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AUTO REVIEW: 2019 Genesis G70 2.0 — The Luxury Brand’s BMW 3-Series Fighter
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The all-new G70 is a great vehicle to attract a youthful clientele to the brand. The midsize G80 and the flagship G90 are great vehicles, but they’re not going to capture the buyers the brand desperately needs. The G70 is a step in the right direction. It seems to be a well-built sedan that is on par with the competition in terms of the pricing, the styling, the warranty and the luxury accoutrements.
By Jeff Fortson of JeffCars.com, NNPA Newswire Contributor
Highlight: The G70 shares underpinnings with Kia’s hatchback-like Stinger.
Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $45,895 (Base model: $35,895)
Seating Capacity: 4 (limited rear seating)
Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; vehicle stability control system; a hillstart assist control system; a forward collision avoidance assist system with pedestrian detection; a lane keep assist system; a blind spot collision warning system with a rear traffic cross alert system; a radar activated stop and go cruise control system; an automatic high beam assist headlights; heated outside mirrors; an electronic parking brake; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; a rearview camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system
Standard Equipment (2.0 RWD): 18-inch wheels; daytime running lights; an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters; a start-stop fuel saving engine; twin tip exhaust pipes; a hands free trunk; a push button ignition system; power front seats; leather-like seats; a leather steering wheel; a manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel; and a dual automatic temperature control system
Options On Test Vehicle: (Elite) full LED headlights; navigation system; a parking distance warning system; power folding auto dimming outside mirrors; rain sensing wipers; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; heated/ventilated front seats; a panoramic roof; a 15-speaker audio system; leather seats; aluminum trim (Prestige)a heads up display system; a surround view monitor; Nappa leather seats; heated rear seats; a microfiber suede headliner (Dynamic) 19-inch wheels with summer tires and limited-slip differential (Sport)sport wheels; Copper headlight bezel accents; dark tint taillight covers; alloy pedals; and dark chrome grille and window trim
Other Trim Level:
- 0-liter turbo AWD
- 3 –liter turbo RWD
- 3-liter turbo AWD
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker AM/FM/HD SiriusXM
Android And CarPlay: Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes
USB Connectivity: Yes
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/252-hp
Recommended Fuel: Premium
Standard Fuel Mileage: 22-city/30-hwy
What’s New: This is Genesis’ newest compact entry and last car to join the line up, before a wave of much needed crossovers start to trickle in, making this a full-fledged luxury brand. The G70 is designed to go head-to-head with the likes of BMW’s iconic 3-Series.
Why: The newest rear wheel drive compact, luxury sedan joins a field, which is well established and fiercely competitive, as consumer car buying habits shift toward SUVs, crossovers and trucks.
The all-new G70 is available in a rear wheel drive and an all-wheel drive configuration. Depending on the trim, the stylish vehicle, which wears the brand’s signature grille, is available with a manual transmission. The Korean-built luxury vehicle, which shares a platform with Kia’s Stinger, is available with two powertrains: a 4-cylinder 252-horspower engine or a 6-cylinder 365-horsepower engine. For those seeking an engaging driving experience, we recommend stepping up to the more powerful 6-cylinder engine. We believe it will showcase all the attributes of this Korean-built sedan.
Just like its two older siblings, the G80 and the G90, the layout of the gauges and infotainment system are user friendly and well thought out. Unlike some of its German competitors, an owner’s manual or hours of training aren’t required to master the use of the features.
The base G70, which has a starting price in the mid thirties, is priced at the lower end of the luxury compact segment. However, even with that being the case, the vehicle does not skimp on amenities. At this affordable price point, the vehicle includes 3 years of maintenance, a lane keep assist system, an electronic blind spot system and a lane changing system. And for those seeking more luxury or just to alter the look and ride of the vehicle, buyers can add-on everything from a panoramic roof to heated rear seats to a navigation system to 19-inch wheels to real Nappa leather seats.
The G70 we reviewed was also outfitted with a variety of driving modes, too. The modes range from economy to sport. As one alters the driving modes, they’ll notice a difference in the handling characteristics of this Genesis.
But: The rear legroom in this compact sedan is virtually non-existent. The cozy rear seating area is not designed for tall adults or growing kids. This vehicle is definitely more suitable for singles or a couple.
We also found the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo to be somewhat underwhelming and underpowered. A sporty looking vehicle should have a powertrain to support it. However, if power isn’t high on your wish list, the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder is more than adequate. While we’ve yet to experience a G70 outfitted with the available 6-cylinder engine, we have spent some time behind the wheel of the performance oriented engine in a 2018 Kia Stinger GT. The engine complimented the bold design and did not feel sluggish like the 4-cylinder engine.
Moreover, the optional extremely dark auto-dimming outside mirrors was somewhat distracting, when changing lanes at dusk. The engineering team needs to reconfigure the tint. What should be a safety feature to reduce glare could be considered a safety hazard.
We also found the front driver’s seat lacking support, with its flat bottom. The Hyundai-like infotainment system lacked an app for traffic and accident updates. And, where is the heating steering wheel to compliment the heated front seats? The heated steering wheel is available with the all wheel drive package. Go figure? We must also add that the navigation system is also an optional feature, too.
Verdict: With this being the final car to join the Genesis portfolio, expect the brand to finally get into the game of launching what the market is asking for – crossovers and SUVs.
The all-new G70 is a great vehicle to attract a youthful clientele to the brand. The midsize G80 and the flagship G90 are great vehicles, but they’re not going to capture the buyers the brand desperately needs. The G70 is a step in the right direction. It seems to be a well-built sedan that is on par with the competition in terms of the pricing, the styling, the warranty and the luxury accoutrements.
Competition: Alfa Romero Giulia; Audi A4; BMW 3 Series; Infiniti Q50; Jaguar XE; Lexus IS; and Mercedes-Benz C Class
About Jeff Fortson And JeffCars.com: Jeff Fortson is the host of SiriusXM’s “Auto Trends with JeffCars.com.” It is a weekly multicultural automotive show, which includes in-depth conversations with today’s influencers and pioneers. For air times, a new-vehicle pricing configurator, used car-buying tips, a car payment calculator and more, cruise over to JeffCars.com.
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IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, activist Ramona Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
Once upon a time, Black Americans were simply known as colored people, or Negroes. That is until Ramona Edelin came along. The activist, renowned for her pivotal roles in advancing civil rights, education reform, and community empowerment, died at her D.C. residence last month at the age of 78. Her death, finally confirmed this week by Barnaby Towns, a communications strategist who collaborated with Dr. Edelin, was attributed to cancer.
Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.
Edelin’s contributions to academia and activism were manifold. She was pivotal in popularizing the term “African American” alongside Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in the late 1980s.
Jackson had announced the preference for “African American,” speaking for summit organizers that included Dr. Edelin. “Just as we were called Colored, but were not that, and then Negro, but not that, to be called Black is just as baseless,” he said, adding that “African American” “has cultural integrity” and “puts us in our proper historical context.”
Later, Edelin told Ebony magazine, “Calling ourselves African Americans is the first step in the cultural offensive,” while linking the name change to a “cultural renaissance” in which Black Americans reconnected with their history and heritage.
“Who are we if we don’t acknowledge our motherland?” she asked later. “When a child in a ghetto calls himself African American, immediately he’s international. You’ve taken him from the ghetto and put him on the globe.”
The HistoryMakers bio noted that Edelin’s academic pursuits led her to found and chair the Department of African American Studies at Northeastern University, where she established herself as a leading voice.
Transitioning from academia to advocacy, Edelin joined the National Urban Coalition in 1977, eventually ascending to president and CEO. During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Say Yes to a Youngster’s Future” program, which provided crucial support in math, science, and technology to youth and teachers of color in urban areas. Her biography noted that Edelin’s efforts extended nationwide through partnerships with organizations like the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Education.
President Bill Clinton recognized Edelin’s expertise by appointing her to the Presidential Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 1998. She also co-founded and served as treasurer of the Black Leadership Forum, solidifying her standing as a respected leader in African American communities.
Beyond her professional achievements, Edelin dedicated herself to numerous boards and committees, including chairing the District of Columbia Educational Goals 2000 Panel and contributing to the Federal Advisory Committee for the Black Community Crusade for Children.
Throughout her life, Edelin received widespread recognition for her contributions. Ebony magazine honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans, and she received prestigious awards such as the Southern Christian Leadership Award for Progressive Leadership and the IBM Community Executive Program Award.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.
The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
Tennessee State University (TSU), the state’s only public historically Black college and university (HBCU), faces a tumultuous future as Gov. Bill Lee dissolved its board, a move supported by racist conservatives and MAGA Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly, who follow the lead of the twice-impeached, four-times indicted, alleged sexual predator former President Donald Trump. Educators and others have denounced the move as an attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and a grave setback for higher education.
Critics argue that TSU’s purported financial mismanagement is a manufactured crisis rooted in decades of underinvestment by the state government. They’ve noted that it continues a trend by conservatives and the racist MAGA movement to eliminate opportunities for Blacks in education, corporate America, and the public sector.
Gevin Reynolds, a former speechwriter for Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizes in an op-ed that TSU’s financial difficulties are not the result of university leadership because a recent audit found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance.
Reynolds noted that the disbanding of TSU’s board is not an isolated incident but part of a broader assault on DE&I initiatives nationwide. Ten states, including Tennessee, have enacted laws banning DE&I policies on college campuses, while governors appointing MAGA loyalists to university trustee positions further undermine efforts to promote inclusivity and equality.
Moreover, recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.
The actions echo historical efforts to suppress Black progress, reminiscent of the violent backlash against gains made during the Reconstruction era. President Joe Biden warned during an appearance in New York last month that Trump desires to bring the nation back to the 18th and 19th centuries – in other words, to see, among other things, African Americans back in the chains of slavery, women subservient to men without any say over their bodies, and all voting rights restricted to white men.
The parallels are stark, with white supremacist ideologies used to justify attacks on Black institutions and disenfranchise marginalized communities, Reynolds argued.
In response to these challenges, advocates stress the urgency of collective action to defend democracy and combat systemic racism. Understanding that attacks on institutions like TSU are symptomatic of broader threats to democratic norms, they call for increased civic engagement and voting at all levels of government.
The actions of people dedicated to upholding the principles of inclusivity, equity, and justice for all will determine the outcome of the ongoing fight for democracy, Reynolds noted. “We are in a war for our democracy, one whose outcome will be determined by every line on every ballot at every precinct,” he stated.
The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy
May 24, 2023 – Walker West Music Academy gets an early start on expansion. Join us for a Wednesday episode of The …
The post Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
May 24, 2023 – Walker West Music Academy gets an early start on expansion. Join us for a Wednesday episode of The …
The post Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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