Ford Mustang Mach-E vs. Bronco Sport

Ford's SUV lineup continues to expand with the arrival of two new models fit for all walks of life; the first-ever Mustang Mach-E and the Bronco Sport.

We first begin with the $42,895 Mustang Mach-E, the electric crossover that sent Mustang fans on a tailspin. The idea of slapping a Mustang badge on Ford's first-ever electric crossover sounds like a treason to the Mustang heritage because while Mustangs from all walks of life is all about raw V8 power screaming for freedom and liberty, this Mustang Mach-E is what speedo boys joking it as the Mustang made for leftists because Ford is a slave for progressivism and progressivism is all about trying new stuff for the better.

Progressivism aside, the styling of the Mustang Mach-E is distinctively Mustang, which is radical but the crossover styling rather spoils the Mustang design and speedo boys who witnessed one will have their eyes rolled. The same story goes for the interior which also makes speedo boys' eyes rolling into doubt because of its massively tall touch screen akin to Tesla, seating for five passengers, and a big boot on the back. A big boot in the back! A right-minded, left-thinking, Ford guy might be taking advantage of a Mustang-ish crossover with up to 59.6 cubic feet of space when he wants to use it for family trips or for work! That's not the way the Mustang works, of course, but as a Ford, it works like most crossovers should.

As an electric crossover promising zero tailpipe emissions, we get to know how its electric powertrain works. The one with the 68kWh battery pack produces up to 266HP of power and with the eAWD drivetrain equipped, it does 0-60kph in 5.2 seconds. The rear-wheel drive variants is slower but it has a range of 230 miles, which is good. The 88kWh Extended Range, meanwhile, promises 300 miles for rear wheel drive but it's shockingly slower than the rear wheel drive standard range variant, 6.1 compared to 5.8 seconds. In eAWD variants, it's faster by 0.4 seconds, which is good. 

The king of the crop is the GT version which comes with the improved extended range battery that produces 480HP of power, similar to the V8-powered Mustang GT, gets away from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, and has a range of 250 miles. It is offered only in eAWD.

In rear-wheel drive, the Mustang Mach-E's dynamics doesn't feel like a Mustang but as an all-electric crossover, it's all about the balance that makes them noticed. In eAWD, however, it still packs some balance. It's a balance-type machine that almost ticks the boxes and for a crossover that claims to be a Mustang, it's a gag reel. Speaking of gag reel, the Mustang Mach-E's packed with numerous safety features that terrifies most speedo boys behind the wheel. Thank you, Ford.

For those who didn't like the Mustang Mach-E but stuck in the SUV-buying phase should consider the Bronco Sport, which is priced at 26,820 Dollars plus additional costs.

The return of the Bronco nameplate is a worthy celebration for speedo boys awaiting the return of legend but while the real Bronco doesn't come until the latter half of 2021, fans will have to make do with its little brother, which puts the Jeep Compass in its crosshairs.

The Bronco Sport is the baby Bronco no one saw it coming because speedo boys are so focused on the real Bronco and while it runs on the same stuff as the latest Ford Escape, it's not a real Bronco at all...or that's what they think it is.

Observing on the styling first, the Bronco Sport's rugged design draws inspiration from the original Bronco and despite its midsize dimensions, the Bronco Sport is adventurous in spirit because it's got adventure-ready stuff such as roof-rack capacity that can handle up to 150lbs of load with the standard steel roof, a flip-up rear glass similar to today's Nissan Serena, and ground clearance up to 8.8 inches. Come inside and you will be greeted by its rather regular cockpit that works like most cars should, seating up to five people, up to 65.2 cu.ft. of boot space with the rear seats folded, cleanable seating material, molded flooring, internet connectivity, and so on, making it fully prepared for all walks of life, for work of for leisure.

The Bronco Sport is powered by a choice of a 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The former promises an EPA estimated mileage of up to 25 City / 28 Highway, while the latter has 21 MPG City / 26 MPG Highway. All of these variants are four-wheel drive of course.

Because going offroad is what the new Bronco Sport's made for, well almost, it features different G.O.A.T. Modes that will make it Go On Any Terrain. In its normal guise, it works on Sand and Slippery surfaces in addition to normal roads but on the high-end Badlands variant, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl are added to the switch, making it more capable offroad, much to the delight of speedo boys behind the wheel. Speaking of offroad, the Bronco Sport's got the goods such as the Twin-Clutch Rear Driver Unit (Badlands exclusive), available all-terrain tyres, available steel bash plates, Badlands-exclusive heavy-duty front tow hooks, H.O.S.S. suspension, and up to 23.6 inches of water-fording capability which is great in case you are prepared to get wet.

Having fun off-road, the new Bronco Sport offers a wide range of safety features that will make them surprised and annoyed on the road such as Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, and Rear View Camera.

So, which of these Ford SUVs will go for? If you are prepared to get bashed by Mustang loyalists while taking advantage of its electric performance, you'd best be ready with the Mach-E, but if you are more of an outdoorsman who likes to play rough, then the Bronco Sport is the best bet. Either way, the new Mach-E and the Bronco Sport are proof that the SUV surge cannot be stopped, worrying speedo boys many.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Forza Horizon 4: American beefcakes

As America blows up the summer skies with its fireworks, the world of Forza has its own take on what others know as the American trinity. The Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, and the Dodge Challenger are the real American trinity that delivers life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for speedo boys everywhere. These three have been flexing their beefcakes for several years with the aging Challenger trumping both because of the limited-edition Demon that scared away even the most European supercars on the road.







Drawing reference from a certain Grand Tour episode, the muscle car trio consisting of the current-generation ZL1, the now-legendary Challenger SRT Demon, and the RTR Mustang Spec 5, are flexing their muscles to see which muscle car has the bearing of "E Pluribus Unum", which means "out of many, one".

First up, is the ZL1. Powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, it produces 650HP of power and the same amount of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic gearbox. While this is the most powerful Camaro ever made, dynamics are still one of the ZL1's priorities especially when it comes to the Magnetic Ride Control suspension and standard electronic Limited-Slip Differential. As a high-performance muscle car that balances power and dynamics on the road and on the track, the new ZL1 is all business or so they say.

The Demon, on the other hand, is a special edition Challenger that made supercars cowered in fear because of the supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine producing up to 840HP of power and the fastest 0-60mph time of any production sportscar, 2.3 seconds to be precise. It was well known to break every world record in history, especially the fact that being the first production car in the world that can do the longest wheelie as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records. So record-breaking, drag-racing organizers won't let the Demon join the party, some say.

Lastly, the RTR Spec 5 is a tuning package for the facelifted Ford Mustang by RTR with a specially-made body kit and upgrades underneath. Customers can opt for more power upgrades when they want, of course.







Just like in one episode of The Grand Tour, the muscle car trio are lapping around an abandoned car factory to see which one is the fastest and here in Forza Horizon 4, I found an abandoned rail yard to pit these three for a quick lap to see which one is "out of many, one". Waving the American flag, the quick lap shootout is on to find out which of the three muscle cars is the best.

In the end, here are the results;

ZL1 - 0:43.844
Demon - 0:41.842
RTR Spec 5 - 0:45.412



So, this is the clear winner. Although the Demon is stodgy, old, and went out of production, it's still hell-raising quick, and even with the Demon now in the pages of history, it's proof that Dodge really is the E Pluribus Unum because of their class-leading horsepower and performance that makes Europeans running scared. They're right. The Europeans should rethink before taking these Hellcats on.

Anyway, enjoy the fireworks, America!

Enjoy the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness you've been looking for all the years!

Ford Mustang (6th Gen) Shelby GT500

The long-awaited return of the ultimate Mustang, the Shelby GT500, on the sixth-generation model, has the whole automotive world raving about because with all of the USDA Beef bulking up the current version of America's iconic muscle car, the all-new GT500 promises to be the ultimate GT500 ever made because of what lies underneath its reptilian skin.

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

With prices start at a very expensive 72,900 US Dollars plus on road costs, the all-new Shelby GT500 is the ultimate GT500 ever made and from every angle, you can see why everyone's getting jealous on getting their hands on the ultimate road-going Ford car ever built not only because it's the most powerful Ford ever made but it's the most thrilling Ford to drive in an era where crossovers roam back and forth like zombies.

Yes, the GT500 is the ultimate road-going Ford car ever built because the 5.2L Supercharged Cross Plane Crank V8 engine produces a record-breaking 760hp of power output and 625ft-lb of torque, mated to a TREMEC 7-speed Dual Clutch gearbox, which is surprisingly modern for sportscar standards. 760 horsepower means that while it's not as powerful as the ancient-looking but mind-blowing Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye, the new GT500 is the most powerful Ford ever made. That's more powerful than the recent Ford GT!

With the power output more than enough to leave everyone driven to tears, the new GT500 is prepared to tear down the road and track with its reworked dynamics not reserved for rookies and debutantes because with such power and handling, you'll need to spend the rest of your lives mastering its bone-crushing performance before challenging it head on. Running on the more hard core Carbon Fiber Track Package, the new GT500 is a mind-blower on the track because with all the track-focused dynamics and the removal of rear seats, it's about as thrilling as a Hollywood action thriller in the cinema and by chasing down the Redeye and the ZL1 1LE on the track, you'll know that such dynamics the new GT500 possesses is the key of winning the race.

Ford has spent a lot of man hours perfecting the GT500 into the muscle car you're seeing it now. On the track, the raw power and dynamics demonstrates how challenging and mind-blowing the GT500 is. On the open road, it's all about getting the job done. And on the city streets, this muscle car is a real swag that can drive bystanders into tears, wishing they just want one.

Despite the outrageous pricing and the fact that it's not quick enough on the straights against a Dodge Challenger Redeye, the new GT500 is the ultimate Mustang for those who are man enough to take on the extremes and once driven in the beginning, you'll be forever smitten until you are fully satisfied.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Forza Horizon 4: Ready to R-I-O-T one last time

The last of the three RTR Mustangs offered on Forza Horizon 4, a #88 Mustang RTR drift car belonged to Chelsea Denofa, is now in my garage and it's time to get to know more about the other RTR Mustang drift car before getting a wild ride with this wild horse.



Representing RTR Motorsports, Denofa, a Pennsylvania-born 28-year-old pro drifter, is known to balance his style and technique in Drifting, Road Racing, and Stunt Driving. His drifting days began even before earning a driver's license and when he was granted a SCCA Pro racing license, he's sharpening his skills in the field of Road Racing and Stunt Driving. When his focus was shifted to Drifting, he made a name of himself in numerous drifting events across the East Coast and numerous pro events across America.

In 2007 to 2011, Chelsea Denofa took part in NOPI Drift, D1GP USA, and then his back-to-back win at the Xtreme Drift Championships in 2010 and 2011. At his push for his Formula Drift campaign, Denofa's win at Long Beach and top three qualifications took the attention of RTR Motorsports and with that, Chelsea Denofa teams up with Vaughn Gittin Jr. in 2017.



After taking a peek on Chelsea Denofa's biodata, it's time to see how his car behaves and just like Gittin Jr.'s, Chelsea Denofa's #88 really is a drift car that fits for such purpose, not for racing. I tried and even when fiddling with its transmission setup, this four-speed monster really is as tricky as the dreaded Bomb #2 from the game called BOOM! Yes, there is such a thing as Bomb #2 and that game show I mentioned because by golly, it's difficult because of the six people you have to guess who's not but anyway, the previous RTR Mustang I drove was proven to be difficult when you put in a race but what happens if I do it again when the conditions get frosty? I know it's suicide but hey, challenge accepted, because this is No Limits Horizon. Anything can happen, right? Let's roll the VTR.



This is the silliest attempt I've ever done but the #88 Mustang RTR served its purpose nicely and won.



So, now that all three RTR Mustangs served their purpose in Forza Horizon 4, what can I say? Both the drift cars are bewildering to drive while they're not used for racing but if you want to race, you'd better be off with the normal Mustang with the RTR bodykit because it's so manageable compared to the previous two but despite their differences, these RTR Mustangs truly live up to the name, Ready To Rock. For me, they're Ready to R-I-O-T and these Mustangs sure know how to raise a ceiling and pump their volumes to the max.

Which of these RTR Mustangs in-game is your favorite?

Forza Horizon 4: Ready to R-I-O-T again

Last week, I've obtained the first of the RTR Mustangs from the controversial Horizon Playlist in the form of the normal 2018 Ford Mustang GT with some RTR bodykits onto it. Now, I got the second of the RTR Mustangs and this time, it's the #25 Mustang RTR drift car that was driven by Vaughn Gittin Jr. from the 2018 Formula Drift season.



There's so much to talk about the man behind the RTR name himself but let's cut to the real juicy facts before riding shotgun with the #25 Mustang RTR. This Maryland-born professional drifter and boss of the RTR racing team was known for his signature drifting style from his Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. He won his first Formula Drift title in 2010 and crowned Ace Driver of the Decade in 2013 because of his impressive record that saw him took more tandem battle victories than any other driver in over a decade of Formula Drift. Gittin Jr. is also a three time World Drift Series champion from 2011 to 2013 and upset most Japanese drifters in the USA vs. Japan match of the D1GP, where he won in 2005 and 2007.



This particular Mustang RTR that I won in the recent Horizon Playlist is more than just the Mustang that Gittin Jr. took part on the 2018 Formula Drift season. In fact, THIS is the exact RTR Mustang that became the first car to drift the entire Nurburgring. No joke, no made-up, it's the real thing. They have drifted the whole thing using this 1,000hp monster machine that hit speeds on the Green Hell in excess of 149mph. Such a brave feat this RTR Mustang drift car commit but the question is, can it survive Horizon Festival by dawn?



You might say that because it packs a thousand horsepower from its engine, you might think that I can escape all of the opposition to the chequers convention but don't underestimate its mighty power output because being a drift car, it was made for that purpose. Not racing. Still, could be worse, the gearbox is a four-speed so in the straights, most fast cars will eat this thousand horsepower beast alive but being me, I did a little creative process to see if this car made for drifting be possible for racing duty. Be warned because this could get a little bit wild.



So, how could I describe this machine after this day? Well, since this is a thousand-horsepower drift car, I find it very difficult to control in the middle of the race and even in a gentle approach, this thing is overkill from start to finish and I have to resort in a more brutal approach to get this thing under control. Nothing says it's a walk in a park with this monster machine.



With two RTR Mustangs in place, there's one more RTR Mustang heading your way soon so watch out later on in Forza Horizon 4. Until then, enjoy your new ride as always!

Forza Horizon 4: Ready to R-I-O-T

Forza Horizon 4 introduces us to the first of the three RTR Mustangs in the recent update with a big catch; complete 50% of the Summer Horizon Playlist to gain access to the first RTR car; the RTR Mustang Spec 5. Now that I finally got my hands on a sad-faced Mustang bolted up with some RTR body kits, let's see what's what.



RTR, or Ready To Rock, is the brainchild of Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. with a vision to modify Mustangs to make it more attractive in the street scene. It was first established in 2007 as an OEM+ performance vehicles company designing special vehicles for special clients. They even had a collaboration deal with the Ford Motor Company to sell their modified masterpieces such as the Mustang at select Ford Dealerships as well.



This particular vehicle started out in life as a normal facelifted Ford Mustang GT. You know? The one with the sad face on it, but the folks from RTR managed to slap this Stang with their own brand of parts made specifically for this vehicle, not to mention those aggressive wide body flares that made it look more macho indeed. The RTR Mustang featured in the game is basically a normal 2018 Ford Mustang GT bolted with parts from RTR, meaning that despite the muscular body kit, it still behaves pretty much like the normal Mustang GT with a 5.0L V8 and a 10-speed AT but drivers are free to boost this car by all means necessary. That's tuning to you.



People who watched the Season Three opener of The Grand Tour will notice that Jeremy Clarkson drove the RTR Mustang and while the others had lots and lots of power, the Mustang, despite being the lowest in the power bracket, is the best handling of the three, although the only downside is getting slipped by palm oil, the oil that endangered orangutans in the wild. Since I watched the season opener of the show, I have grown interest on the RTR Mustang and now that this car's arrived in FH4, although different than the one Clarkson drove in the show, I have got the chance to drive a Mustang that is Ready To Rock. Although it behaves like the facelifted Mustang I drove earlier, there's no stopping me from falling in love with this hunk of American metal indeed.



So, now that I said everything about the RTR Mustang road car, it's time for some R-I-O-T with this machine. Time to raise a ceiling, boys and girls, because it's going to be a little weird and a little wild.



Man, what a night I spent with this car but anyway, mission accomplished. RTB.



I had a lot of fun getting to know about the RTR Mustang by all means and I had to say that this has probably one of the wildest nights I have ever spent understanding just how Ready To Rock this RTR Mustang is and in fact, it really is. So, now that the first RTR Mustang's on the book, expect two more RTR Mustangs drifting your way on FH4 so stay tuned.

Forza Horizon 4: Why the sad face, Mustang?

Forza Horizon 4 gave players a chance to drive the facelifted Ford Mustang GT in the game, making this the first time a minor change of the now-global Ford Mustang made it in the game and despite wearing its "sad face look" that most enthusiasts feared, it still works like every other Mustang should.



Why the sad face, you may ask? To be honest, it's the Ford designers' fault why the Mustang's minor change sported a sad face that looks rather disappointing compared to the pre-facelifted model but despite its sad face look, the mechanical stuff has been revised to make it more competitive than today's sportscars. For this V8-powered GT model seen here, it now sports a 10-speed automatic gearbox from a Ford F-150 Raptor while the 5.0L V8 engine that powers it now churns out 460 HP of power and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Dynamics wise, the minor change gets a MagneRide Damping System inherited from the Ford Performance lineup.





Despite having a disappointing front face, I can hardly agree that most of the mechanical upgrades made the Mustang's minor change a much fiercer thoroughbred compared to the pre-facelifted model everybody likes more than this car and in the spirit of the Mustang, it really works like how its predecessors should despite the more sophisticated gearbox that can give its Camaro rival a run for their money. It still has the right to retain its muscle car crown and for once, you can't really put a joke into it.

Speaking of which, that loud grumble of the Mustang's V8 engine gave me an idea and because it has the charisma of a rock star like every good muscle car should, although not happy about the minor change's "sad face look", this calls for a makeover.







I can really take back about not putting a joke into it but with a dash of "Hanazono Electric Guitar!!!" into its Mustang playbook, looks like this car's ready to experience the sad story I made but sadly, Little Miss Hanazono doesn't want the little story I made for her because she wants to do some guitar solo performance in the middle of the Cotswolds against resident muscle car enthusiasts everywhere. Okay, girl, see if we care.



I call that a standing ovation but let's call it a day because this muscle car's done a pretty good job wowing the crowd like a rock star despite the expression.



Having spent a day with the facelifted Mustang on British roads, it's hard to define why there a re some people dislike this design because it's way too sad for a muscle car like this but despite its disappointing facial expression, I had a lot of fun getting to know this minor change better just by driving it and with a dab of rock'n roll, it really shows its true self and I am very happy to be part of this Mustang experience.  Guess who's sad now?

Forza Horizon 4: Hoonicorn vs. The Marathon

Ken Block's Hoonicorn, which is a hyped-up 1965 Ford Mustang with a thousand horsepower and four-wheel drive, is the king of the Hoonigan machines ever since Gymkhana SEVEN and there's so much questions I want to talk about the ultimate tire-slaying machine that shredded the internet into pieces. But for now, let's slow things down to remember how cool the Hoonicorn is before settling the biggest street race across Horizon UK.



From Gymkhana SEVEN to Climbkhana: Pikes Peak, the Hoonicorn never fails to impress the netizens with its tire-slaying performance that keeps on evolving. In its V2 state, the 410 cubic inch Roush Yates V8 engine with custom twin turbo setup produces a monstrous 1,400hp of power which goes through the Sadev all wheel-drive system, meaning that all that power worth the overkill to blow away all four Toyo Tires Prxes R888R tyres made specifically for the Hoonicorn.



Very novel for me but despite its popularity on the internet, the Hoonicorn takes a lot of time to master its insane dynamics because for me, this car tends to understeer even if you're carefully navigate through the bends and when it oversteers, it's difficult to countersteer it as if the steering wheel's not working well when turning at the opposite direction to correct it. I know, I tried.

In other words, the Hoonicorn is deemed to be too tricky to tame even if the powertrain and the drivetrain layout is on Bugatti Veyron levels but the more I drive with the Hoonicorn, the more I'm starting to get used to its monstrous performance as monstrous as a can of Monster Energy drink. Speaking of which, I took some time off to experience The Marathon with the Hoonicorn.

Road courses has The Colossus, the dirt tracks had The Gauntlet, Cross Country has The Titan, Drag racing has the Juggernaut, and here in the Street Scene, they have the most difficult Street Scene race called The Marathon. Because of its draconian length compared to any Street Races I've been across, it's difficult for someone who relies on Upload Studio to capture a ten-minute footage of them taking on The Marathon, therefore relying on powerful high-class machines like the Hoonicorn I'm driving.

If you're planning to shoot some footage on ultra-long track like this, better pack an ultra fast car for the job. Your footages are only limited to ten minutes unless you are planning to make two parts or more and then conjoin it later at Upload Studio. Just don't make the edit a bit embarrassing or you'll get a thumbs down. Personal experience but anyway, let's get down with The Marathon and with all of the fast cars I've tried and failed, I believe this four-wheel drive Hoonicorn might be fit for the job, although I'm not sure if I can pull this off judging by its intimidating power too powerful to tame.

After doublethink, it's time to see how the Hoonicorn takes on The Marathon and see if I can get the whole footage shot. Ready?



The Marathon is one of the challenging venues not just to drive it but to record it. Still, I managed to finish it in less than eight minutes and I got time to do some movie magic and then upload it to the internet. Well done, Hoonicorn. Sir Ken Block will be proud of your efforts.



In terms of fame, the Hoonicorn was a record-breaker at the hands of the Hoonigans like Ken Block but in terms of technique, drivers need to be at the same level as Block's to master this four-wheeled Horseman of the Apocalypse or else they'll be reaching Death by Thousand Horses. Get it? But, still, whether if you're up to answer the call of the Hoonicorn or not, it's your call.

Forza Motorsport 7: 'Merica, baby.

While the rest of America enjoyed some of their patriotic tribute with some grills and fireworks, I had something even better than those and that means, I'm heading to that one place in Texas where speed talks. I'm talking about Circuit of the Americas in Austin and I've summon three of the best muscle cars ever assembled to do more than just fireworks.







As you can see, I've summoned some of our old friends from the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Here's the Dodge Demon...as seen from The Fate of the Furious. Then, there's the Ford Mustang GT350, and finally, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, one of the most capable track-focused muscle cars ever to be assembled from off the coast. As you can see, these three told me something that these muscle cars wanted to flex their muscles and see which one stands tall. Since this is America, best to be riding cowboy and find out.







Although this Demon came out from The Fate of the Furious, this is still the same Dodge Challenger Demon that rocked the world of sportscars with its supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine that blows away 840 all-American horsepower and a straight-line performance that upsets almost all of the expensive European exotics. I once tried that out a few moments ago since the game's launch and by a shock result, the less-powerful but track-honed and now-extinct Dodge Viper ACR punched the Demon like an elbow blow, a sheer sign that a hyper muscle car with drag tires wasn't fit for track duty, although the man from Cafe Leblanc showed us how it's down.

The Camaro ZL1 may not match the Demon's terrifying straight-line performance but because of its track-honed capabilities after years of Nurburgring sessions, it has transformed into a leaner and sharper muscle car that combines big power from its Corvette Z06-derived supercharged 6.2L V8 engine and unbiased dynamics only the free and the brave can salivate through its rather dynamic character. Its NASCAR derivative maybe making headlines through the months but rest assured that the ZL1's dynamics won't go unnoticed for a car that looks good on the straights and the curves.

The GT350R maybe the least powerful of the three, probably because of its naturally aspirated 5.2L V8 engine that produces 526HP of power, but because it's the lightest of the three and the most track-focused of them all, it doesn't really matter how fast this car can go. What matters the most that the GT350 tries to make driving great again for the drivers. There goes that dinner table conversation.

With that conversation over, time to see which of these muscle cars is the best round the Austin Grand Prix venue and with that, time to grab some beer and nachos because it's time to roll the tape.



After many laps of making grills and fireworks with these three ultra-powerful muscle cars, here are the results;

ZL1 - 2:33.968
GT350R - 2:37.078
F8 Demon - 2:41.758



The muscle car wars between Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet; with cars like the Mustang, Camaro, and the Challenger, Detroit's big three had been baffling each other since the beginning of the era. The Mustang has been the living legend in the muscle car craze that shows the world that they are still the king of muscle cars, although there's still time to wait until their biggest trump card will be unleashed, giving the rivals more time to rethink their strategies. The Camaro has been the second-rate copycat to the Mustang but with its unsung success through the years and movie star appeals, more and more people would consider the Camaro as their next muscle car for the weekends because they think they're cooler than the Mustang. The Challenger has been aged through the years and despite getting a little less attention from the crowd, this muscle car became the ultimate equalizer by showing things the opposition never had. The Demon is the finest example of what the Dodge Challenger does and the opposition really quaking their feet when they notice its rule-breaking performance that challenges the world above and beyond.

The Americans are so glad that through good times and bad times, cars like these still exists and even as this kind of era is about to pave way to zero emission and self-driving age, rest assure that the fun factor of these legends will never go in vain. That is the American way and these cars are what made America the home of the loudest and most powerful cut-price machines in the world.

Forza Motorsport 7: Hoonicorn Fightin' Round Britain

Remember the Top Gear episode where Ken Block and his Hoonicorn are taking a field trip round London courtesy of presenter Matt LeBlanc? That pretty much sick by such standards and I was wondering if I can do the same to Ken Block's Hoonicorn Mustang only this time, I'm taking a tour round Britain's tracks in Forza Motorsport 7?

Thanks to the Hoonicorn Pack I obtained since launch day, I finally got to show the Hoonicorn what is like to be in one of the most exciting places in England except without all the monuments and landmarks to savor at and instead, the tracks offered. But before that, let's hit a refresh button for a while.

Ken Block's 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR had the whole world shaken, rattled, and rolled when he smoked this monster machine in Gymkhana SEVEN and if that wasn't enough, he made it even badder with two turbos and methanol to the mix.

The V2 Hoonicorn features a fully custom twin-turbo setup that blows 21lbs of boost to a 410cu methanol-powered engine, producing a monstrous 1,400 horsepower sending through all four wheels, enough to melt all of its tires completely. Apart from the engine setup, the livery's updated with a "star and stripes" theme first appeared at his Mk.II Ford Escort.

The bigger, badder, and better Hoonicorn made its appearance at Climbkhana where Block roared his way to the top of Pikes Peak.

Anyway, with that settled, time to take the Hoonicorn for a field trip round Britain's tracks. It will be like the good old South Park joke; Russell Crowe fightin' round the world!

First stop, Brands Hatch. Once a rally track in the mid-1920's, it was one of the few circuits in the UK to stage Grand Prix, IndyCar, and NASCAR races. It's been now used for the likes of touring car races and other rookie race tourneys like the Renault Clio Cup. Although the layout is pretty much simple, the elevation and the corners can be somewhat unnerving for drivers taking on Brands Hatch and from where I'm sitting, driving the Hoonicorn round the track made me nervous even though its 4WD layout is prone to understeering while slowing down. Still, that makes it a fun introduction to the wonders of this track.

We survived but the Hoonicorn thinks it needed some more action so I'm bringing it to Silverstone, which matters I hope.

Once used as an RAF airfield in the Second World War, Silverstone has became the future home of British motor racing and their first Grand Prix event was held in 1950. Apart from being used for the British GP leg of Formula 1, it became also a venue for touring car races, even endurance ones. As I recalled, the old Top Gear trio once race a diesel-powered BMW saloon on an endurance race at this venue and survived their way at the end of the race. Such bravery but this is no time for nostalgia as I'm taking the Hoonicorn for a spin round Silverstone and see if this car's very happy at this place. By the look of its smokes, I can tell that it's starting to smile on me.

After a lap round the Silverstone track, the Hoonicorn's starting to smile on me but it left me cold. Is there's something missing with the picture? Wait, I think I know what's missing!

Of course! The famous Top Gear Test Track! Once as an airfield used in the Second World War, this Dunsfold-based airfield is now home to the world-renowned Top Gear Test Track. With Lotus masterminded the track, it was known for testing sports cars to the limit courtesy of The Stig as well as pitting celebrities to see who's got the fastest time. The Hoonicorn's starting to feel at home round the Top Gear Track and by such feels, time to give it a blast this beast truly wants! Here we go!

After a hot lap round the Top Gear Track, Ken Block's Hoonicorn finally smiled at me, knowing that this is going to be its sandbox to toy around all day as long as The Stig's not around. How's that, Your Grace? Ticked you off? Anyway, I finally gave the Hoonicorn one heck of a field trip round Britain's tracks in Forza Motorsport 7. I may not be as cool as Block himself but I did it in his honor as well as the Hoonicorn itself. This has got to be one of the best afternoons ever.

Wait, does the Hoonicorn want world domination? See if we care. When that time comes, it will be the Hoonicorn fightin' round the world!

6th Gen Ford Mustang (2018 minor change) and Acura RLX (2018 minor change)

Facelifts, in automotive terms, a facelift is considered an improvement to a current generation model with some upgraded looks, features, and more. While some facelifted vehicles look as nice as a polite neighborhood, there are some facelifted cars that others said they have completely spoiled the once good looks and in this unscripted article, time to jot down with the not so prettiest facelifted vehicles on the market today, beginning with the Ford Mustang.

2018 Ford Mustang

2018 Ford Mustang Convertible

When Ford launched the sixth generation Mustang, the world rejoiced because for the first time, everybody in the world gets one because of its modern muscle car looks, modern interior, a choice of engines, and a new independent suspension that now behaves like a proper sportscar should. Now, with the 2018MY minor change, looks like the folks completely done it by spoiling the once good looks of the car and when they first showed it to the world, some would say it's disgusting, they prefer the pre-facelifted one better, and it is sad-looking. Yes, I keep hearing what they said about the recent minor change, even trying to convince that they borrow Darth Vader's looks won't cut it because like they said, it's sad looking. Although unimpressed by how it looks, the 2018MY Mustang still has that one horrifying feature and it's those rear indicators that when flickered, the indicators are sequentially flashing and that is as horrible as a butt crack. No one would want to see the back of the Mustang on the road because this is the last time they'll ever see one showing its butt on public. places.

On the inside, the Mustang now dons a digital instrumental panel with a customizable gauge layout that makes it as unique as personalizing your own tumblr page. Nifty, you see.

Under the hood, the Mustang now only offers a choice of a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and a newly improved 5.0L V8 engine that now churns out 460 HP of power and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, which is not bad, but get this; in addition to the 6-speed MT, both models are mated with an optional 10-speed gearbox like the one that you've experienced on the Ford F-150 Raptor and that sounds like overkill for a Mustang to possess a double-digit gear that thinks it can behave like a Fast and Furious gearbox but still you can never have too many gears for this. Also, the handling is now even better than ever thanks to the MagneRide Damping System inherited from the Ford Performance lineup.

Oh, and did I mention that the 2018MY Mustang now comes with a wide array of safety tech such as Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian detection, distance alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and Driver Alert System. Now that's a creepy way to put it in a sportscar like that.

The 2018MY Mustang starts at 25,585 US Dollars (Php 1.3M) and it comes in coupe and cabriolet. Let's admit it that despite its ugly looks, they never spoil most of the party pieces that made the Mustang great, even the V8 engine that now comes with added grunt.

Come on, if you all think the 2018MY Mustang is all ugly, perhaps take a look at an even more ugly offering, this time from Acura.

2018 Acura RLX

Like the Ford Mustang, the recent minor change of the Acura RLX did spoiled the once good looks by giving it a massive hexagonal grille that plagued the MDX and the TLX and that grille is as big as Diego's lips at least. If the grille wasn't the least of your problems, those who had trypophobia should better look away from the lamps now because the Jewel Eye headlamps still had the expression that it's got too many holes a person who has trypophobia feels like his skin is crawling. Ugly indeed that is but on the inside, there are just minimal changes around here such as the steering wheel.

Still, for a premium luxury sedan, it's rather not bad to get accommodated with because it kind of reminds you of the Audi A6 in so little ways and if you're trying to brave the RLX's ugly styling that scares away people with trypophobia, it's like a walk in the park.

The RLX's drivetrain has been slightly improved like for instance, the one with the 310HP V6 engine Precision All Wheel Steer is now mated with a 10-speed gearbox like you get in the Ford Mustang and it's okay because this is a premium saloon, it won't count being an overkill to possess so much gears. Then, the flagship Sport Hybrid variant featuring the 3.5L i-VTEC V6 direct-injected engine mated with three electric motors has been recalibrated for better dynamics.

Yes, the Sport Hybrid variant with its SH-AWD draws inspiration from the NSX hybrid supercar that we all like but even with some minor touches, it still feels like it shares nothing in common with it but it is very good to drive in all sorts of road conditions even in the wet and with the good parts such as the 7-speed DCT and torque vectoring, this RLX would still eat the A6 in a country club while wearing pajamas.

Also, the 2018MY RLX still comes with the AcuraWatch suite of safety tech such as Collision Mitigation Braking System with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Road Departure Mitigation.

The 2018MY RLX starts at 54,900 US Dollars (Php 2.732M) and while it continues to be lamented by many because of such ugly looks, it still ticks all the best spots a premium saloon offered and in the case of the hybrid variant, it's not half bad at all apart from the recalibrated SH-AWD.

So, the moral of this unscripted article? Well, despite the latest versions of the Mustang and the RLX are a tad ugly to look at, they still work their magic to cater every customers' desires and I think there's a bit of something we can all learn here.

Photo: Ford, Acura