LA 2008: 2009 BMW 7 Series and Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid unveiled LIVE
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/la-auto-show/" rel="tag">LA Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170278/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/01_bmw_active_7er_opt.jpg " alt="" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 BMW 7 Series</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />We already knew pretty much everything there is to know about the U.S. 2009 7 Series, but BMW pulled the covers, both literally and symbolically, off its new range-topper right on schedule anyway. In person, the new 7 has much more presence than it appears to have in photos, with an eye-catching crease that runs the length of the car and incorporates the large protruding door handles. The only engine option at the time of launch is the twin-turbo 4.4L V8 that's capable of launching the big 7 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, but we'd be surprised if a force-fed 3.0L gas-powered inline-six didn't make an appearance sooner or later, as well. The Bavarian automaker also revealed that it has production plans for a hybrid 7 Series as previewed by its Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid and believes it can get it launched within a year. What's more, BMW made a big deal about its upcoming diesel technology, so we could definitely see an oil-burning 7 Series on our shores before too long.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><small /></span><br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/">LA 2008: BMW Concept 7-series ActiveHybrid</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170278/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/01_bmw_active_7er_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170279/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/02_bmw_active_7er_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170282/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/03_bmw_active_7er_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170294/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/04_bmw_active_7er_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170289/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/05_bmw_active_7er_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/">2009 BMW 750Li</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170438/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/101_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170478/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/105_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170477/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/106_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170481/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/107_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170483/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/108_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-7-series-activehybrid/">2009 BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-7-series-activehybrid/1170354/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/bmw_7_activehybrid_4_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-7-series-activehybrid/1170355/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/bmw_7_activehybrid_2_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-7-series-activehybrid/1170359/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/bmw_7_activehybrid_3_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-7-series-activehybrid/1170356/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/bmw_7_activehybrid_5_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-7-series-activehybrid/1170351/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/bmw_activehybrid_10_thumb nail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><small>Live Photos Copyright (C)2008 Jeremy Korzeniewski, Sebastian Blanco, Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.</small></span><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-2009-bmw-7-series-and-concept-7-series-activehybrid-unv/">LA 2008: 2009 BMW 7 Series and Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid unveiled LIVE</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:26:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-2009-bmw-7-series-and-concept-7-series-activehybrid-unv/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1377189/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-2009-bmw-7-series-and-concept-7-series-activehybrid-unv/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW M3 recalled over new double-clutch gearbox
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls/TSBs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/950165/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/09-m3_dct_opt.jpg" /></a>Dual clutch transmission... sounds complicated. And it is. Case in point: BMW's new DCT on its latest-generation M3. This new transmission from Munich is so complicated that apparently even BMW couldn't get it right the first time, so they're issuing a recall. The problem, as concluded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is that under hard braking the transmission's software is prone to initiate a multi-stage downshift, which could cause the car to stall. The solution, however, should be fairly simple, as BMW is asking all owners of 2008 or 2009 M3s equipped with the DCT (about 2,500 in the United States) to come in for a software update, free of charge, at their local dealership. After the software update, M3 owners can perform all the panic stops they want in smooth-shifting bliss.
<p> </p>
<p>The official recall notice can be viewed on the <a href="http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsummary.cfm?rcl_cam paign_id=08V595000&prod_i d=497847&moduletype=VEHIC LE&make=BMW&model=M3&veh_ model_year=2009&searchtyp e=DrillDown">NHTSA website</a>. <em>Thanks for the tip, TKE!</em></p>
<p><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/">2009 BMW M3 Facelift</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/950155/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/01_bmw-m3_facelift_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/950164/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/02_bmw-m3_facelift_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/950160/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/03_bmw-m3_facelift_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/950161/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/04_bmw-m3_facelift_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-m3-facelift/950159/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/05_bmw-m3_facelift_thumbnail.jpg " alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.co m/2008/11/bmw-recalls-brand-new-m3-with-double.html">Good Car Bad Car</a>]</p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-m3-recalled-over-new-double-clutch-gearbox/">BMW M3 recalled over new double-clutch gearbox</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.co m/2008/11/bmw-recalls-brand-new-m3-with-double.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-m3-recalled-over-new-double-clutch-gearbox/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1378123/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-m3-recalled-over-new-double-clutch-gearbox/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW Perfomance accessories goes live with new video
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/bmw-performance.jpg" alt="" /><br /><br />BMW Performance accessories is officially online with 32 upgrades Bimmer drivers, ranging from carbon fiber dress-up stuff to more serious bits like six-piston brakes with cross-drilled rotors or a carbon fiber suspension cross brace. Accessorizing BMW enthusiasts can also purchase form-fitting racing seats, a short-throw shifter, or even a steering wheel with an LED display that tracks lap times, acceleration, and top speed. <br /><br />BMW is so excited (and wants you to be similarly excited) about its performance parts that it created a video to help inspire owners to pull out their wallets and do some shopping. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-perfomance-accessories-goes-live-with-new-video/">Hit the jump</a> to see it for yourself, and crank up the speakers in time to hear the exhaust note coming from BMW's new sport muffler. <em>Thanks for the tip, Max!</em><br /><br />[Source:<a href="http://www.bmw.com/performance"> BMW</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/23/bmw-perfomance-accessories-goes-live-with-new-video/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>BMW Perfomance accessories goes live with new video</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/23/bmw-perfomance-accessories-goes-live-with-new-video/">BMW Perfomance accessories goes live with new video</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.bmw.com/performance>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/23/bmw-perfomance-accessories-goes-live-with-new-video/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1378156/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/23/bmw-perfomance-accessories-goes-live-with-new-video/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S.
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedans/Saloons</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/" rel="tag">Green</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/la-2008-bmw-concept-7-series-activehybrid/1170278/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/01_bmw_active_7er_opt.jpg " /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 BMW 7 Series</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />While we were <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-2009-bmw-7-series-and-concept-7-series-activehybrid-unv/">visiting with BMW</a> at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/la-auto-show/">LA Auto Show</a>, the automaker made a big deal about its diesel engines, suggesting that the oil-burners would be an alternative to hybrids in the United States just as they are in European countries. Although it wasn't initially in the plans for the U.S. market, BMW of America is getting some pressure from its dealerships to bring a diesel version of its range-topping 7 Series sedan, completely redesigned for 2009 and equipped with a twin-turbo 4.4L V8. That's an impressive engine no doubt, but after getting a drive in the Euro-market 730d, some dealers didn't even realize there was a different powerplant underhood. That bodes well for future diesels from BMW.<br /><br />Soon, the Bavarian automaker will import diesel versions of its 3 Series and X5 utility vehicle with a twin-turbo six cylinder engine. On average, a diesel-powered Bimmer is about 20-25% more efficient than its gasoline-fed sibling, so diesels make sense both for consumers looking to lower their fuel bills and also manufacturers needing to adjust their CAFE fuel mileage statistics. In other words, it may be more surprising if an automaker like BMW <em>didn't </em>announce that it was working on more diesel engines for America.<br />
<div class="postgallery">
<p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/">2009 BMW 750Li</a></strong></p>
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170438/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/101_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170478/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/105_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170477/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/106_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170481/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/107_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-bmw-750li/1170483/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/108_750li_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div>
<br />[Source: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20081124/ANA03/811240307/1114">Automotive News</a> - sub. req'd]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/bmw-considering-diesel-7-series-for-u-s/">BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S.</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autonews.com/article/20081124/ANA03/811240307/1114>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/bmw-considering-diesel-7-series-for-u-s/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1381482/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/bmw-considering-diesel-7-series-for-u-s/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorsports/" rel="tag">Motorsports</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/bmw/" rel="tag">BMW</a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/1184194/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatestlead2.jp g" alt="" /></a><br /><strong><em><small>Cli ck above for a gallery of the BMW M3 Racing Version</small></em></strong></p>
<p>Motorsports fans are eagerly anticipating the 2009 ALMS season where Ferrari, Porsche, Panoz, Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet and now BMW will be competing for the GT2 title. BMW Motorsport unveiled the new M3 racing program back in February of this year and have been developing the car in Europe since then. They recently handed off the car to Rahal Letterman Racing who tested the car this past week at Road Atlanta and are currently running laps at Sebring International Raceway. BMW also announced the first two drivers for the program, Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand, both of whom have extensive experience driving previous versions of the M3. Auberlen first drove for BMW in 1996 and won titles in 1997 and 2004. The M3 will make its 2009 racing debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 21. </p>
<p><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/">BMW M3 racecar testing at Road Atlanta</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/1184194/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_01_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/1184195/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_02_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/1184196/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_03_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/1184197/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_04_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-m3-racecar-testing-at-road-atlanta/1184198/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_05_thum bnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div></p>
<p>[Source: <a href="http://www.americanlemans.com/Gallery/Photos.aspx?ID=216&Galler yID=8">ALMS</a> via <a href="http://speedhunters.com/archive/2008/11/24/gallery-gt-gt-alms-m3-testing-at-road-atlanta.aspx">SpeedHunter s</a> and <a href="http://www.autofiends.com/index.php/2008/11/bmw-alms-m3-spotted-testing/">AutoFiends</a>]</p><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/rahal-letterman-racing-tests-new-m3-racer-at-road-atlanta-sebri/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/rahal-letterman-racing-tests-new-m3-racer-at-road-atlanta-sebri/">Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.americanlemans.com/Gallery/Photos.aspx?ID=216&Galler yID=8>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/rahal-letterman-racing-tests-new-m3-racer-at-road-atlanta-sebri/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1381945/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/24/rahal-letterman-racing-tests-new-m3-racer-at-road-atlanta-sebri/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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