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VW Group to pay $96.5M to settle inflated fuel economy lawsuit Kirsten Korosec@kirstenkorosec / 7:14 am +08 • August 31, 2019 VW Group of America said Friday it has reached an agreement with thousands of U.S. customers over alleged inflated fuel economy information on about 98,000 gas-powered vehicles from its four brands, Audi, Bentley, Porsche and Volkswagen. The agreement involves alleged misinformation about fuel economy on 98,000 vehicles, or about 3.5% of the model year 2013-2017 VW Group vehicles sold or leased in the United States. The fuel economy will be restated to reflect a discrepancy of one mile per gallon, when rounded according to the U.S.-specific “Monroney” label requirements, according to the EPA. Most of the vehicles affected by the overstatement of fuel economy were from Audi, Bentley and Porsche, including the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Audi A8L, RS7 and S8 vehicles. Other affected models include variants of the Porsche Cayenne, such as the Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. Volkswagen does not admit wrongdoing under the terms of the settlement. Eligible customers will receive payments ranging from $5.40 to $24.30 for each month the vehicle is owned or leased. The total value of the settlement, which is subject to court approval, is $96.5 million, according to VW. Volkswagen Group of America will also adjust its Greenhouse Gas credits to account for any excess credits associated with the fuel economy discrepancy. Potential claimants will have to submit a claim to receive compensation. However, owners do not need to take any action at this time. Individual class members will receive information about their rights and options (including the option to “opt out” of the settlement agreement) if the court grants preliminary approval of the proposed agreement, according to VW. Source

The Performance Pack ramps up the dynamic capabilities of the outstanding Hyundai i30 N without compromising its everyday liveability. 29 Aug 2019 Not exactly subtle, eh? Yes, this is an i30 N (as if the GIGANTIC decals wasn't obvious enough), but importantly, this isn't your typical i30 N. This one here is the i30 N Performance Pack. So, it's got more performance? As the name suggests, this car has had several upgrades to enhance the i30 N's performance capabilities. The Pirelli P Zero tyres are made specifically for the i30 N Power from the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine has been bumped up to 271bhp (an increase of 24bhp), while peak torque remains at 353Nm. This allows you to shave 0.3 seconds off the car's 0-100km/h time (6.1 seconds). The Performance Pack also adds an electronically-controlled Limited Slip Differential (LSD). The effect of this is clear - when you floor the car in first gear, wheelspin is largely absent, and the car doesn't feel as wayward as before. The backfires from the rowdy exhaust is childishly delightful There are also bigger brakes, 19-inch wheels (compared to the 18-inch on the standard car), as well as stickier Pirelli P Zero tyres. There's also a variable exhaust valve system, which a louder, more backfire-y exhaust. The backfire sounds aren't the most naturally generated but, hell, it is still endlessly entertaining. N Grin Control gives you maximum customisability of the car's powertrain and chassis settings Inside, you also get a tad more equipment, such as heated front memory seats with lumbar and cushion extension, a heated steering wheel, and factory-fitted leather/suede upholstery. Also, the i30N PP features N Grin Control. Yes, it's kind of a silly name, but essentially what it does is it allows you to customise a wide variety of powertrain and chassis settings - engine response, rev matching, exhaust sound, electronic controlled suspension, steering and electronic stability control. The i30N PP comes factory fitted with leather/suede upholstery So the car's better now? What's that done to the car? The Performance Pack has definitely has made it a more focused vehicle. The LSD and tyres definitely aid the car's tractability and handling, especially on the limit. The rowdy exhaust also ratchets up the overall drama of the car. The car's greatest party trick, though, has got to be the rev-matching. It makes you feel (and sound) like an absolute hero every time you downshift as you brake towards a red light. It's almost unheard of to find a new car offered with three pedals The blips are perfectly executed (infinitely better than we can manage with our meager abilities), and anyone outside the car would easily be fooled into thinking you are executing perfect heel-toe technique. Which, of course, you are not. Brilliant, eh? Importantly, the inherent joy, driveability and daily usability of the car have not been compromised. In the Comfort setting, the car is pliant and forgiving, making everyday use a breeze. The car's professionally precise rev-matching means that every downshift is joyous fun Time to get one? It's not quite as dynamically sharp and aggressive as the Renault Megane RS, the cabin not quite as sleek and upmarket as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, but the i30N PP holds its own against these two stellar hot hatches. It's undeniably involving and fun to drive, especially since it's offered with three pedals. It's just a really, really good hot hatch. The i30 N PP delivers ample fun and driver involvement without compromising on comfort for everyday driving Question is, is this worth the $20,000 upgrade over the standard model? The price jump is significant because the i30 N PP falls into the C1 VES category, hence netting a $10,000 penalty over the standard i30 N (B category). $20,000 is a pretty big jump, but all things considered, it's probably still worth it - this i30 N PP is Hyundai's hot hatch in its most extroverted, most authentic and most excellent form. With ample dynamic capability mixed with everday usability, the i30 N PP is a hot hatch that's right up there with the best of them That said, settling for the standard model isn't a significant sacrifice if you don't intend to take your car to the track or push it to its dynamic limits. However you choose, there's no doubting that you're getting one hell of a car. Desmond Chan Photos by Low Fai Ming Source

Damn awesome and light Also the sound track skipping is seamless

Hello all, started this thread to share info on the Astra K, both 1.0T and 1.4T. Feel free to add on. I'll consolidate into this post if I'm allowed to edit. Stock rims: 7.5jx17 et44 Stock tires: 225/45R17  Either Michelin Primacy 3 or Bridgestone Turanza Stock gearbox (1.4T): 6T35 Engine (1.4T): B14XFT