Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

In the ongoing tradition of luxury carmakers making four-door crossover coupes since the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a four-door coupe derivative of the practical midsize luxury crossover, the GLC-Class, and what this is isn't your auntie's Mercedes anymore. In fact, the new GLC Coupe trades away its utilitarian traits for curves.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

Yes, when I say curves, one look and you will notice that it might think this is just a C-Class saloon but with bigger wheels on the mix but the GLC-Class Coupe, being a four-door version of the crossover version of the C-Class, isn't just more of a hunk of a saloon, in fact, its eccentric looks can set you to a state of confusion, knowing why companies like BMW and Mercedes-Benz are making weird-looking four-door crossovers like this one. If you look at the other guys, say the BMW X4 and X6, as well as its big brother, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, you'll know that it wasn't made for the adventurous or those who had a little class, in fact, cars like these should have a little class or else they'll end up being compared to a tall Hong Kong skyscraper for no reason.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe interior

Same issue goes to the inside of the car because even though it's very nice to accommodate, the rear space is what get you noticed due to its sloping roof line but all in all, it's just the same raw deal when you're sitting in the car as long as there's no one getting in your sweet spot at the back. Although the rear space is less than the normal GLC-Class due to its sloping roof line, there's still lots of rooms for your everyday needs and with the rear seats present, there's more room for two macho boxes inside.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

Let's see what's like behind the wheel. Despite being sleek and sporty in terms of design, the way it behaves is pretty much average for a luxury crossover and when you opt in for the DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL with steel springing, you can really feel the mildness within reach, which makes the most for being a normal handling car with normal driving characteristics. With 4MATIC as the only standard feature, any condition can be a play day as long as you don't make a mess while driving with it because doing it too hard, you'll face some cataclysmic understeering if you're not very careful so patience is a virtue when you're taking this all-weather friend on the go. Under the hood, the GLC Coupe comes with a range of 2.0L turbo petrol and a 2.1L turbodiesel with the higher output produces 204PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All models are mated with nine gears and later on, there's a plug-in hybrid variant called the GLC 350 e 4MATIC with a combined power output of 319PS of power, 550Nm of torque, and 235kph of top speed.

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe

Of course, if you're a speedo boy who wants to get to work quicker than the other guys at the office, there's a semi-high performance variant from Mercedes-AMG called the GLC43 Coupe, which comes with 9G-TRONIC gearbox, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and a 3.0L V6 twin turbo engine producing 367PS of power and 520Nm of torque that can get you from 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds. Simple as that and as for the dynamics, the GLC43 won't make you feel numb while on the road, no matter the weather forecast you heard from the news.

So, would you buy one, perhaps? The new GLC Coupe starts at 49,445 Euros, which is over four grand more than its chief rival, the BMW X4, but who cares about it? Who would ever want to have a four-door crossover coupe in the first place that trades practicality for sloping roofs? Only time will tell to decide the outcome but if you're not happy about the GLC Coupe, get a normal GLC-Class instead because it's way more like your auntie's Mercedes, only better.

Photo: Daimler AG

Forza Horizon 3: Shin Godzilla

Here it is. Thought they'll never feature it but they really did. Yes, this is the 2017 Nissan GT-R, the latest update on Nissan's halo sportscar that has championed the hearts of every speedo boy in the world when it was launched almost a decade ago and now it's here on Forza Horizon 3 for everyone to take their first dibs on the recently updated R35 GT-R.



Okay, before I call dibs on "Shin Godzilla", let's take a quick briefing about the new model because it's been almost a decade when Nissan unveiled the R35 GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and drawn a lot of attention from the world on a car that was a concept turned reality and setting the standards on supercar territory.

Apart from its updated design, as shown by its new V-motion grille, Daytime Running Lamps, and a new interior, the 2017 GT-R's performance has been updated from a significantly reinforced chassis and more power from its 3.8L VR38DETT twin turbo V6 engine, Because of its increase in boost pressure and an ignition-timing system that's controlled at each individual cylinder-technology, power output is now up from 542HP to 565HP. The 6-speed double clutch gearbox has been recalibrated for better refinement and performance in different driving situations.



Judging from its improvements, I can really feel how much Godzilla has matured after a decade of introduction and despite its age, the Nissan GT-R really knows how to keep on standing despite all the wear and tear it faced through the years. Longevity is what best sums it up but while it retains one of the fastest cars in the world, it feels like it's losing its charm and strength in numbers having faced different cars that are way faster than this enthusiastic veteran. Cars like the Audi R8 V10 plus and the McLaren 570S, they are just one of the cars fresh enough to dethrone our favorite Nissan famous for thrashing down other cars two or three times the price.

It maybe a supercar slayer no more but I know how to regain its charm after all of what happened so far because I got a little serial shooting coming up in all corners of Horizon Australia, except for the Outback because it's starting to feel like it's reserved for offroaders only. It's a four-race championship I've came up with to showcase how good the new model is despite its decade-long age but before I say "it's showtime", time for Mr. Godzilla to go to the changing room. Get it?






Oh dear. It's Godzilla no more and it's becoming more of a "Step Zero To One" right now because the folks messed it up with a hint of Chika minute on it. In English, they themed it after Chika Takami, a character who appears on Love Live Sunshine. Man, you can never have too much idol girls in your design catalog, right? Guess I've been fallen to their trap like most grown men and women did when they see one image of an idol girl on it. But anyway, after some major improvements before the big show, it's time for me to get the clapper ready because...IT'S SHOWTIME!



After spending a whole day driving the new GT-R on FH3, I think this old-timer finally got its mojo back and it feels like it's ready to get back on the road again and give some European supercars some more good kicking in their rear bumpers. Ah, talking about the good days, huh? But my work here is never done because there are still more roads to explore, more cars to drive on, and more fun I can pull off until it's completely "off the record."

1, 2, Sing for You!/So Beautiful Story/STARJET!

1, 2, Sing for You!/So Beautiful Story/STARJET!

The latest single of the hit TV series, Aikatsu Stars, has arrived and in this single, there are three new songs you can listen to not just for the little kids in your family but for the hardcore Aikatsu fans everywhere.

Well, there are two songs heard from the TV show while the third one is a brand-new, never before heard Aikatsu Stars track exclusive to this maxi single album. In here, there's the latest Aikatsu Stars opening theme song titled "1,2, Sing for You!", which sounds very nice, and the second one is the latest closing theme that will put some mellow to their earbuds after a long day, titled "So Beautiful Story". The new song added in the single "STARJET!" is, like I said, a never before heard song new to this so feel free to listen to all three tracks in the latest single.

Anyway, those who got lucky enough to get a limited edition will score a special card for use in the DATA CARDDASS Aikatsu Stars arcade game so if you got your hands on those, feel free to use these special coordinates while continuing to rack up the points in the game.

Keep watching Aikatsu Stars every Thursday nights on TV Tokyo!

TRACK LISTINGS:

01 1, 2, Sing for You!
02 So Beautiful Story
03 スタージェット!
04 1, 2, Sing for You! (off vocal)
05 So Beautiful Story (off vocal)
06 スタージェット! (off vocal)

Let's Do The News! (November 2, 2016)

- President Rodrigo Duterte will discuss possible joint military and police operations with Malaysia in the ongoing fight against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Addressing the "deteriorating peace and order" in those water will top the agenda when Duterte meets Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and other top officials in Malaysia next week.

- Although President Duterte confirmed the resignation of former president Fidel V. Ramos as special envoy for China following Duterte's successful Chinese visit, Palace officials still believe that FVR will continue to play a tole in the Duterte administration's engagement with Beijing.

- Clashes in ideology threaten to split Duterte's ruling party PDP-Laban, according to reports. Reports told that Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., a top political adviser of Duterte, launched the Kilusang Pagbabago movement that could be turned into another political party and vanguard of the Duterte administration to ensure delivery of government programs to the masses. The new movement would soon register as a political party that could undermine the PDP-Laban party and put them on the sidelines of the political landscape.

- PHLPost planned to turn the Philippine Postal Savings Bank into a bank for overseas Filipino workers. Last month, Philippine President Duterte, during his Japan visit, mulls a postal bank for OFWs. But to do that, PHLPost assistant postmaster general for marketing Luis Carlos said it might require him or the Department of Finance to infuse about two to three billion pesos in capital to PHLPost.

- Certain reports revealed that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump engaged in "legally dubious" schemes to avoid paying millions in federal income taxes, even as his own lawyers made clear they likely would not hold up to IRS scrutiny. Trump's campaign denies everything, of course.

- Iraqi troops have entered Mosul to recapture the country's second-largest city from Islamic state militants. The Iraqi forces announced that they've entered the city, gaining control of the eastern district of Kokjali, and continued to advance to the wet bank of the Tigris River.

- At the SEMA Show, Ford Performance unveiled a new data logging app that lets users to share their on-track performance with their smartphones. Taking advantage of the SYNC 3, the new app displays  relevant track information as well as utilizing their smartphones to record video of their track day.

- Unveiled at this week's SEMA Show, Mazda showcased their special Speedster and RF Kuro concepts inspired from the Roadster ND.



- Following Audi's departure from Le Mans, Volkswagen announced its leaving the World Rally Championship at the end of this season, following the dieselgate scandal and their push to move away from fossil fuels and to electrification.

- The new Acura NSX, the new Dodge Viper ACR, and the new BMW M4 GTS, just one of the seven new rides you can drive on the new Alpinestars Car Pack only on Forza Horizon 3. Car Pass owners can get it for free or can be bought for $7 plus tax. Also, there's a new update featuring a new barn find rumor and "winter is coming" to Forza Horizon 3 before the year ends.



TTFN!!!

Nissan Note E12 (2017MY Minor Change) and Note E-Power

The current-generation Nissan Note has been on the road for four years and for the 2017 model year, not only the Note E12 sees a minor change on the inside out but this is the first time this Nissan Note 2017 Minor Change introduces a revolutionary E-Power variant that will game-changing the compact car segment in terms of fuel efficiency.

2017 Nissan Note

2017 Nissan Note interior

Of course, the minor change sees a revised exterior design complete with the V-Motion grille that will serve as the new signature design for future Nissan models since the Serena and the GT-R as well as a revised interior featuring a new steering wheel design, also on the new Serena and the new GT-R, that will soon be applied on future Nissan models, but the e-Power variant will be the key topic for this 2017MY minor change Nissan Note.

What is e-Power? Time to get your notebooks, folks, because this innovative drive system is pretty much new to us. Ready? Okay. So, e-Power features a full electric-motor drivetrain in which the wheels are completely powered by the electric motor, and the Note's 1.2L HR12DE petrol engine simply charges the batteries. The way how electricity is made is what differs it from an electric vehicle or conventional hybrid and with e-Power, the 1.2L engine and the wheels are not connected similar to an electric car as the power is sourced from the petrol engine, allowing it to run without having to charge the battery from an external source.

2017 Nissan Note interior

Because the batteries are 1/20th the size of the ones from the Nissan LEAF, its compact sizing made it to fit under the front seats without cramping the interior space and the e-Power's total power output is 109PS and a massive torque output of 254Nm, similar to those from two-liter engines. Fuel efficiency? It's a whopping 37.2kmpl on JC08 Mode standards and with this kind of efficiency, it's a clear vision to the future of Nissan's electrification strategy under Nissan Intelligent Mobility.

2017 Nissan Note

So, with the quick and clear lecture about how e-Power works is done, let's move on to other stuff, shall we? In the 2017 minor change Nissan Note E12, there's a brand new Smart Room Mirror that when activated, the rear view cameras will provide a full rear view on the mirror. Useful for those who are being pursued by some stalkers or for some reverse parking. Also, the new Note comes with an array of safety tech that is part of the Nissan Safety Shield technology such as the Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning, and a collision prevention assist.

The e-Power variant will cost you about 1,772,280 Yen while non e-Power models start 1,393,200 Yen. Rest assured, the ones didn't had e-Power on it comes with two kinds of 1.2L petrol engines; a naturally aspirated one or a supercharged one with 26.2kmpl of fuel economy. For those who prefer the look of a pre-facelifted model because the V-motion grill look isn't too pleasant to look at, fear not because a special Mode Premier model, courtesy of Autech, is available starting from 1,906,200 to 2,207,520 Yen. Still has the same engine choices as well as the brand new e-Power variant but you'll get a Note with pre-facelift looks and a touch of class.

Available colors: Premium Corona Orange, Galaxy Gold, Olive Green, Garnet Red, Super Black, Dark Metal Gray, Brilliant Silver, Shining Blue, Sonic Blue, Nadeshiko Pink, Brilliant White Pearl, and White,

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

F1 2016: Mexican GP

Photo: Associated Press

The Mexican Grand Prix of the 2016 Formula One season is a cyclone of calamity from start to finish, as demonstrated by those disastrous crashes that turned race day into a complete nightmare, although there are some drivers managed to brave through the horrific nightmare just to survive themselves all the way to the end of the race.

At the end of this piled rubble of mess, only a handful of drivers made it to the finish line and thanks to the recent win for Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, the gap between him and Nico Rosberg has been narrowed to just 19 points in the fight for the driver's championship, although a 1-2 finish would mean that they can keep on fighting until the winner is decided.

For third-placer Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, his day's never going to end as a recent radio conversation that made Max Verstappen's move upset him. Right now, Verstappen's been penalized for a move he made on Vettel.

The next race will be on Brazil on the 13th of November.

Let's Do The News! (November 1, 2016)

- The Malacanang Palace has appealed for a clean, orderly, and crime-free observance of All Souls Day. In a press statement released on Tuesday by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar urged the public to observe the solemnity of the occasion. Almost 10,000 police personnel were deployed to secure various areas of interest in the observance of All Souls' Day.

- Senator Ping Lacson said that the Philippines did not lose anything after the US State Department reportedly stopped the planned sale of about 26,000 rifles to the Philippine National Police because they can look elsewhere. The decision was made after US Senator Ben Cardin oppose the planned sale because of alleged human rights violations. Lacson believes that there are other countries that manufacture better and affordable rifles than the US and added the Department of National Defense has even more reason to revive the country's self-reliance program to produce its own weapons and ammunition.

- With the Philippines' affair with China is done with greater results at a cost, former president Fidel V. Ramos announced yesterday his resignation as special envoy in China. Ramos' announcement came amid his scathing criticisms of President Duterte's pronouncements and priorities.

- A bipartisan group of almost 50 State Attorneys General issued a following letter expressing concern over FBI Director James Comey following last week's letter to the congress regarding e-mails in connection to Hillary Clinton, calling it "unacceptable" and a "serious mistake".

- A new report showing that the Trump Organization has a secret server registered to Trump Tower that has been secretly communicating with a Russian-based bank, proving possible links between Donald Trump and Russia.

- Retired army general Michel Aoun was elected by the parliament as the new president of Lebanon, ending a political standoff that lasted for over 2 years. The appointment of Aoun, a Maronite Christian, came as different factions reached an agreement to elect him on Monday.

- Mercedes-Benz unveiled four brand new engines with the half being straight-six engines. The new engines consist of a 3.0L straight-six petrol as well as its diesel equivalent, a 4.0L twin-turbo V8, and a 2.0L twin turbo engine. The new V8 and the straight-six petrol engine will make it on the upcoming Mercedes S-Class minor change while they're still deciding which cars will have their new engines.

- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' offerings on this week's SEMA Show include a modernized 1971 Dodge Challenger, a CJ66 concept made with mashed-up Jeeps of the past and present, a Ram ProMaster bar, a Mopar Pacifica, a Dodge Durango Shaker concept with a V8 engine, and a Ram Macho Power Wagon.

- Chika Takami from Love Live Sunshine gets her own figma! This figma based on the character who appears on the hit TV series can now be yours to order for 5,370 Yen plus tax and deliveries will commence this April!

TTFN!!!