Second-Generation Kia K7

Since its launch in 2009, the K7 introduced Kia Motors a new naming scheme where all good saloons will have a K at the beginning. Don't know why but they want to sound their cars like they're the kings on the road...um...really? Anyway, the K7 (known as the Cadenza in the global left-hand markets) has now regenerated and we can expect more tech and more performance than the previous model.

2017 Kia K7

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, and at first glance the new look for the new generation is somewhat very sharp as a rapier indeed and when gazing through its reworked Tiger Nose grille and the Z-shaped headlamps and taillights, it sure knows where it starts and where it ends in terms of design flow and between you and this car, it's like winning a game of checkers every time you say "king me".

2017 Kia K7 interior

2017 Kia K7 interior

Inside the new K7, it's all neatly organized according to plan and it's very reminiscent to a posh European saloon if you carefully examine the details. From its well-tailored upholstery, high-tech center console that manages stuff in your car including its sat-nav, the new side-by-side center armrest, the device that adjusts the front passenger seat, the new Krell Premium Sound system, and the HUD that doesn't point things out in the sunshine, you could really tell that the new K7 feels like a luxury saloon and spacing wise, it's an improvement over the previous model in terms of rear legroom and the trunk spacing. Of course, there's now a smart trunk offered on the new K7 and with the smart key in your pocket, you can open its trunk automatically without pressing the button from your keys. Ain't science grand?

The science doesn't stop there because while this new K7 promises to be technologically advanced, it's been given a host of safety features such as Smart BSD, Emergency Auto Brake, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Around View Monitor, and many others. Those tech features sounds so good for a Korean car but some skeptics felt unsure on how all of these tech features work while driving the new K7 on the road.

2017 Kia K7

So, what's under the hood for the new K7, per se? Well, it comes with three different engine choices; a powerful Lambda II 3.3L GDi producing 290PS of power, a well-balanced Theta II 2.4 GDi, and the first-ever R 2.2 e-VGT engine with a fuel consumption of 14.3km/L. All three engines are mated with an all-new 8-speed automatic gearbox.

In terms of dynamics, the new K7 feels hardly improved at all especially when its now reinforced by its ultra high-strength steel frame as well as being fitted with front MacPherson Struts and rear multilink suspension. Feels classy and as comfortable as a European business saloon but it doesn't had the fun factor to keep its sports saloon status afloat. Overall, it's far average for a car who just can't wait to be king.

The new K7 starts at 30,900,000 Korean Won, which is somewhat more than the previous model and when you look that up to the pricing of its rival, the Hyundai Grandeur, you will be shocked that this is a million Won more. Sounds costly, but the new K7 feels like a cut price solution if you can't afford a Mercedes C-Class or an Audi A4, or a BMW 3-Series, because above all, this car can't wait to shout "King Me" to the Europeans...well, the handling feels a bit kinky compared to the Europeans.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Platinum Graphite, Gravity Blue, Aurora Black Pearl, and Pluto Brown.

Photo: Kia Motors

Forza Motorsport 6: First of the "Event Cars"

See this unique looking racing classic from Ferrari? If you're asking how in Thinking Out Loud did I get that unique looking 1971 Ferrari #2 Ferrari Automobili 312 P, I just wanna know you still have plenty of time left to take on a very special Can-Am Connection multiplayer league because those who ranked in the 50% through the weeks of January gets this car. Of course, I'm a bit late to say it but this is the final week to take on a special League in FM6 and place in the rankings to score this vintage racing machine.

This is the first of Forza Motorsport 6's "Event Cars", which is broadly similar to unicorns in the past Forza games but unlike those "unicorns" in the past, these "event cars" can only won by placing through the ranks of a certain League you're on in FM6. I'm sure this is the first time I had my hands on this event car but there's more every month so keep playing for more.



To honor my recently acquired Ferrari 314P, I decided to have a go round the whole Indianapolis Motor Speedway and have a quick comparison against McLaren's legendary M8B Can-Am racer, the legend responsible for its six wins in the Can-Am racing in 1969, pushing Bruce McLaren and his team to become one of the most competitive teams in the championship. Believe it or not, I once had a go on this legendary machine during the limited-time multiplayer league involving Can-Am racers and while I'm not concerned about results, I am gunning for a spot at the league rankings until I reached the target ranking percentage. Anyway, while this is no time for sentimental thoughts or rather putting it in my so-called Hobonichi Techo, let's compare these two and see who makes it to the top.


The 312P or specifically the 312PB by some is powered by the flat-12 engine with twin overhead cams, developing 440bhp of power and 258lb-ft of torque, mated with a race-developed 5-speed manual gearbox. Apart from the low centre of gravity benefitted from its engine layout, it features front double wishbones and a rear single top-link, reversed lower wishbone, bolted to its aluminum central monocoque with steel spaceframe. The M8B, on the other hand, comes with the  Chevrolet-derived, 7.0L V8 engine, with a much shorter stroke and a larger bore built by George Bolthoff, producing 635HP of power and 575lb-ft of torque while mated with a 4-speed Hewland manual gearbox. It comes with a massive rear wing mounted high on pylons, allowing this machine to run on softer springs.

Both of these cars are amazingly one-sided in terms of performance and handling thanks to its clever aerodynamics unique to these bewitching racing classics but in the end, there's only one who came out to the top.  The 312 P did it in 1:32.328 while the M8B did it in 1:33.614, meaning that despite the power difference, the Ferrari's low centre of gravity thanks to its boxer-12 engine mounted in the middle really slips through the corners with ease. I was amazed that I won this kind of car.

Anyway, this is your final week to place in the rankings at the Can-Am Connection Multiplayer League in FM6 and stand a chance to win this Ferrari. Enter now.

Let's Do The News! (January 25, 2016)

- A year has passed since the brutal Mamasapano clash that killed 44 of the PNP Special Action Force members and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III admitted that he is unhappy with the slow progress of the nation's justice system. He, however, vowed justice for the slain SAF members who were killed during an encounter against Moro rebels. Aquino called on the Congress to look into the PNP Law and determine the provisions preventing the immediate imposition of sanctions for leaders who fail in their duties.

- The top officials of the House of Representatives had their fingers crossed as they only got two weeks to vote on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law before Congress adjourns for the electoral campaign.

- 29 people are killed in one of the most historic snowfalls ever to hit the East Coast of the United States. The blizzard occurred last weekend and some areas have seen over one meter of snow. Residents of New York City found themselves beneath 68 centimeters of snow. It's the second-most recorded since 1869.

- Great Britain has reported three cases of Zika virus infection among travelers who returned from South America where the infection is spreading. They were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne diseases on Sunday after visiting Colombia, Suriname, and Guyana. The Central and South American countries last year saw an outbreak. Symptoms include fever, headaches, and muscle-aches that last up to a week and according to Brazilian health authorities, about an estimated 1.5 million people have been infected.

- The Islamic State released video messages that the group claims its terrorists made before the Paris attacks last November 2015. In this video, there are images from last year's attacks that killed 130 people followed by the so-called final messages of the nine militants, most speak in French or Arabic.

- The international meeting aimed for counter-terrorism opened in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Ministers and officials from 18 nations, especially from ASEAN, Japan, and the US, are discussing ways to counter the Islamic State militants, among other measures.

- After years of waiting, the American version of the hit motoring TV show Top Gear is returning to History Channel soon with a special episode where the presenters; namely Tanner Foust, Adam Ferrera, and Rutledge Wood, landed on Cuba on their first ever road trip ever since the US lifted the sanctions against Cuba.

- Independent British car company Morgan plans to offer a full range of hybrid vehicles by 2020 following a consortium formed with other British automotive engineering consultancies experienced in developing high-performance electric powertrains and a grant from the British government's Advanced Propulsion Centre.

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye, one entry of Lola Nidora's diary takes us back to 1945 (sadly, it's a diary way out of its time presumably) where she talked about her first true love of her life named Anselmo and why did her Mama Ariana Miley got furious about her love affair with Anselmo. Betcha didn't know that even in post-war era, Dubsmash was invented every time when someone hears a transistor playing music.

- While Star Wars fans are still reeling from last year's successful "The Force Awakens" film, Disney announced that the next Star Wars film is due in the 2017 Holiday Season while an anthology film, tentatively titled Rogue One, is slated for this year's holiday season.

TTFN!!!

At the 2016 Sherlock Seattle Mini-Convention

Over the weekend, I went to the Broadway Performance Hall, which is a few yards near the Seattle Central College, the educational institution where I was graduated on a few years ago, to attend the annual Sherlock Seattle Mini-Convention. The mini-convention turned out to be "good" but not as great and as perfect as the other Sherlock Seattle mini-conventions occurred over the past years but I think it was a good success for those who share the love for all things Sherlock Holmes.

Of course, with the debate over what just happened at the near climax of "The Abominable Bride" special, which aired earlier this month, a group of men known as SCEME appeared on the stage to demonstrate the different fighting techniques that could have been the alternate perspective in the Sherlock-Moriarty fight at the Reichenbach Falls.

Take a look at some of the pics I took and be sure to hop in my Facebook page for the full scoops I took.

Alden shows off his musical instrument skils

In the recent Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye, AlDub and the lolas are cordially invited for the pre-wedding special of celebrities Pauleen Luna and one of EB long-time presenters Vic Sotto. This special is the ideal moment where Alden Richards shows off his musical instrument skills in front of the live studio audience...or rather it was. From the ukulele to the piano, Alden has thrown everything he got to fulfill one of Yaya Dub's three conditions in order to give the answer to Alden's question.

After their performance, the bridal shower kicked off with the arrival of Pauleen Luna onstage and almost all of the EB presenters are celebrating the pre-wedding special. Anyway, best that we should leave it here but be sure to keep watching Eat Bulaga every weekdays for more Kalyeserye antics and congratulations to Bossing and Pauleen for your upcoming wedding!

Speaking of which, what will be the second condition for Alden from Yaya Dub?

Photo: Official Eat Bulaga Facebook Page

The 5th Wave

Movie adaptations of best-selling books, especially young adult dystopian ones, are becoming more common even post-Hunger Games times because while these stories feature a much dystopian taste, strong female characters are becoming all the rage now since the Hunger Games and the Divergent series. Now, 2016 welcomes another movie adaptation of the best selling novels, this time, it's the first of Rick Yancey's best-selling young adult dystopian series called The 5th Wave.

The 5th Wave

This 2016 film, The 5th Wave, is the first of the trilogy. It stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, and Alex Roe, among many others. The film, like the books, highlights in the story of a young girl named Cassie. What was once an ordinary day becomes a series of cataclysms as an alien invasion unleashed four waves of deadly attacks. The power outages, the natural calamities, the plague, and the invasion from within. As she's on the run to save her little brother, Cassie encounters a young man named Evan Walker, who could be the key to her salvation. Throughout her journey, Cassie must face the inevitable choice while preparing for the worst.

This film is very frightening at first. It's like a blend of Independence Day, 2012, Hunger Games, and Divergent, at the same pace, but for a young adult dystopian flick depicting strong female characters, this film takes the cake and it's worth empowering for the viewers to discover that no matter how darkness falls, light will always prevail. Watching through the rest of the film is like slipping through the pages fast enough because viewers will never know what twists and turns The 5th Wave may face with, even with the dystopic characters featured.

The 5th Wave maybe intimidating and terrifying to watch but for stories depicting strong females, it's a powerful message that needs to be delivered.

Don't think you'll stop here on this 5th Wave because pretty soon, the story of The 5th Wave will continue in The Infinite Sea and The Last Star, which may get adapted very very soon but in the meantime, feel free to savor the thrills and spills in the first chapter of The 5th Wave trilogy.

My rating: 3.9 out of 5.

Broadchurch creator to take over Doctor Who in 2018

Ever since Steven Moffat took over BBC's longest-running sci-fi series Doctor Who during the Matt Smith years (2010-2013), he has propelled the show to greater success and introduced us some of the most memorable characters and villains during his rule. From the previous Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith to the current Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi, most of the Doctor Who episodes run by under Moffat's rule are truly memorable in each and every way.

Doctor Who

The tenth series, due in Spring 2017, will be the last series under Moffat's rule and after that, the show will be now under the rule of the new head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, responsible for the BAFTA-winning crime drama Broadchurch (which starred Tenth Doctor David Tennant) as well as other shows such as The Great Train Robbery, United, Law & Order UK, Life on Mars, and the Doctor Who spinoff action drama Torchwood.

Sure, it's going to be a very very long wait for us, Whovians, to wait before Doctor Who returns to the TV screens but fear not because there's going to be a 2016 Christmas special as well as Class, another bonafide Doctor Who spinoff since Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures coming this year.

URL: http://www.bbcamerica.com/blog/2016/01/broadchurch-creator-to-helm-doctor-who-following-steven-moffats-final-season

Photo: BBC