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Here’s When You (or Your Kids) Should Actually Take a Sick Day

September 5, 2024 Published by Marygrace Taylor

Well+Good

You wake up with congestion, some fatigue, maybe a headache. You’re not dying, but you obviously aren’t totally fine either. So how do you know when to stay home from work? (Or if this is all happening with your kid, how do you know when to pull them from school?)

It’s worth pointing out that “taking a sick day when necessary is crucial,” says Joel “Gator” Warsh, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City in Los Angeles. It gives you or your kid time to rest and get better while reducing the spread of germs to others in your community. “Additionally, prioritizing sick days fosters a culture that values self-care and consideration of others’ health, underlining the significance of putting well-being first,” he says.

All sounds great! But of course, there are real-world pressures and expectations to consider (not to mention sick day guilt). So, here’s exactly what you need to know about when to give yourself or your child a break.

When to stay home from work

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations on when to stay home if you’re sick with infections like the cold, flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Now, the go-to move is to just stay home anytime you have symptoms of a possible respiratory virus, including:

Chest discomfort
Chills
Coughing
Decrease in appetite
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Muscle or body aches
New loss of taste or smell
Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing
Sore throat
Vomiting
Weakness
Wheezing

You can go back to work once your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours and you haven’t had a fever, the CDC adds.

If you absolutely need to go to work, “you should stay away from others as much as possible and wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading germs,” says Robert Biernbaum, DO, chief medical officer at WellNow Urgent Care. And definitely draw a hard line at a fever or flu-like symptoms like fatigue, body aches, or chills, he adds. “A fever is the biggest indicator that you have an infection and you need to stay home.”

But honestly? It’s better to not push yourself. “It can be tempting to try to power through when you’re not feeling well, but it’s always important to make sure you’re not putting anyone else at risk, and that you’re giving your body enough time to rest and recover,” Dr. Biernbaum says.

When to call out sick when you work remotely

There can definitely be some murkiness about sick days when you’re WFH, since you don’t have to stress about spreading germs and can basically stay in bed if you need to. That said, your own wellbeing still counts here, so don’t ignore it.

“The most important thing is to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard. If your symptoms are impairing your ability to focus or participate in virtual meetings, or you feel mentally or physically exhausted, that’s an indication that you need to sign off for the day to get some rest and stay hydrated,” Dr. Biernbaum says.

When to keep kids home from school

The list of stay-home symptoms from the CDC applies to kids and adults. Basically, you should give your kid a sick day any time they have any signs of a possible respiratory virus, including:

It’s also a good idea to check with your child’s school to see if they have any specific procedures or guidelines around when and how long to keep kiddos home when they’re not feeling well.

As for when your kid or teen says they’re sick and need to stay home, but you think they might be faking? “Children may exaggerate their symptoms to avoid attending school, however, there are ways to determine if they genuinely need time off: Observe for consistent symptoms,” Dr. Warsh says.

In other words, check to see if their complaints line up with their actions. If they say they have a sore throat or a tummy ache but they’re still eating and playing normally, they’re probably not actually sick.

That’s not to say something isn’t going on. Chances are your kid is feeling anxious or stressed about something, Dr. Warsh says. Take it as your sign to invite them to talk about what might be on their mind and brainstorm other ways to cope besides staying home.

When to go to the doctor

Have a mild cough or cold? You can probably manage at home and be back on your feet within a couple of days. But give your doctor a call if things start to get worse, recommends the Mayo Clinic. Think: A fever over 101°F that doesn’t break after three days, a fever going away and then coming back, shortness of breath, wheezing, or intense headache or sinus pain.

The threshold’s a little different for kids. Call the pediatrician if your child has a fever for more than two days or if they have severe coughing, wheezing or trouble breathing, ear pain, unusual fussiness or fatigue, or no interest in eating. You should also seek immediate medical care for infants 12 weeks and younger who have a fever of 100.4°F or greater, the Mayo Clinic recommends.

VW Has “One, Maybe Two Years” To Save Brand, Finance Boss Warns

September 5, 2024 Published by Chris Chilton

Carscoops

VW’s finance chief has warned that it only has “one, maybe two years” to turn the main Volkswagen brand around.

Arno Antlitz spelled out the serious nature of VW’s situation to workers during a meeting at the firm’s Wolfsburg HQ, telling them sales wouldn’t return to pre-COVID levels.

The automaker says it will have to close two plants – the first closures in its history – to cut costs in the face of a 500,000-unit reduction in annual demand.

Look past the cheery “Golf is 50!” celebrations and you’ll find plenty of glum faces at VW. The automaker is in trouble and today its chief bean counter spelled out exactly how much trouble. Arno Antlitz warned that VW only has “one, maybe two” years to turn the main Volkswagen brand around.

Volkswagen Group’s chief financial officer made the comments during a meeting at the firm’s Wolfsburg HQ attended by other suits including CEO Oliver Blume. Also present were hundreds of workers angry and concerned at hearing of VW’s plans revealed earlier in the week to close two plants to cut costs.

Antlitz explained to those present that the European car market had contracted since the pandemic and was unlikely to return to heady pre-Covid levels any time soon, Reuters reports. That drop in demand – and slower than anticipated EV take-up – means VW will sell around 500,000 fewer cars in a year, and gives it a maximum of two years to cut output and reduced costs to steady the ship.

Earlier this week VW informed its works council of plans to shutter two plants. They would be the first time the automaker has closed a factory in its entire history. One of the plants would be a carmaking facility and the other a parts plant, The Guardian says.

VW’s employees in Germany are naturally furious about the closure talk, and the IG Metall union has not ruled out strike action. But Europe isn’t the only region causing VW a headache.

“There are no more cheques coming from China,” Reuters reports CEO Oliver Blume telling those at the Wolfsburg meeting, a reference to VW’s struggles to compete with increasingly competent and well-priced rival EVs in the Asian country that was once a cash cow for Wolfsburg. But Blume insisted that a few job losses today could prevent a ton more tomorrow.

“The automotive industry has changed massively in the volume segment in just a few years,” Blume said, per The Guardian. “Together, we will implement appropriate measures to become more profitable. We are leading VW back to where the brand belongs – that is the responsibility of all of us.”

Renault R17 Electric Restomod Nails Retro Design With Modern Twist

September 5, 2024 Published by Brad Anderson

Carscoops

Renault has created an all-electric restomod version of its classic 1970s 17 coupe.

Built on a carbon fiber chassis, the coupe features a new powertrain and custom bodywork.

Designed with Ora Ito, the R17 will make its world premiere at October’s Paris Motor Show.

If small workshops and garages can restore and modify classics with brilliant results, Renault has set out to prove that a major OEM can do the same, creating an all-electric restomod version of the Renault 17 coupe from the 1970s.

To bring the design of the 17 into the modern world, Renault worked hand-in-hand with French designer Ora Ito. While the car has similar proportions to the original coupe, all of the bodywork has been changed. It perfectly blends new with old and although it’d be a fitting and unique addition to the existing Renault family, it sadly isn’t heading to production.

Read: New Dacia And Renault 4 To Debut In Paris, Will Be Joined By Alpine Concept

The body of the coupe is finished in Galactic Brown, perfect for a restomod based around a ‘70s classic. Gone are the four circular headlights of the original, and sitting in their place are thin LEDs with a subtle yellow tint. The switch to electric propulsion has also allowed Renault and Ito to eliminate the traditional front grille, opting instead for a small, flat panel.

We’re particularly fond of the R17’s thin A-pillars and tiny wing mirrors, both reflective of the original model that inspired this one-off. The wheels are also a sight to behold, as are the louvers directly behind the side windows.

The interior is a work of art. A two-spoke steering wheel with a flat top and flat bottom wrapped in fabric immediately stands out. There’s also wooden trim across the dash and like the original Renault 17, four prominent gauges in front of the driver. The key difference is that these digital gauges are now square, and each features a small screen with red graphics. A larger screen serves as the infotainment display. Renault then wrapped the seats in a combination of brown leather and white fabric.

No restomod would be complete without some serious mechanical changes. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder driving the front wheels has been replaced by a 270 hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. The car is also built around a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and tips the scales at 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs).

“I wanted to drape Renault 17 in a second skin, showcasing the design while giving it a more contemporary look in terms of flow, dynamics and rationality through my own approach to design and my own signature: simplexity,” Ora Ito said when describing the car. “I wanted to simplify the more complex aspects.”

Renault plans to display the car at several events this year, including next month’s Paris Motor Show.

Ford F-750 Driver Ignores Weight Limits, Crashes Through Maine’s Oldest Covered Bridge

September 5, 2024 Published by Thanos Pappas

Carscoops

Babb’s Bridge in Maine has a hole in its floor after an overweight truck tried to cross.

The Ford F-750, estimated at 30,000 lbs over the bridge’s weight limit, caused the damage.

The driver sustained minor injuries, but repairs to the historic bridge will take time.

A historic covered bridge in Maine was dealt a significant blow when the driver of a loaded Ford F-750 decided to play fast and loose with the warning signs and attempted to cross. The wooden structure’s floor couldn’t handle the weight, giving way and creating a gaping hole. Local authorities were forced to close the bridge indefinitely.

The incident happened on Friday, August 23, at Babb’s Bridge, which spans the Presumpscot River and connects Gorham and Windham. As one of Maine’s oldest and few remaining covered bridges, Babb’s Bridge has seen a lot—though likely not quite as much as it did that day.

More: Man Damages 2,500-Year-Old Tree By Driving Nissan Armada Through It

A few seconds after its wheels touched the wooden floor, the truck fell through, plummeting into the river. The driver somehow escaped with only minor injuries, and fortunately, no one else was hurt in the fall. The heavy vehicle was later towed out with the help of a crane, revealing significant damage to its bodywork.

According to the Gorham Police Department, the Ford F-750 was loaded with crushed gravel. The Maine State Police told the Portland Press Herald that the driver was slapped with a $2,500 citation for driving a 36,000-pound truck across Babb’s Bridge—well over the wooden structure’s weight limit of 3 tons (6,613 pounds).

Gorham PD

As The Drive points out, while the bridge itself doesn’t bother with weight limit signs—just a max clearance height for good measure—there are perfectly clear warnings on both ends of Hurricane Road. Feel free to check Google Maps if you need proof that reading signs is still a thing.

We don’t know why the driver ignored the signs about the permitted weight, as it was clear he was never going to make it across the bridge. The truck company offered to help with the cost of the repairs—which, unsurprisingly, aren’t going to be cheap.

Google Maps

The Babb’s Bridge in Gorham, Maine, was originally built in 1840. The current structure, however, is a replica constructed in the 1970s using historically-authentic techniques after the original was destroyed by vandals. It was reopened to traffic in 1976.

Following the recent incident, locals are determined to restore the bridge to its original condition, no matter the cost. It is estimated that the road will remain closed until spring, giving enough time to source period-correct lumber and repair the damaged structure. In the meantime, the roughly 360 drivers who used the bridge for their daily commute will have to find alternate routes.

Gorham Police Department

New Dacia And Renault 4 To Debut In Paris, Will Be Joined By Alpine Concept

September 4, 2024 Published by Michael Gauthier

Carscoops

The Paris Motor Show kicks off next month and it will be packed with debuts.

Renault will introduce the 4 EV, while Dacia unveils a new C-segment vehicle.

Alpine and Renault will also show new concepts.

The auto show calendar has taken a beating in the past few years, but the Paris Motor Show will return next month. It promises to be jam-packed with debuts as the Renault Group has announced plans to show seven world premieres as well as two concepts.

The company is keeping details under wraps, but confirmed plans to unveil the Renault 4 EV as well as a mysterious concept. The latter promises to embody the “brand’s future in terms of sustainability and decarbonization.”

More: Renault 4 EV Spied As The 5’s Crossover Sibling

Renault Pro+ will showcase a concept that previews their next-generation of vans. It will be joined by a Master H2-Tech prototype, which runs on hydrogen.

Dacia will promote its entire lineup as well as a “new vehicle to launch its offensive in the C-segment.” The brand didn’t elaborate, but they previously confirmed plans to launch a production version of the Bigster concept in 2025. A prototype was spied a few months ago and it looks like a supersized Duster.

Dacia Bigster

Alpine will introduce an electric “show car” that foreshadows the “next Dream Garage vehicle.” The company will also display an Alpenglow Hy6 prototype, which features a six-cylinder hydrogen-combustion engine.

Last but not least, Mobilize will unveil the production Bento and Duo. The former is a “micro-utility vehicle for urban and suburban environments,” while the latter is an electric quadricycle that can be driven without a license.

We can expect to learn more closer to the event, which kicks off on October 14, but the company seemingly downplayed the Renault Pro+ van concept. This could indicate the automaker is simply planning to show the U1st Vision concept, which debuted earlier this year, but that remains unconfirmed.

Renault 4

Lamborghini Temerario Is A 907 HP Triple-Motor PHEV That Vibrates To Get You Excited

August 17, 2024 Published by Carscoops

Lamborghini has revealed its Huracan replacement, the V8-hybrid Temerario, at Monterey Car Week.
The AWD plug-in hybrid supercar features three electric motors, revs to 10,000 rpm, and develops 907 hp.
Zero to 62 mph drops from 2.9 to 2.7 seconds despite the curb weight ballooning by almost 600 lbs.

Lamborghini’s baby supercar is all grown up. The Huracan is dead, its place in the lineup taken by the all-new Temerario: a triple-motor V8 PHEV supercar with almost 45 percent more power than the mid-engined V10 machine it replaces.

The Huracan, which debuted way back in 2013, stuck close to the template laid down by the earlier Gallardo, but the car world has changed beyond recognition in the last 10 years, so the Temerario is a very different animal, even if it doesn’t necessarily look it.

Lamborghini’s determination to cut emissions while boosting power, and electrify every model in its portfolio, means the Huracan’s 5.2-liter V10 had to be pensioned off and a turbocharged replacement drafted in. When Ferrari did the same to its naturally-aspirated V8s in the middle of the last decade the result was an engine with masses more power and torque, but one that sounded much less fun and lost 1,000 rpm from its redline. Lamborghini was determined not to make the same mistake.

So yes, the Temerario’s V8 gives away two cylinders and some turbo-free purity to the mill whose shoes it fills. But Lamborghini didn’t take the easy option and dropped in a hotted-up version of the same 4.0-liter cross-plane crank V8 used in countless other VW Group products, including its own Urus SUV.

Two turbos, 10,000 revs

Lamborghini Temerario Is A 907 HP Triple-Motor PHEV That Vibrates To Get You Excited

Instead, the Temerario gets its own twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. It shares a hot-vee turbo configuration with the Urus V8, but only the Temerario’s engine gets a proper supercar-style flat-plane crank. And while the ordinary VW Group’s V8 has a perfectly square 86 x 86 mm bore-to-stroke ratio, this new L411-code V8 has a 90 mm bore and 78.5 mm (3.54 x 3.09 in) stroke – one of the key reasons it’s able to wind to a crazy 10,000 rpm.

That would be an insane speed for most naturally aspirated engines, but it’s unheard of for a production turbo motor. Lamborghini promises the new V8 sounds more exciting than most turbo engines do, and even says it’s purposely designed with some vibrations that pass through to the car body and seats from the engine to intensify the sensory experience.

And to make sure that you get to kiss that five-digit limiter again and again without the Temerario‘s engine doing its best nail-bomb impression, this new L411 V8 has a bunch of trick materials and technologies designed to withstand huge rotational forces. Stuff like a motorsport-grade cast aluminum crankcase, titanium conrods, and valve followers coated in something called DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) and built to be safe at 11,000 rpm.

907 hp and no turbo lag

The combustion engine alone makes 789 hp (800 PS) from 9,000-9,750 rpm, compared with 631 hp (640 PS) at 8,000 rpm for the old Huracan Evo. Torque? The V8’s turbo-assisted 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) wipes the floor with the old V10’s 443 lb-ft (600 Nm), even without factoring in the powertrain’s three 110 kW (148 hp / 150 PS) electric motors.

Two live up front to make the Temerario all-wheel drive and provide a torque vectoring function, while also turning it into a front-wheel drive EV in Citta (city) mode. A third motor mounted between the V8 and the new eight-speed transmission functions as a starter generator and fills in the torque curve with up to 221 lb-ft (300 Nm), supposedly masking any turbo lag.

All told, the powertrain delivers a massive 907 hp (920 PS), which means it outmuscles the Ferrari 296 GTB (819 hp / 830 PS) and both McLaren’s Artura (671 hp / 680 PS) and 750S (740 hp / 750 PS). But a bit like a gym rat’s dirty bulk, plenty of flab has been added along with that new muscle.

No lightweight

The Temerario weighs 3,726 lbs (1,690 kg), which is a a hefty 592 lbs (268 kg) more than the Huracan LP640 Evo, and 485 lbs (220 kg) over the Ferrari 296’s claimed mass. True, the Ferrari is rear-wheel drive, so it ought to be lighter, but Lamborghini says its electric front axle weighs just 161 lbs (73 kg), so the Temerario looks undeniably tubby.

Not that you’d know it from the way it gets off the line. Lamborghini says the Temerario fires to 62 mph (100 kmh) in 2.7 seconds, compared to 2.9 seconds for its predecessor, and the top speed climbs from 202 mph (325 kmh) to 213 mph (343 kmh). But a small increase in the 100-0 km/h braking distance from 31.9 to 32 m is a reminder that there’s more mass to manage this time around.

If the powertrain spec makes the Temerario sound like a shrunken, less extreme version of the V12 Revuelto, the exterior design supports that take. Though the silhouettes are similar and both have high, center-mounted exhausts, the chiselled Temerario’s front and side air intake designs are less flamboyant, and its slim LED headlights run horizontally across the nose rather than being swept back.

Family ties, engineering differences

The differences between the V12 and V8 supercars are more than visual. While the Revuelto is built around a carbon fiber chassis, the Temerario employs an aluminum spaceframe construction, like the Huracan before it. The new car’s 104.7-inch (2,658 mm) wheelbase is 4.8 inches (121 mm) shorter than its big brother’s, but 1.5 inches (38 mm) longer than the Huracan’s, which improves legroom compared with the old car, and Lamborghini says there’s more headroom too, so even tall drivers can wear helmets required at track events.

Inside, the Temerario looks the spit of its older sibling. There’s the same dash layout with a configurable digital gauge cluster, portrait touchscreen, and a starter button on the console hidden under a red fighter jet cover. And the flat-bottom steering wheel with its drive mode selector and EV button is identical. Drivers have a choice of four driving modes: Citta, Strada, Sport Corsa, and Corsa Plus, the last of those turning off the ESP.

There’s also a drift mode with three settings to suit different levels of oversteer expertise. Should you want to share your drift prowess or fancy playing at automotive YouTuber you can record the action using the triple-camera Lamborghini Vision Unit, which records footage of the road, the occupants, and an over-the-shoulder view from the rear firewall. The Temerario also logs telemetry data if let loose on any one of 150 circuits around the world, and can even combine it with the driver’s heart rate readings if they have an Apple watch.

Short-range EV

Driving in EV mode will keep your heart rate low, but not for long. Lamborghini doesn’t give a range figure but does tell us the battery has a tiny 3.8 kWh capacity, so you’re probably only going to get a couple of miles (3.5 km) down the road before the V10 cuts in. The lighter Ferrari 296 has twice the battery capacity and has a real-world EV range of about 7-10 miles (11-16 km) against a claimed 15 miles (24 km).

Topping the Temerario up takes 30 mins using a 7 kW supply, or the V8 can do the job for you on the move if you switch from Hybrid to Recharge mode. You’ll have to sacrifice a few horses though – engaging Recharge cuts the power to 715 hp (725 PS), though that’s still a lot more appealing than the 187 hp (190 PS) available in EV mode.

Get ready for Spyders, track versions and more

This first Temerario – as with the Revuelto, there’s no traditional LP suffix – is just the start, and we can expect Spyder roadsters and lightweight track-focused versions to follow in the next few years. Speaking to Carscoops back in May, Lamborghini’s R&D chief Rouven Mohr also suggested that a lighter, simpler rear-wheel drive variant was on the cards again. That sounds like a great match-up for the RWD Ferrari 296.

And just as Ferrari gave 296 buyers the option of a racier Assetto Fiorano configuration from launch that gives a taste of the true hardcore version that’ll come later, Lamborghini offers its Temerario customers an ‘Alleggerita’ (lightweight) package. Consisting of a CFRP composite rear deck panel, undertray, and body kit, it saves a fairly inconsequential (given the curb weight) 28 lbs (12.7 kg), but does boost the Temerario’s 103 percent improvement in rear downforce versus the old Huracan Evo to 158 percent.

And if you’re determined to lighten both the Temerario and your wallet as much as possible, a Lightweight Pack for the interior brings carbon door panels, slimmer rear window glass, and polycarbonate side panes. Combine that with the optional carbon diffuser, carbon wheels, and titanium exhaust, and the Alleggerita kit and you can cut more than 55 lbs (25 kg) from the curb weight.

Lamborghini hasn’t revealed prices for the Temerario, but considering all the additional power, performance, and tech it delivers compared with the $250k Huracan, we’re expecting a price close to the $342k Ferrari asks for the 296 GTB. Which would you buy? Drop a comment below and let us know.

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Toddlers Miraculously Survive Ejection In Jeep Rollover Crash

August 16, 2024 Published by Carscoops

According to the police, the diaper-wearing kids were not strapped into anything when the vehicle crashed

A major crash involving two young occupants took place at the Interstate 10 in Texas.
The kids, aged 1 and 4, were ejected from a rolling Jeep due to not being restrained.
The toddlers and their father were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A horrifying video of two young kids on diapers crawling on a Texas highway after a serious accident left viewers stunned. The toddlers miraculously survived without serious injuries, despite being ejected from a rolling vehicle.

The accident took place on the Interstate 10’s East Freeway at Freeport, on Sunday, August 11. It involved two vehicles which appear to be a silver Jeep Wrangler and a white sedan. Following the collision, the Jeep flipped over several times before resting on its roof. Video footage from the scene shows two toddlers sitting on the tarmac, about a hundred yards from the overturned off-roader.

More: Ford Mustang Driver Turns Idaho Home Into Drive-Thru

In the video, we can see the diaper-wearing toddlers trying to stand up and walk, while an individual approaches the youngest and another person runs towards the oldest. There is no information on whether they suffered external or internal injuries, but local media report they were transported to the hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

According to the police, the kids, aged 1 and 4, were ejected from the Jeep due to not being properly restrained in child seats, as required by law. Speaking to KPRC 2, Deputy Thomas Gilliland said that the toddlers were “sitting at the back of the vehicle, not strapped into anything”.

Harris County Sheriff, Ed Gonzalez, published the following announcement on X: “HCSO Texas Deputies responded to a major crash on the main lanes of the East Freeway at Freeport. A two-car crash where one of the cars flipped over several times causing ejection. The car was occupied by one adult and two children. They are being transported to a hospital. No reported injuries to the occupants in the other car.”

The video went viral on social media, causing a backlash against the adult occupant of the Jeep who is said to be the father of the kids. Commenters accused them for endangering the welfare of the young children by not taking the necessary safety measures during their transport.

Other were relieved that the toddlers survived the accident, as things could have been a lot worse if the angle of the crash was slightly different or the incoming traffic didn’t stop on time. Hopefully, the driver will face the consequences of their actions and the kids will recover fast.

transported to a hospital. No reported injuries to the occupants in the other car.

The e/b (outbound) main lanes are currently shut down to one lane. The e/b service road at Freeport is shut down.

2/2 #HouNews

— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 12, 2024

Opening Gif: New York Post / YouTube

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This E39 BMW 5-Series With M4 Nostrills is About To Ruin Your Childhood

July 30, 2024 Published by Carscoops

The E39 5-Series is the last car that should be tainted with modern BMW kidney grilles

Unici Design grafts an M4 grille onto a 1999 BMW E39 Touring.
The prototype features widebody modifications and is set to hit the market soon.
The internet is divided on the radical transformation of the classic wagon.

The BMW E39 is widely considered one of the most iconic generations of the 5-Series, but one US tuner clearly thinks it needs a jolt of modernity. Unici Design has taken the radical step of grafting the G81 M4’s infamous oversized kidney grille onto an E39 Touring, and topped it off with a full-blown widebody kit.

The project began with a few viral renderings showcasing the bold transformation. After many hours of work, the digital model has become a real-life prototype, albeit still in development. Notably, Unici Design doesn’t plan for this radical E39 to be a one-off; they aim to bring the kit to market.

More: Bangle-Era BMW E60 5-Series Gets A Double Coffin Grille Conversion

The donor car for the prototype is a 1999 BMW 528i Touring. The kit features a custom-made front bumper with M4-inspired kidney grilles and intakes, along with a matching hood. The original E39 headlights are retained but partially obscured by the new hood. Unici Design plans to upgrade the halogen units with LED graphics, aiming to make the car look less like a heavily modified Dodge Charger LD.

The tuner also intends to slap on wide fender extensions, a double spoiler on the tailgate, and some fake vents over the rear glass. Air suspension or KW coilovers will fine-tune the stance, topped off with a set of aftermarket alloy wheels.

This E39 BMW 5-Series With M4 Nostrills is About To Ruin Your Childhood

The resulting model (right) is a BMW E39 5-Series with G81 M4 (left) styling cues.

The prototype is set to be completed in the coming months. Crafting the entire bodykit by hand is a labor-intensive process. Once finished, Unici Design will announce pricing and availability for the tuning kit.

We’ll be glued to Unici Design’s Instagram to see if this controversial creation finds any takers. The internet is a divided house on this one, with equal parts adoration and abhorrence. All we have to say is while the result is undebatably unique, it is definitely not an improvement over the timeless look of a stock E39 5-Series.

The G80 M3 and G81 M4’s gargantuan grilles ignited a firestorm among BMW enthusiasts in 2020. Curiously, BMW resisted the urge to slap the same monstrosity on the G90 M5 or any other M car, only doubling down on the divisive design with the facelifted M3 and M4.

Opening GIF: Unici Design / Instagram

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Walmart+ is offering 50% off memberships — but you’ll want to act fast

July 8, 2024 Published by Caroline Tanner

The Points Guy

Ahead of Prime Day, one of Amazon’s main competitors, Walmart, is offering half off a Walmart+ membership for the next 10 days.

The deal for a discounted Walmart+ membership at $49 for one year is valid for purchase through July 18.

Deal basics

WALMART.COM

What is Walmart+?

Walmart+ is Walmart’s subscription program. It offers select perks to its members, including free deliveries, gas savings from Walmart, Exxon and Mobil, member-exclusive discounts; and Paramount+ access.

New users can sign up for a free 30-day trial, or you can join the program for $12.95 per month or pay $98 for an annual subscription. However, this program is available for half off ($49) through this link from now through noon EDT on July 18.

Those with The Platinum Card® from American Express can receive a statement credit for a Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal). Using your card to pay for the membership will result in a credit of up to $12.95 per month plus applicable taxes. Walmart InHome Plus Up benefits are not eligible.

Bottom line

In addition to many membership perks, Walmart+ subscribers can access the annual Walmart+ Week, which usually takes place before Amazon Prime Day. This year, the sale ran from June 17 to 23 and included free express delivery, double savings on fuel and an additional 20% back in Walmart Cash on flights, hotels, car rentals and various activities booked through the Walmart+ Travel portal.

A South Carolina Sheriff Treated His Officers To 17 New Mustang GTs

July 8, 2024 Published by Chris Chilton

Carscoops

A South Carolina sheriff has bought 17 brand new 2024 Mustangs for his department.

Sheriff Leon Lott hopes the V8 powered GT fastbacks will help bring cops and the local community closer.

Lott has previously bought Camaros and Challengers for his team.

Cops often have to put up with a ton of abuse from angry citizens just for doing their jobs, but there are definitely upsides, particularly if you’re serving in the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina. The force’s Community Action Team (CAT) has just taken delivery of 17 brand new Mustang GTs.

While many police forces insist on spending their budgets only on sensible four-door sedans and SUVs, which the department already has, Sheriff Leon Lott has treated his CAT squad to a fleet of V8-powered 2024 Mustang GT fastbacks. He even ordered them without the the usual roof-mounted light bar system, and left the ‘5.0’ badges on the fenders in place.

Though a fleet of Ford Explorers – which Lott told The State would be no cheaper than the Mustangs – would offer many practical advantages over the two-door coupes, the pony cars have other strengths, and we don’t just mean that their 480 hp (487 PS) V8s haul them to 60 mph (97 kmh) in 4.2 seconds. Lott explains that he chose the cars to help build a stronger relationship between his cops and the community they serve.

“We’re not picking a car just because it’s a cool car to drive, but cool cars attract people to come and build a relationship with us,” Lott told The State. “These are hot cars. Kids and adults see them and like them, and then come up to the car and start talking to the deputy.”

This isn’t the first time Lott has splashed out on a fleet of cars that might motivate more than a few locals to join the police. After creating the CAT unit in 1998 to build links with the community that went beyond just responding directly to crimes, Lott ordered several fourth-generation Camaros, then switched to the Dodge Magnum and Challenger buying another squad of Camaros when Chevy resurrected its coupe in 2010.

Since both the Camaro and Challenger are now dead, the S650 Mustang was the logical place to sink his department’s dough, though images on the department’s Facebook page show that it still has at least one Camaro.

Earlier this year cops across the state line in North Carolina took delivery of their own army of 2024 Mustang GTs. The NC cop cars are slightly more conspicuous than Lott’s fleet due to the black paint being contrasted with silver sections on the sides and tail.

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