Fiat Grande Panda (328)

Since 1980, the Fiat Panda has been a staple for Italian households for four-and-a-half decades, and with the arrival of the Grande Panda, the Panda's story continues with an all-new attitude to adapt to the new normal.

2026 Fiat Grande Panda

Starting at 14,950 Euros plus additional costs, the Grande Panda continues the Panda's four-and-a-half-decade story with an all-new look and packaging that feels right at home in the age of the new normal.

2026 Fiat Grande Panda interior

Beginning with the design, the Grande Panda's squarish design is a tribute to the original Panda, first launched in 1980, while the digitized front face looks like it stole from Hyundai's design rulebook in the name of square one, the side view proudly displays the PANDA lettering etched on the body, and the rear view, complete with its squarish taillights, proudly says FIAT etched on the rear door. For a compact car that has similar sizing between the Hyundai Casper and the Hyundai Venue, the Grande Panda looks more like a crossover than a city car, but in the end, it's all about being in a neo-classic state of mind.

Inside the Grande Panda, you'll find plastic components made from post-consumer recycled materials. The dashboard features a bamboo-inspired design and is upholstered in fabric that contains up to 30% natural bamboo fibers. The vehicle is also equipped with a 10.25-inch display, wireless charging, automatic climate control, a center armrest, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats, all of which enhance comfort and convenience.

Asked about boot space, the petrol-powered Grande Panda has 412 litres of boot space with the rear seats present and up to 1366 litres with all passenger seats folded. The Elettrica model has 361 to 1315 litres of boot space, which is sharply more than the Hyundai Casper Electric.

2026 Fiat Grande Panda

Under the hood, the Grande Panda is powered by a 100PS 1.2L turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed eDCT. It does 0-100kph in 11.2 seconds and is 20kph slower than a Japanese car. The hybrid variant adds 10PS more but maintains the similar performance of the non-hybrid model, even though it has 5.1L/100km of fuel economy.

The Elettrica, meanwhile, features a 44kWh lithium battery that generates 113PS of power and 122Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100kph in 11.5 seconds and a top speed of 132kph, which is less than what the Hyundai Casper Electric.

The Grande Panda is equipped with advanced safety systems designed to enhance protection while traveling. It features assistance through both visual and audible warnings. Key ADAS technologies include: 

- Active Safety Brake: This system automatically applies the brakes in emergencies to help prevent collisions. 

- Lane Keeping Assist: This feature helps ensure the car stays within its designated lane. 

- Driver Attention Alert: This technology monitors signs of driver fatigue and issues alerts when necessary.

After four and a half decades, the Panda legacy continues with the arrival of the Grande Panda, which promises to be as iconic as its ancestors, despite its crossover SUV taste and the fact that it's front-wheel-drive only. This is what the "new normal" feels like for the Panda that is now all grown up to do commoner things.

Available Colors: Bronzo Luna, Giallo Limone, Blu Lago, Azzurro Acqua, Rosso Passione, Bianco Gelato, and Nero Cinema.

Photo: Stellantis

Cadillac Lyriq-V and Optiq-V

Cadillac's V-Series goes electric with the introduction of the V-Series' first-ever electric SUVs, the Lyriq-V and the Optiq-V. Let's find out how "shocking" these E-V's are. Pun intended.

2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V

2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V interior

Starting at $78,600 plus additional costs, the Lyriq-V is what happens when Cadillac turns the humble but dynamic Lyriq EV crossover into what's known to be the fastest-accelerating Cadillac ever made. Yes. Most of the Lyriq's highlights include the available Super Cruise, the 33-inch LED display, the Active Noise Cancellation system, slim-line LED headlamps, the AKG Studio audio system, KeyPass, a dual-level charge cord, and others. However, for the V, this AWD monster has the master's touch.

Armed with the 102kWh battery pack with up to 285 miles of driving range, the Lyriq-V's standard dual motor all-wheel-drive powertrain delivers 615HP of power and 880Nm of torque. In its Velocity Max setting, it goes from 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating Cadillac ever made. Touche for a juiced EV crossover that weighs over three tons.

Despite its V credentials, don’t expect the Lyriq-V to be highly dynamic. Like many high-powered electric vehicle (EV) crossovers, handling this model can be challenging—especially during a Sunday track day at Laguna Seca on a harsh sunny day, even when set to Competitive Mode. Although equipped with Brembo performance front brake calipers that provide dramatic stopping power, they couldn't fully satisfy drivers looking for a more responsive experience. 

The Lyriq-V delivers impressive acceleration, but it also serves as a reminder that the V-Series is reaching new heights in the era of electrification.

However, for those who can't afford a Lyriq-V but want a similar performance to the said car, you may be interested in the first-ever Optiq-V.

2026 Cadillac Optiq-V

2026 Cadillac Optiq-V interior

Starting at $67,300, plus additional costs, the Optiq-V is a smaller, more affordable alternative to the Lyriq-V. It offers the same luxurious features as the regular Optiq, including available Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. The Optiq-V is equipped with an 85 kWh battery pack, providing a driving range of 275 miles. Its dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup produces 519 horsepower and 880 Nm of torque. In its Velocity Max mode, the Optiq-V can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Although it has less power than the Lyriq-V, the Optiq-V's smaller and slightly lighter design makes it a versatile option for various driving scenarios, whether navigating the streets of Los Angeles, enjoying a day on the track at Laguna Seca, or exploring the rugged terrain of Yosemite. Still, it's too cheesy on a track day, even in its Competitive Mode setting.

With the arrival of the first-ever Lyriq-V and the Optiq-V, the Cadillac V-Series goes down the electrification route. Some would be unhappy about the V-Series' new route; think of these two E-Vs as experimentation in preserving the future of the Cadillac V-Series. This is what common sense feels like.

Photo: General Motors

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

                      

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

- Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III has insisted that it is important to examine the "Cabral files" which allegedly contain politicians and cabinet members who entered billions of pesos worth of projects in the 2025 national budget. Sotto pointed out that it is easy to say that there is a list from the DPWH, but the question that should be asked here is whether the projects entered were funded.

- Reports say about several talent departures within the state-run PTV-4. Among those who left the Kwatro news division are at least five to six reporters, four desk editors, and a handful of producers and writers. Some of them have already made public announcements confirming their departure.

- The UK government will review "information failures" over the case of a certain British-Egyptian activist as Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the historic tweets are "abhorrent".

- Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, passed away at the age of 80.

- The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has released findings on the tragedy that involved the convoy of renowned British Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua and claimed the lives of two individuals on the Makun axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Based on the investigation by the FRSC PRO in Ogun State, the crash occurred due to overspeeding and wrong overtaking by the driver, which caused it to ram into a stationary vehicle. Five individuals were involved in the incident, including Anthony Joshua, who sustained bodily injuries, while two others lost their lives.

- South Korean online retail giant Coupang will offer $1.17 billion in compensation to 34 million users affected by the massive data breach disclosed last month.

- Andretti Global is preparing for a team leadership change on New Year's Day.

- Denny Hamlin's father was killed in the house fire that occurred Sunday night, while his mother was badly hurt.

- The Koenigsegg Gemera has passed all EU compliance, safety, and emissions tests. US certification is expected to be completed shortly.

- Cignal and TV5 PH launched the Kapatid Network, where viewers can watch live news and entertainment with Gud Morning Kapatid, Eat Bulaga, Una sa Lahat, Frontline Pilipinas, Vibe Up, and Vibe Nights, as well as catch up on fan favorites like From Helen's Kitchen, Face To Face, and more. Available to all active Cignal subscribers on Channel 15.

TTFN.

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

                     

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

- Two drivers involved in the Marikina road rage were summoned by the LTO on January 7, 2026.

- Radio Mindanao Network launched its unified network channel. The RMN Channel is a web-based interactive media launcher platform full of broadcast programs, digital streaming, and marketing services of RMN.

- Five cabinet secretaries who are said to have "allocables" worth billions of pesos under the 2025 national budget may be summoned for investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Senate President pro-tempore Ping Lacson confirmed this based on documents he obtained from the late former DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral. Lacson identified high-ranking officials with allocables as former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who is said to have received ₱30.5 billion, and an "E.S." who initially received ₱8.3 billion.

- The United States welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed by Thailand and Laos.

- The third season of the TV anime One Punch Man will return in 2027 for Part 2.

- The New England Patriots won their first AFC East title since 2019.

- French singer Brigitte Bardot died at age 91.

- MNL48 will undergo changes in both its operating company name and group name in January 2026.

TTFN.

Cadillac Vistiq

The first-ever Cadillac Vistiq, starting at $77,395 plus additional costs, is an all-electric replacement of the XT6 that promises to be the most versatile Cadillac EV SUV ever made. With such a price, it's less expensive than the Escalade IQ. That's common sense to us all...or is it?

2026 Cadillac Vistiq

2026 Cadillac Vistiq

Sized to XT6 proportions, the Vistiq is no doubt a luxury EV SUV at first sight. While it dons a similar front face as its big brother, the Escalade IQ, the squarish shape can be easily mistaken for a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. What are the odds for this near-80-grand EV SUV?

2026 Cadillac Vistiq interior

The Vistiq is equipped with a panoramic widescreen that integrates the digital instrument panel with a Google-powered touchscreen. This touchscreen controls not only the infotainment features but also many aspects of the vehicle itself. Additionally, there is a lower touchscreen for adjusting the climate control, a rotary shift dial, and cupholders. The Vistiq is available with either six or seven seats. Its boot space is a modest 297 litres, which can expand to 889 litres when the passenger seats are folded down.

2026 Cadillac Vistiq

With the 91kWh Lithium-Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt battery and a dual motor setup to give it all-wheel-drive capability, the Vistiq produces 615hp of power and 650lb-ft of torque in Velocity Max, sprinting from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds. Apart from the performance, the Vistiq features Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, Active Rear Steering, and Brembo brakes. Although bulky for an EV SUV like this, it's not as half-bad to drive as its big brother, and with luxurious features such as the Road Noise Cancellation, it's first-class luxury even on tarmac, gravel, or snow.

For safety, the Vistiq comes prepared with various driver assists such as Blind Zone Steering Assist, Side Bicyclist Alert, Forward Collision Alert, OnStar Automatic Crash Response, Night Vision, and the rather controversial Super Cruise hands-free driving tech.

It’s challenging to recommend the Vistiq to those seeking a luxury electric SUV with three-row seating. However, with pricing that is more affordable than the Escalade IQ, this could be Cadillac’s best bargain of the year.

Available colors: Argent Silver Metallic, Emerald Lake Metallic, Stellar Black Metallic, Vibrant White Tricoat, and Radiant Red Tintcoat.

Photo: General Motors

YEAR IN REVIEW: 20 things we learned in 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, it's time for my annual YEAR IN REVIEW, where I will outline the 20 biggest news stories from throughout the year.

1) Southern California Forest Fires - Never in the history of Southern California has it witnessed a worsening wildfire that affected parts of Los Angeles, including the Pacific Palisades, where homes and businesses were burned into cinders.

2) Donald Trump's White House Return - Donald Trump's return to the presidency of the United States led to significant changes in the global order. This included the imposition of strict tariffs on foreign imports, a deterioration of efforts to resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and strained relations with neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico, among other consequences.

3) Super Bowl LIX - The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to become Super Bowl LIX Champions with Jalen Hurts named MVP.

4) F1 75 - In 2025, Formula 1 celebrated its 75th anniversary. The festivities included Cadillac's announcement to join the F1 grid in the 2026 season, the highly anticipated F1 movie, the unveiling of F1's new regulations for 2026, and more. These events culminated in Lando Norris winning his first F1 World Championship title.

5) RRD VS ICC - Former President Rodrigo Duterte faced trial with the International Criminal Court regarding his bloody war on drugs during his presidential tenure (2016-2022), and he is currently locked up there at The Hague, pending investigation. During his arrest, the Philippine government, under the PBBM administration, is in deep turmoil over the FPRRD arrest dilemma.

6) Pope Francis passed away - Post-Easter, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by the Vatican. He was the first Pope from Latin America and had been in the Vatican for 12 years as the successor to Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. During his tenure, Pope Francis dedicated his life to God and the Church. He also taught his devotees to live the values of the Gospel with honesty, courage, and love throughout the world, in favor of the poorest and marginalized sectors.

7) Yoon Suk-Yeol's impeachment - The South Korean government voted in favor of impeaching Yoon Suk-yeol due to his imposition of martial law on December 4, 2024. Yoon cited resistance from opposition parties to his governance as the reason for this declaration. Following the announcement, he attempted to dissolve the National Assembly and arrest opposition lawmakers and media figures. Ultimately, Yoon was impeached in early April 2025. His opponent in the 2022 election, Lee Jae-Myung, won the election and became the new South Korean president.

8) Pope Leo XIV - Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican held a conclave in search of the new Pope. A few moments later, a new Pope was named. An American-Peruvian cardinal named Robert Prevost was named as the new Pope after a two-day Conclave at the Vatican. He becomes Pope Leo XIV, the first Pope who hails from the USA. The new Pope will lead the Roman Catholics worldwide and uphold the legacy of his predecessors. Most world leaders are congratulating the new Pope, while others are concerned about the Catholic Church's future plans under the helm of Pope Leo XIV on key issues like LGBT and abortion rights.

9) Ai♡ScReam! - AiScReam is a sub-unit from the "Love Live!" series, combining members Ayumu Uehara (Nijigasaki), Shiki Wakana (Liella!), and Ruby Kurosawa (Aqours). The name plays on "ice cream," and the unit debuted with the single "Ai♡ScReam!" on January 22, 2025. This release features the title track, a coupling song "ICE LIMIT," and an audio talk segment. The catchy melody and playful lyrics led to a surge of fan-made content on TikTok, boosting its popularity within the Love Live! community.

10) K-Pop Demon Hunters - Released on June 20, 2025, the Netflix original animated movie K-POP Demon Hunters follows the K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, celebrated for their music but secretly dedicated to protecting the world from demons. The film was a massive success, inspiring limited theatrical releases, merchandise, fan-made content, and even real-world performances by HUNTR/X members.

11) Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 1 - Released in July 2025, the first part of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's Infinity Castle movie trilogy follows Tanjiro Kamado and the Demon Slayer Corps as they launch their attack in the Infinity Castle. The film sets new global box office records and features a special role by Channing Tatum in the English dub.

12) Deadly Twin Quakes in PH - The fourth quarter of 2025 saw Cebu and Davao Oriental being hit by two separate deadly quakes that killed countless people and damaged numerous areas.

13) Japan's First Female PM - Sanae Takaichi made history as the first Japanese woman to become Prime Minister. Takaichi is known for her remarks against China's plot to invade Taiwan. Her remarks caused China to take aggressive actions against Japan, causing Japanese celebrities' appearances in China to be canceled.

14) Ghost Projects - The Philippines is mired in the issues of ghost flood project anomalies. Such issues prompted the PBBM administration to establish the Independent Commission on Infrastructure to further investigate the corruption caused by the ghost projects. There were massive protests that took part, condemning the widespread corruption that plagued the Philippine economy.

15) The New World's Fastest Production Car - The Yangwang U9 Extreme, an all-electric hypercar made by Yangwang, one of BYD's luxury brands, made headlines with its 496.22kph top speed and its 6:59.157 lap time at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

16) Miss Universe 2025 - Despite controversy over Miss Universe management, the pageant in Thailand went smoothly, with contestants from around the world. Fatima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe, following her walkout over alleged mistreatment. She outperformed Thailand's Praveenar Singh, Venezuela's Stephany Abasali, the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo, and Cote d'Ivoire's Olivia Yace.

17) The lengthiest US government shutdown ever - Due to the Republican majority in the US Senate failing to pass the 2026 budget, a government shutdown began in October 2025, becoming the longest in history. This led to airport disruptions and a potential hunger crisis from halted EBT funding. On November 13, 2025, lawmakers ended the shutdown, and President Donald Trump signed the bill shortly after.

18) BTS members discharged from military - The BTS reunion is approaching as members RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook have completed their military service, reuniting with Jin and J-Hope.

19) Nintendo Switch 2 - Launched in June 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 offers the same flexibility as its predecessor, along with new features that enhance gameplay. Nintendo is confident that the Switch 2 will secure its future, and it’s already proving to be a commercial success. It stands as a worthy successor to the original Switch, capturing global interest.

20) Jeffrey Epstein files made public - Over a million files linked to the late sexual offender Jeffrey Epstein were made public for the first time ever.

As the saying goes, "The end of one nightmare is just the prelude to the next." So, what will 2026 bring us? Whatever it holds, we should prepare ourselves for any challenges and turbulence ahead. Until then, let's all have a happy New Year!

Bravo!

The Nijigasaki High School Idol Club has introduced the Monthly Songs project, similar to Aqours' monthly birthday song singles. Each month, one of your favorite members will have the opportunity to shine. For the December edition of the Nijigaku Monthly Songs project... Yes. It's Zhong Lanzhu taking over.

Bravo!

Zhong Lanzhu, played by Akina Homoto, takes over the December edition of the Nijigaku Monthly Songs project with her featured song "Bravo!" The final installment includes this featured track and the additional song titled "Seabird".

The Nijigasaki Monthly Songs collection is now complete. Be sure to collect and listen to each one. Which one is your favorite?