DS Automobiles N°4

The DS N°4, priced at 37,730 Euros plus additional costs, is the DS4 replacement that the French elites would want. It's the ideal fashion statement that balances the good and bad characteristics of a proper French car. Let's investigate.

2026 DS Automobiles N°4

2026 DS Automobiles N°4

At first glance, the N°4 bears a similar shape to the DS4 it replaces, but up front, it dons the new DS design language first applied to the N°8, while the rear view shares a similar story. It has the DS AUTOMOBILES lettering to prove it. Either way, it blends fashion sense and common sense.

2026 DS Automobiles N°4 interior

While the inside offers similar creature comforts to its DS4 predecessor, the N°4 features a new 10-inch High-Definition instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Perfectly integrated into the dashboard, the touch interface features augmented technology, orchestrating navigation, smartphone connectivity, and audio system control. The DS IRIS SYSTEM comes with ChatGPT, so you can ask questions now, drive later when you are ready. Asked about boot space, the HYBRID version is the most spacious with 430 litres to stack some stuff. 

The N°4 features an all-electrified lineup consisting of the 145PS 1.2L HYBRID mated to a 6-speed AT, a 225PS 1.6L PHEV with a new eDCT7 dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and the first-ever all-electric E-TENSE with a 58.3 kWh nickel battery with 213PS of power, 343Nm of torque, and up to 450km of driving range.

Sounds like a high-performance class until we get to know about its dynamics. Despite its cheap suspension layout that behaves like a mainstream Japanese family hatchback, the N°4 drives better than the previous model. It even comes with the DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION, which uses cameras that can detect road conditions and adapts through it like an auto-correct feature on your word processing software.

As expected, the N°4 is loaded with the most cutting-edge ADAS features offered in this semi-luxury hatchback, such as the DS DRIVE ASSIST 2.0 and the new DS DRIVER ATTENTION MONITORING, among others.

The N°4 carries the same fashion and common sense as its DS4 predecessor, but with the tech and the electrified lineup to prove its worth. Common sense never looked or felt stylish with this new DS hatchback rolling through the streets of Paris.

Available Colors: Vol de Nuit, Noir Perla Nera, Cristal Pearl, Cachemire, and Blanc Nacre.

Photo: DS Automobiles

Hyundai IONIQ 6 (2026MY Minor Change)

Launched three years ago, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 proved that electrification is addictive and worth exploring due to the wondrous features it possesses. For a Korean-made electric saloon, this is pretty impressive, and it could be the Sonata of the new age, which is outlandish to say. With the introduction of its 2026MY Minor Change, the new IONIQ 6 continues to redefine the electric saloon category with new ways and means.

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6

With the starting price of 48,560,000 Yen plus additional costs, there's never a good time to reintroduce the Hyundai IONIQ 6 to the world with this latest minor change, and things couldn't get even more promising than before.

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6

Beginning with the exterior, the front headlights have been shortened and feature a new front bumper design to improve their aerodynamic properties. At the back, the rear bumper looks more subtle than before, and the rear spoiler is now a ducktail, in the name of streamlining. For the first time ever, the IONIQ 6 N Line was added to the lineup, featuring a sporty exterior design and a blackened trunk to match its credentials. Either way, it's still the IONIQ 6 the world knows.

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 interior

The interior's slightly revised for this minor change. It now features a revamped center console, a larger air conditioning touch panel, USB-C ports, improved door panels, and improved software with the new AI assistant that responds to your voice, among others. The N Line, meanwhile, features a unique N round steering wheel with a red drive mode button and metal pedals.

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6 N Line

Onto the IONIQ 6 N's electric powertrain. The rear-wheel-drive Standard model runs on a 63kWh Lithium-Ion battery to produce 170PS of power and 350 N · m of torque with a driving range of 437km. The Long Range model, meanwhile, runs on the 84kWh Lithium-Ion battery to produce up to 325PS of power and up to 533km of driving range for AWD variants. Both models come with the all-new adaptive regenerative braking system, which now uses navigation data to adjust regeneration strength, such as speed camera locations, speed bumps, and roundabouts.

The driving experience has been improved thanks to its revised frequency-selective dampers, low-rolling-resistance tires, increased sound insulation, reduced high-frequency noise, and the new Smooth Mode that reduces the throttle and brake pedal sensitivity.

Like before, it features Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of active safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, rear-side collision avoidance assist, lane departure prevention assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control, high beam assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assistant 2.

With its latest improvements compared to the pre-facelift model, there's never a better time to get familiarized with the award-winning Hyundai IONIQ 6 with this updated version.

Available Colors: Ultimate Red Metallic (N Line only), Serenity White Pearl, Aero Silver Metallic (N Line only), Nocturne Grey Metallic, Bio Philic Black Pearl, Gravity Gold Matte, Transmission Blue Matte, and Nocturne Grey Matte.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (September 30, 2025)

                          

                                        

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

- The import ban on rice to the Philippines has been extended for 30 more days, according to the PH Department of Agriculture.

- The Discaya couple have faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure for the ongoing investigation over the flood control projects' anomalies.

- KOJC Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was hospitalized after he had been having difficulty breathing, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

- House Speaker Bojie Dy confirmed that the Chamber accepted former congressman Zaldy Co's resignation.

- US President Donald Trump renewed his demands for the imposition of a 100% tariff on foreign movies coming to the US.

- US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on a new peace plan for Gaza and warned Hamas to accept it.

- JLR will resume operations shortly after the recent cyberattack.

- Daihatsu will end production of the second-generation Copen this August 2026. The company is continuing various studies for its successor.

- The BMW M Team WRT will campaign both WEC and IMSA for the 2026 season.

- The Lexus LS was updated for the 2026 model year with new heated seats.

- Lewis Hamilton's pet dog, Roscoe, passed away.

- The Kristoffersson Motorsport will participate in the Extreme E finale and the first-ever Extreme H World Cup.

- Electronic Arts was sold for $55 billion, the largest all-cash gaming deal in history.

- BIGHIT MUSIC shares update on legal action against malicious activities targeting BTS.

- Comedian Gil "Ate Gay" Morales begins treatment for Stage 4 cancer with the help of a generous sponsor.

- Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have officially divorced after 19 years of marriage.

TTFN.

My GT7 Log: AGENT H VS. AGENT H

Come weekdays, both the Honda Civic Type R and the Hyundai Avante N showcase their "everyday hero" potential, but come race weekends, their true colors as TCR competitors will shine. Here in Gran Turismo 7, I got to sample the two Asian turbocharged everyday heroes that became staples for their TCR alter egos.

How do these two Asian turbocharged everyday heroes differ from each other? Let's begin with the Korean super saloon first, before the Japanese super hot hatch.

Launched in 2021, the Hyundai Avante N is the first N saloon based on the Hyundai Avante/Elantra CN7. Powering the Avante N is the same 2.0L Turbo GDI engine from the Veloster N, producing 280PS of power while mated to either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed wet-type Dual Clutch Transmission. With N Grin Shift, the car gets a 10PS boost, sprinting from 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds and an electronically-governed top speed of 250kph.

By calling the Avante N the road-legal version of its TCR machine, it has been festooned with numerous dynamic upgrades underneath, such as the N Corner Carving Differential, integrated drive axle, electronically controlled suspension, R-MPDS, rear stiff bar, and large capacity high-performance brakes.

In 2023, the Avante N received a minor change, featuring the same sharp looks as the normal Avante CN7 while maintaining the familiar specs from the pre-facelift model. A year later, a special TCR Edition of the Avante N was unveiled, complete with the same rear spoiler from its TCR equivalent.

Now, let's talk more about Honda's Super Hot Hatch, the FL5 Civic Type R. 

Based on the 11th-generation Honda Civic hatchback, the FL5 Civic Type R eschews the obvious styling from its predecessor in favor of a more subtle approach while retaining the triple exhaust setup from the FK8. For the first time since the FD2, the FL5 Civic Type R is back to being a Japan-made hot hatchback.

It runs on the same K20C1 2.0L VTEC Turbo engine as the previous FK8, but it's been boosted to produce 330PS of power and 420Nm of torque while mated exclusively to a 6-speed MT.

With the improved suspension setup, electronically controlled dampers, improved braking performance, and new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires built exclusively for this car, it smashed the Suzuka Circuit's FF lap record in 2:23.120 and recently, the Nurburgring Nordschleife's FF lap record in 7:44.881.

The FL5 Civic Type R became the 2022-2023 Japan Performance Car of the Year winner.

Recently, in 2025, a special Racing Black Package was offered for the FL5 Civic Type R, featuring a black interior.

To see which H-logoed car is the best, I went to Watkins Glen to have these two H-logoed turbocharged cars settle the score. Will it be the one with the H in the square or the other one with the H in the circle? It's Japan vs South Korea again. Let's roll the tape.

And here are the results...

FL5 Type R - 2m13.481s

Elantra N - 2m17.417s

Looks like the Japanese Agent H beats the Korean Agent H in the end. The Civic Type R has beaten its arch-rival, the Hyundai Avante N, by a huge margin. Looks like the Koreans aren't pleased about getting their behinds karate-chopped by the Japanese.

Both the Honda Civic Type R and the Hyundai Avante N worked well as everyday heroes. On weekdays, they are too busy to drive to work. On weekends, however, they became TCR superheroes ripping through the world's challenging racetracks.

TCR or not, both of these Asian turbocharged everyday heroes never fail to impress their followers, but in the end, it's the Civic that grabs more than the Avante.

Case closed.

Let's Do The News! (September 29, 2025)

                         

                                        

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

- The Malacañang reiterated that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not be blamed for the discovered budget insertions and irregularities in the government's flood control projects.

- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed the regional offices of the PH Department of Agriculture (DA) as well as the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to expedite the calculation of damages from the consecutive typhoons in the country that were accompanied by the recent southwest monsoon.

- PHIVOLCS recorded about 17 volcanic quakes around Mt. Bulusan and about 7 quakes around Kanlaon Volcano within the last 24 hours.

- The recently discovered ancient skull in China may rattle the timeline of human evolution, according to reports. In the new analysis, the skull belongs to an early branch of the sister lineage of our species, a finding that could shake up our understanding of how human evolution occurred over the past million years or more. The researchers used sophisticated scanning and digital reconstruction techniques to determine the original shape of the skull, which is between 940,000 and 1.1 million years old, and compared it to more than 100 other human fossils.

- Multiple strikes occurred in Gaza as Israeli forces continue the offensive against Hamas militants.

- Pope Leo XIV, during his Mass, prays for the victims of the recent flooding in the Philippines.

- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls Reform's plan to make some legal migrants reapply for visas "racist" and "immoral".

- The TV anime series Hotel Inhumans got renewed for Season 2. It was announced after the finale.

- The Toyota Gazoo Racing was named the 2025 World Rally Raid Championship manufacturer champions.

- The 2026 Tokyo Game Show will be expanded to five days.

- England defeated Canada and won the Women's Rugby World Cup.

- The PH Court of Appeals junked TAPE Inc.'s motion for reconsideration for the Eat Bulaga copyright case against TVJ.

TTFN.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Hollywood Casino 400

The fight for the Final 8 continues in Kansas for the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet. With Ryan Blaney secured his spot, who's next?

As the green flag waved, the fight for the Final 8 continued. The first stage saw a blown tire for the #51 car, followed by Tyler Reddick's pitstop drama. As Denny Hamlin barely took Stage 1, Stage 2 saw both the #42 and the #60 make contact and slip away. With Hamlin taking Stage 2, the final stage saw disaster for both Joey Logano and Austin Cindric following their recent tangle, a loose tire for Kyle Busch, a slide from the #77 car, and Zane Smith's terrifying barrel roll.

Screengrab from NASCAR

In the chaos of Kansas, Chase Elliott unexpectedly won the Hollywood Casino 400, securing his spot in the Final 8 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

Who will make it to the Final 8? Who will be eliminated? Find out as the fight for the Final 8 for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs ends with the Bank of America ROVAL 400 this October 5, 2025.

FIA WEC S13 - 6 Hours of Fuji

The 6 Hours of Fuji leg of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship marked the series' 100th race. In front of the 66,400 spectators gathered in Fuji, one will etch its mark in the history of WEC after 100 races.

Screengrab from WEC

The #35 Alpine Endurance Team A424 nicked its first-ever win in the Hypercar class after beating the #93 Peugeot Totalenergies 9XH and the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 to win WEC's 100th race. The #81 TF SPORT Corvette Z06 GT3 wins the LMGT3 class, beating the likes of the #21 Vista AF Corse 296 GT3 and the #31 The Bend Team WRT M3 GT3 EVO.

Four different winning brands this season so far, but with Ferrari raking up a lot of wins this season in the Hypercar class, will the Prancing Horse get what it takes to nick its first-ever title in this modern era of the WEC? Find out as Season 13 of the FIA World Endurance Championship ends with the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain this November 8, 2025.