Honda Grace

Following last year's launch of the Honda Accord Hybrid, which signals the first for the Japanese carmaker's EARTH DREAMS Sedan Series where all four-door saloons will be hybrid-only and while the Accord spearheaded this new range, we can expect two more such as the flagship Legend that comes with the same tech as the NSX Concept and this, the Honda Grace hybrid compact saloon.

2015 Honda Grace

Of course, this car looks familiar to the eyes of ASEAN Honda fans because the Grace is how you say Honda City is Japanese, much like its predecessor, the Fit Aria. Like the old Fit Aria, the new Grace is based on the third-generation Honda Fit and because this is based on the latest Fit, the only powertrain available is the 1.5L petrol engine connected to an electric motor and Li-ion battery. The gearbox offered for this compact hybrid saloon is, you guessed it, a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox from the Fit. This tech is part of the Japanese carmaker's SPORT HYBRID lineup and if you're new here or if you forgot about what's what, let me give you a quick refresher.

This significantly advanced lightweight and compact one-motor system developed for Honda's next generation of compact cars combines a 1.5L engine with a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox containing an integrated, high-output electric motor powered by the car’s lithium-ion batteries. When going and high speeds, both the electric motor and the engine kick in for combined power while at low speeds, the batteries are in charge.

Now that you get the idea, do you think this method worked? It's a possible yes but with added consequences as this tech faced numerous recalls due to some faulty glitches on the gearbox and since the Grace is a new car that has the same clever hybrid tech as the Fit and Vezel, let's hope that same mistake won't happen again...unless Honda's going to make another move when their double-clutch gearboxes on their compact hybrids gone nuts.

2015 Honda Grace

Anyway, with this clever tech, the Grace delivers an impressive fuel economy of 34.4kmpl by Japan's JC08 Mode standards but if you opt for the EX model with paddle shifters on it, it will be dropped to 31.4kmpl. Either way, the Grace is much more enjoyable to own than its chief rival, the Toyota Corolla Axio Hybrid, but no matter the variant, the Grace feels like a cheap car built for comfort. It may not be a fun car to drive on the open road but its state as a city car is not half bad. It feels like your ears have been plugged by some super-cozy headphones on the go. If you opt for the 4WD system, the Grace feels like it's ready to go with the current of the times because of its mild grip suitable enough for any weather although its added weight makes it prone to understeer.

2015 Honda Grace interior

2015 Honda Grace interior

While the Grace is a bit average to drive, the design is somewhat average. It may be great to look at but it can be somewhat dull and repetitive inside and out because this interior feels like it's been carried over from its Fit and Vezel relatives, but if you opt for more expensive versions, you'll get some toys to play around inside thanks to its satellite navigation system. Not only that, it hosts a wide array of safety features such as the City Brake Active System, and Emergency Stop Signal, among many others.

So, would you buy the Grace? For this time, it starts at 1,950,000 Japanese Yen (around $20,000) so that's more costly than the Toyota Axio Hybrid but more valuable than its big brother, the Honda Accord Hybrid so it's a smart value for a car that succeeds where the Insight and the Fit Aria left off. This car really lives up to its name, sort of.

Available colors: White Orchid Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Tinted Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Premium Deep Rosso Pearl, and Gold Brown Metallic.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Volkswagen Passat B8

2015 Volkswagen Passat

No, You're not seeing things. This isn't the same Passat as the last model four years ago because what you're looking at is the all new, eighth-generation Volkswagen Passat and when I say "all new", this car really means it because everything's new inside and out as well as it uses the VW Group's breakthrough MQB platform to keep its full model change as fresh as a charter change in politics.

The previous model is nothing but a carryover just like the same thing happened with the Golf a few years ago but for this new model, the new Passat tries to shake it up the executive medium sedan market with everything from its arsenal but has it really worked?

In terms on how the new, eighth-generation, Passat looks, it's somewhat mainstream from here but on the flipside, at least it's not as bland as the previous model and when other people happened to see one cruising on the city streets, there's no denying that it really feels like a combination of being a big-shot and a family man at the same time.

2015 Volkswagen Passat interior 

On the inside, it still looks like the same as the other V-Dubs but it has lots of gadgets you can play around for fun while on a stop. It has Car-Net that gives you real time information and traffic updates, new MirrorLink that lets this car use the same app as the smartphone you've synced on it, a telephone where you can communicate other people hands-free as long as you're not driving because talking disturbs your concentration, a high-end DYNAUDIO Confidence Sound System, and so much more you can play around in the Passat.

If the future is now thanks to science, the new Passat B8 has loads of safety features that will make you noticed such as Area View, Trailer Assist, Park Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist, and a plethora of safety features that keeps this car technologically advanced. I know that sounds nice but with all that tech lurking around the new Passat's skin, it feels like they're in charge now. Not us.

Because the wheelbase is longer than the previous model, passengers have no problem about the rear legroom. It feels as posh as...your grandparents' birthday at a three-star hotel. Hmmm... It sure is enjoyable at first but if it gets longer, you will get bored and there's no way out to get out of the boredom until everyone, including you, to leave. Yawn...

2015 Volkswagen Passat

Now, what about how it feels to drive a new Passat? Because of such exterior design, it's more than enough to accommodate a wide range of available engines, be it petrol or diesel,  There's a 1.4 TSi petrol and 2.0 TDi engine with different powerbands. Both of these engines come with BlueMotion Technology for better fuel economy which, in the 2.0 TDi engine with 150PS of power and 6-speed manual, can get you up to 25km/L on the EU Combined Cycle scale. It's too odd why the only petrol engine in the range is a 1.4 TSi ACT with a 6-speed manual but for those diesel models, not only they come with a 6-speed manual but also a 6-speed DSG for quicker shifts than a normal manual gearbox. They're all Euro VI compliant so don't even thinking about wishing for this one to arrive in a Euro II country, especially the Philippines. You know the drill, right?

Handling wise, it's not so bad to drive because of its lowered height, clever suspension setup, and the available progressive steering which feels as accurate as your passing grade that you've got from your pop quiz at college. You can take it out on the open road and it feels very relaxed as its driving dynamics of the new Passat shows less worries on the long and winding path. It feels like I've been ventured through the roads of Everest Hills for hours.

2015 Volkswagen Passat Variant

If you're a soccer mom on a grocery shopping spree, there's also an available Passat Variant as well and for this sports tourer, it has the same feel as the sedan version but with added luggage space fit enough for your weekly grocery shopping list.

The Passat is priced at 25,875 Euros for the sedan and 26,950 Euros for the Variant tourer and these cars are more valuable than those German luxury entry-level saloons but not as valuable as the Asian rivals such as the Mazda Atenza and the Hyundai Sonata. Should you buy one? The rest is up to you.

Photo: Volkswagen

2015 Subaru Forester tS

2015 Subaru Forester tS

Following the launch of the recently facelifted 2015MY Subaru Forester in Japan, the folks from STi offered a limited-edition Forester tS exclusively for the Japanese. Just 300 units will be made until April 2015 and for this limited edition model, it uses the 2.0XT model as its basis, meaning this variant comes with the same FA20 DIT engine mated with Subaru's Lineartronic CVT gearbox with Manual Mode operated via paddle shifters.

The outside features a more sportier aerodynamics as well as some STi and tS badges on it. There's also an exclusive WR Blue Mice offered on this limited-edition model as well.

2015 Subaru Forester tS interior

Since it's based on the facelifted Forester, you can expect the same brand-new interior as the normal Forester but for the tS model, it features sportier black and red front seats with the STi logo in it, an STi push engine switch, a speedo that reads up to 260kmh, STi shift lever, STi steering wheel, and everything STi sprinkled on the interior to match its sporty personality.

This special model comes with additional improvements done by STi such as the flexible tower bars, flexible draw stiffeners, brembo 17-inch ventilated disc brakes, STi front struts and rear dampers, Transmission Control Unit, CVT Oil Cooler, and rebooted ECU.

Like the facelifted Forester, it still comes with Subaru's Eyesight Ver. 2 that has a feature that automatically brakes in a near-collision situation.

It's priced at 4,350,000 Japanese Yen (around $44,000) but remember, it's available only in Japanese market and up to 300 units produced until April 2015.

URL: http://www.sti.jp/product/foresterts2014/index.html

Forza Horizon 2: The BMW M4

The latest M car from BMW has arrived on Forza Horizon 2 and while this 2-door coupe is a departure from the old M3 Coupes of yesteryears, it's worth being a performer as it takes its nice little holiday at Southern Europe. This is the BMW M4 Coupe.



Of course, you might be saying that the M4 Coupe is just a two-door version of the latest M3 Saloon and that's true because due to BMW's naming structure, the M4 Coupe is based on the 4-Series Coupe, which is the 2-door version of the 3-Series saloon. This car is very different from the 4-Series saloon judging from the conspiracy that why they coded it F82 rather than F32 from the normal 4-Series Coupe and what makes it very different is the use of its turbocharged engine that develops more power than the old M3 Coupe's V8 natural aspiration engine.

While the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine doesn't give you the noise we were hoping for, the added power makes it more quicker than the old M3 Coupe and even though it's a quick car, this car has no problems picking a fight against a multitude of super saloons from Europe. The Audi RS5 and the C63 AMG Black might be complaining about that one. It's well-balanced, it's poised, it's precise, and overall, a lot more fun to drive as the other BMWs offered in-game. I can spend all day long driving the M4 in this game.

Speaking of which, I signed up for the Super Saloons race where the BMW M4 will be taking on but to do that, it must have one major improvement before getting ready for the championship.



This car is now donned in Belka's clothing because I made the M4's look more similar to the Silber Team from Ace Combat Zero. Notice the silver color, zebra stripes, and the Belkan Air Force logo in it, which makes a fitting for its personality although my M4 doesn't like my design I made for the race but never mind of course because major improvements are occured to keep it competitive.

I've even made a highlights video for this championship the M4's challenging on because...I don't know why but feel free to catch up to this car's progress.

 

Highlights too long? Never mind but me and my M4 won the championship and the road to the finale is almost at hand now! Nothing can stop us now!

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

This is the first-ever S-Class Coupe from Mercedes-Benz, and while this is necessarily the replacement to the CL-Class, which has been known as the coupe version of the flagship S-Class saloon, the S-Class Coupe is a Grand Tourer built for those who want to take a scenic drive to the southern France on weekends. It's all like being aged in oak barrels before turning them into fancy wines for the connoisseurs but this car hasn't aged yet because this is a brand new model based on the latest S-Class and this flagship may not be as super as a supercar but it's all about being a balanced tourer built for all work and all play.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe interior

Step inside and you'll notice that its interior is a contrast to its sporty image and it's loaded with tons of conveniences that you can expect from a high-end luxury saloon. Unlike any coupes that has cramped rear space, this luxury coupe still has room for two people for the back and that's not bad at all. Because this is a high-tech two-door saloon, I can expect some cool gadgets lurking through this car such as a host of safety features as well as Mercedes' very own MAGIC BODY CONTROL which is like that commercial with the chicken in it.

If you're going out on a date with this one, this car will make everyone jealous but you can tell your date to cut that chatter off or your pals will get jealous for this. I mean hey, at least when daybreak's coming, this car can take you to better things for breakfast as long as you're not being gunned down by goons chasing behind you.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

While the S-Class Coupe looks as appealing as your mistress sitting next to you, distracting your driving with her legs showing up, how about the way this car performs? To be honest, this car's a bit bulky to drive, much like its chief rival the Bentley Continental GT, specifically the V8 base model of it, but the S-Class Coupe weighs less than that so this could be very one-sided. Because they both have 4WD, it's a little mild in the driving dynamics department. It's a lot harder to corner than pulling your mother while in the shopping mall, struggling.

The only model available for the normal S-Class Coupe is the S500 model with the 4.7L V8 engine connected with the 7G-TRONIC gearbox, developing 455PS of power and 700Nm of torque. 100kph in 4.6 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph, not quite more than enough to catch up against the Bentley.

Even though they're both thirsty for fuel, the combined fuel economy of 10.6km/L is more economical than the Bentley's 9.4km/L. Not bad for the Germans though because they're starting to get even more serious than the Brits in their own game of Top Trumps.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

While both of these models are extremely expensive and it takes a casino boy to buy one, the S-Class Coupe costs less than the Bentley by almost 45K. To put it this way, the 125,962 Euros pricing for the S500 Coupe with 4MATIC and 7G-TRONIC standard is much more affordable than the Bentley Continental GT V8's but do you really get what you paid for? Oh please, leave it to the Marquises and Marchionesses to have all their fun in these grand tourers.

Photo: Daimler AG

"Asahan Mo"

On the November 28, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Intensive Care gags

- More "lait" from Lala Ytera

- Istambay, Istambay Sa Looban, May Sigang Dumating Sa Tambayan, 'Pag Babae ay Nililigawan, 'Pag Lalake ay...INUUPAKAN!!

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...adding quotes on new profile pics!

- Bubble Gang does Skyflakes by spoofing this commercial as SPYFLAKES! Asahan Mo.

- Antonietta's back for you, televiewers! And Ms. Cherie Gil's spilling her beans!

- Mr. Matapobre says "Walang mayamang burara. Sobrang dami ng nagamit namin, di namin alam kung saan ilalagay!"

- Office worker's making sure things are exactly as planned.

- Katipuneros facing the good news and the bad news.

The Be Careful With My Heart finale

The Be Careful With My Heart finale

Over the past two years, Filipinos worldwide witnessed the slife-of-life adventures of a young woman named Maya Dela Rosa (played by Jodi Sta. Maria) and the Lim family, consisting of Richard (Richard Yap), Abby, Nikki, and Luke, as well as their friends and family as they face one amazing moment to another in Be Careful With My Heart. From their first encounters, their marriages, their ups, downs, rights, wrongdoings, everyday is an adventure to them. But now, all good things must come to an end and the hit TV series, Be Careful With My Heart, recently concluded their two-year run as the longest-running daytime TV series in daytime television.

The final episode ends at Maya's birthday party where all of Maya's friends and family as well as the Lim family with Sir Chief on it as they said their memorable moments about Maya's life-changing moments that influenced most of the characters in the show. Everyone's together, singing their final Kapit-Bisig song to the very end.

It's been one heck of a wild ride while it lasted and even though this hit TV show ends, we all end up with a slight smile on our faces. Well, the adventures of Maya Dela Rosa and the Lim family have come to a bittersweet end but their KAPIT-BISIG message will live on.

Farewell and KAPIT-BISIG, Kapamilyas!