My FH5 Log: The Commander

By the moment the Chevrolet Corvette C8 stepped into the world of Forza, fans got the taste of what's known as The General's first mid-engined sports car that rewrites the rules of what a Corvette can do on the road and on the track.

Sure, being a mid-engined Corvette is treason to its heritage but hey, it never hurts driving the C8 Corvette, even in Horizon Mexico.

I've already tried both the Stingray and the E-Ray, the one from the start and the other as a reward for those who purchased the new Forza Motorsport video game for the Xbox Series X and S consoles and Windows PCs. With Forza Horizon 5's American Automotive kicked in, here comes the C8 Corvette that slots between them.

This is the Corvette C8 Z06 that I just won from the American Automotive Wet Season Playlist for 20 points and this Corvette is as Republican as, let's say, Republican Space Rangers!

Anyway, what's it all about the C8 Corvette Z06? By using most of its know-how from the C8.R racing machine, the Corvette C8 Z06 is a track weapon capable of slithering through the road and track with its race-inspired dynamics, available Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and the Z07 Performance Package.

Powering the C8 Z06 is a smaller but more powerful 5.5L V8 naturally aspirated engine that produces 670HP of power and while mated to a standard 8-speed AT, it does 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds.

To see if the C8 Z06 has the stance of a Republican Space Ranger, I took it on an EventLab creation penned by Subie156. It's called Midtown City Circuit, and we've been joined by some other goodfellas who can't wait to take a crack on this right-wing supercar made in the USA. Let's roll the tape.

For an American-made supercar with an old-school V8 engine that is small but powerful not just the normal C8 Corvette but also its predecessors, the C8 Corvette Z06 showcased its right-wing dynamism in the face of adversity. Hey, how about those Republicans?

The C8 Corvette Z06 truly is America's answer to the Porsche 911 GT3 because of its naturally aspirated V8 engine, C8.R-inspired dynamics, and sleek aerodynamics. It's a real purist's car worthy enough to wave the American flag in the face of the planet. With all three variants of the C8 Corvette present in FH5, the question now is, which one is the best? Find out soon but in the meantime...

Guess these guys are off to watch a football game today. This reminds me, I need to be off too because I'm preparing something special soon. Watch this space.

Let's Do The News! (November 16, 2023)

                           

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Department Of Foreign Affairs assures that the Philippine Coast Guard's resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal will continue because "it's PH territory".

- Senator Bato Dela Rosa says a UN rapporteur got misinformed about the NTF-ELCAC.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos assures that the Maharlika Investment Fund will finance 80 of the country's infrastructure projects.

- The Philippine National Police says the killers in the Nueva Ecija bus shooting incident could be "guns for hire". Two suspects were still at large.

- The Rwanda asylum seeker scheme was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court, a blow to the government's flagship immigration policy. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the ruling is "not outcome we wanted" but insists he is "completely committed to stopping the boats"/

- Two 12-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of murder after a 19-year-old died in a stabbing attack in Wolverhampton, UK.

- Israeli forces claimed they've found weapons inside a Gaza hospital. The Israeli Defense Force released a video of what it says are weapons and ammo discovered at Al Shifa hospital.

- Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a clear message to Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, following their recent meeting, according to three senior officials: "You gave us no warning of your Oct. 7 attack on Israel and we will not enter the war on your behalf."

- US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping face off in California. The two leaders advanced climate cooperation following their high-stakes talks. Meanwhile, Taiwan is working on a one-on-one meeting with Biden at the APEC summit.

- The Honda WR-V compact crossover was unveiled. Set to go on sale in its native Japan market this spring, the WR-V is front-wheel-drive only and powered by a 1.5L engine mated to a CVT. 

2024 Honda WR-V

- Renault showcased the Twingo EV Prototype, previewing the next-generation fully-electric model coming this 2026.

Renault Twingo EV Prototype

- Mitsuoka showcased the M55 CONCEPT, a Honda Civic with Dodge Challenger looks.

Mitsuoka M55 CONCEPT

- SM Entertainment is launching a new global boy group through a reality show with British production company MOON&BACK. M&B will be in charge of casting members for the new boy group, and SM will provide K-pop production know-how such as music, music videos, and choreography.

- (G)I-DLE member Miyeon steps down from M Countdown after being the show's presenter for almost three years.

- The NCAA has rejected postseason waiver requests for the James Madison, Jacksonville State, and Tarleton State football programs.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (November 15, 2023)

                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos eyes PH-US business tie-ups on digital infrastructure during his US trip for the APEC Summit.

- Caritas Philippines, the advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, supports the release of former senator Leila De Lima.

- The Israeli military says it's carrying out a "targeted" operation against Hamas in Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital.

- US President Joe Biden announced a $6 billion investment to strengthen climate resilience across the country. This comes following a new federal climate report revealing the worsening effects of global warming despite US emissions decrease.

- Former UK home secretary Suella Braverman accuses Prime Minister Rishi Sunack of "manifestly and repeatedly" failing to deliver on key policies in a scathing letter made following her removal by the Prime Minister.

- McDonald's UK fired 18 workers and had 407 employee complaints following the BBC's uncovering of harassment allegations.

- A senior officer involved in the murder case of Stephen Lawrence was corrupt, according to a secret Met Police report.

- Lia Block, the daughter of the late Hoonigan legend Ken Block, will join the 2024 F1 Academy season. She will be part of Williams Racing's Driver Academy and racing with ART Grand Prix.

- General Motors is named the official F1 engine supplier for the proposed new Andretti Cadillac Formula 1 team. The engine is set to be ready this 2028 season.

- A vintage Ferrari 250 GTO smashed the Ferrari auction record at $51.7 million at RM Sotheby's auctions.

- A 1990 Mazda Roadster "Chimera" made by Chris Watson from New Zealand was crowned the winner of the 2023 Hot Wheels World Tour and it's set to become a Hot Wheels toy car soon.

1990 Hot Wheels Mazda MX-5 "Chimera"

- The Netflix original anime series, Pokemon Concierge, will premiere this December 28th.

- Leaked documents revealed a money trail linking former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to men dubbed Vladimir Putin's "wallets".

- A man has been arrested on the suspicion of manslaughter over the death of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut during a match.

- Rory McIlroy resigns as player director on PGA Tour policy board.

- The BBC says five complaints have been made about the behavior of Russell Brand while he was employed by the corporation.

TTFN.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 signals the evolution of the E-Class lineage and with dramatic changes inside and out, it's no doubt becoming the most advanced E-Class ever made.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Starting at 61,999 Euros plus additional costs, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 is the most advanced E-Class ever made thanks to the dramatic improvements inside and out, making it capable of tackling the demands of the new normal.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Just like the previous version, the W214 E-Class is offered in three different body styles such as the sedan, the estate, and the outdoor-oriented All-Terrain with slightly increased ground clearance. Whichever E-Class you're on, you will still be greeted by the new design that looks like it's been borrowed from its sedan relatives, the C-Class and the S-Class. Not bad for a middle child of the family tree. Although it's hard to distinguish between the three, the sizing makes it easy to differentiate it from its relatives because, as I said, this is the middle child of the Mercedes sedan range and it deserves extreme attention to detail at first contact.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate interior

Unlike its C-Class and S-Class brothers, the new interior prefers the dashboard layout inspired by the Mercedes-EQ range and with the rather controversial Superscreen equipped, it now behaves just like its EQ relatives because with two touchscreens on the dashboard, it's the ideal time-waster for those who love to play around the car's insides. Care for some Netflix and chill while stuck in traffic, I presume?

While the added Superscreen is deemed too flashy for speedo boys behind the wheel, the passenger side is classic E-Class comfort, and with the added Energizing Comfort wellness program, Energizing Coach program, and Thermotronic climate control with Digital Vent Control, the out-on-a-limo feeling truly hits the W214's sweet spot.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The W214 E-Class, depending on which body style you're on, offers a wide range of petrol (E200), diesel (E220d), and PHEV configurations (E300e and E400e). All are mated to a 9G-TRONIC gearbox.

The cheapest version, the E200 Avantgarde Advanced, features a 2.0L turbo engine with mild hybrid, producing 204PS of power and 320Nm of torque with a fuel economy of 6.4L/100km. The most powerful version for the time being is the E400e with the 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system, where the said engine is bolted to an electric motor and a 25.4kWh lithium battery, capable of producing 381PS of total power output, 650Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 5.3 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph.

To make the E-Class W214 capable of driving like every E-Class should, it has a front four-arm suspension, rear five-link suspension, and Agility Control steel-sprung for MHEV vehicles, but to get the most out of it, it comes with the available Airmatic air suspension with ADS+ continuously variable damping and rear-axle steering setup. Such setup will bring dynamism to the all-new E-Class and looks like high-rollers can't wait to get their hands on it.

Because this is the E-Class for the new normal, the W214 features a wide range of ADAS such as Active Distance Assist, Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Package with reverse camera, Speed Limit Assist, Attention Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and the available Driving Assistance Plus with Active Steering Assist that vibrates the steering wheel when lane markings are no longer clearly visible and Active Steering Assist is no longer available.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 is the most advanced E-Class to date thanks to its dramatic improvements inside and out. It really is the E-Class for the new normal and like it or not, it's prepared for almost everything life throws at it.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG

Let's Do The News! (November 14, 2023)

                         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Magdalo group welcomed the release of former senator Leila de Lima, calling it the "biggest step in her quest for justice and redemption". De Lima was temporarily freed after seven years of detainment by the Duterte administration.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos will return to the United States to attend the APEC Summit.

- US President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, according to the White House.

- Donald Trump Jr., the son of Donald Trump, returns to testify once more in the ongoing fraud case in the New York court.

- A baby girl who is at the center of a legal battle over her life support, Indi Gregory, has died. The critically ill eight-month-old baby dies after her life support is turned off. Staff at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham said they could do no more for Indi, who had mitochondrial disease.

- British PM Rishi Sunak fired Home Secretary Suella Braverman following a cabinet reshuffle.

- A British man linked to an Islamic State group nicknamed the Beatles was jailed for eight years.

- The World Health Organization says Gaza's biggest hospital is "becoming a cemetery" but Israel says Hamas is using its hospitals to hide its command centers.

- BMW will offer SAE Level 3 autonomous driving to the current-generation 7-Series and i7 models. It features lidar and highway self-driving up to 60kph on German roads.

- This year's Kohaku Song Contest will not feature artists from Johnny's (now Smile Up) for the first time in 44 years. Ado, the vocal of ONE PIECE FILM RED's character Uta, will make her appearance at the year-end music festival.

- woo!ha! member Nana and Billie members Moon Sua and Tsuki will retire as presenters of Show Champion.

- Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Zay Jones was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.

- Thousands of soccer fans and players line the streets of Manchester, UK, for the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton.

- Actress Nicola Coughlan to guest star in Ncuti Gatwa's second season of BBC's Doctor Who.

TTFN.

Mitsuoka Viewt story

Since 1993, the Mitsuoka Viewt has forever known as the Nissan March in a Jaguar Mark 2 clothing from the K11 model to the K13 model. When Nissan stopped making the March at the end of 2022, most observers said that this was the end of the road for the Mitsuoka Viewt. However, the Viewt's story is never done as it took a detour to the Toyota side for the new model.

2024 Mitsuoka Viewt story

This is the all-new Mitsuoka Viewt story, the newest version of the Viewt that is now based on the fourth-generation Toyota Yaris hatchback. That's right. Ever since the discontinuation of the Nissan March, its long-time host car, at the end of 2022, the Viewt's will lives on in its new host car, the Toyota Yaris. For 2.8 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs, you can now have a fancied-up Toyota Yaris if you disagree with the Yaris's sporty looks.

2024 Mitsuoka Viewt story

In classic Viewt tradition, it mimics the Jaguar Mark 2 styling as seen from its Nissan March-derived predecessors but because this is based on the fourth-generation Toyota Yaris, there's no hiding the fact that this is actually a Yaris in a Jaguar Mark 2 attire. It's about as fancy as an anime girl in Sherlock Holmes' attire, metaphorically speaking.

2024 Mitsuoka Viewt story interior

Yes, you can expect the same interior from the Yaris as well, meaning it's nicer to live than its March-derived predecessor, probably because of the TNGA platform underneath. It seats up to five people and has up to 768 liters of boot space with the passenger seats folded down in case you're in the middle of delivery work if you're into that.

2024 Mitsuoka Viewt story

Because it's based on the Yaris, the Viewt story is powered by a choice of two petrol engines, a Dynamic Force 1.5L, and a 1.0L, and the hybrid variant is powered by a 1.5L Hybrid Dynamic Force powertrain (engine + electric motor + li-ion battery), a first for a Viewt. All variants are mated to CVT but the front-wheel-drive 1.5L variant comes with an available six-speed manual gearbox while all 1.5L variants, petrol or hybrid, come with available 4WD, giving you plenty of reasons to enjoy the Viewt story.

In terms of safety, the Viewt story is packed with numerous advanced safety features such as Pre-Crash Safety, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beam, Road Sign Assist, secondary collision brake, parking support brake, blind spot monitor, panoramic view monitor, and others.

Having the Viewt migrated from the now-defunct Nissan March to the Toyota Yaris is a difficult thing to do but this new version found itself a new lease of life in its new host. It really is the "second coming" for the Mitsuoka Viewt and it's even more livelier than before.

Available colors: Tulle Top Black Mica, Berry Purple, Pumps Red, Dressy White Pearl, Pistachio Khaki, Cut Sew Gray, Gateau Chocolate Metallic, Turquoise Blue Metallic, Terracotta Orange Mica, Beige Gilet, Coral Beige Metallic, and Washed Denim Blue.

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd.

Fashion Dreamer

Playing dress-ups is part of every lady's childhood memories. When they were girls, they loved to dress up their favorite dolls with various clothing. Sadly, the whole dress-up pretend play is slowly fading away because of technology. Happily, however, there's a Switch game that will bring back the aura of every lady's childhood memory of playing dress-ups.

Fashion Dreamer

It's called Fashion Dreamer and it's a new Switch game from Marvelous that will bring back the childhood memory of playing dress-ups.

Set in the virtual space called Eve, Fashion Dreamer lets players communicate with various "muses" while enjoying various fashion styles, earning likes, and becoming the ultimate fashion influencer of their dreams.

In this game, players create their own muses, the in-game fashion models, and dress them with various outfits and accessories they've obtained after meeting various conditions. If you're happy with your styling, you can show it on the runway and earn likes. More likes mean more chances of boosting your influencer rank, and gaining access to even more stylish outfits and accessories.

With the Switch Online subscription, you can even showcase your fashion collection to the world stage and see how the world stacks up with their shared styles.

With its unique gameplay mechanics that bring back the lost childhood memory of playing dress-ups, Fashion Dreamer is the ideal simulation game for the Nintendo Switch for people who want to relax with a little game of dress-ups. Mind you, this whole dress-up game's going to be extremely addictive if you can't get enough of it.