Forza Horizon 3: Himmel Mancheese

In case you never know, Porsche returns to the world of Forza and with their new six-year partnership agreement, looks like we'll be seeing Porsches in future installments and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Since Porsche was freed from EA exclusivity, most games are willing and able to feature Stuttgart's finest not just for action racing but for racing simulation to demonstrate Porsche's true capabilities and for the Forza franchise, this is a welcoming feat.



The opening salvo of Porsche's return to Forza is the latest 911 (991) GT3 RS, as seen on Forza Horizon 3's Porsche Car Pack of April. This is known to be one of the fastest track cars Porsche ever made and finally, the 911 everyone wants to get on the groove, especially in the Land Down Under.



The GT3 is the stripped-out model that took Porsche decades of German engineering that brought into this and like its normal model, the 911 GT3 provides some stylish design and spartan driving manners with its organic bodywork, "mild" driving feel, and a decade-old philosophy. The GT3 RS model pushes the GT3 to the extreme by dropping 10kg of weight from the normal GT3, increase the flat-6 engine's size from 3.8 to four liters, and feature unique aerodynamics that makes the track weapon more potent on the racetrack and because it lapped the Nurburgring in under seven minutes and 20 seconds, it's surprisingly faster than the Porsche Carrera GT supercar of 2003.

I miss the 991 911 Turbo from the previous installments but to me, the handling is a bit harsh and mild for a high-powered 911 and now, with the 911 GT3 RS, although it's not as powerful as the Turbo, the handling is really magic to me and finally, some "himmel mancheese" to get our mouth on. This is definitely the 911 everyone's wanting for, although the PDK is out of context for the track toy, and driving the 991 911 GT3 RS is by no means the actual representation of a childhood memory where someone is playing Ridge Racer V and their favorite car was the Himmel EO. This is like that RRV favorite because like that, its stylish design and spartan driving manners makes them very hard to resist such temptation and who can blame them?

Speaking of which, this car got featured in The Grand Tour where Jeremy Clarkson compares it with this...





This is the BMW M4 GTS which I found this on FH3's Alpinestars Car Pack. Like the GT3 RS, this is a stripped-out version of the BMW M4 that rids of everything that doesn't help with driving such as a radio of course and some rear seats, add some unique aerodynamics inspired from its DTM racing champion, and to top it all, arm the six-cylinder in-line turbo engine with water injection to deliver 500HP of power. All sounds great but it's about eight seconds slower than the 911 GT3 RS on the Nurburgring and in The Grand Tour's Eboladrome, two seconds slower than the GT3 RS as well.



Hey, since these two are featured in the show and compared, how about I can compare these two at the only place in Byron Bay I know? How about, you guessed it, The Grand Tour Sprint? Yep, the sprint track with the words "Grand Tour" on it. Sounds catchy but let's get on with it.



And now, the results...

2016 BMW M4 GTS (493hp/442ft-lb/3,329lb/51%/2,979cc/S1 849) - 2:27.381
2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (493hp/339ft-lb/3,131lb/39%/3,996cc/S2 929) - 2:18.906

Hey, The Grand Tour is right about the M4 GTS slower than the GT3 RS. Although I like the way BMW made their response against the track-focused Porsche, they really made a hash of it and there's a metaphor for this one but I don't know what that is.





Feeling pleased about the 911 GT3 RS, I did something special for this Porsche and yes, you get the point. With the design ready, the 911 GT3 RS is ready to take on other 911 drivers in the city for a little cars, coffee, and a race.





Although it lost the comparo, the M4 GTS doesn't want to be left behind so I made a little familiar design for this car and while the 911 GT3 RS is busy wowing the other 911 cars, the M4 GTS will have to hang out with the other city delinquents. Poor girl...



That, ladies and gentlemen, is what you called the Himmel Mancheese.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Prosecutors charged President Park for bribery

South Korean prosecutors charged ousted leader Park Geun-hye and Lotte Group chairman Shin Dong-bin with bribery in the latest twist to a corruption scandal that rocked the nation for months.

The probe has already convulsed the biggest conglomerate, Samsung Group, with its chief Jay Y. Lee under arrest for bribing Park and her friend, Choi Soon-sil. All three are being held at detention centres.

Prosecutors accused Park of colluding with Choi to receive 7 billion won from Lotte for favours, they said in a statement. Park was also charged with abuse of power and coercion by pressuring big businesses to contribute funds to non-profit foundations, the prosecutors said.

Lotte denied the allegations as well as the Park, Lee, Choi and Samsung Group.

Source: Reuters

Let's Do The News! (April 17, 2017)

- According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Abu Sayyaf Group beheaded another hostage during the Holy Week exodus. The hostage was identified as Noel Besconde, a 45 year old crew member of the fishing boat that the terrorist group ambushed last December 2016 in Celebes Sea.

- President Rodrigo Duterte sponsored the baby of the OFW from Saudi Arabia. The OFW named Jobelyn Tayad is one of the 150 OFWs who went home to the Philippines following Duterte's Middle East visit. The Saudi Government gave amnesty to these undocumented OFWs.

- The Philippine National Police CIDG filed a case against two security aids of drug suspect Jun No who escaped last Saturday while confined at the East Avenue Medical Center.

- In case you missed it, US President Donald Trump blocked the White House visitor list to the public, sparking security concerns.

- The torch relay for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics will commence this November.

TTFN!!!

F1 2017: Bahrain GP

The Easter Holidays are nearing its end and the Formula 1 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix really ends the Easter Holidays with a bang, although Easter is not unusually present in the Middle East (well...almost), especially in Bahrain.

As sparks literally fly on the best drivers in the Bahrain Grand Prix, there are some trouble occurred during the heated nighttime race such as Kevin Magnussen from HAAS faced mechanical failure from his car that sent him out from the race, as well as Red Bull's Max Verstappen, William's Lance Stroll, Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz, among many others.

Behind the misfortune, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel crushed both the Mercedes-AMG drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to snag his second win of this season. Not bad for a German plotting for a comeback.

After three races this season, Sebastian Vettel's leading with 68 points while Hamilton's seven points behind Vettel, and Bottas' in 3rd place with 38 points.

The next race is on Sochi, Russia, on the 30th of April.

Top Gear S24E06

Top Gear S24E06

The highlight of the sixth episode of the 24th series of Top Gear sees Chris Harris and Rory Reid embark on their first-ever Cuban adventure. With Harris in the Maserati BiTurbo and Reid's in the Chevy Camaro, the two set off in a Latin American country to explore more about the rich automotive culture and history of Cuba that dates back to the Bay of Pigs Invasion that changed everything about car ownership in Cuba.

Meanwhile, Matt LeBlanc's left behind in the Top Gear Test Track to demonstrate Mercedes-AMG's newest track toy, the more potent AMG GT R.

Then, Ross Noble returns to the show to talk about cars, toying around with heavy machinery alongside LeBlanc, and above all, set a lap time in a Reasonably Fast Car.

Doctor Who S10E01

So, how's it feel? Season 10 of BBC's Doctor Who and it's amazing that the revived program reached a double digit season with a brand new companion named Bill Potts, played by Pearl Mackie, joining alongside The Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi, and his old ally Nardole, played by Matt Lucas.

In the season opener, what was the encounter between the time lord and an average woman changed everything and what was known to be the mysterious puddle became a deadly cat-and-mouse chase until a sacrifice has been made. The Daleks were present on the opener as well for dramatic effects.

It's good to see The 12th Doctor back for more but this season will be the last of The Peter Capaldi Years and while this is too early to tell, there's still more to come for The Doctor, Bill, and Nardole because now is the time for heroes. 

Subaru New XV (GT)

Subaru's crossover utility hatchback, the XV, is now based on the fifth-generation Subaru Impreza. You know, the latest version with the design that is nowhere near as close to the concept car but won the Japan Car of the Year with its new platform and safety tech that sets the standards for medium-sized cars in Japan. Now, let's take a closer look on Subaru's latest version of the Impreza-based crossover hatch that tries to shrug off against the likes of the Nissan Juke, Mitsubishi RVR, Honda Vezel, and even Toyota's C-HR as well.

2018 Subaru XV

2018 Subaru XV

Like all the others, the all new XV's design has no resemblance from the concept car it was based upon and to them, it looks more like the previous model at all. On the plus side, the XV looks more of a rugged Impreza Sport which was based upon and it's not half bad to look at it especially on the weekends.

2018 Subaru XV interior

On the inside, benefitting from the new platform, the new XV is now roomier enough to accommodate just about everything in the event of outdoor activities, shopping trips, picking up kids after school, and so much more. To help differentiate the new XV's interior from the normal Impreza, it has been given orange stitching on the dashboard so that you know that this is the new XV, not a normal Impreza, per se. Oh, and for additional extra, you can have the XV's interior look more adventurous enough to get their day-off started.

2018 Subaru XV

Like the normal Impreza, the new XV is powered by  a choice of either a 1.6L or a 2.0L boxer engine, both mated to a Lineartronic CVT with a Manual Mode engaged when the Sport Mode in its SI-DRIVE was engaged. Having this feature sounds good to us but just like as experienced in the normal Impreza, it's nowhere near as engaging as the past Imprezas but since this is the XV, who cares about not being sporty for a rugged crossover hatchback? 

A crossover like this one doesn't need to act like a sportscar. It wants to get down and dirty and courtesy of its X-MODE feature, it allows the new XV to increase drivability by optimising integrated control of the engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and brakes to provide additional control when tyres slip and lose traction on a slippery road surface, including downhill.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the XV promises 16.4km/L of fuel efficiency by JC08 Mode standards, which sounds like mediocre compared to the C-HR, Juke, or the Vezel, but these so-called crossovers can't just match the new XV's character that is not afraid to play rough.

If the XV's all about playing rough, its new safety tech makes it want to play nice on the road, courtesy of its EyeSight Ver. 3, as well as High Beam Assist, Steering Responsive Headlights, and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection, Because the new XV is using the Subaru Global Platform, pretty much like the new Impreza has, this award-winning platform promises the XV to be more rigid, more maneuverable due to its low center of gravity that benefits most boxer-powered cars, and well pretty much about it.

Should you buy it? The new Subaru XV starts at 2,138,400 Japanese Yen and its surprisingly more affordable than the Toyota C-HR. Sounds good and unlike the C-HR, this new Subaru XV is all about taking out for the great outdoors while trying to cross out what's in their Golden Week bucket list...or doing stuff that's not on the list. Nothing like kicking the bucket list with the new XV.

Available colors: Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Pure Red, Dark Blue Pearl, Quartz Blue Pearl, Sunshine Orange, and Cool Grey Khaki.

Photo: Subaru

Sixth-Generation Hyundai Grandeur (IG) Hybrid

2018 Hyundai Grandeur Hybrid

Last November, Hyundai launched the latest sixth-generation Hyundai Grandeur to commemorate three decades of one of Hyundai's longest-running nameplates in history with innovation fit for today's drivers. Following the arrival of the sixth-generation model, which comes with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, the hybrid variant has arrived for this generation for those who value fuel efficiency without giving up performance.

It looks the same as the normal sixth-generation Grandeur. You still have the same old front view, same old Charger-esque rear view, and the classy interior fit enough for a cut-price luxury saloon, but the Grandeur Hybrid is powered by the Theta II 2.4L petrol engine connected to an electric motor and a li-ion battery as well as being mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It produces 159ps of power output while the electric motor produces 38kw of power, resulting to a combined power output is 210PS and combined fuel efficiency of 16.2km/L. Take note that these figures is as similar to its compatriot, the Kia K7 Hybrid, which has the same powertrain as this.

Like the normal Grandeur, the Grandeur Hybrid features Hyundai SmartSense, which comprises of numerous safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Detection, Driver Attention Alert, Advanced Smart Cruise Control and Around View Monitor.

The all-new Grandeur Hybrid starts at 36,830,000 Korean Won and it's slightly more costly than the previous Grandeur Hybrid as well as the Kia K7 Hybrid. Sounds too odd for the pricing of the car that promises fuel efficiency, performance, and tech delivered for today's drivers in South Korea.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (April 12, 2017)

- 700 residents of Inabanga, Bohol, were forced to evacuate due to ongoing attacks against suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

- Days after the deadly Batangas quake, different parts of Mindanao were struck by strings of quakes yesterday. The last was felt in General Santos City with magnitude 5.6 at 11pm Tuesday.

- The EU denied reports that they had suspended free trade negotiations with the Philippines over human rights violations due to President Duterte's war on drugs.

- Some parts of the of the country will spend a rainy Holy Week as a Low Pressure Area has been spotted outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility and could enter by Maundy Thursday. According to PAGASA, there is a very high chance that it will turn in to a tropical depression named Crising. If the direction's maintained, it will affect Eastern Visayas and Mindanao and could make a landfall in Eastern Visayas or the Bicol Region on Black Saturday and or Easter Sunday.

- Neil Gorsuch, US President Donald Trump's pick for US Supreme Court judge, has sworn in to his position despite opposition which resulted the Republicans' abolition to the filibuster of Trump's nominees. In the aftermath of Gorsuch sworn into office, there is a probability that Democrats will win back the Senate in the 2018 midterm elections and if they did, it will increase the chance of blocking the US President's nominees and bills.

- Alleged reports told that over a hundred gay men have been arrested in a "purge" in the Russian region of Chechnya and being held to concentration camp-style prisons.

- After cryptic teasers, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has been unleashed and this is the most powerful V8 production car in the world with 840HP unleashed from its supercharged 6.2L V8 engine sourced from the Hellcat, resulting to 0-60mph time in 2.3 seconds and 9.65 seconds in a quarter mile run. It is the first to lift the front wheels at launch and set the world record for longest wheelie from a standstill by a production car at 2.92 feet, verified by the Guinness World Record.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

- The second-generation Buick Enclave crossover has unveiled prior to this week's New York Auto Show premiere. It is the first to feature the new Avenir line of Buicks featuring luxury treatments that set them apart from normal Buicks.

2018 Buick New Enclave

- The first teaser trailer of the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok film has arrived.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: SoKor warns of NoKor provocations as U.S. navy group approaches

South Korean acting president warned of "greater provocations" by North Korea as tension on the Korean peninsula rises over concern the North may conduct a test of its military hardware in coming days.

The US Navy strike group led by a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is en route to the western Pacific with talk of military action by the United States gaining traction following its strikes last week against Syria.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the South Korean acting leader, ordered the military to intensify monitoring on the North's activities and to ensure close communication with the United States.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian government should investigate the possible transfer of funds to North Korea’s leadership, according to a deputy home minister after reports told that the head of the Malaysian conglomerate had for years funnelled cash to Pyongyang.

Reports cited a North Korean defector as saying that Han Hun Il, the North Korean founding chief executive of Malaysia Korea Partners, had funnelled money to Pyongyang’s leadership, the central committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, for the past two decades.

The MKP's bank subsidiary in Pyongyang is also under investigation by the United Nations for possible violations of sanctions barring foreign companies from setting up joint ventures with, or taking an ownership interest in, North Korean banks.

Source: Reuters

Let's Do The News! (April 11, 2017)

- The residents of Mabini, Batangas are still afraid in the aftermath of the Magnitude 6 quake struck the area last weekend. According to the town's Mayor Noel Luistro, most of the residents of Mabini continue to stay outside their homes due to trauma, and fear of another earthquake. He added that they continued to be hit by aftershocks after the strong seismic event.

- Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada declared April 12 as a non-working holiday for all employees of the Manila City Hall. However, he warned the public to refrain from posting their travel plans for the Holy Week in their social media accounts, as it increase chances of getting their houses robbed.

- Urban poor group KADAMAY rushed to the Quezon City Hall in order to appeal for the release of their members who are imprisoned in Camp KAringal. Almost a hundred members barricaded and pounded the city hall on April 10. The group asked city mayor Herbert Bautista to release the 41 Kadamay members who are currently detained at the QCPD after their group tried to occupy a private property in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

- The member nations of the G7 will be joined by Middle East allies on Tuesday in a push to isolate Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, hours before the US Secretary of State flies to Moscow.  G7 foreign ministers hosted by Italy invited their counterparts from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar to sit down in the morning and discuss Syria.

- A senior Myanmar government official denied there was ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in the troubled northwestern state of Rakhine, where military operations forced 75,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. Attacks on Myanmar border guard posts in October last year by a Rohingya insurgent group ignited the biggest crisis of country leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s year in power.

- Chevrolet celebrates 65 years of the Corvette with special edition Carbon 65 variant for the Z06 and Grand Sport models. Limited to 650 units globally, the Carbon 65 blends visible carbon-fiber exterior elements with the special Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior color and special interior appointments, including a new carbon-fiber-rimmed steering wheel.



- Overwatch's climatologist, Mei, joins the Nendoroid lineup. Donning her "Classic Skin Edition", This Nendo's available for order and arrives this October.



- In case you missed it; the mythical Pokemon Marshadow's announced. It will make a special appearance in the upcoming Pokemon the Movie 20: I Choose You! as well as the Pokemon Sun and Moon games soon.

 

TTFN!!!

Super GT 2017 - Okayama

The 2017 season of the Autobacs Super GT kicked off in Okayama and while the GT500 class is becoming more interesting than the last time with the arrival of the new Lexus LC500 race machines as well as improved versions of the GT-R GT500 racing machines and the NSX GT machines, the GT300 class still has the usual mix of Japanese and European racing machines in the lineup and in this first round, it becoming more of a talk of a town after the race because the two winners are becoming the trending topic in this season.

In the GT500-class, the newest arrival from Lexus, the LC500, showed its fighting chance among drivers using this new machine that replaced last season's RC-F racing machines and as demonstrated by the #37 KeePer TOM'S LC500, which won this race, this new machine really shows its wonders in the Super GT race.

Meanwhile, in the GT300-class, the biggest winner is the #4 GOODSMILE HATSUNE MIKU AMG GT race car, which marked its first win after four years. What a surprise to see a race car in Miku colors coming back in the race as if its ready to honor ten years of Hatsune Miku. Call it a coincidence but who cares...

Highlights:



Next race is at Fuji Speedway on the 4th of May.