry's affinity for hot dogs is somewhat of a thing (via busterwolf)....

... Or, perhaps SNK as a whole are simply huge fans of hot dogs? (via meldowiseau)

I absolutely love this familiar, yet thoroughly refreshing take on Samus (via lady--peaches)...

And nothing new to report, as it pertains to @deimosremus's Metroid redesign, so am just going to continue staring at this some more...

Love Hultén is mostly known for their handheld creations, like the Pixel Vision, though I mostly dig their full-sized cabinet, the Kabin 1...

"Damn Tecmo never let Microsoft live that design down" (via sixteen-bit)...

Cuz I recently began replaying Breath of the Wild...got the Switch version for the gf on her birthday... some fan art (via it8bit)...

I've seen my fair share of comics with Sonic & Tails, but never one that addresses the debug mode from the original Genesis games (via vg-libary)...

Here we have two cats, from the game Jingle Cats, occupied with the fridge (via obscurevideogames)...

And here we have just one cat, from the Sailor Moon anime, occupied with an arcade game that I am unable to identify (via sailormoonreblogs)...

Can you believe the music video for @MissyElliott's Sock It 2 Me is over 20 years old? Crazy, I know...

Speaking of Mega Man, I guess I need to finally check out Mega Man Zero, cuz apparently X goes through some kind of religious conversion or something (via omnilunary)...

And here we have Cut Man, the one we all know (and love) from Mega Man meeting his Captain N doppelganger (via mewymarsher)...

I absolutely need this on a shirt or jacket (via @buzz_clik)...

It's always a thrill, seeing a fighting stick made out of tupperware in the wild for the very first time, isn't it? (via @silva_hime)

Yes. Fighting Layer is that game in which you jump off a folding chair to smash another one on the head of a gigantic falcon (via lordmo)...

Tonight’s episode: PINBALL ALCHEMIST (via tonights-episode)...

Here we have a Tumblr thread giving suggestions on how to access a seemingly inaccessible area of a hotel lobby; my fave, for perhaps obvious reasons, is the ring path/light speed dash combo from Sonic Adventure...

Am kinda hungry atm and feel like slicing & dicing some celery & onions, plus making some Julienne Fries; anyone got a copy of Sonic 2 handy? (via sonicthehedgeblog)

A. thanks to this fan art, I now know you can also play OutRun in Hokuto no Ken PS4! & B. great piece & all, but...still a shame that Alex Kidd is missing (via inspiredfatty)...

I've legit been staring at these rotating NES and SNES gifs all day long (via 3d-bear)...

These photos from the Dreamcast Mobile Assault Tour, circa the late 90s, right before the system's launch are very... and I mean VERY... 90s (via posthumanwanderings)...

"What will your next dream be?" (via 081594)

You know that UK/US reality show Undercover Boss, in which a billionaire CEO disguises himself as the new mailroom guy? Well there's apparently a version in Japan, with an episode starring the president of Taito (via @MMCafe_Prof)...

On Valentine's Day I came across a horror movies blog that presented various horror movie Valentines, including one for Jason Voorhees that references Friday The 13th for NES (via cameraviscera.com)...

Also, for Valentine's, my girlfriend made me pixelated chocolate; the pic does the blue hearts in particular zero justice, which look like plastic toys, but most assuredly are made of milk chocolate...

... And that’s it for now! The rest of February coming up in a few!

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cryptobully-blog · 6 years

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2019 Kia K900 flagship sedan revealed

http://cryptobully.com/2019-kia-k900-flagship-sedan-revealed/

2019 Kia K900 flagship sedan revealed

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Kia on Tuesday released the first details for its redesigned K900 flagship sedan, which makes its world debut at next week’s 2018 New York International Auto Show.

Included was a handful of photos that hint at an elegant, almost minimalist-like design for the new K900, which in some markets will be known as the K9.

The interior is particularly inviting thanks to its stitched leather lining the top of the dash, which is separated from the lower portion by a strip of real wood trim. We’re told that most of the controls are also formed from real metal. One of these is a rotary dial controller on the center console.

The design also integrates a pair of 12.3-inch digital screens, one serving as the main instrument cluster and the other as the infotainment hub. A special touch is the use of proximity sensors to only illuminate those controls that the driver or a passenger is attempting to reach. A Maurice Lacroix analog clock is also placed between the center air vents.

The exterior appears to match the elegance of the interior. The grille features 176 individual cells forming its mesh pattern, and from here graceful lines stretch back over a long hood and sweep through to the rear flanks, culminating at a clear rear. Both the head and taillights feature a twin-bar graphic that Kia refers to as a Duplex Comet motif. Note, the version of the car shown is for the Korean market. Hopefully our version will lose the tacky chrome surrounds for the taillights.

The new K900 is longer and wider than the model it replaces. The wheelbase is up 2.3 inches to a new total 122.2 inches, while both the front and rear overhangs are shorter, pushing the wheels further out to the corners of the car. The platform should be the same found under the Genesis G90, and the powertrains should be shared with the Genesis as well, meaning a 365-horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 in base trim and a 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8 in range-topping trim.

While the current K900 only reached the United States for the 2015 model year, the car has been on sale overseas since 2012, which is why it’s being redesigned now. Expect the new K900 to start slightly above the current model’s $50k sticker.

We’ll have all the details soon as the N.Y. auto show starts March 28. To learn about other vehicles appearing at the show, head to our dedicated hub.

Technology

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lovelyfantasticfart · 4 years

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Volvo XC90 Costs, Opinions And Footage

It definitely took a while, however with the arrival of the 2016 Range Rover Sport SVR, British off-highway marque Land Rover, has finally released a hearth respiratory, crackle and pop model of its luxury SUV. And while the Vary Rover Evoque kick-began the premium SUV market just a few years ago, solely not too long ago has the sector really come to life with the most recent versions of the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. However, you don鈥檛 really have to push them that arduous, as a result of they accelerate briskly and particularly with the eight-pace auto transmission, seamlessly up the range. In case you have the money, it鈥檚 worth every penny of it. That is the (current) entry-level diesel and has to make do with 188bhp from its 2.0 litre diesel engine, and although it鈥檚 not an enormous quantity it鈥檚 sufficient to ensure the XC60 by no means really feels underpowered. What鈥檚 most spectacular about this plug-in hybrid is that you simply often neglect it鈥檚 a hybrid when you鈥檙e driving it. The driving position permits loads of leg room and quick access to the sprint controls. Not because I loved driving within the rain a lot or the truth that the Midwest is essentially the most boring part of our country, however I really loved this Volvo.

T5 Platinum trim. Wonderful Condition, Volvo Certified, Nice MILES 40,118! The T5 is obtainable in Premier, Platinum and Dynamic trim ranges with, in fact, each degree a bit extra plush than the one beneath it. The Used 2003 Volvo V40 is offered in the following submodels: . 5,002. For nice savings at your local Volvo supplier, take a look at our U.S. This weekend I drove the gals to go to our buddy's horse on the local ranch the place she retains him. The Explorer would not really feel practically as steady by means of corners as a few of the minivans which have handed via our fleet just lately (Sienna, Odyssey). I'm just saying that "most people" should really feel good about their choice to stick with the T5. What number of Automobile Seats Match in the 2017 Volvo XC60? Volvo claims to have adopted the Japanese idea of steady enchancment, and that means some delicate revisions have been made to each the suspension and engine mounts simply for the reason that XC60 crossover was launched. Audi's had been recognizable for a time, however strips of LEDs have change into standard tools on half a dozen fashions so even that monopoly is done.

With the Polestar you get serious Ohlins dual-valve adjustable dampers and Polestar springs which can be 80 per cent stiffer than the standard T6 R-Design springs. R-Design cars gain a bespoke exterior look. And while Volvo could also be out front with regards to safety, it has loads of rivals who鈥檇 prefer to snatch the lead. As I pulled as much as the exit of the Edmunds parking storage in our long-time period 2015 Volvo S60, I rolled down the window and prolonged my arm, parking go in hand. Edmunds has a detailed professional evaluate of the 2018 gmc acadia denali suv. It still appears to be like like an SUV and drives like an SUV. Most of them are practical but boring, like security and wind noise. The ute鈥檚 journey and handling are equally spectacular and properly centered. There are definitely a couple of surprises. There is also a voice-dialing operate, for those who desire that method. The Model 3鈥檚 efficiency is past reproach.

We do know that this isn鈥檛 a subsequent-generation mannequin so expect the identical powertrains to continue on the brand new mannequin. The MDX Sport Hybrid is available in two forms: Technology and Advance. In some situations, the problem may simply lead to beauty points - a fender that doesn鈥檛 fairly meet manufacturing facility spec shape, for example. Might be the bulky dash or the tall beltline or deep cowl or the thick door panels or all the above. It's built to carry 5 folks, and although the hump within the flooring shrinks foot area considerably for the center rear-seat passenger, adults can get cozy in each the entrance and again seat. We can鈥檛 wait to get an opportunity to spend some more time with this car. Simply ask Honda Odyssey consumers each time the van gets redesigned. Have not observed this, but I will try to pay specific consideration the next time I drive the S60. As clean because the ride is throughout regular driving, the S60 does not simply flop over once you toss it into a turn. The ride is firm, however supple and very BMW sedan-like. So I used our long-time period 2012 BMW X3, which has turn out to be a favourite of mine since it joined our fleet 11 months ago.

It needs to be small, toward the reality, and ought to not embody any articles that's not inside simply the genuine resume alone as that articles will never ever be found back. Buick claims it will be the quietest sedan available on the market. The V60 Polestar wagon has a slightly totally different front-rear weight distribution and receives minor changes in contrast with the sedan. In it, one can skim over a sophisticated CG reconstruction of the Wimbledon space earlier than landing in the course of an uploaded moment within the center. Power is more than ample. Possibly it's as a result of, as a suburbia-living dad or mum, the Explorer is fairly nicely suited to my way of life, and that significantly outweighs the negatives. Click on the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar. But Jacoby is the proverbial optimist, taking a look at what he sees as a half-full glass. In contrast to many rivals, the XV is a four-wheel-drive automobile at all times and genuinely very succesful in mud, snow and poor weather conditions. Ah well, they won't be asking me for airport transportation once more, I am going to guess.

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eddiejpoplar · 5 years

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The New Kia Soul Is Funky Made Fresher

It’s said that the best revenge is living well—and for the Kia Soul, it’s hard to imagine one better against the Japanese boxes that it sought to usurp when it first appeared in 2010.

Expectations were modest from the start, but the Soul wave would eventually swell to three times the original sales forecast, vanquishing the Scion xB, which suffered a disastrous redesign, then a brand implosion; the Nissan Cube, which was left to wither on the vine and wasn’t very good besides; and the Honda Element, a cult favorite that was perhaps killed prematurely. Along the way, the Soul became a cornerstone of Kia’s American lineup.

Now in its third generation, the 2020 Kia Soul continues its upward trajectory. Sitting on a slightly enlarged platform, and featuring a bevy of features one may not expect to find at its price point, the model continues to define what a successful rectilinear people-mover should be, even if the rest of the industry has given up on them.

Plus on Size, But Not Plus-Sized

But don’t worry, the embiggened Soul is still right-sized. It may be a smidge over two inches longer than the model it replaces, with 1.2 inches of that found between the front and rear axles, but it’s grown no taller or wider.

Strangely, interior measurements show only a modest improvement (0.2 inch) in front legroom, coupled with a puzzling 0.3-inch cut in the same metric for rear-seat riders. Cargo capacity is roughly the same, but a wider, lower hatch opening makes it easier to drop grocery bags and overnight gear behind the second row.

From the outside, the alterations are much more noticeable. Monster Grille Syndrome now plagues one of Kia’s smallest offerings, but the big bug-eater up front is effectively complemented by gun-slit headlights that squint where past Souls goggled. In profile, the car’s greenhouse still displays the same playful kink at the rear, with the model name now etched into a blacked-out panel on the D-pillar, and a beefier, almost muscular aesthetic characterizes the less slabby sides. A set of striking taillights frame the back glass, and you can order more than a few fun colors for the exterior, including blues, greens, and reds intended to add a bit of personality to the sea of appliances clogging the parking lot at, well, everywhere.

Gear in Here

The 2020 Kia Soul brings rethinks to the lineup and cabin, too. The previous goofy trim levels that included ones called + (Plus) and another called ! (Exclaim) has been binned in favor of LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX nomenclature. In the X-Line, things are cheerful enough for the vehicle’s affordable pricing: relatively soft plastics everywhere your hands or elbows might stray, an ergonomically sound (albeit sans satellite radio) 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that will be familiar to fans of the brand, and actual buttons and knobs for the climate-control and radio, the better to avoid distractions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in each and every Soul.

The GT-Line is aimed at those seeking a sportier look, and its red exterior accents and unique badging can also be combined with a whopping 10.25-inch LCD touchscreen and passenger-facing dash-and-door speakers (which once again can be illuminated so as to pulse with the gentle rhythms of your Soul soundtrack) from Harman/Kardon. There’s also a head-up display, although it’s on a screen that pops up from the dash so you have to sort of look down anyway. A heated steering wheel and seats are fitted, too.

Kia calls its group of active safety technologies “Drive Wise,” and the usual features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control are all available, as are lane-change assist and a driver-drowsiness monitor. Although the LX is bereft of this type of fancy tech, much of it is standard from the S model on.

Go For Turbo

The roads leading from San Diego, California, to the small town of Julian offer a jumble of smooth highways, broken-asphalt secondaries, and the occasional dust storm, surprisingly diverse range of environments in which to test the new hatchback’s mettle.

In an unexpected twist, the southern part of the state would also deliver almost every meteorological season in the space of just a few hours during my time behind the wheel, with the climb into Julian from the other side of the mountains asking the Soul to deal with rain, then sleet, then a full-on blizzard, treacherous conditions that it handled with alacrity despite the handicap of all-season rubber.

The best news under the new Soul’s hood is that last year’s entry-level engine has been banished and replaced by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that’s good for 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. These are welcome improvements over the pokey 1.6-liter that was once standard, although the Kia faithful will note that the numbers fall short of 2019’s optional naturally aspirated 2.0-liter (a different engine, which is no longer in the picture).

It’s an altogether adequate substitution, and it’s offered with either six-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions. It achieves 27 mpg combined with the stick and 30 mpg with the CVT, but it’s worth noting that compared to a few other small haulers in its class, the Soul is among the least miserly at the pump.

The automatic has been reprogrammed to address complaints about buzz and revs that are common to variable transmissions, and while the engine is on the noisier side when spurred, the virtual “steps” built into the transmission to simulate traditional gearchanges admirably quell fears of an imminent killer-bee attack.

Passing is for the patient with the 2.0, although never unsafe or exasperating. That being said, the Soul undergoes a personality shift when equipped with its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which continues to offer the same 201 horses and 195 lb-ft of twist as it did before. Not only is the turbo quieter at speed, but its torque delivery is confident and quick, thanks in large part to the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that serves as its partner in performance. Rounding out its benefits is barely any fuel-mileage penalty compared to the less muscular unit: 29 mpg combined. There will be a new EV model with much, much more range than before, as well.

It’s an auspicious pairing that elevates the Kia, and if you can swing the extra scratch to step up—roughly $5K over the estimated $18,000 base, although official pricing has yet to be released—we’d recommend it in a heartbeat. Just don’t expect the Soul to sports-car its way down a two-lane, for while suspension tuning is comfortable and controlled through corners, the hatch is a little too top-heavy to toss around with glee.

Better the Jack than the Master

There are no shortage of options in the small-footprint, daily-driver segment, with rivals such as the Honda Fit, Toyota CH-R, and Mazda CX-3 each delivering their own mix of space, safety, and frugality. Still, there remains only one Soul, a vehicle that continues to combine a class-above cabin with gobs of features and respectable practicality without asking you to sell you own soul to afford it.

The Mazda may be more responsive, the Fit more capacious, and the CH-R able to trade on its badge’s reputation for quality, but the Soul is the all-arounder that won’t have you lacking in any one department. It’s the last box standing, but it clearly isn’t resting on any laurels. The Soul is indeed living well.

2020 Kia Soul Specifications

ON SALE Spring 2019 BASE PRICE $18,000 (est) ENGINE 2.0L DOHC 16-valve inline-4, 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm; 1.6L DOHV 16-valve inline-4 turbo, 201 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 195 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual, continuously variable automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, FWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE 25–27/31–33 mpg (city/hwy) L x W x H 165.2 x 70.9 x 63.0 in WHEELBASE 102.4 in WEIGHT 2,802–3,036 lb 0–60 MPH 6.5–8.5 sec (est) TOP SPEED N/A

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jonathanbelloblog · 5 years

Text

The New Kia Soul Is Funky Made Fresher

It’s said that the best revenge is living well—and for the Kia Soul, it’s hard to imagine one better against the Japanese boxes that it sought to usurp when it first appeared in 2010.

Plus on Size, But Not Plus-Sized

Gear in Here

Go For Turbo

Better the Jack than the Master

2020 Kia Soul Specifications

IFTTT

#IFTTT #Performance Junk Blogger Feed 4

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jesusvasser · 5 years

Text

The New Kia Soul Is Funky Made Fresher

It’s said that the best revenge is living well—and for the Kia Soul, it’s hard to imagine one better against the Japanese boxes that it sought to usurp when it first appeared in 2010.

Plus on Size, But Not Plus-Sized

Gear in Here

Go For Turbo

Better the Jack than the Master

2020 Kia Soul Specifications

IFTTT

#IFTTT #Performance Junk WP Feed 4

0 notes

berliozthesecond · 6 years

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1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (Yat Ming Road Signature 1:18)

Front-wheel drive powertrains are today the most common way to transfer power to the driving wheels of a car. With its greater efficiency, its elimination of the need for additional heavy components needed to move power from the engine to the opposite end of the car, and its increase in traction due to being coupled with the car's heaviest component (the engine), it's no surprise that today's preference for economically spaced compacts would much prefer lumping all of these necessary parts as closely together as possible. However, it did not begin thus and the initial employment of this drivetrain system was slow to take root outside of the racing circuits, its first truly successful mass-market application not really appearing until the 1930s when the Citroën Traction Avant came about - and which was only further solidified by the appearance of the even more popular 2CV after the war. But it wasn't really until the 1970s, with further development of the FWD mechanism over the last decade-and-a-half and the car industry moving toward increasingly compact solutions, that the usage of the layout finally began to show its future dominance as the primary way of propelling our vehicles forward.

But out of all the major car-producing countries, it was the largest that was perhaps the slowest to embrace this particular approach. The car industry in the United States was for decades almost synonymous in people's minds with its traditional, rear-wheel driven land yachts and brawny muscle cars kicking up a hail of gravel as their powerful V8s launched them forward down the road, an image so powerful that any other power train was seen almost absurd outside of being a novelty. This probably wasn't helped as the previous mass-produced American front-wheel drive cars hadn't exactly lit the country on fire as the Cord L-29 of 1929 and the more famous Cord 810/812 of 1936-37 hadn't really been such great sales successes despite their eye-popping styling (though this was largely in spite of the drive system itself and more connected with the Great Depression eating into company profits that eventually drove the Cord empire into bankruptcy). However, a significant change to this was to come when General Motors unveiled their brand-new Oldsmobile Toronado in the October of 1965.

Oldsmobile had already been working on a front-wheel drive system since 1958 under engineer John Beltz, which was originally devised for the intermediate F-85 line. However, the drive's experimental nature led to it being pushed more toward a pricier and thus larger car, despite GM chief stylist Bill Mitchell and Oldsmobile staff pushing for the smaller intermediate A-Body shell. Citing cost reasons, the larger E-Body, which the new Olds was to share with the redesigned Buick Riviera, was chosen instead, while the general styling ideas were adapted from a design painting made by David North in 1962 for a compact sports car never intended for production. Due to the car's unusual build qualities, the car required some unorthodox engineering solutions to make it work. Because the engine bay remained the same size as on a regular RWD car, the conventional seven-litre 425 cid Super Rocket V8 with performance boosting required a significant redesign of its general layout.

This was achieved through the so-called Unitized Power Package, or UPP, which involved fitting its new heavy-duty Turbo-Hydramatic THM-425 three-speed automatic transmission into the same space as the engine itself, resulting in a design where the torque converter was placed separately behind the engine, while the planetary gearset was situated under the left-side cylinder row connected by a two-inch chain called the Hy-Vo. Thus the car's entire power source could be crammed into the relatively small engine bay, while also allowing for the floor of the interior to remain completely flat, allowing greater passenger comfort on the front sofaseat. Likewise, conventional coil springs were replaced in the front of the car with torsion bars to allow for the FWD to fit in, while the rear was supported by leaf springs connected to GM's first sub-frame construction that carried the powertrain, front suspension and floorpan for greater isolation of road and engine harshness. All this, combined with its striking outer looks that took some inspiration from the aforementioned Cord 810 (pop-up headlights, similar wheel covers, wide horizontal lists in the grille), certainly made the car an eye-catcher and caused a respectable 40,963 units to be produced in its first model year, though sales figures quickly went down in subsequent years until its second-generation redesign in 1971.

The car did have its issues typical of American cars of the period. It was prone to understeer and functioned better when taken to paved roads that rather went in a straight line over curvy lanes requiring greater manoeuvring. Likewise, the power steering is generally rather vague and stopping the car was relegated to four rather inadequate enlarged drums all around, despite the car weighing a hefty 2050 kg (front disc brakes became optional in 1967). Not to mention the very long hood and sloping front end made it hard to recognise the car's dimensions. However, the engine and transmission package was very smooth and the high-powered V8 produced plenty of power to propel the car from 0-100 km/h in a fairly good 9,5 seconds (official test records showed an even more blistering 7,5!), with a recorded top speed of 217 km/h. It even went on to win several awards, such as Motor Trend's Car of the Year, and finished third in the European Car of the Year contest, a rare feat for an American car. The FWD UPP system was similarly later implemented on the 1967 E-Body Cadillac Eldorado - though this one employing Cadillac's own standard 429 V8 as a power plant - a characteristic that was to remain a regular feature throughout the Eldorado's existence.

On the scale model end, the Toronado isn't exactly widely represented, with the only ones I've seen being a rather crummy 1:43 Spark model (possibly a very early model considering how clunky it looks in comparison to the cars they make today), a couple of rather crude Matchbox-sized ones, and this large 1:18 scale car from Chinese manufacturer Yat Ming's premium Road Signature series. Now, Yat Ming is one of those brands that doesn’t exactly fill one with thoughts of quality craftsmanship, and indeed this model has its issues as well. However, despite this, there is certainly a rather good amount of detail bestowed upon this example that cashes in its credentials of being a more premium model than their regular fare. For one, the car's general appearance is spot on, with perfectly executed dimensions and chrome parts that fit quite well together. Some trim pieces, such as the windowsills and strips around the flared wheel openings are painted silver, but this isn't necessarily a negative as at least the model doesn’t suffer from oversized trim pieces not necessarily fitting together all too well the way models of this price range have a tendency to do, something that is slightly evidenced on this car's windshield wipers as well. The model is available in dark red and gold, both with black interiors, as well as black with a burgundy interior, offering good paint application if not necessarily stellar.

The major notable issue is the grille, which is left as just a straight chromed affair, necessitating the use of some black marker or paint to detail the grille openings for better realism. A nice feature, though, are the retractable headlights, which can be lifted by using a lever situated under the car just behind the front bumper. The rather ugly-looking stubs behind the lights, though, may require some additional detailing as I have done. The trunk doesn’t open, but the hood and doors do. The doors are hinged realistically to not hang separately from the body on large doglegs, but the hinges themselves are very flimsy affairs that require delicacy when operating (my model's driver's side door is so wedged in that I can't open it fully and don't want to force it open out of fear of destroying the door). The interior looks a bit plasticky, but not bad by any means, with the "slot machine" dash consisting of part chrome parts, part sticker decals, while the backs of the front seats tilt forward. The engine compartment is very nicely detailed, with its use of colour, hoses, and wiring giving it a realistic edge, even if missing that last bit of detail of not having various warning stickers seen in more high end models (though there's nothing stopping you from getting aftermarket decals if you so wish).

The tires are a little flimsy, but don’t feel as if they are about to fall off, so it's still acceptable. The bottom is also acceptable with its separate exhaust manifolds, working steering, and good enough detailing of the floorpan to not cause any great sense of disappointment there. The model is relatively light for its size and sturdy enough to not feel particularly weakly put together, but isn't really one for toy use, particularly with the finicky doors. Ultimately, what you get with this scale model is a very fine representation of the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado that for all intents and purposes is a very satisfactory reproduction of the real car. Even if it does in parts feel somewhat on the cheaper side, at around €40 it's still pretty good value for money. Truly demanding collectors may want to steer the other way, but anybody else will likely be perfectly satisfied with the level of quality seen here.

Final score: 4/5.

#scalemodel #oldsmobile #Toronado #car #review #yatming

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