Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Suzuki Jimny Nomade

Never in the 55-year history of the Suzuki Jimny has there been a five-door variant of this world's smallest off-roader—until now. The leader in fuel-efficient cars has decided to make a significant change that hasn't been done to the Jimny in a very long time. Say hello to the first-ever Jimny Nomade, the five-door take on the legend.

2025 Suzuki Jimny Nomade
2025 Suzuki Jimny Nomade

The first-ever five-door Suzuki Jimny, the Nomade, starts at 2,651,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, and unlike its three-door equivalents, the Jimny Nomade marks the third time Suzuki imported something from India's Maruti Suzuki manufacturing line since the defunct Baleno and last year's Fronx crossover.

2025 Suzuki Jimny Nomade
2025 Suzuki Jimny Nomade interior

To differentiate the Nomade from the Sierra, the extra doors resulted in increased dimensions, and it's not just the increased dimensions that made the Nomade unique; it's the front chrome grille that makes it easy to differentiate. Despite the added dimensions, it's still the Jimny every Japanese offroading addict knows.

As for the interior, it's still pretty much as old-school as all of the previous Jimny generations, judging by its steering wheel integrated switches, a touch-screen sat-nav with smartphone connectivity, a front console box, and USB accessory sockets, but since this is the Nomade, the extra doors made it easier for anyone to get through the rear seats. It's common sense, and then there's the boot space, which is more than doubled in size from the Sierra's 85 to 211 liters. #32 liters with the rear seats folded.

The Nomade still uses the same K15B 1.5L petrol engine from the 3-door equivalent, the Jimny Sierra. It produces 102PS of power and 130Nm of torque. The 5-speed manual gearbox gives the Nomade about 15.4km/L of fuel economy while the 4-speed automatic has 14.3km/L, based on WLTC Mode standards.

Being the smallest SUV with a ladder frame, the Nomade's ladder frame features a center cross member and side frame reinforcements slotted above the X member while retaining the body mount rubbers and three-link rigid axle suspension from the Sierra. As a result, the Nomade is a serious, tiny off-roader compared to the Sierra.

The part-time 4WD system is a standard issue, and with the transfer lever, drivers can switch through three different modes, such as running on rear wheels or engaging a low-range four-wheel drive in case of rough terrain coming through. Other features include a steering damper, brake LSD traction control, hill hold control, and hill descent control, giving the Jimny Nomade much-needed feedback that drivers are looking forward to.

The Jimny Nomade is equipped with Suzuki Safety Support, which includes enhanced Highway and Parking safety technologies compared to the Sierra. It also features familiar safety systems such as sign recognition, lane departure warning, front car departure alert, high beam assist, dual sensor brake support, false launch suppression, and more. When these technologies are combined with electronic stability control (ESP), emergency stop signals, six airbags, a TECT body, and various other safety features, the result is a rugged and reliable off-roader that is durable and safe enough to navigate through all kinds of challenging conditions, whether on or off the road.

The first-ever, fully-imported, Suzuki Jimny Nomade showcases the unexplored side of the Jimny in terms of practicality, thanks to the additional doors that made it easier to get through the rear seats while retaining the signature off-roading capabilities you'd expect for the only small SUV in the world with a ladder frame. Welcome to the most accessible Jimny ever made. A Jimny for all off-roading addicts.

AVAILABLE VARIANTS:

1.5L FC 4WD 5MT - 2,651,000 Yen

1.5L FC 4WD 4AT - 2,750,000 Yen

AVAILABLE COLORS:

Sizzling Red Metallic Black 2-tone Roof, Chiffon Ivory Metallic 2 Black 2-tone Roof, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Bluish Black Pearl 4, Jungle Green 2, and Arctic White Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Monday, May 19, 2025

Let's Do The News! (May 19, 2025)

              

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

- The Philippine National Police has resumed its normal service after last week's elections.

- The PH Department of Agriculture is banning imports of chicken meat from Brazil due to bird flu.

- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian asserted that being Senate President today is critical to being able to handle the scheduled impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. According to Gatchalian, their set-up in the impeachment court is different compared to the session when they pass laws.

- The PH Department of Education (DepEd) has denied a report circulating that there will be a Grade 13 in School Year 2025-2026.

- Rising cases of COVID-19 in parts of Southeast Asia are closely monitored by the PH Department of Health.

- Entry into the 6-kilometer extended danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island is now permitted from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

- Pope Leo XIV held his inauguration mass in St. Peter's Square. Over 150,000 devotees took part in the historic Eucharistic Celebration for the start of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome.

- South Korea will hold another round of presidential debates tonight as presidential candidates will debate over key issues such as the North Korea situation, the US tariff problems, the aftermath of Yoon Suk-Yeol's impeachment, and others.

- The Alpine A390 coupe crossover will be unveiled next week.

- PREMA Racing newcomer Robert Shwartzman made headlines for his first INDY 500 pole position.

- Kwon Yul announces his marriage plans.

- The WNBA is investigating allegations of "hateful fan comments" directed at Angel Reese during Saturday's game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever in Indianapolis after an incident involving Caitlin Clark and Reese.

- BBC's Doctor Who TV series casts Archie Panjabi as the legendary villain, The Rani.

- TV presenter Paolo Bediones said he received threats for four years due to his video scandal.

- Fil-Austrian JJ wins 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.

TTFN.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE

The legendary North Wilkesboro roars to life again as NASCAR's toughest and roughest clash for a million-dollar cash prize in the 2025 edition of the NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE. 

In this year's edition of the NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE, a new Manufacturer Showdown was introduced, showcasing a clash between Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota on NASCAR territory.

Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Chase Elliott are representing Chevrolet while Josh Berry, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano are Team Ford, and Team Toyota consists of Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, John Hunter Nemechek, and Tyler Reddick.

Kyle Larson, by surprise, made his way to North Wilkesboro following his qualifying stint for next week's INDY 500, showing that he still has enough energy and rubber to burn.

As the green flag waved, this year's NASCAR ALL-STAR is on the move. This race saw problems for Daniel Suarez that triggered the first yellow flag of the race, followed by Brad Keselowski's misfortune, not to mention the part where the yellow flag was dropped, literally.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE
Screengrab from NASCAR

After an intense action at North Wilkesboro, Christopher Bell wins the million-dollar NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE! Not only that, Team Chevrolet wins the Manufacturer Showdown as well!

This year's NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE is over, but the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series rages on with the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte Motor Speedway this Sunday, May 25, 2025. It's the Greatest Spectacle in NASCAR racing. Don't miss it. 

That means you, Kyle Larson.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

F1 2025 - AWS Gran Premio del Made in Italy e Dell'Emilia-Romagna

The legendary Imola is set to host the next event in the 2025 F1 season: the AWS Gran Premio del Made in Italy e Dell'Emilia-Romagna. 

Following the announcement that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan as an Alpine driver starting at Imola, there isn't much else that stands out about this race. 

However, McLaren aims to make a significant impact on one of Ferrari's home turfs. Regardless of the circumstances, the Imola Grand Prix in the 2025 F1 season holds particular significance.

Pierre Gasly went into the gravel while scrapping with Charles Leclerc on Lap 3, Esteban Ocon had an accident on Lap 29, and Kimi Antonelli's homecoming got spoiled on Lap 46. These are some of the troublesome moments that occurred in the middle of the Imola Grand Prix.

F1 2025 - AWS Gran Premio del Made in Italy e Dell'Emilia-Romagna
Image: F1

Amid the trouble in Imola, Max Verstappen proves that he's still in this game as he won the Imola Grand Prix ahead of the McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Other finishers include Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Isack Hadjar, and Yuki Tsunoda.

The next race is the TAG Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco this May 25, 2025.

WRC 2025: Vodafone Rally de Portugal

Fafe is the next stop of the 2025 World Rally Championship with the Vodafone Rally de Portugal. Drivers are throwing all means to survive and conquer Fafe's beaten paths.

WRC 2025: Vodafone Rally de Portugal
Screengrab from WRC

The Friday stages saw Ott Tanak edge Adrien Fourmaux for the lead until troublesome situations gave Sebastien Ogier the chance to snatch Tanak's lead, and in the end, he won the Rally de Portugal 8.7 seconds ahead of Tanak. Kalle Rovanpera finishes in third place.

After Portugal, Kalle Rovanpera's podium finish trimmed Elfyn Evans's championship lead to 30 points with nine rounds left this season, while Ogier is now in third.

The next event is the Rally Italia Sardegna this June 5-8, 2025.

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.

Super Formula 2025 - Round 5
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.