My GT7 Log: Eunos VS Eunos

What do the Eunos Roadster and the Citroen BX have in common? They were both sold at Eunos dealers a long time ago, as Gran Turismo fans from Japan would tell you. Here in Gran Turismo 7, it's time for the showdown between the two Eunos cars.

The tale of two Eunos machines. One is purely an Eunos, and the other is a French hatchback paying a visit to the Eunos stable. How do these two Eunos machines differ? Let's begin with the one everybody knew and loved from the start, the Eunos Roadster.

The first Roadster, designated as NA, debuted in 1989 under the name Eunos Roadster. Eunos was one of the brands from Mazda, alongside Efini and Autozam at the time. Sold worldwide as the MX-5 Miata, the Eunos Roadster gained immense popularity among enthusiasts due to its lightweight chassis. 

The Eunos Roadster is equipped with either a B6-ZE 1,597cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine, producing 120 PS at 6,500 RPM, or a BP-ZE 1,839cc 4-cylinder DOHC engine, producing 130 PS at 6,500 RPM. There are many special editions of the NA Roadster, including the S-Special, V-Special, and J Limited.

Now, let's focus on the Citroen BX, one of the Citroen models that got its way through the Eunos dealership a long time ago. Unveiled at the 1982 Paris Auto Salon, the BX features styling by Marcello Gandini, who worked for Bertone at that time. Despite using bits and bobs from Peugeot, it retained Citroen's signature hydropneumatic suspension that delivered extraordinary comfort even on rough roads. The BX is offered with a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines and, depending on the variant, can be mated with either a 4-speed AT or a 5-speed MT.

The Citroen BX took part in the 1985 World Rally Championship with poor results. The best result it has achieved is a sixth-place finish in Sweden with Jean-Claude Andruet behind the wheel.

In the Japanese market, the Citroen BX was initially offered by its original distributor, Seibu Motor Sales, until Mazda stepped in and the BX was sold in the Eunos dealership in 1989. It drew a similar situation with Nissan for their Volkswagen Santana for the Japanese market and Kia for their Mercury Sable for the Korean market.

To channel my Best MOTORING vibes, I've picked Tsukuba Circuit for a duel between the two Eunos cars, the Roadster and the Citroen BX. Yes, they were both sold at Eunos dealerships a long time ago, and now, I have the chance to decide which one is the best. Let's roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Eunos Roadster - 1m16.007s

Citroen BX - 1m17.591s

A close result, but it's PROJECT EUNOS 1 that defeated PROJECT EUNOS 2.

The Eunos Roadster and the Citroen BX may be entirely different vehicles, but they both embody the essence of Eunos. It's about connecting the East and the West through the world of automobiles. Cultural exchanges are beautiful, and a game like Gran Turismo truly showcases the richness of car culture.

Opel/Vauxhall Frontera Mk3 v Citroen C3 Aircross Mk2

The Frontera is back in the Opel/Vauxhall lineup, but it's no longer the off-road capable SUV that Jeremy Clarkson bisected on his final day as a Top Gear presenter. This time, it's a compact crossover with French DNA. Thanks a lot, Stellantis.

2025 Opel Frontera

2025 Vauxhall Frontera

Starting at 23,900 Euros or 23,995 Pounds plus additional costs, the Frontera returns as a compact crossover that now runs on the same framework as this...

2025 Citroen C3 Aircross

Yes, the Frontera is now basically running on the same shape as the all-new Citroen C3 Aircross, which is yours for 19,700 Euros plus additional costs. While the previous model, as Jeremy Clarkson said in his Grand Tour shenanigans, is faster than itself, strong enough to tow a ship, big enough to fit Angelina Jolie's family, better at catching bad guys, and good enough to get through the mountain than the elephant, this new model wants to be just like the said model.

What we have here are two identical compact crossovers whose predecessors got Clarksoned. Anyway, enough about Clarkson's Troll Farm. Onto the crossovers.

2025 Opel Frontera interior

2025 Citroen C3 Aircross interior

Although the Frontera and the C3 Aircross are similar in size, they have distinct appearances. The Frontera showcases the new Vizor design, which was first introduced on the second-generation Mokka. In contrast, the C3 Aircross features a front design inspired by the Oli Concept, similar to that of the regular C3 model.

The interiors tell a similar story. Both models are equipped with similar features, such as a touchscreen for infotainment and smartphone connectivity, USB-C ports, and more. However, the seating arrangement raises some concerns, particularly with the seven-seater option, which feels cramped for anyone seeking comfort. When it comes to boot space, both the Frontera and the C3 Aircross offer a capacity of up to 460 liters with all passenger seats in use, and up to 1,600 liters when the seats are folded down. This all seems quite logical.

2025 Citroen C3 Aircross

Both the all-new Frontera and the all-new C3 Aircross are manufactured at the same Stellantis plant in Slovakia, so you can expect a familiar range of hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) powertrains. The entry-level model features a 1.2L THP Hybrid engine paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Additionally, there is a 113PS EV model that offers a driving range of 305 km based on WLTP standards, as well as a more powerful 145PS variant. While it's uncertain whether these models can tow a large boat like the previous C3 Aircross, it's best to set that consideration aside.

Both vehicles are front-wheel drive, but don’t expect to navigate through Broughton Hall without sticking to paved roads or crossing the mountains that Hannibal traversed centuries ago. Additionally, you won’t be chasing bad guys speeding in fast cars on French roads. 

It seems that the typical Clarkson-style excitement has been set aside for these models in favor of practicality. With numerous safety features such as Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Alert, speed sign recognition, high beam assistance, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot detection, and a reversing camera, what more could you need?

Unfortunately, the all-new Frontera and the all-new C3 Aircross have moved away from the unique characteristics of their predecessors in the name of practicality. However, they remain some of the most sensible crossovers available today. That said, the seven-seater variants can be quite challenging for those trying to find the ideal balance between functionality and comfort.

Will you buy either of these two crossovers or stick to the old ones Clarkson enjoyed?

Photo: Opel/Vauxhall/Citroen

My FH5 Log: Sludge Wave

Forza Horizon 5’s Horizon Retrowave update has just been hit with a sludge wave bringing with it three old cars from the 1980s. It’s the same story as last time, the cars came from the salvage yard and into the game. It’s just one more thing that makes it seem like the Forza franchise is on a path to self-destruction. We’ve seen enough old cars already.

First up, the BMW M635CSi that I've salvaged from the update's Storm Season Playlist.

The BMW M635CSi was revealed at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show and is based on the E24 6-Series. The M635CSI features an upgraded six-cylinder engine that was used to power the BMW M1. This engine generates 286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) of power, and it is mated with a Getrag 280/5 five-speed manual gearbox. 

In the United States, the M635CSi is known as the M6 and uses a catalyzed S38B35 motor engine. This engine produces 256bhp, which is less than the Euro-spec version due to stricter emissions regulations in North America. The M6 was built at BMW's Dingolfing plant from 1983 to 1989 with body shells sourced from Osnabruck-based Karmann works.

There are several versions of the M635CSi and M6. Two non-catalyst models were produced for the European market, one with left-hand drive and one with right-hand drive. There are also three distinct catalyst versions for Europe, North America, and Japan, all of which are left-hand drive.

Our second offender in this recent mess is the Lotus Esprit Series 2 that I've salvaged from the update's Dry Season Playlist.

The Lotus Esprit Series 2 is a cool sports car with a great history and a unique design. It has taillights from the Rover SD1 and an interior with Morris Marina switches. There’s even a special model that commemorates Lotus’ victory at the 1978 Formula One championship. It was originally limited to 300 units, but nearly half of it was made and sold.

In 1980, the Essex Turbo Esprit was launched. Finished in the livery of Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation, which was Team Lotus' sponsor from 1979 to 1981, the Essex Turbo Esprit is the first-ever turbocharged Esprit, powered by a 2.2L type 910 engine which produces 210hp of power and 271Nm of torque. It goes from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds and flat-out in 150mph. It even comes with a revised chassis rear suspension setup and improved braking.

Last but not least, the Citroen BX4TC that I've salvaged from the Hot Season Playlist.

Developed for the 1985 World Rally Championship, the Citroën BX 4TC is a rally car derived from the Citroën BX production model. It was designed for Group B rallying in the World Rally Championship.

Sharing little resemblance to the normal BX, the 4TC features a longer nose due to the use of the slightly smaller 2.1L Simca Type 180 engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox sourced from the SM.

The 4TC is proven to be a difficult contender due to its weight, small power, and hydraulic suspensions causing understeer. The best result it has done is a sixth-place finish in Sweden with Jean-Claude Andruet. Citroen withdrew from the 1985 WRC to make revisions but the end of Group B racing threw a wrench to BX 4TC's debut.

Citroen produced 200 road-legal versions to comply with Group B regulations, each costing 248,500 francs. Due to its expensive price tag, only 86 were sold.

Although scarred by the corrosion of the past, I've given these three toxic wastes on wheels for a quick race across Horizon Mexico's finest just to see how much poison has left after being salvaged by the Forza producers from the scrapyard to the game. Roll the tapes.

Looks like Horizon Retrowave's very own Toxic Crusaders win the day.

The Horizon Retrowave update in Forza Horizon 5 is just another stark reminder that a racing game franchise like Forza often prefers featuring old cars rather than the latest and the hottest cars. This is a huge bummer because, while it may be a lot of fun to look at classic cars, racing games are supposed to be about having the latest and greatest vehicles, which is something that Forza is sorely lacking.

The next update is called “Modern Horizons” and I can’t help but hope that it will do the exact opposite of the current update. It would be so refreshing to see some modern-day cars coming to the game. I know I’m not the only one who thinks this, so here’s to hoping.

It’s not like there aren’t enough old cars in Forza already. How many more do we need? How long is this going to go on? I want to race in modern cars, and I want to race in them now. If Forza isn’t going to do it, I hope someone else will.

Please, please, Forza producers, bring us more modern present-day cars!

4th-Generation Citroen C3

The all-new, fourth-generation Citroen C3 marks the true beginning of the French carmaker's new era in the age of electrification, and being a back-to-basic hatchback with budget-friendly pricing, it's a good compact to start with.

2024 Citroen e-C3

Starting at 14,990 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new fourth-generation Citroen C3 brings Citroen back to being a humble French carmaker even under the thumb of Stellantis. Being the first model to proudly wear the new Citroen logo from the OLI Concept, it truly is a new start.

2024 Citroen C3

The fourth-generation Citroen C3 is the first model to bear the new Citroen logo. However, its design conveys a different message. With styling inspired by the OLI Concept, the C3 resembles a crossover more than a city car, especially with its black cladding on the side and rear. The C-shaped headlamps make the car look like a Rubik's cube, which seems to be a French expression of style. Mind you, the all-new C3 uses most of the bits and bobs from today's Peugeot 208 and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa rather than the new platforms Stellantis introduced a long time ago because it's too early to tell.

2024 Citroen C3 interior

The all-new Citroen C3 has a completely redesigned interior layout that adopts the brand's C-Zen lounge concept. It features a squarish steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a sat-nav touchscreen, and automatic air conditioning in MAX variants. The low-cost YOU variant has conventional climate control knobs and a smartphone holder, which is useful for those in the Gig Economy. In terms of space, the C3 has 310 liters of boot space, which is more than adequate for today's thrift store purchases.

2024 Citroen C3

The fourth-generation Citroen C3 is available in petrol and electric versions. The petrol version provides the most enjoyable driving experience, owing to its 1.2L HN09 PureTech engine, which generates 101 PS of power and 205 Nm of torque. When paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, this engine propels the C3 from 0 to 100 kph in 10.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 183 kph. In terms of fuel economy, the petrol-powered C3 achieves 5.6 L/100 km combined based on WLTP standards.

The e-C3's electric powertrain has a 44kWh Lithium iron phosphate battery and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. It produces 113PS of power and 120Nm of torque, which enables it to go from 0 to 100kph in 11 seconds and reach a top speed of 135kph. The e-C3 has a range of 326km and takes less than 30 minutes to charge to 80% at a 100kw public charging station.

Although not the most fun to drive on the straights, its city-friendly handling and the signature Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension made the all-new C3 civilized and user-friendly in the real world. As for safety, the all-new C3 features a wide range of safety tech such as rear parking assist, Active Safety Brake, Active Unintentional Line Crossing Alert, speed sign recognition, and the MAX-exclusive reversing camera.

From its OLI-inspired exterior design, minimalist interior, a choice of petrol and electric, user-friendly driving feel, and loads of safety tech, the all-new fourth-generation Citroen C3 truly is the new start for the French carmaker and has the right to wear the new Citroen logo. Welcome to the subtle side.

Photo: Citroen

My FH5 Log: Euro Trash

Would you look at that? The European Automotive update of Forza Horizon 5 is constantly littered with European junk cars out from the junkyard and into the ever-growing FH5 car roster. The cesspool of junk cars keeps on growing.

First up is the Lancia Fulvia from the Hot Season Playlist. Powered by a 1.3L V4 engine, it's the car that made Lancia win its first World Rally Championship. Not bad for a front-wheel-drive coupe that costs more than the Jaguar E-Type when it was new.

Next up is the Citroen DS 23 from the Storm Season Playlist. This is the iconic hatchback that first introduced Citroen's signature hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system which uses liquid hydraulic and gas-pressured suspension instead of springs, giving it a comfy ride on all kinds of road surfaces. It was the first to use disc brakes.

Fresh from the Dry Season Playlist is the Series 4 Lotus Esprit, the last V8-powered Lotus ever made and one of the last production cars with pop-up headlights.

The Hot Season Playlist featured a double bill of German garbage; the Volkswagen Double Cab Pick-up and the Mercedes-Benz 500 E. The Doka is basically the pickup variant of the Volkswagen Type 2 minibus while the 500 E is the V8-powered variant of the W124 E-Class made from a Porsche factory.

Let's give the quintuplet of European garbage a good dirty driving, and showcase just how good these rusty beaters from the Old Continent were. Roll the tapes.

These rusty beaters proved their point but as it turned out, they were nothing compared to the worst European toxic waste of the pack; the AMG Hammer Wagon from the European Automotive DLC Pack.

The AMG Hammer Wagon is a one-off W214 wagon built for a client from the USA. Started out in life as a diesel-powered W214 wagon until the original owner commissioned AMG to convert it into a super wagon, armed with a 6.0L V8 engine producing 375hp of power while mated to a 4-speed AT. It even comes with a locking differential to help the rear axle endure the punishment from the V8 engine, among others.

Want to see how the AMG Hammer Wagon roars? You're in luck because let's get the tape rolling.

The latest batch of toxic waste dump proves that the cesspool of rusty beaters never stops growing, giving Gen Z players uncontrollable anxiety, complaining about why the Forza producers keep dumping junk cars in such a wonderful racing game.

Are we seeing more junk cars in the next FH5 series update next week? Yes, there will be junk cars next week so brace yourselves for more rusty beaters ruining your FH5 experience.

Citroen C4 X

The first-ever Citroen C4 X can be considered the baby brother of the C5 X but unlike its big brother, it's an all-electric crossover saloon with almost little to show for it. So, what's it all about the C4 X?

2023 Citroen e-C4 X

Starting at 27,650 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever e-C4 X is cheaper to own than its big brother, but like all good cars, it's complicated to explain what's that car for as we will observe what's it all about from top to bottom.

2023 Citroen e-C4 X

To differentiate the C4 X from the normal C4 crossover hatchback, it's been given the impression of a coupe crossover, think BMW's X4 but with a pinch of ratatouille on it. It may look like a jacked-up saloon but in reality, it's all common sense. Of course, you can expect typical Citroen styling all over, especially the signature cross-face most models had. If you're feeling cross-eyed, then this is what this car looks like for you. Classic Citroen vibe.

2023 Citroen e-C4 X interior

Asking about the interior, the C4 X works and feels like a normal C4. meaning you can expect the available sat-nav with smartphone connectivity, a high-tech instrumental cluster, and seating for five people, just like in the normal C4. However, the boot space is greater than the normal C4 because it has up to 1360 liters of boot space for the e-C4 X variant with the rear seats folded down. With such space, you have room for extras on your next weekend trip in a quiet French landmark or possibly a nearby thrift shop if you're into that.

2023 Citroen e-C4 X

The choice of powertrains for the C4 X consists of a PureTech S&S petrol engine (with up to 130PS of power) mated to either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed AT, a 130PS BlueHDi diesel engine, and for the e-C4 X, a 136PS electric motor capable of hitting a 0-100kph in less than ten seconds, 150kph of top speed, and up to 360km of driving range.

Although not exciting to drive as expected, the C4 X puts its emphasis on comfort, a classic Citroen tradition, and with that, it comes with a unique suspension setup with progressive hydraulic stops. Thanks to such suspension, driving on a rocky road feels like there's nothing underneath. You can really drive one on a rough road without leaving someone's drink getting spilled and that's how Citroen's signature suspension works.

In terms of safety, the C4 X comes with over 20 safety and driver assistance systems including Active Safety Brake, collision risk alert and Post Collision Safety Brake, Highway Driver Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, HUD, reversing camera with Top Rear Vision, and many others.

Although not a worthy favorite for speedo boys, the C4 X behaves pretty much like its big brother, the C5 X, and because it's got more to show for than the normal C4, it's a hard bargain worth checking out. Like it or not, this crossover saloon is out there to play smart, not hard.

Photo: Citroen

Citroen C5 X

Citroen revived the C5 moniker in the form of a sport utility wagon known as the C5 X. Billed as the decent rival to the Subaru Legacy Outback, the first-ever Citroen C5 X continues the carmaker's tradition of delivering the most comfortable ride for French motorists in a new and questionable way to spend your everyday life working and traveling in the middle of your day off. Let's fire it up.

2022 Citroen C5 X

Priced at 32,900 Euros plus additional costs, which makes it cheaper to own than the Subaru Outback, the first-ever Citroen C5 X is made for a typical European motorist who would like a sport utility wagon that caters to the driver's whims of life. Whether it's for a typical work schedule or for a quiet Sunday drive, the C5 X is built for almost everything.

In typical French car standards, the styling of the C5 X can be downright questionable judging by its high ground clearance, a sloping roofline, and the modern Citroen front face that looks cross-eyed like a Kabuki. Talk whatever you want but this is what the French called the "new normal" because that's how French cars look like these days.

2022 Citroen C5 X interior

2022 Citroen C5 X interior

Inside, the C5 X's dashboard can be highly mistaken for a BMW because of the similar layout. Despite having a long touchscreen that controls the navigation, media, and smartphone connectivity, there are buttons and switches that control the volume and air conditioning, which is pretty nice for a Citroen. As for the passenger space, meanwhile, despite being shorter and less spacious compared to the Outback, the boot space is roomier than the old C5 Tourer from several decades ago even with the rear seats present. Good or bad, it doesn't matter for the C5 X anyway.

2022 Citroen C5 X

Performance-wise, the C5 X features a choice of PureTech petrol and Hybrid powertrains mated exclusively with an 8-speed AT. The latter is basically a PHEV where the 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is connected to an electric motor and a Li-ion battery, generating up to 225PS of power and 360Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds and has a 233kph top speed, meaning you can kiss your Outback goodbye. As for the fuel economy, meanwhile, it's a rather impressive 1.3L/100km combined.

Because Citroen is well-known for creating the most comfortable vehicles ever driven since the 2CV, the C5 X features the Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension, which makes it capable of handling through bumpy roads without spilling a cup of coffee. The comfortable driving goes a lot further in PHEV variants, making the journey as smooth as sitting on memory foam.

While basking through the C5 X's impressive comfort on the road, the most advanced safety features are in play, making motorists notice while on the go courtesy of its Highway Driver Assist that grants the C5 X level 2 driving, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Top 360 Vision Surround View Camera, and more.

The Citroen C5 X may be the most questionable vehicle ever to emerge from France but with levels of comfort staying true to the Citroen tradition, it truly is a sport utility wagon fit for the new normal and a proper rival to the Subaru Outback despite being shorter and less spacious than its Japanese competitor. This crossover wagon, like it or not, is ready to take on whatever life throws at it and looks like you're in for a good time with this one.

Photo: Citroen

Forza Horizon 4: Let's review Series 35 cars!

The Jeep Gladiator, Citroen DS, and the Porsche 928 are the cars Forza Horizon 4 players worked hard to obtain throughout the course of the Series 35 update, and as new challenges await, let's take a quick pause to review the trio of Series 35 cars obtained throughout the update.

The Jeep Gladiator that you've obtained from the Summer Playlist, so what is it? Well, the Gladiator name has been revived by Jeep for their first-ever pickup truck since the Comanche and it's based on the Wrangler JL. You can think of it as a Wrangler JL with a rear bed to store some raw American stuff only Cowboy Charlie can think of. Despite the rear bed space, the Gladiator works and feels just like the Wrangler and so are the choice of engines with the range-topper bearing the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine.

Next up is the Citroen DS 23 Pallas that you've obtained from the Winter Playlist. This is the iconic hatchback that first introduced Citroen's signature hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system which uses liquid hydraulic and gas-pressured suspension instead of springs, giving it a comfy ride on all kinds of road surfaces. It was the first to use disc brakes. There was a well-known trivia that because of the Citroen DS's durability, it managed to keep the French president Charles De Gaulle safe from a failed assassination attempt, putting his loyalty to the car company behind this car.

Lastly, the one that you've obtained from the Spring Playlist, the Porsche 928. It's one of the infamous trio used on the Top Gear Patagonia Special alongside the Mustang Mach 1 and the Lotus Esprit. Unlike most Porsches derived from other vehicles, the 928 is all-original and it's the first V8 FR Porsche that caused quite a controversy from purists everywhere and so is the price tag.

Now that we got to know about those Series 35 cars, let's give this trio a quick spin just to find out what's like to be in one of these sweet rides. Roll the tape!

Enjoy your new rides!