Super Formula 2025 - Round 5

The Formula E Tokyo e-Prix isn't the only race that triggered Japan's emergency broadcast system; it's the fifth round of the 2025 Super Formula season at Autopolis that caused both panic and euphoria among the public.

Screengrab from Super Formula

Surviving through the overcast race, Sho Tsuboi of TOM'S fended off Mugen driver Tomoki Nojiri to win this race while Kenta Yamashita of Kondo Racing completed the podium with a third-place finish.

The 2025 championship continues in Fuji Speedway for Rounds 6 and 7 this July 18-20, 2025. Summer racing action in Super Formula is about to begin...

ABB FIA Formula E S11 - Tokyo ePrix

This is what every Japanese feared the most. A two-race Formula E weekend set in the streets of Tokyo. The rain-drenched Tokyo ePrix is all about shocking the Japanese audience with intense electric car racing action in the most populous city in the world. A chance for NISMO to prove its worth.

Screengrab from Formula E

In the first race, Stoffel Vandoorne ended his winless streak by surpassing current season leader Oliver Rowland, with Taylor Barnard, a McLaren driver, finishing in third place. In the second race, Oliver Rowland achieved Nissan's first victory on home turf, further solidifying his position at the top of the driver standings. He outperformed competitors such as Porsche's Pascal Wehrlein and Cupra's Dan Ticktum.

With residents of Tokyo freed from their nightmarish Formula E experience, the championship continues with another two-parter, the Shanghai ePrix on May 31 and June 1, 2025.

Doctor Who S2E6 Episode Review

Doctor Who's Got Talent! The sixth episode of Doctor Who Season 2 imagines what Eurovision would be like if it's set in the 30th century. Welcome to the Interstellar Song Contest! With your host, Rylan!

Doctor Who S2E6

HOLD IT! Before my quick review, ensure you have already watched the episode. Then, come back here when you have.

My GT7 Log: OPEN MIND VEHICLE

The fifth-generation Honda CR-V was launched in Japan in 2018 and introduced a hybrid powertrain for the first time. Unfortunately, it is also the last CR-V to be manufactured in Japan, as Honda closed its Sayama plant at the end of 2022. In Gran Turismo 7, I had the opportunity to drive this final Japan-made CR-V.

So, what's it all about, the fifth-generation Honda CR-V, the last CR-V made in Japan?

The fifth-generation CR-V had its Japan premiere at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show and became available for sale a year later, following its global release two years prior. This generation maintains the design language of its predecessors while introducing Honda's Solid Wing front fascia. Notably, it is the first CR-V to offer a hybrid powertrain, which you will be driving in this game.

The RT-spec CR-V Hybrid model features Honda's Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system, which includes a 145 PS 2.0L i-VTEC Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine paired with two electric motors that generate a total power output of 154 kW. The hybrid variant takes full advantage of the i-MMD's three-mode powertrain, delivering performance comparable to a three-liter class vehicle, with impressive fuel efficiency of 21.2 km/l under WLTC mode standards. Meanwhile, the 4WD variants achieve about 20.2 km/l.

The fifth-generation Honda CR-V is the last CR-V to be made in Japan following Honda's closure of its Sayama plant at the end of 2022.

To get the feeling of the CR-V Hybrid's Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive system, later called the e:HEV, I went to Willow Springs to demonstrate its capabilities. I know, having a commoner's crossover on a race track isn't common sense to us, but this is common sense in a nutshell. Roll the tape.

My drive with the Honda CR-V Hybrid RT6 made me post a 1m49.388s lap time around the Big Willow, which isn't my quickest attempt yet, but it demonstrated just how much common sense the i-MMD hybrid system was in what's known to be the last CR-V from Sayama.

The fifth-generation Honda CR-V may be the last one produced in Japan, but it highlights the practicality of its hybrid system. While many are unhappy about the decisions made by Gran Turismo, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of Japanese-made cars that have made an impressive impact not just in Japan but on the world market.

As said in the commercial, it really is the OPEN MIND VEHICLE.

One day, the CR-V will return, albeit a fully-imported one from a nearby Asian country. In the meantime, let's enjoy driving the last Japan-made CR-V on Gran Turismo 7.

DOOM: The Dark Ages

The creators of the Doom games envision what Doom would be like if it were set in medieval times. This is their answer.

DOOM: The Dark Ages (Xbox)

DOOM: The Dark Ages serves as a prequel to the DOOM remake saga that began with DOOM (2016) and continued with DOOM Eternal. This game delves into the secret origin of the Doom Slayer's rage as players combat countless hordes of demons during medieval times.

Featuring id's largest and most expansive levels to date, The Dark Ages allows players to explore through castles, forests, dungeons, and even spaceships as they vanquish against the legions of Hell by all means necessary. There could be hidden areas to find out for yourself, so be ready with everything you've got. The riskier it gets, the more rewarding the game's going to be.

As a DOOM for all slayers, The Dark Ages features a customizable difficulty setting, allowing seasoned veterans and newcomers to personalize their gameplay by just how difficult the enemy AI will going to be and others.

In addition to the iconic DOOM weapons, including the Super Shotgun, DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces a brutal new arsenal, featuring weapons like the Shield Saw. This weapon not only provides defense against enemy attacks, but it can also deliver deadly physical strikes. Mastering the Shield Saw is essential for effectively overcoming the relentless demon hordes.

Even in medieval times, it’s the DOOM fans who have been enjoying the series since the 2016 reboot and DOOM Eternal. This installment will overshadow Darksiders and Elden Ring in no time. For those seeking one of the deadliest games of 2025, look no further than this one.

Let's Do The News! (May 16, 2025)

             

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

- Fishes caught in the West Philippine Sea will be sold at low prices under the Kadiwa program. According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the MV Mamamalakaya of the Philippine Coast Guard and a ship of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources arrived to directly purchase fish from fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc.

- Senator JV Ejercito assured public security with the amendment of the "Doble Plaka Law" or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. Under the amended law signed by President Bongbong Marcos, the controversial metal plate requirement is being removed, and the imposition of more reasonable fines is being promoted, which aims to address discriminatory provisions against the riding community.

- The PH Department of Justice has appealed to the Netherlands to send Atty. Harry Roque back home. Roque, along with 49 others, were issued a warrant of arrest by the Angeles, Pampanga RTC Branch 118 for a qualified human trafficking case related to the operation of the Lucky South 99 scam hub in Porac, Pampanga.

- House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong is confident that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte will be strengthened. Adiong said this in the face of the imminent addition of former Sen. Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno to the House Prosecution team.

- 14 volcanic earthquakes and one volcanic tremor at Bulusan Volcano, recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) in the past 24 hours, according to PHIVOLCS.

- US President Donald Trump touts "freedom zone" plan for Gaza as scores killed in Israel.

- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia for not taking peace talks seriously, stating that the delegation sent by Russia lacked key decision-makers. The talks, originally scheduled for Thursday, have reportedly been postponed until Friday, without a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.

- The UK and Germany are jointly developing a long-range precision strike weapon.

- DP's Lee Jae-mying continues to solidify the party's traditionally firm grip in the Jeolla-do provinces, while PPP's Kim Moon-soo kicked off his campaign by reaching out to commuters again, and Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok took the time to sit down with students making Teacher's Day yesterday.

- The Toyota bZ4X minor change was unveiled alongside the longer Touring variant. the new bZ4X will arrive late this year while the bZ4X Touring comes this early 2026.

2026 Toyota bZ4X

- Apple unveiled its CarPlay Ultra, and Aston Martin is the first carmaker to apply this new tech.

- The 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards will happen this June 21, 2025.

TTFN.

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - Nissan Fairlady Z

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

Let's continue with the Nissan Fairlady Z Z33, the car that graced the cover of Forza Motorsport 2, which was launched for the Xbox 360 console in 2007.

Two years after the production of the Z32 model ended, the Fairlady Z made a comeback in the summer of 2002 as part of the Nissan Revival Plan, led by then-CEO Carlos Ghosn. The Z33 Fairlady Z was sold in the world market as the 350Z.

With styling inspired by a concept car from the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, the Z33 Fairlady Z is available in both a hardtop coupe and an open-top roadster variant. It was the first Fairlady Z model to feature the Nissan logo on the front, replacing the Z emblem that previous models displayed; the Z emblem is now located on the side view of the car.

The Z33 Fairlady Z is powered by the same VQ35DE 3.5L V6 engine found in the Nissan Skyline V35, producing 280 PS of power and offering a choice between a 5-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. Following the lifting of Japan's 280 PS power limit in the mid-2000s, the engine officially produces 294 PS of power.

The Z33 Fairlady Z became the first Z car to compete in Japan's Super GT series, participating from 2004 to 2007. It also took part in the Super Taikyu Series, where it won the ST3 Class championship in 2004, 2005, and 2007. Additionally, it competed in the Japan Rally from 2003 to 2005, the 2003 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and the 2004 D1 Grand Prix (D1GP).

Let's have a commemorative drive around Road Atlanta, see if the Z33 Fairlady Z lives up to the reputation as the cover car of FM2 and the ideal poster car from the golden age of racing games.

The Z33 Fairlady Z is the ultimate poster car from the golden age of racing games. Its appearance on the cover of Forza Motorsport 2 highlights its significance.

FUEL YOUR FANTASY

Next time, let's explore the Audi R8 V10, the cover car of Forza Motorsport 3.