BMW X4

Remember the BMW X6? Yes. The X6 was too focused on being a road car than to be good off road and it's too focused to be tall and heavy to be any good on the road either. It's too cramped, too complicated, and it's too expensive. Now though, while BMW's working on the new model, looks like the X6 has spawned a baby in the lineup and it's called the BMW X4.

2015 BMW X4

The new BMW X4 maybe more of a jacked-up BMW 3-Series saloon or 3 Series Gran Turismo or 4-Series Gran Coupe or whatever the heck BMW's thinking of but on the upshot, the new X4 is shorter and lighter than its big brother, the X6. Like the X6, this is a Sport Activity Coupe that you can expect rear passengers to get cramped by its low roofline even though this jacked-up saloon can seat four people.

2015 BMW X4 interior

On the inside, it's all typical uniform-ish BMW interior because why the designers still stick to the same BMW interior regardless of which model. If there's a game guess which interior is which, I'm guessing that 99% percent of car enthusiasts will get it wrong. If that BMW interior wasn't enough to keep you confused, the iDrive system on it can quite confusing if you're trying it for the first time. It's so bothersome, connectivity may take a few minutes until your devices are linked to this car. It's all too bothering as I've been in numerous BMWs in my life, trying out most of its connectivities.

2015 BMW X4

The X4 is offered with a choice of two petrol engines and two diesel engines; from a 2.0L to a 3.0L. The top-of-the-line 35i has 306PS of power, 400Nm of torque, and it can do 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds but the 3.0L diesel engine-powered 35d develops 313PS of power, 630Nm of torque, and a 0-100kph time of 5.2 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than its petrol equivalent. That all sounds fine but those figures are a load of rubbish because whichever spec you'll be choosing, you will always get cranky and grumpy because of its harsh ride and its understeer issues. Yes, it has xDrive all-wheel drive system so it's well balanced and precise when driven carefully even when wet but when you turn it hard, you'll get the feeling that you expect from playing a game of tug of war until you got...dropped and your opposing team wins. Don't even think about being rugged either because the X4 is...more of a semi-rugged rather than a rugged SUV but despite its xDrive system, crossing on the hills offroad is like the same thing happened to the X6. Bummer. Dirt, snow, it's all in that scenario.

2015 BMW X4

The X4 starts at 45,600 for the base xDrive20d model and you can expect this price to spike when you lavish it with some optional extras and some accessories but is it worth it? With or without, it's still just a game of eenie meenie miney moe to settle the differences but if you can't afford a terribly confusing X6, why not give it a try? Who knows, you might be sharing the same miserable life as you'd expect from the X6. In essence then, this is just another one of BMW's wrongs that cannot be rewritten right.

Photo: BMW AG

Let's Do The News! (July 22, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Earlier, all classes from Muntinlupa City, four southern Luzon provinces, and a town in Biliran Island in Eastern Visayas has been suspended due to the bad weather from the hanging habagat enhanced by Typhoon Henry. PAGASA earlier warned of monsoon rain over parts of Luzon and Visayas.

- Poor sales lead Opel/Vauxhall to remove the Ampera PHEV car from their lineup. The Ampera is the European equivalent of the Chevrolet Volt.

Opel Ampera

- Lowrider cars are the feature on the latest Jay Leno's Garage webisode.

- OFFICIAL: The 2015MY Chevrolet SS will have a 6-speed manual gearbox standard as well as the magnetic shocks.

- Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada wants Manila policemen to hunt down crooks using Nissan Latio saloons as the city government recently purchased 12 units for the Manila cops.

Manila Police Nissans

- A welovefine.com exclusive MLP Nightmare Moon vinyl figure has appeared! She's up for grabs exclusively at the welovefine online shop! Those who've pre-ordered will receive a special coin.

- Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction will spawn an animated special.

- FOR VERIFIED USERS OF THE WATCH DISNEY CHANNEL APP: Did you know that you can get an early access to the upcoming Phineas and Ferb Star Wars TV Special? Yes. Verified users can get an early access to the latest special before it airs on the 26th of July. Kids, get your parents' permission first before doing so.

Phineas and Ferb Star Wars

- In celebration of the upcoming live-action Lupin The Third movie, Fiat Chrysler Japan, the Japanese distributor of Fiat and Chrysler automobiles, and toymaker Takara Tomy are collaborating with the movie by presenting Lupin the Movie Caffe at the FIAT CAFFE and many others. For details: http://www.fiat-auto.co.jp/lupin

Lupin the Third

- Moments after ASKA's drug arrest, Chage from CHAGE&ASKA forms a new band called "1/6".

TTFN!!!

The Philippine Arena - almost everything you need to know...

Yesterday, the members of Iglesia ni Cristo inaugurated the world's biggest indoor dome called the Philippine Arena. This arena, located in Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan, was opened yesterday, just ahead of INC's centennial celebration on the 27th of July.

This arena took 8.7 billion pesos and 30 months to build the largest theater on Earth while leaving two construction workers died while building the arena. The four establishments that was housed by the arena itself are Eraño Manalo Medical Center, the Bulacan campus of the New Era University, the Philippine Stadium and the Philippine Sports Center

An average coliseum can seat up to 22,000 people but in this Philippine Arena, it has a seating capacity of over 55,000 people, more than the MOA Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The lot area is 74,000 square meters and 99,000 square meters on the total floor area.

That's some engineering connections that needs to be figured out how this Philippine Arena was made but again, this Philippine Arena is one of the key examples of what humans can do by pushing the boundaries of engineering greatness.

Report, Image: The Philippine Star

Super GT 2014 - Sugo

In the fourth round of the 2014 Super GT held at Sugo, there's no wonder that one of the finest racing drivers won't hold back in the middle of the racing battleground and 79 laps later, winners do exist in Sugo. In the GT500 class, the winner is the #1 ZENT Cerumo RC F piloted by Yuji Tachikawa and Kohei Hirate, posting their 1'14.832 best lap time. 2nd place goes to the #37 Keeper TOM'S RC F driven by Daisuke Ito and Andrea Caldarelli and 3rd place goes to the #17 KEIHIN NSX CONCEPT-GT driven by Koudai Tsukakoshi and Toshihiro Kaneishi.

In the GT300 class, the winner goes to the #88 MANEPA Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 driven by Manabu Orido and Takayuki Aoki, while 2nd place goes to the #65 LEON Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 driven by Haruki Kurosawa and Tsubasa Kurosawa, and 3rd placer goes to the #21 Audi R8 LMS ultra driven by Richard Lyons and Tomonobu Fujii.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The next round of the Super GT 2014 season will be at Fuji Speedway this 10th of August.

F1 2014: German GP

It looks like Mercedes' Nico Rosberg tries to play catch-up against his teammate Lewis Hamilton a little further as in the Hockenheimring, the venue for the German GP of the Formula One 2014 season, he is the winner and leaving Lewis Hamilton on third place and rookie Valtteri Bottas of Williams placed 2nd. As the catch-up continues, looks like Hamilton's 14 points behind Rosberg in the standings while Ricciardo still in 3rd place overall with 106 points.

Next time as the F1 racers will be competing on Hungary this 27th of July.

Report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/7/16124.html

Image: Top Gear

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

The 4-Series is the coupe version of the latest-generation 3-Series because of BMW's naming scheme to use odd numbers as saloons and even numbers for coupes but not at all. Last year, the 3-Series spawned a Gran Turismo model and it's not half bad unlike the rhetorically ugly 5-Series Gran Turismo which is a bit like an unholy product between a whale or a turtle. Now, in a terribly confusing way, the 4-door version of a 2-door version of a 4-door saloon, called the 4-Series Gran Coupe, has arrived and judging by the looks of it, the new model kinda feels like the twin car of the 3-Series Gran Turismo.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Oh dear, it looks like this car faced an identity crisis because in the view of many, since this is the 4-door version of the 4-Series, what on Earth did they think that BMW wants to stay true to their namesakes because with the case of having odd numbers as saloons and even numbers as coupes, looks like BMW begins to lie on us because I don't think they really did a good job on the naming scheme and if customers showed up on the dealerships, the theory is that the sales between the 3-Series Gran Turismo and the 4-Series Gran Coupe are on a balance because if they went to the 4-Series Gran Coupe, the 3GT will hurt in the sales department because what was the whole point about selling two cars with the same specs in one dealership? This is like when two identical objects suffer the same identical damages when dropped on each other.

What's the difference between the 3-Series Gran Turismo and the 4-Series Gran Coupe? Almost nothing except the 4GC is shorter than the 3GT in terms of wheelbase and it's shorter but despite being shorter than the 3GT, the 4GC is much roomier at the back and because the rear boot opens like a spaceback of some sorts, it's quite a versatile one.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe interior

Yes, because the 4-Series Gran Coupe feels more of an identical twin to the normal 3-Series saloon and the 3GT, expect the same engine choices from them ranging from the 2.0L TwinPower-Turbo petrol, a 3.0L TwinPower-Turbo petrol, 2.0L diesel, and 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel engine. Oh, and BMW recently added a new version to the 2.0L diesel engine. This recent diesel engine, to be added on most 4-Series models, especially on the Gran Coupe, develops 218PS of power, 450Nm of torque, and can go 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds when equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Like its 2-door derivative, the 4-Series Gran Coupe comes with chassis improvements allowing this car for a more responsive steering  but can get some minor understeering issues if you going on the bends too quick. It maybe precise when driven carefully but it can be quite harsh in the ride comfort stakes.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Prices for the 4-Series Gran Coupe starts at 35,750 Euros for the 420i model up to 53,850 Euros for the 435i Luxury Line Steptronic. At that starting price, it's cheaper to own than the 3-Series Gran Turismo but more costly than the 3-Series saloon. The F30 one. The BMW F30 3-Series I'm referring. So, would you refer one than...well, you know what? They're all the same beings. You can use your mystic other-worldly powers to decide which.

Photo: BMW AG

#BubbleGangEnkantoGags

On the July 18, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- An old man's date with a lady is going sweet...and sour.

- Enkanto gags

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...taking pics about your new phone!!!

- Lala Ytera bashes on someone at the bus stop.

- SUMBATAN

- Bubble Gang does Wafrets by spoofing this commercial as HEYFRETS! Basya Heyfrets, Panalo!

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, Makinig sa kuwentuhan kapekehan, may bagong nagangaraket sa tambayan, nagulo lahat ng...TAONG BAYAN!!!

- Don Cantoni gives orders from his criminal goons.

- Your wife really can recognize what you've been doing all night long...

- How come she gets her money while I don't?!

- A lonely man and an old lady truly have their own secrets to tell.

- A celeb explains to the cops that his showbiz career days are well and truly over.

Let's Do The News! (July 18, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Cleanup for the debris caused by Typhoon Glenda is underway by the MMDA, DPWH, and the LGU.

- A Malaysia Airlines plane got hit by a SAM from Eastern Ukraine, killing all 295 people onboard.

- Former Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally joins internet giant Google.

- Did you know that the creator of Yowamushi Pedal, Wataru Watanabe, was a guest commentator from the recently concluded 2014 Tour de France?

- Get to know about the Kanjozoku, Osaka's notorious street racing Honda Civic drivers who are causing havoc in the Kansai highways using heavily modified Honda Civics, in this clip courtesy of Bowls Films.



- OFFICIAL: The 2015 Ford Mustang's 5.0L V8 engine will be producing 435HP of power, 305 for the V6, and 310HP for the new 2.3L EcoBoost turbo engine. Go spread the word.

2015 Ford Mustang

- Lamborghini teases their race-spec Super Trofeo track car based on their new Huracan LP610-4 supercar.

Huracan Super Trofeo teaser

- While the Hamilton vs. Rosberg is still heating things up in this year's Formula One, looks like Nico Rosberg recently renewed his contract with the Mercedes F1 team.

- Honda Cars Philippines' Alabang dealership is now back to normal after the damage caused by Typhoon Glenda.

TTFN!!!

Cadillac Escalade (GMT K2XL)

2015 Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade, the SUV favored by the generation of hip hop and gangsta rappers from the ghettos, has been regenerated to an entirely new look complete with a brand new platform, new interior, and new features that will keep this new model back to its clean slate after years of being treated as a car for the ghetto goons or so we thought.

So, what's new about this new model?

The new model is kinda like its lesser cousins, the Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe and the GMC Yukon, because they both wear the same underpinnings derived from its you-know-whats. Like these, this new platform will not spawn an EXT sport truck and its hybrid derivatives because...like it says on its books, this new Escalade will not spawn a hybrid model as well as its EXT sport truck. Dismissed.

Dismissed?

Dismissed. No Escalade Hybrid nor Escalade EXT for this generation. So sorry...

Anyway, like what I said, WHAT'S NEW?!

Oh! Okay! The new model now looks more well-tailored on the exterior, like a heavily armed bodyguard who is heavily armed to the teeth, guarding a social party for the VIP. Judging by the way the new exterior design looks, that is as first class as a cargo plane all smothered with some palace-like comforts fit for a tyrant.

Hmmm...what about the interior?

2015 Cadillac Escalade interior

2015 Cadillac Escalade interior

Although while the exterior is new to us, the new interior of the Escalade is pretty much like the Cadillacs of today. It's just like when BMW still using the same interior design to all models with absolutely no differences whatsoever. You still have the configurable cluster display, the Cadillac CUE, and those catastrophically difficult dashboard  which makes your fingers deemed to be confused. Apart from its cockpit confusions, the passenger comforts is pretty much like those Japanese luxury MPVs of today but of course, this isn't one of them. This is an all-American made SUV built for the crooks and cools.

When fully equipped, you can expect a rear-seat entertainment system that plays your favorite DVD (or Blu-Ray) movies while on the go. Of course, while some consider it a family car, no other family can afford the Suburban with a Cadillac badge on it. Only the gangsta rappers, MVP athletes, or the Men In Black from the CIA, NSA, or any government organizations snooping on us can drive those.

If you can opt in for the long-wheelbase ESV model, you can have extended luggage space fit enough for some man stuff to put in to your man cave at your home. Tough stuff, though.

Tough?

Well, yeah. It is kinda tough indeed thanks to its extensive use of high-strength steel and it's not just all about being tough on the outside, it's the inside that counts thanks to its host of safety features such as Lane Departure Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic, Side Blind Zone Alert, Safety Alert Seat and Forward Collision Alert. Combined with Rear Vision Camera, Rainsense automatic wipers, and IntelliBeam headlamps.

What about performance?

The new Escalade now comes with the new and more powerful 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 FlexFuel petrol engine, the same engine used to power the new GMC Yukon Denali models. It develops a class-leading power output of 420hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It features Advanced Direct Injection, Active Fuel Management, and Variable Valve Timing. With that engine output, the EPA estimated fuel mileage is 21MPG highway. That sounds less but some say, it's an improvement from the last model.

Handling aside, the new Escalade comes with the Magnetic Ride Control, which lets the Escalade behave like a full-size saloon but honestly, being a big and burly car the size of five or six burly American football players, getting through the bends is an expert level worth unfathomable. When normally driven, it feels more comfortable like a luxury limo as long if there's someone not waving hands like a show off.

Should I buy it?

2015 Cadillac Escalade

At the start, the new Cadillac Escalade is priced from $71,695 to $92,840 so not only it's expensive than its GMT K2XX cousins, it's more expensive than its rivals such as the MB GL-Class and the Infiniti QX80 but on the upshot is that you can afford one rather than the Range Rover.

Sadly though, because this is too expensive, you can't afford one of these unless if you're working with the music industry or with the MIB.

Available colors: Dark Granite Metallic, Majestic Plum Metallic, Radiant Silver Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Silver Coast Metallic, White Diamond Tricoat, and Black Raven.

Photo: General Motors

Let's Do The News! (July 17, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Continuing on the Typhoon Glenda updates, the NDRRMC reported that at least 38 people died during the wrath of this typhoon.

- The Australian government gives ten million Philippine pesos of emergency aid to the Philippines. These funds were made to aid victims of Typhoon Glenda.

- Senator Bong Revilla's pre-trial has been postponed by the Sandiganbayan, giving way for the pending motion of the prosecution to amend the graft charge of Revilla over his alleged involvement with the PDAF scam.

- The United States and the European Union continues to escalate economic sanctions against Russia with US President Obama declaring that Russian leaders must see that their actions supporting Ukrainian rebels have consequences.

- The next generation of smart city cars, the fortwo and the forfour, was finally revealed!

2015 smart fortwo and 2015 smart forfour

- THIS IS THE NEW MAZDA DEMIO: The fourth generation of Mazda's city car, the Demio (known globally as the Mazda 2), was finally revealed and its set to go on sale in Japan this late 2014.

2015 Mazda Demio

- Good Smile Company revealed a new Nendoroid based on Rozen Maiden's Suigintou! A must have for every fan of Rozen Maiden!

Nendoroid Suigintou

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (July 16, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Focusing on the Typhoon Glenda updates, there was a major power outage occurred in most parts of the Metro Manila as the typhoon continues to ravage most parts of the Luzon region.

- As Metro Manila is still under Signal No. 3, Subic is the next area to get hammered by the wrath of Typhoon Glenda.

- Most of the LRT and MRT operations were suspended due Typhoon Glenda.

- During the wrath of Typhoon Glenda in Metro Manila, a fire broke out in the warehouse of the Wendy's fast food chain in a commercial-residential area in Marikina City, although no casualties were reported.

- Despite LeBron James' announcement that he'll be coming back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat star player, Dwayne Wade, said that he'll be staying with the Heat.

- A nuclear power plant in southern Japan has received a passing grade for safety requirements raised after the March 11, 2011 disaster.

- The jury trial of a Filipino man named Igmidio Mista, who was suspected of killing three people in a Ohio bar shooting, was postponed to give the defendant's lawyers more time.

- The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S gets a Roadster model. Even though it comes with the same 565HP 6.0L V12 engine as the hardtop model and despite being heavier and slower than its hardtop equivalent, this is Aston Martin's fastest open top sportscar.

2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster

- Jaguar's 3-Series rival, the XE, will be revealed this September.

- The occupancy rate of Mazda's Hofu plant has been maintained and production of the next-generation Mazda Demio (or Mazda 2) has been commenced.

- The next-generation smart fortwo city car will be revealed this 16th of July.

- END OF AN ERA: Chevrolet's Express 1500 and GMC Savanna 1500 vans were officially discontinued, although its HD 2500 and 3500 models will continue to live on as expected.

- Production of Acura's new TLX sports saloon has commenced in Honda's Marysville Plant in Ohio.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (July 15, 2014)

Things we learned so far...

- The facelifted Audi A7 gained a special edition 3.0 TDI competition model in celebration of the TDI's 25th anniversary. The 3.0L TDi engine develops 326HP of power, 650Nm of torque, and 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds.

Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI competition

- The supporters of both Marjorie and Julia Barretto have spoken about the petition set by Dennis Padilla to change the name of this teen actress.

- Because of Typhoon Glenda forecasted to hit Metro Manila, work at the Senate was suspended on Wednesday.

- Because of Typhoon Glenda, Camarines Norte declared state of calamity.

- Moments after the Philippine Basketball Team, GILAS, defeated Chinese Taipei and Singapore, they've defeated Jordan at the score of 71-70 and they've advanced to take on India in the elimination rounds of the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in China.

- It is revealed that the Department of Health has used 3.3 Billion pesos worth of DAP funds to purchase medicines and improve health centers.

- IN CASE YOU REALLY REALLY MISSED IT: Elevator Girl Cheridel Alejandrino was the latest to be evicted from the Pinoy Big Brother House.

- Most of Wednesday's games of the UAAP were suspended due to Typhoon Glenda.

- Audi has built its 6,000,000th Quattro-equipped car and that 6,000,000th quattro car built was the SQ5 in Monsungrau Metallic.

The 6,000,000th Quattro car made is an SQ5

- On the latest Jay Leno's Garage webisode, Jay Leno tackles on Paul Jackson Jr.'s 1969 Oldsmobile 442 muscle car.

TTFN!!!