The Nissan X-TRAIL T32 is now becoming a car that really grinds my gears because since its launch two years ago, there have been more and more people, mostly Europeans, are becoming interested in the latest-generation crossover which combines its so-called toughness that its predecessors got with science that makes it well ahead of the curve. Just when I thought that this crossover had enough making too much exposure, well, it's not over yet because there's a first-ever X-TRAIL Hybrid appeared and this time, it's going to grind my gears even more, or is it?
2016 Nissan X-TRAIL Hybrid
Here it is, then. At first glance, it looks exactly the same as the new model but what's on its heart counts because I'm going to dig deep through its core, evaluating how would the hybrid powerplant became an instrument for added fuel consumption than the base gasoline model.
First and foremost, it's still the same 2,0L direct injection engine that you get from the Serena but now, it comes with the Intelligent Dual Clutch Control system, which is a 1-motor 2-clutch parallel setup, where the engine is mated with a 30kW electric motor, double clutches, and a Li-ion battery. It's capable of delivering up to 20.6km/L of fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards.
Like the normal gasoline model, the X-TRAIL Hybrid still features the world's first Active Ride Control, which autonomously adopting the brakes and adjusting the engine's torque to help smooth the impact, as well as the world's first Active Engine Braking, which adjusts the engine's torque to slow down while enhancing control and stopping confidence. All seems fine for a family car but these features still grind my gears and I'm seeing too much exposure from this ride, which ironically, is good and comfortable.
For 4WD models, it comes with ALL MODE 4x4-i, which constantly optimizes torque to all four wheels for stability on snowy and other slippery surfaces.
While the normal X-Trail is offered in either a 5-seater or a 7-seater (which I don't like it because of my strong dislikes for crampy third-row seatings), the Hybrid model is available only in 5-seater, which is good news for picky passengers like me, bad news for baby boomers. Well, if you have a baby and if you're planning to occupy the 2nd row seat with some crappy child seats, you're out of luck and you'd better off with the petrol version instead but as for me, I can seat wherever I want and avoiding the fear of getting myself sandwiched by my siblings. It's better and it's more spacious at the back despite the added load due to the battery. You can fit most of your thrift shop hauls and you're not afraid of being a hoarder.
2016 Nissan X-TRAIL Hybrid
The new X-TRAIL Hybrid starts at 2,804,760 Yen for the 2WD model up to 3,011,040 Yen for the 4WD, which is somewhat much more expensive than the petrol variant but not too costly to own than the Toyota Harrier. Although, this isn't one of the most exciting crossovers to drive on your next day-off, this can make a great road-trip crossover fit for your friends and some members of your family. Hopefully, you don't get a baby or else, you'll be better off with a normal, 7-seater, petrol variant instead because the hybrid version is available only with 5-seats,.
- As of now, reports predicted that the conservatives are on the verge of majority as they got 329 out of the 650 seats, which 607 of the politicians are named during the 2015 UK Elections. Prime Minister David Cameron says he hopes to govern for the nation although too early to say the final result but he hoped to form a government.
- The US justice department will begin the investigation on Baltimore police department whether they engaged in routine bias or excessive force following the police brutality of a black man named Freddie Gray which sparked violent protests nationwide.
- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabiahas proposed a 5-day ceasefire in Yemen so they can focus more on humanitarian aid to suffering Yemen civilians.
- The US court ruled that the massive collection of phone data collection by the National Security Agency(NSA) is illegal. They have argued that the NSA's mass phone data collection was against privacy rights contained in the US Constitution and demanded that it be suspended.
- Senate officials from the Philippines began the hearing in the reclamation and dredging activities of China at West Philippine Seaas Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security will lead the inquiry and find out if there is enough evidence to review the national policies and international agreements of the Philippines in claiming Spratly Islands.
- BMW announced a minor change on the current 3-SeriesF30 range as well as the M3 F80 saloon. Although the minor change looks nearly the same, the updated version features new set of Euro-6 compliant engines.
2016 BMW 3-Series
- Audiintroduces their new 2.0L TFSi "Miller cycle" engine, soon to be debuted at the next Audi A4 this year, which promises 190HP of power, 320Nm of torque, and less than 20km/L of fuel economy on the NEDC cycle.
- In preparation for the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants, there is a prequel novel on sale at your nearest bookstores now called The Isle of the Lost. Written by Melissa de la Cruz, this book discovers how it all began just before the upcoming DCOM airs on Disney Channel this Summer!
- Floyd Mayweather Jr.addresses the rumors about battling Manny Pacquiao again, saying that he's no longer interested on fighting him again because "he's a sore loser and he's a coward" in the midst of Pacquiao's shoulder injury before the fight last week. However, it is feared that he knew everything that happened at Pacman's training camp before the fight.
- Top Gear's reasonably priced car, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, is set for a full-model change soon and what to expect more on its upcoming full model change on our favorite reasonably priced car? Find out more by clicking here.
- The polls for the UK general electionsare opened at 0700 hours London Time and around 50,000 polling stations nationwide will remain open until 2200 hours London times. A total of 650 Westminster MPs will be elected with 50 million British citizens registered to vote.
- Key cities in Afghanistanhave been targeted by the Taliban forces and the Afghan government launched a major attack near the north-eastern provincial capital of Kunduz. As the conflict rages on, a huge humanitarian crisis is starting to unravel.
- Mount Hakone, a popular hot spring destination near the Japanese capital city Tokyo, continues to be shaken by volcanic activity as the Owakudani and Kamiyama districts have been experiencing frequent volcanic tremors since late April. Japan's Meteorological Agency officials raised the alert for Mt. Hakone on Wednesday and warned of an imminent minor eruption.
- Japan's Liberal Democratic Party mulls increasing sanctions against North Koreaas no further updates have been made on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the DPRK.
- Typhoon Dodongmay possibly make landfall in Metro Manila should the typhoon's direction will change, according to PAGASA, Dodong was last seen at a distance of 925km east, north-east of Surigao, with wind speeds up to 140kph near the middle and gustiness of up to 170kph.
- The Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo Concept has been unveiled and it's coming soon to the PS3-exclusive Gran Turismo 6 video game via update.
- A 2016 minor change for the current-generation Seat Ibizarange has been unveiled with new features, new engines, and so much more.
2016 SEAT Ibiza
- The playable teaser for the once cancelled Silent Hillgame has been removed from the PlayStation Store as of April 29 and you can't re-download it even if it's in your library.
- California-based game developer, Spark Factory, the ones behind Capcom's Lost Planet 3 and Koei Tecmo's Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, shuts down as the game developer lays off its employees and stops making games.
- What's up, doc? There is a trailer for the upcoming Looney Tunes original video titled Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run, available on DVD this August.
The brand new 2015 Subaru WRX STi is part of Forza Horizon 2's Rockstar Car Pack, on sale now, and like me, most Subarists who spent their time enjoying their favorite STi generation can now drive Subaru's latest track-honed and rally-honed JDM sedan in-game.
But before trying the latest version of the WRX STi, I need to head back to Southern Europe for some quick evaluation.
Over the years, the STi has become the epitome of every rally fans' hearts and minds and when it became high-performance versions of Imprezas in the past, most speedo boys can now enjoy the Impreza that was built to be a track-and-rally monster. For the brand new model, Subaru decided that the new WRX will become a standalone model and no longer part of the Impreza range, much like Nissan when their latest GT-R became standalone and no longer part of the Skyline range.
In Japan, two kinds of WRX models are offered such as the S4 model which features a brand new FA20 Direct Injection Turbo engine developing over 300PS of power while mated with a Sport Lineartronic gearbox as seen in its station wagon derivative, the Levorg, and this one I'm driving now. International models get a turbocharged EJ25 petrol engine while Japan-spec models are equipped with the smaller EJ20 turbo engine which produces a similar power output of over three hundred horsepower. The one we're driving in-game is the international version with the EJ25 engine developing 305HP of power and 290lb-ft of torque while mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The WRX STi is famed for not just one of the best rally cars of all time but also a handy-capable fighter at the Nurburgring where the previous version smashed the eight-minute barrier. For the new model, this is Scooby at its best because thanks to its new aerodynamics, low center of gravity provided by its boxer engine, and Subaru's Symmetrical AWD, it's becoming more enjoyable to drive than any STi provided in-game. It can also outsmart even the late Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X as well.
Anyway, enough evaluation, time to take the latest WRX STi to Storm Island to find out how good this Scooby is but first...
Some further improvements have to be made for the WRX STi to survive Storm Island's toughest and of course, you need some special parts to make your car ready for Storm Island. From a low-range gearbox, rally tires, and heightened suspension, these parts are exactly what you need to survive Storm Island or, if you're brave enough, some of Southern Europe's beaten paths like for instance; cross-country.
Anyway, let's get this party started!
That was one heck of the torture but the WRX STi managed to win me my next step towards the Island Finale. This goes to show that this new WRX STi is ready for whatever the elements will throw at you, even in Storm Island. This new car is all about Pure Power in your Control.
Looks like it's time for me to take some rest now. It's either continue my survival on Storm Island or return back to the life as a Horizon champion. The decision's up to me for now but as always, the journey continues...
- Japanese officials releases some information on the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnershipfree trade negotiations following calls from opposition parties and industry groups for the information to be disclosed. According to the post from their website, negotiations are ongoing to work out an agreement document consisting of 29 chapters covering 21 areas.
- The United Nationsbegan consultations with delegates from the Syrian government, opposition groups, and other parties as part of the ongoing efforts for the resumption of their peace talks.
- US authorities are investigating whether the Islamic State held responsible for the shooting attack in Texas last Sunday, which took place at an exhibition of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad and killed two gunmen in the middle of a crossfire from policemen.
- Party leaders and candidates are making their last-ditch effort for votes on the last day of campaigning before the UK General Election polls open. PM David Cameron said that UK is stronger than it was five years ago but there was more to do. The polls suggest that there will be no party to win enough seats for an outright majority.
- Four men in Afghanistanhave been sentenced to death over a mob attack which killed a 28-year-old woman named Farkhunda after being falsely accused for burning the Koran. Such incident triggered outrage over the treatment of females.
- According to reports, there was a 53-year-old plant worker at the Fiat Chrysler Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan, who was crushed to death in the plant's waste water treatment facility. The incident is currently under investigation.
- The Alpinestars Car Pack is now available on Forza Horizon 2for the XBOX One console! For $5, players can gain access to six new machines such as the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2015 Audi TTS Coupe, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 1970 AMC Rebel "The Machine", and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport.
Forza Horizon 2 Alpinestars Car Pack
- For the first time in 20 years, Japanese game publisher SEGAwill not have their own booth for this summer's E3 2015, according to reports.
- Boxer Manny Pacquiaowas sued by a lawsuit for not disclosing his shoulder injury before his humiliating loss from Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- News reporter Pinky Webbleft ABS-CBN after several years of her service but there's a rumor circulating in the net that she will be transferred to the newly aired CNN Philippines channel, which was on air since March 2015. Pinky denies everything, of course.
Last year, the Audi TT has been regenerated to its third-generation and with this new model, think of it as a beginners' luck because this new model doesn't feel as intimidating as most sportscars behave in an unmanageable manner but for those who are looking for some challenge should consider this;
2015 Audi TTS Coupe
2015 Audi TTS Roadster
This is the new Audi TTS and you can think of it as the new Audi TT that is set for the most intermediate drivers. It's not too boring and easy as the normal TT but it's not too harsh and fun as...um...well, expect more from the new TT very soon but still this is the medium of the range because this is the slightly hardcore version of the new model that is made for those who are not interested in sportscars that are as mad as supercars but hey, this is a different breed you know.
You can buy one with either a hardtop coupe that costs you 49,100 Euros or an open-top roadster model which costs you 52,300 Euros but mind you, the Roadster model is heavier and slightly slower than the hardtop model even though they're electronically limited to 250kph. Yes, they both have the same 2.0L TFSi engine producing 310PS of power and the same choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed flappy paddle but the coupe version can do 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds while the roadster version can only do 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds.
Handling wise, the TTS doesn't smack you down like a wrestler hitting your face with a padlock but it's like a karate kid carving a wooden statue out of his karate. While the normal TT feels somewhat milder to drive, the S feels...um...slightly the same as the normal TT even though it comes with added power. It maybe feel more like a hot hatch but for a sportscar of this magnitude, the TTS doesn't feel the cut.
In terms of cruising, the TTS isn't half bad. By the time you're driving home after a game of poker with your mates at the City of Dreams, it feels as civilized as you riding in your neighbor's car after a night out. Hmmm... I see, but this is even more noticing than your neighbor's car because this is just a lame excuse to think you have a hot car cruising home in the late night.
So, how do I like about the TTS? Well, it was the added power on its turbocharged 2.0L engine, the handling's not so intimidating, and it's a 4WD coupester capable on taking on any weather it sees. Things I don't like about it is the pricing, the confusing interior where you can't find anything to listen to your music, its understeering, and that's pretty much it.
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