Forza Motorsport 5: The only 2015 model car you can play with

At Forza Motorsport 5, we always accuse this game for not featuring the latest and the hottest cars in the market today. Even though they claimed that they're living up to their "next-generation" promise, the car lineup is worth noticing and with every monthly DLC Pack offered, they're mostly carryovers from the previous games while a few were new to the Forza...most were 19XX's and 200X's rather than focusing on new machines. When they asked them for facelifts, they denied it. If it's a new generation of a certain model, they denied it. They keep denying new generation machines in favor of older ones. So far, there are three 2014 models in the game; the Fiesta ST, the Civic Si Coupe, and the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. Amazingly...no 2015 model in sight! Nothing! What's wrong with Turn 10 these days?



With Forza 5's Hot Wheels Car Pack is officially named "the last monthly car pack" in the game, they really mean it because THIS is the last DLC car pack they've released for the game. Don't lie to us, Turn 10. Because this is the final Forza 5 DLC pack to be offered in the game, this is the only 2015 car you can drive in the game; the 2015 Audi S3 Sedan.

Time for the assessment on what they're doing during the development of Forza 5's DLC Pack through the months since its November 2013 debut along with the XBOX One. First, what are they thinking? What are those Turn 10 staff doing these days? Looks like to them, the year 2014 will foretell doom to all of Turn 10 because why? They're mostly afraid of cars built from 2014 model year to now. I'm kinda believed that just before the year 2014 hits, most of the team from Turn 10 kinda have their so-called post-2014 bunker so most of them will hide from civilization like you'd expect from a nuclear holocaust situation. Go ahead, folks. Once you step inside the corridors of Turn 10 Studios. No one's here except anyone hiding in their secret post-beginning-of-2014-bunker located under their HQ. What they do have in their bunker is some survival stuff. Some boxes of junk food, boxes of soft drinks, anything you would expect from a nuclear holocaust bunker. Most of the stuff and the offices where the T10 staff used to worked on...we're all covered in dust and litter like any holocaust movie you've seen.

That's how this happened! They're too afraid to see the changing world of the automotive industry! I can't believe anyone from T10 we're too scarred to step out from the outside world for some further inspiration for their DLC Car Packs. Where did they get their inspiration for their packs? From their Used Car Guides you would find most in the grocery stores! Maybe that's why they're afraid to go out and visit some car shows from Geneva, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, Frankfurt, or any city where car shows featuring new cars occured. (Sigh)



They just really don't know what might have been in the future of Forza Motorsport and Turn 10, do they? I'd reckon that they won't be surviving next year especially when the list of upcoming full model changes, facelifts, and debutantes of cars keeps on growing and Turn 10 is in the brink of collapse moments before celebrating Forza Motorsport's 10th birthday, just to let you know.

It's a shocking vision of Turn 10's grim future. The Forza franchise will never be the same again when it comes to featuring fully licensed cars but mainly focused on more past and less present in-game and DLC alike.



The Forza Motorsport franchise and all of Turn 10 have failed to place the latest 2014-2015 machines, they've failed to put Top Gear's latest reasonably priced car, the Vauxhall Astra Tech Line, they've failed to bring facelifted machines, and most of all, as what Comic Book Guy would say; Worst...Fan Service...Ever... I can say that but I really don't mean it.

The 2015 Audi S3 Sedan, the only 2015 model year car you can play in Forza Motorsport 5 and the only MQB-platform car you can toy around in the game, has its fate sealed in this game, foreseeing the grim future of Turn 10 because of their defiance against new machines and don't expect any 2014-2015 model year cars to arrive on FM5 soon because...as what this car pack claims...The Hot Wheels Car Pack is the final DLC Car Pack in FM5 so deal with it.



ALL ABOUT THIS CAR:

The third-generation Audi A3 was launched in 2012 and it was the first Audi to use VW Group's expendable MQB platform where it is expected to be used in upcoming vehicles from their portfolio and this new platform is flexible enough to allow individual models to have a variety of wheelbase, track and external dimensions. Thanks to the A3's use of the MQB platform, not only the 3-door, 5-door Sportback, and the Cabriolet versions were spawned but for the first time, a sedan version was offered.

The S3 version is the slightly high-performance version of the A3 and for this sedan version, like its hatchback equivalents, it is powered by a 2.0L turbo engine develops over 300HP of power and 280lb-ft of torque. With the s tronic equipped, the sedan version can get a 0-100kph time of 4.9 seconds. It comes with quattro all wheel drive where most of the power goes to the rear axle via a Haldex clutch.




I've been driving around with the 2015 S3 Sedan for moments in this game and I have to say that even though the handling's a bit too mild because of its 4WD system on it and its use of MQB platform, the S3 Sedan really showed me the error of my ways knowing what might have been and after my drive with this on FM5, I was so stressed that why is Turn 10 is just shying away from the latest automobiles from the new era.

The more I'm driving with the S3 Sedan, the more I'm starting to get interested with the only 2015 model car and the only MQB machine in the game and when you get used to it, you can get used for more while discovering the outer limits of this car's potential.

 

While the S3 Sedan keeps on shouting "WAKE UP, TURN 10!" for all the reasons, this car is worthy to be idolized for being the only 2015 car in FM5 and what will its quiet beginning be when players picked one up from The Hot Wheels Car Pack in FM5 is anyone's game or risk. It's just like the whole Wake Up Girls thingy, there are some struggles and obstacles that can hinder your road to fame and this S3 Sedan would be on that fate where it was chosen to be.

San Mig Coffee, they've done it again!

The fifth and final game of the 2014 PBA Governor's Cup Finals pits the two teams; San Mig Super Coffee Mixers and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a do-or-die match to win the coveted title. Held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, two of the brightest stars in basketball are slugging against each other to become the victor.

In the end, with the score of 92-89, the San Mig Coffee Mixers declared GRAND SLAM CHAMPIONS of the PBA! A 4-peat! Four championship wins on the trot!

Congratulations again, SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE MIXERS! You guys deserved the Grand Slam title!

There's no stopping them now!

Toyota Crown hybrid models gain 4WD

2015 Toyota Crown Majesta

2015 Toyota Crown Athlete

2015 Toyota Crown Royal

All hybrid models of the Toyota Crown range, the Royal, the Athlete, and the flagship Majesta, have gained four-wheel drive system. This is the first time Toyota has a 4WD hybrid saloon in their lineup.

Both the Royal and the Athlete hybrid models come with the 2.5L 4-cylinder 2AR-FSE engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery, the same as the one from the Lexus IS, while the Majesta model comes with the 3.5L V6 engine bolted with an electric motor and a nickel metal battery, same as the Lexus GS. With the 4WD system, these Crown models provide better stability and better traction on slippery surfaces, as a theory. Fuel economy for the Royal and Athlete returns at 21km/L while it's 19km/L for the Majesta model.

Pricing is now adjusted so the Crown Royal now costs 3,630,857 up to 5,729,143 Japanese Yen (around $36,400 to $57,300) while the Crown Athlete now costs 3,672,000 up to 5,806,963 Japanese Yen (around $37,000 to $58,100) and the Crown Majesta now costs 6,274,286 to 6,891,428 Japanese Yen (around $63,000 to $69,000).

Report: http://m.car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140709_657187.html
URL: http://toyota.jp/crown/

Let's Do The News! (July 9, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- THIS IS THE NEW OPEL/VAUXHALL CORSA. Fourth-generation of Opel/Vauxhall's compact hatchback is set to raise the class benchmark for drivability, comfort and practicality in a model which has become a household name for British small-car buyers.

2015 Vauxhall Corsa

- Laura Marano (Ally Dawson from Austin and Ally) and Leigh Allyn Baker (Amy Duncan from Good Luck Charlie and Queen Delightful from The 7D) will star in an upcoming Disney Channel original movie titled "Bad Hair Day", due next year.

- Who is the Chinese man who sued American electric carmaker, Tesla Motors, for trademark infringement?  Yes. His name is Zhan Baosheng and he field a lawsuit against Tesla a few days ago, alleging trademark infringement. He requests Tesla to shut down their Chinese operations and demand them to pay him 23.9 million Yuan in compensation.

- Ezra and the rebels are awaiting you! The rebels of Disney XD's upcoming series, Star Wars Rebels, will be in San Diego Comic Con 2014 this 24th of July!

- What are the most flood-prone areas in the Metro Manila? This report explains what... Stay sharp because this habagat season, this will serve as a precaution.

- The next-generation Volvo XC90 will get a new T8 twin-charged hybrid plug-in drivetrain.

- While the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) issue in the Philippines is still stirring right now, Senator Bam Aquino told that lawmakers who would be found to abuse the government's DAP funds should be prosecuted and detained. He really wants the explanation from Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to on DAP.

- Daihatsu Mira e:S is now on its 2015 model year and this time, the fuel economy is now increased to 35.2kmpl, that's .2kmpl more than its Suzuki Alto Eco rival. How that happened? Daihatsu added some powertrain enhancements with the use of Atkinson cycle, dual injector, improved thermal efficiency, and more. That's how its fuel economy numbers gone up slightly.

Daihatsu Mira e:S

\

TTFN!!!

Audi S3 Sedan and S3 Cabriolet (Typ 8V)

The hatchback versions of the latest Audi S3, in 3-door and 5-door Sportback models, maybe more of a competitor's luck in the hot hatch combat where history decides the winner but even though they're hot in their performance, they're not quite civilized in the day-to-day traffic especially when it comes with quattro all wheel drive system. Now, while there are S3 hatches offered for hot hatch enthusiasts, there are now four kinds of S3 models to choose from while the other two are so in a different league right now.

2015 Audi S3 Cabriolet

2015 Audi S3 Sedan

Call them different but these two new S3 models, the S3 Cabriolet and the all-new S3 Sedan, are here to showcase that even though they're not classified as the same hatchback status as the normal ones, they can still have the guts to be in the S3 family...but the only thing is, I really don't hold much hope.

The S3 Sedan version costs 40,400 Euros but the optional S tronic double clutch gearbox model will charge you 1,900 Euros more while the S3 Cabriolet costs a more expensive 48,500 Euros and it's available exclusively with the same S tronic double clutch gearbox as the saloon model.

Like the hatchback equivalents, both the S3 sedan and cabrio is powered by a 2.0L turbo engine develops over 300HP of power and 280lb-ft of torque. With the s tronic equipped, the sedan version can get a 0-100kph time of 4.9 seconds while the cabriolet version can get up to 100kph in a pedestrian 5.4 seconds. Why? Because the Cabriolet version is the heaviest of the S3 range because of too much stiffening like most convertibles do, that's why it's slower even though they bought have the same engine and the same gearbox. Don't ask...

Because the S3 sedan and Cabriolet, like its hatchback equivalents, do come with quattro all wheel drive, most of the power goes to the rear axle via a Haldex clutch. That sounds chunky and sounds clever. When you get round the corner, it feels a bit okay but not quite as good as any other hot hatches tuned for nimble performance. You can get too grumpy when you take it seriously and that's an endless struggle to survive from the corner because of its weight from the all wheel drive malarkey. Mind you, this is built entirely from Volkswagen's MQB platform so this is becoming more of a drama class right now despite the use of the company's expendable platform.

With the new S3 sedan and the new S3 cabriolet, you can put your fate in these four S3 models; from the 3-door, 5-door Sportback, 4-door sedan, and the two-door open-top cabriolet. What comes next? The world will never know...

Photo: Audi AG

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Semi-Finals (Brazil vs. Germany)

As the end draws near to the FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil, looks like it's the end of the road for the hosting nation, Brazil, in the fight against Germany in the semi-final match. With the score of 1-7, looks like the Brazilians will have to make do in the "play-off for third place" match against which country is going to lose tomorrow. Yes. Tomorrow's semi-finals will involve Holland and Argentina.

Info: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255955/match=300186474/index.html#nosticky

Let's Do The News! (July 8, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- In Game 4 of the PBA Governor's Cup 2014 finals, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters leveled the score at 2 after their 88-79 win against the San Mig Coffee Mixers, meaning that these two are on the final game of the championship.

- The Ferrari F40 and the Ferrari F50, two Ferrari legends are now included on the latest Real Racing 3 update.

- Yes, there's going to be an Enchanted sequel in the works right now.

Giselle

- After 14 years, actress Jessy Mendiola has finally been reunited with her British-Lebanese father.

- Singapore's Ministry of Manpower denied reports about "Maids in Display".

- The 1975 Honda CB750 Titan motorcycle is featured on the recent Jay Leno's Garage webisode.

- Typhoon Florita is out from the Philippine Area of Responsibility and it's heading next to Japan.

- Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said that they're always open for talks with China, amidst the Senkaku Diaoyu Islands dispute that raised tensions between the two Asian nations.

TTFN!!!

Seat Leon Mk3 Cupra

2015 Seat Leon Cupra

Over the years, SEAT is nothing more than cheap VWs in disguise even though the fact is that it's a division of the Volkswagen Group. Of course, today's Leon Mk3 is typically a VW Golf in Spanish flea but that doesn't stop them from having one of these on the roads because of its new MQB platform that you can now find it in most models from the VW Group.

Thanks to the success of VW's hot Golf models, the GTi and the R, they prompted Seat to make their own version of those hot Golfs using the Leon and here's the result: the new Leon Cupra, a hotter version of the Leon Cupra that looks more like a normal Leon but with the added superiority and firepower of a hot hatch.

Starting at 27,800 Euros for the 3-door SC model and 28,150 Euros for the 5-door model, you can hardly see you have choices to make between these two and when you decide your fate between these two, you can choose which setup your Leon Cupra will have. The 2.0 TSi engine with dual injection and variable camshaft timing can deliver either a 265PS or 280PS. 265PS of power is fine but for those looking for a challenge would go for the 280PS version. Yes, Your fate would most likely go for the Leon Cupra 280 model. Why? Not only it's the most powerful Seat ever made, it's one of the quickest hot hatches money can buy because it went round the Nurburgring at 7:58.44. With all that power, aerodynamics, and the use of VW's MQB platform, the Leon Cupra sets standards in the hot hatch combat.

2015 Seat Leon Cupra interior

Although the Leon Cupra is now an ordinary Golf faux-simile transformed into a track-ready hot hatch honed to take on the world, I'm afraid that this is not one of the most sophisticated cars to drive on a normal city streets. Because the suspension is all stiffened to the brink of having a driver some serious osteoporosis, it's becoming more difficult to keep it comfortable and when you drive it to the potholes while holding a cup of coffee on the cup holder with no cover on it, there's going to be some massive spillage. If you have a double-clutch gearbox on the Cupra 280 model, it doesn't feel as enjoyable as the manual gearbox. It will just spoil your fun more than the hot Renault Clio.

I know, it's not all cruising on the streets but when you take it on the open road and on the track, the Cupra shines through and while taking advantage of its dynamic chassis control, it feels more critical and a bit dramatic when it sees a corners and with the front-axle diff lock, the grip is mild and menacing. As mild as...mild lyrics from your favorite song.

2015 Seat Leon Cupra

2015 Seat Leon Cupra

So, would you credited for the new Leon Cupra? Well, it's less expensive than the VW Golf GTi and with that pricing, the Leon Cupra is a track weapon because of its Nurburgring lap time and its uncanny agility only works on track day but as a daily driver's car, it's not solely recommended and if you have a family of your own, ditch that car for a less attractive people mover. It's your fate, drivers. You need a track-day car? Here's one.

Available colors: Negro Universo, Dynamic, Rojo Emoción, Plata Estrella, Blanco Nevada, Gris Pirineos.

Photo: SEAT, S.A

BECAUSE DUBAI: Arabs are making a mall bigger than our MOA

3D rendering of Mall of the World

The United Arab Emirates is a nation packed with urban masterpieces no other country comes close. There was the Burj al-Arab, a hotel where only the rich and famous can stay for the night. Then, there was the Yas Island, an island made by the most ambitious people in history. And then, there's the tallest building in the world...the Burj Khalifa. This Arab nation is full of urban wonders the folks from Lonely Planet would only dream of. Now, the Arab nation has got even more ambitions for its sleeves because as approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, they're going to build a mall bigger than MOA, transforming Dubai, the most ambitious city in the world, into the shopping capital in the world. It will be the world's first temperature-controlled mall-city with a total area of 48 million square feet with the shopping center occupying 8 million square feet.

When finished, Mall of the World, Dubai is expected to have over 180 million visitors per year.



Report: http://www.philstar.com/video-features/2014/07/07/1343507/watch-dubais-mall-world-bests-manilas-mall-asia

Get to know about The 7D!

The 7D

In case you missed it, Disney XD's new cartoon series, The 7D, was recently aired its first episode. Much obliged to forget about the seven dwarves we knew from the story of Snow White, The 7D is made for just one thing; to forget about everything you knew about the seven dwarves ever again. Ordered by the Queen Delightful of Jollywood, The 7D are here to save the day from troubles, especially against the evil crutches of the Glooms (that's Hildy and Grimm).

Let's get to know about The 7D from their brand new show now on air on Disney XD!

Sleepy - This fella's so sleepy, he can't finish a dream without nodding his head off. When the sandman visits him, he brings...a dump truck. His snores are so loud, they frightened thunder. Sheep count him to go to sleep.

Sneezy - Pepper is terrified of him. His sneezes will blow you away. No, seriously. Stand back. When he goes achoo, all countries say gesundheit. His last sneeze became a dance craze. He onced sneezed at the beach and formed a sand castle. 2,000 sand crabs lived there now.

Happy - If you'd fell off a cliff, he'd admire the view. He's happy and he knows it. Clap your hands. Legend has it, he even made Grumpy smile...barely.

Dopey - A dwarf of many words and all of them (whistling). Dopey is so cute, he makes puppies go awww. His favorite food is whatever you're eating. Dopey has so many pets a zookeeper would be jealous. A skunk named (wolf whistle), a snake named (hisses then whistle), and a bear named (roars).

Doc - He is so smart, he can recite the alphabet backwards and upside down. Currently, he's writing a book called "The History of The Future". He's that smart. He daydreams in Latin. He once divided the circumference of the Jack-o-Lantern by its diameter and he made pumpkin pie. It was delicious.

Bashful - When he plays Hide and Seek, he can't even find himself. He's so good at blending in, chameleons come to him for advice. He's so shy as own parents haven't met him yet. He plays extreme peekaboo. He's not only scared of his shadow, his shadow is scared of other shadows and think about it. He's that scared.

Grumpy - This guy is so grumpy, he can bust a pinata by just looking at it. He can pop balloons with a single glance. He smiled once just to see what it felt like. He didn't like it. He invented Cranky Pants.

In short...just like the theme song goes...Happy's songs are always sunny, Sneezy's nose is always runny, Dopey's gags are always funny, Bashful's shy, Doc's bright, Sleepy snoozes day and night, and Grumpy's wound a bit too tight. It's Hi-Ho for The 7D!

The 7D airs on Disney XD, check local listings. And be sure to play with The 7D Mine Train available on the App Store. Hi-Ho!

Let's Do The News! (July 7, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- To commemorate BMW's 1-2 finish at the past Super GT races this year, there's a Japan-exclusive GT Spirit model for the BMW Z4. The livery looks similar to its Super GT equivalent and it's priced at 6.09 million yen.

BMW Z4 sDrive 20i GT Spirit

- Holland's Spyker Cars is still not out in the red yet as reports told that local tax authorities have forced the Dutch carmaker to liquidate some of its assets.

- Typhoon Neoguri (known by Filipinos as Florita), that crossed the PAR yesterday, was blowing with sustained winds of 185kph and its blowing over the Pacific Ocean in the northeastern part of the Philippines, inducing strong rains but too far off for landfall.

- The next generation of iPhone may not due before this Autumn 2014 but there's a report about everything you need to know.

- The annual Pamplona Bull Run in Spain was occurred and thousands of visitors run like hell on the streets of Pamplona while getting chased by bulls.

- Throughout the month of July, the Bar Ginza Panorama Shibuya branch is offering Rail Wars-themed cocktails in honor of the recently-aired TV series. There are cocktails made in honor of Rail Wars female characters such as Aoi Sakurai, Haruka Koumi, and Mari Sasshou.

TTFN!!!

26th Annual Pacific Northwest Historics

A few moments ago, I went to the Pacific Raceways to attend this year's annual Pacific Northwest Historics Vintage Races where the vintage racers from the last century were gathered to celebrate the speed and honor preserved through the years. Most car enthusiasts living in the Pacific Northwest region of USA were in the venue, enjoying the sights and sounds of this wondrous event held every year.

SOME PICS!









For more like these: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leopauldelr/sets/72157645121728858/

My short tour: