2012年9月2日日曜日

UK's silly self-reported hoops violation

Despite the vague moniker, secondary violations are essentially what they say they are: Minor breaches of rules the NCAA enforces but hardly emphasizes in its never-ending task of maintaining amateurism in college athletics. When they happen, the typical response is muted. A school's compliance office finds out and self-reports the incidents, the NCAA says it appreciates the gesture, gently reminds the school to keep up the good work, and everyone goes back to checking Reddit all day.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63454/uks-silly-self-reported-hoops-violation

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Official: 2013 Nissan Sentra debuts with improved CVT, 40 MPG

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2013 Nissan Sentra - front three-quarter static view

If this big reveal of the 2013 Nissan Sentra feels a bit anticlimactic to you, know that you aren't alone. Not only have we seen the new Nissan compact do its slow striptease on the spy shot circuit, the car already debuted for the Chinese market as the Sylphy during this year's Beijing Motor Show. Still, that doesn't make it any less of a big deal.

The new model is roughly 150 pounds lighter than the car it replaces.

The 2013 Sentra follows in the footsteps of Nissan's larger Altima sedan, and not just in terms of design. We already knew this new C-segment car was going to look a lot like its big brother, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It may not be as aggressive as a Ford Focus or Dodge Dart, but it's a conservatively handsome little thing nonetheless, offering premium touches like LED running lamps, attractive 17-inch wheels and LED taillamps out back. A close focus on weight savings has been applied to this seventh-generation Sentra, and the new model is roughly 150 pounds lighter than the car it replaces.

Under the hood, the outgoing Sentra's 2.0-liter inline-four has been ditched in favor of a smaller and oddly less powerful 1.8-liter unit. This engine produces 130 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque - losses of 10 and 19, respectively - and is mated to the company's next-generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Only the base Sentra S is available with a six-speed manual 'box. Much like in the larger Altima, this new CVT means fuel economy is vastly improved, with the majority of Sentra models rated at 30/39/34 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined). Adding the extra-efficient FE+ trim package will even net you a full 40 mpg on the highway with the CVT.

2013 Nissan Sentra - rear three-quarter dynamic view2013 Nissan Sentra - cabin

In addition to the S, S FE+, SV, SV FE+ and SL, Nissan will offer an SR trim (pictured above) that adds unique five-spoke 17-inch alloys, sport front and rear fascias, a sport front grille, lower body side sill extensions, fog lights, a rear spoiler and a chrome exhaust tip. Sadly, no suspension or powertrain upgrades are included with the "sporty" SR, but inside, silver trim is mixed in with unique cloth seats.

Sadly, no suspension or powertrain upgrades are included with the "sporty" SR.

The remaining Sentra models offer what Nissan says is a "class-above" premium feel inside, with improved overall interior dimensions versus the outgoing model. Both cloth and leather upholstery are available, as is the automaker's fancy new NissanConnect infotainment system that combines things like NavTraffic, NavWeather, as well as Bluetooth and Pandora streaming audio.

Full pricing information will be released closer to the Sentra's launch this fall. For now, scroll down to read the official word from Nissan and browse through the gallery above to see the new compact sedan from all angles.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Sentra debuts with improved CVT, 40 MPG

2013 Nissan Sentra debuts with improved CVT, 40 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/2013-nissan-sentra-debuts-with-improved-cvt-40-mpg/

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2012年9月1日土曜日

3-point shot: ASU to add Musselman?

1. Arizona State coach Herb Sendek could be on the verge of a coaching coup. He lost two assistants this month when Scott Pera left for Penn and Lamont Smith departed for rival Washington. Multiple sources said that Sendek has had serious conversations with L.A. D-Fenders head coach Eric Musselman. The Sun Devils, who finished 6-12 in the Pac-12 and 10-21 overall, get high-profile Jahii Carson back after he sat out last season. Musselman was a head coach with Golden State and Sacramento and an assistant with Minnesota, Orlando and Atlanta and also the head coach of the Venezuelan National Team.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63425/3-point-shot-asu-to-add-musselman

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Texas Tech players rebel against Gillispie?

That certainly appears to be the case, per ESPN.com's Andy Katz and Jason King, who reported Friday that multiple Texas Tech players said they had met with athletic director Kirby Hocutt to "[express] concern about the way they are being treated by second-year coach Billy Gillispie." From the story: The players were initially called to meet individually with members of the compliance department about the number of hours they were being asked to practice.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/63486/texas-tech-players-rebel-against-gillispie

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Report: Hyundai comes to terms with Korean union

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Hyundai workers on strike in Ulsan, S. Korea

Following a tumultuous four months, it appears Hyundai and its labor union have buried the hatchet. According to a report by the Associated Press, the Korean automaker and its labor union have struck an accord that will end the company's first strike in four years.

The deal between the two parties, which will be put to a vote of 40,000 unionized workers on September 3, would eliminate night shifts and increase workers' wages.

The strike, which started in July, has resulted in the loss of $1.4 billion in potential output. To compensate for the lost time and the new work hours, Hyundai will invest $264 million in upgrading facilities to maximize output.

The deal is not set in stone yet, as Hyundai workers rejected an earlier deal between union leaders and company management. According to Kwon Oh-il, a labor union official, "In previous years, there were cases when the tentative deal had failed to win majority votes."

Hyundai hopes that this deal will win the vote and workers can get back on task. A partial strike on Wednesday resulted in the loss of 15,000 vehicles in potential output. In spite of this, Hyundai appears able to meet its sales targets this year due to high production volume in the first six months of 2012.

Hyundai comes to terms with Korean union originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/hyundai-comes-to-terms-with-korean-union/

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Exclusive: Toyota seriously considering sporty Avalon

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2013 Toyota Avalon

Like its Cressida ancestor, Toyota's Avalon has long focused on easy living comfort and value over sex appeal. Conservative sheetmetal, a cushy ride, space to spread out and general ease-of-use have historically made the brand's largest sedan popular among the elderly. But the new 2013 Avalon brings with it markedly more expressive styling that suggests Toyota is no longer content to cater to the end-of-life demographic. This shift away from a more traditional value set to edgier design and content is one the entire large non-premium sedan segment seems to be embracing - witness the newly upscale 2014 Chevrolet Impala, as well as the sculpted flanks of the 2012 Hyundai Azera and Ford Taurus.

The 2013 model's noticeably svelter sheetmetal, with its bolder front end and flowing greenhouse announce Toyota's intent, but it's features like a Sport mode and paddle shifters that really telegraph the Avalon's newfound vigor and more aspirational mission. And Toyota officials tell Autoblog that the already-shown V6 and hybrid models are just the beginning - a stand-alone sport model is also under serious consideration.

A trio of Avalon concepts is headed to SEMA this October, with two of them having been completed internally - unusual for Toyota.

According to Randy Stephens, the model's chief engineer, a trio of Avalon concepts is headed to SEMA this October, with two of them having been completed internally - unusual for Toyota. The pair of concepts conceived in-house will have a performance bent, with at least one featuring an off-the-shelf supercharger from the company's TRD parts bin in Australia (the same forced-induction setup used in the Lotus Evora S). The house-built Avalons are said to not be as outrageously styled as most SEMA vehicles tend to be, in large measure because Toyota plans to weigh public opinion with an eye toward a production run.

When asked if a sportier production Avalon model would be similar to the current Camry model's SE trim, Stephens quickly and decisively said, "No. It has to be more real." By "more real," Stephens means that a hotter Avalon would have to actually offer augmented performance. A production supercharged model? Highly unlikely. A performance tune of the Avalon's 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 (268 horsepower, 248 pound-feet of torque) is more plausible, along with a reworked suspension and appropriate visuals. With the 2013 model's switch to electric power steering, it would also be easy to remap the wheel's turn-in and weight.

The Georgetown, Kentucky-built Avalon hits dealers this fall in both standard and hybrid flavors. If given the green light, a performance will probably take another couple of years.

Toyota seriously considering sporty Avalon originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/31/toyota-seriously-considering-sporty-avalon/

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition Debuts as Tribute to U.S. Military Members

2012 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition - Front SidePress Release: New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Freedom Edition Debuts as Tribute to U.S. Military Members - New Wrangler Freedom edition harkens back to Jeep brand’s military roots - Red, White and Blue Wrangler Freedom edition now available in Jeep showrooms - All 2012 Jeep Wrangler models powered by 3.6-liter V-6 engine producing 285 horsepower, with fuel economy up to 21 mpg - $250 from each Wrangler Freedom edition sold to be donated to military charities - Chrysler Group LLC offers a $500 cash allowance to eligible consumers through its ‘Military Bonus Consumer Cash’ program - Jeep Wrangler ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2012-jeep-wrangler-freedom-edition

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