My FH5 Log: Operation Horizon Music Hour

The Audi TT is 25 years old and it's set for its impending euthanasia, which saddens most fanatics of this car since the first generation. The third-and-final generation TT, in its ultimate RS form, is proof that it managed to stand through the test of time until its last drop.

So, how should I make the final moments of the Audi TT a memorable one?

What's this? A G82 BMW M4 Competition Coupe?! Looks like it's up to something...

Looks like the odd duo is having a little "Save the Last Dance" moment at the Horizon Badlands. How charming for a moment like this.

As the BMW M4 treats the Audi TT RS for a sprint at the Switchback Run, the two cars are playing the game of which one is the fastest. However, their little duel got interrupted by the arrival of...

...the all-electric Audi RS e-tron GT, the third wheel interrupting the TT RS's final moments on Planet Earth. Looks like it's a three-way fight now and with that, roll the tape.

And here are the results...

TT RS (8S) - 3m42.823s

RS e-tron GT - 3m36.016s

G82 M4 Competition - 3m40.888s

Such a result is making the TT RS blush. If the RS e-tron GT didn't pop up from nowhere, the M4 wins the friendly duel against the soon-to-be-euthanized TT RS. Sadly, it's too late for that and the all-electric RS e-tron GT struck them like...that one venue at Animaniacs Ten Pin Alley where funny things happen and you scored a strike. Anyone remember?

The Audi RS e-tron GT may have ruined the last dance between the G82 BMW M4 and the TT 8S RS but that was just Phase One of this operation. Here comes the latter half of this operation I called...Operation Horizon Music Hour.

The all-electric Audi RS e-tron GT got a little makeover by a fleet of Tanto-chan for the role of Waccha PriMagi's Auru Omega. The Tatejima motif on the Audi emblem at the back adds a nice touch to it. Just don't let Volt-chan overload it. Huhehe... Anyway, this is the all-electric Audi with a hint of Electro Remix to it. Omega be pleased.

The third-generation Audi TT RS, meanwhile, gets all vibrant and pastel for the role of Waccha PriMagi's Miruki Amauri. Call her cute, we dare you, dao.

Lastly, the weird-looking BMW M4 G82 Competition Coupe gets a new lease of life as it plunges through the Radiant Abyss and emerged for the role of Waccha PriMagi's Lemon Kokoa. Take note of the CSL-inspired stripes draw inspiration from her partner Carron and the ectoplasm thing coming out from the kidney grille. This feels just like...Miss Lemon!

There is a clear explanation for this PriMagi Music Hour shindig because a long time ago, the Pretty Series producers asked the fans which Primagista is the best and the top three best Primagistas get to perform the song called, you guessed it, Youkusou! PriMagi Music Hour. Auru is ranked 3rd, Miruki is ranked 2nd, and Lemon was hailed the best Primagista as voted by the fans. 

Long story short but anyway, I hope you'll appreciate my interpretation of the top three Primagistas as livery designs for my three favorite German sports cars. If you need share codes, here goes.

- Waccha PriMagi! Lemon Kokoa

  Car: 2021 BMW M4 Competition Coupe

  Share Code: 901 121 562

- Waccha PriMagi! Auru Omega

  Car: 2021 Audi RS e-tron GT

  Share Code: 163 280 712

- Waccha Primagi! Miruki Amauri

  Car: 2018 Audi TT RS

  Share Code: 133 775 705

Anyway, with the best three Primagistas on wheels getting dressed to impress, it's time to give this trio a series of challenges they can take on. The Audi TT RS, with its quattro all-wheel-drive system, will be tackling a rally stage against a pack of her...admirers. The fully-electric Audi RS e-tron GT, meanwhile, will be battling through a twisty road course while dealing with the bulk of its weight, and the G82 BMW M4 takes on a twisted night race against a swarm of her fans. Initiate the latter half of Operation Horizon Music Hour.

An explosive mix of Electro Remix, Cherry Sugar, and Radiant Abyss. The ideal cocktail of an adventure they'll never forget, especially for the soon-to-be-euthanized Audi TT.

As the M4 and the e-tron GT went through separate ways, leaving only me and the TT, it's time for me to have my last word with the Audi TT now that it served its purpose in a Waccha way.

How do I say this...oh yeah. After 25 years, the Audi TT is forever a staple to Audi's progressive values with its technology and tradition driven by instinct, and as the end draws near for this game-changing coupester, rest assured that it has left an everlasting mark in the history of Audi. An inspiration to us all.

Man, what a date night it turned out for the TT, seeking friends at the end of its lifespan while saving the last dance for her. Happy ending.

Auf Wiedersehen, Audi TT...

My FH5 Log: Check-M8

A long time ago, when BMW revived the 6-Series, they brought the ultra-powerful M6 which is basically a coupe equivalent of the M5 F10 that comes with the same turbocharged V8 and the double clutch gearbox and when I first played in the original Forza Horizon, I nearly fell in love with it.

In the pursuit of more grandness out of BMW's only grand tourer, the now-classic M6 has turned...

You're looking at the first-ever BMW M8, which is part of Forza Horizon 5's DLC car catalog. The old M6 the world knew has turned into something greater than itself.

Ah, yes. The BMW M8. Ever since BMW revived the 8-Series, it's not what it seems because it's basically the coupe equivalent of the BMW 5-Series G30, not the 7-Series that its predecessor dons. So, the M8, what's it all about?

It's basically the coupe version of the BMW M5 F90, meaning it still packs the same 4.4L V8 turbo engine and the 8-speed automatic. In its Competition spec, it produces 625PS of power and 750Nm of torque, sprinting through 0 to 100kph in up to 3.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph or with an optional extra where it can be raised to 305kph. Like the M5 F90, the M8 comes with an M xDrive all-wheel-drive system with M Dynamic mode that allows it to behave like a rear-wheel-drive car.

Having been satisfied with the way the M8 performs, which is somewhat reminiscent of the M5 F90 a long time ago, it's time to see how much progress the M8 has compared to its M6 predecessor and with the streets of Guanajuato became my laboratory, it's time to compare these two turbocharged grand tourers just to find out if the M8's turbocharged engine and its all-wheel-drive magic truly work. VTR start!

And now the results...

M6 - 0m59.493s

M8 - 0m57.624s

So, it's a nearly two-second gap between them, meaning the M8's turbocharged V8 and M xDrive truly worked. Touche.

I got to admit, the M8 truly is shaping up to be the only BMW grand tourer worth driving despite running on M5 mechanicals similar to its M6 predecessor. Like its M5 F90 equivalent, the M8 rewrote the reality of BMW's high-performance grand tourer because of its turbocharged V8 engine and M xDrive, but still, it's worth enjoyable to drive full-stop.

Having fallen in love with the M8, it's time to give it a final exam to prove my point but first...

Oh, yes. This is what the BMW M8 is made for. Miichiru-sama be praised! Wait, what...?

Anyway, enough worshipping, as the boys with toys gathered around at Guanajuato for some after-hours, it's time to turn them into worshippers with a leisurely street race through the Guanajuato tunnels. Let's get cracking.

Kneel before her, boys!

Mission accomplished for the BMW M8. Although it's no longer active in the world of motor racing because it was replaced by its smaller and hideous-looking BMW M4 G82, it's still proved its worth as the only grand tourer the Germans are proud of. Although its time is almost up because of the new normal, the M8 is still worth worshipping until the endgame.

Dingolfing sends its regards.

My GT7 Log: Stars and Us

The first-generation BMW M2 and the Ford Focus Mk3 RS are the coolest things to come out from the mid-2010s. No, I'm not referring to some orangutan who drove both of these cars from a certain streaming TV show. I'm thinking about the starry feeling about these two mid-2010s sports cars.

Both the M2 and the Focus RS are compact midsized sports car wonders that satisfy most drivers behind the wheel. The dynamics and character made these two special in every way but just how different between these two?

Beginning with the Ford Focus Mk3 RS, is known to be the last American hot hatch offered on American soil, although it was fully imported from Europe. It has a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that produces 320PS and it has the strongest braking system ever made for a Ford. Despite being 4WD, the Focus Mk3 RS features Drift Mode that allows this hatchback to drift like a rear-wheel-drive car.

When the first BMW M2 was launched, this successor to the 1M Coupe is powered by a 3.0L six-cylinder turbo engine that produces 370HP of power and 465Nm of torque. It can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed M DCT for the purpose of being quick on the line. The M2 featured in Gran Turismo 7 is the facelifted version, the M2 Competition. This version saw its engine power bumped to 405HP thanks to a new S55 engine sourced from its M4 big brother, capable of hitting a top speed of 280kph thanks to an optional package.

Having gotten to know these two, it's time to give these shining stars a one-lap drive toward memory lane at Brands Hatch. Man, it's just like I remembered. A long time ago in an upside-down country far far away, I put these two on a heated sprint race and found out that the less powerful Focus RS trumped the M2 by a narrow margin.

Now, here we are. Doing this stint again but this time, this is Gran Turismo 7. The M2 went through greater heights while the Focus RS remained the same. Still, what a reunion these two stars are, and looks like they're going to settle this again, this time at Brands Hatch. Roll the tape.

After the two have the time of their lives, here are the results;

BMW M2 Competiton '18 - 1m45.442s

Ford Focus RS '18 - 1m48.725s

It looks like the M2 is the winner of this...friendly rivalry between the two stars.

Rivals! Friends and foe alike, today and tomorrow! It's been an honor to drive these two machines once more even in a different game like Gran Turismo 7.

Sure, the Focus RS is already gone for good while the BMW M2's story continues in new and exciting ways, but these two are proven to be the most enjoyable machines not because of the performance and dynamics but because of the charm they possess. Something reminded us of a certain rivalry a long time ago. 

Sounds girly but it's all about dreaming and rolling. Get it? Dreaming and rolling, that's what these two cars are all about and I love them for it.

Keep your dreams rolling, no matter where you are!

BMW XM

The BMW XM, the first BMW M original presentation since the legendary M1 supercar, is by no means one of the most controversial Bimmers ever made. Why? Cue the Unanswered Questions theme because it's time to investigate the most powerful BMW ever made.

2024 BMW XM

Starting at a fancy-priced 178,000 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever BMW XM is a BMW M original presentation made in honor of its five-decade history as the high-performance division of BMW. Sadly, due to its controversial looks, this is more than a rotten cherry at the top of the cake but who cares about putting something rotten at the top of something cool?

2024 BMW XM

Inspired by the 2021 Concept XM, the first-ever BMW XM's design is more than enough to embarrass everybody at your next car meet or in a slice of lemon, it's more than enough to make everybody's ectoplasms come out in a state of shock. From its controversial front face that is more hideous than today's M3/M4, its gaudy gold plating, and its hulking crossover sizing, the XM is not the friendliest vehicle approaching from your rearview mirrors. If you see one, be ready for it because you can expect thrills and chills at first sight.

2024 BMW XM interior

Apart from the frightening exterior design, the BMW XM's interior is fancy living on steroids because with so much leather and Alcantara stuffed into the cabin, it's like you got hit by a Cotton Spore three times, massively slowing you down. Behind the wheel, the XM is packed with HUD, M leather steering wheel, multifunction seats, and a rather dramatic BMW IconicSounds Electric curated by award-winning music scorer Hans Zimmer. In its sweet spot, it features M Lounge with two outer seats with deep recesses and 3D diamond quilting, an ambient lighting system, and a 20-speaker 1,500-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.

As an SUV, the XM can carry up to 572 liters of boot space with the rear seats present, and with the seats folded down, it can carry up to 1,820 liters in case something sensitive comes into play.

2024 BMW XM

The BMW XM takes pride as the first original M vehicle to have a PHEV powertrain in it. With the combination of a 489PS 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine, a 145kW electric motor, and a 25.7 kWh li-ion battery, the XM produces a total power output of 653PS of power and 800Nm of torque, making it the most powerful M car ever built. Mated to an 8-speed M Steptronic AT with Drivelogic and M xDrive all-wheel drive, it has a 0-100kph time of 4.3 seconds, and with the optional M Driver's Package, it's good for 270kph, less than today's BMW X5 M Competiton with the said extra. Fuel economy is 1.5L/100km combined based on WLTP standards and while running on electricity alone, it's good for up to 88km. Touche.

If that wasn't enough, BMW will offer the ultimate version of the XM later this fall, dubbed Label Red. With 748PS of power output, the XM Label Red will sprint from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 290kph. Brace for impact, speedo boys.

Because the XM is running on a bespoke platform, not bits and bobs from other BMW models, this hulking crossover has a special driving feel everywhere. Special aside, it feels rather mild and menacing even with the rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel drive juiced to the brim, not to mention the adaptive M suspension Professional, front double wishbones, five-link rear axle, Integral Active Steering (a first for an M vehicle), and M Sport braking system, among many others.

Whether on the road, track, tarmac, gravel, or snow (if you're into that), the BMW XM is all about making a statement for almost everyone behind the wheel, and in terms of safety, the XM is festooned with the Driving Assistance package as well as the optional Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus. Speedo boys may not like such features but who cares. As long as such driving assists work, it works. No explanations, brothers.

The first-ever BMW XM may have been the rotten cherry on the top of the cake because of its controversially frightening styling that is deemed to be unpleasant to the naked eye as well as its leather overload inside and the tech involved but coming in terms with its mild driving feel and the performance that makes a huge statement, the BMW XM is a real Force Majeure you don't want to mess with it.

 Love it or hate it, this leviathan is ready to make the great leap forward everywhere all at once.

Photo: BMW AG

BMW M2 G87

The BMW M2 is regarded as one of the best M cars ever made thanks to its back-to-basics approach and its all about bringing driving back to the drivers. With the all-new G87 model, does the all-new M2 retain the mantra from its predecessor even with its questionable looks?

2024 BMW M2

With prices starting at 72,800 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new BMW M2 G87 promises to retain the magic of its well-loved predecessor but despite its promise, the questionable looks will make speedo boys think twice before laying their finger on it.

While this is based on the G42 2-Series Coupe, the all-new M2 swapped the normal 2-Series Coupe's front design for a butchered one judging by its new headlamps and a rather un-BMW-ish frameless kidney grille design, among the other aerodynamic upgrades implemented to it. Inside, it works just like the normal 2-Series Coupe but the all-new M2 is packed with a choice of either M sports seats or M Carbon bucket seats with the latter weighing 10.8kg less than the former. Easier said than done, they said but whatever.

Under the hood, the all-new M2 is armed with the same S58 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine as its hideous big brother, the M4, but it's been detuned to produce 460PS of power and 550Nm of torque. That's more than what you get from the old M2. As expected, it can be mated to either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed M Steptronic AT with Drivelogic which makes it capable of hitting a 0-100kph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed limited to 250kph. 285kph if you opt-in for an optional M Driver's Package. That's 5kph more than the old M2.

Because the all-new M2 is rear-wheel-drive only, you'll fall in love driving with it more than the previous one, and because of its Active M Differential at the rear axle, Dynamic Stability Control, M Drive Professional with M Traction Control System, Adaptive M suspension, and other dynamic knowhow involved, you'll find various ways to get addicted to it either on the streets of Berlin or at a track day in the Nurburgring, not necessarily in that order.

Despite its controversial looks, the added performance and dynamics made the all-new M2 the one to have at this moment in time. Love it or hate it, this baby M Coupe is ready to show its magic to those behind the wheel, and between you and me, we're getting anxious and jealous to drive one someday. Bring it on, BMW!

Photo: BMW AG