DS Automobiles DS3 vs. Citroen C3 III

2017 DS 3

The hatchback that wa once called the Citroen DS3 is now called simply "DS 3" because DS Automobiles is now a brand in its own right and served as the luxury marque of Citroen, much like Genesis does for Hyundai, separating the men from the boys.

While it looks vaguely similar to the old Citroen DS3, the new DS3 features a new front face and a new rear design that tells you that this car is no longer a Citroen. It's now a DS because DS is now a brand and everyone should stick it to their heads in case if anyone calls it a Citroen and that is very wrong, especially if you're ready, willing, and able to spend 15,950 Euros (or an additional 4,050 Euros for the Cabrio model with a canvas top roof on it).

2017 DS 3 interior

Although the inside very remind you of the old DS3, back when it was called a Citroen, but for the new DS 3, you have so much you can toy around at your free time. One such example is the Mirror Screen compatibility for your iPhone and Android Phone and thanks to its upgraded software on its touchscreen, you have all the time in the world to check on how is your DS 3 doing right now. Because it came from the diminishing line of three-door hatchbacks, getting through the rear seats can be very problematic and stressful if you have mates joining with you for a night out on a town, if you know what I mean.

2017 DS 3

2017 DS 3 Cabrio

Depending on the bodystyle, the DS 3 offers a wide range of petrol and diesel engine choices but if you are sticking with the normal DS3, the most powerful they'll ever offer is a 1.6L turbocharged engine with 208ps of power output and mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, resulting to 6.5 seconds of 0-100kph time and 230kph of top speed, almost similar to the old Citroen DS3 Racing would do, making it a luxury car with the soul of a hot hatch, especially when it comes with an array of safety tech.

The DS 3 has been with us for over half a decade and with this latest version, the new DS 3 by DS Automobiles still has the French chic and casual attitude as expected for a city car but between you and me, this new version feels a bit matured. It's no longer the DS 3 we are familiar with and it's no longer the DS 3 that propelled its rally car status to soaring heights. In fact, if I want a fun French car that is matured on its looks but not on its fun factor, there's a very good alternative to this now-matured DS 3.

2017 Citroen C3

This is the brand new Citroen C3. Starting at 12,950 Euros, this new model is the turning point for Citroen's lineup of affordable cars for all and by the looks of it, the Cactus-styled exterior means that the new C3 is ready for one trip to the mall after another. Best of all, it has five doors, meaning friends can't have a hassle to squeeze themselves through the rear seats and that is very good.

2017 Citroen C3 interior

Apart from its very generous spacing for such a Fiesta-sized car, there's one party piece that the new C3 had and this new car comes with a special dashcam that takes snapshots and then the driver can upload it on social media sites. Much better than showing an embarrassing viral dashcam video of a doofus driver on the road, or perhaps this new ConnectedCAM feature can do some weird dashcam videos like the ones you saw on the net. That is very savvy and very addictive. I like that.

2017 Citroen C3

Apart from the addictive features you can toy around, the new C3 comes with an array of new petrol and diesel engines to choose from. The most powerful is the one with the 1.2L PureTech petrol engine with 110PS of power and can be mated with either a six-speed automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox. Not that powerful by modern standards but it's nippy and cutting less cheeses than a fifth-grader feeling gassy in a classroom. Apart from that, the suspension has been improved to keep it comfortable and enjoyable to drive on the city streets. It maybe regular to drive but the urge to keep it driving for longer is what made the new model great, in my opinion.

2017 Citroen C3

In the end, looks like the new C3 is much more youthful and more enjoyable to own than the facelifted DS 3, and given to the fact that this should be the future rally car for Citroen Racing, looks like the racing pedigree has been revived and with this new model, expect such a strong following for this one because of the tech-savvy features that will keep them addicted for more. So, which would you prefer. If you're more of a socialite, go for the more matured DS 3 but if you're trendy, savvy, and young, best to go for the new C3.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Renault Scenic IV

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the Renault Scenic MPV and for its fourth-generation, the all-new Renault Scenic, in five-seater and seven-seater Grand Scenic variants, promises to be a family friendly multipurpose vehicle fit for all sorts of national lampoons across Europe, be it a road trip to Spain, the Cheddar Gorge, Swiss Alps, any destination would the family want to go as long as this MPV's ready to accommodate the whole family.

2017 Renault Scenic

2017 Renault Grand Scenic

First, let's take a closer look on the design and for this fourth-generation model, the new Scenic draws inspiration from 2011's R-Space concept while incorporating Renault's new signature design that traces back to the Espace, the Talisman, and of course, the latest Renault Megane it was based upon. While the design is basically an improvement compared to the previous model, the new Scenic still retains its MPV character inside out, meaning even it exciting looks, it's still a dad's car for dads who had a wife and kids loaded to their hectic schedules without all the free days for himself.

2017 Renault Grand Scenic interior

2017 Renault Scenic interior

Because of Renault's new design language, the new Scenic now became a victim to Renault's uniform interior design that the Espace, Talisman, and the Megane now had. Step inside and you can never tell the difference from the other cars because this is Renault's future, whether you like it or not, and it's going to succumb like what happened to the BMW interiors of the past bringing that same interior look over and over again until the 7-Series changed all that. On the upside, you have some lots of thingamajigs you can toy around, especially that touchscreen on the dashboard that tells what you are doing right now.

Whether you are in a five-seater Scenic or in a family-friendly seven-seater Grand Scenic, it's great to know that the interior still has the same practicality as the previous Scenic models but with a bit more unfinished businesses. Whether if you're going for a family picnic or a night out with your mates, the new interior really packs some comfort and convenience for both driver and passenger alike. There's even lots of compartment to store your stuff elsewhere, too. After twenty years of focusing more on practicality, the new Scenic really knows how to accommodate very well with the trends of today and who can blame but the customers who really demand more for this two-decade-long MPV in the European market.

2017 Renault Grand Scenic

2017 Renault Scenic

Checking under the hood, the Scenic and the Grand Scenic comes with different choice of petrol or diesel engines to choose from. In the normal five-seater Scenic, the most powerful variant is obviously either a 1.2L turbocharged petrol or a 1.6L diesel engine each producing 130PS of power while the most fuel efficient is the Energy dCi 110 engine with 3.9L/100km of fuel consumption. In the seven-seater Grand Scenic, meanwhile, the most powerful is the 1.6L dCi engine with 160PS of power while mated with a double-clutch gearbox. Well, you get the idea but if you're driving one in Paris, those diesel variants will soon be banned from entering the French capital for environmental reasons we don't really understand.

While it uses the same new platform as the new Megane, the Scenic feels more relaxed and more civilized for a people carrier but for enjoyment, it's pretty much average and you can't feel the fun factor when you drive it on the open road with the family. It maybe good to drive on the streets but out on the open, it's a tad regular car with a regular taste that is way beyond normal standards.

Safety wise, the new Scenic comes with an array of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that will keep them safe on the road such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Safe Distance Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition with Over Speed Prevention, Blind Spot Warning, reversing camera, automatic dipped and main beam headlights, Easy Park Assist, and so much more in store for the new model.

The price? The new Scenic starts at 24,000 Euros while the Grand Scenic starts at 25,300 Euros, making these a reasonable value for money, although cars like the Kia Carens can undercut these two in terms of pricing, but don't get too rough on this one because while it lacks enjoyment on the open road, the new Scenic still offers some practicality, some tech, and good driving feel on the street fit for a family mover. The Scenic has been around with the European families for two decades and the latest version will surely want to do something to get it written to the history of Renault's iconic MPV.

Photo: Renault

How the Assassin's Creed franchise rewrote history forever

Although today's Assassin's Creed isn't as strongly violent as the games were, it was more of an advanced birthday present to celebrate 10 years of Assassin's Creed this 2017. Anyway, the hit stealth action game that became the historical equivalent of Metal Gear continues to rewrite ancient history forever with numerous installments in both consoles and smartphones alike.

Fanbase aside, this video game franchise keeps changing history with the war between Assassins and Templars and because of a certain individual's genes that traces back to the Assassin that changed history forever, the Assassins are born for one major purpose; to rewrite history and take on the Templars in modern times. So, how did the franchise rewrote the history books as we knew it since the first game launched in 2007?

• The first Assassin's Creed game, launched in 2007, centers on the history of the Third Crusade in the Holy Land and the bloodline of the legendary Assassin named Altair ibn-La'Ahad was told. Following his capture by the shadowy Abstergo organization, a young man named Desmond Miles recalls the memories of his ancestor who broke all three tenets of the Brotherhood while attempting to stop Robert de Sable from taking a Piece of Eden. While demoted by the Brotherhood as a mere novice, Altair's quest throughout the Holy Land involves the assassination of the nine Knights Templars to regain his former status, and that includes stopping de Sable in the presence of King Richard I of England warning the King of de Sable's plot to kill him.
• The Ezio trilogy, which remains one of the most popular arcs of the franchise (so popular, they even gave PS4 and XBOX One owners a remastered treatment) that began with Assassin's Creed II centers on the height of the Italian Renaissance during the 15th and the early 16th century as well as the Assassin named Ezio Auditore da Firenze. From Florence to Forli, the road to Ezio's revenge against the betrayal of his family is not obviously an easy one as he tries to restore the order of the Assassins, defeat the Templars, and continue their ongoing quest to prevent a foreseeable Armageddon. It all leads to the fateful encounter between Altair and Ezio in Assassin's Creed Revelations, where Desmond's retelling of the two assassins are starting to unravel.
• Connor from Assassin's Creed III and Aveline from Assassin's Creed Liberation are the Assassins that changed America forever during the events of the American Revolution, the events involving the Americans regaining their independence from British colonists and named George Washington as their first president. Continuing Desmond Miles' mission to stop the foreseeable apocalypse, he re-emerged through the age of the American Revolution as his half-English, half-Mohawk ancestor Ratonhnhake:ton, also known as Connor. In Liberation, meanwhile, it centers mostly on Aveline de Grandpré, an American with French and African heritage who joined the Assassin Brotherhood in 1759 and waged a war against the Templar conspiracy that will rewrite the very history of America forever.
• Following the death of Desmond Miles after the events from the previous installments, samples of his body were taken and allowed Abstergo to continue explore his genes through the Animus' new cloud computing capabilities. In Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, the tale of a pirate named Edward Kenway was told during the legend of Black Beard. As the new Assassin sails across the seas, the Abstergo organization, Templars of today, are searching for a First Civilization structure known as the Observatory, and they're using Edward Kenway's memories to find it.
• Assassin's Creed Rogue, the darkest installment of the series, centers on North America during the French-Indian War of the 18th century and it tells the tale of Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who betrayed the Brotherhood and vowed revenge as a villainous Assassin Hunter while venturing through the streets of New York City through the freezing temperatures of the North Atlantic Ocean. This is the first time fans get to know about the game as a villainous Templar who hunts Assassins for his thirst for vengeance.
• Set during the French Revolution during the late 18th century, Assassin's Creed Unity ventures on the tale of Arno, an Assassin who can discover the hidden truth behind the Revolution. In here, Arno will have to take advantage of new arsenal, skills, and alliance with others to explore 18th Century Paris in search for the hidden truth behind the Revolution.
• Assassin's Creed Syndicate focuses on London, England, during the age of the Industrial Revolution, and as Jacob Frye, who spearheaded the world's first organized crime family in London, he and his gang must unite to bring down the establishments and rival gangs to gain control of the underground scene of the British capital.
• There are other untold Assassins that changed the very course of history forever. Such examples are Arbaaz Mir from India, Nikolai Orelov and Anastasia from Russia, Shao Jun from China, Aguilar from Spain, the Last Descendants, and many others. Who knows, there could be undiscovered Assassins are yet to be told in the foreseeable future and how they rewrite history while waging war against the Templars.

So, with ten years of discovering Assassins throughout the pages of ancient history, fans are looking to expect more from this franchise because as the franchise is honoring its tenth anniversary in 2017, there are more Assassins are yet to be discovered and it could be you who will change the course of history and the future, forever.

Forza Horizon 3: The Jungle Belle

Although this car says "GT R", this is not what this car seems because if you look closely, the GT R in question is not the Nissan GT-R, but rather a Mercedes-AMG GT R.

Yes. This is the one I was referring to. The high-powered version of the Mercedes-AMG GT sports coupe has arrived in Forza Horizon 3 via the Logitech G Car Pack. With that, players can take the beast from the Green Hell for a spin round the Land Down Under anyway they want.

Before taking this powered-up version of the AMG GT for a drive, what's it all about the AMG GT R? With the success of the the Mercedes-AMG GT, the latest flagship sports coupe that replaces the wondrous SLS AMG, the engineers decided to push this car a little further by injecting all their motorsport experiences into this car to create the AMG GT R. 

While this is basically a road-going version of the AMG GT3 racing machine, this new version features an upgraded 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine producing 585HP of power as well as an upgraded suspension, new aerodynamics and the intelligent lightweight construction to deliver a race-honed feel on the road and on the track. 

Using the infamous Nurburgring as the benchmark to develop this car, the AMG GT R comes with an exclusive "AMG green hell magno" exterior color that reminds customers that this car was developed at the Nurburgring. It even comes with a special kind of active aerodynamics profile, which is concealed almost invisibly in the underbody in the front of the engine. When in RACE mode and going on 80kph, it automatically moves downward by about 40mm and changes the airflow considerably. With its track-honed dynamics, improved V8 engine, and its clever aerodynamics, the AMG GT R sets the standards for the AMG range and its capabilities are very impossible to ignore.

Spending an hour with this car is a clear reminder why I am tempted by the beast from the Nurburgring and the way the AMG GT R performs is like the Rumble in the Jungle. With that "green hell magno" color, the muscular tone of its V8 engine which isn't so bad for a turbocharged engine (although skeptical, I presume), and its clever aerodynamics that sticks to the road like butter, I had to say that I'm impressed with AMG's latest creation. By turning the AMG GT into a primal predator on a primeval scale, its dynamic character is unique and special in each and other way, although further concentration is very much needed because the next time you're trying to catch up with this car against other muscular machines, the only way to get them is through the corners. That's it. And if you're lucky, you'll be able to slip in like a thief in a night.

Speaking of Rumble in the Jungle, the AMG GT R's ready for its shooting schedule with me, demonstrating its Nurburgring-honed talents in the Land Down Under. However, there are script rewrites occurred for some numerous reasons...

From beast of the Green Hell into a "jungle belle", feels like someone has leapt from the tree for no reason and if anyone see this one with Aikatsu Stars' Yuzu Nikaido on the exterior paint, chances are this beast has turned into a beauty...who leapt from the tree at the school grounds. I am having such a braincrash every time an idol girl is plastered on a car of my choosing, if you know what I mean? Anyway, no time to talk about it because the AMG GT R ready to show the world how it does against other AMG owners playing as background extras. So, are you ready?

3...2...1...action!

It maybe a difficult task to follow but it's good to know that I finally understand how the AMG GT R works during a meeting with other AMG machines all over Australia and while this is insanely a German sportscar with dynamic behavior, its handling and aerodynamics will give a clear reminder that this Nurburgring-engineered machine can do more than just lap times. It's just about having fun as a sportscar made for the discerning few and I have to give Mercedes-AMG a brave thanks.

Bubble Gang - December 23, 2016 #BGChristmas

In the December 23, 2016 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Suhol gags

- A confrontation of a rogue doctor who kills anyone with laughter!

- Christmas Patok Tak-tiks are examined.

- A vendor who sells fireworks that are claimed to be "safe".

- Real-world Facebook are examined.

- The punishment for ugliness reached its verdict.

- A different kind of pain relief.

- James Wang in jail

- Basa-basa-pik!

The Grand Tour - Episode 6

The Grand Tour Episode 6

Fords are the main topic on the sixth episode of Amazon's original car show, The Grand Tour.

In this episode, following the announcement that Ford will sell the latest Mustang to right hand drive markets, including the United Kingdom, Richard Hammond was excited enough to take the first RHD Mustang on British roads. However, his joyride with the RHD Mustang was interrupted by Jeremy Clarkson and his Ford Focus RS. In here, they've undergone series of arguments until a clear winner was decided, courtesy of The American.

Meanwhile, James May celebrates five decades of Ford's Le Mans win by chronicling the events that led up to this very motorsport milestone from Ford. Then, Kimi Raikkonen was the latest casualty of the Celebrity Braincrash segment and then, some car-related Christmas merchandises are featured.

What to see at the 2016 MMFF?

2016 Metro Manila Film Festival entries

Sunday, December 25, 2016, is officially Christmas Day, but it's also the start of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival where the best Filipino movies are shown only in theaters up until the 7th of January, 2017. For this year, all of the eight films selected by the movie have almost no gimmicks, no show-offs, and best of all, no non-sense because out of the eight films, there are some films that generated quite a buzz in the global stage.

So, what to see at this year's Metro Manila Film Festival?

• Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough - The sequel to the 2011 indie film shown at the Cinemalaya stars comedienne Eugene Domingo, Kean Cipriano, and Jericho Rosales. This sequel is a satirical take on the mainstream film industry so you can expect lots and lots of references.
• Die Beautiful - Winner of the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival, this film stars Eat Bulaga presenter Paolo Ballesteros as a transgender who dies in a beauty pageant and her final wish is to "die beautiful" and become a celebrity for every evening of her wake.
• Kabisera - Starring the legendary Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, and Jason Abalos, this film is based on real events that happens in Batangas, revolving a close-knit family that copes up with violent crimes and extrajudicial killings, sociopolitical issues that the country is facing right now.
• Oro - This suspenseful film stars Irma Adlawan, Joem Bascon, and Mercedes Cabral and its about a people in a small mining community that encounters trouble when an armed group claiming to be environmentalists made them miserable and ruled with an iron fist.
• Saving Sally - This film took 12 years to finish it and now it's finally ready to be shown at the Metro Manila Film Festival. Starring Enzo Marcos and Rhian Ramos, this live-action/cartoon hybrid film is packed with love, monsters, and gadgets, in the eyes of a comic book artists falling in love with his best friend Sally.
• Seklusyon - Set in the 1940s, this film directed by Erik Matti is about a ritual of seclusion where new priests in training confine themselves in a retreat and left to confront their inner demons and the arrival of a nun and a child.
• Sunday Beauty Queen - This is the only documentary flick in this year's festival that premiered at this year's Busan International Film Festival. It highlights on the life and times of Filipina OFWs working by any day, became beauty queens by Sundays.
• Vince & Kath & James - Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto, and Ronnie Alonte played their titular roles in this teen flick based on an online "textserye" series that went viral.

The 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival will begin on Christmas Day 2016 up until the 7th of January, 2017. Who will be the best among the rest?