20 Years of Mazda Demio

Well, this is a bit of a belated approach but as you may know, the year 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Mazda's compact hatchback, the Demio. For two decades, four generations, and numerous awards and accolades, it was one of the most successful models in Mazda's timeline. I guess this is the ideal time to read back the Mazda Demio's 20-year history.

Fourth-generation Mazda Demio

First Generation (1996 - 2002) - The first Mazda Demio was basically a production version of the BU-X Concept first seen in the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show and when it was first announced that the BU-X will enter production, it will be called Demio. This compact hatchback set the standards to this category and it went on sale on the 27th of August, 1996. In its first year, it won the RJC Car of the Year and the Japan Car of the Year respectively. Because it used the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, it was sold globally as the 121 or the Ford Festiva Mini Wagon. It's powered by either a 1.3L or a 1.5L petrol engine.

Second Generation (2002 - 2007) - With the success of the first-generation Demio, Mazda prompted a full model change in 2002 and sold worldwide as the Mazda 2. For the first time, an e-4WD variant was offered and this drivetrain uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels when necessary. It still carries on the same choice of 1.3L and 1.5L petrol engine.

Third Generation (2007 - 2014) - The third-generation Demio was launched in 2007 and it replaces the outgoing model's boxy styling in favor of a more curvy silhouette. In 2011, a facelifted Demio became the first Mazda to incorporate SKYACTIV Technology via the P3-VPS (1.3-litre SKYACTIV-G) engine. The new SKYACTIV-G engine is the next generation of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine that is the first to attain the world's highest petrol engine compression ratio of 14.0:1, 15% increase of fuel efficiency and torque, and a 4-2-1 exhaust system, cavity pistons, multihole injectors and some of the technology that makes SKYACTIV "Only the sky is the limit" after all.

Fourth Generation (2014 - onwards) - In 2014, the Mazda Demio has been regenerated and for this generation, the new Demio embodies the Kodo design with its full SKYACTIV capabilities with the main forte is the S5-DPTS 1.5L SKYACTIV-D 4-cylinder diesel turbo engine. Thanks to that, it won the 2014 Japan Car of the Year.

So, with Mazda nothing doing special to celebrate the Demio's 20th anniversary, I bet most Demio owners across Japan did honored the Demio's 20th birthday for the good of it. But because the Demio is now two decades old, Mazda Demio/121/2 owners like you would like to thank Mazda for giving such a good compact car for two decades so a big hearty thanks to Mazda for 20 years of Demio, the compact car that is so good for first-timers, it really lives up to Mazda's "Be a Driver" slogan. Here's for the next two decades.

Which Biohazard has the best "Mercenaries"?

With Biohazard/Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6 finally relaunched on the PS4 and XBOX One, part of celebrating Capcom's survival horror franchise's 20th anniversary, now it's the ideal time to talk about the crazy little mini-game called THE MERCENARIES.

THE MERCENARIES

Ever since it became an unlockable mini-game for those who finished Biohazard 3: Last Escape (Resident Evil 3 NEMESIS), The Mercenaries is an addictive mini-game where players pit as one of the three UBCS troops and race against time to the finish time. They can add some time by killing zombies but because they have little ammo left, players have to rethink their strategy to survive their way to the finishing spot and earn in-game cash to unlock cool stuff for the main game, including the super-cool infinite ammo for all weapons.

Today, THE MERCENARIES has evolved into the mini-game we are truly familiar now, killing bad guys in some high-score hijinx until the timer runs out. Let's start with the best of Biohazard games featuring THE MERCENARIES.

Biohazard 4

Let's start with Biohazard 4, which already destined as the greatest survival horror game of all time, as Game Informer pointed out. This game has THE MERCENARIES mini-game unlockable by finishing the main game, which took them an average of seven to nine hours to finish the whole story. 

At the start, only Leon was available but as players performed better, they will be able to unlock other characters such as Ada, Krauser, HUNK, and Wesker. With all characters unlocked, everybody knows that there's a secret weapon that can be unlocked on the main game by getting five stars on all levels with all of the characters. 

But still, what do we like most about this Mercenaries needs no explaination. With our favorite villains like Krauser, HUNK, and Wesker present, RE4's Mercenaries made us coming back for more and more for our bragging rights if we got the highest score possible.

Biohazard 5

Now, let's move on to Biohazard/ Resident Evil 5, enjoyable with its co-op gameplay. The Mercenaries game was playable by default and only Chris and Sheva are available but as they satisfy certain conditions, they can unlock special costumes for Chris and Sheva as well as hidden characters such as Jill (in her BSAA and Battle Suit costumes) and Wesker (in both Midnight and S.T.A.R.S. costumes). 

When the Alternative Edition was launched, there's The Mercenaries Reunion featuring additional costumes for Chris (Heavy Metal and Exoskeleton) and Sheva (Office Lady and Fairy Tale) as well as additional characters such as Excella Gionne, Josh Stone, and familiar legends such as Barry Burton and Rebecca Chambers. 

So, whichever character they picked, this Mercenaries game was more fun when played in duo but what we like most about it is with new and familiar faces mixed in with them, it's becoming very addictive to play after having enough fun with the main game and the extra episodes.

Biohazard THE MERCENARIES 3D

Next up, the 3DS game called The Mercenaries 3D. Set in the world of Biohazard/Resident Evil, The Mercenaries 3D allows players to play as their favorite characters on a killing spree to defeat as many enemies as possible before time runs out. The more kill combos they scored, the bigger the score, and the bigger the score, the better the ranking. 

Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and HUNK are available by default but by satisfying certain conditions, they can unlock other characters such as Rebecca Chambers, Barry Burton, Albert Wesker, Claire Redfield, and Jack Krauser. With all characters available, they can go for the unlockable costumes such as Chris's pilot costume, Jill's casual costume from Last Escape, Rebecca's nurse costume, Barry's American costume, Uroboros Wesker, Claire's office attire, HUNK's reaper costume, and Krauser's exoskeleton attire. 

Each character has their own character loadout but any character can use the desired loadout or spend 10 Play Coins to unlock weapons, including special ones such as the fearsome 2-way grenade launcher.

Because you can have so much possibilities by equipping your character with the right weapon, it can be anyone's favorite as long as they didn't get embarassed by Barry's all-American costume or charmed by Rebecca's nurse costume.

Biohazard 6

And now, let's move on to Biohazard/Resident Evil 6, the most definitive installment of the survival horror franchise, and when you had enough of a blast in the main game, there's The Mercenaries offered in-game.

At first, only the hero characters; Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Jake Muller, are available by default but by satisfying certain conditions, they can unlock characters such as Helena Harper, Piers Nivans, Sherry Birkin, and Ada Wong. With the main characters set, they can now gun for the secret costumes for each of the characters. You can have a pirate costume for Leon, a police costume for Helena, a samurai costume for Chris, Piers in his racing overalls, a puffy jacket for Jake, Sherry in her school uniform, and Ada in her white dress. There's a secret character that can be unlocked after getting all of the costumes.

Let's face it. While Leon's pirate costume and Chris's samurai costume are not so bad when it comes to their weapon loadouts, Piers' racing overalls is far out ridiculous to look at, while Jake in his puffy jacket is deemed to be challenging because he has a knife, a Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle, and a Grenade Launcher. While the heroines in their secret costumes deemed to be very attractive on their looks, the trickiest to master was Helena in her police costume and the easiest was, you guessed it, Sherry in her school uniform because with her attractive looks comes with fearsome firepower. Not bad for a girl.

What's different from the other Mercenaries games is when you did special stuff in the certain stage, you will trigger a hidden boss, which sounds super intimidating but for added thrills. Still, RE6's Mercenaries game can be very addictive in both solo or duo with a buddy.

So, which Biohazard has the best "mercenaries"? Don't be silly but finding which one is like punching a boulder.

Anyway, Biohazard/Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6 are now available to download on the PS4 and XBOX One. In Biohazard 4, you can expect not just the main game but also Separate Ways (The Another Order), starring Ada Wong in five thrilling missions, special costumes for both Leon and Ashley, as well as cool weapons such the P.R.L. 412 and the Gunpowder Bowgun. In Biohazard 5, there's The Mercenaries United, which combines both of the regular Mercenaries and Mercenaries Reunion characters, a more thrilling Mercenaries No Mercy, and two extra episodes such as Lost In Nightmares and  Desperate Escape. In Biohazard 6, all of the DLC features are added such as additional maps, Mercenaries No Mercy, Siege, Onslaught, Survivors, and Predator. Costumes that can be acquired previously from the ResidentEvil.Net website are featured as well.

Biohazard Value Pack

Coming September 29, you can avail for the Biohazard Value Pack on the PS4 for 8,100 Yen. Not only the Origins Collection was offered but also a download code for the other three games plus a bonus Biohazrd HD Remaster OST CD as well.

Want to be a real mercenary and take on the world? Join the action on Biohazard Umbrella Corps. Now available to download on the PS4 and PC via Steam, Umbrella Corps is a multiplayer competitive shooting game that pits players to the world of the Biohazard/Resident Evil series through different challenges that will test their skills as mercenaries. Take on different online game modes such as Respawn Match, Target Hunter, Domination, DNA Hunter, Protector, Collector, and Color War or practice in a solo-player game The Experiment.

One last thing, brace yourselves for Biohazard 7 resident evil (Resident Evil VII biohazard), coming on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC this January 2017.

MG GS

MG, a British car company currently under Chinese hands, started their rebirth with the MG6 and MG3 hatches and now, for the first time, they launched their own take on compact crossovers such as the Nissan Juke and the Peugeot 2008. It's called the GS and because this is the first-ever crossover SUV from the Chinese-owned British car company, it's starting to feel like last decade's...um...well, let's find out.

2017 MG GS

2017 MG GS

Design-wise, the MG GS looks very modern for a crossover of that size and when others look at that car on the road, they will know that whoever has that kind of crossover has some class and believe it or not, because this is a British car full-stop, its sossy character can be very contagious even on the parking lots of shopping malls.

2017 MG GS interior

Same thing goes for the interior, although it's typical MG interior as you expect from the MG6. Well, for a modern-looking interior for a crossover imported from China, it still packs some modern equipment a customer wishes to have such as USB, radio, MP3 connectivity, iGO navigation system, rear camera, and Bluetooth connectivity. That's a very high-tech interior made for the yuppies who spend their time doing all of the grown-up stuff on the urban landscape.

2017 MG GS

The new GS was utilized on the scalable platform pinned by the SAIC parent company and unlike what the Chinese offered on the mainland, the British-spec MG GS is front-wheel drive and it's powered by a 1.5 Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection engine that produces 166PS of power and 250Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT, which sounds very modern for a Chinese-made British crossover but not even close by European modern standards. With the engine and DCT mated, it delivers a 0-60mph time of a mild 9.6 seconds and top speed of 112mph, which isn't sound so quick for a crossover made for running errands on a day job.

As a crossover made to be on level with European crossovers, the MG GS features front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension to make sure it handles like every European crossovers should but the more you drive it, the more you're starting to realize that the MG GS feels like the old Rover Streetwise in so many levels. Sure, it may have a wallet-friendly intro price of 14,995 Euros and its street-tough styling inherited from the old Streetwise but when you consider its driving feel, it doesn't really make the grade to be as fun as any other crossovers be, in fact, the only thing what this modern-day equivalent of the old Rover Streetwise is it needs some character to deliver the fun this crossover deserves but despite its behavior a tad old-fashioned, the new GS by MG still delivers the cheap motoring giggle you expect from the Streetwise and while it will leave you with a slight smile on your face all the way home, there's one way how to describe this British compact crossover; vanilla...with nuts.

Available colors: Arctic White, Jet Black, Sahara Gold Metallic, Aspen Silver Metallic, Orange Metallic, Mocha Brown Metallic.

Photo: MG

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

- President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his willingness to set aside the arbitral ruling in settling the country's dispute with China for the time being, saying that he does not want to go to war with China. The President will stay mum on the South China Sea dispute as it might lead to the suspension of talks with China.

- About twenty-two Abu Sayyaf members were slain in an ongoing military operations in Patikul, Sulu, that started last weekend. Brigadier General Arnel dela Vega, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, yesterday reported no casualty among the troops in the encounter with the terrorists. The combined Army troops and Scout Rangers launched an offensive against the ASG last Saturday.

- It would be up to the Senate to deal with the embattled Senator Leila de Lima, who was been linked to illegal drug trade operated from the New Bilibid Prison, according to a Malacanang official. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said it is too early to speculate on what's next for De Lima and others involved in the drug matrix.

- A strong typhoon is expected to hit Japan by Tuesday. Typhoon Lionrock (known by Filipinos as Dindo) is packing winds of over 160kph near its center. It is moving northeast at speeds of 25kph near the Izu Islands. The Meteorological Agency warns that it will advance toward regions between Kanto, and northern Japan on Tuesday. It also warns of possible flooding, landslides, tornadoes, and other disturbances.

- As the death toll fro the Central Italy Quake reaches to 291, the search for missing people continues in quake-hit areas. In Amatrice, which was worst-hit by Wednesday's quake, emergency workers continued to remove debris on Sunday in the search for the missing people.

- Uzbek leader Islam Karimov was reportedly hospitalized. The news raises concern over possible impacts in the event his hospitalization is extended. Russian media say the Uzbek government announced on Sunday that the 78-year-old leader's hospitalization and the need for him to receive treatment for a certain period of time.

- In case you missed a special Girls und Panzer event, they've been announced that the sequel for the hit anime series is on and...yep, you guessed it, it will be the "Final Chapter".

- Celebrity males Enrique Gil, Diego Loyzaga, and Jake Cuenca, as well as other Star Magic artists volunteer to undergo drug testing. Based on reports from ABS-CBN's talent division, Star Magic has just conducted a voluntary and supervised drug test for 40 artists to despise rumors of drug use.

- Joshua Oliveros from Antique was named the grand winner of the third season of The Voice Kids, defeating the likes of finalists Anthonette Tismo from Tondo and Justin John Alva from Quezon with 38.07% of the votes garnered, therefore winning the recording contract, house and lot, fashion package, and more.

TTFN!!!

Super GT 2016: Suzuka

Days before the Suzuka leg of the Super GT 2016 season began, the Italian-born SUPER GT racers, Ronnie Quintarelli and Andrea Caldarelli have expressed solidarity for the victims of the deadly central Italy quake that killed 291 people. Quintarelli said "Be strong at heart and fight for Italian people" while Caldarelli said " I must show a good battle to give energy and encouragement."



Anyway, onto the real deal. In this 173-lap race held at Suzuka under cloudy conditions, victory for the GT500 class goes to the #38 ZENT CERUMO RC F driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Hiroaki Ishiura while 2nd place goes to the au TOM'S RC F driven by Daisuke Ito and Nick Cassidy and 3rd place goes to the S Road CRAFTSPORTS GT-R driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Mitsunori Takaboshi. In the GT300 class, meanwhile, winner goes to the #61 SUBARU BRZ R&D SPORT driven by Takuto Iguchi and Hideki Yamauchi, while 2nd place goes to the #31 TOYOTA PRIUS apr GT driven by Koki Saga and Yuichi Nakayama, and 3rd place goes to the #0 GAINER TANAX GT-R driven by Andre Couto and Ryuichiro Tomita.

Highlights:



The next race for this season will be held in Thailand on the 9th of October, 2016.

Forza Motorsport 6: The Smallest Supercar

This is Abarth's equivalent of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, getting rid of stuff not needed for track duty and made it one of the most potent track weapons that will upset the big guys. Say hello to the 695 Biposto, part of the T10 Summer Car Pack.

Before we talk about this ultimate Abarth ever made, let's have a quick perspective about this tiny monster. "Born on the track, to live the road." The 695 Biposto from Fiat's Abarth performance brand draws inspiration from the track-focused 500 Abarth Assetto Corse, therefore giving its knack of being "the smallest supercar" from the Abarth 500 lineage.

As the most potent 500 Abarth ever made, the 695 Biposto weighs around 997kg (courtesy of its lightweight materials as well as extensive use of carbon fiber equipment), powered by a turbocharged 1.4L petrol engine producing 186HP of power, can get through 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds, and has a weight-to-power ratio of 5.2kg/hp. For the first time in a road-legal car, the 695 Biposto arms with a dog-ring gearbox with light flywheel and copper racing clutch.

The 695 Biposto also offers with a Track Kit, made for racing purposes only, complete with a digital data logger, Sabelt racing seat belts, Sabelt carbon shell racing seats, and a personalized racing helmet.

As a hot hatch equivalent of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the 695 Biposto is a non-nonsense track weapon that shows that even when focused on its handling capabilities, this hot hatchback loves to toy around even the biggest of sportscars when it gets round the corner. For such size, you may never know what tricks this car can play on its unsuspecting victims and this sneaky stinger likes to shake things up like a stealth kill on its unsuspecting predators from behind. Driving in the real world, the 695 wasn't made for this job due to lack of aircon and radio but for track use, especially when it comes with the Track Kit, the 695 is an enjoyable car that you drive as much as you want until you're not in a mood for a lightweight hot hatchback that values its handling more than anything else, especially its power. Not bad for a car that was proclaimed as the "smallest supercar" in the world.

Okay, if Abarth calls the 695 the smallest supercar in the world, let's put their theory to the test because I'm driving this car round the Brands Hatch GP Circuit and see if the 695 lives up to Abarth's promise by comparing it against the hot hatch powerhouses from Germany. I've picked the VW Golf R and the Mercedes A45 AMG as the basis for this challenge and see if the 695's handling capabilities trump against both of the power-hungry hatches.

Without further ado, let the experiment begin!

And now the results:

1:54.413 - Golf R
1:52.344 - A45
1:58.039 - 695

Well, so much for the smallest supercar. Although being a track-capable vermin, it still wasn't good enough to outsmart the most powerful ones but if I disregard the lap times and if I consider handling as a strong focal point, I have high doubts that the 695 Biposto is a clear winner. Those four-wheel drive Germans were great to drive but with all that struggle I felt when I get them round the corner, there is no way that the 695 Biposto is a good old-fashioned masterpiece and I acknowledge the Italians for bringing such a fine specimen like this.

As I had much fun driving the 695 Biposto, I wanna find out what's next in store for this car as well as the Abarth lineage.

Detective Conan's Real Live QR Code reveals special message

Because it's part of honoring the Detective Conan franchise's 20th anniversary, the titular kid detective that became a household name in Japan, Conan Edogawa, made his special appearance at the annual 24 HOUR TELEVISION charity event aired on NTV. For his special appearance at the annual charity event, Conan rallied up about 625 individual to make a real-live 25x25 QR Code at an open space, which has a secret message for everyone who scanned that QR code.

This is the result:

Anyone who scanned that QR code that was riled up by 625 individuals, including the Conan Edogawa mascot himself, received a very special message. It reads like this;

真実はいつもひとつ犯人は腰ぬけだ

Whatever it is, it reads like "Whoever hides from the truth is a coward". At least this special message should serve as a big lesson to us all because like Conan Edogawa aforementioned, no one, even bad guys, can't hide their truth from themselves because if we are brave enough to expose the truth, everything will come clear for us all. Yes, I'm talking to anyone who are going to run a powerful country causing so much word wars, we can't even tall who are we fighting for.

Since its 1978 start, Nippon Television's 24 HOUR TELEVISION event features the biggest and the brightest Japanese celebrities come together for some special performances as well as taking challenges, all in the name of fundraising for the benefit of those affected from disasters as well as the sick and disabled, and the less fortunate. There were even charity auctions set up by the biggest names and personalities as well.

Since the manga was published by Shogakukan in 1996 and created by Gosho Aoyama, who also created Yaiba, Detective Conan has spawned a TV show with over eight hundred TV episodes and counting, a slew of feature films, live-action specials, video games, and tons of merchandising rights. Kids from Japan and all over the world became part of the never-ending crime-solving adventures of Shinichi Kudo or Conan Edogawa as he takes on the most ruthless criminals, solving puzzles, gaining evidence, and apprehend the culprit. With his array of gadgets and a little help from his friend Ran Mori and the Detective Boys (comprising of Genta, Mitsuhiko, Ayumi, and Ai), everything's possible in Conan's perspective. The latest film, Detective Conan: Junkoku no Nightmare, was launched in Japan last April 2016.