4th-Generation Citroen C3

The all-new, fourth-generation Citroen C3 marks the true beginning of the French carmaker's new era in the age of electrification, and being a back-to-basic hatchback with budget-friendly pricing, it's a good compact to start with.

2024 Citroen e-C3

Starting at 14,990 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new fourth-generation Citroen C3 brings Citroen back to being a humble French carmaker even under the thumb of Stellantis. Being the first model to proudly wear the new Citroen logo from the OLI Concept, it truly is a new start.

2024 Citroen C3

The fourth-generation Citroen C3 is the first model to bear the new Citroen logo. However, its design conveys a different message. With styling inspired by the OLI Concept, the C3 resembles a crossover more than a city car, especially with its black cladding on the side and rear. The C-shaped headlamps make the car look like a Rubik's cube, which seems to be a French expression of style. Mind you, the all-new C3 uses most of the bits and bobs from today's Peugeot 208 and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa rather than the new platforms Stellantis introduced a long time ago because it's too early to tell.

2024 Citroen C3 interior

The all-new Citroen C3 has a completely redesigned interior layout that adopts the brand's C-Zen lounge concept. It features a squarish steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a sat-nav touchscreen, and automatic air conditioning in MAX variants. The low-cost YOU variant has conventional climate control knobs and a smartphone holder, which is useful for those in the Gig Economy. In terms of space, the C3 has 310 liters of boot space, which is more than adequate for today's thrift store purchases.

2024 Citroen C3

The fourth-generation Citroen C3 is available in petrol and electric versions. The petrol version provides the most enjoyable driving experience, owing to its 1.2L HN09 PureTech engine, which generates 101 PS of power and 205 Nm of torque. When paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, this engine propels the C3 from 0 to 100 kph in 10.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 183 kph. In terms of fuel economy, the petrol-powered C3 achieves 5.6 L/100 km combined based on WLTP standards.

The e-C3's electric powertrain has a 44kWh Lithium iron phosphate battery and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. It produces 113PS of power and 120Nm of torque, which enables it to go from 0 to 100kph in 11 seconds and reach a top speed of 135kph. The e-C3 has a range of 326km and takes less than 30 minutes to charge to 80% at a 100kw public charging station.

Although not the most fun to drive on the straights, its city-friendly handling and the signature Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension made the all-new C3 civilized and user-friendly in the real world. As for safety, the all-new C3 features a wide range of safety tech such as rear parking assist, Active Safety Brake, Active Unintentional Line Crossing Alert, speed sign recognition, and the MAX-exclusive reversing camera.

From its OLI-inspired exterior design, minimalist interior, a choice of petrol and electric, user-friendly driving feel, and loads of safety tech, the all-new fourth-generation Citroen C3 truly is the new start for the French carmaker and has the right to wear the new Citroen logo. Welcome to the subtle side.

Photo: Citroen

Remembering the Sewol tragedy 10 years ago

The 16th of April, 2024 marks ten years since the deadly sinking of the MV Sewol ferry that killed 299 people, most casualties are high school students going on a field trip. Most South Koreans observed silence to remember those who lost from what is known to be the "darkest day" in South Korean history.

The Sewol tragedy 10 years ago (File Photo)

The tragedy occurred on the 16th of April, 2014, when passengers, mostly high school students on a field trip, were boarding the MV Sewol ferry en route from Incheon to Jeju until the sinking occurred. According to reports, 299 people aboard the Sewol ferry have died, and most of the casualties are high school students. Five remained unaccounted for. Lee Joon-Seok, the ship's captain, was sentenced to 36 years in prison.

Ten years have passed since the terrible tragedy that killed most of the Korean youth. Friends, families, and relatives of those who were lost in the worst maritime disaster in South Korean history are still bearing the scars and trauma of losing their loved ones.

The sinking of the Sewol ferry ten years ago was a painful lesson to the maritime industry in South Korea and worldwide. Accountability is what truly sums up as well as preparedness to prevent such tragedies like this in the unforeseeable future.

As I said from a not-too-distant past, there's nothing else I can say but until another inevitable comes, I am praying for the rest of the world to cooperate to resolve today's problems.

MY FH5 Log: THE S7AMPEDE

Having completed the Asphalt Racers' mission, all Forza Horizon 5 players who took part in the Horizon Race-Off series update earned themselves the keys to the all-new seventh-generation Ford Mustang.

Before getting excited to drive the 7th-gen 'stang, let's get to know more about what's known to be the last true muscle car of the new normal.

The seventh-generation Ford Mustang continues the muscle car's legendary story while being peppered with modern touches to adapt to the "new normal". 

Although similarly styled compared to its predecessor, the seventh-generation Mustang features two engine choices such as the 2.3L EcoBoost engine with Modular Power Cylinder, producing 315hp of power and 350lb-ft torque, and the fourth-generation 5.0L Coyote V8 engine that produces 486HP of horsepower and 418lb-ft of torque, not to mention the secret Remote Rev feature that allows you to rev the engine with your remote car key. All engines are mated to either a 10-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

While retaining the independent rear suspension and line lock from its predecessor, the seventh-generation Mustang features an updated MagneRide Damping System as well as selectable Electric Power-Assisted Steering with three settings. It even comes with the signature Drift Brake shaped like a conventional handbrake.

With its legendary performance, the seventh-generation Mustang is the last word in American performance. With its competitors gone extinct, this Mustang means forever even until the end of time itself.

The Mustang community has been demanding to have the seventh-generation Mustang featured in the game since it went on sale last year and now that it's here, just in time for the Mustang's 60th anniversary celebration, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the seventh generation Mustang's arrival in the world of Forza. 

Although not the first, it's starting to feel at home in the game. It showed potential in Supercars, NASCAR, IMSA, and Formula Drift. Now, it plays a key role in FH5's Horizon Race-Off series update alongside the Ford F-150 Raptor R.

As I'm enjoying the all-new Mustang in the game, two uninvited guests are crashing the Mustang's party.

These uninvited guests are the 1967 Shelby GT500 from the game's Acceleration Car Pack, the classic muscle car popularized from the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds", while the other one is the prize car from the Horizon Race-Off Dry Season playlist, the 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, the one with the supercharged 4.6L Terminator V8 engine with 390hp of power. Both of these snake beaters have been highly demanded by Forza fanatics since the beginning of time.

The all-new Mustang is primed and ready to teach these "snake beaters" a lesson they will never forget in a one-lap time attack around festival grounds. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Shelby GT500 '67 - 1m30.073s

Mustang SVT '03 - 1m27.187s

Ford Mustang '24 - 1m19.730s

Looks like Kikay Matsing ate the twin snakes for tea. Snake Eater.

Built for norm-breakers breaking dullness, boredom, and cliche, the all-new seventh-generation Mustang is the wake-up call for those ready to get up and feel the freedom, full send. 

With its aggressive, sleek, and chiseled design worthy to be called beautiful, as well as its sound that gets your heart racing, if you have the urge to drive before driving the car itself, it's easy to prove that you have Mustang in your blood. Just cause.

Now that the all-new seventh-generation Ford Mustang and the Ford F-150 Raptor R finally gathered, the real Horizon Race-Off begins. Which one stands tall? Find out soon.

Let's Do The News! (April 16, 2024)

                       

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Bank of the Philippine Islands notified its customers that their services are temporarily unavailable, particularly ATM withdrawals, CAM deposits, debit card purchases, BPI app, BPI online, and third-party apps.

- The second day of the transport strike organized by Manibela and PISTON groups is underway.

- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has officially stepped down and been replaced by his successor Lawrence Wong.

- Donald Trump testifies in his first criminal trial over his "hush money" accusations.

- US experts say all oceans are affected due to record heat as evidenced by coral bleaching.

- Police in Sydney say they are treating a knife attack at a church, which injured four people, as a "terrorist act". The stabbing attack occurred days after the mall attack that killed six people before the suspect was killed by the police. A 16-year-old boy was arrested after a bishop, a priest, and churchgoers were attacked during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

- Alfa Romeo renamed the Milano crossover into Junior because of the Italian government law prohibiting the presentation of a foreign-made product as coming from Italy.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior

- Abarth unveiled the Classiche 1300 OT which is based on the Alfa Romeo 4C. Only five will be made.

Abarth Classiche 1300 OT

- The first-ever Maserati GranCabrio Folgore was unveiled, offering the same 750bhp electric powertrain from its hardtop equivalent but now with an open-top setting.

2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

- Action star Keanu Reeves will voice Shadow the Hedgehog in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 live-action movie. Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone are joining the cast.

- WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is "pretty confident" the league will expand to 16 teams by 2028 and that the goal is to bring in a 14th team for 2026.

- Longtime New York Yankees radio voice John Sterling, age 85, announced his retirement.

- Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer who loaded a gun for actor Alec Baldwin before the fatal Rust film set shooting, was sentenced to 18 months.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: SCARY FAST

Having proved that being Pro-Offroad is better than being Pro-Asphalt, all Forza Horizon 5 players who took part in the Horizon Race-Off series update earned themselves the keys to the scary fast off-roader, the brand-new Ford F-150 Raptor R.

Before riding shotgun with this scary fast off-roader, let's get to know more about the ultimate F-150.

The Ford F-150 Raptor R is the most powerful production off-road vehicle that Ford has ever manufactured. It has a supercharged 5.2L V8 engine that generates 700 horsepower and 640 foot-pounds of torque. The engine is coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The F-150 Raptor R has a monstrous performance, but that is not all. It comes with 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires that were optional in the standard V6-powered Raptor. It also has Fox Live Valve shocks and recalibrated coil springs to handle the vehicle's monstrous performance.

The Ford F-150 Raptor R is the offroad equivalent of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing from several moments ago. You take something cool but dreary from the start and make it extreme enough to prove its worth. By jamming the cool but dreary F-150 Raptor with the V8 engine from the Mustang GT500, the R transformed the Raptor into an off-road muscle car, making every day like that bad guy from Mad Max said "a lovely day". WHAT A LOVELY DAY!

To prove the F-150 Raptor R's offroad dominance, it's time to take on its pasts in the middle of the Baja Circuit. The ideal scenario to demonstrate its scary-fast offroad capability that boldly goes where no off-roader has gone before.

With three generations of F-150 Raptor lined up and my dietary intake full of sweet and tangy desserts, my own Operation Desert Storm is underway. Let's see how much the F-150 Raptor has evolved from the SVT original to the scary-fast R. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

F-150 SVT Raptor - 1m38.482s

F-150 Raptor - 1m34.561s

F-150 Raptor R - 1m28.655s

Based on my experiment, it will take about ten seconds for the F-150 Raptor to evolve from the original SVT one based on the 12th generation model to the scary fast R based on the 14th generation model.

700 horsepower, 640ft-lb of torque, 37-inch tires, and Fox Live Valve shocks. This is the Ford F-150 Raptor R and it is SCARY FAST.

You're glad to experience something scary fast from the moment you got one for supporting the Offroad Racers' mission in the Horizon Race-Off. 

Let's wait for the Asphalt Racers' choice, the all-new seventh-generation Mustang, to make its entrance in a few moments. When the time comes, the real Horizon Race-Off begins.

In the meantime, let's all enjoy Ford's SCARY FAST off-roader like we're in the middle of a Rated R movie.

The Ford F-150 Raptor R. SCARY FAST.

Let's Do The News! (April 15, 2024)

                      

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Bangsamoro region has gained eight new cities or towns after the majority of 72,358 residents of 63 barangays in Cotabato province voted in the plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41 to 48. The eight new cities or towns established in the Bangsamoro region are named Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawg, Tugunan, Ligawasan, Malidegao, Old Kabakan, and Kapalawan at North Cotabato.

- Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson said he will try to mediate former PH president Rodrigo Duterte and current president Bongbong Marcos to fix the mess in their relationship.

- The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The DFA calls on countries not to make the situation worse and to resolve their issue.

- Israel minister Benny Gantz says the country will "exact price" from Iran in "timing that is right for us" during the war cabinet meeting assessing the situation after Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles towards Israel.

- The man who went on a stabbing rampage in a Sydney shopping center appears to have targeted women, police say. Joel Cauchi, 40, sent the crowded Westfield Bondi Junction complex into panic on Saturday when he began stabbing people with a long blade. Five of the six people who died were women. Several others, including a baby, were injured.

- The UN warns the Middle East is on the brink of a full-scale conflict. Israel's ambassador to the UN said Iran had crossed every red line. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, was speaking at a Security Council emergency meeting on Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel.

- Haiti's main political parties urge the outgoing prime minister, Ariel Henry, to speed up the installation of a new transitional council.

- NBC, CNN, and Fox News joined nine other outlets urging Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden to commit to election debates. "There is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of our nation," the statement reads.

- The Italian government says it's illegal for Alfa Romeo to produce the recently unveiled Milano crossover outside the country in Poland. The government refers to the 2003 law stating it is illegal to present a foreign-made product as coming from Italy. Stellantis defends its decision to build the Milano in Poland, saying it will slash 10k euros off the crossover's retail price which starts at under 30k euros.

- Park Bo Gum, Suzy, and Shin Dong Yup are back as presenters of the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards happening this May 7th.

- SBS announced a new sports-inspired competition show for males titled Universe League, coming soon.

- Scottie Scheffler wins the Masters after closing with 4-under 68 over the final 18 holes to finish at 11 under for the tournament, beating Ludvig Aberg by 4 strokes. Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood tied for third at 4 under.

- GMA-7's TV drama Black Rider casts Angeli Khang as Nimfa, the last virgin of Isla Alakdan.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400

The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series continues in Texas Motor Speedway for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400. The ideal race to conclude the week-long Spring Break.

As the green flag waved, the Spring Break-ending NASCAR race is on. The first stage saw fire on the pit road going through Ty Gibbs' pit box, and Jimmie Johnson spinning in turn 4 on Lap 50. 

As Kyle Larson won Stage 1, Stage 2 saw a Lap 101 disaster for Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, and John Hunter Nemechek as they spun on track while Lap 114 saw Carson Hocevar spinning on track, followed by Josh Berry on Lap 121 and got banged to the wall on Lap 137. Michael McDowell spun and crashed in turn 4 on Lap 143.

With Ross Chastain winning Stage 2, the final stage is chaos. Lap 181 saw Nemechek get into the wall while Ryan Blaney spun into the wall, Nemechek into the wall on Lap 229, Reddick to the wall on Lap 246, and Larson wreck on the restart on Lap 260. Two overtimes were triggered.

Screengrab from NASCAR

As Ross Chastain wrecks after contact with Brad Keselowski on the backstretch, Chase Elliott wins the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is at Talladega Superspeedway for the GEICO 500 this April 21st.