Kia Niro

As if the crossover dilemma didn't had enough problems for the rest of us, the Koreans that brought us the Sportage and the Sorento gave us a little compact crossover that some say it would be the South Korean equivalent to the Honda Vezel. Enter Niro.

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro, so oddly named, they named after someone from Tinseltown and apart from its odd name, this compact crossover is slotted below the Sportage and if things get any worse for us, the Niro is a hybrid that uses the same tech as the Hyundai IONIQ. Before explaining more about the Niro's hybrid stuff, let's talk about the design.

On keen observation, the Niro looks if its been a mashup between the Soul and the Jeep Cherokee from behind but despite its odd looks, the Niro isn't half bad full stop when you take it outside on the city center or the highway or whatever you come across because from every angle, the Niro blends its peculiarness with futuristic charm.

2017 Kia Niro interior

Step into the Niro's interior and it feels very futuristic indeed thanks to its high-tech intstrumental panel, well-organized center panel, and blue-and-black accents to make it well-tailored for a compact crossover. Although this is a five-seater crossover, the Niro can accomodate up to 1,425 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded, opening up for more possibilities in terms of your next day off or two and. With the rear seats present, the Niro can accomodate just the shopping stuff from the establishments but with the rear seats folded, it's garage-sale capable.

The Niro comes with other conveniences in store to make life easier for the tech-savvy owner such as wireless charger, heated steering wheel, climate control, KRELL premium surround sound system,

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro may look like your average crossover but because it has some Hyundai IONIQ know-how, expect some misery in store and time to meet the cause of the Niro's misery. It's a Kappa 1.6L GDi engine connected to a 32kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery while mated with a 6-speed double clutch gearbox. With this hybrid powertrain, it provides a total output of 141PS of power and 265Nm of torque. Fuel economy is around 19.5km/L, which is nowhere near as good as the hybrid-powered Honda Vezel.

But unlike the Vezel, the Niro behaves like a city car thanks to its clever suspension system and disc brakes, meaning that despite being a Korean-made, it behaves almost like a European compact and it feels okay to be accommodated with. It sure is a fine daily driver's car but some are concerned that the Niro may suffer the same bellyup as what happened to the Honda Vezel with the hybrid powertrain on it. Gets worse, it might suffer some throttle loss but it's too early to tell until you drive one.

2017 Kia Niro

Because the Niro is dubbed as the "Smart SUV", it features some smart tech that lives to its name Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning System, and Blind Spot Detection. For safety puposes, the Niro comes with a rigid body and seven airbags.

Should you buy one? The Niro is priced at 23,240,000 Korean Won and it's bizzarely more expensive than the Sportage but despite the pricing, if you are feeling worrysome that the Sportage's diesel powertrain take the rap by the authorities because of diesel scandals, best to consider this hybrid for such reason. The Niro sure is a nice alternative to those diesel powered Kia SUVs but like the Honda Vezel, you really don't hold much hope.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Metal Stream, Ridge Espresso, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: NoKor officials compete to show loyalty

The latest threats from North Korea indicate its officials competing to show loyalty to Kim Jong Un. The South Korean Unification Ministry said that the Korean Peninsula has intensified its threats more than it did after the country's third nuclear test three years ago.

The spokesperson indicated the reaason that there is a rivalry among officials to show their devotion to the North Korean leader.

Last week, North Korea reportedly conducted their largest-ever long-range artillery drills. It said the target was South Korea's presidential office and government organizations.

Source: NHK World

Let's Do The News! (March 29, 2016)

- Returning to the money laundering issue,  a Chinese businessman told senators investigating this issue that it was dismissed RCBC branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito who opened the false bank accounts and made sure money that went through them was taken out of the bank. In the statement read before the Blue Ribbon committe, the businessman referred one of the foreigners to Deguito due to the tendency to open the RCBC account and was a junket agent the businessman known for a long time.

- About 100 Chinese boats seen enroaching in Malaysian waters near the Luconia Shoals in the South China Sea, according to a Malaysian minister. The minister in charge of national security, Shahidan Kassim, said the government has dispatched the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the navy to the area to assess the situation and as quoted from reports, legal enforcement action would be take if the Chinese vessels have entered Malaysian exclusive economic zone. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said that Chinese boats have a right to be in the waters.

- 10 Indonesian nationals were held captive when their ship was hijacked in Philippine waters. According to the Indonesian foreign ministry, the owner of the hijacked tug boat and coal barge has received two phone calls, one of them is from the infamous Abu Sayyaf Group demanding a ransom. No one knows when the incident occured but said the ship owner was first contacted on Saturday. The ministry's statement referred to the hostage takers as pirates.

- Japan's new security laws come into effect half a year after being enacted last September. The legislation allows Japan to use force by exercising its right to collective self-defense and able to defend other countries with which it has close ties, if threatened. The Self Defense Forces can now carry out new duties.

- The Federal Bureau of Investigation finally unlocked the iPhone belonged to the suspect from last year's San Bernardino shootout without the help of Apple. This report means the end of the court battle between the US government and the tech giant. The FBI said that it wasked the federal court to withdraw an order requiring Apple to write new software to disable passcode protection and allow access to the phone.

- Belgian authorities released a man they had detained in connection with last week's Brussels terror attacks. The man was arrested in a raid on Thursday, two days after the attack at the airport and subway on the Belgian capital. The authorities believed the man was a match for a suspect who appears in security footage alongside two suicide bombers who died in the attack. Investigations said they had freed the man, saying that they had lack of evidence to justify holding him.

- Former Top Gear presenter, now presenter to the upcoming Amazon original show, James May, comments about the new show's Cenotaph stunt is a "little bit ill-judged". Weeks ago, during the shooting for the new Top Gear, Matt LeBlanc is alongside Ken Block drifting his Hoonicorn in the streets of London and the stunt near the war memorial brought fury to the public. May also confirms that their new show he'll be hosting alongside Clarkson and Hammond will ditch the studio format in favor for a more on-road experience, similar to what the American Top Gear done.

- For the love of plain white rice, there's two Hanayo Koizumi figures as seen from the Love Live School Idol Project! First up, the figma of Kayo-chin that will served as the penultimate in the Love Live figma range. It's now open for orders starting at 5,370 Yen plus tax and it will arrive this September. If that didn't satisfy you, there's a FREEing figure of her, now available to order for 9,074 Yen plus tax and deliveries will commence this September.

figma Hanayo Koizumi

FREEing Hanayo Koizumi

- If you're on THE IDOLM@STER side, the eighth addition to Phat's THE IDOLM@STER anime DVD/Blu-Ray cover series, the lovely Azusa Miura has arrived. Like the others, it has been replicated to match the anime's DVD/Blu-Ray cover look. It's now available to order starting at 8,400 Yen plus tax and deliveries will commence this September. Book one right now to have her!

Azusa Miura

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye, the search for a new yaya in the mansion of the lolas and Divina are now on and it was one heck of a long process until an aspiriant tries to met up to its expectations but they couldn't care. Later, they received a letter and it's an invitation to this Saturday's Eat Bulaga Dabarkads Awards! Will they attend? Tune in next time and find out!

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 6: Huracan Super Trofeo

The FM6 event car of March is a new one and this is basically a prize awarded to players who collected three or more specially marked Gallardo Super Trofeo cars during the Forza Motorsport 6 Lamborghini Super Trofeo event, which is going on now until next month. This is the 2015 Lamborghini #63 Squadra Corse Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo and if you haven't got one, don't fret because with season 2 of this FM6 Lamborghini Super Trofeo event is going on now, you have many chances to win a Huracan Super Trofeo, only this time in specially marked ones.

So, what's it all about this car anyway? Debuted at the 2014 Monterey Car Week, the Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo, served as the recplacement to the highly successful Gallardo Super Trofeo, was developed by its Motorsport department and it was used for the 2015 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo season in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Based on the brand new Huracan, the Super Trofeo version features an exceptionally light roll cage that extends to the rear axle and torsional stiffness that represents a 45% improvement compared to the Gallardo Super Trofeo. It features a carbon aluminum construction with aerodynamic improvements. This results to a dry weight of 1,270 Kg, with a weight distribution of 42/58%. Its bodywork is made in partnership with Dallara Engineering.

Powering it is a race-spec V10 engine producing 620HP of power while mated with a new three-disc clutch and an XTrac sequential gearbox developed specifically for the Huracán Super Trofeo with an electric actuator designed by the Magneti Marelli Motorsport division.

Anyway, no time for long description about my recently-acquired event car of March, because I just wanna know how good this car is as I shall try one at the Laguna Seca because this is what the producers set up so players can set a lap time and stand a chance to win their very own Huracan Super Trofeo.



So, what do I think? Well, the new Huracan Super Trofeo feels more of an improvement to the old Gallardo Super Trofeo that I tried weeks ago thanks to its  added power and reduced weight but it retains its rear-wheel drive layout as the Gallardo Super Trofeo, due to regulations, it takes a decent skill to master this bull but with practice, you will do get the hang of it.

Because this is entirely new to Forza, you can spend lots of time getting to know more about the Huracan Super Trofeo while standing a chance to win specially marked Huracan Super Trofeos in the second season of the Forza Motoraport 6 Lamborghini Super Trofeo event so while you were there, be sure to participate in upcoming season two events if you want to get your hands on this Huracan Super Trofeo. Good luck.

Stars of 2016 New York Auto Show

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The 2016 New York Auto Show is going on until the third of April, 2016, at the Javits Center, New York City, and in honor of this year's car show, it's time to list down the stars of this year's NY Auto Show from debutantes, full model changes, minor changes, and concepts.

2017 Acura MDX

2017 Audi R8 Spyder

2017 Buick Encore

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible

2017 Chevrolet Sonic

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43

2017 Mercedes-AMG E43

2017 Mercedes-Benz CLA range

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

2017 Nissan GT-R

2017 Subaru Impreza

2017 Toyota 86

Acura NSX GT3

Genesis New York Concept

Lincoln Navigator Concept

...and more.

URL: http://www.carscoops.com/2016/03/2016-new-york-auto-show-your-to-z-guide.html

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: While you're away...

Couple of things while you're away...

March 24, 2016

On North Korea's explicit threat of attacking South Korea's presidential office and the president, the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae ordered Thursday to rev up military alert against the North. 

President Park Geun-hye called the North’s threat a direct challenge to the world and ordered to reinforce defense readiness to guarantee the safety of the people and called on the public to be alert for any emergency. 

Denouncing South Korea and the U.S.' joint military drills, of which some were targeting to attack the North,

Pyongyang on Wednesday broadcasted through its state media that it will remove South Korea's president, 

specifically targeting the top office with its military and special forces.

Seoul's Unification Ministry on the same day responded that it will not overlook Pyongyang's terror threats 

and that the North should give up its nuclear ambitions and take the route to change.

North Korea said Thursday it has successfully conducted a solid-fuel rocket test, adding that the accomplishment 

will boost the country's ballistic rocket capabilities to hit its enemies.

According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made such comments during his visit to a site of a ground-based test on the rocket engine and its separation.

The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on North Korea's human rights issues in Geneva Wednesday to set up a group of experts in a bid to find ways to make the regime accountable for its violations against humanity. 

The resolution was submitted by the European Union and Japan condemning the North's crimes that are said to include acts of extermination, murder, torture, and rape. 

South Korea's government welcomed the adoption by the 47-member forum by consensus, saying it shows how deeply the international community is concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea

March 25, 2016

Beginning this year, every fourth Friday of March will be designated as West Sea Defense Day.

And the government held a memorial ceremony this morning to mark the day and the 6th anniversary of the Cheonan warship sinking. 

The ceremony was held at Daejeon National Cemetery and was attended by some 7,000 people including officials and victims' families. 

46 sailors were killed in 2010 when a North Korean submarine torpedoed the South Korean ship while on a training mission in the West Sea. 

The service also paid respects to the six sailors that lost their lives in the second battle of Yeonpyeong in 2002.

Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, President Park Geun-hye stressed that the South Korean government will not tolerate Pyongyang’s nuclear development and provocations and that its reckless provocation will only lead to self-destruction. 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to destroy South Korean government offices in Seoul.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (or KCNA) on Friday reported Kim as saying the North should “mercilessly” annihilate offices such as South Korea’s presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae.

He reportedly made the orders while directing a long-range artillery exercise.

The KCNA said the training was the largest in scale ever and that it involved some 100 artillery pieces.

The agency said that the regime aimed to show its strong intent to retaliate against South Korea’s recent training 

that simulated hitting the offices of the North’s most senior officials and its ruling Workers’ Party of Korea’s central committee.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (March 23, 2016)

- Following the deadly bombings in Brussels, Belgium, the Islamic State militants threatens to attack other countries taking part in the anti-IS coalition. The terrorist organization issued an updated communique taking credit for the Brussels attacks and was published in Arabic and French. The militants also released photos showing its fighters in Syria giving out candy to children to celebrate the Brussels attacks, according to intel.

- Although there is no Filipino casualty in the Brussels attacks, the Philippine Embassy advised Filipinos in Belgium to avoid crowded areas and to be extra careful after attacks in the Belgian capital. Philippine Ambassador Victoria Bataclan told Filipinos to avoid crowded areas that could be targets of terror attacks after 34 people reportedly killed in the explosions.

- The Commission of Elections yesterday asked the high court to reconsider the decision and affirm Senator Grace Poe's disqualification for material misrepresentation in her residency and citizenship eligibilities. The COMELEC also asked the justices to again deliberate on the case and conduct another round of voting, arguing that there was no majority vote finding Poe as a natural-born Filipino qualified to be president.

- The Anti Money Laundering Council head on Tuesday expressed its support to the absolute lifting of the bank secrecy law prior to the 81 million dollar bank heist. Although hopeful for the absolute lifitng of bank secrecy law, AMLC Executive Director Julia Bacay Abad admitted that the will face an uphill battle to accomplish this.

- Allies of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are welcome to help the ruling Liberal Party and its coalition partners. The Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid candidates led by presidential aspirant Mar Roxas held sorties on Tuesday in Pampanga province - a known balliwick of Arroyo - to lure voters before the Holy Week break.

- North Korea threatened a "misearable end" for South Korean president Park Geun-hye and her American allies in its series of provocations. Pyongyang declard it would wage a battle against the South Korean president with its artillery units standing ready to turn her office into a "sea of flames and ashes". This provocation comes as the US and SoKor stage their annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercies, which is the largest this year in the wake of a recent North Korean nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. Seoul urged the North to stop "base and vulgar" threats and warned of a "relentless retaliation" against any further provocations.

- Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter revealed that South Korea and the United States have agreed to deploy the anti-ballistic missile interceptor called the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) to the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Carter said the system would protect South Korea and the US troop presence here against North Korea's missile threats. Carter added that Washington has started to boost its capabilities in light of North Korea possibly having the capacity to range the US with an ICBM.

- The recent Arizona primaries scored a huge win for Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton over who could best deal with Islamic extremism amid the recent Belgian attacks. In the Republican side, Trump now has 739 delegates, Cruz has 425 and Kasich has 143. In the Democratic side, meanwhile, Clinton now has 1,203 elegates to Sanders’ 860, based on primaries and caucuses. It takes 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.

- Turkish authorities reportedly detained at least 13 people, including those with alleged links to the Islamic State militants. Three people, including a Syrian and Iraqi, alleged to have planned attacks on targets including a German consulate general and a school. Ten people, meanwhile, tried to illegally enter Turkey from Syria. One is said to have been in possession of an explosive device for a suicide attack.

- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend next week's Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, and is expected too meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines. Xi will make a 5-day trip to the Czech Republic and the United States from the 28th of March and he will attend the summit at the end of March. The summit is expected to discuss measures aimed at preventing nuclear materials to fall under terrorists' hands as well as North Korea's nuclear development and China's military activities in the South China Sea.

- Manny Pacquiao kicked off his second week of training in preparation for his final fight against Tim Bradley next month.

- The first-ever retractable fastback version of the fourth-generation Mazda Roadster has unveiled prior to its New York Auto Show debut this week.



- The all-new fifth-generation Subaru Impreza, in saloon form, is officially unveiled prior to its New York Auto Show debut this week.



- Three hit Biohazard/Resident Evil games are coming to PS4 and XBOX One in celebration of the franchise's 20th anniversary! The first is Biohazard 6, coming on the 29th of March, featuring all the DLC contents, Japanese audio, improved frame rate, and ResidentEvil.net exclusive outfits. In Summer 2016, Biohazard 5 will be out and in the Autumn of 2016, Biohazard 4 will be out.



- Evolution Studios, the developer of the popular PS4 racing game DriveClub, has been closed by parent compay Sony. This news comes nearly a year following the studio's recent layoffs affecting over fifty employees, resulting in the studio being restructured and focusing on the game as a service. DriveClub was originally intended as a PS4 launch title but was delayed to 2014 with disastrous launch day results. However, numerous upadtes have been implemented to become one of the most popular PS4 racing games to day. The recent DLC, Finish Line, was launched today featuring Koenigsegg's brand new hybrid hypercar, the Regera, and the legendary Jaguar XJ220.



- The hit BBC TV series Doctor Who has smashed the Guinness World Records title for the "Largest gathering of Doctor Who characters at Comic Con event in Mexico". A total of 492 Doctor Who cosplayers participated in the milestone.



TTFN!!!

Islamic State claims responsibility on the Brussels attacks

According to the latest reports regarding the recent attacks at an airport and a metro station in the Belgian capital Brussels, the Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for these attacks.

Right now, 34 people are reportedly killed in the blasts while over two hundred people are hurt. Prosecutors released a CCTV footage of three men suspected behind the airport bombing. In the raid, police found a nail bomb, an Islamic State flag, and chemicals.

Authorities are believed that the bomb maker behind last year's Paris attacks could be the key suspect in the recent attack. Najim Laachraoui is listed as one of Europe's most wanted criminals upon his return to Syria. It is believed that the attacked was carried following the arrest of Paris attack suspect Salah Abdeslam last weekend.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/12201611/Brussels-bombings-terrorist-attack-on-Belgium-airport-and-Metro-live.html

Brussels terror attacks hit an airport and station

There was a recent explosion occured at Brussels' Zaventem airport snd Maelbeek metro station. As of right now, the casuality is now reported to 23.

No one knows who claimed the attack on two sites in the Belgian capital but prosecutors say, it is believed to be a suicide attack.

In response, the Belgian government has placed into full alert with Brussels in full lockdown and establishments shut.

Report: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/brussels-attacks-what-we-know-so-far

A list of Resident Evil movies

As we continue on the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Biohazard/Resident Evil franchise, it's time to focus on the movies.

When the first Resident Evil film launched in 2002, it spanned into five films currently and despite its loose ends with a few references from the games, these films showcases just how badass action starlet Milla Jovovich performed as Alice, a woman who used to worked at Umbrella's secret facility and ended up being a BOW of her own trying bring down Umbrella to its knees even if it cost her life. If the Hollywood movie adaptations never met up to the fans' expectations, there are two CGI anime films that worked the charm very well.

With work on the final Hollywood adaptation of the Resident Evil film as well as a 2017 CGI anime movie is underway, time to list down the films loosely or heavily inspired from the games.

Resident Evil (2002) - The first film was loosely inspired from the first Biohazard/Resident Evil game. In here, a group of soldiers infiltrated a mysterious mansion, only to find out that it hides a secret facility only a woman named Alice knows what.

Resident Evil Apocalypse (2004) - Drawing inspiration from RE2 and RE3, this second film sees Alice escaped from the laboratory and fights her way to escape the zombie-infested town we know as Raccoon City. Elements from the game are featured in this film such as the BOW Nemesis, Jill Valentine, and the UBCS units, including RE3's Carlos Oliveira.

Resident Evil Extinction (2007) - In Extinction, years has passed since the Raccoon City incident, the T-Virus outbreak decimated all of mankind and the organization behind the terror that is Umbrella, set up underground facilities conducting research on bioweapons. Alice, who survived another laboratory capture from the last film, ventures in the Nevada wastelands to find survivors. RE characters such as the infamous Albert Wesker and Claire Redfield made appearances in this film.

Biohazard Degeneration (2008) - As a proper, no holds barred, anime movie inspired from the world of the Biohazard/Resident Evil games, Degeneration sees former cop turned US agent Leon S. Kennedy as he takes on a terrorist attack at the Harvardville Airport.

Resident Evil Afterlife (2010) - In the fourth film, Alice lost her superhuman abilities during her encounter with Albert Wesker in Tokyo. Months later, Alice is venturing the Pacific to reunite with Claire and the others as she searches for a place known as Arcadia. After a sudden reunion with Claire, who ended up under a pawn of Umbrella's hands, the two met up with the other survivors at a prison in Los Angeles. In this film, not only the Majinis from RE5 showed up in the film but also the movie appearance of Chris Redfield.

Biohazard Damnation (2012) - There are two films made to coincide with the launch of Biohazard 6/Resident Evil 6. This anime movie is one of them and in Damnation, followup to Degeneration, sees Leon S. Kennedy taking on the Eastern Slav Republic while ignoring orders to retreat. Leon's not alone though as an old friend of his, the female spy Ada Wong, is also on the case regarding this Eastern Slav rebellion.

Resident Evil Retribution (2012) - In this fifth installment, Alice is under the prying eyes of Jill Valentine at a secret underground facility hidden in the frozen Siberian waters. Upon making her escape, Alice receives a message from her old enemy, Albert Wesker, about escaping the facility full of simulated locations including Tokyo, New York, and Moscow. A team of soldiers, led by Leon S. Kennedy, will arrive at the rendezvous point and it's up to Alice to use by any means necessary to escape the facility before Jill gets to her way.

These are the list of films inspired from the Biohazard/Resident Evil games. While we are looking forward for the next films coming soon, feel free to enjoy these Resident Evil films anytime if you're in the mood to dive into the franchise's 20 year history before you die.

Photo: Sony Pictures

GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva - 2016 minor change

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

The Captiva crossover has been in South Korean roads for five years and the folks from GM Korea managed to give it a much needed facelift to keep this once world-proven crossover afloat in times of challenges the South Korean division of General Motors faced following Chevrolet's withdrawal from the European market.

First and not the most amusing one, the exterior has been revised with a new front view reflecting the new global look for Chevrolet and I know some of you never liked the new Chevrolet look in the front because some might complain that this new look might just spoil its once great look but while if you're not making an issue about the front, check out the rear side because the taillights have been given an updated look and aside from that, the 2016MY Captiva features refreshed wheel designs to keep its dynamic look alive and well despite the odds.

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

The interior is heavily revised with some new tech including the upgraded MyLink with phone projection technology featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, and Siri Eyes Free which lets your voice do the operation. Its seven-seater capacity remains the same as well as seven ways to fold the seats to accomodate more luggage spaces especially the ones you bought at a nearby thrift store.

The only engine available for the facelifted Captiva is a Euro 6-compliant 2.0L ECOTEC diesel engine producing 170PS of power and 40.8kg-m of torque, mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox sourced from Japan-based transmission manufacturer Aisin. This gearbox delivers improved acceleration, response, quietness, and better fuel economy. When switched to Sport Mode, it delivers direct throttle response to get things afloat. It even comes with a different kind of power steering called R-EPS, which provides a much direct handling for the new Captiva.

The new Chevrolet Captiva even comes with loads of safety features such as a rear-view camera, Blind Spot Alert, Rear cross traffic alert, electronic stability control, active rollover protection, Hill Start Assist, six airbags, and many more to keep this crossover safer than none.

The 2016MY Captiva starts at 28,090,000 Korean Won.

Photo: GM Korea Company

Let's Do The News! (March 22, 2016)

- The Chinese government is flexing its military muscle in the South China Sea, driving away Filipino fishermen from Panatag Shoal and preventing the Indonesian coast guard from detaining a Chinese vessel caught poaching in Indonesian waters. Earlier, 10 Filipino fishermen reported being harassed from the Panatag Shoal by Chinese coast guard at the weekend. Also, the incident occured on the 19th of March prompted the Indonesian government to take it to the international tribunal of the law of the sea.

- During US President Barack Obama's historical Cuban visit, he prodded with Cuban leader Raul Castro over human rights and the longstanding US economic embargo during an unprecedented news conference that stunned Cubans unaccustomed to their leaders being aggressively question. During his meeting at the Palace of the Revolution, Obama repeatedly pushed Castro to take steps to address Cuba's human rights record.

- For this year's Balikatan exercises, mobile rocket and missile platforms will be deployed for the first time in a live-fire drill to be held at the Crow Valley gunnery range in Tarlac, amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Aside from the usual air and armored assets, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System will be used in the live-fire phase of the exercise, according to the spokesman for this year's joint military drill.

- Japan's new security laws will take effect on the 29th of March. The legislation allows the nation to exercise the right to collective self-defense as well as expansion of Self Defense Forces globally. The new laws were enacted by the Diet last year.

- The South Korean government confirmed the country's first case of the Zika virus. The Health and Welfare Ministry said that a 43-year-old male was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus earlier in the day. The man reportedly stayed in Brazil in over three weeks on business before returning to South Korea on the 11th of March. He suffered a fever after his return and he'd been bitten by a mosquito in Brazil.

- The South Korean National Defense Ministry believes that North Korea used a new type of launch system when it fired five projectiles yesterday. The Korean Central News Agency reported that the country had tested a new type of high-caliber multiple rocket launching system in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un. The rpeort said the launch was the rocket's final test before operational deployment and that targets in South Korea lie within its range.

- The Federal Bureau of Investigation says an outside source may be able to hack the iPhone used by the suspect in last year's San Bernardino shootout. It says if viable, it would no longer need Apple's help to crack the phone. A California court has agreed to the FBI's request to delay the hearing on the matter scheduled for Tuesday.

- Ford, Shelby American, and Hertz will present the 2016 Mustang Shelby GT-H at the New York Auto Show, honoring the 50th anniversary of the original Rent-A-Racer. True to its roots, 140 units will be made for rental use.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H

- Lucas Till will be playing as the new MacGyver in an upcoming reboot fo the classic 80's TV action show. Alongside Till are former CSI actor George Eads and new comer Joshua Boone.

- During last weekend's live event, singer TM Revolution announced that MAGES' fictional male idol group B-PROJECT will star in their very first video game adaptation. The singer will serve as the project's producer while composer/writer Chiyomaru Shikura is the original creator in chage of project planning. B-PROJECT, so far, features four fictional idol groups; Kitakore, Thrive, MooNs, and Killer King.

TTFN!!!