My GT7 Log: Three Legendary Cars

Three Legendary Cars...The three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. What are they? If you remember your GT5 adventures, these three legendary cars ring a bell to you; the Jaguar XJ13, the Ford Mark IV, and the Ferrari 330 P4.

These three legendary race cars feel like they appear once in a blue moon and when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, it's gonna take more than winning difficult races to rack up some eight-figure income to snag the three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. Come unprepared and broke, you'll gonna need to win some money to buy one.

Anyway, just what are these three legendary race cars required to hit the namesake trophy achievement?

Beginning with the Jaguar XJ13, a Le Mans contender that never was. Intended to succeed the legendary D-Type that won Le Mans three years in a row from 1955 to 1957, the XJ13 is Jaguar's first mid-engine race car. Shaped like the E-Type, the XJ13 is fitted with a 5.0L V12 DOHC engine producing 495HP of power. Despite high hopes for racing, Jaguar canceled the XJ13 project as it tries to keep the V12 engine development a secret, and if that wasn't enough, it was badly damaged during filming for a promotional video for the E-Type. Thankfully, it was restored in 2005 in Whitley so it can showcase its exhibition run in Le Mans a year later.

Next is the Ford Mark IV Race Car, Ford's last effort to challenge for the 24 Hours of Le Mans title. Served as a worthy successor to the Le Mans-winning GT40 Mark II race car, the Mark IV is built according to Article J of the FIA vehicle regulation. Although well-known for its aerodynamic form, the Mark IV uses the same engine as the GT40 Mark II but it's been tuned to 523HP of power, making it capable of hitting 215.6mph of top speed. In 1967, it won the Sebring 12-hour race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating Ferrari by five laps.

Lastly, the Ferrari 330 P4, the V12-powered masterpiece dubbed as "the most beautiful machine ever". Made as a response to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40, the 330 P4 features the same 4.0L V12 engine as the P3 but it's been tuned to produce 444HP of power output. Debuted in 1967, it won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Monza 1000km race but lost to the Ford GT40 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite that, it managed to defeat Porsche in the sports car world championships and became a series champion.

These three legendary cars were once destined to win 24-hour races but now, it's time to find out which of the three legendary cars is the superior one.

I've selected the Goodwood Motor Circuit, which has been my go-to track to set lap times on cars bought from the Legend Cars dealership, and with the three legendary cars primed and ready, it's time to commence their one-lap time attack to determine which one is the pure alpha. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Jaguar XJ13 '66 - 1m18.759s

Ford Mark IV Race Car '67 - 1m18.522s

Ferrari 330 P4 '67 - 1m18.331s

What a close result for this legendary trio. Although they have set similar times, it looks like the Ferrari is pure alpha by a narrow margin.

Like I said before, these three legendary cars appear once in a blue moon and if you come unprepared when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, you'll gonna need to win some difficult races to rack up such a herculean income to invest in one of these masterpieces. 

Fortune favors the prepared. Keep on racing and keep on winning if you are itching to grab all three legendary race cars when the opportunity arises. Miss one of these and you'll gonna have to wait for a long time for these vintage racers to reappear so keep your eyes open and be sure to have enough funding because...it's going to be a long night.

Never stop driving.

My GT7 Log: The Audi TT - Then and Now

The Audi TT is now 25 years old and as the sleek and stylish sports car is in its death throes, it's time to take a trip back memory lane in Gran Turismo 7, showcasing the making of the Audi TT with the first one and the last one.

Here they are, the first and the last generation Audi TT getting along as the nameplate recently celebrated its 25th anniversary since its 1998 launch. As the world bids goodbye to the Audi TT, let's get to know more about the car that changed Audi's designs forever from the first chapter to the final chapter.

Launched in 1998, the first-generation Audi TT stays faithful to the concept car as seen at the 1995 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Named after the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, the TT has set the template for Audi's designs and innovations. The choice of engines ranges from the ones used by the fourth-generation Volkswagen Golf as well as the 3.2L V6 petrol engine, seen here, that produces 239HP of power, while mated to a twin-clutch DSG gearbox, an Audi first. Early models featured a spoiler-free rear view, which caused a lot of highway crashes, forcing Audi to recall the first batch to attach a rear spoiler for added downforce.

Launched in 2014, the third and final generation Audi TT borrows styling from its big brother, the Audi R8 while utilizing the MQB platform from every VW Group vehicle of today, and because of the next-generation Audi Space Frame, it's surprisingly lighter than the second-generation model, and with Audi's signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive, it's capable through different road conditions, be it rain or shine. 

Seen here is the TT S, the one that served as the starter in GT SPORT. The TT S is powered by a 2.0L TFSi petrol engine that produces 310PS of power output while mated with a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed flappy paddle that can do 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 250kph.

With the first and the final chapter got their first impressions, it's time to give the Audi TT story the proper send-off it deserves and with that, I'm off to the Nurburgring GP circuit to witness its evolution.

So, how much progress did the Audi TT make starting from the first one to the last one? Let's roll the tape and find out.

And now the results...

Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro '03 - 2m37.497s

Audi TTS Coupe '14 - 2m26.833s

25 years on the road and the Audi TT has grown to the fit of peak from its not-so-humble beginnings to its glorious final form the world has ever witnessed.

Technology and Tradition, this is what the Audi TT showcased, earning the "Driven by instinct" tagline since its 1998 debut. 25 years later, the TT is forever a staple to Audi's progressive values. Although sad to see it go away, its game-changing legacy will be remembered for many generations to come.

Auf Wiedersehen, Audi TT...

My GT7 Log: Emperors

The Evo III and the Evo IV are the infamous 4WD sports saloons that made an appearance in the Initial D series because these cars were driven by Kyoichi Sudo and Seiji Iwaki, the formidable duo from the team Emperor. Here in Gran Turismo 7, I got the chance to drive the fearsome twosome.

Whenever these two Evos popped up on the mountain roads, street racers are going to think twice before facing them head-on because, as witnessed in the series, the loser gets their team stickers sliced in half. So, what made these Evos feared on the mountain roads?

Let's begin with the Lancer Evolution III, the one Kyoichi Sudo drove in Initial D. The Evo III is the third and the last verse of the one based on the fourth-generation Lancer, commonly nicknamed by Noypis as the "Lancer Hotdog" because of the hotdog-shaped rear-lamps. Launched in 1995, the Evo III features a revised body style compared to the Evo II while the turbocharged 2.0L 4G63 engine was bumped to 266HP of power output.

As the Evo driven by the Emperor boss in Initial D, Takumi dueled against Sudo in an unofficial match and lost because of the AE86's blown engine but Sudo let it slide for now. Following the AE86's blown engine, Sudo battled Ryosuke Takahashi of Redsuns and lost. Later on, on his home turf Irohazaka, the rematch between Takumi and Sudo ended in a dead heat.

Now, let's take a look at the Evo driven by the Emperor's head honcho Seiji Iwaki, the Lancer Evolution IV. Being the first Evo that was based on the fifth-generation Lancer, known by the commercials as the "Good Run Lancer", the Evo IV is an entirely new model built from the ground up. The same engine that powers the Evo has been flipped around 180 degrees and saw a power increase to 276HP of power. The Evo IV marked the debut of the Active Yaw Control, which replaced the previous models' mechanical LSD. In the world of Initial D, Takumi battled Seiji and barely won.

Having gotten to know about the Evos driven by the Emperor duo, let's give this fearsome twosome a duel to determine which one is the best, and with that, I selected Autopolis for this matter.

So, which of these Emperor LanEvos is the most potent one? The leader or the head honcho? Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

Evo III - 2m20.256s

Evo IV - 2m19.587s

It's a shockingly close result. The head honcho has beaten the leader by nearly a second. I guess this is how much of an improvement the Evo IV is compared to the Evo III. Still, they're pretty good for retro rally JDM saloons known and feared the world over.

As said before, both the Evo III and the Evo IV are fearsome twosome street racers who are going to think twice before facing them head-on as seen in Initial D. These machines showcased how much progress the Lancer Evolution has gone through since the beginning of the tale. They really are the best machines to come out from the 1990s, the golden era of JDM sports cars.

Remember the emperors...

My GT7 Log: The evolution of the AMG GT

The Mercedes-AMG GT became part of the Gran Turismo heritage ever since it became the hero car of 2017's Gran Turismo Sport, and here in Gran Turismo 7, it's been joined by two powerful versions; the R and the Black Series. Like a good Rider with powerful forms, the AMG GT has evolved from a no-nonsense sports car to the ultimate road-and-track warrior it was born to be.

So, how much the Mercedes-AMG has evolved from the normal one to the ultimate version known as the Black Series? Let's examine its metamorphosis.

Beginning with the original Mercedes-AMG GT, it doesn't count as a worthy successor to the SLS AMG because of the power output that separates these two but needless to say, the AMG GT's newly developed 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine produces almost the same amount of torques as the defunct SLS AMG. The S version produces 502HP of power and 478.8ft-lb of torque while mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT. It does 0-60mph in less than four seconds and has a top speed of 193mph. Performance aside, the AMG GT features an aluminum spaceframe with an intelligent material mix on the body which sets the new standards for modern sportscars and results in lightweight but rigid sportscars that accommodate rather well with its drivetrain. 

Apart from that, the AMG GT comes with other key points that make it capable on the road and on the track such as an electronic rear-axle locking differential, race-derived double wishbone suspension, and electronically-controlled damping with AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package and ceramic high-performance composite brake system.

The AMG GT R is a high-performance variant of the AMG GT sports car that uses a specifically tuned version of the AMG 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine that produces 585HP of power and 700Nm of torque while mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT. It does 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 318kph. 

It features a new active aerodynamics profile hidden underneath the body and when in RACE mode, the aerodynamics produces a Venturi effect, sucking the car onto the road and reducing the front-axle lift by around 40 kilograms at 250 km/h. It even has an active air management system, the AMG coil-over suspension, active rear-wheel steering, AMG TRACTION CONTROL, rear-axle limited-slip differential, and speed-sensitive sports steering.

The AMG GT Black Series is the ultimate version of the AMG GT sports car, and although flattering to call it the road-legal version of its GT3 racing car equivalent, it features the most powerful internal combustion engine AMG has ever spawned; a 730PS 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine mated to a 7G-DCT, capable of hitting 325kph of top speed. It lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:48.047, which is faster than the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

With all three AMG GT variants got their word, it's time to find out how much the AMG GT has grown from when it was first launched to its final form, and with that, it's off to the Nurburgring Grand Prix track to conduct this experiment.

This is the ideal send-off to the C190 Mercedes-AMG GT because, with the said sportscar no longer in production, this will be a tribute to what is known to be one of the most influential sports cars to come out from the mid-2010s. Let's find out the true meaning of metamorphosis with the AMG GT. Roll the tape.

...and now the results...

AMG GT - 2m20.053s

AMG GT R - 2m18.128s

AMG GT Black Series - 2m12.334s

From its debut to the Black Series, the Mercedes-AMG GT has evolved from a no-nonsense sports car to the ultimate road-and-track warrior it was born to be. Although gone, it's not really the end of the Mercedes-AMG GT storyline because pretty soon, the next chapter will soon be written, and let's hope it will be as good as this while keeping up with the challenges of the new normal.

For the AMG GT, this is not the end. This is only the beginning...

My GT7 Log: A tale of two Giulias

Whether it's classic or modern, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has motorsport bloodlines running through its veins and when you take it to the track, it really showcases the classic Alfa Romeo magic from within.

So, what makes the Giulia special in an Alfa Romeo kind of way? The question will be answered by two machines in question; an ancient Giulia Sprint GT and the modern Giulia GTA.

Beginning with the Giulia Sprint GT, this model is essentially the coupe equivalent of the original Giulia that was marketed from the 60s to the 70s. It became part of the range a year after the original Giulia was launched in 1962. Styled by Giugiaro, who was part of Bertone at that time, the Sprint GT is powered by a 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder engine producing 104HP of power and 102.7ft-lb of torque.

Fast forward to the 2020s, Alfa Romeo unveiled the Giulia GTA, a track-honed limited edition of the modernized Giulia sedan made in honor of Alfa Romeo's 110th anniversary. In addition to the aggressive aerodynamics provided by Alfa Romeo's Formula 1 partner, Sauber, the 2.9L V6 Bi-Turbo engine was tuned to produce 540HP of power, making it capable of hitting a 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds. 

The GTAm is the Italian four-door equivalent of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS because of its extensive use of lightweight materials including the deletion of rear seats, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 2.82kg per horsepower. 

500 of these were made and sold, and those who bought it were eligible for a personalized experience package which includes a special Bell helmet, special racing overalls by Alpinestars, a special car cover by Goodwool, and a driving course courtesy of Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.

Now that I shed light on these two Giulias, let's find out how much the Giulia has progressed from the ancient Sport GT to the modern GTA, and with that, I'm off to Monza to conduct the Italian experiment. This is Darwin's Evolution theory the Alfa Romeo way and it's time to put this theory to the test.

And now the results;

Giulia Sprint GT - 2m49.629s

Giulia GTAm - 2m07.614s

The evolution of the Alfa Romeo Giulia, forty-two seconds in the making. It took about 42 seconds to progress the Giula from the Sprint GT of the past to the GTA of today...in my mind.

From the classic Sprint GT to the modern GTA, the Alfa Romeo Giulia really has motorsport bloodlines running through its veins and it really showcases the classic Alfa Romeo magic from within. 

As the world embraces the new normal, it looks like cars like the Giulia will face the inevitable but nevertheless, it's a clear reminder that the modern Giulia is the best Alfa Romeo at this moment in time because of the style, dynamics, and performance worth upsetting the Germans case to case.

Grazie ragazzi, Alfa Romeo Giulia.

Diablo IV

The long-awaited installment of the megahit Diablo RPG franchise has arrived and all hell breaks loose as veterans and newcomers are embarking through the depths of hell in this all-new adventure.

Diablo IV (XBOX)

Diablo IV is the long-awaited installment of the megahit RPG series welcomes seasoned Diablo veterans and newcomers to the depths of hell with new and exciting ways and means to keep themselves occupied in this terrifying new adventure where darkness heels.

Playing solo or going co-op with other players with online connectivity, Diablo IV features a dark and gritty storyline packed with a memorable cast of characters as well an endless exploration of dungeons packed with powerful monsters and demons to slay if you have the right gear when things are getting skirmish against you.

Because Diablo IV features open-game mechanics, even when you finish the game's story, you can take part in events to win powerful goodies that are essential to your future endeavors. You can even meet up with other players in towns, contribute to World Bosses battles, or battle against other players. The possibilities are nearly endless in this new Diablo adventure and that's just the start of it because this is an ever-evolving RPG game, expect numerous surprises post-launch.

As they say, Hell awaits when you have fun with the newest Diablo IV because, with its ever-evolving world, this game delivers, veterans of the Diablo franchise easily become the Decuple Crown of this game if they have the urge to get addicted to its demon-slaying thrills and tons of powerful items and equipment to collect, especially those that cannot be obtained through normal gameplay. This is the newest adventure that deserves to be played over and over again and you can't be fully satisfied with it because it's definitely one of the most addictive games of 2023. Once played, forever smitten.

Ready to unleash hell on demons? Pack everything because it's going to be a long night in Diablo IV.

STREET FIGHTER 6

Seize the moment and be a champion as the newest installment of the legendary Street Fighter franchise has finally arrived and you are the new challenger.

STREET FIGHTER 6
(PS5)

STREET FIGHTER 6 is the long-awaited installment of the megahit fighting franchise that signals the start of the new generation of the Street Fighter franchise, featuring new and exciting ways to enjoy this newest installment to the fullest.

With familiar SF legends such as Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li now aged to perfection with their new looks, SF6 features new characters to play including the game's hero fighter, Luke. Because each fighter has his or her own fighting style, not to mention the ultra-complicating combos to master, everybody's fighting which one is the favorite as they're free to experiment with each character's fighting techniques in various modes such as Versus, Online Battle, Extreme Battle, Arcade, and Training Menu.

For the first time in the franchise, SF6 allows players to create their own fighter and take on the game's story mode, World Tour. In World Tour, you will take on the world's best fighters using your newly created fighter. As you progress through the World Tour, you'll become stronger and you'll unlock various perks and privileges to keep yourself enjoyed and on the competitive edge if you're into that. Believe it or not, you can bring your created fighter on online battles as well, just to show the world who's the best.

With its diverse roster of new and returning characters, powerful fighting techniques to master, and the new character customization system that puts you in the world of Street Fighter, SF6 truly is the start of the new generation of CAPCOM's megahit fighting franchise and because this is all about you, this is by no means the most enjoyable Street Fighter game to date and you'll spend a lot of time getting to know this game.

Ready to take on the world? Seize the moment and be the champion. FIGHT!

My GT7 Log: Stars and Us

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BMW M2 Competiton '18 - 1m45.442s

Ford Focus RS '18 - 1m48.725s

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

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

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

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

Keep your dreams rolling, no matter where you are!