Forza Horizon 3: A Design Evolution

This marks the next chapter of Aston Martin because as they ride on the winds of change, they are prepared to be extra prepared for it and for the company that has the power, beauty, and soul to create beautiful grand tourers for the road and track, they've introduced the brand new V12 5.2L Twin Turbo engine.



While this is smaller compared to the outgoing 6.0L V12 engine that has been around for decades, it performs like the outgoing engine and promises improved fuel economy. Sounds practical but flattering, if you insist. Anyway, this new engine can be found on Aston Martin's latest grand tourer...



The brand new Aston Martin DB11, which is part of Forza Horizon 3's Playseat Car Pack. With the latest FH3 car pack now on sale, now's your chance to try out this latest V12 masterpiece which is an evolution to Aston Martin's long line of grand tourers.



So, what's it all about the DB11? Having premiered at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, this new grand tourer marks a bold new chapter in Aston Martin's centennial history and while it was carved by the winds of change, the DB11 marks a design evolution to the Aston Martin grand tourer history. As a replacement for the DB9, the DB11 showcases its new design philosophy, pioneering aerodynamics, and became the first to use the all new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine.

The new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine produces 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, making it the most powerful production DB model ever. Mated to its 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, it does 0-60mph in less than 3.9 seconds and top speed of over 200mph. Not only the new turbocharged engine provides the new sound of Aston Martin's latest grand tourer, but also its new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure that sets the template on the difference between mass and stiffness for sports cars. Aside from that, its driving dynamics, courtesy of its new engine, new body, and reworked suspension, is far beyond its engineering expectations when it comes to delivering a comfortable cruise on the open roads and unleashing its inner potential on the track.



I had to admit it that while the new turbocharged V12 engine isn't as sonorous as the old 6.0L V12 engine from the past, it sounds very smooth for a grand tourer because good grand tourers like this doesn't really need intimidating engine noises like the Lamborghini Aventador's and even if you put a lot of power on it, it's rather unnecessary for a grand tourer to let it all out unless its necessary. After all, isn't that how "grand touring" is made for that car's purpose? Still, I appreciate how Aston Martin had done for the new DB11 and while the exterior design is like a mix of the Vulcan, the Vanquish, and James Bond's DB10 from 007 SPECTRE, the interior is about as basic as a subcompact car, especially that it now has bits from Mercedes-Benz as part of their newfound collaboration.

With Aston Martin becoming part of the Anglo-German club like the ones you're familiar with, it's hard to fathom that this collaboration really is business as usual even in post-Brexit times. I guess this is how destiny's way to flipping its trump card to its sleeves or so they say but while this explanation can be put out later, let's try something special for the DB11 because this is the Aston I've been waiting to drive it since its launch.







This is what I called as shadowy as Shadow Eyes that glow like the Midnight Rose and as poisonous as a fire-breathing toxic lizard unleashing its acid downpour in the heat of the battle. Beneath the poison that lies from this Yozora Kasumi-inspired design lies the Shadow Eyes-esque performance only I can understand when I set off. So, with all that poison and fire injected to the DB11, how about I arrange a little meeting with the best of V12 Astons ever assembled and meet up at an undisclosed location somewhere Down Under. I called it the "12-Cylinder Knights of Gaydon" and why Gaydon, you may ask, is because this is where the Astons currently made. With the knights of Gaydon arrived, time for me to sit through the director's chair and get this film rolling in.




Although this is just me feeling the venom or the burn while the car is facing some corrosion issues race after race, the DB11 proved that this grand tourer is more than just grand touring, it can pry down almost anyone from the start to the last lap and like a fire-breathing toxic lizard crawling through unsuspecting guests from behind at the top of the peak of the volcano, the DB11 is full of surprises one after another.

Which reminds me, with the DB11 now here, looks like I have found a Grand Tour reference in my mind as later on, I am going to compare the DB11 against the Rolls Royce Dawn and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat in a battle of love, poetry, and coffee. Stay tuned!

Fifty Shades Darker (film)

Fifty Shades Darker

Any adult who witnessed the movie adaptation of the world's best-selling novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, years ago got more than what they really wanted on the erotic but dynamically poised tale of business tycoon Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. Due to the film's success that matches the novel's success, the second chapter of the Fifty Shades trilogy has been turned into film and continues the tale of Grey and Anastasia but with a much darker twist.

Following the events from the first one, Anastasia Steele broken off her relationship with Christian Grey to pursue her career with a Seattle publishing house. However, her desire with Christian still lurks around her and when Christian made an offer she can't refuse, that's where the twists unfold about Christian's pasts that Anastasia learned. As Christian confronts his wrongdoings, Anastasia deals with the rage from the women who came before her and make the most important decision of her life.

While the first film seems to be okay for mature audiences, this sequel film delivers a much deeper suspense and plot twists that can really smoke its once-erotic dynamism that woos the fans of the Fifty Shades trilogy books. Because of such plot twists, this film delivers a cloak-and-dagger storyline that really separates the men from the boys and if anyone can brave through the truths, lies, conspiracies, and the suspense that surrounds both the main characters, they will surely come back for more.

This film is going to take a lot of explanation from start to finish and if any viewer can solve the puzzling secrets between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, this film will be highly debatable for many years to come.

My rating: 3.6 out of 5.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Security Council to discuss N.Korea missile launch

The UNSC will hold an urgent meeting to discuss the recent missile launch by North Korea.

The meeting, requested by Japan, US, and South Korea, is expected to held this Monday evening. A ballistic missile was fired eastward on Sunday. It is believed to have fallen into the Sea of Japan about 500 kilometers from its launch site near the city of Kusong in the northwestern province of Pyongan-pukudo. The KCNA reported that their "Polar Star Two" ballistic missile test was a success.

Last year, the UNSC adopted resolutions following the North's repeated nuclear and missile tests but a panel of experts that monitors the implementation of the measures says China, North Korea's largest trade partner, can help make the sanction effective.

Source: NHK World

Let's Do The News! (February 13, 2017)

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines claimed that the New People's Army are suffering tactical defeat following a spate of kidnappings, encounters, and arrest over a few days. In a press statement, the AFP declared that the NPA has suffered defeats in several fronts in different provinces more than a week after President Rodrigo Duterte launched an all-out war against communist guerillas.

- A Malacanang Palace official denied reports that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the release of 2 billion pesos to quake-hit areas of Surigao City. During his visit to the survivors from last weekend's quake yesterday, the president vowed to release money for those who lost their loved ones and sources of living.

- Senator Leila de Lima bared that her legal team is already facing charges against Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II who she said is "unfit" to be in his position. The cases are in connection with the alleged efforts of the justice chief to compel inmates to testify against her in Congress and the supposed special privileges enjoyed by these convicts while in detention at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Custodial Center.

- A government panel says in an event of flooding along Arakawa River in eastern Tokyo, 1.5 million residents could be forced to evacuate and that it would take them around half a day to leave. The Cabinet Office, which serves as the secretariat for the panel, released the estimates on Monday. The panel studies measures against floods in the area. Arakawa River runs through 5 wards in eastern Tokyo, including Koto and Edogawa. Many of them stand at sea level and are susceptible to floods and high tide.

- Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the former foreign minister of Germany, was named as the country's new president. The election was held on Sunday in an assembly made up of members of parliament and representatives from Germany's 16 states. Steinmeier won 931 of the 1,239 votes. He will assume the largely ceremonial post next month, succeeding Joachim Gauck, who steps down after a 5-year term.

- According to a White House official, US President Donald Trump will take all possible ways to implement his travel ban on refugees and travelers from 7 Muslim-majority countries. Trump's chief policy adviser Stephen Miller said on an ABC television program on Sunday that the president has the power to suspend the entry of aliens when it's in U.S. national interest.

- A Mexican woman who illegally entered the United States for over two decades was detained and deported earlier this month. 36-year-old Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos moved to Arizona with her parents illegally when she was 14 years old. She gave birth to 2 children in the US, and was granted leniency during the Obama administration. Reports told that she is the first people to be affected by President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants. Garcia de Rayos was arrested in 2008 when authorities raided her workplace and found she was using a fake social security number.

- The ultra-exclusive and ultra-tough Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet was unveiled prior to next month's Geneva Motor Show premiere. The newest addition to the Mercedes-Maybach lineup features special rear seats, a rear soft-top, Individual Entertainment System, and a V12 BITURBO engine. It will be limited to 99 units and in stores this autumn.

2018 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet

- Toy car company Majorette unveiled their own set of 1/64 scale Vision Gran Turismo diecast models as seen from the Gran Turismo 6 game.

- See Top Gear's Rory Reid driving the Aston Martin Rapide S round the Furka Pass.

TTFN!!!

Six Nations 2017 - Round 2

In the second round of the 2017 RBS 6 Nations championship, two longtime rivals, the England Rugby and the WRU kept their rivalry burning hot in Principality Stadium, Cardiff, where one try can really make the difference between victory and defeat on their uphill battle for the Grand Slam title.

England Rugby's centre, Elliot Daly, performed a last minute try to save the team and maintain their undefeated record for this season. With him and Leigh Halfpenny's 11 point score, the England Rugby team defeated the WRU, scoring their win streak to 15 games.

During this round, the IRFU defeated the FIR Italia at the score of 10-63 while the FFR defeated Scotland at the score of 22-16.

Highlights:

The next round will be held from the 25th to the 26th of February. Scotland will face off against the WRU at the BT MurrayField, the IRFU and the FFR meet up at the Aviva Stadium, and the England Rugby vs. the FIR Italia at the Twickenham Stadium.

Things we learned from the im@s Side M 2nd Stage concert

Bandai Namco's The IDOLM@STER Side M sub-franchise held their second live concert recently at the Makuhari Messe and those who couldn't made it to the venue got a chance to watch the live viewing event at select cinemas. In addition to returning faves such as Jupiter, Dramatic Stars, Beit, High x Joket, W, and S.E.M., new additions are joining in the concert as well, including F-LAGS, FRAME, Altessimo, Legenders, and many others.

Folks who made it to the concert, which is their way of honoring Side M's one million downloads, got in for a special treat because during the concert, Bandai Namco announced that there's a new Side M app game coming soon. Titled THE IDOLM@STER Side M Live On St@ge, this is going to be just like the Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage presumably but right now, no info has been given but fans can expect this new app game coming soon.

In addition to this, another surprise in store for the fans because Side M will become a full-fledged anime series with a special announcement coming on March 15th.

With Side M, it will be the third im@s anime offering since 2011's THE IDOLM@STER starring the 765PRO ALL-STARS and 2015's Cinderella Girls.

With all these cool announcements, things are looking great for 315's finests!

BMW 5-Series G30

With the arrival of the new-generation BMW 5-Series G30, they're on the roll of creating a new kind of executive sedan that promises the next-generation of driving pleasure for the next generation of drivers from around the world because of its next-generation technology embodied to its well-sculpted design that meets the demands of today. So, what's it all about?

2017 BMW 5-Series

First, let's take a look on the new model's design and while the previous model looked promising but a tad too much to bear for a post-Bangle Bimmer, the new design looks more a miniaturized 7-Series with the 4-Series's rear view on it, making it even more interesting to look at compared to the next luxury car in its class parked in the office lot. It maybe more sophisticated to look at but as time passed by, it's going to be as less interesting as an Audi A6.

2017 BMW 5-Series interior

2017 BMW 5-Series interior

On the plus side, the interior is a basic improvement compared to the previous model which reminds you of most BMWs of the past. Looking at the new dashboard inspired from the modern BMW 7-Series, you can see that it's either great or just becoming the template for future BMW interiors for the next few years and let me tell you, while waiting for future Bimmers to use such interior as seen here, you're free to toy around its wide array of gadgets whatever you like before setting off. There's even a rear seat massager that relaxes you as you ride along as well. How convenient for a first-class interior that delivers the same experience as riding first-class on an airplane.

Yes, now that the new 5-Series comes with gesture control apart from the voice control, touchscreen, and the iDrive controller, everything feels like you're in a Mission Impossible movie except that you're not Ethan Hunt or any other IMF agent per se. However, it takes a lot of mastery to get a grip on this gesture part.

Appreciate the congrats on the new interior, but let's move on because there are some important things to check on the new 5-Series.

2017 BMW 5-Series

The new BMW 5-Series features a new powerhouse cast of engine choices with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and these new engines is as fresh as a cast of a remake of a classic TV show. There's a 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol, a 6-cylinder 3.0L petrol, a 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel, a 6-cylinder 3.0L diesel, and more to come in the lineup later this year, including the new 530e iPerformance PHEV that comes with the 3.0L petrol engine mated to an electric motor that produces a total output of 252PS of power, and the flagship M550i xDrive, the most powerful in the normal 5-Series as of time being, with the 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine producing 462PS of power and 650Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, they can be fitted with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, which is uncanny by most speedo boys elsewhere.

That's almost everything you need to know but behind the engine choices lies the improved chassis and suspension of the new 5-Series and for BMW, they've spent lots of man hours perfecting its dynamics inside and out and the result is a more comfortable, sturdier, and a sharper experience unlike the previous model. Plus, they've even done the SYNTAK technology to reduce powertrain noise and that's good too.

For the first time in the new 5-Series, the brand new Adaptive Drive system, which combines Dynamic Damper Control with Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation, for a better ride unlike the previous one and get this, the anti-roll bars in this new model are now no longer actuated hydraulically but by means of electric swivel motors. Sounds like magic for the drivers but the way it handles is not really half bad when they try it.

Because the 5-Series has evolved into a luxury car that meets the demands of today, it's been incorporated with the latest driver assistance systems ranging from Active Cruise Control with incorporating speed restrictions, hazard preview based on car-to-car communication, side collision protection and automatic lane-change, evasion aid, steering and laine control assistant, and more safety tech that are too much to bear in this post and whatever BMW did to this new model is becoming more of an autonomous car rather than being a BMW that wants to be driven by almost anyone. Autonomous driving...isn't that something speedo boys in their anoraks should be running back to their mommies? Whatever that is, that tech made them look bleak on the public roads.

The new BMW 5-Series starts at 45,200 Euros MSRP including taxes and delivery charges and while this is more expensive than today's Mercedes-Benz E-Class, this is still a 7-Series in E-Class budget, so it's a fair value for the new-generation model. Know this, many will appreciate the new 5-Series for its next-generation technology that incorporated the embodiment of its superiority, one puzzling question that worries a certain driver is that when the new 5-Series is here now, ready for tomorrow, will its technological masterpiece become a burden for its "freude am fahren" slogan? Only time will tell...

Photo: BMW AG