Doctor Who New Year's Day 2019 special

For the first time in Doctor Who history, the hit BBC TV series have transitioned from the usual Christmas specials its predecessors spawned to New Year's Day specials in the age of the female Doctor and first-ever New Year's Day special involves an ancient evil re-emerging in New Year's Day and it's up to The Doctor and her companions are on a race against time to stop it.

An ancient evil, after numerous centuries ago, has resurfaced and it's plotting to take over the world and The Doctor and her companions are on an epic race against time to put a stop to this powerful new threat by all means necessary. To add all the drama to this special, Ryan's dad emerges and this whole family affair is overshadowing the dire situation.

At first, we thought it may not come back in the age of the 13th Doctor, but in the special, it has returned as the Dalek made a grand comeback in the Jodie Whitaker years, this time more menacing than ever. No wonder this Dalek has been proven to be one tough opponent for The Doctor to "exterminate" it.

The Dalek's grand comeback really is the center piece of the New Year special Doctor Who fans will remember it forever but with the special finally ended, we may never know what's next for The 13th Doctor and her companions as they will return this 2020.

It's a very long wait but at least, we have fun getting to know more about the 13th Doctor and her companions since the beginning of her tenure battling new foes, travelling through different universes, meeting new people, and so on.

See you in 2020.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: President Moon Jae-in held the New Year's event

Welcoming the brand New Year of 2019, South Korean President Moon Jae-in held the New Year's event on the first working day of the year, also giving a New Year's speech that guides the country's path moving forward.

At the Korea Federation of the SMEs, some 300 people are in attendance, including political figures and business leaders like Samsung Electronics' Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Group's Executive Vice Chair Chung Eui-sun and heads of SK and LG Groups.

The president said the goal of steering the country's economy to a better position by securing the power from both the small-and-mid-sized firms and large businesses for the economic growth.


President Moon added that he will work on setting the stage so people can work in a more safe environment.

And the president mentioned his peace drive with North Korea as well.


Kicking off the first working day of 2019, South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited the National Cemetery in Seoul this morning, paying his respects to South Korea's fallen heroes.

The visit being the first official event of the third year of his single five-year presidency, President Moon was accompanied by all 19 members of his Cabinet, including Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon as well as his senior aides.

He left a message in the visitor log, indicating 2019 is the 100th anniversary of Korea's national foundation.

He reiterated his resolve to make Korea a country where everyone can be well-off together.



North Korea is willing to start a new relationship with Washington but that has to be done through joint efforts by the two sides.

That's the message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, on Tuesday January 1st, through his annual New Year's Address.

Kim stressed he is willing to sit down for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time but added he can't help but look for a "new way" if the U.S. doesn't keep its promise and forces Pyeongyang with sanctions and pressure.

The North Korean leader also called on South Korea and the U.S. to stop their joint military drills and deployment of strategic assets.

He said these raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula despite the two Koreas' promise for peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un expressed that inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation should deepen further in the new year.
Kim said he is willing to reopen the inter-Korean industrial park in the North's border city of Kaesong
and resume a suspended tour program to Kumgangsam Mountain on the North's east coast "without any preconditions."

Kim said he is always ready to sit down again with the U.S. president at any time and will make efforts to produce an outcome that the international community would welcome.

Kim emphasized that it is his firm intention to work on building "new relations" with the U.S., establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and seeking "complete denuclearization," as agreed to in his June summit with President Trump.



In response to Kim Jong-un's New Year's speech, U.S. President Donald Trump said he too looks forward to meeting with his North Korean counterpart.

President Trump on Tuesday evening, tweeted the comment together with part of a news report
that says Kim Jong-un is ready to meet President Trump anytime.

He referred to Kim as someone who realizes that North Korea possesses great economic potential.

Trump's tweet also included the part of the report where it said North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons or give them to others.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 2, 2019)

'- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has committed to continue improving the Philippines' aviation sector and pursue its mission of connecting the country's islands through aviation, making air transport more available and convenient for all.

- The Sandiganbayan Special Third Division has agreed to suspend the arraignment of former Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Herminio Guivelondo Teves in relation to the reported misuse of his P10 million priority development assistance fund because of his unstable mental health.

- The Makabayan bloc is calling on the Department of Education to report to Congress on the status of implementation of the K to 12 program.

- The United States and Israel officially left the United Nations' educational, scientific and cultural agency at the stroke of midnight, the culmination of a process triggered more than a year ago amid concerns that the organization fosters anti-Israel bias. The Paris-based organization has been denounced by its critics as a crucible for anti-Israel bias: blasted for criticizing Israel’s occupation of east Jerusalem, naming ancient Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage sites and granting full membership to Palestine in 2011.

- The deadline for Russia to turn over samples and other data from its Moscow anti-doping lab passed Tuesday, leaving the World Anti-Doping Agency to decide whether to reinstate the ban it had lifted in September.

- NASA’s New Horizons explorer successfully “phoned home” after a journey to the most distant world ever explored by humankind, a frozen rock at the edge of the solar system that scientists hope will uncover secrets to its creation.

- 19 people are killed during clashes between rebels and jihadists in Syria.

- Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn will stay imprisoned for ten more days, according to reports.

- Check out the teaser of Toyota's upcoming Supra revival cruising through Fuji Speedway.



- ADK acquires all of anime company d-rights following its restructuring.

- The longest-running anime series in the world Sazae-san celebrates its 50th anniversary with a sequel stage play set ten years later.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Kim warns N. Korea could consider change of tack

North Korea could consider a change of approach if the US maintains its sanctions on the nuclear-armed country, leader Kim Jong Un warned in his New Year speech Tuesday after 12 months of diplomatic rapprochement.

“If the US does not keep its promise made in front of the whole world… and insists on sanctions and pressures on our republic,” Kim said, “we may be left with no choice but to consider a new way to safeguard our sovereignty and interests”.

Kim was referring to his summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, when he said he had “fruitful talks” and “exchanged constructive ideas”.

At the time the two leaders signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but progress has since stalled with Pyongyang and Washington arguing over what that means.

The North is subject to multiple sets of United Nations Security Council sanctions over banned nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programmes, which have seen it carry out six atomic tests and launch rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland.

“I am ready to sit with the US President again at any time in the future and will make efforts by all means to produce a result that will be welcomed by the international community,” Kim said in his address, broadcast by the North’s state television.

Kim spoke sitting in a dark leather armchair, in a large office flanked with packed bookshelves along one side and paintings of his predecessors, his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung behind him.

As he began speaking — in a deep, gravelly voice — a clock behind him showed the time as just moments after 12.

But at times during the address it was blurred out, and towards the end of the half-hour broadcast it was close to 1, suggesting the speech was recorded in several takes.

Source: AFP

Let's Do The News! (January 1, 2019)

- Two New People's Army fighters were killed in an encounter with government troops in Bukidnon. A report reaching Camp Aguinaldo said troopers from the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion and 43rd Division Reconnaissance Company overran an NPA camp in the mountainous boundary of Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur.

- The Philippine National Police has recorded a range of 50 percent to 80 percent drop in all the usual bad news that come with the New Year revelry for this year, particularly on the firecracker and stray-bullet injuries.

- Rains will persist over most of Luzon due to the northeast monsoon or amihan as flash floods and landslides are likely in Cagayan Valley, including Aurora and Quezon provinces.

- Nine people were hurt, one seriously, when a man deliberately ploughed his car into crowds celebrating New Year’s Eve along a famous Tokyo street, according to reports.

- The United Nations called for restraint in Bangladesh on Monday following elections that turned violent and said complaints about the outcome should be addressed through legal means.

- A NASA spacecraft flew past the most distant world ever studied by humankind, Ultima Thule, a frozen relic of the early solar system that could reveal how planets formed.

- A man, a woman and a police officer were being treated for knife injuries, police said Monday, after a stabbing at a railway station in the British city of Manchester.

- The Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, and his deputy resigned abruptly Monday amid an overhaul of the Vatican’s communications operations and a crisis period in Pope Francis’ papacy.

- The 2019 Pokemon movie has been announced on New Year's Day and it's the reboot of the first movie that featured the legendary Pokemon Mewtwo. It's hitting theaters this July.

- Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing ball into stands.

TTFN!!!

Remembering 2018 - Top 40 things I learned in 2018 (PART 4)

Welcome back to the special year-ender where I jot down some of the top 40 things I learned throughout the year 2018 not just in news but also in cars, television, video games, sports, everything based on my interests.

Here we are, the last ten numbers of this year-ender. Let's end this right now!

10) North Korea changes heart - At the start of 2018, the world shocked that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wanted to have summits with South Korea and USA. That sounds like a ruse but the historical Inter-Korean Summit between him and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in carried on and despite all the setbacks, the planned US-NoKor summit at Singapore carried on last June. So far, progress of North Korea's denuclearization remains slow for now.

9) FIFA World Cup Russia - In June of 2018, the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 event has became one heck of a rollercoaster sports fans got into. There has been some controversies, heartbreaks, sense of humor, upsides, downsides, it's everything this match had from start to finish. In the end, France wins the 2018 FIFA World Cup and that match became one heck of a controversy given Russia's drastic sports records that sparked numerous sports governing bodies but with them out of the way, it turned out to be the best World Cup in ages and the Les Bleus fought all the way to the very end.

8) PyeongChang 2018 - For almost three weeks of February, the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics showcased the world's best athletes competing in various winter sports in different venues stretching across the hosting South Korean county. It's not just about the spirit of competition but also the coming together of different sides torn between conflicts and internal affairs. At the end of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, the biggest winners are the Norwegians having dominated almost every single event of the Games than every other nation participated..

7) Motorsports in 2018 - From retirements such as Fernando Alonso and Craig Lowndes, to switch of teams for the next season such as Kimi Raikkonen going for Sauber, to surprise comebacks such as Sebastian Loeb in WRC, this year is memorable in the world of motorsports and that's more fireworks than killing Jean Eric-Vergne's "balls" in the pit lane after that historic 1-2 finish in Formula E. Cue laughing emojis.

6) Anime in 2018 - From new favorites such as Pop Team Epic, Cells at Work, Goblin Slayer, Golden Kamuy, and SSSS.GRIDMAN, to returning faves such as Cardcaptor Sakura, Attack on Titan,  and My Hero Academia, 2018 has been a big year in anime. On the children's side, it's been headlined with Inazuma Eleven's 10th anniversary, Yo-Kai Watch's 5th anniversary, and the road to Precure 15th anniversary. Not to mention that this year's shoujo anime lineup got dominated by pink haired ones like Aine Yuki of Aikatsu Friends!, Mirai Momoyama of Kiratto PriChan, and most famously Cure Yell of HUGtto Precure. In the tokusatsu side, we've been blown away by the heroic efforts of Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger, Ultraman R/B, and recently Kamen Rider Zi-O. Movies, the biggest hitters of 2018 are Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer, Mirai no Mirai, Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us, and the most explosive of all, Dragon Ball Super Broly.

5) Video games in 2018 - While battle royale games dominated the video game genre for 2018, the biggest hitters of the year are the 2018 remake of God of War as well as Red Dead Redemption 2.

4) Entertainment in 2018 - Chinese version of Meteor Garden TV series, two main characters from two Walking Dead shows bid farewell, the arrival of the 13th Doctor, Alden Richards as a superhero, Maine Mendoza being "Daddy's Gurl", new ASAP format courtesy of Regine Velasquez-Alcasid after her dramatic network transfer, Marvel movies such as Black Panther, Infinity War, and DP2 reigned box office charts, Netflix cancelling Marvel series, Elseworlds crossover special, Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday, that's a lot to list or sum up about entertainment in the year 2018.

3) Big year for the 48 sister groups - The AKB48 franchise marks 2018 a big year because of popular additions to their 48 sister groups such as Vietnam's SGO48 and most famously, Philippines' MNL48.

2) Miss Philippines wins Miss Universe 2018 - December 17's Miss Universe pagent in Thailand made headlines because for the first time in history, a transgender was represented in this year's pageant and it's none other than Miss Spain Angela Ponce. Despite not being at the top spot, she really made headlines for being the first transgender to compete in Miss Universe and that really is a rule-changer the world's looking forward to. The biggest headline of the pageant is, for the fourth time, Philippines won Miss Universe as Catriona Gray takes home the crown, eclipsing the likes of Tamaryn Green of South Africa and Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela, especially Vietnam's H'hen Nie and Puerto Rico's Kiara Ortega.

1) Goodbye Broadway, Hello APT! - For nearly four decades, the longest-running noontime variety TV show in Philippine history, Eat Bulaga, has became the staple of every Filipino household with its rousing and engrossing segments with engaging hosts, including the so-called Holy Trinity of Eat Bulaga; Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. In anticipation of the program's 40th anniversary, Eat Bulaga has moved to the newest home studio, the APT Studios, located across the Marcos Highway, Cainta, Rizal, and opened its doors to all of the dabarkads here and around the world.

...and there we are. Another year passed, another year comes. The year 2018 has been quite a disastrous year for us all but despite whatever Murphy's Law throws on us, there has been some ups and positiveness that lead us to greater happiness throughout the year and as we approached to a new year, looks like Murphy's Law is starting to kick into maximum overdrive.

Think about this; the Brexit, the end of the Heisei era, this year is where everything changes radically and nothing in this world will ever be the same again. It's going to behave like...either Akira or Blade Runner. What? They're both movies set in the year 2019, which explains a lot.

As long as we are prepared for whatever Murphy's Law throws on us, we can still survive this brave new year ahead and whoever survives the year 2019 is everyone's guess.

May God bless the world and have a Happy New Year.

Peugeot 508 II

Peugeot's been busy cashing in on their hit crossovers such as the 2008, 3008, and the flagship 5008, but there is still work left undone for the 508 range. Although sales of the 508 have been stagnant due to the rise of crossovers, they decided to give the 508 another go with this new generation and what a Peugeot it is.

2019 Peugeot 508

2019 Peugeot 508 SW

Available in sedan and SW variants, the new Peugeot 508 starts at 32,300 Euros TTC so it's reasonably priced for a flagship saloon that competes to the likes of the Mazda Atenza, Subaru Legacy, Kia K5, Toyota Camry, and many others and by observing the design of the new model, the new 508 draws inspiration from the Exalt Concept, making it one of the best-looking saloons that borrows concept car elements out of it and making a buzz out of it. The only problem about the new look is the front because while it's nice to look at, the 508 badging in the middle spoils the appeal. It's fine on a Land Rover but in here, it's plain rubbish. It's like a supermodel with a big boil in her nose and you don't want that to happen.

2019 Peugeot 508 interior

On the inside, the futuristic elements today's Peugeot model carries since the 308, dubbed the i-Cockpit, are all here and it's sort of reminiscent of the interior from today's Ford GT, if you know what I mean? Anyway, while the dashboard is too futuristic to be ignored because of its clever sat-nav with smartphone connectivity, clever speedo, and so on, the comfort zone really works rather well in this new model, and thanks to the use of the EMP2 platform, it's surprisingly more spacious than the old 508 as well as the boot space, whereas the SW variant has the upper hand.

2019 Peugeot 508

Speaking of EMP2 platform, that new platform used on the new 508 results in a more lively driving experience that makes you come back for more, and when you go for the top-spec GT PureTech 225 S&S EAT8, the 508's dynamics really speaks for themselves but for subtle driving pleasure, there are different variants to choose from, just don't go for the diesel variants because France, like the rest of Europe today, treated diesels like public enemy number one because of the D-word from the headlines.

The driving pleasure of the new 508 is great indeed because of its new platform and sophisticated suspension and chassis setup that fares better than the previous model and for going home, the new 508 will be ready with a wide range of driving and safety aids so you don't have to worry about a thing.

So, is the new Peugeot 508 improved compared to the previous 508? Yes. These improvements made the new model relatively superior compared to the competition in terms of comfort, performance, safety, and packaging but while the design is great to look at, the 508 badge on the front side is a zit that deserves to be pinched and popped but while the front view is the least of the worries, the new 508 tries hard to win back the public whose attention is shifting to crossovers.

Photo: Groupe PSA

Third-generation Honda Insight and Clarity PHEV

After two failed attempts to challenge the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight hybrid has returned and this time as a four-door saloon that blends style with ecology that makes it unique in every single way but unlike its failed predecessors, the new Insight doesn't really want to pick fights with the Toyota Prius. Instead, it wants to take on a different approach now as a four-door saloon that serves as the successor of the old Civic Hybrid from the distant past.

2019 Honda Insight

2019 Honda Insight

Priced from 3,261,600 to 3,826,570 Japanese Yen, the third-generation Honda Insight departs from being a Prius fighter its predecessors failed to attempt and instead, because it's now a Civic-sized hybrid sedan, it wants to take on the likes of the Corolla Axio Hybrid, which is shockingly cheaper than the Insight but because the Toyota Corolla Axio's reached its prime, the new Insight's ready to shine and judging from every angle, the new Insight really is a concept turned reality as it draws inspiration from the concept car as seen from the 2018 NAIAS and just as we thought that the Insight might end up being an American-only model, we'd be dead wrong because it's already arrived in Japan and it's here to stay.

2019 Honda Insight interior

While the Insight's exterior is very Civic-influenced to give it a more coupe-like approach at every angle, the driver-focused interior is far beyond the competition and while it works like it means it, the comfort is pretty much feels like every family car in the world and while the rear legroom's surprisingly spacious enough for six-footers to breathe their legs out, the trunk space is pretty ample enough for someone who can jam through numerous thrift shop hauls while leaving some room for some minor grocery shopping treats. Interesting.

2019 Honda Insight

The new Insight features a third-generation Sport Hybrid i-MMD system, a two-motor hybrid system that combines the new 109PS 1.5L Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and a powerful 96kW electric drive motor, allowing this car to run as a series hybrid, as an electric, or as a petrol-powered car. This hybrid setup is capable of delivering the new Insightt a WLTP-based combined fuel economy of up to 28.4km/L.

Apart from the hybrid powertrain, the new Insight's body and chassis is actually an improved version of the one used from today's Honda Civic and while this is not essentially a fun-to-drive car like most Japanese hybrids possess, the new Insight is surprisingly comfortable and quiet and when armed with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver safety features, the journey home never felt so safe and secured and this could be the ideal family car you wouldn't want to let your eyes off.

The Insight really is a classy hybrid with loads of tech in it and as an alternative to the Civic, which doesn't have a hybrid variant from its previous eight-generation model, for the regular joes rather than speedo boys who like to keep the Civic anyway, this is an everyday car that you can really take it with you for work or for play. However, if you need more than the Insight, consider its another alternative if you consider planning extra trips.

2019 Honda Clarity PHEV

2019 Honda Clarity PHEV

This is the new Honda Clarity PHEV and while this is based on the Clarity Fuel Cell, what's different between the two cars is the powertrain because while the normal Clarity Fuel Cell is an FCEV car much like the Toyota Mirai, the Clarity PHEV uses an LEB-H4 1.5L iVTEC Atkinson Cycle engine combined to an 135kW electric motor and li-ion battery made for plug-in use.

2019 Honda Clarity PHEV interior

2019 Honda Clarity PHEV interior

Running as a hybrid, this has a combined fuel efficiency, by WLTP standards, of 24.2km/L but using its full capabilities as a plug-in hybrid vehicle, it has a class-leading PHEV combined fuel efficiency, by WLTP standards, of 101km. Consider how many places you can get into whereas the new Insight can't. But with all that distance comes with the price because the Clarity PHEV is priced at 5,880,600 Japanese Yen and that over two and a half million more than the new Insight. But let's not mince words for the time being.

In the end, if you want a luxurious compact hybrid sedan that behaves like a normal family car fit for everyday use, try the Insight, but for further journeys, consider the new Clarity PHEV for a change.

Photo: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (December 31, 2018)

- The Department of Social Welfare and Development is assisting individuals affected by Typhoon Usman and they're on alert following last weekend's 7.2 quake in Davao Oriental.

- 16 people are killed over Bicol Region due to Usman.

- The main opposition camps in Congo’s presidential election on Sunday complained of widespread irregularities after a chaotic vote disrupted by long queues, broken voting machines and torrential rain.

- Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he emerged from a White House meeting with President Donald Trump on Sunday reassured that Trump is committed to defeating Islamic State even as he plans to withdraw American troops from Syria. Graham had warned that removing all 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria would hurt national security by allowing Islamic State to rebuild, betraying U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters of the YPG militia battling remnants of the militant group, and enhancing Iran’s ability to threaten Israel.

- China’s factory activity contracted in December for the first time in more than two years, in a further sign of slackening demand and rising pressure on the world’s second-largest economy as it heads into 2019.

- The Chevrolet C7 ZR1 gets the LEGO Technic treatment with 579 pieces inside, a working V8 model, and an alternate hot rod model, priced at less than $50 plus tax.

- Persona 5: The Animation gets another TV special this March. They're also teasing a P5R game coming soon as well.

- Comic Market 95 concludes with new winter record with 570,000 attendees across all three days.

- Donnie Nieties, who recently won the battle against Kazuto Ioka, joins Pacquaio and Donaire as the only Filipino fighters who dominated four weight classes.

TTFN!!!

Mercedes-AMG CLS53 vs. AMG GT 4-Door

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class W257 finally gets its own AMG variant but it's not in a way we think because following the introduction of AMG's new 53 range that began with the E53 Coupe and Cabriolets, the AMG version of the W257 CLS is following suit with the first-ever CLS53 AMG and the question is, why this? Let's analyze.

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS53

Starting at 84,431 Euros, this is the CLS-Class' starting point at the Mercedes-AMG stable, the CLS53, and while its not as lairy as the old CLS63 AMG from the previous generation, the powertrain of the CLS53 makes it rather special in every single way.

Like the E53 vehicles before, the CLS53 features a new 3.0L in-line six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost electric auxiliary compressor, which is a a mild-hybrid that doesn't makes it a Prius in a tuxedo. What it does is that it delivers 457PS of power and 520Nm of torque, that's V8 power in a very small six-cylinder engine made by Mercedes and when mated to a SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G-Tronic, the CLS53 sprints from 0-100kph in four and a half seconds and it is electronically limited to 250kph or with the optional driver's package, it does up to 270kph so it's fast.

While some say that the CLS53, because of its all-wheel drive system, is going to be mild and tangy like an Audi S7 but it's not true because this all-wheel drive system here is the AMG Performance 4MATIC+, meaning that it can be transitioned to either all four wheels or to the back with its fully variable torque distribution, letting this car dance like it means it.

So, if you like the CLS53 for its powertrain way beyond six-cylinder levels thanks to its mild-hybrid setup and its dynamics worth a dancing mirage, you should turn their attention to this one;

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door

This is the first-ever Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door and while this is basically AMG's answer to Porsche's Panamera and Maserati's Quattroporte, the AMG GT 4-door delivers the same thrills as its two-door equivalent while having a VIP in the backseat, despite the fact that both the two-door and the four-door AMG GTs aren't really relatives.

There are different levels of the AMG GT 4-door to choose from, something that its two-door equivalent never had the chance (and never will be because it will stick being a V8 sportscar). The highest-spec version, the GT63S, features a more powerful 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine that produces more power than the old 6.0L V12 used on the S65 range. 639PS of course. However, if you got a driver's license for the first time, better stick to the middle-ranged GT53 with its 3.0L in-line six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost electric auxiliary compressor like the one I mentioned above, and the low-calorie equivalent GT43 with the basic 6-cylinder turbo engine.

The GT43 starts at 91,809 Euros while the top-end GT63S starts at an outrageously priced 167,017 Euros. Very expensive indeed but it doesn't matter which GT 4-Door you choose because no matter the engine, you will still be greeted by its AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system that can be transitioned to either all four wheels or to the back with its fully variable torque distribution, meaning that this four-door couple likes to get in the groove on the road and on the track, reminiscent of how today's Mercedes E63 and BMW M5 do in their time.

In conclusion; although the four-door AMG GT has all the levels and the groove to make it more ready for action, those who haven't got that kind of value should better stick with the CLS53 for the time being but if the timing's just right for people who saved enough money for not buying the CLS53, they'll be lucky enough to drive the four-door AMG GT which shares nothing in common with the two-door equivalent and basically just an improved E-Class underneath it. Sounds like a plot twist but either way, these two new AMG four-door coupes are sure enough to give drivers the twist they want.

Photo: Daimler AG

BMW X5 G05

BMW's first sport utility vehicle, the X5, is now on its 4th generation and it's an all-new model that continues the so-called Sport Activity Vehicle legacy that started it all two decades ago with new and improved features that sets them apart, although unsure about the high pricetag for this Euro-American import.

2019 BMW X5

2019 BMW X5

Of course, the fourth-generation BMW X5 starts at 69,200 to 92,900 Euros, which is very expensive apart from the fact that it's fully-imported from the United States and because of all that trade riff-raff between the US and the EU we're having now, this happened but forget about the high price tag because the styling of the fourth-generation X5's got that strongman presence even the politicians are starting to get a hold of riding at the back of the new X5 for whatever their reasons. While the front sports that hideously enlarged version of the signature Kidney Grille, which isn't the least of our problems, the back reminds us of a Kia Sorento of some sorts but the inside is a different story for the new X5.

2019 BMW X5 interior

Blending functionality and comfort, the new X5's interior, thanks to its new platform, is now more spacious and roomier than the previous X5 it replaces. On the driver's side, there are so many tech features you can toy around before setting off and on the passengers' side, being a luxury SUV fit for trips to the country club, the new X5 really is first-class comfort for all. 

Although too expensive to be used as a family car, its use for escorting VIPs, especially politicians, is the real charm of the X5 because being a luxury SUV means passengers are greeted with its spacious room and boot space big enough for their luggages and golf bags while setting off at their nearest country club to take some time off from their stressful week. Good mark for BMW there.

2019 BMW X5

At launch, all BMW X5 are fitted with a choice of 3.0L petrol and diesel engines but annoyingly for Europeans who want to ignore a diesel-powered vehicle because of today's trends, the most powerful variant for now is the top-of-the-line M50d where the 3.0L straight-six diesel engine produces a massive 400ps of power, 760Nm of torque, and when mated to a Steptronic gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 5.2 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

All X5 models are fitted with xDrive standard, giving the new model capability to go wherever it come across, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow, and because it runs on an entirely new platform, the new X5's capabilities has been improved ten-fold. Along with its new chassis systems and driver assistance systems, not to mention its new suspension setup, the new X5 is all about taking command on and off the road in a way longtime X5 drivers never experienced before.

So, while the new X5 is too expensive and the range feels like it never learned from today's affairs, its SUV charm and luxury car flair still remains for BMW's first Sport Activity Vehicle and whether you can take it for a quiet Sunday drive offroad or escorting clients to their points of interests for their very important stuff, the new X5 does it all rather well and that really is something about the new X5.

Photo: BMW AG

Audi Q3 (F3) and Audi Q8

The Audi Q3 is now on its second generation and with its all new look, all new powertrain, all new packaging, and so on, the Q3 is now fully prepared to take on the luxury compact midsize crossovers in a way it has never done before, although this new model feels right at home on the road rather than on the outdoors but see if I can do with it.

2019 Audi Q3

Starting at 33,700 Euros, the all-new Audi Q3 is all about being a proper all-rounder by Audi standards and with its new form and packaging, this crossover tries so hard to be like one of the good boys rather than being one of the proud boys like the ones from BMW and Mercedes. Beginning on the exterior design, the all-new Q3 looks sharper and sportier than the first-generation and with expensive versions get Matrix LED headlights, this crossover really puts a shine into it.

2019 Audi Q3 interior

The interior retains the futuristic elements that today's Audi models possess such as the Audi Virtual Cockpit that puts the sat-nav into the speedo as well as smartphone connectivity, MMI, and so on and while the cockpit is basically driver-focused, this five-seater is surprisingly comfortable for luxury car standards and because it runs on today's platform, it's surprisingly more spacious than the old Q3 it replaces in terms of legroom and boot space, which carries 530 or 675 liters with seats present. 1,525 liters when the back seats folded, of course. With that amount of space, this crossover does a lot of things for drivers to do in their free time.

At launch, the new Q3 is offered with a wide range of 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines mated with either a six-speed manual transmission or a fast-shifting seven-speed S tronic. Since this is Europe today, best to ignore the diesel engines all thanks to the issues about the government banning diesel engines on the road in the near future because of the D-word.

For now, the highest of the range goes to the Q3 45 with the 230PS TFSi 2.0L petrol engine and when mated with the S tronic, it does 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds and onwards to 233kph while delivering CO2 emissions of 167 g/km and combined WLTP fuel economy of 8,7 l/100km. Not bad, but the most fuel efficient goes to (no, not the Q3 35 TDi S tronic because Europeans are ruling out diesels) the 35 TFSi S tronic with 130g/km of CO2 emissions. That's it.

Running on the new platform, and with quattro all-wheel drive system, the new Q3 feels alright on and off the road, but in terms of exciting, since this is an Audi alright, it's about as buzzkill as Buzz Killington and it's just being too behaved for its own good. Couple that with a wide array of safety features and this nice guy next door is all about slow and steady winning the race but this is no turtle and hare story. It's the real world and in the real world, the new Audi Q3 is all grown up to do what's right not just for itself but for the drivers and passengers around it.

At this rate, I wanted to complete my analysis about the second-generation Audi Q3 but then, there's another new Audi crossover in the mix and looks like there's something about this Audi equivalent of BMW's sport activity coupes such as the X6.

2019 Audi Q8

2019 Audi Q8 interior

This is Audi's answer to BMW's sport activity coupes such as the X6. It's called the Q8 and with prices start at 76,300 Euros, it's very expensive to own especially when the fact that it offers only with the 3.0 TDI engine mated to a tiptronic gearbox but before ignoring this engine because it's diesel, this engine is equipped with mild hybrid technology like the one from the new Audi A8. This mild hybrid technology uses a 48-volt main electrical system that connects to the li-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. It's capable of long coasting phases with the engine deactivated and a start-stop range that begins at 22 km/h, resulting to 172g/km of CO2 emissions and combined WLTP fuel economy of 8,2 l/100km.

Word of caution, however, that because this is shaped like a BMW X6 and despite having quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the new Audi Q8 is going to behave like what the old BMW X6 does when taken to the streets of Spain, the Swiss Alps, Sydney, Hong Kong, even offroad where the Range Rover excels. Rings a bell, hmmm?

As for styling, yes coupes are sexy but coupe utility vehicles are in a different story and this Audi Q8 is pretty much like what happened with the BMW X6 and when taken on the road, how people react when they see one is everyone's guess.

Think about this; because the Q8 is priced at 76,300 Euros, you can buy two Q3s with that allowance and some spare change for some optional extras. Now there's your piece of consumer advice for you but I wouldn't care about it even though the Q8 packs a lot of technological features as seen in more expensive Audis like the A8 and so on.

So, how can I conclude this analysis? Well, because they're both Audis, it's hard to sum up these two because frankly, these Audi crossovers are always be Audis. Nothing more, nothing less.

Photo: Audi AG