Forza Motorsport 6: March of the V-Dubs (Part Two)

Previously, I held a little farewell party for the best of VWs offered on Forza Motorsport 6 following the sudden announcement from the producers that they will be missed out all the Aussie fun in the upcoming Forza Horizon 3 game due to reasons I don't really understand. The 20th century hits from the Volkswagen timeline, including the Beetle and the Sambabus, had the time of their life, only then the arrival of the hottest V-dubs of the 21st century came into view.

Now, with the hottest 21st Century V-Dubs came here to celebrate their epic farewell party round Bathurst, let's see what's what on the list.



The Golf IV R32, a hot hatch famed for having a V6 engine upfront, which sounds unorthodox for a VW hot hatch, but resulted to being the the top dog of the pack.





The Golf VI R, a hot hatch that balances high performance and fuel efficiency thanks to its smaller but powerful 2.0L TSi petrol engine.





The Scirocco R, the hot version of the revived Scirocco three-door sport coupe and was heavily inspired by the one that made a class victory at the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hour Race.





The Golf VII R, whereas most hot hatches in VW history come and go, this latest version is how you make this Golf the most powerful in the range and make it live up to the fullest.



Watching those VWs roaming around Mount Panorama is like a flock of birds flying together on sunset and it feels so beautiful to watch when I see those driving through a slice of Australia together. Feels like their time has come for the V-dubs to bow themselves...unless, before the V-dubs say goodbye to the Forza franchise, looks like the V-dubs wanted to see which V-dub is the best. I managed to lap round Bathurst in any of the VW offered in FM6 and here are the results;

VW Type 2 - 4:12.154
Beetle - 3:58.047
Scirocco S - 3:26.661
Rabbit GTi - 3:21.710
Scirocco 16v - 3:14.776
Golf II GTi - 3:09.770
Corrado - 2:56.635
Golf III GTi - 3:03.056
Golf IV R32 - 2:54.343
Golf VI R - 2:48.192
Scirocco R - 2:46.390
Golf VII R - 2:44.110

The Golf VII R, being the pinnacle of the Golf hot hatch realm, seems to be the best VW to drive in FM6 because of its improved performance and character and when it comes to choosing which VW I would drive for one last go before VW's big farewell to the Forza franchise, this could be it. The one and only. The fast Golf. Yep. That's the one I'll be having a final go on it.



Phew. Guess it's time to say goodbye to the VW family in the Forza franchise. When they first came in the first Forza Motorsport game a decade ago, fans can't get enough of their greatest hits such as the Golf and the Beetle but now, they're all gone for no reason. It's been a wild ride for all of us.

Goodbye, VW.

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS STARLIGHT MASTER 05 Junjou Midnight Densetsu

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS
STARLIGHT MASTER 05 Junjou Midnight Densetsu

Just like the previous four installments, the fifth addition of THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Starlight Master range, inspired by THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage app game, has arrived and guess what? Strong aftertaste after hearing three brand new songs as heard from the app game, including the hardcore song that is literally the most extreme to master on MASTER difficulty setting, 純情Midnight伝説.

Apart from listening to one of the most intimidating songs to play in Starlight Stage, there are also two additional songs that can be mild and tangy but extra hot when you keep listening to it. There's おかしな国のおかし屋さん by Kanako Mimura and Bloody Festa by Koume Shirasaka. Well, hope you guys like the latest addition to the Starlight Master range, inspired by THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage app game, but which of the Starlight Stage songs be giving the full treatment next? Be ready for more.

TRACK LISTINGS:
01) 純情Midnight伝説 (M@STER VERSION)
02) おかしな国のおかし屋さん
03) Bloody Festa
04) 純情Midnight伝説 (M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ
05) おかしな国のおかし屋さん オリジナル・カラオケ
06) Bloody Festa オリジナル・カラオケ
07) 純情Midnight伝説 (GAME VERSION)

Let's Do The News! (August 31, 2016)

- If things worked out as planned, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to meet up at least five heads of state, including his US and Russian counterparts Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos next week. Duterte is also expected to meet Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull, Indian PM Narendra Modi, and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.

- Senior Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio argued that the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was dishonorably discharged by the 1986 People Power movement. In questioning lawyer Neri Colmenares, among those opposed of Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Carpio said Marcos as the head of state was also the highest military official and may have forfeited his entitlement to be buried at the Heroes' Cemetery, considered a national shrine.

- Republican presidentiable Donald Trump is expected to meet with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto this Wednesday. Reports told that Peña Nieto had extended invitations to both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, to travel to Mexico City for a meeting. Trump said during his Everett, Washington rally that he is glad to meet up with Peña Nieto. Coinciding the moment he delivers his big speech on immigration.

- The US Defense Department has yet to verify the reported death of an ISIS spokesman. The group said through its online news agency on Tuesday that Abu Muhammad al-Adnani had been killed while surveying a military operation in Aleppo, Syria. It did not say how he died,

- About 11 people died while three missing in the record rainfall brought by Typhoon Lionrock (Dindo) that flooded most parts of northern Japan.

- Brazilian senators are deliberating whether to dismiss President Dilma Rousseff on the final day of her impeachment trial. As of 1900 hours local time, 11 were for dismissal, 8 against, and 2 did not make their positions clear. More than 40 other senators are to express their opinions.

- Sony announced that the launch for the upcoming PS4-exclusive Gran Turismo Sport game was delayed to 2017.

- See Hatsune Miku like no other in her Lux Shampoo commercial appearance. Scarlett Johansson also included.

- The Warthog from the Halo franchise makes an appearance at Forza Horizon 3 and yes, it's playable...if you already played Halo 5: Guardians or Halo: The Master Chief Collection.



- Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan lands her role in an upcoming revival of the Jumanji movie, which stars action star Dwayne Johnson, comedian Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and singer Nick Jonas. The film is set to debut this Summer 2017.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 6: March of the V-Dubs (Part 1)

Now, when we heard the news that the upcoming Forza Horizon 3 will no longer feature Volkswagen in the lineup at launch, we were saddened by the shocking announcement that the iconic German car company will be missed out on its Australian journey on the next Forza Horizon game. Don't know why they exclude it but probably due to the ongoing scandals that VW faced so far, in fact, it's becoming not quite healthy for the scandal-stricken VW to be featured on video games, well almost.



It's a shame really because while we had fun driving the Golf VII R on FM6, it's sad to say that it won't be appearing in FH3 as well as the other VWs but because it's on an Australian landscape, maybe you can make V-dubs have a little taste of Australia...sort of. Well, since I'm on Bathurst, which is in Australia, I'd decided to give those V-dubs a little Australian vacation before their little farewell party.

In this first part, the 20th century masters of V-dub are having a little free time round Mount Panorama, Bathurst.



The classic Volkswagen Type 2 Sambabus, the minibus that became popular with the hippie crowd.





The original VW Beetle. As many cars go, this "people's car" remains one of the world famous cars in the history of motoring. It even got starring roles such as the original Bumblebee from the Transformers cartoons and Herbie from the wonderful world of Disney.





The first-generation VW Scirocco, which remains one of the most important VW hatchbacks to date and one of the finest specimens designed by the renowned Giugiaro.




The VW Rabbit GTi. Although this is an Americanized VW Golf Mk.I GTi, it's still one of the forefathers of the hot hatch realm.




The second-generation VW Scirocco. An evolution to the first one and the last Scirocco sold in the North American market.




The VW Gold GTi Mk.II, a second iteration of VW's hot hatch icon which takes its hot hatch level a little further.




The VW Corrado VR6, one of the rarest specimens on the road and already a classic in its own right when it stopped production two decades ago.




The VW Golf GTi Mk.III, a third chapter of VW's Golf GTi saga and it comes with the more potent VR6 engine sourced from the fallen Corrado.


Seeing those 20th century hits from VW, it's like living to its last toes while trying to fulfill what's on their bucket list today. From classic icons like the Beetle and the Sambabus, to hatchback favorites like the Scirocco and the Golf, those 20th century masters are living it up to the fullest like there's no tomorrow and because VW won't be coming back on FH3, presumably, feels like they're having a farewell party. Of course, they're all having a farewell party for VW's 20th century hits but what about the best of the 21st century from VW?

To be continued...

F1 2016: Belgian GP

Photo: Getty Images

Before telling who wins the Belgian GP of the F1 2016 season, something worst has occurred during the race.

The most horrifying crash in all of Formula One history occurred when Kevin Magnussen from Renault lost control at the top of Raidillon hill at Spa-Francorchamps, the venue of the Belgian GP of the F1 2016 season, The car violently fishtailed off the track and span 360 degrees. Luckily, Magnussen survived the crash and he was taken for medical attention.

Anyway, onto the race and with things looking desperate for the F1 stars racing for the podium finish in Belgium, the long-heated rivalry between the two Mercedes F1 drivers still going on as Nico Rosberg's the winner while Lewis Hamilton placed 2nd. Behind the rivalry, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo finished 3rd place and so on.

Following Rosberg's win, he's now 223 points, behind Hamilton with 232 points, and Ricciardo moves to third with 118 points.

The next race is on Monza, Italy, this 4th of September.

Let's Do The News! (August 30, 2016)

- US President Barack Obama is expected to raise concerns over the recent statements of President Rodrigo Duterte in their upcoming meeting in Laos. The two leaders are set to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN leaders' summit at Vientiane, Laos, on the 6th of September.

- Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called on Filipinos to condemn all forms of killings in the country. The archbishop noted that all forms of murder must be condemned. Tagle expressed alarm over the sharp rise of extrajudicial killings but also urged the public for consistency in protecting life.

- The Department of Health is on alert regarding flights from Singapore where local transmission of 41 confirmed cases of Zika virus have been confirmed by authorities over the weekend. In a text message, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial explained that the DOH's policy is to test only "symptomatic travelers from endemic countries". Zika is a mosquito-borne disease which symptoms include mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, malaise or headache, muscle and joint pain, which could last for two to seven days. It also being linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome and microcephaly, a condition of abnormal smallness of the head among babies of infected mothers.

- Huma Abedin, a top aide for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, announced her divorce from her husband, disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner, following a report in the New York Post suggesting he had fallen back into his sexting habit.

- Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff has urged the country's senators not to impeach her, saying she did not commit a crime. Rousseff spoke at a Senate trial on Monday. She appealed to the delegates to make a choice for Brazil's democracy.

- Anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd says it will still campaign against Japan's research whaling, using a new, high-speed patrol boat. Sea Shepherd Australia announced that it would send the vessel in the Antarctic Ocean in December for a direct-action campaign against Japanese whalers.

- Cadillac chief executive Johan de Nysschen confirms that an XTS minor change will come as well as new plans for a flagship model, part of their future product plans.

- Citroen will present their CX-Perience Concept at this year's Paris Motor Show, featuring a new Advanced Comfort tech.

Citroen CX-PERIENCE Concept

- Two idols from THE IDOLM@STER Platinum Stars are getting their Nendoroid Co-de treatment. That's right because GOOD SMILE COMPANY are now accepting reservations for Nendoroid Co-de Haruka Amami and Miki Hoshii, both in their Twinkle Star costumes as seen in the game. They're now available to order starting at 2,963 Yen plus tax each and deliveries will start this January.

Nendoroid Co-de Haruka Amami
Twinkle Star

Nendoroid Co-de Miki Hoshii
Twinkle Star

- A chibified version of the iconic F-22A Mobius 1 plane from Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies will be available at most hobby shops in November 2016. Made by Hasegawa Hobby Kits, this 19-part model kit, based on the hero plane, is a great start for beginner-level modelers and its super deformed sizing makes it a great display.

TTFN!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Philippines condemns North Korea's missle launch

Sourced from The Philippine Star:

The Philippines condemned North Korea's latest missile launch and the resumption of the processing of its nuclear materials and nuclear testing.

The latest submarine launch of a ballistic missile was last Aug. 24, a day after the United States and South Korea began their annual military exercises.

North Korea had carried out six ballistic missile firings between April and June despite the demand of the United Nations to halt all missile launches and nuclear tests.

The Philippines said North Korea's actions seriously undermine regional peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

"We reiterate our call on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and commit to the process of constructive dialogue," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released Tuesday.

Meanwhile, North Korea has denounced a UN Security Council statement condemning its four latest ballistic missile launches, calling it a "hostile act."

Last Friday, a press statement approved by 15 Security Council members called the missile launched in July and August "grave violations" and called for a ban on all ballistic missile activity.

A statement from the North Korean Foreign Ministry warned the UN correspondents that they have "substantial means capable of reducing aggression troops in the US mainland and the operational theater in the Pacific to ashes in a moment."

Pyongyang further claimed that the US instigated the statement and called it "a reckless provocation harassing peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."

"This is an illegal action taken by the world body to side with the US in the acute standoff between the DPRK and the US without an iota of impartiality," the ministry said, using the initials of the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons development programs have brought heavy international sanctions down on its head, but Pyongyang said they are justified because of the threat posed by the US and South Korea.