My GT7 Log: The Beasts of #PrimeDay

Gran Turismo 7 is joining the Prime Day madness as this game has the most insane heavy beasts that are prepared for the most insane moments of their lives. 

The F-150 SVT Raptor, the Renaultsport Megane III, the McLaren MP4-12C, and the Pagani Zonda R are the heavy beasts that can't wait to let their wild side unleashed on track.

Primed and ready, these four heavy beasts are known for unleashing their primal strengths wherever lay ahead. From the roaring sound of the 6.2L V8 engine of the F-150 SVT Raptor, the lightness of the Renaultsport Megane III, the motorsport-inspired dynamics of the 12C, and the Zonda R's ultimate expression of speed, these machines are business and leisure without compromise. I know, I always love saying that every Prime Day because these four unstoppable missiles are Prime Day's Jurassic menace.

To unleash the Jurassic menace of these four unstoppable missiles, it's time to let these heavy beasts accelerate violently through Watkins Glen, the newest addition to Gran Turismo 7's track roster. There are two variants of this new addition; the long one and the short one. I went for the long one just to make it more exciting and real.

Let the Jurassic menace begin!

These four unstoppable missiles... Only a few people are lucky enough to drive these while their concentration's on racing mode. However, there can be only one, and here is the result;

F-150 SVT Raptor - 2:29.042

Megane RS Trophy - 2:20.104

12C - 2:10.942

Zonda R - 1:49.354

The most unstoppable missile in Prime Day's Jurassic menace is the Zonda R.

Watching these four unstoppable missiles ripping through the track with such technology, lightness, and brutal power, well, scratch the second part because only three made the cut, this is the main reason why I love Prime Day. 

Prime Day is when I'm getting the maximum out of these heavy beasts no matter which video game I'm on. Life couldn't get even more exciting when you have the rare opportunity to drive such monsters.

See you next Prime Day, HALO guys!

My FH5 Log: It's a Gordini thing

Of all the most iconic French cars in history, why is the Renault 8 Gordini the biggest standout ever emerged from the said country? Let's have a quick dive into one of the most iconic cars from Renault's history books.

The Renault 8 was launched in 1962 and runs on the same mechanicals as the Dauphine. It features a newly-developed 1.0L Cleon-Fronte engine producing 43HP of power and class-first disc brakes on all wheels. Two years later, Gordini made some modifications to the Renault 8 such as bumping the said engine with more power courtesy of its cross-flow head with sub-combustion chambers and dual twin0choke carburetors, not to mention the additional 0.1L displacement to make it a 1.1L engine. Following the success of the R8 Gordini, the most powerful version of the said car, the R8 Gordini 1300 was unveiled in 1966. The 1.3L engine that powers it produces 102HP of power and it's mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The R8 Gordini was heavily praised for its motorsport accomplishments such as dominating the Tour de Course and other races for three years in a row since 1964 and then two years later, it starred in its own one-make race series called the Gordini Cup; a stepping stone for future professional drivers.

Judging by its motorsport pedigree, it's no wonder why the Renault 8 Gordini is the biggest standout of the French motorsports scene of the 1960s. With its short size, nimble handling, and its 1.3L engine which is tiny even by modern standards, most speedo boys believe that driving the R8 Gordini feels as easy as riding a bike on a Sunday afternoon. Speedo boys are impressed by the R8 Gordini's racing pedigree which is part of Renault's heritage and culture, but for me, I want something more with...The Sorcerer.

Using the streets of Guanajuato as my lab, the R8 Gordini is prepared to take on the extremes as it takes on a cross-country circuit race against other classic cars. Let's find out if this thing can survive on its own. Ready? Roll the tape.

Wow, it barely survived despite a broken gearbox following the massive jump but hey, it's a French thing.

As super saloons evolved, nothing can match the reputation of the ancient Renault 8 Gordini. With its motorsport pedigree involved in this tiny little French sedan, it truly is one of Renault's all-time greats.

Like it or not, feel free to enjoy driving the R8 Gordini in Forza Horizon 5 as a DLC Car, just to give what's like to drive The Sorcerer. After all, it's a G thing.

My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - The Alpine A220

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Alpine A220 Race Car, a racing machine that shows that Alpine is not just a maker of dominant rally cars like the A110.

Served as the successor of the A210 racing machine, the A220 is Alpine's failed attempt to gain an overall win in the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Under the hood, the A220 is powered by a 3.0L V8 engine that produces almost 296HP of power and weighs 176lbs less than the A210. The A220 is the last racing machine made exclusively by Alpine before the Renault takeover.

Let's find out how fast the A220 Race Car goes around the Goodwood Motor Circuit. Roll the tape.

It did it in 1:27.646, which is rather impressive for Alpine's failed attempt to win Le Mans overall but it's still an iconic masterpiece that time nearly forgot.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

Renault Megane V E-Tech

The fifth-generation Renault Megane is now a fully-electric hatchback that can be either a revolution or a revolting feat, depending on how you see it. Either way, that's how the system works, as a certain someone said. Anyway, it's time to meet your new Megane-san.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

Starting at 35,200 Euros plus additional costs, the fifth-generation Renault Megane is a drastic change that shares nothing in common with its predecessors because starting now, the Megane is a BEV that signals the new age for Renault in this time of the new normal.

Beginning with the styling, the all-new Megane draws inspiration from the eVision Concept but in reality, it's hard to describe whether it is a crossover or a hatchback just like the Hyundai IONIQ5 and the Kia EV6, the Megane E-TECH's main targets. Apart from that, the Megane E-TECH is the first Renault to don the new logo because it's the new decade and the new logo rush is the new normal. Either way, that's how the design works, but still, it's worth charming for a French electric car of such size.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior

The new interior can be as hospitable as, well, Meganee-san of course, probably because of its roomier creature comforts and boot space compared to the previous model, not to mention the extensive use of recycled materials for guilt-free purposes like most EVs had, but what's on the driver's side is worth a controversy because of its massive touch screen on the dashboard similar to Teslas, which controls much about everything on this car ranging from the audio, the sat-nav, the smartphone connectivity, and so on. This stuff scares speedo boys straight to their knees but as always, that's how the system works.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

Now let's get to know more about its electric powertrain, the trump card of the new Megane E-TECH. It features a brand new EESM and it weighs less than the one used on the ZOE, and it features two power configurations with the latter producing 160kw of power and 300Nm of torque, capable of 0-100kph time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 160kph, 20kph slower than everyday Japanese vehicles. As for range, the range-topper is good for 450km based on WLTP standards and its charging time takes 42 minutes to reach 80% when plugged into a public charging station. That's how the electric powertrain works and apart from that, the Megane E-TECH features regenerative braking on demand with four interchangeable brake levels.

In terms of driving feel, the Megane E-TECH feels bulky to drive unlike past Megane models because it weighs over two tons due to its electric powertrain, but it feels stable and civilized. In the end, that's how the Megane works.

The Renault Megane E-TECH, much to the shock of speedo boys behind the wheel, features the most advanced driving aids offered in its class such as Active Driver Assist, Smart Speed Limiter, LDW, BSW, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Rear AEB, OSE, and many others. That's how safety features work.

Is the new Renault Megane E-TECH a revolution or a revolting feat? With its crossover styling, futuristic interior, game-changing electric powertrain, and the most advanced safety features offered, you can't really say but in the end...that's how the new Megane E-TECH works.

Say hello to your new Megane-san, Megane-san.

Photo: Renault

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

Peugeot 308 III SW

The third-generation Peugeot 308 truly is the start of the new era of Peugeot, apart from being the first to proudly wear the new Peugeot logo. Although not suitable for speedo boys because Stellantis says no to a hot version of this new model, it has the credentials normal drivers need to get through the new normal in style and dynamics. With the arrival of the SW variant, you can get the same treatment as expected in the hatchback equivalent but with the bigger boot for your everyday needs.

Priced at 26,450 Euros plus additional costs, the SW variant of the all-new, third-generation Peugeot 308 delivers the same stuff from its hatchback equivalent but with the added boot space for your bare necessities.

Like the hatchback, the new 308 SW has an aggressor feel than the previous model's generic approach while the interior carries the newly-improved i-Cockpit with the first-ever Peugeot i-Connect that comes with the rather annoying voice control, not to mention the comfortable passenger seats that feel beyond the mainstream. But with the SW, you'll get 608 liters of boot space with the rear seats present and up to 1634 liters with the rear seats folded down, giving you plenty of opportunities to take advantage of its added space for business and leisure.

The SW carries the same powertrain choices as its hatchback equivalent ranging from a 1.2L PureTech, 1.5 Blue HDi, and a 1.6 HYBRID variant, all mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The most powerful version is the 1.6 HYBRID variant, which is basically a plug-in hybrid with the turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine connected to an 81kW electric motor. It produces a system power output of 225PS of power, has a 0-100kph of 7.5 seconds, a top speed of 235kph. The HYBRID 180 variant is the most efficient because of its 1.1L/100km combined fuel economy based on WLTP standards. Time to ditch your Corolla Touring for this one, ladies and gentlemen.

Dynamics-wise, it is part comfortable, part sporty at the same time thanks to its reworked suspension setup and the Driving Style Selector. As for safety, you can still expect a wide array of driving tech such as Semi-automatic lane change, anticipated speed recommendation, curve speed adaptation, long-range blind-spot monitoring, RCTA, Peugeot Open & Go, E-call+ emergency call, and more, standard or with the Drive Assist pack.

Not the best wagon ever made but it's a must-buy for those who are bored with crossovers.

Photo: Peugeot

Second Generation DS 4

After a three-year hiatus, the DS 4 returns for its second generation and it's now a sleeker and more stylish hatchback that is as French as the Louvre. Like it or not, the all-new DS 4 is a bold fashion statement that balances the good and bad characteristics of a proper French car. Let's investigate.

2022 DS Automobiles 4

2022 DS Automobiles 4

Priced at 38,500 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new DS 4 marks the return of the DS brand's first five-door hatchback after three years in new and almost exciting ways that will tickle the drivers' fancies within. 

Beginning with the design, the new model is now sharper-looking compared to the old DS 4, which is surprisingly great for a French hatchback but when you parked somewhere at a fancy party place in Ibiza or near the casino at Monaco, it's hard to pass itself as a luxury car because, despite its premium design, it's basically a Peugeot 308 underneath, like a commoner dressed for JS Prom. Even the Cross variant with its rugged looks won't budge it because it's too obvious to know.

Obvious aside, the new model is heavily made of reusable and recyclable parts, meaning it has a conscience to the environment and sustainability, something that most carmakers will learn and adapt to someday.

2022 DS Automobiles 4 interior

Check inside and you will notice that the dashboard feels like a mashup between Star Trek and Beat Saber. Riffing aside, the minimalist layout spells trouble for speedo boys behind the wheel and that spells confusion unless you have a Bachelor's Degree in IT. To add more French salt to the wounds, it even comes with the DS IRIS SYSTEM that mashes up Alexa and the gesture control from BMW. Brace yourselves for some talk marathon if you're sitting at its sweet spot.

Because the new model is bigger than before, it's surprisingly roomier and more comfortable, giving the impression that you're like riding in an A-Class or an A3, which are the DS 4's targets but that would be burgeois to compare it to the German luxury hatchbacks that priced less than this. As for the boot, it's bigger than the previous DS 4 and the rear seats can be folded down for more.

2022 DS Automobiles 4

The all-new DS 4 is powered by three different powertrains; the 1.2 PureTech, the 1.5 BlueHDI, and the 1.6L E-TENSE PHEV powertrain. The said E-TENSE powertrain combines the turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor, lithium-ion battery, and an e-EAT8 gearbox. It delivers a combined power output of 225PS, 360Nm of combined torque, a 0-100kph time of 7.7 seconds, a top speed of 233kph, and 1.3L/100km of fuel economy.

Sounds high-performance class until we get to know about its dynamics. Despite its cheap suspension layout that behaves like a mainstream Japanese family hatchback, the new DS 4 drives better than the previous model. It even comes with the DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION which uses cameras that can detect road conditions and adapts through it like an auto-correct feature on your word processing software. The Cross variant features Advanced Traction Control and Hill Assist Descent Control, which are good enough while traversing through the dirt. Not exciting to drive but it feels good everywhere. It's about as civilized, as cultured, and as poised as the Germans. Respect for that.

As expected, the new DS 4 is loaded with the most cutting edge ADAS features offered in this semi-luxury hatchback courtesy of its DS DRIVE ASSIST 2.0 with cruise control, semi-automatic overtaking, speed adjustment, Radar Corners, and more, especially the DS NIGHT VISION system that detects stuff in the dark.

This is by no means a major improvement compared to the previous DS 4, like it or not. Despite its suspension setup that made it behave like a mainstream car, the all-new DS 4 is a premium-looking luxury hatchback that deserves to be driven every day. With such packaging, this French artwork is too impossible to ignore.

Photo: DS Automobiles

Peugeot 308 III

The Peugeot 308 has been known for rewriting the French carmaker's customs with the second-generation model rewrote Peugeot's naming strategy to freeze the -08 instead of advancing to the next number as models evolved. The advent of the third-generation 308 marks a bold new era for Peugeot, now that it's part of the newly-christened Stellantis family of car brands from PSA and FCA. It's the first to don Peugeot's new logo first seen on the e-Legend concept. Let's get to know the first Peugeot of its new era.

With prices starting at 24,800 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new Peugeot 308 is once again rewriting the Peugeot custom with its evocative styling, new interior, improved performance, and a plethora of driving tech that will attract neophyte drivers and get acquainted with it until the end.

Starting with the design, the new model has an aggressor feel than the previous model's generic approach. Speedo boys could say that the new model's aggressive exterior design is a recipe for a hot hatch but hold it right there boys because even though the new model has the striking looks of a cobra, Stellantis says no for the new model to become a hot hatch, unlike the previous model, because of the new normal. Boo.

Although the new exterior design is the main reason to fall in love with the all-new 308, the new interior is a worthy challenge. The i-Cockpit has been given a major overhaul on the new model with the introduction of the first-ever Peugeot i-Connect. While the new interior gives drivers the feeling of a sci-fi fighter, the minimalist approach and the gear select buttons in place of a lever can easily scare speedo boys straight or as some would say, "Marty, we got to go back!". What's also worse is the voice control that works like Alexa so expect trouble for those sitting on its sweet spot.

In terms of comfort, the new 308 is as comfortable as most mainstream cars should and it's surprisingly more spacious than the previous model it replaces because of its increased wheelbase. Also, the boot space is slightly more as well. With such room, the new 308 is capable of almost all walks of life.

The new 308 is powered by a choice of a 1.2L PureTech, 1.5 Blue HDi, and a 1.6 HYBRID variant, all mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The most powerful version is the 1.6 HYBRID variant, which is basically a plug-in hybrid with the turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine connected to an 81kW electric motor. It produces a system power output of 225PS of power, has a 0-100kph of 7.5 seconds, a top speed of 235kph. The HYBRID 180 variant is the most efficient because of its 1.1L/100km combined fuel economy based on WLTP standards. You can kiss your Corolla Sport hybrid goodbye.

In terms of dynamics, the new 308 is part comfortable, part sporty at the same time thanks to its reworked suspension setup and the Driving Style Selector. Whichever style you're driving, rest assured that the new 308 is better to drive than the previous model. Not perfect but it will do.

As the car that represents the new era of Peugeot, the new 308 comes with a wide array of driving tech such as Semi-automatic lane change, anticipated speed recommendation, curve speed adaptation, long-range blind-spot monitoring, RCTA, Peugeot Open & Go, E-call+ emergency call, and more, standard or with the Drive Assist pack.

The new 308 truly is the start of the new era of Peugeot, apart from being the first to proudly wear the new Peugeot logo. Although not suitable for speedo boys because Stellantis says no to a hot version of this new model, it has the credentials normal drivers need to get through the new normal in style and dynamics. Not perfect but it's the best 308 made for the new normal.

Photo: Peugeot

Renault Kangoo III

The Renault Kangoo is known to be the ideal lifestyle minivan for the typical European outdoorsman for almost two decades since the first one was launched in 1997. With the arrival of the third-generation model, the all-new Kangoo is ready to cater to families and small businesses alike with its sharp styling, new interior, new sliding doors, bigger storage space, honest powertrains, and tech. Let's have a quick look at the all-new model.

With prices starting at 25,150 Euros plus additional costs, the third-generation Renault Kangoo delivers the same recipe as its predecessors but with new and interesting ways and means to keep European families and small businesses accommodated for more, unless some wire-wearing Japanese Kangoo fanatics are eavesdropping on almost 10,000km away from Tokyo to Paris, wishing they want to get their hands on this new model.

Starting with the design, the new Kangoo ditches its cutesy round styling from its predecessors in favor of a more conservative approach, which means serious business for one of Europe's most practical high-roof minivans. Serious the design is, the new model is surprisingly bigger than the previous model. It's now 206mm longer, 89mm wider, and 28mm taller than before. Although bigger in size, it's hard to complain about the added practicality the new model delivers and this is where its interior comes into play.

Speaking of the roof, the new Kangoo features innovative roof racks that can turn transversal without effort. Handy if you got something to put some stuff up.

Thanks to its added dimensions, the all-new Kangoo is roomier than the previous model, making this five-seater high-roof minivan more accommodating than ever. Not only the new model works as a family mover, but it can also be an effective workhorse because of its increased boot space, making it capable of doing logistics on a daily basis. In daily life, the new interior is all about working and playing without leaving them dull, but when a day off comes, the new Kangoo shows its practical side, making weekend trips more exciting for typical Europeans spending their weekends elsewhere on the open.

Of course, being set in the new normal, if you're a speedo boy, the touch screen is the one thing you'll be worrying about because there are no buttons on it.

The third-generation Kangoo is offered a choice of TCe and BLUE dCi engines with manual and automatic gearboxes at launch with an electrified version to follow. The most powerful version of the Kangoo is powered by a 1.3L TCe engine producing 130PS of power and 240Nm of torque. With a six-speed manual gearbox, which sounds cheesy for a minivan like this, it does 0-100kph in 12.9 seconds and has a top speed of 183kph. Your Honda Freed and Toyota Sienta can't do that!

In terms of dynamics, the added sizing feels a bit of a letdown for the new Kangoo but in terms of comfort, Renault spent a lot of manpower to deliver its sensible experience families can expect. It's quiet, it's smooth, and overall, not a bad minivan to drive. The only thing you'll be worrying about is your curiosity...and up to 14 driver assistance systems offered on the new Kangoo.

The new Kangoo has reshaped Renault's most practical high roof minivan to the era of the new normal with its bigger sizing, more spacious interior, and added tech. For family trips or for work, this new Kangoo is begging to be driven on European roads, just to show them it's as appropriate as an appropriate associate.

If you have one and enjoyed its practicality, you'd better doublethink before slapping the rear sides with stickers as most Japanese Kangoo owners do. Enjoy!

Photo: Renault

DS Automobiles 9

At long last, there is now a premium sedan in the DS lineup! The first-ever DS9 promises to be France's answer to the Audi A4 and promises to be one of the most luxurious premium sedans in its class. Let's take a quick dive into the first premium sedan from DS Automobiles.

2022 DS 9

2022 DS 9 interior

The first-ever DS9 premium sedan promises to be as luxurious as the Germans in its class. With prices starting at 48,700 Euros plus additional costs, the DS9 is more costly to own than its main rival, the Audi A4, but look at it this way. If you are the sort of person who wants a premium luxury sedan but dislikes the Germans, especially Audi, then this haute couture could be your ideal pick, despite the fact that it came all the way from China.

Starting with the design, the DS9 can be precisely mistaken for an Audi A4 when you squint hard. While it was mistaken for an Audi, the back tells a different story because it almost bears the resemblance to the now-defunct Lincoln Continental. Despite its identity crisis, the DS9 still bears the haute couture elegance as most DS vehicles possess.

The haute couture elegance is also applied to the interior as well because, on the driver's side, the futuristic detailing on the dashboard gives an impression of playing a nice game of Beat Saber. When kitted with the OPERA interior, the DS9's savoir-faire comes to life. Props to the interior design team who are responsible for this futuristic attention to detail that made the DS9 engaging to look at it and to live with it.

Because it's bigger than the Audi A4, the DS9 is a surprisingly spacious luxury sedan fit for all kinds of VIPs looking for a fancy escort, not to mention a decent boot space good enough to carry some sensitive items in it.

In addition to the normal 1.6L PureTech 225 petrol engine, the DS9 can be fitted with the E-Tense PHEV powertrain where the 1.6L petrol engine is mated to an electric motor, li-ion battery, and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The front-wheel-drive variant produces 225PS of power while the 4WD variant produces a surprisingly powerful 360PS of power and 520Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph.

In terms of fuel economy, the front-wheel-drive DS9 E-Tense variant excels with combined fuel consumption of 1,5 l/100km based on the WLTP scale and has an electric-only range of about 48km, provided that you didn't waste its energy from playing music at loud volume.

Asked about charging times, the DS9 E-Tense's batteries can be fully charged by about an hour and five minutes when plugged at a public charging station or less than seven hours when charging at home.

Despite being made in China, the DS9 still delivers the nearly perfect balance of comfort and enjoyment at its pace thanks to its highly sophisticated DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION that detects every movement and road condition. Couple that with its signature DS suspension setup and you got yourself a luxury car that is worth living up to its promise of sophistication and mildness. Yes, mildness because this is a surprisingly mild premium sedan to live with.

Speaking of mildness, the DS9 is armed with the most sophisticated driving aids ever equipped on a French luxury car such as the DS Park Pilot, DS Active Led Vision, DS Night Vision, DS Driver Attention Monitoring, DS Drive Assist, and many others.

Despite being more expensive to own than the Audi A4, the first-ever DS9 truly exceeds its expectations as the luxury premium sedan is capable to compete with the Germans. Not bad for a Chinese import.

Photo: DS Automobiles

Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered

The formation of the new Peugeot SPORT marque gave birth to the ultimate 508 ever created, the 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED. With its sport-tuned dynamics, PHEV powertrain, and aggressive styling, this is what the 508 has been missing the whole time.

2021 Peugeot 508 PSE

2021 Peugeot 508 SW PSE

With prices starting at 67,100 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever 508 PSE is more costly to own than the Volkswagen Arteon R, but on the upside, it's cheaper to own than the BMW M3, making this the bargain high-performance saloon of the year, but it's not really a bargain high-performance car because, as I said, it's more expensive than the hot Arteon I've mentioned a few seconds ago.

Anyway, the styling. At first glance, it looks just like the normal, second-generation, Peugeot 508, in sedan and SW variants, but the PSE variant gave both of these body styles some juice. It features a dark front grille, yellow-green accented signature front bumper, yellow-green brake calipers similar to the Subaru WRX STi, new rear bumpers, and dark-colored 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires to match its personality. With its dark-themed styling, the 508 PSE is what happens when a businessman's car has gone after hours.

The interior works and feels just like the normal 508 and the i-Cockpit still works as every new Peugeot should. It's still as spacious as the normal 508, of course, and with the SW variant, it can carry loads of stuff whether for business or for pleasure.

The highlight of the 508 PSE is its performance and this is the kind of performance Asian medium-sized cars should learn from them. Powered by a 1.6L turbocharged engine connected to two electric motors and mated to an e-EAT8 gearbox, it generates a total power output of 360PS of power and 520Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100kph in 5.2 seconds and an electronically-governed top speed of 255kph. Not as fast as the Arteon R but with that kind of performance numbers, the 508 PSE is a French high-performance super saloon that wants to equate with Germany's finest. As for fuel efficiency, it's a surprising 2L/100km on the WLTP scale. That's 50kmpl if you do the math.

Driving on electric power only, it has a range of 42km, and like most PHEVs, the 508 PSE's batteries can be charged but, depending on which charging point you're on, it will take almost half a day to recharge its batteries that supplement the two electric motors.

Because it has two electric motors on both sides, the 508 PSE is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, making it suitable for a chilling trip to Val Thorens on a holiday without making a ruckus. Aside from that, the 508 PSE, thanks to Peugeot's motorsports know-how, features sport-tuned dynamics underneath, making it capable of toying around the corners of Paul Ricard like it's its first try, although the digital engine sound mapping idea is cheesy, by the way.

You can play with it all day while trying to embarrass every Asian-made midsized executive car in its size, wishing that one day, they'll be as cool as this lion, but this is the real world, and although the sporty dynamics can upset a Regular Joe driving on normal day-to-day traffic, the 508 PSE features a wide range of ADAS just like the normal 508, and such safety features are worth noticeable.

The dismal charging times and the safety features not friendly to speedo boys behind the wheel are the downsides of the 508 PSE, but with the performance and styling that made a big impression, the 508 PSE is the high-performance Peugeot saloon they have been waiting for and looks like the Germans are on heightened alert.

Photo: Peugeot

Renault Arkana

First introduced in Russia, the Renault Arkana is a coupe crossover that prefers to speak Russian rather than French because this quirk is made for but after several thoughts and reconsiderations, Renault finally brought the Arkana where it is supposed to belong but with a major twist.

2022 Renault Arkana

The Renault Arkana, priced at 29,700 Euros plus additional costs, finally comes home but with a major twist that differentiates itself from the time we first saw it in Russia. That's right because while it looks almost identical, the mechanicals and the interior have been altered to suit Western Europe, and instead of being imported from Moscow for obvious and subtle reasons, the new Arkana is imported from South Korea.

2022 Renault Arkana

2022 Renault Arkana interior

Yes, the new Arkana is an import from South Korea, where it was known and sold as the Renault Samsung XM3, and judging from the styling, the Arkana is similarly styled just like its Korean relative except for the front face that made the first impression. While the XM3's front face is striking to look at, the Arkana's front face is somewhat milder and more serious to look at.

Come to the interior and you are greeted by the  9.3-inch touch screen that is not friendly for speedo boys if you know what I mean as well as the longer 10.25 TFT display that takes place from the typical speedos. Don't worry, there are knobs for the air-con and that's it. On the passenger side, this five-seater is not bad to make a living out of it and the boot space of up to 513 liters with the secret compartment opened means it can carry anything when taken for a family outing or for business in the case of TNVS or deliveries.

2022 Renault Arkana

Unlike the Arkanas of the East, this Arkana made with the French drivers in mind is powered by two kinds of powertrains such as the 1.3L TCe 140 mated to a 6-speed EDC and the 1,6L E-TECH 145 hybrid mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The former is the quicker one because it can go from 0-100kph in 9.8 seconds and has a top speed of 200kph but the latter is something to talk about. While the top speed is slower than a Japanese car, its fuel efficiency of 4.2L/100km based on NEDC standards is proof that this is the go-getter for those who are going the extra mile.

Of course, the Arkana is a front-wheel-drive-only crossover and cheap but it behaves almost like the Megane in a good way and it's basically not old-fashioned by the way it moves. That's because it runs on the bits and bobs from the Megane rather than the Dacia bits that its Russian equivalent uses.

On the issue of safety, the Arkana is packed with a wide array of safety features such as Highway & Traffic Jam Companion, Adaptive cruise control (with Stop & Go), Active emergency braking system, Blind spot warning, Lane departure warning, and lane guard system, and many others.

Love it or hate it, this is the Arkana that you should be focusing on, not the other way around because now that the Arkana finally hits the European Union as an import from South Korea instead of Russia, there's so much to catch up with Renault's first coupe crossover that got them noticed.

Photo: Renault

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!