Forza Motorsport 5: The Time of the Veneno

The Lamborghini Veneno is one of the most requested rides to be featured on Forza Motorsport 5 because this is truly one of the best Lamborghinis ever made to celebrate 50 years of Lamborghini. Of course, we never got the chance to be behind the wheel of the Veneno because only three were made and all three were all sold out before its announcement. Pity, but lucky for us, we got Forza Motorsport 5 and the Hot Wheels Car Pack, the last monthly DLC car pack on this game.



Thanks to this DLC Car Pack, our dream of being behind the wheel at the Lamborghini Veneno came true in a virtual way and we got the taste of what is like to drive Lamborghini's 50th birthday present on this game and as a matter of fact, this is not like any Lamborghini I have ever driven in this game.



So, what's it all about the Veneno? Revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Veneno is created to celebrate Lamborghini's 50th anniversary. While it was loosely based on the flagship Aventador, the 6.5L V12 that powers the Veneno generates 750PS of power output, making this one of the most powerful Lamborghinis ever made with a 0-100kph time of 2.8 seconds and 355kph of top speed.

Being a track-focused street legal machine, Lamborghini built three Veneno units, each costing three million Euros plus tax, and all three units have already been sold to customers before its announcement.

Veneno is Spanish for "poison" but the naming, in Lamborghini tradition, originates from one of the strongest and most aggressive fighting bulls ever.



You should recall that it was revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show just like the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1 and as a matter of that, the un-holy trinity of last year's motor show is finally completed at last or so we think because unlike the LaFerrari and the P1, the Veneno runs solely on petrol and nothing else. Unlike the P1 and the LaFerrari, the Veneno is one of the rarest machines in supercar history and even though it wasn't made to compete against any other supercars, this track-ready road-legal racing machine is probably one of the most potential bedroom wall pin-up for modern youth because when we look at it, it looks gorgeous from every angle and how we dream about these...this is still a better love story than Twilight. He he he...



But this is no Twilight because the Lamborghini Veneno is here to satisfy our craving for super fast European exotics and while it was just an Aventador underneath, driving the Veneno on the racetrack is not too shabby because of its unmatched aerodynamics that keeps it glued to the road and survives a corner evasively like a fighter plane. Thanks to the V12 engine that powers it, superior aerodynamics, and its Formula One-inspired suspension setup, the Lamborghini Veneno is hands down the best Lambo I have ever witnessed in this game and once you drive it, you'll come back for more.



So, have you tried out the Veneno on FM5 yet?

Let's Do The News! (July 3, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- SPEEDO BOYS HATE THE LTO'S STRICTER PENALTIES: Car enthusiasts from all over the nation are going to hold a protest against the Land Transportation Office for their stricter penalties. Most of the revisions that alarmed most speedo boys are the banning of aftermarket modification and the use of license-plate accessories where both carry a punishing 5,000 Philippine Pesos fine. A so-called protest at all LTO offices will occur tomorrow at 10:00 AM Philippine Standard Time and what the speedo boys are going to do is by simultaneously honk their cars for one minute.

WE PROTEST LTO

- Pokemon Global Trade Station has finally reached over 100,000,000 trades and as of now, the special fancy pattern Vivillon has been given away to players of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y as a celebratory thank you present.

- A King County deputy shot and killed a man at a light-rail station in Seattle's SoDo district after an altercation over a fare. Cops told that the suspect that was killed by the cop pulled a gun. This is just another one of the prevalent gun violence issues recently happened in the Northwest.

- Last night, over 40,000 Japanese people protested in front of the residence of Japan PM Shinzo Abe over the government's military reform which would revert Japan back to fascism.

- For the 2nd straight year, Mitsubishi will run their Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid crossover to the 2014 Asia Cross Country Rally.

- Nissan's flagship Elgrand MPV gets all sporty courtesy of the Nismo Parts Performance Package. Customers can opt in for some NISMO parts for the E52 Elgrand such as a sports resetting, aero kit, dark chrome grille, carbon pillar garnish, and carbon door mirror cover.

Nissan Elgrand

- The Caterham Group has put a sale on their Caterham Formula One team to numerous Swiss and Arab investors.

- Season 2 of Nickelodeon's magical comedy series, Every Witch Way, begins on Monday, the 7th of July! Check local listings!

- How do you smell? Check out the latest Head Squeeze video investigating more on the sense of smell.

TTFN!!!

Balitang Six Six for July 2, 2014

Breaking news from the July 2, 2014's Banana Nite's Balitang Six Six!

- A game of see-saw goes pop!

- Bystander having a hard time hiding from the bull run!

- Female cyclist tries to feel her long hair and loses balance!

- Man dressed as a hat mascot got fallen down the stage!

- Mother who plays a motion-sensing video game got enjoyed so much...she accidentally hit her kid!

- Man who plays with his dog got bitten by his dog!

Cadillac ELR vs. BMW i8

In the not too distant past, most Cadillacs are infamous for being a car made for pensioners because by the way you look at them, it seems that most Caddies in the past have looks only pensioners would want but thanks to the ART & SCIENCE philosophy, not only Cadillac was saved from the brink of extinction but also turned the tables on what we expect from a Cadillac. With cars like the ATS, CTS, XTS, SRX, and the Escalade, Cadillacs are getting more noticeable than the past as well as gaining admirers. With all that ART & SCIENCE still flourishing General Motors' luxury brand, looks like Cadillac made this...

2014 Cadillac ELR

This is the Cadillac ELR and while being true to its name, this is the brand's first electric long range vehicle designed not only to look smirk on your neighbors thinking that you have a car that is way more than the commoner Nissan Leaf but also a car that can get you from points A to B longer than your average German saloon.

2014 Cadillac ELR

Of course being one of the firsts from Cadillac, I could get amused that this new model is just like the Chevrolet Volt because like the Chevrolet Volt, the ELR is a plug-in hybrid vehicle or PHEV. You can either charge it with electricity, fill up petrol or like that little girl from that taco commercial...why not have both? WHY NOT HAVE BOTH?! That's a clever way to say that! WHY NOT HAVE BOTH?

You see, the ELR is equipped with the 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor generating up to 135kW (before you reach your calculator app, yup. That's 184HP) on the electric side while on the petrol side, it comes with the 1.4L EcoFLEX engine, the same engine you would expect on most Opels or Vauxhalls in Europe. Running on petrol alone, it develops a very compact car-ish 83HP of power and it's made to run the 55kW generator when the Li-iON battery is running on empty.

Running on battery alone, it can reach up to 37 miles of distance, enough to reach from a house from 46th Avenue South, Seattle, to Three Lakes Rd, Snohomish, WA. With the battery and the generator working together as one, it can travel up to 340 miles of distance, the driving distance from San Jose, California, to Seattle, Washington...as a theory.

There's more because on the ELR, you are in charge when is your car fully charge. You make the schedule on when to charge it, customize your charging mode as well as the charging level, and you can program it based on off-peak rates or your next trip. On a 240V outlet, it takes about five hours to fully charge it but on 120V outlets, it may take 75% of the day to fully charge it and that's theoretically...boring.

2014 Cadillac ELR interior

2014 Cadillac ELR interior

So, while this maybe one of the most ideal machines you can drive as a daily driver, there are some mishaps in the ELR's luster and that's when we get to the interior. Of course, it's all typical Cadillac interior just like any luxury car makers to wear uniform interiors but the Cadillac CUE system...what can I say? Of course, it maybe more enjoyable to explore the CUE but your weary fingers can't sustain the boring and complicated methods on how to master the Cadillac CUE infotainment system. It's hard to find the MP3 player, the Bluetooth, the navigation, and those tick-tack stuff this navigation system has loads of it. It's like getting lost in a maze or something.

Of course, while it may seat up to four, its coupe layout means that the rear room is mostly cramped for the rear passengers. You might be finding unfathomable difficulty squeezing yourself at the back of the ELR.

While this maybe the coupe, the ELR is not one of the best cars to enjoy on a weekend drive because the suspension setup is a little bit too wonky. The HiPer Strut front and Watts Link rear Sport suspension doesn't feel like a European sportscar and it behaves...like a commoner eco box. This car doesn't behave like a fit and agile coupe from another world and while the suspension setup is the least of the problems for the ELR, the biggest problem is the pricing because the ELR starts at 75,000 Dollars plus tax and destination charges and you can charge more with the optional extras. Is it more bang for the buck. Sadly, no. The ELR is not what you called a good car to drive but there's one good thing you might consider...

2015 BMW i8

This is the BMW i8, it's one of the most anticipated models of 2014 and by no means one of the most interesting cars to drive. Like the Cadillac ELR, it's a plug-in hybrid vehicle but unlike the ELR, the petrol engine is a 1.5L 3-cylinder turbo engine developing 231PS of power. Unlike the ELR, the joint custody of the 1.5L petrol and the hybrid synchronous motor developing a total output of 362PS of power. That is how Germany wanted to beat USA with all that power comes in.

This car is proven to be the epitome of a blue-blooded eco car and while it maybe a PHEV just like the ELR, the BMW i8 is unlike any other because of its bespoke hybrid system that delivers a range up to 23 miles and 75mph on electric power alone but running on all powers, you can expect 135 mph imperial of driving distance. Of course, while it maybe less than the ELR, the i8 is still more enjoyable to drive than the ELR thanks to its all-wheel drive system that lets you have fun without crashing into it.

2015 BMW i8 interior

2015 BMW i8 interior

While the i8 is truly one of the most enjoyable cars, it is one of the most exclusive cars ever made and thanks to the 126,000 Euro pricing and the long waitlist currently facing, having one is an unfathomable difficulty. So, the conclusion is simple, while the Cadillac ELR is designed for travelling further distances in mind, the BMW i8 is by no means one of the most interesting machines of the planet, incorporating how this plug-in hybrid sports car made from the blank sheet of paper and some creative brainstorming from the Germans.

2015 BMW i8

In the end, only history will tell the winner but for me, I would go for the i8.

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Round of 16 (Part Four)

The Round of 16 match has come to the close and the last two matches has been quite an explosive for the spectators when the matches reached the extra time like in the case of Argentina vs. Switzerland and Belgium vs. USA. Thanks to extra time, Argentina and Belgium are advanced to the Quarterfinals!

The quarter-finals begin on the 4th of July with France taking on Germany while Brazil takes on Colombia. Obrigado!

Let's Do The News! (July 2, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Forza Motorsport 5 revealed their final monthly DLC Pack for July called The Hot Wheels Car Pack. In this car pack, free for Season Pass owners, players can take control of 10 new rides that will turn heads in the corners. These are:

2013 Lamborghini Veneno
1939 Audi Auto Union Type D
1967 Lotus Type 49
2013 Mazda #7 Andretti Autosport USF2000
1952 Ferrari 375
1974 Toyota Celica GT
2015 Audi S3 Sedan
1956 Ford F-100
1973 Ford XB Falcon GT
1983 GMC Vandura G-1500
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- The 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is officially crowned as America's most powerful car ever made as its newly developed 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 engine is officially rated at a massive 707HP! 707HP! That's more than the 2015 C7 ZO6 or the outgoing Shelby GT500 combined! It's even more than the Lamborghini Aventador! Plus, the Challenger SRT Hellcat will come with two key fobs. The red key fob will unleash all 707 horses from its V8 engine while the black key fob limits the engine to just 500HP. This is like a Bugatti Veyron of some sorts...

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

- Well...well...the Land Transportation Office clarified the ABS-CBN report about banning various accessories attached on the license plates of vehicles. Section II-e of the JAO No. 2014-01 states that plate-related accessories are banned as well as plate holders, plate covers and others...especially foreign ones. Violators will be charged 5,000 Philippine Pesos and a confiscation of said accessories. Be warned, speedo boys...the government's are eyeing on your car's plate and there's no escaping now.

- Philippine telecommunication giant, Globe, will be hosting this year's Lotus roadshow with racing driver Marlon Stockinger behind the wheel of the Formula Renault car at the Bonifacio Global City this late August as part of launching a new and modern network.

- The DOTC will be analyzing the bus rapid transit system for Metro Manila from Quezon Memorial Circle to Manila City Hall.

- Actress Demi Lovato wrote her new book titled Staying Strong: A Journal and it's set to release this October.

- Another bus accident happened in the Philippines and this time, there's a bus fell off from the ravine in Aurora, injuring 21 passengers.

- It is revealed that Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is fighting against Stage 4 lung cancer and manages to make a big deal about her situation.

- Marriott's new homosexual-friendly ad campaign called #LoveTravels featured a transgender Pinay model. If you have any doubts, there's this fashion model turned role model named Geena Rocero who revealed as a transgender woman. Here's the clip that really sums it up...



TTFN!!!

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Round of 16 (Part Three)

Two African nations are officially out from the FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil and two European nations are advancing to the next round as France and Germany made the rounds against Nigeria and Algeria. In the France vs. Nigeria match, two goals are enough for France to send the Nigerians packing their bags, wondering what might have been, after the score of 2-0. In the Germany vs. Algeria match, the extra time sent the Germans winning against the Algerians at the score of 2-1.

Tomorrow, it's Argentina vs. Switzerland and Belgium vs. USA.

Let's Do The News! (July 1, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- LAST CHANCE! Now is your last chance to win limited-edition goodies in Family Guy The Quest for Stuff's Peter Griffin and the Kingdom of Full Moon special event! This is your last chance to unlock Cleveland Brown, who was recently returned from Family Guy a few weeks ago, as well as his 80's outfit! It's your last chance to score some limited edition goods as well as an original character that your can #party #rage #thrash #repeat all you want. You got until the 1st of July at 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time to score some booty! Tell your party-obsessed mummy friends!

- REBOOTED: After moments of hiatus, Head Squeeze, the educational YouTube channel from the BBC is back! Here's the announcement video:



- The fastest machine to lap round last week's 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed is the Peugeot 208 T16. Although it couldn't match the all-time record set by Nick Heidfeld but the lap time of 44.6 is this year's quickest.



- The General Motors recall drama continues as the American carmaker recalls over 8.4 million cars while 90% are related to ignition problems.

- With Angel Locsin set to reprise her role as Darna in the upcoming ABS-CBN TV series coming very soon, next year sees her reprising the role of one of the Philippines' famed superheroes based on the works of Mars Ravelo.

- Students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde gave invalid information on which fraternity was responsible for the hazing that killed a student.

- According to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, the deployment of FA-50s will help boost the aerial defense of the Philippines.

- A video showing a man who can put on his pants without using his hands goes viral! CAN YOU DO THAT?!



- A million-dollar Ferrari LaFerrari got totalled by a VW Golf in Monaco.

- We all heard of Chinese drivers smashing their cars for its poor quality and bad servicing but for this latest news from China, some Chinese guy smashed his Tesla Model S to protest against the American electric carmaker's "arrogance".

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 5: IS装着

The IS naming in the Lexus IS car stands for "intelligent sports" but if you drank too much sake and ended in a massive hangover, you will probably mistaken the naming for "Infinite Stratos", apparently. If the name "Stratos" really does ring a bell...then most car enthusiast think of that name as the legendary Lancia Stratos, the rally legend powered by a Ferrari Dino engine in the middle and won three World Rally Championships from 1974 to 1976.

This has got to be one of the most absurd comparisons ever done in the history of Forza Motorsport 5 but because this is science, the Lexus IS, in IS F trim with the 5.0L V8 engine and the 8-speed SPDS gearbox mated on it, wanted to know if the S in the IS naming stands for Stratos but first...




Both the ISF and the Stratos are taking their rehearsals at the world-renowned, as-seen-on-TV, Top Gear Test Track, located at the Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, United Kingdom.



Based on the data gathered during their rehearsals, it seems that the Lancia Stratos, despite it's almost four times less power than the ISF, performed very well in the handling stakes thanks to the fact that it weighs 1,619 lbs less than the Lexus saloon car and its almost-perfect weight distribution, meaning that for every turn, the Lancia does very well like proper handwriting. The Lexus maybe more powerful than the Stratos but because with so much torque, even a gentle touch would send its rear wheels spin, giving you a hard time to send it to the tight corners with maximum effort. I know Lexus cars are made for those who want to spend their time at the country club like most luxury cars do but for the ISF, that is so out of character for a Japanese luxury car.

With all that, looks like the ISF and the Stratos flew all the way to Long Beach, California, and they're all set to answer the burning question that every student from the IS Academy, well mostly female students, asks. So, can the S in the IS really means Stratos?!






At the Long Beach circuit, the Lexus did it in 1:45.482 while the Lancia did it in 1:53.095, almost eight seconds slower. Well, conclusive proof that the S in the Lexus IS naming really means Stratos...although this is very absurd and whoa! Am I spending too much time drinking alcohol and watching too much Infinite Stratos just to spring this massively absurd idea?! Oh dear... Looks like I'm kinda offending little Miss Houki... He he he...

The Geekdom's Guide To: Friend Fiction

Image: FOX

A fan fiction is when a fan is making his or her own made-up story from one of his or her favorite show or band or whatever means necessary from his or her fandom but in a Bob's Burgers' episode called Bad Tina, Tina Belcher wrote her "erotic friend fiction" using people at school and zombies.

That episode gave us thinking...can we make our own friend fiction using people we know? Of course, perhaps the reason why it's called FRIEND FICTION is because you're making a made-up story using real people in a made-up situation you've created. It's just like that female character from Inception who played by Ellen Page...minus the inception...and the Ellen Page. Well, you get the idea but how to make a friend fiction?

To make a friend fiction, first all you need is some brainstorming before the inception of your own friend fiction. Picture your old school you've been since elementary or high school or whatever, then try to remember the real people you've recognized from your past. Let's say your old classmate, then your math teacher, or your science teacher, or whatever you know. With the location and the people in set, try to make up your own scenario of your own choosing but remember...try not to make it TOO FUNNY or you'll ruin it on your friends who wanted to read your friend fiction.

With all the right ingredients, it's like sugar, spice, and everything nice but accidentally added a chemical concoction called Chemical X and WHAM! BAM! POW! Your friend fiction is done! Of course, there are gazillion ways to create a friend fiction using real people and real places of your choosing but when it's done, be careful on the target audience because you have to rely on the people you trust more. If backstabbers try to blackmail you, it's like that Bob's Burgers episode you saw and you have to fight "friend fiction" with "friend fiction" that is way more weirder than your last one.

So there you go, if you want to make a friend fiction of your own just like Tina, don't hesitate to do it because it's just for fun.

And that concludes The Geekdom's Guide to Friend Fiction...

Citroen C1 II

2015 Citroen C1

The Peugeot 108 has its own twin rival and even though they look different on the outside terms, the new Citroen C1 feels technically the same as the Peugeot 108 as examined before. As a matter of fact, both the Peugeot 108 and the new Citroen C1 were part of the Toyota-PSA triplets born from Kolin, Czech Republic, since the first ones. It's kinda more of a Japanese-French collaboration, don't you think?

Like the Peugeot 108, the Citroen C1 can be offered on either a three-door or five-door and can be fitted with a 1.0L e-VTi 68 Airdream or the 1.2L VTi 82 PureTech petrol engine. You can even opt in for the Airscape model, which comes with a canvas roof at the top as similar to the Peugeot 108's TOP variant.

2015 Citroen C1 interior

2015 Citroen C1 interior

Like the Peugeot 108, the Citroen C1 still comes with the same quality like you expect from budget compacts but it can be configurable by request. You can even have it with the 7-inch screen featuring Mirror Screen where our satnav will serve as the mirror of the compatible smartphone connected. I should warn you that when people go for the Airscape variant, because this is one of the city cars to drive in the summer holiday in Europe,  even when you close the roof off, you can expect some few winds slip through or the noise from within. Yes, that sounds way too familiar to you when you read anyone's first impressions because first impressions don't usually come impressed but when you get used to it, this city car deserves a lot of respect and a lot of love love love.

2015 Citroen C1

The 1.0L e-VTi 68 Airdream engine on the new C1 develops 68PS of power output and it's mated with a 5-speed manual. Even though it's not quite as quicker as the competition, it's one of the most fuel-efficient cars ever made because 26.3km/L is usually plenty for its fuel economy, although actual fuel mileage can vary, depending on your driving style.

As for the 1.2L VTi 82 PureTech petrol engine, developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen, this engine develops 82PS of power output, 23.3km/L of fuel economy, and 99g/km of CO2 emissions. That sounds a lot for a city car but even though these engines are not powerful enough to sneeze your way home, its pseudo McPherson front axle and a deformable rear beam can really add some smile all day long...unless if you're Grumpy and you know it.

2015 Citroen C1

In terms of pricing, the new C1 is more affordable than the 108 because while it starts at 10,150 Euros, the new Citroen C1 costs 9,950 Euros so can anyone hardly explain why this Citroen is way cheaper than its 108 twin? Anyone? Nope? Nope. No comment but surprisingly, the new model is now 200 Euros lower than the old C1.

So there it is, it's very difficult to distinguish which to choose these French city car twins because while the 108 is a high-quality city compact in its own right when well-equipped, the new C1 is much more of an affordable alternative and with so many choices to choose from, it takes guts to determine the winner.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Transformers: Age of Extinction

We all love enjoying the Transformers franchise from the range of toys made by Hasbro, the cartoons, and the movies since the first one in 2007 but for the fourth Transformers movie, called Age of Extinction, is this really the best Transformers experience we ever had? Let's see...

The latest installment sees a new male protagonist, played by actor Mark Wahlberg, as well as a new storyline that is way different from the previous installments. In this movie after the Autobots saved the world from the brink of destruction, humanity cleans up the remains from the war torn Earth. Wahlberg plays the role of a mechanic where he and his daughter discovered a deadly conspiracy that will wipe out the Transformers while an ancient powerful opposition has been awakened to bring Earth down to its knees. With the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, joined forces with their new human allies, the war between good and evil has been blurred and the Autobots are ready to expect the unexpected.

Yes, this is now a plethora of automotive mayhem because there are numerous cars featured in the film including the Pagani Huayra, the Lamborghini Aventador, the Chevrolet Sonic, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and so much more. Bumblebee, as a Chevy Camaro, gets two versions; one as a first generation and the other one is a latest fifth-generation facelift which doesn't look so right after its previous installments. Those new machines really edged out the luster from the human casts which also includes Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Li Bingbing, T. J. Miller, Han Geng and many others.

Now I know the cast is now way different from the previous ones but the storyline never felt so good, in true Michael Bay fashion, as the battle for Earth's survival spans across the globe made this installment one of the most thrilling Transformers experience yet to offer this Summer. It really turns skeptics into believers and it will leave them hanging for more. Has our faith in Michael Bay restored? Yes...but only just.

Although Age of Extinction maybe a departure to the Transformers movies we know but this movie never fails to impress us...if the producers were very careful about making this movie feature a million dollars worth of cars. It's quite of an overload if you asked.

My rating: 3.9 out of 5