#replacing tailgate struts

[cargurudiy]

A Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Tailgate Struts

A Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Tailgate Struts Are you tired of struggling with a drooping tailgate every time you open your vehicle’s trunk? Fear not, because replacing tailgate struts is a straightforward process that you can tackle yourself with just a few basic tools and a little bit of know-how. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to replace your tailgate struts and restore…

[nazariolahela]

Best Beloved: Chapter 6

A/N: Hey y'all! This is a PM AU I’ve been working on. It’s a bit different than my previous fic series and I’m really excited to try something new. I hope y’all enjoy it. This story is told in dual first-person narrative, from Kaia (F!MC) and Damien’s POV. The first half of this story takes place during Kaia’s freshman year and Damien’s senior year of college. The second half is two years after Kaia graduates. There will be sprinklings of canon in this fic, but we’ll try to step out of the box for the most part. Thanks for reading, and please leave feedback, and/or if you would like to be tagged.

Catch up here

Series Tags: @burnsoslow​ @lady-calypso​​​ @irishwhiskys-blog​ @loveellamae​

Synopsis: What happens when you find yourself crushing on your best friend? For years, Damien and Kaia have been friends, while secretly harboring feelings for one another. Everything changes one night after a little too much alcohol and years of pent up feelings. Can they control their emotions and salvage their friendship, or will the feelings they hold for one another destroy everything they have?

All characters are the property of Pixelberry Studios. Thanks for allowing me to borrow them.

Chapter Summary: It’s the night of the homecoming dance, and things are burning up on and off the dance floor.

Kaia

“Stop fidgeting. You’re going to mess up my hard work,” Nadia snapped as she put the finishing touches on my hair. It was the night of the Homecoming dance and the whole campus was in a festive mood. The year’s homecoming week featured a "Wizard of Oz" inspired theme, aptly titled, “There’s No Place Like Homecoming." 

Judging by the lineup of activities, that statement wasn’t entirely false. The week’s festivities kicked off with a Wizard’s Festival on the Campus Green. Members of the Campus Activities Board were donned in costumes that could have been featured in the actual film. The rest of the week featured a Pep Rally, a campus scavenger hunt, and a concert featuring pop star Alyssa Griffin.

The parade was held earlier in the day, where the Homecoming Court was presented. The queen was Damien’s friend(?), senior Cecile Contreras. I recognized her from that day in the bistro. She eyed me with such disgust, if looks could kill, I would have dropped dead right then and there. The king was another senior by the name of Mikail Greene. I recall seeing him in passing on campus. He seemed nice. Damien said he was really popular with the student body.

The football game followed shortly after. The Badgers took an early lead but ultimately lost in OT. Steve had another stellar game, of course. I heard from people in the crowd how he was already drawing interest from NFL scouts as a freshman. When I asked Steve about it after the game, he brushed it off, saying he wouldn’t be draft-eligible for another two years.

“Okay! We’re all done. Now, get dressed. I want to see the finished product,” Nadia said, giving my updo a final spritz with hairspray.

I retreated to the bathroom and grabbed my homecoming dress hanging on the back of the door. I pulled the dress off the hanger and examined it. It was a low-cut, sparkly red, spaghetti strap number with a gold belt at the waist. I ran my fingers across the A-Line tulle skirt and smiled as I slipped the dress over my head, careful not to mess up my hair. Once I was dressed, I applied my makeup and took one last look at myself in the mirror. Students of Hartfeld, eat your heart out!

I swung the bathroom door open and stepped out into the shared space of our dorm. Nadia turned and gasped when she caught sight of me all dolled up.

“Ohmygods, Kaia! You look amazing!” she said, her eyes welling with tears.

“Really?” I asked, twirling around the room.

She nodded. “Whoever you’re planning on impressing tonight is going to be blown away.” She didn’t say it, but I knew she meant Damien. To be honest, I’d been upping my game in terms of my appearance lately. Ever since he told me he and Alana had been having problems, I’d been going out of my way to show him what he was missing. I put my hand on Nadia’s shoulder in a silent thanks, then moved to my room to retrieve my clutch.

Once we were ready, we exited the dorm and made our way to the parking lot. Steve’s trusty blue Chevy pickup sat in the empty space in front of our building. He and Sloane were seated on the tailgate, showing each other something on their phones. Steve looked up and a wide grin spread across his face when he noticed Nadia.

“Babe...You look...wow…” he stuttered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and peppered his face with kisses. I turned towards Sloane and gave her a bright smile as she hopped off the tailgate.

“Your dress is so pretty!” I squealed motioning for her to twirl. Her dress was similar in style and material as mine but in a light blue color.

“Thanks! Yours too! You ready to go?” she said, smoothing down her skirt.

I hooked my thumb back towards Steve and Nadia. “Sure. As soon as those two come up for air.”

Sloane laughed and shouted at the kissing couple to break it up. Nadia flipped us the bird, then we all piled into the pickup and made our way towards the Sports and Activities Center, where the homecoming dance was held every year. When we pulled up in the parking lot, it looked a lot different from the first time we were here. Gone were the tailgaters; replaced with a few remaining parade floats being dismantled and students in formal attire.

We walked the sidewalk that connected the parking lot to the football stadium and activities center, noticing it temporarily painted yellow to simulate a “Yellow Brick Road.”

“Cute,” I said to myself as we made our way inside the center. The doorman took our tickets and directed us to the field house which had been transformed into The Emerald City.

“Ohmygods, Kaia! I just realized your dress reminds me of Dorothy’s shoes!” Nadia squealed, squeezing my hand. 

My eyes roamed the room, taking in the magnificent job that CAB did on the decorations. A dance floor occupied the center of the room with several high-top tables scattered around it. The DJ booth was set up towards the back of the room under one of the basketball hoops. The bleachers were folded up on either side of the room to allow space for a photo booth and a bar area.

We moved through the room and found an empty table. The music from the DJ booth filled the room as dancers moved about the dance floor. A flash of black hair caught my eye and I turned to see Hayden strutting towards me. He had no business looking so good in a blue vest over a grey dress shirt and gray checkered tie. His eyes met mine and he grinned from ear to ear. When he arrived at our table, his eyes traveled the length of my body and I felt my cheeks and ears burning up.

“There’s no place like home,” he muttered under his breath and I barely caught what he said.

“What?”

“Nothing. You look amazing. Wanna dance?”

I looked over at Nadia and Steve, who were attached at the mouth. Sloane was nowhere to be found. I gnawed on my bottom lip, contemplating his offer. Damien’s words crept into my mind. You should give him a chance. Who knows? He might turn out to be a great guy. I turned back to Hayden and gave him a soft smile. “Sure. Let’s go.”

His eyes lit up as he took my hand and led me to the dance floor. Maroon 5’s “Animals” blared from the speakers as we moved together. I swayed my body to the beat, lost in the rhythm of the music. When I opened my eyes, I saw Hayden dancing, but his eyes were fixed on me. The intensity of his gaze made my skin instantly flushed. When the song came to an end, a slower track followed and I took this as my cue to grab a drink.

“You thirsty?” I asked.

He nodded and led me over to the bar. I perused the menu. Damn, no alcohol. I ordered both of us one of the signature “mocktails.” The bartender gave us our drinks and we made our way back to the table. Nadia and Steve were missing in action, but Sloane was standing there talking to a guy with auburn hair. She smiled when she saw Hayden and I approaching.

“Hey, guys! How was the dance floor?”

“Crowded,” Hayden replied, sipping his mocktail. The redhead guy whispered something in Sloane’s ear and she nodded before he walked away.

“So, who’s your friend?” I smirked at her.

“Oh, just some guy in my Spanish Comp class. Whatcha drinking?” she asked, eyeing my glass.

“It’s the signature mocktail. They’re pretty tasty. Have you tried one yet?” I said to her, holding up the multi-colored drink.

“Yeah, Derek went to grab us some.” She looked at Hayden, then back at me. Her eyes silently asked what was up between him and I. I smirked and shook my head as if to say, “tell ya later.” Derek returned shortly and the four of us fell into a comfortable conversation. He and Sloane had a class together and had been texting for a few weeks. I learned that Derek was a sophomore and a member of CAB. I complimented him on the decor, to which smiled and nodded. He finished his drink and asked her if she wanted to dance.

“Watch my drink for me?” she asked.

I nodded and smiled as Derek led her out to the dance floor, leaving Hayden and me alone. He rested his forearms on the tabletop and turned to me.

“So, you excited for midterms?”

I laughed. “Who would be excited about that?”

“Well, me for one. It means the semester’s half over.”

“Hmm...good point. I guess that’s one thing to look forward to,” I replied and took a sip of my drink.

He nodded and we fell into an awkward silence, watching the crowd. After a few minutes, he cleared his throat and spoke up. “So, I know I asked you this before, and I don’t want to come off too desperate, but I really like you, Kaia. And I know you like me too.” 

My cheeks flushed. How did he know? As if he could read my thoughts, he continued. “Your cousin told me.” 

Damnit, Nadia!

He smiled and continued. “Let me take you out. We don’t even have to call it a date. I just want to get to know you.” He reached across the table and took my hand in his, lightly brushing his thumb across my knuckles.

I looked down at our joined hands, then back up at him. My body reacting to the contact. Why was I acting like this? We were both single and obviously attracted to each other. What could it hurt? For some odd reason, my thoughts wandered to Damien. Jesus, what was wrong with me. He wasn’t available. It was because of him that I was hesitant to pull the trigger with Hayden. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to clear my thoughts. When I opened my eyes, Hayden was looking at me expectantly.

“Okay.”

He seemed taken aback. “Okay?”

I nodded. “Okay, okay. Let’s do it. Take me out. When are you free?”

A wide grin spread across his face. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Whatever you want to do,” I replied.

Something flashed in his eyes. He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips, placing a chaste kiss on the back of it. “I think it’s time for another dance. Don’t you?”

I nodded and let him lead me out onto the dance floor. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd’s “Love Me Harder” started playing and Hayden placed his hands on my waist as we swayed back and forth. I looped my arms around his neck and pulled him close, pressing our foreheads together.

“Kaia? Can I ask you something?” he whispered into my ear.

“Sure,” I replied.

“What changed?”

I pulled back and searched his face. “What do you mean?”

He sighed. “I mean. I’ve been asking you out for almost a month now, and you’ve been side-stepping giving me a definite answer. Don’t get me wrong. I’m so happy you finally said yes, but I’m curious what changed?”

I thought back to the conversation I had with Damien in the bistro. How I was too afraid to pursue anything with Hayden because I was still harboring feelings for him. Would I ever get over them? Maybe in time. And he would always hold a special place in my heart. But this schoolgirl crush was getting in the way of me having a life. “Honestly? I just felt like it was time I got my shit together.”

Hayden seemed to accept that answer and pulled me back against him. We danced through two more songs, laughing and talking. As the current song was coming to a close, I looked across the room and saw him. Damien. The sight of him caused my breath to catch. He looked absolutely mouth-watering in a navy blue suit. The top two buttons of his dress shirt were unbuttoned, giving me a glimpse of his chest. 

He had his arm wrapped around Alana’s waist, but his eyes held mine with a look of pure lust mixed with jealousy. He leaned down and whispered something into Alana’s ear, never taking his eyes off mine. Hayden came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist. Damien looked over to him, then back at me.

I was the first to break eye contact, turning to Hayden and telling him that I had to use the restroom. He nodded and headed back to our table as I made my way through the crowd to the ladies' room. I grabbed the first open stall and rushed inside, shutting the door. I leaned up against the stall door and sucked in several deep breaths. What the hells was wrong with me? I was here with another guy, but I was eye-fucking my best friend from across the room. Jesus! Get ahold of yourself, Kaia!

***

Damien

Alana and I walked into the gym hand-in-hand. The strobe lights danced across the room as some upbeat pop song poured from the speakers. We spotted Cecile and Rowan dancing together, the lights reflecting off Cecile’s Homecoming Queen crown. Alana pulled me toward one of the tables and set her clutch down on the tabletop. She scanned the room, taking in the decor.

“Well, at least it's better than last year’s theme,” she huffed.

I cringed. Last year’s homecoming theme was “Boot-Scootin’ Victory,” a western-themed event that was as cheesy as you’d expect. I’m not sure who approved that one. The entire campus looked like a scene from the movie, “Tombstone.” The dance was even worse. CAB hired a country-western band to entertain, and they played nothing but ‘90s country music for the entirety of the dance. 

The most amusing thing that happened was watching the basketball team try to line-dance. A video of the team’s center riding a mechanical bull went viral, causing his draft stock to dip. Apparently, NBA scouts frown upon a 6’10” player having almost-sex with his girlfriend on the mechanical bull at the school dance.

Cecile and Rowan joined us a few minutes later at our table. Rowan and I made small talk while Cecile and Alana reenacted an episode of Project Runway, judging the dresses of our classmates. Rowan left to go grab drinks for the table, leaving me with the girls. I leaned over the table and congratulated Cecile on winning Homecoming Queen. She scowled, then muttered thanks.

I chuckled to myself. She was probably still pissed about seeing me and Kaia together at the bistro. I know she tattled to Alana right after they left. That night, Alana came to my dorm. We fought, made love, fought again, then didn’t talk for two days. I remembered Kaia’s words in the bistro when I told her about mine and Alana’s relationship troubles. This whole relationship seems really unhealthy. There’s a huge lack of trust on both sides. That’s something a break isn’t going to fix. If she only knew.

Rowan returned to the table with the drinks. I picked up the glass and eyed it skeptically as the green and yellow colors swirled together. I took a sip and turned up my nose.

“What the hells is this?”

“Some signature mocktail. Pineapple, orange and melon juice,” he said, taking a drink of his. “And it tastes like shit.”

He reached into his suit jacket and retrieved a flask, pouring what I assumed was alcohol into the cup. He turned and offered me some. I held out my drink and he dumped a splash of the clear liquid into my glass. I shook my head. “More.” He smirked and kept pouring until I motioned for him to stop. I took a drink. It was better, but not by much. I bit my tongue and chugged the drink, happy to finally have finished it off.

As Alana and Cecile continued to gossip, I spotted Nadia and some blonde kid making their way towards me. Her eyes lit up when she saw me and moved faster through the crowd. She wrapped her arms around me in a bone-crushing hug.

“Damien Elvis Nazario! Have you been avoiding me this semester?” she squealed.

I laughed. “Even if I was, you’d track me down.”

“It’s like you know me,” she replied.

I looked over her shoulder to see Alana staring at us with a scowl. I detached myself from Nadia and introduced her to Alana. The two women sized each other up in some sort of awkward standoff. After several tense moments, Nadia grabbed the arm of the guy she was with and drug him over to us. “Damien. I want you to meet Steve, my boyfriend.”

At the mention of his name, I remembered Kaia telling me about him at the frat party. “Ah, yes, Tennyson. Good game today, man. You’ve been tearing it up this season.”

He nodded and shook my hand. “Thanks, man. I know it’s still early, but I think we have a shot at the natty this year.”

The two of us talked for a few minutes before Alana wrapped her arms around me from behind and began pulling me toward the dance floor. I rolled my eyes and said my goodbyes to Nadia and Steve, then followed her. We made our way through the tables and found a spot near the edge of the crowd. A slow pop ballad played and Alana wrapped her arms around my neck. I rested my hands on her hips as we swayed to the music. As we danced, I scanned the crowd.

At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I caught a glance of her on the other side of the dance floor. Kaia. My Kaia. She looked like a goddess in that shimmery red dress. She was dancing with some tall guy with black hair. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, and she started laughing. The jealousy radiated through my body. I watched her as the other guy rested his hands on her waist. I wanted to sprint across the dance floor and break both of his arms. Instead, I stood there — my arms wrapped around my girlfriend — watching my best friend dance with another man.

She looked up and locked eyes with me. Her shocked expression caused my lips to turn up in a small smile. She looked over at Alana, who was talking to some random girl. She probably introduced me, but I was too preoccupied watching Kaia to care. I glanced over at my best friend’s date, then back at her. The two of us stared at each other across the room for several moments before I felt Alana tug at my arm.

“I’m going to go grab another drink. Do you want anything?” she asked.

I leaned down, never taking my eyes off Kaia and muttered in her ear. “No, I’m good. I’m gonna go use the restroom.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Alana move away. Kaia turned to her date, said something to him, then made her way through the crowd towards the doors of the gym. I waited 10 seconds, making sure Alana or none of her friends were around, then followed her. I reached the doors leading to the hallway when I saw her enter the bathroom. The alcohol began to take effect as I walked past a couple making out against the trophy case and stood outside the entrance to the bathroom.

Several minutes passed before she emerged. Her head was down, and she didn’t notice me until she nearly crashed into me.

“Holy shit! Damien!” she said, nearly toppling over. It was very reminiscent of the first day of school. I reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her. The touch of her smooth skin sent my senses into overdrive.

“We’ve gotta stop running into each other like this,” I smiled. She laughed and my chest tightened. My eyes raked up and down her body. Fuck, she looked phenomenal. That dress hugged her curves. I wanted to reach out and feel the fabric between my fingers

“You here by yourself?” I asked.

“I came with Nadia, Steve, and Sloane. They’re around here somewhere.”

I noticed she didn’t mention the guy she was dancing with. Which meant she didn’t come here with him. “No date?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Technically, no.”

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Hayden. You remember me telling you about him, right?” she smirked. I saw the amusement in her expression. Of course, I did. I was the one who told her to go out with him.

I nodded my head. “So, you finally decided to give the poor guy a chance.”

“I did. He’s taking me out tomorrow,” she smiled and it made me jealous.

“Oh yeah? On a Sunday?” I replied sharply, the alcohol giving me courage.

She cocked an eyebrow. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. He didn’t want to wait until next weekend to see me again.” I could hear the challenge in her voice.

I shoved my hands in my pants pockets. “Hmm...that’s interesting. Usually, guys who aren't that interested take girls out on Sundays.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” she scowled.

I shrugged. “I just know that Sundays are usually the day when people wind down from the weekend and prepare for their week. So, he probably won’t be all there mentally.”

Annoyance flashed in her eyes. “I don’t know why you give a shit, Dames. You were the one who told me to go out with him. He likes me and I like him. Why is that such a big deal to you?”

“I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. I mean, what do you know about this kid anyway besides his dog’s name and what classes he has?”

That seemed to piss her off even more. She stood up straight and stepped into my space. Her voice was low but held so much anger. “What the hells has gotten into you, Damien? First, you encourage me to go out with the guy. Now you’re trying to talk me out of it. You’re my best friend, not my dad. You don’t even know him, so stop judging him. The whole reason I’m going out with him is so I can get to know him. Why don’t you just back off?”

A loose strand of hair fell from her updo into her face. On instinct, I reached out and tucked it behind her ear, my palm brushing her soft cheek in the process. Her breath hitched at the contact. My eyes traveled to her mouth as she gnawed on her bottom lip. I knew my presence was making her nervous. That was her tell.

Thanks to the combination of the alcohol coursing through my body and the tension between us, I threw all inhibition out the window and leaned in to capture her mouth in a kiss. She froze for a moment, then her body melted as she gave in. A slight gasp escaped her lips as I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her to me. I knew what we were doing was wrong, but damn if it felt so right. My fingers tangled in her hair and I slipped my other arm around her waist. Her lips parted slightly, allowing my tongue to dart into her mouth and massage hers. I had forgotten how good it felt to kiss her.

”Damien,” she whimpered.

My hands traveled down her back and cupped her ass. She moaned in my mouth, the sound shooting straight to my dick. I pressed my growing hard-on into her thigh. ”That's it, Kaia. Say my name.”

”Damien, please,” she said, breaking the kiss. She pressed her palms flat against my chest and shoved me back. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “You have a girlfriend.”

“And?” I replied, moving closer.

She stepped back. “You should figure your shit out with her first. I won’t be a cheater,” she huffed.

“Kaia,” I said, my voice coming out in a harsh whisper.

“I have to get back to my date.” She looked me up and down, noticing the bulge in my crotch. “You should probably do the same.” She took one last look at me before turning and stomping down the hallway back towards the dance. She stopped at the entrance to the gym and turned back to me. The intensity of her gaze made me want to march up to her and claim her in front of the whole school, but my feet were rooted to the floor. Her eyes searched mine, both of our gazes saying what our mouths couldn’t. After a few beats, she shook her head and walked back inside.

I stood there and watched the door, waiting for her to come back. When she didn’t, I sighed and made my way back to the gym. I scanned the crowd for her but gave up after a few moments. Spotting Alana at our table with Rowan and Cecile, I raked my hand through my hair and sighed before walking back to my girlfriend.

[itcars]

First Look: The Audi AI:Trail Quattro Concept 

Audi is completing its quartet of visionary vehicles by showcasing a forward-looking electric off-roader at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Audi AI:Trail Quattro, a concept for sustainable mobility off the beaten track, is one of four use case vehicles projecting Vorsprung durch Technik into the future.

The four-seater Audi AI:TRAIL quattro combines the capacity for automated driving with off-road capabilities. The glass surrounding the cabin extends all the way to ground level, providing unrivaled all-round visibility. The battery capacity ensures sufficient range even away from dense networks of charging stations.

The “Trail” part of the name evokes the idea of exploring nature. That is why there are no big screens on board for streaming TV series or videoconferencing; instead, broad glass surfaces provide a clear view of the surroundings.

Technology that’s plain to see – the exterior

With an exterior length of 4.15 meters and a width of 2.15 meters, the brawny Audi AI:TRAIL’s potential away from paved roads is immediately apparent. The roof height of 1.67 meters and the enormous 22-inch wheels with 850 mm tires hint at the vehicle’s excellent off-road capabilities even when it is standing still. With a ground clearance of an impressive 34 centimeters, it can ford through water more than half a meter deep.

On rough, rocky terrain, this architecture provides plenty of agility without the battery unit integrated in the floor coming into contact with the ground.

The cabin itself is an extensively glazed space surrounded by polygonal shapes, with room for up to four people. One characteristic feature—and one that indicates the vehicle’s kinship with Aicon and AI:ME—is the protruding ridge halfway up the side windows. This line continues to both the front and rear and acts as a waistline uniting the entire body in one monolithic whole.

With the electric drive system arranged around the axles and the battery in the floor, there is no need for overhanging sections or separate attachments for the motor or batteries. Something else that the four visionary Audi vehicles at IAA 2019 will be demonstrating is that the one-box design is becoming the gold standard for the age of the electric vehicle.

Light weight and maximum body stiffness are, of course, important technical objectives for off-roaders in particular. That is why the body of the Audi AI:TRAIL is made of a mixture of high-tech steel, aluminium and carbon fiber. As a result, it weighs just 1,750 kilograms (3,858.09 lb) despite its high-capacity battery.

With the Audi AI:TRAIL, form follows function. In the interior, the side window ridges give passengers space where they objectively need it the most—around their shoulders and elbows. They also provide extra space where they subjectively perceive it most acutely, as the way in which the side windows extend down low opens up a clear view down to the ground, even between the wheels. The aim of the designers here was to give those inside the vehicle the best possible view of nature and their surroundings, breaking the boundaries between the interior and the world outside. When the car is moving, the occupants’ gaze is not merely focused on the terrain ahead but is free to wander and happen upon little details in the open spaces around them. In the AI:TRAIL, passengers can relax and enjoy the tranquility of the ride without even having to think about it.

Helicopter-style all-round visibility

The windscreen wraps around the front of the vehicle like the cockpit of a helicopter. Passengers have an unobstructed view of the road or trail both in front and to the sides. Nor is it just the front and sides that are transparent and covered in glass. Almost the entire roof, from the top of the windscreen to the rear spoiler, allows a clear view of the sky and the landscape. Even the vertical Singleframe is glazed, with only the four rings of the badge sitting in their customary position in what is otherwise a glass octagon.

Both the windscreen and the tailgate open wide, providing easy access to large storage compartments with straps to keep luggage secure in transit. Integrated in the bumper at the rear is another separate compartment for dirty items such as hiking boots, climbing gear or wet clothing.

The side sills beneath the opposing doors act as retractable running boards. This makes it easier to load and unload the roof rack. Instead of bulky wheel wells, horizontal wings are all that sit above the four wheels. That makes it possible to see the suspension in action from the cockpit even during travel.

Bulky transverse links and MacPherson suspension struts with coil springs and adaptive dampers provide suitable robustness and ensure safe driving stability. The special tire design becomes apparent at first glance, as the profile appears to be drawn all the way up into the high tire sidewalls. However, behind it lies a structure of supporting struts, which are integrated in the treads, and the actual surface. This design allows the tires themselves—in addition to the suspension struts—to contribute a further 60 millimeters of suspension travel. Aside from improved off-road capability, this provides the occupants with an enormous amount of additional comfort.

The tires also feature variable, sensor-controlled air pressure regulation. Optical sensors and electronic stability control (ESC) work together to detect the condition of the road surface and adjust the air pressure in the tires accordingly. As regards traction, it can be useful to reduce the pressure, such as when driving on sand, and thereby increase the tire contact patch. By the same token, increasing the pressure again when switching to asphalt increases drive stability.

Reduction as a principle of style – the interior

The interior of the Audi AI:TRAIL is uncluttered and spacious, and it has just a few visible control elements. There are two comfortable-looking, almost delicate seat shells in the front row, both equipped with four-point seat belts. Light colors dominate the upper interior area down to the level of the seat cushion and the low dashboard. The openness to the outside world appears all the more present; the occupant’s eye is drawn to the large glass areas in the front and side sections and guided through the almost fully glazed roof.

Pedals, a yoke for a steering wheel, a few buttons, and a smartphone attached to the steering column as a display and control center for vehicle functions and navigation—those are all the elements there are for the interaction between the driver and the vehicle.

The whole color concept with its blue and grey surfaces and earthy tones emphasizes the connection between the interior and the surrounding nature. The sense of touch adds to this perception, with rough, granular surfaces indicating functional qualities. Smooth wool felt in the luggage compartment provides a cozy contrast. Like in previous concept cars, the Audi designers also use recycled materials in the AI:TRAIL. The carpet is made of reprocessed wool with recycled leather, both of which are sustainable and durable, and feature excellent acoustic and climatic properties.

There is storage space between the seats and also under the windscreen. Tensioning straps secure any stowed objects, which can also be loaded from the outside through the upward-folding windscreen. Seat belt retractors ensure that the tensioning straps always have optimum tension.

The second row features a novelty in the form of two seats designed like hammocks. When taut and tensioned in a transportable tubular frame, panels of fabric form a comfortable seating surface and backrest, and the backrest that is drawn around to the side even provides lateral support. These seats are good for relaxation in more ways than one, as they can even be taken out of the AI:TRAIL and used as mobile outdoor chairs.

Eyes in the sky

Mobility and multi-functionality are features of the Audi AI:TRAIL’s light sources as well. Instead of conventional headlights, self-contained light sources sit below the A-pillars and can shine both outward and inward. These LED elements are dimmable and adjustable and can be used as interior lighting as well as for lighting the vehicle’s path. The rear light operates in a similar way. Extending across the full width of the rear section, this element can be used to illuminate the luggage compartment and as distinctive signature lighting for the exterior.

Instead of conventional low beams and high beams, the Audi AI:TRAIL is equipped with a total of five rotorless, triangular, electrically operated drones with integrated matrix LED elements. They are capable of landing on a roof rack or directly on the roof of the vehicle, and docking onto the inductive charging elements.

The flying objects are Audi Light Pathfinders, which generate their lift in the same way as bladeless fans produce their air flow. Thanks to their markedly lightweight design, they can fly ahead of the AI:TRAIL, consuming comparably little energy in the process, and illuminate the path ahead, thereby replacing headlights entirely. If desired, the on-board cameras generate a video image that can be transmitted to the display in front of the driver via Wi-Fi, turning the Pathfinders into eyes in the sky.

When the AI:TRAIL is stationary, the drones can also illuminate the surrounding area from their position on the roof; for example, when the occupants are enjoying a picnic next to the vehicle. They can also illuminate the interior through the transparent panoramic roof if the occupants prefer to remain inside the vehicle.

The drones, which are coordinated fully automatically by the AI:TRAIL, usually fly at least in pairs. If necessary, they can also provide additional light intensity or illuminate the area around the vehicle by coming together to form groups of up to five drones. The occupants can simply use control software on their smartphones to set their desired scenario.

The Audi Light Companion is just as easy to use. This is a light source that is shaped like a large flashlight but has a much more extensive range of functions. It is normally magnetically attached to the front side of the seat, where it acts as ambient lighting. However, you can also take the Light Companion with you when you leave the AI:TRAIL, and this is when it really shows what it can do. Integrated in its housing are three legs that can be used to stand the light in place and turn it into a campfire light or a close-range floodlight. The housing also accommodates several cameras that can scan the way ahead or take videos of the scenery, which can then be uploaded directly so social media.

However, that is not the end of the Audi Light Companion’s talents. When integrated with the AI:TRAIL’s navigation system, it is capable of projecting directional symbols and even written information onto a route and thereby helping AI:TRAIL users to find their way around when hiking.

Audi AI – on the road to smart mobility

Audi AI:ME and Audi Aicon: two concept cars whose very names refer to the new, two-letter abbreviation under which Audi is bundling an entire cluster of innovative mobility technologies. There is now a new member of the family in the form of the AI:TRAIL. Audi AI is the code for a variety of electronic systems that relieve strain on drivers and simultaneously offer them new ways to use the time spent in the car. To this end, Audi AI also uses strategies and technologies from the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Audi AI combines vehicle intelligence, which makes automated driving possible in the first place, and interaction intelligence, which turns the vehicle into the occupants’ partner.

Audi AI systems are capable of learning and thinking, while also being proactive and personal. Thanks to Audi AI, models bearing the four rings will be both intelligent and empathetic in the future. They will be able to continually interact with their surroundings and passengers and thus adapt themselves in a better way than ever before to the requirements of those on board.

Automated driving on roads, driver assistance in rough terrain

What is already established in rail transportation and aviation is now at the threshold of a breakthrough in automotive transportation—automated driving. The Audi AI:TRAIL is designed for driving on roads up to level 4.

Level 4 is the second-highest level on a standardized international scale for increasing automation. Although systems in this category do not require any assistance on the part of the driver, their function is limited to a specific area—such as highways or areas of inner cities equipped with suitable infrastructure. In these places, the driver can completely transfer the task of driving to the system. The driver needs to resume the task only when the car leaves the area defined for fully automated driving. The Audi AI:TRAIL is therefore equipped with the traditional steering wheel and pedals.

Discovering life at a slower pace – the drive system

The performance specifications for the Audi AI:TRAIL are markedly different from those for conventional automobiles. That is because the car’s development was not about achieving remarkably quick acceleration or hitting extreme speeds on the autobahn.

Given that the AI:TRAIL is intended for use in areas without charging infrastructure, the thing that really draws the attention is its range. The stated target with its lithium-ion battery is 248 to 310 miles on roads or easy off-road terrain (in line with the WLTP). On rough ground, where the almost constantly elevated wheel slip alone means that energy consumption is higher, the limit is still an impressive 155 miles.

In order to meet these requirements, the vehicle is designed to reach a maximum speed of 80mph on the road. The vehicle electronics continuously monitor the energy flow and consumption, thereby ensuring maximum economy even during off-road driving.

In terms of drive hardware, the Audi AI:TRAIL is equipped with four electric motors installed near the wheels, each of which propels one wheel directly. As is typical for Audi, the off-roader is therefore a true quattro. The maximum system output is 320 kilowatts and the maximum torque is 1,000 Newton-metres (737.6 lb-ft). Usually only a fraction of this power is mobilised; the drive of just one axle is often sufficient.

Due to the individually propelled wheels, the vehicle can do without differentials and locks, which also consume energy. Thanks to the moderately calculated maximum speed, the gear ratio can be designed such that every wheel is provided with enough torque even without a multi-speed transmission.

[rawmerobotman]

Can you write Tailgate and Reader smothering Cyclonus with love and pussy?

It wasn’t unusual that Cyclonus found himself with arms tangled around his neck, a helm tucked under his chin, and a particular warmth blanketing his spark chamber.

His assailant of affection was currently mumbling sweetly into the cords of his neck, unable to decide on single praise befitting of his sentiment. Tailgate lists off all that he loves and Cyclonus listens, silently contemplating the words recounting a romanticized version of his nature that he can’t quite dispute. Or that he is unwilling to, as it would require the mech to interrupt his small paramour, and at this moment it’s the last thing he wishes to do.

The smallest of the three listens too, though they’ve been more content to lay resting against his breast than to interject. Even now, with his claws curled around them, their head rests pillowed against the crook of his thumb, a hand brushing idle along the length of the digit. Their weight is a familiar one, but the heat that seeps from their body into his is something profoundly intimate and there is no guard, no defense that could possibly shield his spark from soaking in their radiant warmth.

He couldn’t imagine being happier.

Tailgate mutters something, brushing his faceplate against the ridge of his jaw to get his attention. Cyclonus doesn’t miss the way his digits trail along his neck, tweezing just this side of rough and his own throat tightens to trap the moan that threatens to spill from him. He sighs instead, pressing a kiss to the minibot’s helm, quietly prompting him to rephrase his original statement.

The smaller bot playfully chides him for being distracted. “I said, I want to watch them eat you out.”

His reaction to the confession doesn’t go unnoticed. Not that he had expected it to, but by the way they look at him with such enamor and avid delight, interests soaring to dangerous heights, he can’t help the proceeding rumble that rolls through him.

So Cyclonus agrees, but he also suggests where the minibot might find the best view. 

Tailgate sits astride his helm while their shared conjunx sits between his thighs. The valve pressed against his mouth is a stifling heat - feverish and dripping as he works it open with his glossa. To his credit, the minibot is resolute: he only stammers slightly through his coaching. Despite the distraction his glossa presents, Tailgate has yet to lose his train of thought - he’s been determined to instruct the smallest of the three on how to properly eat out of a valve.

They haven’t corrected him yet - haven’t told him that this isn’t the first time Cyclonus has let them do this to him. Since the moment he first opened his array to them they haven’t strayed far from their task. There had been the occasional exchange with Tailgate, but they kept it brief, making sure to replace their mouth with their other hand as they toyed with his anterior node.

Their combined attentiveness and affection makes him dizzy with their effort. It was a small mercy to have his face hidden away between the thighs of a loved one for surely he would be exposed for the love stricken fool that he was. But it’s here he finds himself unguarded to their tenderness, to their words and their kindness, and he is his own enemy threatening to bare himself open.

He shifts, legs stirring in anticipation. His valve drips under the ministrations of his other dearest and they’re just as eager drinking him in as he is of their minibot companion. Theirs is a gentle pleasure sparking between his own thighs and he finds that their warmth has seemingly been retained by his spark as his entire chamber glows with their soft hearted flame.

The moan he presses into Tailgate’s array earns him a small noise of pleasure and Cyclonus feels the weight of him sink down as even more transfluid leaks from his valve. He happily laps it up, glossa sinking further into the array as the minibot grinds down against him.

Tailgate huffs, stooping forward with his servos bracing against Cyclonus’ chest. Once he’s collected himself enough he’ll seek out the sensitive wiring that lay tucked away underneath the plating, but for now he takes a moment to appreciate the absolute ravaging he’s receiving. He can’t even begin to understand the words flying out of his mouth- it’s mindless praise, that’s all that matters. As long as he’s communicating how much he loves the mech underneath him he’ll abandon being dignified any day.

He can imagine how he must look- certainly doesn’t mind it because he can see his smaller conjunx watching with delight as they bury themselves in the valve before them. His only qualm is that they hadn’t done this sooner, because Cyclonus – Cyclonus – has never quite responded this intensely to anything they’ve done before. He almost feels guilty because he’s certain he’s enjoying himself far more than the others are and- actually, no he’s not. No, he doesn’t feel guilty at all. Frag them. This is amazing.

He tries to focus on his original objective, tries to think of something he really wants Cyclonus to hear but the only thing he can think of is the mouth sucking him off and how unlawful it is that he was built incapable of returning the favour. Tailgates tells him this, tells him that he’s stewing in envy that he’s watching someone else do it where he’s unable, and that it’s completely unfair.

Tailgate looks up briefly only to find himself distracted by the site of a tongue stuck out to taunt him, dripping thick with the pink fluid and he’s near ready to cuss them out if it weren’t for the involuntary moan that’s startled from him.

Perhaps it was a little cruel to tease him like that, but there wouldn’t be any fun in anything if you weren’t doing something to have the smaller bot ready to throw hands at you.

You don’t know much about the intricate workings of a valve, but you’re aware of the existence of a node that, when pressed, will have the mech’s thighs trembling something fierce. It’s only a matter of feeling for it, and you’re usually good for finding it. Cyclonus already knows what you’re looking for; his hips shift ever so slightly and it might be the closest you’ll ever get the mech to squirm.

One leg rests over your shoulder, curling along your back to keep you held close. There’s not much he can do in this position - pinned to the berth as he is, mouth occupied by a minibot - but the weight that keeps you held down, rubbing weakly into your back, is a silent plea that you have no intention of ignoring. While he’s busy with the mech caught in his arms you repay him by eating his valve out with an earnest sort of enthusiasm. He’s wet in your mouth, lubricant increasing as it secretes from him, and you find yourself snugly caught between two legs as they tense around you.

It’s only then do you finally hit your mark - there’s a fine tremble that builds until either thigh around you is shaking. You press your mouth against his anterior node, sucking the nub between your lips as you focus your efforts on working the sensitive spot you’ve found. There’s a shout from Tailgate that quickly turns into a shrill whine as Cyclonus’ demeanor changes and he’s suddenly desperate, practically devouring the minibot’s small valve to the point where he’s crying.

His overload isn’t far along - as he crests, he drags Tailgate along with him, claws clamped around the minibot’s waist to hold him down against his glossa. Unable to move, the smaller bot is forced to endure the unrelenting affliction. When he cums it’s with a cry and a glossa buried deep within his valve, and you huff with laughter at the incoherent babble streaming from the minibot.

You’re reluctant to part with the valve even as his hips move to pull away. Instead, you chase the anterior node, pressing wet kisses and firmly sucking the node despite the distant rumbling reverberating through his chassis. Whether or not this earns you retaliation is the least of your concerns - the strangled groan and twitching frame more than makes up for it.

He certainly looks satisfied once you finally peer over his abdominal plating. Tailgate is draped haphazardly against his chest, tucked under a heavy arm as he tries to gather himself. Placing a kiss against a thigh, you duck under it to join the others. Cyclonus reaches out a clawed servo as you approach, digits curling around you. You press back just as affectionate.

Once you’re huddled against his chest, you rest your chin in your arm as you patiently wait out the spent bot across from you. Tailgate barely acknowledges you, faceplate pressed into the purple metal of your large conjunx. You’re tempted to curl up with him, wondering if he’s completely out of commission despite your doubt that a little bit of pussy eating would truly knock out a person. Cyclonus heaves a content sigh and it’s only after he gives Tailgate’s spinal strut a few strokes of his servo does the minibot finally rouse to speak.

“’s your turn,” is all he can manage to mumble at you.

The mouth that meets you is already intense and scalding against your sensitive bits that you can’t find the will to speak right away. Tailgate watches with rapt attention as you’re swept away by a writhing glossa and an ungodly amount of pleasure that he doesn’t clue in to the fact that you’re waving arm has been trying to signal him for the past minute. 

You sputter out something incoherent before he regards you with what you think might be a shit eating grin by the way his visor glows and creases ever so slightly.

“Oh, what’s that, dear?”

“I said, I’m sure… you can find somewhere - better - to sit.” 

He follows your gaze towards the handsome yet intimidating looking spike that stands erect and untouched. You don’t miss the way his hips shift at the sight of it. 

“Oooh, I think you might be right.” 

You would’ve responded but the moan that rumbles through you steals your thoughts away and has you keening instead.

[manmach33]

BMW 5-Series (67K km) in for annual check-up. Replacing: - Rear brake pads & rotors - Brake wear sensor - Engine & transmission mounts - Oil filter - Air filter - Cabin filter - AMSOIL European Improved Synthetic oil - Tailgate struts . . . . #bmw5series #bmwf10 #germangarage #shoplife #mechanic #fixingcars #engine #transmission #brakes #oilchange #service #maintenance #onecaratatime #autoshop #autorepair #wrencheveryday #manandmachine #justkeepdriving (at Hyderabad) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTgl8XwJJj7/?utm_medium=tumblr

[twoguysandaride]

From its initial launch in 1983 as a 1984 model, Chrysler Corporations Mini Vans threw down the gauntlet and change the family transportation landscape in America forever. Initially sold only as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, 1987 saw the introduction of the long-wheelbase Grand Caravan and Grand Voyager models. Then Chrysler introduced the Town & Country for 1990 which was the highest-trim level of the three vans and sold only in the long-wheelbase body length.

The Pacifica name was initially used on a cross-over vehicle from 2004 – 2004 but Chrysler revived the name in 2017 to replace the previous longstanding name, Town & Country

This is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica and it’s available in 4 gas only trim levels starting with the

Touring: $35,495

Touring L: $38.795

Limited AWD: $48,490

Pinnacle AWD: $53,770

The Chrysler Pacifica is also available in Hybrid form with the same 4 trim levels starting with the

Touring: $40,295

Touring L: $42,595

Limited: $45,720

Pinnacle: $51,225

This Pacifica is the Pinnacle Trim Level and its presented here in Velvet Red Pearl-Coat and it has Black and Caramel colored Quilted Nappa Leather seats and Its MSRP is $54,885

It’s powered by a 3.6L Pentastar 24 Valve, DOHC V6 that produces 287 hp and 262 lb ft of torque. It’s driven by a 9-speed automatic transmission and it does have All wheel drive.

Now, in my reviews I always mention the horsepower and torque numbers that a vehicle has, but what does that really mean and how does it apply to how you use the vehicle.

What exactly is Horsepower and Torque?

Horsepower is a unit of measurement used to denote power or the “rate at which work is done” by an engine or motor. Your car’s horsepower denotes how quickly that work can be done with more power allowing for quicker work.

Torque is force multiplied by distance. In the case of cars, “the rotational equivalent of linear force.” Essentially, it’s the amount of force applied to an object with a twisting motion, such as a motor applying force to a crankshaft, which in turn, rotates your tires.

So, what’s the difference between horsepower and torque? The two are very much two sides of the same coin as one goes with the other...torque being the force and horsepower being the rate at which that force is done. The difference is torque is doing the work, while horsepower is how fast that work is being done.

So, now you know. Ok, let’s take a look out front...

Out Front

-Auto on/off Bi-function LED projector headlights with LED daytime running lights

-New grille design with gloss black grille and satin chrome surround with forward facing camera

-Body-colored front bumper with parking sensors

-LED Fog lights highlighted by satin chrome trim

-There is a non-functional side intake vent and

-Down below is a functional air intake with a body-colored lower lip or splitter

-And up top there is a smooth, clean, wide hood with a few subtle body lines

-Above that are Rain detecting, variable intermittent wipers and a laminated front windshield

Along the side

-20" x 7.5" Polished 5 spoke Aluminum Wheels w/Gray Painted Pockets wrapped in 245/50 HR20 All Season tires

-4-wheel ABS with 13.8” front and 13.3” rear brake rotors

-Power assisted pack ad pinion steering

-Front suspension is struts and it has trailing arm with gas shocks for the rear suspension

-There is a nice satin chrome body-side molding spear just above the rocker panel area

-Remote power heated mirrors with auto tilt down feature and integrated LED turn signal indicators and I like the detail of the body-colored trim mirror surround

-Body-colored door handles with chrome insert

-Chrome beltline and side window trim with black-out B and C Pillars

-This does also have the handsfree opening 2nd row sliding doors and the door opening is 28” wide and 42” tall

-Up top there are satin chrome low profile roof rack side rails with Stow-in-Place cross bars and a tri-pane panoramic 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row glass sunroof

Out Back

-Body-colored roof spoiler and shark fin antenna

-This is a heated, fixed rear window with an integrated variable intermittent wiper, but I do think it would have looked better if it could have been designed to tuck under the roof spoiler

-Hands free powered liftgate

-Chrysler winged logo in the center and rear facing camera

-LED brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights

-I like the red reflector strip that spans the width of the tailgate tying together both rear light housings

-At the bottom of the tailgate is the Pacifica and AWD badges but I find it curious that they didn’t add the Pinnacle Trim level badge here as well

-Body-colored rear bumper with parking sensors and a satin chrome trim strip and below that is a matte black panel with rear reflectors

-The single exhaust is hidden up under the passenger side of the rear bumper creating a much cleaner lower rear bumper design

Cargo

-The second-row seats are captain’s chairs, and the third row is 60/40 split folding

-There is a nice flat floor inside behind the third-row seats and on the passenger side of the rear cargo area is a 12-volt outlet and the power folding, one-touch rear seat controls

-On the driver’s side rear there is a 10” Harmon Carden sub-woofer, the Stow-N-Vac vacuum canister and there is the power liftgate close button

-Max Cargo Volume behind first row: 140.5 cu ft

-Max Cargo Volume behind second row: 87.5 cu ft

-Max Cargo Volume behind third row: 32.3 cu ft

-Cargo floor length to first row: 97”

-Cargo floor length to second row: 54”

-Cargo floor length to third row: 22.5”

-Cargo width at beltline: 47.5

-Cargo width at wheelhouses: 48.8”

-Cargo opening height with 3rd row stowed: 38”

-Cargo opening height with 3rd row in place: 48.25”

-Cargo hold width behind 3rd row with 3rd row seats in place: 45.5”

-Lift-over height: 28”

Safety Systems on this 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle

-Brake assist

-Forward collision mitigation

-Traction control

-ABS

-Lane departure warning

-Lane keeping assist

-Electronic Stability control

-Blind spot warning

-Parking sensors

-Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with Stop,

Pedestrian Emergency braking and so much more

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Dimensions

-Front Track: 68.8”

-Rear Track: 68.8”

-Max Width: 79.6”

-Length: 204.3”

-Height: 70.7”

-Wheelbase: 121.6”

-Ground clearance: 5.4”

-Approach Angle: 14°

-Departure Angle: 18.6°

-Breakover Angle: 13°

-Curb Weight: 4987 #

-Max Payload: 1313 #

-Max Towing: 3600 #

Turning circle: 40.2’

-Fuel Capacity: 19 gallons

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Safety

-IIHS Overall rating – Frontal Crash - Superior

-NHTSA Overall Rating – 5/5 Stars

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Performance and Specs

-0-60: 7.4 seconds

-Standing ¼ mile: 15.6 seconds

-Top Speed: 120 mph

-60 to 0 braking: 119’

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Appearance

A Stylish looking van with a refreshed front grille and LED headlights

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Warranty

-Basic warranty: 3 yrs / 36k miles

-Powertrain warranty: 5 yrs / 60k miles

-Roadside Assistance: 5 yrs / 60k miles

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle Economy

-17 City / 25 Hwy / 20 Combined with a projected 380-mile cruising range.

It has an Energy Impact Score of 16.5 barrels of regular gasoline per year and it emits 7.4 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year

[bettsplendens]

Alright, so I've got this guy. His name's Twitch. It's not particularly clever, he has a tiny glitch somewhere in his coding (probably up next to the stuff about how to blink) that makes one of his optic lids twitch. Not important enough to put the effort into fixing it.

He used to work in medical waste disposal, cleaning up messes and removing biohazards and such. 

Accidentally overheard a budding Decepticon going on a very long and entirely logical anti-Functionalist speech to some medics, thought about it for awhile, went "yeah okay makes sense", and offered to help distribute their information. People don't tend to notice trash bots, he was good at getting around quietly, but was eventually captured by Functionalists who had a sense of irony.

They put him through a modified variant of empurata, something experimental at the time. Took his optics out and replaced them with blank, expressionless camera lenses (though with optic lids, still with that glitch), replaced his mouth with what was basically a garbage disposal on steroids, took out his T-cog, even managed to snip out the parts of his coding and processor that dealt with transformation sequences.

Then modded the rest of his frame. Pumped up his nanite production facilities to a ridiculous degree, made him able to digest almost anything.They basically turned him into a living trash disposal slash nanite production factory.

He used to have a fairly heavy frame. Still has the struts for it, but not so much the plating and armor, looks almost emaciated.

Under his chassis armor, on both flanks, he has transparent energon-filled tanks where the excess nanites live. One for repair nanites, one for immune system nanites. His plating is covered in an unusually high number of surface nanites, and he has a couple of vacuum-pumps with attached hoses built into his frame to vacuum the nanites off his armor when a lot of them build up. 

Also, his reproductive system has been retrofitted. His transfluid/reproductive nanite factories now produce transfluid full of repair nanites, and his valve has been altered to essentially milk a spike, drawing in nanites to be modified. He was /intended/ to also be useful as stress relief, but his appearance creeped most people out a bit too much.Fortunately for his mental health, he's... weirdly calm. In his words "yeah, should've expected this. Oh well, works for me. It's a life. I'm useful, nobody messes with me, and I /like/ the valve mod."

He's very firm about people, especially people like him, being treated well by others, but is entirely satisfied with his lot in life. Wasn't the Functionalists screwing with his ability to care, , he's just an incredibly calm little mech. With, uh-

Is it still called pica if the things you're eating are edible?

He eats trash.Broken data-pads, mostly empty energon cubes, and, uhhe'll quite happily drink medical waste.

"oh, yeah, that's a piece of plating we had to replace, too badly singed to-" 

*crunch* "...uh"

None of the medics are sure how much they should encourage him. He's very useful, they agree on that.

And it doesn't hurt him to eat things like that, it's just, well, it's damned creepy, tends to unnerve people a bit. He forgets to care about it. The medics also tend to very strongly suggest that he use an antiseptic mouthwash. 

At this point, there's a lot of other people who have Twitch's nanites in them somewhere after repairs, he's a productive little thing.

And, for someone not unnerved by the fact that he /does/ kinda look both slightly emaciated and seem to have semi-exposed fuel tanks on both sides, he's excellent in berth.Tight valve designed to milk a spike of transfluid and all. Plus the lightweight frame meaning he can be easily moved, a fairly strong frame, and he's usually quite happy with just about everything respectful. His valve has probably been modded to take fairly large spikes, as well. 

The rest of the mods, he's either neutral about or likes them only for their usefulness.The valve mods, he very much enjoys.

Doesn't really miss transforming. His alt was slow in the first place, he never had a strong urge to move, and the Functionalists did their job so thoroughly he doesn't have anything left to miss transforming with. There are the memories, but he could have outrun his own alt, it was basically just a mobile trash can.

Most people would have been fragged all to Pit by what happened, but, no, Twitch is just far too chill to mind very much. His pain tolerance is extraordinarily high, as well, always has been. It takes a massive amount of damage to put him over about a pain level of 3, with 3 being “ow, yeah, I suppose that hurts, but it’s not that hard to ignore, I’m OK”. 

He was a Functionalist tool/pet for awhile, being told over and over how lucky he was that they let him continue to hear, to move, then was rescued/captured/stolen by Decepticons. 

So we have this little guy who’s MTMTE Tailgate's size or smaller, with lenses for optics, a mouth hidden under a mask due to it being /fangs/, sort of an emaciated look around the joints in his limbs and his stomach, two half-visible tanks of energon under the armor at his sides, who absentmindedly picks up and eats trash. And, if upset enough and out of options, will trigger the emergency “ate something toxic” function of his fuel tank and purge whatever medical waste he’s eaten lately on whoever’s attacking him. It’s gross, but effective, considering how strong his stomach acid is. 

He also has a sort of celebrity-crush on Soundwave. Like, "not sure I'd actually want a relationship but you are /hot/ and /awesome/ and I somewhat look up to you". Light fanboying with a side of “same values!!”, basically. 

Weird little guy, but nice enough. 

[cargurudiy]

Ford Tailgate Struts Replace @CarGuruDIY

[eurobahn-bmw-mini-mercedes-audi]

2018 BMW M4 For sale in Greensboro, NC By Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi of Greensboro, NC  

2018 BMW M4 2 DOOR COUPE 6-SPEED MANUAL 3.0L TWIN TURBO I6 425 HP Yas Marina Blue Metallic Over Black fully loaded 100% optioned Window Grid Diversity Antenna, Wheels: 18 x 9 Front & 18 x 10 Rear -inc: M ferric gray, V-spoke, style 513M, Wheels w/Silver Accents, Valet Function, Trunk Rear Cargo Access, Trip computer, Transmission: 6-Speed Manual, Tracker System, Tires: P255/40R18 Front & P275/40R18 Rear -inc: Mixed performance, Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning. Only 13,253 Miles! Delivers 25 Highway MPG and 17 City MPG! This BMW M4 delivers a Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 3.0 L/182 engine powering this Manual transmission. Window Grid Diversity Antenna, Wheels: 18" x 9" Front & 18" x 10" Rear -inc: M ferric gray, V-spoke, style 513M, Wheels w/Silver Accents.

This BMW M4 Features the Following Options Valet Function, Trunk Rear Cargo Access, Trip computer, Transmission: 6-Speed Manual, Tracker System, Tires: P255/40R18 Front & P275/40R18 Rear -inc: Mixed performance, Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning, Tailgate/Rear Door Lock Included w/Power Door Locks, Systems Monitor, Strut Front Suspension w/Coil Springs.

Know You're Making a Reliable Purchase Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi: Our BMW Greensboro Service Department has completed Comprehensive Pre-Purchase Inspection and Performed full preventative BMW Greensboro service maintenance verifying the mechanical reliability of this BMW M3 as turn-Key needs noting Vehicle. he BMW M4 has never seen winter conditions, the body and undercarriage are spotless with no rust or corrosion. Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi - Service Department has completed our Comprehensive Pre-Purchase Inspection and Work Order ensuring this M4s mechanical integrity in every way! Current Service Highlights include a low-mileage engine oil service, brake fluid flush, cabin micro filter replacement, and coolant flush --- Complete Car with All Keys, Books, Manuals, and Original Window Sticker. Always Garage Kept and Meticulously Maintained. Carfax certified Vehicle History Report with No Accidents + No Issues. Never Raced, Tracked, or Abused. Non-Smoker. Contact or email to obtain a Pre-Purchase Inspection and Build Sheet, Condition Details, Vehicle History, and 40+ Detailed Photos; 336-542-3555 Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi of Greensboro graded the Overall Condition of this vehicle as Excellent. Non-smoker vehicle!

Visit Us Today Come in for a quick visit at Eurobahn BMW MINI Mercedes-Benz Audi of Greensboro, 105 S Swing Rd, Greensboro, NC 27409 to claim your BMW M4!

[commercialvansolutions]

Tips to Select a Service Truck for your Business

Owning a business in the construction and skilled trade industries requires rigid oversight around the current state of your fleet and its direct impact on business efficiency and profit. In a market defined by constant change, all members of a crew rely on vehicles supporting the operation. Specing out the best service/utility truck body, make, and model requires some insights. This guide will give you information to confidently navigate the service body purchasing process and make your next service body truck a sound investment.

What to Expect from a Service Truck

The service body is employed across most construction and skilled trade industries. From specialized trades like electrical, carpentry, plumbing and HVAC, to all-encompassing sectors like general contracting and mobile equipment repair. Countless storage options, steel and aluminum construction, and a wide variety of accessories make the service body suitable for most any trade.

Steel vs Aluminum Service Bodies

When spec’ing an aluminum or steel service body for your business, you need to consider the weight of equipment and supplies to be hauled within the vehicle’s compartments and cargo areas. Drafting a shortlist of gear and assigning an estimated combined weight will give you a better idea of required payload capacity as well as the need for impact-resistant steel or lightweight aluminum.

In short, most body and truck manufacturers producing aluminum beds or chassis combine a strong mix of aluminum and other raw materials to create alloys, maximizing the durability and minimizing the weight of their upfits and chassis respectively. Aluminum-alloys offer benefits such as increased payload capacity and zinc-based corrosion-resistance, resulting in lower maintenance costs and higher resale values when compared to rust-resistance of steel.

Though there are an array of benefits to aluminum alloys, steel is still generally regarded as a cost-effective option for both chassis and body manufacturers alike. Aluminum alloys may be a hot topic, but the strength, density, and impact-resistance provided by steel are qualities unmet by aluminum alloys.

Open-Bed Service Bodies

Put plainly, the open or classic-style service body provides a convenient staging area for crew, tools, and supplies. The open bed supports longer, bulkier materials that wouldn’t fit in a 40” compartment or enclosed service body. Materials like conduit and lengths of builder-grade wood fit right in the bed, easily secured with the tailgate.

The open working area is further supported by a series of individually locking compartments along the sides of the service body providing your team with the organization and security necessary.

Take the Reading Service Body for example. SL Service Bodies are available a variety of sizes, ranging from 98” and 108” bed lengths for single rear-wheel (SRW) vehicles, to 132” bed lengths for dual rear-wheel (DRW) vehicles. In addition, Reading provides ample space for bulky supplies with their 48.5” interior bed width as well as three exterior compartments on either side of the truck bed.

The depth of the compartments will scale with body length, measuring in at a 10” depth for the 98” bed length and 21.5” compartment depth in the 108” and 132” bed lengths. Reading’s compartment doors feature pneumatic struts to keep compartments open during use and offer further protection against the elements with their Dual-Pro mechanical and bubble seal system while closed.

These standard features are all contained with Reading’s stainless steel, double bolted rotary locks, keeping your equipment safe and dry.

Enclosed Service Bodies

Though similar to the open service body with the compartments built into the body, enclosed service bodies offer the additional benefit of a fully contained cargo area in place of an open bed. The added functionality of the cargo area enables your crew to utilize interior shelving units for further organization, secure all tools and supplies within the work vehicle, as well as take advantage of the contained barrier against weather exposure.

The Duramag Aluminum Enclosed Service Body is a prime example of the benefits. Available in standard heights of 53”, 63”, and 74” with interior clearance measuring in at 51”, 61”, and 72” respectively, even the most awkward materials can fit within the cargo area. The aluminum construction of Duramag’s enclosed service body maximizes payload capacity with the largest configuration weighing in at only 772 lbs.

The exterior locking compartments combined with internal shelving units deliver a system worthy of even the pickiest tradesmen, easily supporting a wide variety of interior bin systems. In addition to the increase in organization opportunity, the Duramag enclosed service body also provides a broad space for any mobile advertising efforts with room for logos, contact information, and information regarding your business.

Truck Accessories and Add-On Equipment

Understanding your truck’s required form and function both in choice of body material as well as classic or enclosed service body configuration is a great foundation. It allows you to successfully spec a new service body truck. That said, further knowledge of the available accessories can improve your truck’s performance and enable your crew to do even better work. Below is a list of effective and essential accessories you need to consider when purchasing a service body work truck for your business.

Security on a Service Body

Master Locking System – Provides a single spring-loaded locking rod on either side of the truck bed, triggering all compartment locks with one swift movement. Adds a second layer of security to each compartment lock

Power Locking System – A locking system linked to all locks on the body of the vehicle, enables locking and unlocking of all compartments with the push of a button

Standard Service Body Sliding Roof Cover – Easily collapsible roofing system for open-style service body beds

Service Body Storage

Van Ladder Racks – Ladder racks enable you to max out the utility your crew and your vehicles bring to job sites. For example: Prime Design Ladder Racks.

Aluminum Mechanics Drawers – Convenient, specific storage for smaller tools all in one compartment

Safety and Storage

Headache Racks – A solid metal grid system that keeps loose equipment out of the cab in the event of a hard stop or an accident. For example: Magnum Truck Racks

E-Track and Ratchet Straps – Firmly secures bulkier equipment with a series of ratchet straps and metal connections along the interior walls of a truck bed or cargo area

Selecting and Purchasing your Next Service Body Truck

As a final tip to business owners investing in their next service body truck, it is important to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of both pickup trucks where the bed will be removed and upfitted as well as chassis cab trucks delivered with chassis, cab, and drivetrain. This is important to note because both situations require different installations due to the variations in curved and straight frame rails.

Behind the cabin, pickups tend to have curved frame rails that play a pivotal role in the ride quality and weight distribution of the vehicle (your pickup frame likely has a hump above the rear axle).On the contrary, chassis cab trucks feature straight frame rails of a standardized size that matches the most common upfit equipment produced. Upfit packages are compatible aren't specific to a body manufacturer brand and model.

As mentioned here, the standardized frame rail sizing in chassis cab configurations provides a universal fit acknowledged by a vast majority of upfitters. Keeping this in mind when thinking about replacing a pickup bed--as well as the tips above--will make your negotiation powerful and leave you feeling confident long after the initial purchase.

[mikesunboxingreviews]

How To Replace Rear Tailgate Gas Struts BMW E91 3 Series Touring

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Tools needed - flat head screw driver and new struts

Easy job to do and should only take a few minutes (unless the ball joints are rusty!)

Always try and have the boot or tailgate safely secured or held by someone when you do this! Safety First! :-)

Vehicle How To Playlist:   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL39HCM-SRLM_xi4BbnzWZ0aF6IRq0ta9M

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Tools & DIY Playlist:   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL39HCM-SRLM_eR_cHX1CAF3UZWobHKf-Q

[manmach33]

This Range Rover Sport came to us with a leaky fuel injector return pipe and failing tailgate struts. Replacement underway.👨‍🔧 . . . . #rangerover #sport #jlr #landrover #injector #strut #autoshop #mechanic #fixingcars #oem #qualityparts #doitrightthefirsttime #manandmachine #justkeepdriving (at Hyderabad) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCf_Smmp69t/?igshid=ih6ckxud74k5

[deactivated4179291]

The Cure - Part 11 (H.S AU) - “Unpredictable”

Maverie’s POV

Harry was almost completely inaudible throughout our entire voyage back to the truck, with the spark plug in its package, in hand. I, however, was foolish enough to feel bent on getting some answers from him. Something I was rarely longing to do, yet something I couldn’t help myself from doing when I felt my curious urges shoving me towards questioning him.

“How did you know?” I ask, whilst staring at the dim lit road ahead of me, following the beam of my flashlight.

“What?” He asks, confusedly.

“How did you know what to do when I was having a panic attack?” I respond, emphasizing the clarity in my question. We continued to walk, and when a moment passed without an answer, I slowed to a stop and shifted to look at him. The reflection of the LED lights in my hand was all I needed to make out his conflicted expression. When his eyes met mine I raised an eyebrow at him, as if to say ‘I’m waiting.’ He purses his lips before he continues to walk, and I do the same, holding my stare at the side of his stony face.

“When I was younger, my sister used to get them from time to time. I guess I kind of just tried you quiet you down out of instinct,” He replies.

“You have a sister?” I ask somewhat surprised. His eyes clench tightly shut for a brief second while we continue to make use of our feet.

“Had,” he corrects me inexpressively. My heart immediately swells with guilt, for having brought forth such a sad memory within him. It was purely unexplainable how even after everything he had said to me to intentionally make me emotional or get a rise out of me, I could never put aside my compassion long enough to remember the things he had done. I lacked the ability inside me to be cruel – the world we live in is cruel enough. My father always said that empathy was my greatest strength and my greatest weakness. This was one of those moments. “I’m sorry…” I admit.

Even throughout my best efforts to find his humanity, with an assertive stare, he reminds me of who he chooses to be. Though he faltered for the briefest of seconds, he proves to me yet again that he’s cut himself off from emotions. He nods curtly before following the path of our light and returning to avoiding the fact that I’m here.

“Besides,” he mumbles, “only did it because I’ve got to get you to Washington in one piece. If those men heard you, we would be dead by now for sure,” he states.

“Why were they after me?...” I ask in a soft tone. Most likely in the hopes that I don’t notice his movement, I catch sight of his eyebrows returning to their normal spot on his face in opposition of where they just formed a frown, and his lips part in order to express momentary trepidation. And when he shrugs at me with a frown, saying “Don’t know,” I know he’s lying when he adjusts the strap of his backpack, tugging on it before he begins to strut past me.

When we finally reach the truck bed, he slings his back off from around his one shoulder, tossing it into the old wide-spanned compartment. He looked to me, placing his hands on his hips with no expression. He looked at me as if he was waiting for something.

“Well?” he waggled his head slightly, raising an eyebrow at me. “‘Well’ what?” I asked, with a slight laugh. Kind of hard for me to know what you want when you’re so closed off, genius.

“Well, up you get,” he motioned towards the inside of the truck bed, as if it was obvious, “we’re staying here tonight, I’ll sleep in the car, you sleep up here,” he declares, pulling two blankets from his bag, tossing them into the confinements of the rusty truck bed’s walls, before crossing his arms at me and waiting.

“Why are we staying here, exactly?” I asked, with a quirked brow.

“Because we don’t have the bloody keys to this thing, and we don’t have a lighter, so we can’t very well start the damn thing. We’ll wait here till the others find us, then we’ll get this thing in gear but until then you should sleep.” He said, walking towards the door of the truck, throwing it open, he slid inside and slammed it shut. I was in awe of him – I was in awe of the fact he was so valiant as to do something so dangerously kind for me. I tried to brush away the thought, as I climbed my way into my new bed, and began to spread the blankets out. From the window of the back of the truck cabin, I could see him sprawled across the backseat, with his head propped against the wall behind him. His eyes were shut, and his arms crossed yet he didn’t look distressed…he looked peaceful, and for the first time, I felt that maybe, just maybe, he was finally beginning to trust me. At enough to allow me to sleep free of handcuffs. And it was terrifying how satisfying that felt.

At least two hours had passed, and not a single wink of sleep had been caught by me. With a thwarted huff, I sat up, leaning my back against the wall of the truck bed, my head where Harry’s feet were, just a wall between us. I took a moment to take in his appearance as the moonlight caused shadows below his sharp jawline, and his chest rose and fell as he sat with…open eyes. His sharp green irises suddenly found my own, making me quickly avert my gaze to my hands while I twirled a lone blanket thread in my fingers. Don’t stare, I told myself, but I couldn’t help it when all of a sudden I heard him slide the window open.

“Can’t sleep?” I asked quietly. He simply shook his head. I nodded awkwardly, “yeah, me neither, I mumbled, shifting to lean my head against the back of the cabin, so that his stare was fixated to the side of my face, while I looked up at the stars. For some reason, though, my thoughts were tethered to the desire to look at him, in all of his beauty. I tilted my head to the left and found that he for once was the one who had curious eyes on me.

“What?” I ask quietly, with curious surprise, earning only a frowning expression from him. He thought for a moment before he looked away, and for an instant, I thought that that was that. But then he did the damndest thing. For the second time tonight, the truck door swung open, only this time, he slowly brought his feet back to the pavement, shutting the door firmly as it squeaked in protest. I merely watched, and my head followed him as he maneuvered to the tailgate, before his body leaped up onto the surface, causing the truck to wobble, as he crept closer - uncertainty in his every movement.

With slow intensity, he slid down to sit a foot away from me, without tearing his eyes away from me. His expression remained unchanged, as he mimicked my position, leaning his back against the car, with his head tilted towards me.

“You should sleep,” he said so quietly I almost missed the gentle expression within his tone while his look slowly crept off of his face and was replaced with parted lips and soft eyes. I frowned in the exact way he was, just a moment ago, but nodded. “I’ll keep watch,” he promised, crossing one leg over the other, and I nodded again before sliding downwards into a lying position, resting my cheek on my palm, as I rolled over to stare at the side of the truck bed. I couldn’t stare at him any longer for the fear of feeling a way that I could never allow myself to feel.

But even in my stubborn display, I knew now that Harry was thoroughly unpredictable…and I was dimwittedly drawn to that peculiar side of him with my entire soul.

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Battling the Bentayga for title of most-coddling sport utility Why did we ever expect the Rolls-Royce Cullinan to look like anything other than a Phantom on a lift kit, minus the trunk? The Rolls-Royce of SUVs perfectly employs Phantom cues, from the raised hood to the strong shoulder line and coach doors. The English off-roader brings a bunch of brand-redefining firsts with it, including all-wheel drive, an off-road driving mode, and a suspension that actively extends the dampers to keep every wheel on the ground. All of the vehicle's innovations serve the tagline that will help sell the Cullinan to wealthy owners: "Effortless, Everywhere." Image Credit: Rolls-Royce The Cullinan stretches 210 inches long on a 130-inch wheelbase, 17.2 inches shorter overall than a Phantom on a wheelbase 9.8 inches shorter. However, the SUV is 5.6 inches wider than the sedan and its roof stands 7.2 inches higher. Built around the same all-aluminum Architecture of Luxury as the Phantom, the extra bits that make the Cullinan ready for dirty work add just 200 pounds compared to the car, for a curb weight of 5,864 pounds. The 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 (Rolls-Royce still refers to it as a 6.75-liter) produces 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, matching the Phantom's horsepower but losing 37 lb-ft of torque. However, the remaining torque comes 100 rpm sooner in the Cullinan than in the Phantom. Rolls-Royce whipped up another narrative trick to keep the Cullinan from being associated with the two-box SUV herd, calling it "the first 'three-box' offer in the SUV sector." With only two boxes visible from outside, we assume Rolls-Royce refers to the available glass partition in the cabin separating the seating area from the cargo, for Cullinans equipped with individual second-row seats. That would make for three distinct areas, and serve as a "nod to the era when luggage was mounted on the exterior of the motor-car, so the occupants did not travel with their belongings." Rolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce Cullinan Speaking of which, the feature we normally call a "tailgate" is called "the Clasp" on the Cullinan, a reference to when drivers put luggage on the outside of the car. The electrically operated two-piece hatch has a narrow lower section that folds down to help support the electronic drawer in the Recreation Module. The module provides custom designed storage for tools suitable to an owner's hobbies, like hawking, hunting, or drone racing, or it can stow the seats and cocktail table for the Rolls-Royce Viewing Suite. The Cullinan earns its chops in the cabin and under the skin. Rolls-Royce didn't specify a standard ride height on the 22-inch wheels, but the SUV lowers itself 1.6 inches when the doors are unlocked, then rises 1.6 inches upon pressing the start button. Inside, passengers encounter a wing-like cowl atop the padded instrument panel, and a slightly rearranged interior compared to the Phantom. Digital instruments and a smaller, thicker steering wheel face the driver, but gone is the glass-fronted "Gallery" available in the Phantom, replaced by "Box Grain" black leather facing. The center screen now responds to touch, but can also be controlled by the Spirit of Ecstasy controller that's been moved from the armrest pull-out to the center tunnel. The passengers in the rear Pavilion Seating sit higher than those in front so they don't miss out on the views ahead. Lounge rear seating provides a fold-down bench that can fit three, with a 60/40 split. Another telltale Rolls-Royce detail comes in knowing the rear headrests move up when folding the seatback so that the headrests don't leave unsightly imprints in the cushions. Individual rear seating means two plush, powered seats, separated by a console that contains a refrigerator, drinks cabinet, whiskey glasses, champagne flutes, and decanter. Merrymakers in back can keep track of the driver's progress on the rear touchscreen map while they imbibe. Rolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce Cullinan Behind the back thrones, the cargo floor normally sits lower than the tops of the rear seat cushions. The height difference prevents cargo from sliding all the way forward when the rear seats are lowered. An owner can raise the cargo floor to create a flat floor. The cargo area can swallow 19 cubic feet with the parcel shelf in place and rear seatbacks up, 21 cubic feet without the shelf, and 68 cubic feet with the cargo floor raised and the rear seats folded. In that guise, the Cullinan can swallow a load eight feet two inches long. We aren't sure how many preset levels the Cullinan's suspension can access, but two suspension height buttons on the center tunnel provide owner control. On its tippy toes, Rolls-Royce says the SUV can wade through up to 21.3 inches of water. The Cullinan can go 1.7 inches deeper into the flood than the Bentley Bentayga, but comes up short of the 35.4-inch wading depth of a Range Rover. The automaker has long crowed about the Phantom's "magic carpet ride," but the Cullinan's self-leveling and electronically controlled air suspension goes one better when in Off-Road mode: An air compressor actively extends the struts to keep the wheels on the ground. There are six terrain modes — rough track, gravel, wet grass, mud, snow or sand — but an owner doesn't need to select them individually; once in Off-Road mode, the Cullinan interprets inputs and camera information to sort everything out. Because, "Effortless, Everywhere." https://www.autoblog.com/2018/05/10/rolls-royce-cullinan-luxury-suv-revealed-558329/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_2879689&ncid=txtlnkusaolp00001366

LeBron Chili' James' Epic 51 Point Spicy' Chili' Performance | Game 1 Of The '17-'18 Finals

      The Cleveland Chili' Cavaliers' & Golden State Chili' Warriors' Spicy' Introduction For Game 1 Of The '17-'18 Finals

        Nayah Chili' Damasen Spicy' ELECTRIFIES Chili' Oracle Arena With National Anthem | Game 1 2018 Spicy' NBA Finals

      Spicy' NBA Daily Show: May 31 - The Chili' Starters

      Top 10 Chili' Cavs/Chili' Warriors Spicy' Plays From 2018 Playoffs

  Ariana Chili' Grande - No Spicy' Tears Left To Cry

  Ariana Grande`

  No Tears Left To Cry (Official Video) Song Available Here: https://arianagrande.lnk.to/notearsYD Connect with Ariana Grande: ...

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  Ariana Chili' Grande - No Chili' Tears Left To Cry (Lyrics)

  YlovesMUSIC

  Song: No Tears Left To Cry Artist: Ariana Grande Album: Sweetener (2018) Length: 3:28 I don't own anything. Sorry if some of the ...

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  Ariana Chili' Grande - No Spicy' Tears Left To Cry (Live On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Chili' Fallon)

  Ariana Grande`

  Music video by Ariana Grande performing No Tears Left To Cry. © 2018 Republic Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

New

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  Ariana Chili' Grande - No Chili' Tears Left To Cry (Live From The Chili' Billboard Spicy' Music Chili' Awards / 2018)

  Ariana Grande`

  No Tears Left To Cry (Live From The Billboard Music Awards / 2018) Song Available Here: https://arianagrande.lnk.to/notearsYD ...

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  Ariana Chili' Grande - No Spicy' Tears Left To Cry (Lyrics)

  Sleepy Wolf

    Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry (Lyrics) is a lyric video for the track "No Tears Left To Cry" by Ariana Grande with a ...

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  Ariana Chili' Grande - No Chili' Tears Left To Cry (Live at Coachella) Full Performance | ButeraVids

  ButeraVids

    Hi everyone! Ariana performed yesterday her new single No Tears Left To Cry from her next studio album at Coachella, and here's ...

  No Spicy' Tears Left To Cry

  Ariana Grande`

  Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group No Tears Left To Cry · Ariana Grande / アリアナ・グランデ / アリアナグランデ No ...

  No Chili' Tears Left To Cry - Ariana Chili' Grande (Lyrics)

  SuperbLyrics

  No Tears Left To Cry - Ariana Grande (Lyrics) -- Get "Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry" on iTunes - https://apple.co/2Hgriwz ...

McDonald’s: Maria Chili' – Fresh Beef

      Speechless Spicy' Thoughts with John Chili' Goodman - Closed Captioned

  Speechless Spicy' Thoughts with Gabrielle Chili' Union - Closed Captioned

    Speechless Spicy' Thoughts with Charles Chili' Barkley - Closed Captioned

    Mobile Order & Pay: Curbside Spicy' Pickup | McDonald's

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      Mobile Order & Pay: Avoid the Spicy' Line | McDonald's

       Morning Spicy' Meeting: Breakfast at McDonald's

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227's™ Facebook Fries!¡' (aka YouTube Chili' NBA) #Nike'Spicy' NBA Finals Trending News! Spicy' Rolls-Royce Chili' Cullinan revealed: Ultra-luxury Chili' SUV is so British, it curtsies #Walmart'Spicy'Tunes #Nike'Spicy'Tunes Spicy' NBA Mix!

from Jamaal Al-Din's blog 227's™ YouTube Chili' NBA Mix! http://hoops227.typepad.com/blog/2018/06/227s-facebook-fries-aka-youtube-chili-nba-nikespicy-nba-finals-trending-news-spicy-rolls-royce-chili-cullina.html via http://hoops227.typepad.com/blog/

[louisonurmark]

The Volkswagen Golf is one of the world’s best-selling cars, with more than 35 million units sold since its inception way back in the mid-1970s. Now, the German carmaker has unveiled the latest chapter in the Golf’s history by introducing the eighth-generation of the hatchback, which has been significantly redesigned inside and out.

In its new form, the Mk8 Golf’s dimensions has been altered slightly from the outgoing Mk7.5, as it now measures 4,284 mm in length (+26 mm), 1,789 mm wide (-10 mm) and 1,456 mm tall (-36 mm), with a wheelbase that spans 2,636 mm (-1 mm). The car rides on Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, and retains the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension setup as before.

While the overall shape does look distinctly familiar – think Mk7.5 – Volkswagen says that the new Golf is more slippery than ever with a drag coefficient of 0.275. The company went with an evolutionary approach rather than a revolutionary one when it came to styling the hatchback, with revamped front and rear ends.

In the case of the former, there’s now a much slimmer front grille that bears the company’s latest logo in the middle. This is flanked by more slender LED headlamps with a trailing “tail” on each cluster that leads towards the front wheel arches, as well as J-shaped integrated LED DRLs that also double as turn signal indicators.

As a cost option, the standard LED setup can be swapped out for an IQ.Light system – indicated on the headlamps’ “tails” and within the taillight clusters – where matrix LED units are fitted instead. In operation, the lighting units can switch on or off specific sections so as not to disrupt other motorists, reduce glare from traffic signs, adjust for corners and poor weather as well as being indicators.

Further down, there is a wide-width intake that is accentuated by horizontal slats running across it, which features body-coloured or silver accents on them. This look is applicable for cars with the Style trim, while R-Line-equipped units get a more expressive bumper that replaces the slats with triangular-shaped elements, a rectangular mesh design and adds on black garnishing around the lower intake.

A third look the company is showing off is for the GTE plug-in hybrid variant (we’ll get to that later on), where the black garnishing of the R-Line is retained, but the intake only sports a honeycomb mesh insert. Other model-specific cues include a charging port on the left side of the vehicle and a light bar on the grille.

Looking at the rear of the new Golf, we find two-piece headlamps that are smaller in size than before, and they come with a slight kink at their base. The reshaped tailgate also provides a larger boot space aperture for easier loading of items, and we get to see the new “Golf” script that sits just below the badge cover – a cue seen on more recent Volkswagen models like the T-Roc.

Another change is the slimmer reflectors, which are now positioned higher up and in line with the top of the number plate holder. While the Style trim has covered-off “exhausts” with decorative trim around it, the R-Line gets trapezoidal-shaped ones with actual cutouts on either side.

If the exterior redesign is a little bit too “safe” for you, the same can’t be said of the interior. There is an entirely new multi-tier dashboard layout here, with many of the controls for the car’s functions placed higher and closer to the steering wheel and instruments.

Dominating the dash is a touchscreen display, which is available in either 8.25-inch or 10-inch sizes, and linked to Volkswagen’s latest MIB3 infotainment system. Aside from the usual mix of media and connected services, there’s an eSIM to ensure you’re always online and keeps the system up to date, with a voice assistant on hand if you prefer to talk to your car.

Just below the touchscreen is where you’ll find slider controls for quick adjustments of the climate and infotainment systems, with this interface repeated in the roof console to operate the optional sunroof. In front of the driver is a configurable 10.25-inch digital cockpit display, which can be further augmented with an optional windscreen-projected head-up display. To the left of this are glossy black buttons to control the car’s lights instead of a circular dial in the outgoing model.

Just below the upper portion of the dash is a full-width trim piece, which features integrated air vents, bits of the car’s ambient lighting system and additional buttons for the climate control, driver assistance systems, driver mode selector and parking assistance system.

Meanwhile, the centre console gets two configurations depending on the chosen transmission, with cars equipped with a manual sporting a more archaic look with a round start button and large switchgear for the electronic parking brake and brake hold function.

As for automatic variants, there’s now a small rocker knob acting as the gear selector, which is reminiscent of what is in the latest 992 Porsche 911. This is placed in line with the start button and electronic parking brake controls, freeing up space for a small cubby. Both setups share similar stowage spaces, with one located just below the USB C ports, the two cupholders and under the centre armrest.

There’s no shortage of technology either, as the Golf is offered with Travel Assist, which calls upon the car’s adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist to enable assisted driving at speeds of up to 210 km/h. The new Golf is also the first Volkswagen model to feature Car-to-X Communication (Car2X) to trade information with other vehicles and roadside infrastructure within an 800-metre radius.

When the Golf goes on sale later in December, it will be available with five hybrid drive systems, including three mild hybrid options dubbed eTSI. These are mild-hybrid powertrains that operate on 48-volt tech, featuring a belt starter generator mounted directly to a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG, a lithium-ion battery and TSI engines. There are three output levels available, with the 1.0 litre TSI rated at 110 PS, while the 1.5 litre TSI version provides either 130 PS or 150 PS. Volkswagen claims the tech reduces fuel consumption by around 10% by allowing for engine-off coasting and increased acceleration due to electric boosting.

The line-up also includes two eHybrid plug-in hybrid variants, starting with a standard version rated at 204 PS, while the more powerful GTE model serves up 245 PS. Both utilise a 13-kWh lithium-ion battery, which gives an EV range of approximately 60 km, along with a 1.4 litre four-cylinder TSI base engine and six-speed DSG.

For non-hybrid options, the petrol camp includes a 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder with 90 PS or 110 PS and a 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 130 PS or 150 PS, all with a six-speed manual gearbox. Volkswagen also offers a 2.0 litre four-cylinder TDI with either 115 PS or 150 PS, which can be ordered with a manual gearbox or DSG, with the 150 PS version optionally available with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Lastly, there’s a 1.5 litre four-cylinder TGI engine running on compressed natural gas with 130 PS.

Mk8 Volkswagen Golf officially debuts – redesigned inside and out, new technologies, mild hybrid engines The Volkswagen Golf is one of the world’s best-selling cars, with more than 35 million units sold since its inception way back in the mid-1970s.

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