Forza Horizon 2: Nissan's IDx NISMO Concept

So this is what "First in Forza" really means on the recently-launched G-SHOCK Car Pack for the Forza Horizon 2 XBOX One game and the arrival of one of Nissan's coolest concept cars really sizzled me to bits. Although it looks a bit boxy and small, the IDx NISMO Concept tries to trace the legendary 510's footsteps in a whole new way.



This experimental sports car concept was premiered at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and it was based on the IDx Freeflow concept. It was designed entirely by young people who spent their time playing racing games that features cars of the past and from all corners of the globe. They used the legendary Datsun Bluebird 510 as an inspiration to create a modern-day interpretation of a legend.

The design of the IDx NISMO is purely race-inspired inside and out and as proposed, the iDX NISMO is powered by a high-performance, eco-friendly 1.6L DIG TURBO engine mated with a CVT gearbox with 6-speed manual model.

I know it's a bit odd why we had a car mated with a CVT gearbox but on this game, it doesn't feel CVT-ish and by being true to the proposals, the CVT's 6-speed manual mode kicks in. Six simulated gears. That's right. You can really shift this thing with a bit of drama for later but despite the questionable gearbox on a concept car that appeared for the first time on Forza Horizon 2, it feels fantastic to drive for an experimental vehicle.



I was given an opportunity to try one out on a monthly rivals event made specifically for this car. On that monthly rivals event demonstrates the full nature of the IDx NISMO. So I took part on it to find out just how good this concept car is...






It's no surprising for a small car like this, the IDx NISMO Concept really fares well in terms of speed and agility. Although trying to mimic the progress of the legendary Datsun 510, this car never fails to impress me no matter what and I'm actually rather fond of it even though I'm not a fan of concept cars.



The IDx NISMO Concept is part of the G-SHOCK Car Pack on the Forza Horizon 2 XBOX One game and if you want to try out Nissan's coolest concept car, don't hesitate to do it.

The Sherlock Seattle 2015

 The Broadway Performance Hall, which is just near my former school Seattle Central College (formerly Seattle Central Community College), recently held an annual Sherlock Seattle Convention for those so-called Baker Street Irregulars to share their love for all things Sherlock Holmes. It runs for three days from the 9th to the 11th of January, 2015 and over the duration, Sherlockians are spending the rest of the day discovering all things Sherlock Holmes regardless of any kind of media they'll put this famed and fictitious master detective on. They even took part on any fun and games this year's convention can throw at them as long as they got their inner Sherlock Holmes or Dr. John Watson on.

To them, the so-called irregulars of 221B Baker Street, THE GAME IS ON!




More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leopauldelr/sets/72157647911172713/

Forza Horizon 2: The Toyota 86

The Toyota 86 has been with us since its 2012 debut worldwide and as time goes by, Japan's budget sportscar really proves that a good sportscar doesn't need a lot of power to get you going. Even though it's not one of the fastest cars ever made, its handling style is top notch, even a rookie can handle like a pro at ease, It feels well balanced thanks to its low center of gravity provided by its 2.0L boxer engine developed jointly with Subaru, and because it's a rear-wheel drive car, you can have as much fun as you want.

I decided to show how fun the 86 is by signing in a championship suitable for the 86 and I made some improvements to my 86 to become fully competitive for the championship it was signed to take on.



This fantasy livery made for my 86 was my idea and although the power remains unchanged on my improved 86, I decided to trim down some of its weight so it can corner better and faster as well but since this is Horizon, I can have as much fun as I want while racing my way to 1st place. Roll VTR...



With my 86 accomplished the Track Toys championship, it was time for me and my 86 to pack up our stuff and heading back through Nice Massena for a road trip as our journey to the finale continues.

Let's Do The News! (January 10, 2015)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- As the manhunt for the suspects behind the Charlie Hebdo terror attack continues, French authorities are hunting for any accomplices of the two gunmen behind the death of 17 people. One key person is Hayat Boumeddiene, the ally of Amedy Coulibaly, who was killed when police raided a kosher supermarket in the capital city Paris on Friday.

- US prosecutors recommend charging against former CIA director David Petraeus for exposing top-secret info to a former mistress, biographer Paula Broadwell. He was reportedly began an affair with her 4 years ago.

- PIXIA Corp announced an exclusive reselling agreement with Japan Space Imaging, the leading satellite imaging organization in the Far East, to provide Japanese organizations with innovative geospatial solutions. Ace Combat fans are familiarized that Japan Space Imaging were responsible for satellite imagery in-game.

- DigitalGlobe, another geospatial solutions company known by Ace Combat fans many, says that their products played an important role in the worldwide effort against the Ebola outbreak.

- Bill Boeing Jr., the son of Boeing's founder, died at the age of 92 last Thursday. Although he didn't work at his father's establishment, he played a crucial role of maintaining the original Boeing plant in Seattle called the Red Barn in collaboration with The Museum of Flight.

- The US Army has signed a $78M deal with one of the biggest defense contractors, Lockheed Martin, to upgrade their Army Tactical Missile System.

- In Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals, the San Miguel Beermen scored a win against the Alaska Aces at the score of 100-86.

TTFN

Stars of Tokyo Auto Salon 2015 with NAPAC

Suzuki Alto Turbo RS Concept

The 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon with NAPAC runs until the 11th of January, 2015 at the Makuhari Messe and there's been a whole array of modified cars displayed for this year's show while most of them are modified concepts by Japan's top carmakers. Let's get to know the stars of the show...

- Subaru STi XV Sport Concept - A specially modified version of the Subaru XV which comes with the special Sunrise Yellow color first applied on their special edition POP STAR model.

- Suzuki Alto Turbo RS Concept - This concept model of the recently-launched 8th-generation Alto previews its turbocharged model coming this year.

- Subaru STi Levorg S Concept - A concept model of the recently-launched Levorg station wagon comes with the 6-speed manual gearbox.

- Subaru STi Outback Super GT First Response Operation - A concept model of the latest Legacy Outback crossover which looks like it response on any emergency situation during a Super GT race.

- Honda MUGEN Jade - The upcoming Honda Jade hybrid MPV gets previewed for the first time as well as its Mugen bodykit-equipped model.

- Honda N-ONE Relax Concept - A specially modified version of the Honda N ONE kei car featuring a much simpler yet tastier design.

- Honda Cyber Concept N-BOX Slash Code : 89 - A specially modified version of the N-BOX Slash kei car featuring a more futuristic look.

- Honda Samantha Thavasa meets Honda Vezel  - A special Honda Vezel show car made to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Samantha Thavasa, a fashion store.

- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Concept - A special model previews the final edition of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X which is set for discontinuation soon. Tuning is provided by HKS to deliver this car up to 473HP of power output.

- Toyota Modellista Prius α Cyber Cross Concept - A specially modified version of the Prius α MPV with a more crossover-ish look.

- Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen Concept - The Blitzen named was used on the 3rd-generation and 4th-generation Legacy B4 saloon. The concept model as seen on this year's show is based on the recently-launched, sixth-generation Legacy B4 saloon and it dons a unique red color and exterior enhancements rooting back from past Blitzen models.

- Mazda CX-3 Racing Concept - A specially modified version of the upcoming CX-3 crossover.

- Subaru WRX S4 Customized by PROVA - A specially modified version of the WRX S4 with bodykit courtesy of PROVA.

- Subaru WRX STi NBR Challenge 2015 - A race-spec version of the WRX STi which is set to race at this year's Nurburgring 24 Hours.

- Subaru BRZ GT300 2015 - A GT300-class race-spec version of the BRZ which is set to race at the 2015 Super GT season

- Mazda Demio Racing Concept 2015 - A specially modified version of the fourth-generation Mazda Demio with unique vinyls.

- Mazda Atenza Package Style Concept 2015 - A specially modified version of the recently-facelifted Atenza

- Mazda CX-5 Package Style Concept 2015 - A specially modified version of the recently-facelifted CX-5.

- Mazda Axela Sport Racing Concept 2015 - A specially modified version of the Mazda Axela Sport featuring unique vinyls.

- Mazda Axela ASEAN Concept 2015 A specially modified version of the Mazda Axela sedan featuring ASEAN specs and a unique vinyl.

...and more.

For a full look: http://motorshow.carview.yahoo.co.jp/tokyo-autosalon/2015/

#BubbleGang - January 9, 2015

On the January 9, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Hangover gags

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, May Bagong Isyung Pag-uusapan, May Bumbay Napadpad Sa Tambayan, At Doon Nauso Ang...UTANGAN?!

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...posts about traffic!

- Tsugi or Churva?

- Painting sketch!

- More words of wisdom from Tata Lino:

• Pag biglang umulan sa tigang na lupa, wag ka nang magtaka pag biglang bumaha.
• Pag wala na ng sakit at naghanap ka ng kapalit, kahit gaano siyang kakulit, wag kang umulit.
• Ang buhay ng ibang tao, hindi dapat kinekwento. Okay lang kung totoo, masamang magimbento.
• Ang tunay na isda, ang amoy malansa. Pag hindi malansa, gusto lang mag-isa.

- Lala Ytera still making some nuisance to the ladies.

-Mr. Matapobre says..."Walang mayamang maingay. Malakas lang ang boses namin."

- IyoTube in Biglang Liko by Ron Henley feat. Pow Chavez

- The toughest gang member faced his biggest welcome back gift yet.

Let's Do The News! (January 9, 2015)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Continuing on the Charlie Hebdo hunt, French authorities have surrounded a building in a northern town of Dammartin-en-Goele, 35km from capital city Paris, where two men suspected of the attack on the satirical media are said to have a hostage. There are reports of injuries while the suspects are reported to have said they are prepared to die.

- On the AirAsia QZ8501, pings are heard in the Java Sea which could have the possibility of a black box flight recorders of the said crashed flight. Authorities said that the black box could have been parted from the rear part of the plane.

- Authorities are still investigating the possibility if the bombing near an NAACP office in Colorado last Tuesday is an act of terrorism. They are considering many possible motives and haven't determined if the NAACP was targeted. The bombing occurred at around 1100 hours last Tuesday outside a barbershop that shares the building with it. So far, no casualties have been reported.

- There was a man, who is a member of the Hijos de Nazareno, who died of a heart attack while participating in the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene. He died just as the "andas" of the Black Nazarene left the Quirino Grandstand.

- The USA and Cuba will commence talks on normalizing bilateral ties on the 21st of January at the nation's capital city Havana.

- The first-ever SEAT Leon Cupra ST was unveiled and it comes with the same 276HP turbocharged engine as the hatch equivalent while mated with either a 6-speed manual or a DSG.

2016 Seat Leon Cupra ST

- The first-ever Volvo S60 Cross Country was unveiled ahead of its 2015 NAIAS debut.

2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country

- Good Smile Company revealed another part of The iDOLM@STER figure collection and this time it's Takane Shijou wearing a yutaka. She's yours for just 9,074 Yen (plus tax) when she comes out this June.

FREEing Takane Shijou (Yutaka ver.)

TTFN!!!