Lexus CT and NX (2018 minor change)

Lexus's compact offerings, the CT hybrid hatchback and the NX crossover, have been facelifted for the 2018 model year featuring new faces, new interiors, and added safety tech to keep these luxury compacts prepared for the road ahead.

But first, let's delve deeper on the CT hybrid hatchback...

2018 Lexus CT

2018 Lexus CT interior

The Lexus CT has been with us for six years now, that's over a half a decade for now for Lexus's hybrid hatchback made for city pleasure in mind and although today's hatchbacks are evolving, the Lexus CT feels like it's been left behind when it comes to following today's trends.

Sure, the exterior has been mildly revised while the interior now boasts a longer screen on the dashboard but when it comes to performance, it still feels pretty much the same as the previous facelift three years ago or perhaps is it?

The suspension now boasts some performance dampers on both front and left to make handling even more emotional than ever and while it sounds nice, it still feels like it was slightly improved at all and while it retains the Drive Mode Selector, it delivers some mixed driving feels. ECO, NORMAL, or SPORT, it 2018MY CT feels like pretty much the same as last time and that's it.

Performance still pretty much the same as ever as you still have the 2ZR-FXE 1.8L engine connected to a 3JM electric motor and the conventional nickel metal battery. Running on engine alone, it produces 99PS of power and 142Nm of torque while running on electric motor alone, it produces 82PS of power and 207Nm of torque. Fuel economy is still 30.4kmpl by JC08 Mode standards, although now irrelevant due to WLTC Mode standards.

The biggest change for the CT on this 2018 minor change is the implementation of Lexus Safety System + featuring a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection Function, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam, and Radar Cruise Control. With tech like these, the CT is starting to be as intelligent as a a college student taking an Associate's Degree.

2018 Lexus NX

2018 Lexus NX

2018 Lexus NX interior

Now, let's talk about the Lexus NX and onto its 2018MY minor change, the NX has gained a new face which is agressive in F SPORT variants whereas the interior gained a much longer screen on the dashboard but the style is not the concern because the 2018MY NX is the first to bear Lexus's revised nomenclature for turbocharged models as the old NX 200t is now renamed as NX 300.

Renaming aside, the NX 300 still bears the same 8AR-FTS 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which is also the same engine that powers the facelifted Toyota Harrier a few months ago, producing 238PS, 350Nm of torque output, and it's mated with a new 6-speed AT with G AI-SHIFT. Fuel efficiency has gone up to 13.0km/L by JC08 Mode standards. Also, there's the NX 300h with the 2AR-FXE engine connected to an electric motor and an old-school nickel metal battery. With the E-Four variant, an additional 50kW electric motor is bolted to the back, which makes the NX not only feels capable on any road condition but also efficient as well. The CVT gearbox is standard for the hybrid model and as always, 21kmpl of fuel economy is plenty for the front wheel drive NX300h.

Like the CT, the new NX comes with Lexus Safety System + as mentioned above to give this crossover a much prepared stance for the drivers navigating through different traffic conditions.

The 2018MY CT starts at 3,770,000 Yen while the 2018MY NX starts at 4,400,000 Yen for the NX300 and 5,040,000 Yen for the NX300h. So, which Lexus compact will you pick? If you are onto something, you'd better be with the turbocharged NX300 but if you're on a long journey ahead, go for the hybrid variants. While not essentially enjoyable to drive by luxury car standards, these compacts are well-mannered enough to enjoy the urban landscape as much as any other luxury cars on the road right now.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: US, China hold low-key talks amid NoKor tensions

US and Chinese generals engaged in an unusual set of security talks on Wednesday just hours after North Korea's most powerful missile test yet, focused on how the mighty American and Chinese militaries might communicate in a crisis.

As US President Donald Trump greeted the North's recent missile launch with familiar demands for China to get tougher with its ally, the low-profile talks at the National Defense University in Washington was taking place amid signs China is more willing at this time to discuss how the two world powers would manage an even worse emergency on the divided Korean Peninsula.

The Pentagon stressed the talks were scheduled long before North Korea's surprise missile launch in the early hours Wednesday in Asia. Officials insisted the dialogue wasn't centered on North Korea or anything else in particular.

In a phone conversation with Trump on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his desire for a diplomatic resolution to the standoff with North Korea.

Source: Associated Press

Let's Do The News! (December 1, 2017)

- The Department of Health placed the dengue vaccination program on hold following the analysis that the vaccines used by the government pose risk to people without prior infection.

- Despite protests supporting the Duterte administration's plan for a revolutionary government, even though President Rodrigo Duterte nixed that idea days ago, the recently-launched pro-Duterte group "Tapang at Malasakit" Alliance has yet to "take a collective position" on calls for Duterte to declare an extraconstitutional revolutionary government.

- ASEAN and EU on Wednesday held their second policy dialogue where both agreed to promote and protect human rights amid issues hounding Southeast Asia ranging from the Philippines' war on drugs, the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, Thailand's military junta rule, and more.

- Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez presented his credentials to US President Donald Trump as part of the diplomatic protocol.

- US President Donald Trump mulls firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replaced by CIA Director Mike Pompeo.

- Pope Francis demands "decisive measures" to resolve the causes of the mass exodus in Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, breaking his recent silence over what the United Nations has declared to be a textbook case of “ethnic cleansing.”

- As sexual harassment allegations hounding the US Congress, House Democrats on Thursday delivered their strongest rebuke yet with calls for Michigan Rep. John Conyers' resignation, while those in the Senate reserved judgment for their embattled colleague, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken.

- The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class was unveiled at the LA Auto Show, featuring a new design, new interior, and a new range of engines.

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

- Toyota showcased their FT-AC Concept at the LA Auto Show that comes with numerous cameras capable of livestreaming video and uploading content via cloud.

Toyota FT-AC Concept

- Sauber F1 team brings back the Alfa Romeo sponsorship for the F1 2018 season.

- Actress Kathryn Newton will cast for the live-action Detective Pikachu film.

- Disney has named the actress to play as Mulan for the live-action rebirth. They've named Chinese actress Crystal Liu as the lead actress for the said film.

TTFN!!!

AIKATSU SCRAPBOOK 03

Continuing with the AIKATSU SCRAPBOOK single range inspired by the Aikatsu Photo on Stage app game, the third addition to the range is here and the full version of these three new songs as heard in the game will make you seeing stars.

It begins with 虹色アンコール and it was performed by Remi and Fuuri from STAR☆ANIS & Miki and Nanase from AIKATSU☆STARS! Then, Waka and Remi from STAR☆ANIS are at it again to perform Good day,Good night, and finally, ショコラショー・タイム by Fuuri from STAR☆ANIS.

Enjoy these latest additions to the Aikatsu playlist and be sure to play Aikatsu Photo on Stage exclusively on iOS devices. Contains in-app purchases and adult supervision required.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1) 虹色アンコール

2) Good day,Good night

3) ショコラショー・タイム

4) 虹色アンコール (OFF VOCAL)

5) Good day,Good night (OFF VOCAL)

6) ショコラショー・タイム (OFF VOCAL)

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

The midsize pickups are making a comeback on their way home. USA has the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon (not to mention Ford returning the Ranger at the end of the decade), Japan only has the Toyota Hilux, and Europe has the VW Amarok, Fiat Fullback, and the recently launched Renault Alaskan. Even though they're sourced from Third World countries, they are First World at heart and I only prefer First World pickups because that's how I only cover. Now, the First World pickups are joined by a new contender, this time from Mercedes-Benz.

2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class

This is the first-ever X-Class from Mercedes-Benz and unlike every First World pickups we knew, except for the Americans, that was sourced from Third World countries, it was sourced from a First World nation, namely Spain, and while it says Mercedes-Benz on it, what's underneath is basically a Nissan November-Papa-Three-Zero-Zero November-Alpha-Victor-Alpha-Romeo-Romeo-Alpha (sorry, phonetic alphabet used due to search query reasons), just like the Renault Alaskan sourced from South America.

Unlike every other First World pickups, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is the big daddy of the midsize pickups because this is the first time a luxury carmaker made on, despite the Japanese connection underneath, which is also a byproduct of the Axis Powers just like the Fiat 124 Spider based on the Mazda Roadster and Toyota's next sports car based on BMW's next Z4. The Allied Forces are wetting their pants right about now ever since the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis making a comeback on car manufacturing.

2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class interior

2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class interior

Outside, you will notice the Mercedes-Benz design that is very unheard for a pickup, giving countryfolks a hint that you're driving a luxury car while doing usual countryfolk stuff like farming or carrying stuff to the nearby market. On the inside, there's your typical Mercedes-Benz interior where in top-spec variants featured plush leather seats, wooden trim, and some extras that will make you accommodated like every saloon in the Mercedes-Benz range.

2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class

As a bonafide one-tonner, the X-Class can carry up to 1.1 tonnes of payload, which is more than the Hilux's 500kg payload limit. You can carry barrels full of powder keg without even annoying the neighbors. As long as you didn't turn a truck into a personal transport for cultists and extremists alike, the X-Class is as civilized as a muscled man working in the foundry and when you take it on some healthy lifestyle stuff, the X-Class showcases its true action vehicle at heart.

Because like the Nissan it was based upon, the X-Class features a ladder-frame chassis combined with the super-high-tensile-strength steel to ensure it's tough enough to go anywhere and it has engageable 4MATIC with two different modes; low-range that sacrifices top speed for better offroad capability while high-range for better traction offroad. Come next year, it will come with the permanent 4MATIC that can handle almost everything.

Under the hood, the X-Class is powered by a 2.3L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine in two different power outputs with the highest producing 190PS of power and 450Nm of torque, mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. Although average, that torque output is healthy enough for some pull and go but for those who need more for the X-Class, they'll have to wait until next year for the more powerful V6 diesel variant because it has the best towing capacity and the best functionality tough enough to get through different jobs that are so much more than just 9-to-5 hours of working time directive.

Along with the toughness the X-Class delivers, it's also the smartest because it promises a wide range of tech features no pickup has ever possess but some of the bits are not yet available for now so we have to make do with the features that helps drivers park the X-Class with ease including this nifty 360-degree camera that makes this pickup aware of almost everywhere. While waiting with the most important safety tech to arrive by some other time, it's ideal to make do with the one with the Park Assist because it feels like your driving experience with the truck might be taking over by such driver aids like...the one I'm toying around everyday where that talking gadget's taking over your game for no reason.

Because this is the Mercedes-Benz, the X-Class starts at 31,340 Euros plus VAT and it's quite the most expensive pickup truck you can buy right now. Despite its expensive price tag, the X-Class works like every other pickup truck in the world and it's glad a First World country like Germany is selling trucks like these and while the pricing is not as friendly as the other First World pickups sourced from Third World countries, it still is a worthy contender in the battle of the midsize pickups.

Source: Daimler AG

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Emergency UNSC convenes in response to missile launch

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on countries across the world to cut off ties with North Korea on Wednesday as the UN Security Council met to discuss in response to the recent North Korea missile launch.

She called on "all nations to close off all ties with North Korea," as the UNSC opened an emergency meeting on North Korea's launch of a new missile on Wednesday local time, which it said could reach anywhere in the US.

Meanwhile, this morning, North Korea released photos of its newly developed Hwasong-15 ICBM, the long-range ballistic missile it launched early yesterday morning.

In the meantime, US President Donald Trump said more "major sanctions" will be imposed on North Korea in response to its latest ICBM launch.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News (November 30, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte didn't attend Bonifacio Day rites and instead, Vice President Leni Robredo and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the commemoration at the Bonifacio National Shrine.

- The National Bureau of Investigation inspected yesterday the coach involved in the decoupling of train cars of the Metro Rail Transit-3 in between the Ayala and Buendia stations in Makati City last week as the bureau started the official probe of the incident.

- Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali said that if Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno resigns, the whole impeachment proceedings will end abruptly.

- A digital diplomacy expert said that social media was used to aid repressive regimes and undermine democracy globally, including the Philippines.

- Matt Lauer, the news anchor of NBC's Today Show was fired by the network due to sexual harassment allegations. He is the second TV morning host sacked in a week over sexual misconduct allegations following CBS News' termination of Charlie Rose last Tuesday.

- Meanwhile, the US Congress easily approved a bipartisan measure requiring lawmakers and aides to take annual anti-harassment training as lawmakers faced heavy pressure to address burgeoning sexual misconduct allegations against members of Congress.

- Yesterday, the Senate Budget Committee approved the Republican tax reform plan, moving it to the Senate floor for a full vote which could come as early as this Thursday, local time.

- Lexus unveiled the long-wheelbase variant of the RX crossover at the LA Auto Show.

2018 Lexus RX L

- The facelifted Mazda Atenza was unveiled at the LA Auto Show, featuring a revised exterior and interior.

Mazda Atenza 2018 minor change

- The LCI BMW i8 was unveiled, featuring an updated exterior design, updated interior, updated powertrain, and the new Roadster variant.

2019 BMW i8

- Check out the trailer for the Paddington sequel film

TTFN!!!

Biohazard Revelations Collection

Biohazard (Resident Evil) has arrived for the first time on the Nintendo Switch as two Revelations games come into one collection that will make full use of the Switch's capabilities, bringing the fear and action wherever you may go.

Biohazard Revelations Collection

The Biohazard Revelations Collection features two Revelations games in one. First, there's a game cartridge for the Biohazard Revelations Unveiled Edition game and then, there's a download code for Biohazard Revelations 2. Whichever Revelations game you choose, you can experience the terror in different ways with your Switch. Either you can play it traditionally or take advantage of the Joy-Con's capabilities such as shooting, using a knife, reloading, and in the case of Revelations 2, you can share a Joy-Con with a friend for two-player co-op in both Campaign and Raid Mode. Because this is the Nintendo Switch, you can experience the terror wherever you may go.

Biohazard Revelations/Resident Evil Revelations ventures on the tale of Jill Valentine, who is new to the BSAA, as she ventures into the secrets of the cruise liner Queen Zenobia as well as the secrets behind the Terragrigia Panic a year ago. Not only the full game is featured but it features all the bonus content such as bonus weapons for Raid Mode and two playable characters such as Rachel Ooze and Lady Hunk. You can also enjoy Raid Mode with bonus costumes from Jill, Chris, and Keith as well.

In Revelations 2, Claire, working for NGO TerraSave, was imprisoned in a desolate island alongside Barry's daughter Moira and they were under the prying eyes of the Overseer. Barry, meanwhile, sets off alone to save his daughter, with a little help of a mysterious little girl named Natalia Korda. All four episodes plus two bonus episodes (The Struggle and Little Miss) are here as well as additional Raid Mode weapons, Throwback Map Pack on Raid Mode, and two playable characters in Raid Mode such as Hunk and Albert Wesker.

Both these games are compatible with RESIDENTEVIL.NET and when you link either of these games, you can take on special Raid Mode events that will test your marksmanship, your bravery, and your bragging rights.

Exclusive to the Switch version, you can play two special minigames that has some retro 8-bit vibes to it. Doesn't do much but these retro-styled minigames add some gimmick to it.

It's been five years since CAPCOM introduced us Revelations and with the arrival of the Switch version of both of these games, fans are looking forward to revisit the truth behind the most heinous of fears while experiencing new ways to play on the Nintendo Switch. We thought there won't be a Biohazard game on the Nintendo Switch but we are damn wrong because they're already here and because this is Revelations, the best way to play Biohazard Revelations is on Nintendo Switch.

MY MAI TONIGHT/MIRACLE WAVE

Catching up on the second season of the Love Live! Sunshine!! TV series? Well, there's the new single featuring two songs as heard from the TV series that will spice up your nerves as you're catching up on the series from the start to the current episode.

MY MAI TONIGHT/MIRACLE WAVE

Before we introduce the two new songs on this latest Aqours single as heard from the TV series, time for a quick recap for those who watched it or not. In one episode, the Aqours heroes faced a conflicting schedule as the preliminaries and the school's open house held on the same day and on that episode, as the Aqours heroes entered the preliminaries, they performed the song titled "MY舞☆TONIGHT" before making a dash to the Uranohoshi Girls High for the open house.

Then, several episodes later, Kanan tasked Chika to perform the impossible move that injured Mari a few years ago and she did it while in the tune of the newest Aqours song, MIRACLE WAVE, earning the heroes a shot at the finals with some added consequences later on.

These two new songs as heard not just in the TV series but also on the School Idol Festival app game are here and they're all extended never before heard so you can have the full experience of two new Aqours songs as heard in the show.

Enjoy their latest offerings and keep watching the second series of the Love Live! Sunshine!! TV series every Saturday nights for more of our favorite Aqours heroes.

TRACK LISTINGS:

01. MY舞☆TONIGHT

02. MIRACLE WAVE

03. MY舞☆TONIGHT(Off Vocal)

04. MIRACLE WAVE(Off Vocal)

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Philippines laments over NoKor missile launch

The Philippine government called on North Korea to commit to making meaningful progress to resolving the tensions in the Korean Peninsula as well as lamenting their ongoing weapons testing following the latter's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday.

The Philippines expressed serious concern as such development increases tensions on the Korean Peninsula. “Meaningful dialogue can only happen when the DPRK ceases such provocative and highly dangerous actions,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said and also reiterated the readiness of ASEAN to play a constructive role to help reduce tensions and promote peace in the region.

The ASEAN foreign ministers had released statements earlier this year urging Pyongyang to halt its weapons development and return to negotiations.

The Philippines' foreign service posts in Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka are closely monitoring the situation and providing up-to-date information to Filipino communities in South Korea and Japan.

Yesterday, Pyongyang launched another intercontinental ballistic missile from Sain Ni, North Korea and traveled about 1,000 kilometers before landing within 370 nautical kilometers of Japan's coast.

The United States also strongly condemned North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile which threatened its neighbors, the region and global stability.

Source: The Philippine Star

Let's Do The News! (November 29, 2017)

- Preisdent Rodrigo Dutere yesterday stressed that he will not let policemen and soldiers go to prison as the Philippine National Police faces allegations of extrajudicial killings.

- The Commission on Human Rights chief Chito Gascon said yesterday that destabilizing the government is not on their agenda amid attacks on the constitutional body for criticizing the mounting killings in the Duterte administration's brutal campaign against drugs.

- Associate Justice Teresita De Castro appeared at the Congress' ongoing impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno yesterday. De Castro said that she welcomes the opportunity to speak before the House panel to "explain to everyone the process that we follow in deciding cases in the Supreme Court."

- Apple has taken down mobile application games that promote the Duterte administration's brutal campaign against drugs, according to an organization supporting victims of illegal drugs. The Asian Network of People Who Use Drugs (ANPUD) yesterday announced the success of its campaign urging Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook to take down insensitive content from the company’s App Store for iOS users.

- The US Senate will vote this Friday over the proposed tax plan that will slash the corporate tax.

- Alabama Democrat senatorial candidate Doug Jones is outspending the embattled Republican senator Roy Moore by nearly 10 to one in the senate race, but his message on the airwaves over the past three weeks hasn’t completely focused on the sexual misconduct scandal that has enveloped Moore.

- A federal judge hearing the case over who rightfully can lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on an acting basis denied a request to stop US President Donald Trump from appointing Mick Mulvaney as acting director.

- Hyundai teases the next-generation Veloster, set to be unveiled in next year's NAIAS.

Teaser for next-gen Hyundai Veloster

- The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible has unleashed, bearing the same goodies from its hardtop equivalent, only now in open-top form.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible

- Lincoln unveiled the Nautilus luxury midsize SUV, which serves as the replacement for the MKX and the first Lincoln to have driver-assist tech.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus

- Jaguar's XE SV Project 8 has lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 21.23 seconds, eleven seconds off the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio's lap time, making it the fastest four-door saloon to lap the Ring.

TTFN!!!

Project CARS 2: Do-it-yourself Nismo Fest

Did you know that last weekend, Nissan held an annual NISMO Fest at Fuji Speedway in celebration of the best sports cars and racing machines in Nissan history? It's too bad we couldn't make it to this annual speed fest but that's okay because with Project CARS 2 featuring the best racing machines from Nissan as well as Fuji Speedway, you can make your own Nismo Fest without waiting for another year.




For a hardcore Nissan enthusiasts, the Nismo Festival is more about the Z-Cars and the GT-Rs but the festival is more than just Z-Cars and GT-Rs because apart from popular road cars, they've showcased some of the best racing machines in Nissan history. Some of the cars as seen in the festival are playable on Project CARS 2 just so you know.



There are racing-spec Z-Cars in Project CARS 2, notably the Datsun Fairladay 240Z GTS-II, a S130 Fairlady Z ( racing machine that made famous by the late Paul Newman, an actor and driver for the Connecticut-based Bob Sharp Racing, and a Z32 Fairlady Z (300ZX) that made famous for endurance racing, mostly at Le Mans where it won the GTS-1 category in 1994. Driving these iconic Z-Cars just gave me the fizz and while the way it behaves made me feel nervous about driving the most iconic Z-cars in racing history, I'm pretty sure those who've been at the NISMO Festival had a blast from witnessing these racing Zs in action.



Also appeared in the Nismo Festival is this unique Skyline Super Silhouette KDR30 racing machine that took part on the Super Silhouette races, with Masahiro Hasemi behind the wheel in the 1982 and 1983 seasons. Having achieved two wins in 1982 and five in 1983, the KDR30 Super Silhouette Skyline was far out one of the most iconic racing machines in Nissan history due to its signature performance courtesy of its LZ20B engine producing 570PS of power as well as the striking aerodynamics due to the heavy modification regulations the Super Silhouette races possess.



When Nissan brought back the GT-R name on the Skyline for the R32 model, it made its racing debut at the 1990 All Japan Championship (later renamed Super GT) and up until 1993, the R32 win 29 rounds in its lifespan, hence forever giving the nickname Godzilla. As years pass by, Godzilla continues to impress everyone in the world of motorsports and even in the R35 Nissan GT-R, its racing pedigree will never go unnoticed by many, regardless of what motorsport the GT-R takes on.



Apart from GT-Rs and Z-Cars, the NISMO Festival showcased us some of the most unique racing machines in history, especially those that are used in endurance racing including the R390 GT1. Because of such additions in this annual event, these machines are showing what Nissan is capable of in the world of motorsports and no matter how intimidating these machines can be, these legends surely never die.



Project CARS 2, a lineup of Nissan vehicles, Fuji Speedway, an ideal recipe to live the annual event without leaving the comfort of your own home for some reasons known only to yourselves and because this game was well known to deliver true-to-life driving behavior that sets them apart, perhaps living your DIY NISMO Festival might not such a bad idea at all and in light of last weekend's event, how about I take the king of GT-Rs for a spin round Fuji? Speaking of which, it's already nighttime but oh well, time to give Godzilla one last go before I leave...





What a way to celebrate the best of Nissan with one last ride with the Nissan GT-R NISMO round FISCO on Project CARS 2. The GT-R maybe on its last legs but out on the road, it's near-legendary capabilities are second to none and it won't go down without a hearty fight. Still, I'm impressed about how Nissan pulled the biggest party for its enthusiasts everywhere and I really wish I want to go there next year.