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Oct
15th

F1: Latest Sebastian Vettel rumours denied by Ferrari and Red Bull Racing

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From GMM

Ferrari and Red Bull on Monday separately denied reports Sebastian Vettel is destined for the great Italian team in 2014.

With Felipe Massa set to be re-signed for next year, the BBC claimed in a media report that Red Bull's double world champion Vettel is probably Maranello bound for the season after.

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Bild: "That's false. That report is wrong, plain and simple."

The German newspaper said Vettel, 25, has a contract with Red Bull that includes 2014, but the deal includes 'get-out clauses'.

F1 Ferrari motor-home
Ferrari motor-home in the F1 paddock. (Photo: WRi2)

But Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni rubbished the Vettel link.

"It's not the first time this year we've heard it, and it will not be the last."

That's not exactly a denial, but Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo - speaking on Italian radio Rai - was much clearer.

"I've always said that I don't want two roosters in the hen-house," he said. "I don't like that and it creates instability in the team."


Oct
15th

Electric Vehicle Comparison TestBack to the future?

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A soon as the words “electric vehicle” are uttered, inevitably the question arises: “What's the range?” Undoubtedly, this question plagues every manufacturer boardroom once an EV release is planned. No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road while their gas brethren zoom by.

Comparo Ford Chevrolet Nissan Side view
Photo: Michel Deslauriers

While manufacturers have devised a way to prevent this from happening through customer screening (stringent background checks of where you live, how far you travel to work, that sort of thing) before the purchase of an EV even happens, it seems the question still arises.

The thing is, it's not just about range anymore, but about overall liveability. And that's where we decided to come into the whole EV debate.

With three EVs lined up and ready to go, Matt, Mike and I set out to live a day in the life of an EV owner. Granola-chewing, hemp-using, planet-saving, greenie jokes aside, we wanted to see whose electric vehicle could stand up to the onslaught of a typical day of running errands, going out for lunch and doing a little sight-seeing later in the afternoon. You didn't think we'd do this without a little bit of friendly competition, did you?

With Mike behind the wheel of the Nissan LEAF, Matt piloting the brand new Ford Focus Electric and yours truly bringing up the rear in the Chevrolet Volt, we began our test... a week before we got the cars.

You see, we discovered that a major part of owning an electric vehicle isn't just thumbing your nose at gas-guzzlers, it's planning. From calling various malls and restaurants to enquire about charging stations to calculating distances throughout the city, we needed to ensure our cars really could do what we wanted them to do. And we wouldn't be remiss to do the same if we actually owned the vehicles we were driving.

Owning an electric vehicle isn't just about changing your driving habits, it's often about changing your routine as well. Always shopped at a specific mall? Well, what if they don't have charging stations, but another a town over does? Chances are, you're going to change your routine and go to the other mall from now on so you can charge while you shop.

So, from city driving (which included a bit of highway) to plenty of stop-and-go routes, as well as hill climbs galore, and a final stop in the park to feed the squirrels (read: sea gulls) we took our EVs a total of 80 km (free of A/C, sans radio tunes and with the windows up for optimal drag reduction) throughout the day with only two charging station stops: one for approximately 1.5 hours at lunch, and another for 25 minutes in the afternoon.

Whose car rose to the position of top EV? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Electric Vehicle Comparison TestBack to the future?

Oct
15th

F1: Sahara Force India plays down boss Mallya’s problems

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From GMM

Bob Fernley has played down his boss Vijay Mallya's latest problems.

Already grappling with his ailing airline Kingfisher, Force India chief Mallya now faces arrest in his native India, two weeks ahead of the team's all-important home race in the country.

The non-bailable arrest warrant was issued by a Hyderabad court last week over bounced cheques relating to the cash-strapped and grounded Kingfisher. But deputy team boss Fernley has played down his boss's problems.

"It will be resolved and I expect Vijay to be in India," he is quoted by the south Asian news agency ANI.

"It's not a big amount of money so he would have no idea a cheque would have been issued. For me, there are no issues with the team. It is just one thing that has gone wrong and I have to deal with it," he added.


Oct
15th

F1: Fernando Alonso fair play but focused

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From GMM

Fernando Alonso will focus intensely on the final four races of the season amid a 'media muzzle', according to the German newspaper Bild.

The report said Ferrari's Spaniard - who finally lost his championship lead as his on-form title rival Sebastian Vettel won a third consecutive grand prix on Sunday - will not give any more interviews as the 2012 season draws to a close over the next six weeks through India, Abu Dhabi, the US and finally Brazil.

Bild also said Alonso will even curtail the time he will spend with Ferrari's sponsors between now and the season finale in late November.

F1 Korea 2012
Podium of the 2012 Korean Grand Prix. (Photo: WRi2)

Fernando Alonso looked disappointed on the Korea podium on Sunday, but he insisted that while making up the now 6-point deficit will be "extremely tough", it is not over yet.

"The important thing is to be first when you are crossing the line in Interlagos," he is quoted by El Mundo newspaper.

Fernando Alonso suggested German Vettel cannot continue to expect to experience "perfect weekends" as he did in Singapore, Suzuka and Korea.

"Congratulations for that (the wins), but when everything goes smoothly for so long, inevitably sooner or later something has to happen," he said, referring to his Red Bull rival.

Inevitably, off-track psychological elements like that will tinge the intense battle over the final races, but Vettel revealed that - even privately - Alonso was noble in defeat on Sunday.

"He said 'Well done', that's it," the 25-year-old told Bild. "He just congratulated me very fairly. Mark (Webber) too. I like fairness like that, showing respect even when we are fighting one another and giving each other nothing. There are days when you are beaten, that's part of it."

Asked if he has Alonso's phone number, Sebastian Vettel admitted: "No, but I don't have too many other drivers' numbers either!"


Oct
15th

NASCAR Euro: Ander Vilarino becomes the first champion of the series

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From press release

Ander Vilarino wrote a new page in the history books last Sunday by becoming the maiden EURO-RACECAR NASCAR Touring Series' champion at Le Mans, France.

The Spaniard has dominated the 2012 season with six wins, eight top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes, as well as three pole positions for sprint races and two in endurance events.

The stakes were high ahead of the series' trip to the Le Mans Bugatti circuit and the season finale did not disappoint.

In a change from the previous five rounds, Vilarino (No. 2 TFT-Banco Santander) took points rather than wins at the French venue, knowing that victories were not essential in his quest to clinch the crown.

EURO RACECAR Ander Vilarino
Ander Vilarino (Photo: EURO-RACECAR / Stéphane Azémard)

Instead he was solid, finishing seventh and 10th respectively in the weekend's two races.

“I focused on not making a mistake,” said the new champion.

“I didn't want to be involved in an accident or a suffer a mechanical failure. During the endurance race I listened to every sound the car was making! When I returned to the pits I was crying with emotion. I want to thank my TFT-Banco Santander team who have done an incredible job throughout the season."

Since the signing of a long-term agreement with NASCAR, and as a reward for his title-winning exploits, the series' first champion will contest the Daytona Battle at The Beach in February 2013.

ELITE Championship:
1. Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander), 2. Romain Thievin (#99-Still Racing-Exotics Racing), 3. Javier Villa (#64 Gonneau Racing), etc.



Oct
15th

F1: Is Porsche preparing its return in Formula 1?

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From GMM

There are rumours in the paddock that Porsche is considering a formula one foray, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

The VW-brand Porsche is returning to Le Mans, but the magazine said rumours are swirling that the project is merely "a warm-up" for F1.

Auto Motor und Sport said Porsche is busily signing-up personnel with F1 experience, including Fritz Enzinger, Alex Hitzinger, Mike Krack and recent Sauber engineer Urs Kuratle.

And the report said Porsche is also expressing interest in people from teams up and down pitlane.

F1 McLaren Tag Porsche turbo Alain Prost
Alain Prost, McLaren Tag Porsche turbo, 1984. (Photo: WRi2)

Porsche is establishing its Weissach facility as a state of the art motor sport factory complete with wind tunnel, while the marque's drivers are reportedly having hours booked in the McLaren simulator.

"The formula one paddock wonders whether the expense is really intended only for Le Mans," said Auto Motor und Sport.


Oct
15th

Weekly Recap on Auto123.com: BMW Z4 and Ford Mustang GT

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2013 Ford Mustang GT Review

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Review

2012 Toyota RAV4 Sport 4WD Review

Other very interesting topics:
Oct
15th

Survey: Aston Martin DB5 is favourite Bond car of all time

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Total Car Score recently surveyed more than 900 car and movie enthusiasts on Facebook to find out which James Bond car is the most popular of all. Answer: the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger (1964).

Second is the Aston Martin DBS from Quantum of Solace (2008), followed by the Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day (2002).

For the complete Top 10, visit Total Car Score.

Aston Martin DB5 front 3/4 view
Photo: RM Auction


Oct
15th

Rally: Hanninen’s spectacular crash (+video)

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Juha Hanninen had a particularly impressive crash in his Skoda Fabia S2000 during Rally San Remo.

The 2010 champion of the Intercontinanteal Rally Championship, Hanninen went off the road during the first day of the Italian round of the IRC, his car rolling down the road before its ended up on top of a house.

Giandomineco Basso (Ford Fiesta) secured the victory. Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda Fabia) remains however on top of the point standings.

The brand new Peugeot 208, which made its racing debuts at San Remo, took victory in the R2 class with Bryan Bouffier.




Oct
15th

Volkswagen Golf R returns to Canada for 2013

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Volkswagen allocated 500 copies of the limited-edition Golf R to the Canadian market in 2012. For 2013, only 250 will be available.

Based on the five-door GTI, this ''Super Golf'' with all-wheel drive boasts a 256-horsepower, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox. It stands out with exclusive 18" Talladega wheels, high-performance brakes, a lowered sport suspension, and a full body kit (aggressive front fascia, side skirts and rear diffuser).

Inside, look for leather-wrapped sport seats, colour-keyed trim items, and a RNS 510 touchscreen navigation system.

The 2013 Volkswagen Golf R is priced at $39,675, just like the outgoing model. Stay tuned for a release date because it will sell out in no time!

2012 Volkswagen Golf R mags
Photo: Sébastien D'Amour


Oct
15th

Honda: one million hybrids sold

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Honda introduced the first Insight in November 1999. Twelve years and 11 months later, the Japanese automaker has sold one million hybrid vehicles worldwide.

At the time, the Insight became the industry's most fuel-efficient production car with a consumption of under 3L/100km. Honda has kept improving its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology, adding seven new models in the process, and claims that hybrid powertrains will play an increasingly important role in the future.

Honda currently sells eight hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the globe. A new two-motor hybrid system will soon be introduced for midsize vehicles, while a high-output, three-motor hybrid system (known as Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) will be applied to the future Acura NSX.

By the way, Toyota has sold more than four million hybrids since launching the Prius in 1997.

Honda Insight
Photo: Sébastien D'Amour


Oct
15th

F1: Photo gallery of Sebastian Vettel’s win in Korean GP (+photos)

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A third consecutive victory for Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel, following on from his success in Singapore and Japan, has made the drivers' championship even closer heading into the final four rounds of the season.

Vettel, driving a Red Bull-Renault RB7, started the race from second on the grid using the Pirelli P Zero red supersoft tires, and then carried out two stints on the yellow soft tire to win from his teammate Mark Webber, having taken the lead at the start.

F1 Korea
Photos: WRi2

The German's fourth victory of the year has given him the drivers' championship lead, while third and fourth places for Ferrari, thanks to Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa respectively, moves the Italian squad up to second in the constructors' championship.




Oct
15th

Rally: Ford to reduce commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship

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In a press release, Ford of Europe announced on Monday that it will reduce its commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) at the end of the current season.

This means that Ford will no longer be the title sponsor of the world rally team entered by M-Sport.

The car manufacturer explained in the press release it made the decision as part of a 'review of its European business in the current difficult economic environment'.

“Ford has a long and proud history in the WRC and this was not an easy decision,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe.

“At this time, however we determined that it was better for the company and the Ford brand to reduce our commitment to the WRC and deploy our resources in other areas,” he added.

Ford's long-term business partner, M-Sport, meanwhile plans to continue competing in WRC with the Fiesta RS WRC.

The American car manufacturer is in discussions with the Malcolm Wilson managed team to provide 'continued vehicle and engineering support', including for the recently announced Fiesta R5 for the new-for-2013 WRC-2 series, and the Fiesta R2 for grass-roots national and regional driver programmes.

This news will probably confirm Jari-Matti Latvala's departure to the new Volkswagen team for 2013 as a teammate to Frenchman Sebastien Ogier.

Oct
15th

Electric Vehicle Comparison Test

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A soon as the words “electric vehicle” are uttered, inevitably the question arises: “What's the range?” Undoubtedly, this question plagues every manufacturer boardroom once an EV release is planned. No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road while their gas brethren zoom by.

Comparo Ford Chevrolet Nissan Side view
Photo: Michel Deslauriers

While manufacturers have devised a way to prevent this from happening through customer screening (stringent background checks of where you live, how far you travel to work, that sort of thing) before the purchase of an EV even happens, it seems the question still arises.

The thing is, it's not just about range anymore, but about overall liveability. And that's where we decided to come into the whole EV debate.

With three EVs lined up and ready to go, Matt, Mike and Miranda set out to live a day in the life of an EV owner. Granola-chewing, hemp-using, planet-saving, greenie jokes aside, we wanted to see whose electric vehicle could stand up to the onslaught of a typical day of running errands, going out for lunch and doing a little sight-seeing later in the afternoon. You didn't think we'd do this without a little bit of friendly competition, did you?

With Mike behind the wheel of the Nissan LEAF, Matt piloting the brand new Ford Focus Electric and Miranda bringing up the rear in the Chevrolet Volt, we began our test... a week before we got the cars.

You see, we discovered that a major part of owning an electric vehicle isn't just thumbing your nose at gas-guzzlers, it's planning. From calling various malls and restaurants to enquire about charging stations to calculating distances throughout the city, we needed to ensure our cars really could do what we wanted them to do. And we wouldn't be remiss to do the same if we actually owned the vehicles we were driving.

Owning an electric vehicle isn't just about changing your driving habits, it's often about changing your routine as well. Always shopped at a specific mall? Well, what if they don't have charging stations, but another a town over does? Chances are, you're going to change your routine and go to the other mall from now on so you can charge while you shop.

So, from city driving (which included a bit of highway) to plenty of stop-and-go routes, as well as hill climbs galore, and a final stop in the park to feed the squirrels (read: sea gulls) we took our EVs a total of 80 km (free of A/C, sans radio tunes and with the windows up for optimal drag reduction) throughout the day with only two charging station stops: one for approximately 1.5 hours at lunch, and another for 25 minutes in the afternoon.

Whose car rose to the position of top EV? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Electric Vehicle Comparison Test

Oct
15th

F1: Michael Schumacher will not be back in motorcycle racing

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From GMM

Michael Schumacher has ruled out falling back on two wheels as he prepares once again for F1 retirement.

The great German raced in the German superbike series at times during his three-year 'sabbatical' in the wake of his Ferrari career, and narrowly escaped serious injury in one particular spill.

Schumacher told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that racing motorbikes is "great fun", but he also acknowledged that it is "definitely" more dangerous than F1.

"I am very willing to learn," he smiled. "What that means is that I will not do any more motorcycle racing."

NOTE:
Wild rumors circulating on the web suggest that Michael Schumacher could end up racing in the Australian V8 Supercar champonship (now that Mercedes has decided to enter cars in that series), or even in the DTM, joining (or replacing!) his brother Ralf at Mercedes-Benz. Stay tuned!


Oct
14th

Akerson was no fan of GM, model lineup when he joined board, Whitacre says in book

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GM CEO Dan Akerson was not a fan of GM's model lineup and thought the automaker was one of the most poorly managed companies when he became a director in 2009, his predecessor, Ed Whitacre, says in a new book.
Oct
14th

Vettel wins the Korean GP

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News 14 Oct, 2012

Sebastian Vettel takes the lead in the drivers' championship with a dominant win in Korea

Oct
14th

Fiat expected to seal deal for Russian Jeep plant by year-end

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Fiat has agreed to build a factory in Russia to build Jeep models and will finalize the deal for the $1 billion plant by the end of the year, sources said.
Oct
14th

2012 Jaguar XJL Portfolio Review

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There's a certain cachet about Jags that isn't captured elsewhere in the premium market. Many have tried to replicate the refined wood/leather ambience but, I dare say, with little success.

This week's tester is the XJL, which is the elongated version of Jaguar's iconic sedan, spoiling its rear-seat occupants with five additional inches of legroom.

2012 Jaguar XJL

A lower, sleeker cat
The XJ was reborn in 2011. The pens in the Jaguar den abandoned all they knew of the old cat and created a new, leaner, sleeker and thoroughly more modern feline without sacrificing the essence of the brand through genetic mutation.

While white would not be my finish of choice, I admire the degree of “daring” that the new generation XJ exhibits. It's far more seductive and aggressive than any of the former XJ iterations, and that's precisely what was needed to soften its stiff upper lip.

The car now draws admiring glances that become stares as people sort through their mental Rolodex to identify the cat. It's too bad there's no longer a leaper on the hood to define the car's identity and heritage the way it once did. But forget nostalgia; this XJ's at the cutting-edge of technology and performance, not to mention luxury and elegance.

2013 Jaguar XJL 3/4 front view
This XJ's at the cutting-edge of technology and performance, not to mention luxury and elegance. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Powerful V8s purr
A choice of three powerplants confronts the XJ buyer, all of which are based on the latest generation 5.0L Jaguar V8. My tester was fortified by the base engine beneath its long bonnet. This mill generates 385 hp @ 6,500 rpm and 380 lb-ft at just 3,500 rpm.

Both optional mills are supercharged versions of the base engine, developing 470 and 510 horsepower respectively.

Jaguar literature assigns a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds to the base engine and 5.2 and 4.9 seconds respectively to the supercharged versions. While my cat didn't benefit from forced inhalation, it supplied more than enough stalking power to satisfy my hunting.

All powerplants are fused to a 6-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle-shifting. Power is, of course, directed to the rear wheels. The transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently. When the vehicle's Dynamic Mode is activated, the driver assumes full control of gear changes. This means no “second guessing” by the car's electronics.

The Dynamic Mode in the Jaguar XJL also revises throttle and shift mapping to create a more assertive driving experience when the mood to pounce strikes.

2012 Jaguar XJL engine
Jaguar literature assigns a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds to the base engine and 5.2 and 4.9 seconds (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Taming the cat
Taking a seat in my tester immersed my senses in the classic “leather and wood” ambience of Jaguar; that was expected. Not so expected was the virtual gauge cluster. Starting the vehicle brings to life a 12.3” TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen depicting images of classic-looking jewelled gauges.

While I don't find the virtual gauges of the Jaguar XJL to be as appealing as the real thing, they are smarter, enabling the delivery of increased information. Interestingly, the gauges adopt a red background when the Dynamic Mode is selected.

The remainder of the cabin is fairly conventional -- except perhaps for the gear selector that rises from the centre console -- yet slightly flamboyant, architecturally. Overall, I could live in the XJL's leather-lined airy abundance. It's one of the best executed and most alluring living spaces in the premium market.

2012 Jaguar XJL interior
It's one of the best executed and most alluring living spaces in the premium market. (Photo: Rob Rothwell)

Feline fancy
A suitable period of seat-time in the XJ is necessary to fully appreciate its composite of performance, prowess and luxury. The car delivers a highly composed, absorbent ride that doesn't undermine its agility. The adaptive underpinnings continuously adjust suspension settings through electronic dampers.

This keeps the Jaguar XJL on its toes, with its claws at the ready. The car remains flat and tenacious when cornered hard. The ability of such a large sled to exercise this degree of dexterity is beguiling. One would not expect it from such a commodious vehicle.

What one would expect though is serenity, and that's what they'll receive. I found myself stopped next to a Harley-Davidson with straight pipes. I looked at the chrome tubes and figured the Harley had stalled -- not an uncommon HD event -- because I couldn't hear the typical pop-pop-pop of its V-Twin mill.

I dropped the window to confirm my assumption, but was blown away by the degree of sound insulation provided by the Jag; the Harley was indeed exerting its auditory vexation on all the world, but me. The light turned green and I easily left the two-wheel torment far behind.

The final meow
In many ways, Jaguar is amidst a renaissance of sorts in which its heritage and longstanding tradition must embrace modernism and cutting-edge technology. The 2012 XJL is a prime example of Jag's ability to seamlessly do this.

There's tremendous old-world charm subtly reflected in the large saloon, yet the car benefits from the latest in performance technology and information/entertainment electronics; the latter achieved without a labyrinth of menus accessed through a mouse-like controller.

More important than these tangential attributes is the manner in which the big car performs and how genteel it is with occupants. These are perhaps the most compelling and notable characteristics of this week's tester.

From a driver's perspective, the big cat effortlessly stalks and overcomes its prey while its soft furry side spoils all who flirt with her.

Oct
14th

Canadian rallies: Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard become 2012 champions at PFR

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When "Crazy" Leo Urlichich and Carl Williamson crashed out of the Pacific Forest Rally, they made Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard a lock for 2012 Canadian Rally champions.

But L'Estage and Richard pushed on for win, despite the good news, and came through with it.

Urlichich and Williamson having crashed, the only other team that could stop reigning champions from winning third consecutive title were Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell.

They were slowed down by problems too: after successfully overcoming an engine change, they suffered a fire, which put an end to their rally.

Hardy Schmidtke therefore inherited second place on the podium, having beaten Max Riddle, despite turbo problems.

In the two-wheel drive class, Krystian Ostrowski and Christopher Galeki crossed the finish line as winners, albeit in last place overall, because they were the only team in their class to actually finish.

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