11th-Generation Honda Accord (CY2)

The Honda Accord is a major contender in the executive midsize sedan class. Still, with the competition officially extinct, the all-new Honda Accord CY2 is the only executive midsize sedan you can buy now.

2024 Honda Accord

Priced at 5,449,400 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, which is cheaper to own than the Lexus ES, the all-new Honda Accord CY2 is the only front-wheel-drive executive midsize sedan you can buy now and because it's available only in e:HEV hybrid powertrain, it's either this or nothing. Sorry, but this is the new normal.

2024 Honda Accord

One look at the all-new Accord and you can easily mistake it for a Ford Taurus on the front and a Lincoln Continental at the back, giving the impression of a New Yorker ready for work. It's no wonder why the Honda Accord is one of America's best-selling vehicles in ages and this all-new look delivered such an impression.

2024 Honda Accord interior

Typical "new normal" Honda interior is implemented in the all-new Accord CY2 judging by the long vents splitting the dashboard into half, the Google-powered 12.3-inch Honda CONNECT display, and the unique Experience Selection Dial that adjusts the temperature, volume, clock, and lighting with a single knob. It's unorthodox but for speedo boys behind the wheel, this gimmick is proof that car designers have lost it. Apart from that, it even comes with an 11.5-inch HUD, USB-C ports, heated seats, a rear door sunshade, a wireless charging port, and a BOSE Premium Sound System. Asked about the trunk space, it's good for up to four golf bags and the rear seats can be folded down for more.

2024 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord CY2's e:HEV hybrid powertrain consists of a 147PS 2.0L petrol engine mated to two electric motors with 184PS power output, resulting in a combined system output of 207PS, and with the CVT, it has 23.8km/L of fuel economy based on the WLTC Mode standards. This is a minor improvement compared to the previous model.

In terms of dynamics, the Accord CY2 features front MacPherson struts for agile handling and a rear Multi-Link that minimizes road vibration. It even comes with a Motion Management System that automatically adjusts deceleration using steering input and helps maintain the grip of the front wheels, a Deceleration Selector in the form of paddle shifters, three driving modes from ECON to SPORT, the "e" switch that engages the EV mode, and adaptive damper system that senses driving conditions and controls the optimal damping force in 1/500 second increments.

The Honda Accord CY2 features the Honda SENSING suite of safety features such as Lane Keeping Assist, Automatic Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Following, Traffic Jam Assist, Collision Mitigation System, Road Departure Mitigation, Low-Speed Brake Control, Auto High Beam, and Cross Traffic Monitor, among others.

The all-new eleventh-generation Honda Accord is now officially unrivaled with its competition officially extinct, except for the expensive Lexus ES300h as its only sparring partner. It's hard to accept such reality but still, this is the new normal and this fully-imported front-wheel-drive hybrid midsize executive sedan is prepared to take an all-or-nothing gamble by all means.

Available colors: Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Ignite Red Metallic, and Canyon River Blue Metallic.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Shriners Children's 500

As the world draws attention to the Oscars, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series continues in Phoenix Raceway for the Shriners Children's 500.

As the green flag waved, the action in Phoenix was on. The first stage saw Derek Kraus spinning and collecting Austin Cindric and Austin Dillon in the on-track mess. As Tyler Reddick wins Stage 1, Stage 2 goes to Christopher Bell, and the final stage saw Kyle Busch spinning on the backstretch, Ross Chastain hitting the wall at Turn 4, and a spin by Denny Hamlin to name a few.

Screengrab from NASCAR

Christopher Bell wins the Shriners Children's 500 of the NASCAR Cup Series as a first for the new Toyota stock car!

The next race is at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Food City 500 this March 17th.

Guinness Six Nations 2024 ROUND 4

The 2024 season of the Guinness Men's Six Nations championship has reached its penultimate round with Italy v Scotland, England v Ireland, and Wales v France.

Focusing on the Wales v France match, it looks like the Welsh's winless streak continues to grow following their massive defeat by France 45-24. From Thomas Ramos' penalties to Maxime Lucu's try, it seems the French have proved their worth.

Meanwhile, England beats Ireland 23-22 and Italy beats Scotland 31-29.

As Ireland leads with 16 points, four points ahead of England, will they win the Grand Slam? Find out in the season finale this March 16 with Wales v Italy, Ireland v Scotland, and France v England. Don't miss it!

NTT IndyCar Series 2024 - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

The 2024 NTT IndyCar Series has officially begun on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Josef Newgarden leads the grid as the green flag waved followed by some tight racing at the start until Lap 26 saw Marcus Armstrong crash to the tire wall and become the first to retire. 

As the race resumed in Lap 30, Christian Lundgaard was leading while the others behind him were flexing their muscles, trying to outgun themselves. 

With the race having 32 laps to go, a collision by Romain Grosjean cost Linus Lundqvist's race, and with 15 laps to go, pitstop issues kicked Grosjean out of the race.

Screengrab from IndyCar

After a thrilling season opener, Josef Newgarden wins the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Pato O'Ward finished 2nd and Scott McLaughlin finished 3rd.

The next race is the Thermal $1 Million Challenge this Palm Sunday, March 24th.

F1 2024: STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

The F1 24 season continues with the STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah, and this race saw the debut of Ferrari's reserve driver Ollie Bearman in place of Carlos Sainz who was diagnosed with appendicitis.

As the lights went off, the action in Saudi is underway. As the drivers made their first strides, including Bearman himself, Lap 7 saw Lance Stroll into the barriers, triggering a safety car until Lap 10. 

With Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly out of the race, Lap 12 saw Alex Albon sustained front wing damage following contact with Kevin Magnussen while Sergio Perez served his five-second penalty for an unsafe release. Magnussen, meanwhile, was slapped with a 10-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage against Yuki Tsunoda for P12.

With Nico Hulkenberg, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris done their pits, Lap 38 saw Fernando Alonso tapped to the wall but still standing. Bearman never failed to prove its worth as the race nears its end.

Screengrab from Formula 1

Max Verstappen nailed his second win of the season while Sergio Perez finished 2nd. Another 1-2 finish for the Red Bull Team. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, finished 3rd.

The next race is at Melbourne for the Rolex Australian Grand Prix this March 24th.

F1 Academy 2024 - Jeddah

The 2024 F1 Academy season has officially begun and this season marked a paradigm shift for the all-female racing series because ten out of 15 drivers will have liveries and suits based on the existing teams while the other five are from announced partners.

Red Bull, Charlotte Tilbury, PUMA, and Tommy Hilfiger were named partners of the 2024 F1 Academy season. In addition, familiar female drivers from other sports are joining in the fun such as Lia Block, former W Series driver Chloe Chambers, Iron Dames' Doriane Pin, Maya Weug, Tina Hausmann, and Aurelia Nobels.

Seven venues will each have a wild card driver and in the season opener in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Reema Juffali is the guest driver in the two-part season opener.

Screengrab from F1 Academy

The first part of the season opener saw the first F1 Academy race win for newcomer Dorianne Pin, representing Prema Racing while driving in Mercedes-AMG colors, while Rodin Motorsport's Abbi Pulling, in Alpine colors, finished 2nd, and another Prema newcomer Maya Weug, running in Ferrari colors, finished 3rd.

In the final part, meanwhile, following Pin's penalty for crossing the checkered flag twice, Abbi Pulling and Maya Weug were promoted from 2nd and 3rd to 1st and 2nd, while Nerea Marti scored her first podium finish after being promoted from 4th to 3rd.

The next event will be at Miami this May 3-5.

Let's Do The News! (March 9, 2024)

                           

                                                                        

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

- Former PH President Rodrigo Duterte will receive the Datu Bago Award 2024 for his contributions toward the progression and growth of Davao City this March 13th. Duterte was also named as the new administrator of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's KJC, according to the group's media arm SMNI.

- The Vatican named AI pioneer Demis Hassabis to its scientific academy as Pope Francis seeks to influence the expansion of AI technology.

- According to reports, Freddie Scappaticci, known as Stakeknife, the Army spy operating at the heart of the IRA during the Troubles in Northern Ireland probably cost more lives than he saved. It said speculation he had saved hundreds of lives was wrong; it was more likely between high single figures and low double figures.

- TikTok urges its users in the United States to oppose the Congress' ban against the social media app. The app says "A TikTok shutdown will silence your creativity" and urges US TikTok users to demand Congress to stop the ban.

- Audi agreed to take over Sauber ahead of the F1 2026 season.

- F1 driver Carlos Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis and requires surgery. Ferrari's reserve driver Ollie Bearman will take his place at this weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix of the F1 2024 season.

- Rivian's Georgia factory construction was suspended. The Georgia factory was supposed to build its upcoming R2 crossover but financial grips halted construction.

- Mazda signs partnership with Unity for GUI development for vehicles scheduled to be introduced from 2025 to 2027.

- Voice actress TARAKO passed away at the age of 63. TARAKO is known for being the voice of Chibi Maruko-chan.

- Anthony Joshua knocked Francis Ngannou out in the second round of their heavyweight duel in Riyadh.

- TTFN.