RAM 1500 (DT) vs. Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 (4th Gen)

The newest full-size pickup trucks to hit the American workforce, the all-new Ram 1500 and the all-new trucks from General Motors, the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra, translate all of their Republican words into actions by delivering the right amount of space, power, efficiency, and all of their muscles in the era where American trucks are becoming great again or whatever. Doing most of their effort to squeeze the beer out of their top rival, the Ford F-150, these new breed of full-size trucks are showcasing what they can do to the righteous folks, even Cowboy Charlie himself.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2019 GMC Sierra 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado is hailed as the most dependable, longest-lasting, full-size pickup on the road, based on J.D. Power, and with the advent of this new generation, the all-new Silverado is now the strongest, most advanced Silverado ever, and it's the same thing goes to its twin, the all-new GMC Sierra 1500. These new-age light-duty pickup trucks made in the USA are showcasing country folks what they can do for them, starting with the good parts.

At first, the Silverado is cheaper to own than the Sierra because the former starts at 28,300 US Dollars MSRP while the latter starts at 37,800 US Dollars MSRP but despite the nearly ten grand difference, there's more what the Sierra delivers that the new Silverado can't but more than that later on because whichever General Motors' new generation light-duty pickup you choose, you are greeted by its all-new design which is very macho on the new Silverado but grittier on the new Sierra. Apart from their new muscular looks, these new models now have 20% more cargo volume than the opposition because of their best-in-class bed width and length for standard and short boxes and offer more cargo in the short box compared to the competition's standard box.

On the Sierra, meanwhile, storing stuff in the back makes it more convenient with the addition of the Primary Gate Load Stop which prevents stuff from sliding out of the box. Handy if you're storing so much gym equipment ready for delivery. Apart from that, the Sierra's back gates offer more stuff to do than the new Silverado, therefore, the new Sierra does all the work more than its compatriot.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 interior

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 interior

On the inside, although intimidating on the outside, the new Sierra and the new Silverado are surprisingly as luxurious as a luxury car, and in some models, they've added their first-ever rear-seatback storage compartments, which is something that the competition doesn't have.

The new Silverado, depending on which model you're on, can be fitted with either a 3.0L Duramax Diesel, 2.7L turbo, 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and the 6.2L V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The Sierra, meanwhile, depending on the variant, can be fitted with the same petrol engine choices as the Silverado, especially the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine, but no diesel in sight.

With the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine, it produces 420HP of power and 460lb-ft of torque and has a towing capacity of 12,200lbs, which is great for towing caravans for the trip in the woods and also great for towing a sportscar stuck at the middle of nowhere in need of repairs. To get the most out of its towing capacity, these new trucks come with advanced trailer technology to make them more usable.

In some models, the Silverado and the Sierra can be fitted with special off-road packages, Z71 Off-Road Package for the Silverado and AT4 for Sierra, to make them more capable of handling every single terrain with confidence. The Silverado Z71 fits perfectly in the countryside but the Sierra AT4 easily gets through without all of the drama whatsoever.

For safety, both these trucks are offered with a Forward Collision Alert, Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Camera Mirror, Park Assist, and more.

Although different in every single way, the newest trucks from General Motors are all about getting the job done from 8 in the morning to 11 in the evening, something that Cowboy Charlie would do on a day-to-day basis but if Cowboy Charlie has no interest in those new GM trucks, he would consider the real game changer of light-duty trucks, the all-new RAM 1500.

2019 RAM 1500

2019 RAM 1500 interior

Starting at $31,795 MSRP, the all-new RAM 1500 is a real segment breaker as FCA claims because this new truck beats all of the competition in terms of style, comfort, capability, and performance.

When compared to the competition, the RAM 1500 beats them all with its best-in-class V8 engine towing at up to 12,750lbs, available Active Level Four-Corner Air Suspension, Available Rambox Cargo management to store stuff like a real prepper, best-in-class rear legroom, in-floor storage fit for preppers also, standard 3.6L V6 engine with eTorque producing 305HP of power and 269-lb-ft of torque, standard eight-speed automatic, standard push button start, and the brake rotor size. No light-duty pickup truck in America comes close to the RAM 1500.

It nicked up every award and accolades as well as being named Motor Trend Truck of the Year and such achievement makes the RAM 1500 a clear winner with no questions asked.

So, there you have it, if you are in the mood for light-duty pickup trucks but not in the mood for Blue Ovals, consider the Silverado as an affordable alternative but if you want the best a true American pickup truck has to offer, go for the Ram 1500. Simple as that.

Photo: General Motors/ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Jeep Cherokee KL - 2019 minor change

About many years ago, Jeep revived the Cherokee nameplate as their newest midsize crossover that slots below the flagship Grand Cherokee and while it promises to be a modern take on the classic icon, the looks that are similar to one of the bad guys from Pikmin rather spoils the taste. With the 2019 minor change, it promises to be the best Cherokee yet. Let's see what this new one got...

2019 Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee is now on its 2019 minor change and for this minor change, there are some key changes occurred to keep one of the best-selling crossovers in America even better than before. First off, the design and at last, the Bulborb-esque front face is gone and the front is now reminiscent of the Grand Cherokee. That's good news but that's not the end of it because they've reshaped the wheels and the rear lamps to make the new Cherokee even better-looking than before.

2019 Jeep Cherokee interior

2019 Jeep Cherokee interior

Apart from the revised exterior, the interior has been slightly revised from top to bottom as well. Drivers will notice the revised dashboard, new color themes, updated Uconnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and the increased cargo capacity, proving that the interior is now better than before, giving them more ways to make use of it whether trips to the thrift shops, to Leavenworth, to Oregon, or any points of interests they see fit for this five-seater crossover that works to haul your mates from work during the long weekends.

2019 Jeep Cherokee

The biggest change for this 2019 minor change is the addition of the all-new, direct-injected 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with engine start-stop feature that shuts the engine off when stopped at a set of lights and then starts again to set off. This engine comes with a dual overhead cam (DOHC), dual independent camshaft timing, and a cooled exhaust gas recirculation, resulted to 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, while mated to a standard 9-speed AT.  That sure has a lot of power to push the Cherokee further and this powertrain can really upset boring Japanese crossovers who don't value fun to their portfolio because there's so much to love about a turbocharged Cherokee. Apart from the new turbocharged engine, the Cherokee can still be fitted with a 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 or a 2.4-liter PZEV Multiair2 Tigershark I-4 engine, all fitted with a 9-speed AT.

Being a Jeep, the 2019MY Cherokee still promises to be a workhorse for the American family, either on or off the roads, be it on the streets of New York or the Colorado Rockies. In most models, the Cherokee can be fitted with different kinds of Jeep Active Drive system and in the case of the Jeep Active Drive Lock in some models like the Trailhawk, the locking real differential and Selec-Terrain traction control system brings out the Cherokee's party piece when getting through different kinds of road conditions, especially when things get rough. No crossover of that size has even gone through the beaten path as the Cherokee's and that's some questions get information from this. Apart from its off-road capabilities, the new Cherokee comes with over 80 available safety and security features such as ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus, SOS button, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines and eight standard air bags. Not bad for a crossover but sometimes, for speedo boys, those features rather lose their tastes, in case you're wondering.

The 2019MY Cherokee starts at 23,995 US Dollars and that's about the same pricing as the old JK Wrangler, which is almost as great to own as a legendary offroader but don't compare these two just yet because the Cherokee is almost as good as today's Wrangler in terms of ruggedness and regardless of what vacation plans you're laying on the table, the new Cherokee can get the job done with almost no strings attached. Is this the Cherokee you want?

Photo: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Forza Motorsport 7: Blood Runs Deep

If you've been a fan of those Dodge commercials, you may be enamored by the Vin Diesel-ish voiceover while seeing cars like the Charger, the Challenger, and now the Durango, speeding around the roads. I mean hey, blood runs thicker than oil and what better way to celebrate the newest arrival to the "Brotherhood of Muscle" by driving the first-ever Durango SRT from Forza Motorsport 7's Dell Gaming Car Pack?



Before calling the shots, let's take a quick look on the Dodge Durango SRT, shall we? Dodge's third-generation Durango combines the practicality of a sport utility vehicle and the sportiness of what a Dodge can be and due to inconsistent public demand, the SRT version of the Durango was unleashed, giving the soul of a muscle car to this do-all crossover.

Dubbed as the fastest third-row SUV in its class, the Durango SRT is powered by a 392-cubic-inch (6.4L) V8 engine producing 475HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque, while mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic. As verified by the NHRA, it foes 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds and can go through the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds.

Apart from its V8 power, the Durango SRT rides on a short-and-long-arm independent front suspension with coil springs, specially tuned Bilstein adaptive damping suspension (ADS), upper- and lower-control arms and a stabilizer bar, resulting to sports car-like handling.  At the back comes a specially tuned multi-link suspension, and after that, it comes with a performance-oriented AWD system. It has massively new Brembo high-performance six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers and vented rotors at all four corners, resulting to an estimated 115 feet to come to a full stop from 60 mph.

The end result is that not only the Durango SRT is a track weapon crossover in its own right but also a fun people mover doing all sorts of everyday jobs, more than enough to make the neighborhood envy.





Need a little refresher? When I first saw the Durango SRT, I once said that not only you can handle this behemoth like a boss but you can handle any kind of weather condition like it never happened. Of course, it may not be as fast as the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk I drove a while back but you don't got smacked by some fat teenager girl doing a stage dive at the concert. Instead, it's likeyour granny spending the whole day watching Mad Mad-esque films no one heard of as I shall now explain on trip round Laguna Seca.



It maybe a people mover on steroids but the way the Durango SRT behaves is like I was expecting! Of course, this is the ideal crossover for men who got married by accident but going for the family car that is as fun as what they drove when they were single, like I said, and while you can drive it for everyday activities such as taking the kids to school, going to work, going grocery shopping, so on, so forth, but it's sensational to drive. It maybe heavy but it behaves like a Subie and that's just the cherry of the cake.





So, you got my point about how good the Durango SRT is, right? Let's crank it up a notch by proving just how good the Durango SRT is and because I prefer the unscripted life, let's pick a benchmark car for the Durango SRT to play with and I think I got one...





This is the Ford Focus RS, one of my favorite hyper hot hatchbacks ever emerged from the Old Continent to be driven by American hands. It has the same EcoBoost engine from the regular Mustang and has the coolest four-wheel drive system ever made. So cool, you can hoon it like a maniac. Anyway, let's see how the Focus RS fares with the Laguna Seca track...



The Focus RS did it in 1:55.264 and all I have to do is to see if the Durango SRT is as good as this hot Focus. Let's roll the tape!



How did I fare with the Durango SRT? It did it in 1:56.272 and when you round them up, it's a second slower than the Ford Focus RS. Close but this crossover proves its point!



There you are, ladies and gentlemen. The Dodge Durango SRT is almost as fast as a Ford Focus RS and while it's more expensive to buy than the soon-to-be-defunct hot Focus, this crossover is a do-all on the road and on the track and in the world of Forza, this has got to be one of the most enjoyable crossovers to drive at the moment if you think the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is too much of an overkill for you. Like the commercial said, welcome to the Brotherhood of Muscle.

Jeep Wrangler JL

The SUVs of this era are nothing more of a roadside litter in today's roads because while they look tough, they don't talk tough because of their softies all over it and while it's hard to fathom the popularity of crossovers in the age of the millennials, they're forgetting the major point of a true SUV; offroad capability. Right now, the most proper SUVs you can buy are the Land Cruiser and the Range Rover but if SUVs are not your type, pickups like the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado, but nothing is more so than the king of offroaders we know today, the Jeep Wrangler.

2018 Jeep Wrangler

When it comes to tackling all kinds of roads, nothing beats the original king of offroaders like the Jeep Wrangler and in this full model change, bearing the chassis code of JL, the all new Wrangler is all about withstanding the tests of time with its classic Wrangler looks while donning some modern stuff to make it well-suited in today's generation. Think of it like a young soldier from the 1940's who was frozen in time and woke up in the year 2018 with no idea what's going on.

While this is basically an all-new model, it's hard to differentiate it from all of the past Wranglers in history, including the Wrangler's predecessors that dates back to the Willys Jeep that was once used by Army soldiers during the war but later converted for public use post-war. Up front, the face is pretty much the same as the others in the same way the Porsche 911 is. It goes to show that even when they're evolving, they never grow up and it goes to the all-new Wrangler. It never matures and wants to play rough like it used to like a 70 year old man with the mental age of an 11-year-old.

2018 Jeep Wrangler interior

Speaking of all-new, Jeep gave the Wrangler JL a more modern interior that seems above average by car standards. Of course, you can expect the Uconnect with smarthphone connectivity, optional Alpine Premium Audio System, personalized gauge cluster, USB ports, push button start, a power outlet, heated seats, climate control, and much more, but in some models, you can expect a new Freedom Top hardtop with removable panels and a zipperless Sunrider soft top which is neat on an offroader but be warned because putting them off or back is like you do in a open-top supercar. It's complicated and it's already sunny by the time you put them back. It's time consuming but the new Wrangler has some solution to that in case the interior's gone wet; one-way drain valves in the floor. You won't get this in a Range Rover.

Apart from boot space that fits all kinds of jobs, the Wrangler JL has other stuff in store such as the Trail Rail system which is great for tailgating parties during NASCAR weekends, the Jeep Utility Grid, a hidden compartment to hid some important stuff, including a first-aid kit, and some other compartments to put some stuff. Now that's utilitarian done right.

2018 Jeep Wrangler

2018 Jeep Wrangler

Now, let's talk how handy the new Wrangler JL is, starting with the engine and at first, it's powered by a tried-and-tested 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine producing 285HP of power and 260lb-ft of torque and can be mated with either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed AT. With this engine, a two-door Wrangler can tow a medium-sized caravan while the four-door one can tow a powerboat. Now that's science.

What about off-roading and while others completely forgot the memo, the Wrangler is still king in this capability and because it's the most capable Wrangler ever built, Jeep gave it a wide range of 4x4 systems such as Selec-Trac 4x4 System that can be engaged in either four-wheel or rear-wheel, Command-Trac with a 2.72:1 low range for rock crawling and neutral for available flat towing, and Rock-Trac with Tru-Lok electronic locking front and rear differentials and an electronic front sway bar disconnect. The Rubicon variant has the Rock-Trac 4x4 system so this would be useful to take shortcuts, something that your seven-figure supercar couldn't dare to go.

It maybe the king of offroaders but like those fake-u-vs of today, the Wrangler is annoyingly festooned with safety features because health and safety. It's got Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection, Parkview Rear Back Up camera, Parksense Rear Park Assist system, Trailer Sway Control, and many other features.

The Wrangler JL starts at 26,995 US Dollars and it comes in different variants from Sport to Rubicon while the four-door Wrangler Unlimited comes with the exclusive Sahara variant with luxurious interior comforts. So, it maybe expensive than the previous JK model but it's cheaper to own than the Grand Cherokee and because this is a tough, go-anywhere Jeep Wrangler we're talking about, there are many reasons why the JL is the best Wrangler ever made or so they thought but there is one very good reason for that, it's better than those rubbish medium sized SUVs of today because the Wrangler still talks tough like a firebrand leader who was branded as an outlaw back then.

Photo: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Dodge Durango SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

SUVs are becoming the mainstream of today's motoring and while it was meant to carry the whole family for everyday trips, it can be downright boring because why do men get married and ended up with family cars that are boring than what they had when they were single. Perhaps there is a better solution for men who got married by accident but going for the family car that is as fun as what they drove when they were single.

2018 Dodge Durango SRT

2018 Dodge Durango SRT interior

This might do the trick. Behold, the new Dodge Durango SRT and SRT really means all business because when you see SRT, all you think about V8 Dodges on steroids and it is. It's a family car on steroids and when you let loose with its 6.4L HEMI V8 engine, "Hey, how about those Republicans?" It maybe rude to say it during a conversation at the dining table but because this is the Durango SRT, this muscle SUV is ready to paint the town red, literally.

From its beefy front face, Viper-inspired bonnet, red and black interior that smells like it came from a red state, and the huge monitor that comes with a performance mode screen that displays G-forces, braking distance, reaction times, and everything that your SUV can't do because of such boringness this SUV doesn't have, the Durango SRT is all about American football, basketball, and stock car racing with the hint of nachos, pizzas, and fast food vittles that can irritate the next neighbor or two. I mean come on, this is how good old American boys love to do in their weekends and this SUV fits to such expression.

Believe it or not, the Dodge Durango SRT has the similar expression you'd expect from the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT because like the said one, the Durango SRT is powered by the 6.4L HEMI V8 engine mated to an 8-speed AT. This engine produces 475HP and 470lb-ft of torque and with this output, it can get from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, which is as fast as a high-powered German sports saloon but with enough grunt to unleash 8,700lbs of towing capacity.

It maybe a muscle car but this 62,995 Dollar (plus OTR costs) SUV on steroids can handle almost everything because this is the first Dodge SRT vehicle to come with performance-oriented four-wheel drive system and with that, not only you can handle this behemoth like a boss but you can handle any kind of weather condition like it never happened.

While all sounds nice for a V8 muscle SUV with seating for six people, it can be downright crazy to drive and when you set the drive mode on TRACK, the Durango SRT will drive you as mad as today's news and public affairs. Like your granny spending the whole day watching Mad Mad-esque films no one heard of, setting the Durango SRT on TRACK tightens the suspension damping and steering gradient feel, resulting to uncanny dynamics that will enrage drivers to the verge of hypertension. How uncanny was that? Driving an SUV on track days can be downright crazy and in the Durango SRT, while it can be decent to drive on normal roads and not bad to drive on any weather conditions, especially when its snowing in the northern extremities of America, it can lose your sanity or your arms when you twist this car through the bends.

However, that Durango SRT is the least of the problems because somewhere out there lies a more crazier American V8 crossover that can irritate the smartest people as if they got smacked by some fat teenager girl doing a stage dive at the concert.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk interior

This is the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and by the looks of it, it can irritate even the European high-performance crossovers with such output. 707HP from its Hellcat V8 engine, 645lb-ft of torque, 180mph of top speed, this is a Hellcat made for those who are feeling under the weather and they can't take the Dodge Challenger Hellcat or Charger Hellcat on a rainy or snowy day and thanks to performance-tuned all-wheel drive, you can drive it anytime, anywhere no matter the weather condition.

That sounds nice but you need to be brave because driving the Trackhawk has the same experience as an EXPERT-level 600-combo song that has some bits to hold, bits to tap, and so many to tap that are too fast to lock on with your eyes. It's going to end up slipping on GOOD, GOOD, GOOD, rather than GREAT or PERFECT because with the performance-oriented 4WD and the supercharged Hellcat V8 engine, the dynamics will end up on the GOOD side and when you engage all the hero buttons around you, you'd better get some painkillers ready because there are times this can can understeer in 911 Turbo levels and resorting to brutal driving style won't cut it because the dynamics can bite you real good like dog with rabies.

Apart from the crazy dynamics and the fact that it can seat up to five people, the TRACKHAWK is downright expensive with prices start at 85,900 US Dollars, which is as expensive as a European sportscar, and that's a shame really because while it was labeled the most powerful SUV in the world, it doesn't carry enough people than the Durango SRT. 

But still, despite the price difference, these American high-performance SUVs are capable of painting the town red with their deep Republican view against the opposition, raw V8 grunt, and practicality common to most SUVs. So, which one will you pick?

Photo: FCA US LLC

Forza Motorsport 7: Opera, Art, and Doughnuts...sorta

As the world awaits the second season of Amazon Prime's original motoring program, The Grand Tour, how about a little flashback? Because Jeremy Clarkson's annoyed by the appearance of Richard Hammond and the 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, he went to Mugello to teach Hammond a very painful lesson on speed. With Mugello back at Forza 7, how about I'll recreate that memorable Grand Tour moment from that certain episode?



First, let's talk about the cars first, starting with the Aston Martin DB11. Although the V12 engine is now smaller and turbocharged, the power output it produces is rather smooth indeed because this is how grand tourers do. 608HP of power, 700Nm of torque, 0-60mph in less than 3.9 seconds, 200mph top speed, the DB11 wasn't unfazed by its performance figures because all it matters for this car is to cruise around the open road on a bright sunshine and while it was heavily focused for comfortable driving in mind, it can be downright decent on the track making this beauty a beast to behold in the eyes of the driver.



The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat maybe based on the old Chrysler 300C underneath, which is based on the 1990's Mercedes E-Class, but putting a 707HP supercharged V8 engine on it is a complete madness. Although it was superseded by the limited-edition Challenger Demon by about a hundred and thirty-three, the Hellcat remains one of the most outrageous muscle cars ever to come out from the world's most powerful country that is now ran by an orangutan and his minions. So, outrageous, it can make a trip through historic places in Italy into a complete disaster because the roar of the supercharged engine and the endless squealing of tires. I know, this happened on that episode and you can't hide from the Hellcat's fury. Saturdays will be completely ruined thanks to the Hellcat.





In that episode, Jeremy lapped the DB11 at 2:18.79 while Billy Bob Hammond's Hellcat did it in 2:35. All I have to do is to do better than the GT folks while witnessing the very moment that the DB11 taught the Hellcat a very painful lesson. Let's roll the tape.


At the end of the flying lap, here are the results of my Grand Tour reenactment on Forza 7...

Hellcat - 2:22.648
DB11 - 2:15.469



Hey, history repeats itself as the "brown" Aston minced the Hellcat like crazy, although that didn't stop Richard Hammond from doing ridiculous things with the Challenger Hellcat. Still, it's great to have Mugello back on Forza 7 because without it, I couldn't recreate that classic Grand Tour moment in honor of the upcoming season of Amazon Prime's original series. They may be evolving but they never growing up. Get it?

Forza Horizon 3: Prowling

Forza Horizon 3 isn't more than just sampling the best cars of your choosing, it's about living with the cars from the times you emerged with and if you were kids of the late 90's, you are familiar with America's modern take of the hot rod, the Prowler.



This is Plymouth's preparation for the 21st century of automobile and while it draws inspiration from past hotrods, it features a bespoke body featuring an aluminum space frame because none of their existing materials from their existing lineup would work in the creation of this unique but short-lived roadster. The Prowler I had is an improved version of its 3.5L V6 engine producing 253HP of power while mated to a dismal 4-speed automatic gearbox that doesn't match the performance of European sportscars it faces.

Despite being Plymouth's flagship sports car, the Plymouth brand was discontinued from 2001 and it was sold as a Chrysler Prowler thereafter until the Prowler's production discontinued a year after, with a final limited edition model of 300 cars painted in special Candy Deep Red body color.



The Prowler may be a disaster for Chrysler despite having sealed in a mausoleum as a time capsule somewhere for marketing reasons and the driving feel doesn't match the dynamics of its European opposition but for the sake of nostalgia, there are limitless possibilities of reminiscing the good old days of your youth while driving the Prowler. It may not be enough to create some audience impact when you drive it but when it comes to creativity and originality, you got to hand it over to the guys behind the Prowler and despite being short-lived and being the rarest cars in American roads, it's still a beauty to behold.

While I'm still on my break after all the Horizon Australia glitz and glamour I gave for the cars I've encountered throughout this epic journey, I took the unsung American hero to a night stroll with the kids on the block, giving me the ideal moment to understand how a Prowler shows its first impression.





It may not be a first impression as I hoped for but like a Pink Floyd gig, the Prowler is all about wowing the crowd with its originality that sets the cars apart and it doesn't matter if this car wasn't made to tackle against Europe's finest because even if it's no good, the Prowler still wows the hearts of drivers with its unique impression that has the wink and smile of Charles Bronson on a diner break.

Forza Horizon 3: Best of American muscle classics

While most Americans spend their independence readying the fireworks and the grill, I do my own way to celebrate American independence by driving out the best of American muscle classics in Forza Horizon 3.



Sure, there are lots of iconic muscle names in automotive history but I've gone for the names that once a muscle, stays as a muscle in modern times in alphabetical order; Camaro, Challenger, Charger, and Mustang.





Once as the underdog when it first emerged in the battle of the muscle cars dominated by the Ford Mustang, the Camaro tries to show what General Motors is capable of in this kind of civil war but whereas the Mustang reigned supreme as well as the Charger and the Challenger, the Camaro failed to do so and I understand that. Despite the Camaro's failure that led to its 2002 demise, the Camaro's coming back fighting as demonstrated by being Bumblebee in the Transformers movies and thanks to its newfound popularity, the Camaro won the hearts of many generations. Fame aside, let's not forget about how the unpopular first-generation Camaro came here which is like an ugly duckling turned into a swan with magnificent results and if it weren't for this, there wouldn't be a Bumblebee in the Transformers films.





The Challenger was once served as an alternative to the Charger and while the Charger was proven to be an icon apart from being General Lee in the Dukes of Hazzard TV show, the Challenger wants to follow its brother's footsteps by getting its shot of fame in Vanishing Point but sadly, it wasn't as popular as its Charger brother. Although today's Charger is a four-door saloon, the Challenger managed to come back as a modern day alternative to Mustangs and Camaros and just as we thought the Challenger is becoming the muscle car that never was in today's times, it managed to find its triumphant return to the road with the most powerful V8 car in the world as well as the first-ever 4WD muscle car ever produced. While the Challenger has a lot of tricks on its sleeves, the original is the car we should be thankful for because if it weren't for its presence, we wouldn't got the most powerful V8 car today.





The original Dodge Charger R/T holds no explanation because as I said before, the Duke boys drove one in the Dukes of Hazzard TV series as the General Lee, named after a Confederate soldier (which explains a lot from the highly controversial Confederate flag on the roof of the car). Although the Confederate flag remains one of the most controversial objects in history because of such background, a General Lee without it is like living like a complete poser. That's why fans want to keep it that way and I understand that. General Lee aside, this iconic Charger has been one of the forefront of The Fast and the Furious films and if I was Vin Diesel, I believe that the classic Charger remains a favorite. Sure, today's four-door Chargers also dominate the F&F films but credit goes to the Charger that is not only approved by the Dukes of Hazzard but also Dom from the Fast & Furious movies.





Lastly, the Mustang, and while Mustangs became one of the most iconic movie cars of all time since Steve McQueen drove one in Bullitt, the best of the first-generation Mustang goes to the Boss 302 because of its motorsport pedigree that traces back to its Trans-Am Racing and by surprise, the Australian Touring Cars. Pedigree aside, the Boss 302 remains one of the most respected Mustangs in the golden age of muscle cars and also of the most collectible Mustangs for the high-rollers with a restored Boss fetched a $530,000 price tag a decade ago.

These American classic muscles, they do more than just fireworks and grilles but also showing proof that America is great when it comes to flexing their big V8 muscles against the world. Sure, the whole world love to spit them up when they see one but when times change, they will see that cars like these are becoming the posters of the world superpower and soon, they will all bow down to their greatness. That all sounds scary but that's America to you, the land of the most powerful V8s in the world, and to celebrate American independence, time to get these muscle car icons the salute they truly deserved and this will be much more fun to see than fireworks and grilles.




Thank you America for the fast cars through the years!

Second-generation Jeep Compass

This is the new Jeep Compass and while this is basically a Jeep, it's smaller than today's Cherokee and it is willing, able, and ready to take on the world's noteworthy compact crossovers you name the rest, especially homegrown ones like the Chevrolet Trax. Although this is as smaller than today's Jeeps but bigger than the Renegade, is the Compass worthy enough to be TRAIL RATED?

2017 Jeep Compass

2017 Jeep Compass

Not yet at the moment because before you can determine if this Jeep is certified TRAIL RATED like the rest of the Jeeps, you need to dig deeper on what the new Jeep Compass is. First, let's look at the design and while almost everything looks vaguely similar to today's Cherokee, noteworthy for its styling that looks like one of the baddies from Pikmin or so they say, the front looks like it came from today's Grand Cherokee, so for that Jeep that's smaller than the others, it has some of the Cherokee DNA implanted on the new Compass. Job well done, Jeep.

2017 Jeep Compass

On the inside, it still looks like every other Jeeps of today so the new Compass isn't a big deal for ordinary drivers everywhere. Although what you called above average, the interior boasts some nifty features fit enough for today's drivers and it's surprisingly roomy enough for your estate sale stuff. With a certain optional extra, the cargo floor can be moved up or down to keep boot space well organized for the most demanding schedules of today.

2017 Jeep Compass

Now, we're back at the main question and if the new Compass is capable enough to bore the TRAIL RATED certification only the best Jeeps has to offer, Can be a no and a yes, I believe. In a normal Compass, it feels like it only works on your grocery trips, fetching kids from school, city trips, and pretty much about it, but in the Trailhawk variant, which is a certified TRAIL-RATED Jeep, it's good enough for the harshest regions, great open spaces, running around town, and relaxing Sunday drives on America's finest, thanks to Jeep's Active Drive Low system with 20:1 crawl ratio and low range. Couple that with the Selec-Terrain Traction Control System and Hill Descent Control, and this Compass is a new dimension in compact four-wheel drive crossovers.

Power comes from the 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir 2 engine with 9-speed automatic delivering 180HP of power output, 175lb-ft of torque, and a ton of towing capacity for the Compass, which sounds very moxie for a crossover of that size. Handling-wise, the Jeep feels pretty much like a Dodge Dart and it's very docile indeed for an American car and with over 70 optional safety and security features combined with the latest technology and contemporary engineering, this Compass is all about watching its occupants while dealing with today's road situations by any means necessary.

The Compass starts at 20,995 plus on-road costs, which makes it one of the most reasonably priced crossovers in America, although it is two grand more than its smaller cousin, the European-engineered Jeep Renegade. Whether if you're going around town or playing rough on a quiet Sunday drives, there's a Renegade that will match your preference. What to like about the new Compass is its pricing, features, styling, and offroad capability on the Trailhawk variant but what's not to like about it is the interior above average for first-time buyer as well as its Dart-like behavior that is, again, above average.

Photo: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Forza Horizon 3: Love, Poetry, and Coffee

Now, in a certain episode of The Grand Tour, Jeremy Clarkson and James May are having a nice Italian road trip with their grand tourers, the new Aston Martin DB11 and the Rolls Royce Dawn. Trouble is, their Italian road trip got ruined by Richard Hammond and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. Italy is so like two years ago for me but now that all the cars are here in the Land Down Under, there's no perfect time than settling the scores between love, poetry, and coffee somewhere Down Under.







If you can get to decide which method will you woo a dream lady for Valentines Day, it would be like a choice of love, poetry, and coffee. The DB11 is all about the love that you can do everything for her by any means necessary to win the heart of a woman. The Dawn is all about the poetry that shows how much of a knowledgeable person you really are to please a lady. The Hellcat, meanwhile, is all about the coffee that burns the hearts of lovers sipping a cup of joe in a cafe while having a chat.

Love, poetry, and coffee. These are the choices and by comparison regulations, anything fancy should be kept to a safe place such as their upgrades and their designs. These cars can have them back after this comparison but for now, the fight between opera, art, and donuts will be settled to the Grand Tour Sprint, so specially called because it has the words "Grand Tour" on it as if they're having their Australian stopover for the show or this is what I think it is.

Two grand tourers from Britain and an uninvited guest from America. This will be a very interesting comparison because these three got featured in The Grand Tour and now, I got the chance to compare these three to see which method will I woo a lady for Valentines will be the best. It's either love, poetry, or coffee. It's everyone's game now and now, the battle begins!



After their run at the Grand Tour Sprint, it's time for the results!

2017 Aston Martin DB11 (608HP/516ft-lb/4,134lb/51%/5,204cc/S1 805)- 2:37.057
2015 Rolls Royce Dawn (563HP/575ft-lb/5,644lb/51%/6,593cc/A 715)- 2:45.666
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (707HP/650ft-lb/4,438lb/57%/6,166cc/A 766)- 2:36.957

By a shocking result, the 707 horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a clear winner in this comparison by a second quicker than the DB11!

Which means, if I go for love, I might go for broke to get the girl I want but I could get flunked easily like getting thrown by an Master-level song I'm playing on an certain idol girl app game. If I go for poetry, meanwhile, then my knowledge might bore her for the rest of her life. So, the choice is clear. It's a cup of coffee best served hot for the lovers everywhere. Don't get too much on a cup of joe, okay?