Ssangyong Korando C (2017 minor change)

The Ssangyong Korando C crossover has been around the block for half a decade since its 2011 launch and followed by a minor change in 2013. For the second time, in this 2017 model year, Ssangyong's midsize crossover has been facelifted again to ensure its freshness while ringing the new year for the small South Korean car company that currently runs deep under Indian ownership.

2017 Ssangyong Korando C

2017 Ssangyong Korando C interior

For its latest minor change, the 2017 Korando C now features a redesigned front face that looks vaguely similar to the VW Tiguan for numerous reasons this crossover never understands why the rear view has been slightly revised. On the inside, it's been mildly revised with a brand new instrumental cluster that displays the car's information in real-time as well as the new steering wheel design, 7-inch color display, and Infinity Premium Surround Sound system for a clearer sound quality equivalent to what luxury cars had.

The new Korando C is now powered by the e-XDi220 diesel engine, which produces 178PS of power and 40.8kg-m of torque, while mated with a 6-speed gearbox, either manual or automatic. Apart from that, it's the first in class to offer a 180-degree safety camera while its combined use of the front and rear sensors and the rear camera has greatly improved to sense blind spots during parking or low-speed driving. Sounds handy for the unsung crossover that has been improved to keep it fresh for the new year.

The facelifted 2017 Korando C now starts at 22,430,000 Korean won for the entry-level KX model up to 28,770,000 for the range-topping DX variant. The Extreme Edition, meanwhile, starts at 26,490,000 Won, and it comes with special HID headlights, a blackened front grille, 18-inch wheels, and an LED lighting package.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (January 5, 2017)

- The leader of the Khilafa Islamiya Philippines terrorist group, Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, also known as Abu Shareefa Al-Filibini, was killed in an encounter with police past 0100 hours local time in a beach resort in Kiamba, Sarangani. Police agents who cornered Maguid attempted to subdue him but he resisted and pulled out a gun, prompting them to immediately neutralize him.

- The National Privacy Commission found COMELEC Chairman Juan Andres "Andy" Bautista criminally liable for the breach on the database last year. Long before the May 2016 elections, the COMELEC website was hacked, leaking the data of voters.

- President Rodrigo Duterte has named dancer and blogger Mocha as one of the board members of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Her appointment was confirmed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

- Australian boxer Jeff Horn, who was one of the shortlist of Manny Pacquiao's next opponents, said he's looking forward to fight wit the legendary Filipino boxer. Horn, age 28, is the no.2 contender to Pacquiao's WBO welterweight championship and Top Rank chief Bob Arum planning to hold Pacquiao's next fight outside the US, probably Australia to be next.

- New UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US President-elect Donald Trump made their first phone conversation. A spokesperson said the two had a very positive discussion on US-UN relations and the Secretary-General will look forward to work alongside Trump after his inauguration.

- Yukiya Amano will serve as director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the third time unopposed. Amano is set to finish his second term in his position by the end of November 2017.

- A 105-year-old Frenchman set a new world record for cycling the furthest distance in one hour for riders aged 105 and older. Robert Marchand rode over 22.5km at an indoor venue on the outskirts of Paris on Wednesday. 

- Tesla began their battery production at their Gigafactory, which officially opened last July. The batteries will be sued in the Powerwall 2 and Powerpack 2 electricity storage devices, as well as the upcoming Model 3 car. The first batteries will go into the storage devices, with Model 3 battery production beginning in the second quarter of 2017.

- Kia will launch the all-new, third-generation, Morning compact hatchback on the 17th of January.

2017 Kia Morning

- Disney Channel's hit TV series, Girl Meets World, ends with the series finale episode titled "Girl Meets Goodbye" on the 20th of January. Time to bid farewell to Maya and Riley's life and times of growing up.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: SoKor's top security policy of 2017

South Korea's top security policy of 2017 is to continue pressuring North Korea over its nuclear weapons program. 

The South Korea foreign affairs and unification ministries presented their plans for the New Year on Wednesday during a briefing towards Prime Minister and acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn. One of the key points surrounding North Korean issue. The ministries said South Korea will continue to limit North Korea's access to funds through an export cap on its coal and minerals, as stated in the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution. Also, they will cooperate in bringing unilateral sanctions on North Korea from other nations.

Responding to the Korean Peninsula's threats, they will continue to prepare the ground work for reunification.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Han Min-koo said its military will set up a special infiltration brigade focused on paralyzing Pyongyang's wartime command structure. He added the military will focus this year on countering North Korea's threats and the deployment of the US advanced missile defense system THAAD will be installed as planned in the middle of the year. 

Then, the second hearing on President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial will be held on Thursday morning. Key witnesses are set to be summoned to the hearing, including the president's personal secretaries. President Park is reportedly reviewing the possibility of defending herself in person, although she didn't appeared at the first hearing.

The Danish High Court has rejected Chung Yoo-ra's appeal against the extension of her detention in the country. Chung, who was arrested on Sunday on charges of illegal stay, is the daughter of the woman behind the scandal, Choi Soon-sil. The High Court said Tuesday local time that the district court's decision to extend the detention period for the 20-year-old was legitimate and reasonable, adding that it will stick with its decision to extend her confinement.

Deputy National Security Adviser Co Tae-yong will be making a three-day visit to the United States this week to meet his counterpart, Anthony Blinken, and they will focus on how the latest UNSC resolution is being carried out and how to further counter North Korea's threats.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 4, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte has designated the Presidential Communications Operations Office as the lead agency in the implementation of the freedom of information program in the executive branch. The president signed EO 2 which implements the FOI in the executive branch three weeks after assuming office in July. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued MO 10 which takes the PCOO to oversee implementation of all FOI and e-FOI programs for all government agencies int he executive branch.

- China confirmed that its aircraft carrier has for the first time conducted drills in the South China Sea with a formation of other warships and fighter jets, a move that could raise concerns among its neighbors. The Defense Ministry said several J-15 fighter jets took off and landed from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Liaoning on Monday. China's first and only aircraft carrier sailed into South China Sea last week.

- Vice President Leni Robredo said she denies rumors that former US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg had left a "blueprint" to oust President Duterte. Robredo said that she and Goldberg only talked about bilateral relations between the two countries during their meeting.

- One of the award-winning entries from the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival has been recalled due to animal cruelty issues. The FPJ Memorial Award for the film, Oro, was stripped due to its graphic depiction of a dog being slaughtered in one scene. Senator Grace Poe called on the organizers to look into the matter of whether a dog was actually butchered as part of the filming of the movie, in violation of Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485), which protects the welfare of animals.

- The newly-elected US Congress convened on Tuesday. The majority Republicans intend to review President Barack Obama's health care act. In the first session, the Republican Senate Budget Committee chairperson submitted a bill to repeal the health care act but Democrats want to maintain the care act. It remains to be seen when president-elect Trump will review the act as he pledged during his election campaign or search for common ground with Democrats.

- US President Donald Trump picked veteran negotiator Robert Lighthizer as his trade representative. Lighthizer was the deputy trade representative in the Reagan administration and played a key role in negotiating bilateral trade deals for a range of products, including steel and crops.

- Turkish security authorities are reportedly investigating 8 people under detention in connection with Sunday's deadly shooting rampage at a nightclub in Istanbul. They are suspected to be linked to the Islamic State group. On Tuesday, Turkish media cited security officials as saying the attacker flew from Kyrgyzstan to Istanbul with his wife and two kids on the 20th of November. Right now, the state of emergency implemented in Turkey has extended to three months.

- Ford has officially announced that they will make hybrid versions of the Mustang sportscar and the F-150 pickup truck by the end of the decade as well as electrified vehicles.

- Faraday Future has unveiled their first production EV called the FF91 at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Showcase event in Las Vegas. The FF91 features a 200kW fast charging capability, 500 miles per charge, and a 130-kWh battery pack with 783kW of range (1050hp and 378 mile range.

- Interesting seiyuu news though; Rina Satou announced her marriage and her baby boy, then Mikako Takahashi also announced her marriage, and Ayana Taketatsu switched agencies.

- The Rockstar Energy Drink Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3 is now available. This month's car pack features the long-awaited arrival of the BMW i8 as well as the Bentley Bentayga and others.

TTFN!!!

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: Body Harvest

As you venture through the winter wonderland of Forza Horizon 3's Blizzard Mountain, you may have encountered news that a hidden treasure is lurking somewhere through the frozen landscape. No ice queen in sight, not even a yeti you may ask, but rather something special that you can't wait to get your hands on. So, let's find out what that mystery thing is hidden through the winter wonderland.

So, what could it be?



Hmmm....This looks new. This classic SUV is not very familiar to me, as if it came from a company I'm not familiar with. Let's see...hmm...what is that barn find I found in Blizzard Mountain...aha! That barn find I found on Blizzard Mountain is known as the International Harvester Scout!

Long before International was known for making big rigs for American roads, they made offroaders just like Isuzus in Japan. Since the late 50's. they want to create a Jeep CJ rival and then in 1960, the Scout was launched as a 1961 Model Year. There are two variants made for the International Harvester Scout. First, there was the Scout 80 that was distinguishable from its sliding windows, 152cu 4-cylinder engine, fold-down windshield, vacuum windshield wipers, and the logo in the center of the grill. Then, there's this; the Scout 800, which features basic improvements from the 80 as well as the choice of different engines such as an optional 196 4-cyl., 232 6cyl, 266 V-8, & 304 V-8 from 1969 to 1971. Production ended in 1980.

If you put this one near the classic Ford Bronco, you can really see why this two look closely similar judging by its exterior design. It may bear close resemblance but this unheard offroader deserves to get some credit to the ones who found it in the cold front because its offroader skills are not to be ignored for a legendary American machine.

To be honest, it takes guts to master this offroad machine because while it was forged from the working-class men who want to take on the iconic Jeep, how you'll live it up to the Scout's untapped potential is up to you and you're going to need some skills on handling the Harvester Scout as a great offroader that can survive through nature's madness.

Care for a little sample?



I know, I went a little hasty at first but it's a trial and error procedure. Try and try until I succeed. But anyway, the Scout's untapped potential as an offroader was clearly demonstrated and this legendary machine from the great American country is staying with me!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Trump criticizes China over North Korea

US President-elect Donald Trump criticized China for not doing more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

Trump dismissed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's claim that his country was in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile. The president-elect tweeted that "it won't happen."

The North Korean leader made the claim that in his annual policy speech on Sunday. The ICBM is said to have a range that reaches the United States.

Trump also tweeted that China has been taking out massive amounts of money and wealth from the US in trade but won't help with North Korea.

Source: NHK World

Let's Do The News! (January 3, 2017)

- A warship from Russia's Pacific Fleet arrived in Manila in time for a maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy. Reports told that the Russian vessels are in the Philippines for a "goodwill visit." President Duterte has been expressing his desire to forge stronger ties with Russia as part of his administration's independent foreign policy.

- A bill to put up LGBT desks in police stations will be on the House floor soon, with its author saying a law is needed to make the help desks a permanent part of the Philippine National Police. Filed by Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, House Bill 2952 seeks to amend parts of the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act mandating the creation of women's desk that will also serve lesbians' gays, bisexuals, and transgenders if the bill is passed into law.

- Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has likened redundant fiscal incentives to "pork barrel" as he cited the need to review tax perks that have led to significant losses of state revenues. Diokno said tax incentives have resulted in revenue losses equivalent to 1 to 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

- Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility for the attack on a nightclub in Istanbul during the New Year's celebrations that killed 39. In the latest in a series of ISIS-linked attacks in Turkey, revelers at Istanbul's Reina nightclub were attacked by a gunman in the early hours of Sunday morning. Turkish police continue the manhunt against the gunman behind the attack.

- A US presidency expert warned President-elect Donald Trump about his Twitter use. The expert said Trump's policy directions are hard to predict, and his Twitter posts are the only clues but cautioned that announcing policies via Twitter can cause confusion. He called it problematic that Trump used the platform to announce nuclear polices and to criticize China.

- Chrysler will showcase their Portal Concept at this week's CES in Las Vegas, which is created by millennials, for millennials, and featuring semi-autonomous technology that can be upgradable.

2017 Chrysler Portal Concept

- Online eSports Racing Game, iRacing, will feature Porsches, making it the fourth game franchise to feature the famed German automaker since EA exclusivity ended last month.

- Benedict Cumberbatch will officially reprise his Doctor Strange role in the upcoming Thor Ragnarok film.

TTFN!!!

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: Attack on Titan Warrior

No, there are no titans attacking Blizzard Mountain as they knew it but there is one attacking this frozen wonderland and it's basically American. Yes, there is Nissan on it but don't be fooled because this is the Titan Warrior Concept, a specially modified Titan XD that conceptualizes its tough off-road capability and one of the stars of FH3's Blizzard Mountain.

Back at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, Nissan launched the full model change of their full-sized pickup truck sold only to the North American market, the all new Titan XD. A year has passed since its debut and Nissan showcased a tougher take on their latest-generation model, called the Titan Warrior Concept.

Created by the Nissan Design America team, the Titan Warrior Concept pushes the Titan XD to uncharted heights courtesy of its Project Titan crowd-sourced customization that swnt two US military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. It pays tribute to Nissan's heritage of off-road racing and adventuring that dates back to its Baja days to the Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

Just like the Titan XD it was based upon, it's still powered by the same Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine. but it's been given some extensive suspension upgrades and its signature durability as expected on the Titan XD.

Sure, this maybe a concept truck made by the red-blooded Americans as well as retired veterans who served for the free world but it feels like you're driving a normal Titan XD but with some offroad perks that will help you survive the attack on Blizzard Mountain, not even the so-called climate change can drown you like waterboarding.

Given the chance, I am fully prepared to survive the attack on Blizzard Mountain with the attack on Titan Warrior Concept, no matter the odds. Titans, GO!

So, I may have survived the attack on Blizzard Mountain but feels like I'm not ready to survive the attack on the Titan Warrior Concept, even though underneath is concept looks is basically a normal Titan XD, sold only for the Americans with their love for all things fast food, Republicans, and cars like this. So, how about those Republicans? Wait, what did I just said? Never mind but if you are prepared to survive the attack on Titan Warrior, then GO! Titans GO!

Let's Do The News! (January 2, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to name this month the 21 persons who will comprise the new and expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is at the same time awaiting the resumption of formal talks with government soon and also looking forward to the appointment of BTC members, as this could pave the way for the crafting of the new Bangsamoro Basic Law.

- Meanwhile, President Duterte sees a loophole in the current Constitution that is supposed to have safeguards against the declaration of martial law in the country. He believes a sitting president may decide on his own if the findings of the legislature and the judiciary about martial law declaration contradict each other. There are provisions stipulating that martial law declaration is subject to review by both Congress and the Supreme Court, but Duterte said this could lead to a crisis if they don't agree with each other.

- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday expresses condolences to President Duterte over the casualties and damage due to Typhoon Nina. The Chinese Embassy in Manila said that Xi sent to Duterte his condolences which also extends to those affected by the typhoon. Over 5.1 billion worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure was incurred by Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol, according to the latest NDRRMC report.

-The Department of Labor and Employment reported that electricians and other construction workers would be highly in demand in the next five years. DOLE's Bureau of Local Employment director Dominique Tutay said the country is not producing a sufficient number of skilled construction workers and noted that of the 80,000 construction workers, only 24,000 are actively looking for employment.

- An assailant believed to have been dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a crowded nightclub in Istanbul during New Year's celebrations, killing at least 39 people and hurt less than 70 others in what the province's governor described as a terror attack. The attacker, armed with a long-barreled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside the club at around 1:45 AM yesterday before entering and firing on people partying inside.

- The new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres began his new stint and he may have difficulty gaining cooperation from the new US administration to be led by Donald Trump. Guterres says he plans to serve the most vulnerable and pledges to tackle issues such as poverty, women's rights, and refugees.

- The Islamic State militant group still maintains its fighting capability despite having lost control of large areas in Iraq and Syria. Relevant countries are coordinating efforts to slash their financial sources and keep the fighters isolated.

- Tyrus Wong, the man behind the artwork that inspired the Walt Disney animation film Bambi died in his California home on December 30th. He was 106. Wong was born in a farm village in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong in 1910. He emigrated to the United States with his father when he was nine. After studying art at a California college, he took a job with Walt Disney in 1938.

TTFN!!!

The Grand Tour - Episode 7 & 8 (Namibia Special)

The Grand Tour Namibia Special

Call it a Christmas special you may ask like what Top Gear did in the past but the first-ever two-part special of Amazon's Original Series, The Grand Tour, is more than just a Christmas special. It's about three boys exploring through the Namibian landscape using beach buggies that were based on classic Beetle chassis. 

James May's beach buggy bears a close resemblance to the original beach buggy while Jeremy Clarkson's buggy, meanwhile, is powered by a V8 because of his love for power, and Richard Hammond's buggy has a roof and offroad parts on it.

Throughout this epic two-parter, the boys and the buggies are trying to survive the harsh roads and elements in this thousand-mile journey to prove that beach buggies are the best. In the end, turns out that despite everything they gave, they proved themselves wrong, knowing that beach buggies aren't the best.

Still, the first-ever Grand Tour special shows that the boys can still explore through the ends of the earth just like during their Top Gear heydays, no matter how good or bad things are until the conclusion that defines the turning point of history.

Remembering 2016: Best of Anime

There has been a strewth of new and returning anime shows throughout the year 2016. From ice skating, to idols, to the edge of tomorrow, to video game-based animes, you name it, you tell them how good  (or bad) this year's anime offerings are and regardless on which way you're watching those shows, you are glad that you are a fan on those anime shows offered in 2016.

In this final part of this yearender, time to jot down the best 16 anime shows of 2016.

1) KONOSUBA - The hilarious adventures of teenager Kazuma Sato and would-be goddess Aqua are highlighted in this anime series where the unlikely duo embarked on a quest to a mysterious world overrun by the powerful demon king.

2) Bakuon! - Targeting bike enthusiasts who love to hit the open road with their fast bikes, this anime centers on the life and times of Sakura Hane, a schoolgirl who became part of her school's bike club and then set off on an epic road trip across Japan with their motorcycles.

3) Mahou Shoujo Nante Mouiidesukara - This bizarrely fun anime series is about an average girl named Yuzuka Hanami who encountered a mysterious creature named Miton and told Yuzuka that she has the makings of a magical girl. Sadly, when Yuzuka transforms, her costume's only a swimsuit.

4) Aikatsu Stars - Served as the successor of the Aikatsu franchise, this new series ventures on the life and times of Yume Nijino, a young girl whose dream is to follow the footsteps of her idol, Hime Shiratori, who was part of the Four Star Academy's elite group of students known as the S4.

5) High School Fleet - A certain someone believe that the main reason why she likes this anime so much is because TrySail did the songs on this naval anime series about a young girls named Akeno on her journey to become one with the Blue Mermaids. This anime is set in a near future when tectonic plates shifted, causing Japan to lost almost all of its land due to submergence, prompting the rise of coastal and marine cities.

6) Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World - This hit anime series of 2016 is about an average schoolboy named Subaru, who ended up on another world and encountered a mysterious girl he rescued. To repay the debt, Subaru is on an adventure to help the mysterious girl find something she's looking for, and that meant he's pushing himself to the edge of tomorrow.

7) Love Live! Sunshine!! - The Love Live Sunshine TV show aired from July to September of 2016 and it centers on the origins of Uranohoshi Girls High's school idol group, Aqours, comprising of Chika Takami, You Watanabe, Riko Sakurauchi, Ruby Kurosawa, Yoshiko Tsushima, Hanamaru Kunikida, Dia Kurosawa, Kanan Matsuura, and Mari Ohara, and how this school idol unit was formed in the hopes of picking up where the famed school idol unit μ's left. There has been some joy, sadness, disgust, anger, and fear felt throughout the show and regardless of the emotions, fans worldwide finally understand who the Aqours really are.

8) New Game! - This slice-of-life anime series centers on the life and times of Aoba Suzukaze, a high-school graduate who enters her life as part of the game company that created her favorite game and working for their upcoming sequel.

9) Mob Psycho 100 - From the creator of One Punch Man, this explosive anime series is about a young man who didn't realize that he has psychic powers and tries to hide his powers from the world until chaos ensues and made him the marked man because of his psychic powers.

10) 91 Days - This suspenseful crime drama anime centers on an town made infamous for the black market sales of illicitly brewed liquor and highlights on the 91-day chronology of the two ill-fated men named Avilio and Nero.

11) Girlish Number - This anime is about Chitose Karasuma, who begins her life anew as a seiyuu filled with dreams, hope, and ambition, although unaware of the harsh reality awaits her voice acting career. With friends and rivals, Chitose's seiyuu life is one heck of a ride for her and this anime is very relative for the voice actors and voice actresses of today.

12) Magical Girl Raising Project - The anime series centers on the life and times of Koyuki Himekawa, a huge fan of magical girls, who was chosen to become the new Magical Girl Snow White of the popular social game until the game has turned into a deathmatch where 16 magical girls are battling themselves until the winner is named.

13) Sound! Euphonium 2 - Sequel to last year's anime series, this anime continues the life and times of Kumiko and her brass band colleagues continue their journey following their win at a certain band competition in Kyoto, facing old pasts and new challenges Kumiko may come across.

14) Pokemon Sun & Moon - A day before the launch of the Sun and Moon games, an anime adaptation of the newest installments was aired on TV Tokyo. In this new series, Ash and his longtime Pokemon Pikachu are venturing through the Alola Region as...yes, a student of the Pokemon School. Throughout this journey, Ash must take on a new kind of challenges throughout the Alola Region while meeting new friends, enemies, and Pokemon.

15) Touken Ranbu Hanamaru - The first of the anime projects based on the popular browser game franchise, this series is about the stories of the Hanamaru days of a certain group of Sword Warriors in a certain citadel. Set in a distant future, it centers on the life and times of men who are forged from swords doing their usual stuff before dispatched through history to stop the History Retrograde Army from altering history. You heard that?

16) Yuri!!! On Ice - Considered as one of the best animes of 2016, this inspirational sports anime is about a Japanese figure skater named Yuri Katsuki, whose life changed forever when a veteran Russian skater Victor Nikiforov became his coach and...um...well, long story short but everyone in the world got hooked on this breakout sports anime show with some "boys love" stuff aboard.

...and there you have it. After all, with so many stuff happened in the year 2016, good or bad, I'm very glad that this year has finally came to an end and turning the page to the year 2017 with new hopes, new challenges, new troubles, new crises, and endless possibilities that will keep the world loud enough to be heard. After all, it's a loud, loud, loud, loud world after all. Everything is possible but if you believe in your faith, your destiny, your luck, and yourselves, here's hoping we can survive the year 2017 unscathed and overcome all our fears here, now, and for many years to come.

Until then...HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!!!

Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC (W213)

2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC Estate

2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC

Car enthusiasts can't hardly wait to get their hands on AMG versions of the latest W213 E-Class but hold it right there. Before you can get your hands on the more powerful E63 AMG, which now comes with the similar 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine as seen on the more powerful AMG GT R, you need to get to know about the AMG version of the new E-Class in the form of the first-ever E43 4MATIC.

Since the SLC43, AMG threw a curve to the world by introducing the 43 moniker, which is a sacrilegious part of their all-out war to ensure that all AMG models are turbocharged, which is a positive and negative thing for the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz. The truth is those cars bearing the 43 moniker are consider to be half-blown AMGs, an entry point for performance car enthusiasts to enter the world of AMG without the hassle of risking their tootie-booties on the road and track. The new E43 is considered as Stage 1 of an AMG-powered E-Class before the more powerful E63 AMG arrives later on. Available in both saloon and estate variants, the E43 is powered by the 3.0L V6 twin turbo engine producing 367PS of power and 520Nm of torque while mated to a 9G-TRONIC gearbox. It can get through 0 to 100kph in 4.6 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

As an AMG, the E43 comes with a dedicated sports suspension based on AIR BODY CONTROL for better dynamics as well as the AMG Performance 4Matic system, resulting to a much milder dynamics that won't cause a scorched earth policy on your tootie-booties, although its your arms that feeling the policy because of its grippy characteristics. It can be fun to drive on the track but it's very mild and menacing to throw through the curve and yes, you get some understeering. What this car needs is some patience and with enough patience, you can be sure that you'll be able to uncover the hidden potential of these cars before you can graduate yourselves to the more powerful E63, which is available sadly on a saloon basis. Sorry.

Anyway, the new Mercedes-AMG E43 starts at 75,089 Euros for the saloon and 77,856 Euros for the estate. Sounds very expensive but they are the starting points to understand an AMG-fied W213 E-Class before graduating to the E63. Enjoy your maiden voyage on those!

Photo: Daimler AG