Autobacs Super GT 2024 Series Round 2

It's May the 4th, which is known as Star Wars Day and also the penultimate day of this year's Golden Week, and the Autobacs Super GT 2024 Series with its second round in Fuji Speedway as the cars are wrapping up Golden Week with a golden opportunity of Super GT action.

Screengrab from Super GT

A 1-2 finish for the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 GT500 cars with the #3 Niterra Motul Z the winner and the #23 MOTUL AUTECH Z the second placer while the #17 Astemo CIVIC TYPE R-GT finished 3rd, the first podium finish for the new CIVIC TYPE R-GT racer. In the GT300 class, meanwhile, the #88 JLOC Lamborghini GT3 is the winner, while the #56 Realize Nissan Mechanic Challenge GT-R finished 2nd and the #52 Green Brave GR Supra GT finished 3rd.

The next round will be in Suzuka Circuit this June 2nd.

Let's Do The News! (May 4, 2024)

                                     

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Three were arrested and charged in Canada over last year's killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which triggered a diplomatic row with India.

- The British government was defeated in court again for not doing enough to meet climate targets and told it must redraft its emissions plan.

- Conservative Ben Houchen was re-elected as the mayor of Tees Valley despite the party's heavy losses demonstrated by the Labour Party's recent victory in mayoral races in York and North Yorkshire, which includes Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's constituency. Sources say that the Labour Party would have won 34% and the Conservatives 25% if local results were replicated across the entire UK.

- Kenya issued a warning that a powerful cyclone could be about to hit coastal areas.

- Spain's government announced that a national prize for bullfighting is to be abolished over animal welfare concerns.

- Rally driver Sebastien Ogier was granted knighthood by French President Emmanuel Macron.

- The F1 Academy docuseries is coming to Netflix this 2025. The docuseries will be produced by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine.

- BBC announced that the final episode of Gavin & Stacy will air this Christmas Day on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer. The series finale will be written by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who played the titular characters.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (May 3, 2024)

                                    

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The 10-day Balikatan exercises in the West Philippine Sea have been concluded. The Philippine Navy lauded the maritime drills with the US as a success despite threats from China.

- The DSWD will help jeepney drivers who cannot drive because of their opposition to the PUV modernization.

- The Bureau of Corrections is awaiting the commitment order of convicted businessman Cedric Lee. Last night, Cedric Lee surrendered after he, Deniece Cornejo, and two others were sentenced to life over the assault of IT'S SHOWTIME presenter Vhong Navarro.

- The Bureau of Immigration warns foreigners of penalties for bomb joke incidents.

- The Labour Party wins the Blackpool South by-election, taking the seat from the Conservatives in a blow for PM Rishi Sunak.

- Police officers broke down barricades to clear a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of California in Los Angeles. Overnight, hundreds of officers entered the site and by Thursday morning most protesters had gone. Demonstrations are continuing at dozens of universities across the US; there have been more than 1,000 arrests in total.

- Russia blamed for GPS interference affecting flights in Europe.

- The first-ever Renault Symbioz E-Tech Hybrid crossover was unveiled.

2025 Renault Symbioz

- Ferrari unveiled its newest V12 flagship super grand tourer, the 12 Cilindri. Available in coupe and Spider variants, the 12 Cilindri's 6.5L V12 engine produces 820bhp of power and 677Nm of torque, hitting a 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds and flat-out at 350kph.

2025 Ferrari 12 Cilindri

- Boy group TWS is preparing for their June comeback.

- The NCAA could pay more than $2.7B to settle antitrust suits, according to reports.

TTFN.

Volvo EX40 and EC40

Formerly known as the XC40 Recharge and the C40, the two electric crossovers from Volvo have been renamed as the EX40 and the EC40 as the Swedish carmaker's plans to become an EV-only brand have gone in full circle.

2025 Volvo EX40

2025 Volvo EC40

Although they look the same as the now-defunct XC40 Recharge and the C40, the first-ever EX40 and the EC40 are picking up where the recently deceased former selves left off in the name of mobility for all.

 

2025 Volvo EX40 interior

2025 Volvo EC40 interior

While the styling and the interior layout look and feel the same as the XC40 Recharge and the C40 it replaced, so does the boot space of up to 1286 liters for the EX40 and 1196 liters for the EC40, not to mention the driving feel between them, which in their case, civilized, relaxing, well-poised, and thanks to the most advanced safety features Volvo has championed, it's surprisingly safer as well, the EV powertrains saw a major shake-up with the addition of a new flagship version.

In addition to the 238PS rear-wheel-drive Single Motor and the 408PS all-wheel-drive Twin Motor variants, the EX40 and the EX40 received a new Performance variant where a special Performance drive mode bumped the 82kWh Twin Motor powertrain with an additional 34PS of power, bringing the power output of 442PS. It will go from 0-100kph in four and a half seconds and being a new-normal Volvo, the maximum permitted speed is 180kph. 

Asked about the driving range, the EX40 Twin Motor Performance variant is good for 538km while the EC40 Twin Motor Performance does 552km, which is more. Both can hit 80% in less than 30 minutes while charging at a 50kw DC charging station at a public place.

The EX40 starts at 607,000 kr while the EC40 starts at 625,000 kr plus additional costs. Both can be ordered online.

Even with the name change, the Volvo EX40 and the EC40 deserve some attention.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Let's Do The News! (May 2, 2024)

                                   

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- According to Philippine Coast Commodore Arnaldo Lim, the cost of damage to the PCG ship BRP Bagacay when it was hit by a water cannon by the Chinese Coast Guard on April 30th may reach up to P3 million. The Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese Embassy official while demanding the Chinese vessels to leave the Bajo de Masinloc.

- One to two cyclones may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this month. According to PAGASA, the first typhoon will make landfall before moving away from the Philippines. The second typhoon will cross Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, and CALABARZON before exiting the West Philippine Sea and then turning around until it is far away from the country.

- About 300 protesters were arrested at two New York City university campuses as police crackdown on Gaza protests overnight.

- Manchester's new Co-op Live arena canceled its opening again at the last minute, leaving fans dismayed. 

- Polls are open in England and Wales as voting begins in local elections. In local elections, voters in parts of England will elect councilors and mayors today. These elections are seen as a test of voters' opinions before the next general election later this year. Police and crime commissioners will also be chosen across England and Wales. Mayoral elections are taking place in London and nine other "metro" areas across England. Mayors will be chosen for the first time in the East Midlands, the North East, and York and North Yorkshire. Voters will also choose Salford's mayor, the city council's directly elected leader. A by-election is also being held in Blackpool South, where voters will elect a new MP. Many results will be announced overnight into Friday, May 3, with more expected to follow throughout Friday and Saturday.

- Georgia rocked by clashes over 'Russian-inspired' bill. The law requires organizations to state whether they are funded from abroad. Riot police in Tbilisi fired tear gas and water cannons into crowds protesting against a law seen by the opposition as targeting media freedoms. The protestors also say that they are concerned about the future of the country - whether it will be closer to Russia or the EU.

- The Red Bull F1 team confirmed Adrian Newey's departure in early 2025. Newey is recognized as the architect behind the team's six-time constructors' champions from Sebastian Vettel to Max Verstappen.

- Kia teases its upcoming EV6 minor change.

- LEGO unveiled the Lamborghini Vision Gran Turismo Speed Champions set, inspired by the said Vision Gran Turismo car.

- Seiyuu Suzuko Mimori announced that she's moving to the US. Mimori intends to continue her voice acting and singing career.

- ADOR released its in-depth statement in response to the HYBE issue.

- WNBA star Brittney Griner said in an interview with ABC's 20/20 that she thought about committing suicide during her first few weeks in a Russian jail after her 2022 arrest on drug-related charges. Griner's memoir, "Coming Home," is set to be released on May 7.

- Boxer Ryan Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.

- Cedric Lee, Deniece Cornejo, and two others are sentenced to reclusion perpetua after pleading guilty to the assault case filed by IT'S SHOWTIME presenter Vhong Navarro.

TTFN.

Second-generation Honda Vezel/HR-V - 2025MY minor change

The second-generation Honda Vezel, known across the Belt and Road Initiative as the HR-V, gained a minor change for the 2025 model year, keeping this best-seller fresh and perky having been on the road for three years.

2025 Honda Vezel

Starting at ¥2,648,800 plus additional costs, the facelifted second-generation Vezel saw some revisions to keep Honda's best-selling crossover ready for more, whatever the reason. 

2025 Honda Vezel

2025 Honda Vezel

Beginning on the outside, the facelift saw a revised front grille and bumper, resulting in an additional 10mm in length and a new rear taillight design. In addition to the normal Vezel, it can be kitted with two optional packages such as the PLaY Package which comes with a two-tone roof, blue accents on the side, and a tri-color accent on the right side of the revised grille, and the new HuNT Package which features copper accents at the front bumper.

2025 Honda Vezel interior

The interior is slightly revised for this minor change as demonstrated by the new front seat center console and that's about it. Apart from the black interior color offered on the normal Vezel, the PLaY Package features a Greige interior color as well as blue accents on the dashboard and door covers. In contrast, the HuNT Package features a Khaki x Navy interior color with FABTECT, a water and oilproof seat material. Good call.

2025 Honda Vezel

Like the pre-facelift, the Vezel features the 1.5L L15Z petrol engine, now exclusive to the 4WD variant, and the 1.5L e:HEV powertrain where the 1.5L LEC i-VTEC Atkinson Cycle engine is bolted to a 96kW H5 electric motor. Thanks to some minor recalibrations to the hybrid powertrain, the fuel economy has improved by 1km/L compared to the pre-facelift model, meaning it's got 26km/L based on WLTC Mode standards. The normal 1.5L petrol engine, available only in the G variant, is good for 15km/L.

Although the driving feel remains the same as the previous one, the new Vezel features an improved Honda Sensing suite of safety features ranging from CMBS, ACC, LKAS, Traffic Jam Assist, Sudden Acceleration Suppression Function, and Adaptive Driving Beam.

The second-generation Vezel is no doubt the best-selling Honda in the age of the new normal and with this minor change, there's more work to be done.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (May 1, 2024)

                                  

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Over a thousand workers gathered for a Labor Day protest in Manila. The protest went to a halt as protesters got blocked by police at Recto Avenue. This was the first time Labor Day protesters got blocked while they were far away and it didn't last a day due to hot weather.

- New York police entered the Columbia University campus and made arrests after Pro-Palestinian protestors took over and refused to leave the protest camp.

- Two people have been charged in connection with the fall of the Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian's Wall last September. Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, both from Cumbria, have been charged with criminal damage both to the tree and to the adjacent wall. They were arrested last October and have been on bail since then.

- Donald Trump was fined $9000 for violating a gag order imposed to stop him from attacking jurors or potential witnesses during his hush-money trial. Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges of falsifying business records but facing jail if he breaks the trial gagging order again

- The Colombian military loses millions of bullets.

- Aston Martin previewed its next-generation V12 Twin Turbo engine with 835PS of power and it will power its future supercar.

- The Bentley Bentayga received an Apex Edition by Mulliner. Limited to 20 units, the V8-powered SUV is armed with 22-inch carbon wheels and carbon ceramic brakes.

2024 Bentley Bentayga Apex Edition

- Millions stolen from Shohei Ohtani were funneled to a bookie from a casino in Las Vegas, according to reports.

- The Slamdance Film Festival will be moving to Los Angeles in 2025, weeks after the Sundance Film Festival mulling about leaving Park City, Utah, for a new venue.

TTFN.