Alfa Romeo Junior (966) v Abarth 600e

Alfa Romeo is no longer involved in motorsports. Cars like the Giulia and Stelvio are being phased out after a long run. The Tonale is new to the market, and the reborn 33 Stradale is already sold out. Alfa Romeo has gone dark, but it has emerged with another compact crossover: the Alfa Romeo Junior.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior

Starting at 29,900 Euros plus additional costs, the Alfa Romeo Junior crossover is the replacement for the Giulietta hatchback, which sounds cruel because with Alfa Romeo no longer making hatchbacks, this Fiat 600-based crossover took over the slot and positioned below the Tonale.

Despite being a crossover, the Junior, as the name implies, is sized like a hatchback, making it breathable on city streets and open roads. Design-wise, the Junior's front view looks like it came from the pages of Toyota and Ferrari design catalogs, while the grille is surprisingly a throwback to Alfa Romeo's past, embellished by the Alfa Romeo Legend Shield. Although made in Poland, it still boasts Alfa Romeo's Italian dolce vita.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior interior

Inside, the Junior's driver-focused interior features a fully digital 10.25-inch TFT screen, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity and ChatGPT, Sabelt sport seats, and so on. On the topic of space, the Junior carries 415 to 1280 liters of boot space.

2025 Alfa Romeo Junior

Of course, since electrification is inevitable in the new normal, the Alfa Romeo Junior is offered with the choice of a 1.2 VGT mild-hybrid with 136ps of power while mated to an eDCT6 gearbox, the 156PS Junior Elettrica with 54kWh battery and 592km of driving range, and the cream of the crop; the Junior Elettrica Veloce. The Veloce has 280PS of power and 345Nm of torque through the front wheels, sprinting from 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 200kph. Driving range is around 315km.

To make sure that the Junior behaves like an Alfa Romeo should, it features the most direct steering in the segment while the Veloce's sport-tuned suspension drops the height by 25mm, not to mention sport-tuned anti-roll bars, 380mm front disc brakes, four-piston monoblock calipers, Torsen differential, 20-inch tires, and Alfa D.N.A. system. For a crossover with an electrified drivetrain, the Junior feels out of character for a compact crossover. It may be mild but it's also tangy.

In the topic of safety, the Junior is packed with numerous driver assistance features such as level 2 autonomous driving, 360-degree parking sensors, a 180-degree rear camera, and others.

The Junior may be a cruel thesis in Alfa Romeo's right but despite its crossover credentials, it feels not so bad to drive, although the Veloce is the top shot of the range. In fact, because of the Veloce's electric performance, it didn't take long before another Stellantis relative took advantage of it.

2025 Abarth 600e

2025 Abarth 600e interior

This is the anti-thesis doing the work of Abarth's thesis. It's the first-ever five-door Abarth EV crossover that prefers to be obvious rather than subtle. This is the Abarth 600e and this crossover is also a cruel thesis just like the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce.

The Abarth 600e is a compact crossover based on the Alfa Romeo Junior. It's priced at less than 45,000 Euros plus additional costs. Abarth took the humble 600e and injected it with steroids to make it behave like the vermin it is.

In its Turismo specification, the 600e delivers 240 PS of power. The limited-edition Scorpionissima matches the performance figures of the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce but offers an additional 6 km of driving range. However, it is smaller and slightly heavier than the Alfa Romeo model.

It is said that Stellantis cooperated with Michelin, Sabelt, JTEKT Torsen, and Alcon in the making of the Abarth 600e, giving it sporty performance and dynamics in a compact crossover setting. Such lab rat experimentation worked wonders and with such performance, it became the Abarth too cool to be missed.

The Alfa Romeo Junior is a bit more refined, while the Abarth 600e is a bit more aggressive. If this is the case, which sporty crossover would you choose?

Photo: Alfa Romeo, Abarth

My GT7 Log: Legendary Rivalry

The rivalry between McLaren and Ferrari has become a significant part of Formula 1 history. As the 2024 season finale approaches, it will determine which team will be crowned Constructors' Champion. Their Vision Gran Turismo concepts offered in Gran Turismo 7 will help predict which team is likely to claim the title.

Before my little prediction over the duel between the Papaya and the Prancing Horse, let's get to know these two Vision GT concepts envisioned by the two legendary rivals.

First off, let's get to know the McLaren Vision Gran Turismo. This concept imagines what motorsports might look like in the future. Apart from its center-positioned driving layout and futuristic cockpit surrounding the driver, its turbocharged 4.0L hybrid powertrain produces 1134HP of power and 627ft-lb of torque. There's a well-known fact that this concept spawned the track-only Solus GT, making it the first Vision Gran Turismo concept to spawn a production equivalent.

Now, let's get to know the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo Concept. Unveiled at the 2022 GT World Series Finals, the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo celebrates 75 years of the Italian sports car maker while envisioning the future of motorsports in Ferrari's terms. Running on a 3.0L V6 hybrid powertrain through all four wheels, it produces 1363hp of power and 664.2ft-lb of torque.

With the introductions of the VGTs complete, let's focus on the intense rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at the Suzuka Circuit, a racetrack known for the memorable battles between the two drivers. 

There's a well-known story about the decisive battle in this track. During the finale of the 1989 F1 season, Senna and Prost, the two McLaren drivers, collided in a decisive showdown. Although Prost retired from the race, Senna managed to finish, but he was penalized for corner-cutting after the crash, which dashed his title hopes and ultimately awarded the championship to Prost.

In the 1990 season, Senna sought revenge by crashing Prost, who switched to Ferrari, out of the race. Both drivers were forced to retire, but this incident allowed Senna to secure his second World Championship title.

Long story short but you get the point. It's time to decide which one stands tall as I search for the answer in this high-octane crystal ball. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

McLaren VGT - 1m50.147s

Ferrari VGT -  1m49.317s

Somewhere, Alain Prost is likely smiling. The Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo narrowly defeated the McLaren Vision Gran Turismo by less than a second, suggesting a small possibility that a Ferrari driver (I’m betting on Charles Leclerc) could outpace a McLaren driver (I’m betting on Lando Norris) by such a slim margin. I understand that neither team holds a clear advantage in today's Gran Turismo World Series finals, but our VGT machines offered us a remarkably close prediction for today's Formula 1 finale.

James Hunt vs. Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost, Lewis Hamilton vs. Kimi Raikkonen, and Lando Norris vs. Charles Leclerc—these rivalries have become legendary in Formula 1 history. The competition between McLaren and Ferrari is particularly infamous. With my prediction in place, whether it turns out to be right or wrong, I believe this upcoming duel will be the most exciting of the new era.

I wish them good luck to the two motoring factions.

Ferrari 12cilindri v Aston Martin Vanquish III

Ferrari's newest masterpiece, the 12Cilindri, is a fitting tribute to the company's 12-cylinder masterpieces spanning from the Testarossa, the 575M, the 599, the F12, and the 812. Let's get to know more about Ferrari's final pure 12-cylinder ICE half-a-million-euro masterpiece.

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider

The 12Cilindri comes in coupe and open-top Spider configurations and honors Ferrari’s hard work on iconic 12-cylinder masterpieces. As a car, this model embodies the heart and soul of the brand. The 12Cilindri is the last pure V12 ICE masterpiece.

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri interior

The Ferrari 12Cilindri was designed with inspiration from past models. The 12Cilindri's fastback styling harks back to the Monza model. The front view is a tribute to the 365 GTB4. The rear design was inspired by the triangular shape of the Testarossa. The interior, meanwhile, dons Ferrari's dual-cockpit layout from the Roma and the Purosangue to make it more driver-focused. Complimented with the handcrafted materials in the making of sports seats and trim, the 12Cilindri shows its true colors as contemporary art on four wheels.

Powering the 12Cilindri is the 6.5L V12 engine with Direct Injection lifted from the 812 Competizione. It produces 830PS of power and 678Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed F1 DCT and weighing nearly one-and-a-half tons, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out at 340kph. That's supercar quick in Super GT standards.

Being a road-focused GT car, going through the open roads is the main specialty but for the 12Cilindri, that's not the case because while being an excellent road car, it incorporates Ferrari's F1 know-how to make it vaguely usable on the track. It takes a Charles Leclerc-level driver to get a good grip on its dynamic character and with notable track-honed gizmos such as the brake-by-wire, ABS Evo, and the new SSC 8.0, among many other useful gadgets in store, the 12Cilindri is too addictive to be ignored or fully satisfied.

From the road to the track, the Ferrari 12Cilindri is the ultimate V12 Super GT ever made thanks to its addictive features too impossible to miss, especially for those who ended up with the keys to the old 812 Competizione. However, by the time the 12Cilindri made its inception, this is no longer the ultimate V12 Super GT in the world because of this...

2025 Aston Martin Vanquish

2025 Aston Martin Vanquish interior

Yes, Aston Martin managed to resurrect the Vanquish as the ultimate V12 Super GT in the world. The nearly half-a-million-pound Super GT is the must-have for the 2024 Autumn Season.

For the Vanquish's third outing, what the folks from Aston Martin did is make a mashup between the DB12 and the rear view of the non-existent Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake from 2017, don the familiar DB12 interior, make it macho, and Bob's your uncle. This is the Vanquish's third coming the world anticipated and by the looks and feels of it, the Turn 10 Studios people should better think twice before turning a cold shoulder on it.

Powered by an all-new 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo engine, it produces a historical 835PS of power and 1000Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it has a 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 214mph. The Ferrari 12Cilindri should be slightly worried about taking this one on.

With its bonded aluminum structure, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, a heavily advanced ABS, and Corner Braking 2.0, among other sport-tuned dynamics outlandish for Super GT standards, it takes a Fernando Alonso-level driver to master the Vanquish on the track but no need while on the road because it drives extremely beautiful. Dynamic as expected but like the 12Cilindri, it's too addictive to be ignored to be fully satisfied.

The 12Cilindri and the Vanquish are two of the top V12 Super GTs on the market. It's hard to choose between the two, but the Vanquish is probably the clear winner. The Vanquish features a bonded aluminum structure, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, and Corner Braking 2.0. All of these amazing features make for one fantastic car.

Photo: Ferrari/Aston Martin

My FM Log: Midship Commencement Exercise

Update 12 concludes Year 1 of Forza Motorsport and wrapping up its first year since the game's release are two midship prize cars; the Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder and the McLaren Artura.

Having obtained Year 1's last two prize cars, let's get to know our midship honors before carrying out our commencement exercises.

Beginning with the Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder that I won from the Update 12 Open Class Tour until the October 16, 2024 deadline.

At the start of 2019, Lamborghini unveiled the Huracan EVO, the minor change version of the Huracan that became part of the Lamborghini stable in 2014.

In addition to the revamped exterior design, the 5.2L V10 engine that powers it has been updated to produce 640 hp (470 kW) at 8,000 rpm with 600 Nm of torque delivered at 6,500 rpm. The double-clutch gearbox propels the Huracan EVO from the 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds and flat-out in over 325kph.

The Huracan EVO is the first to feature the Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata, a new rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring system working on all wheels, controlling every aspect of the car's dynamic behavior. Functioning alongside the Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale and enhanced Lamborghini Dynamic Steering, it results in a more rewarding driving experience on the road and track.

The open-top Huracan EVO Spyder is the follow-up to its hardtop equivalent. Featuring the same updates as its hardtop equivalent, it comes with a foldable roof that can be opened or closed at the push of a button in just 17 seconds up to a driving speed of 50kph. It boasts improved aerodynamic efficiency compared to the previous Huracan Spyder.

Production of the Huracan lineup ended in 2024, signaling the end of the V10-powered road cars.

The last one, after clearing the Midship Tour until October 30, 2024, the McLaren Artura.

The McLaren Artura is the company's first V6-powered PHEV supercar that injects most of its motorsport know-how into the making of this unorthodox machine. The 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine is mated to an axial flux motor and a refrigerant-cooled Li-ion battery producing 680PS of power and 720Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed SSG, it sprints from 0-60mph in three seconds and has a top speed of 205mph. Running on electricity alone, it can go for as little as 19 miles.

Aside from the performance, the Artura has near-perfect weight distribution courtesy of its carbon bodywork, front double wishbone, multi-link rear, Proactive Damping Control, electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering, Carbon Ceramic Discs, forged aluminum brake calipers, and specially-developed Pirelli P-ZERO tires. It even comes with a Variable Drift Control that can adjust its drifting angle.

Quick introductions dealt with, it's time to do the commencement exercises as two midship supercars will tackle Road America, the venue of the IMSA season-ender, the MOTUL Petit Le Mans. What a way to conclude the game's first year. Anyway, let's roll the tapes.

I have to admit that the new Forza Motorsport game for the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles went to a slow start when the game was launched last year, probably because of the car content packed with old cars I am not heavily interested. Let's hope Year 2 will see some much-needed improvements for the new Forza Motorsport game to reclaim its throne. 

Seriously, let's hope Forza Motorsport's Year 2 updates will feature lots and lots of modern road cars and race cars because this is the world we live in. New World Order. As 2025 draws near, will Forza survive? Only time will tell.

And that is the end of this commencement exercise. See you next semester!

My GT7 Log: 10-cylinder Salute

The Dodge Viper is the first road car powered by a V10 engine, but the Lamborghini Huracan is the last to have one. With the V10 engine officially laid to rest, it's time for a ten-cylinder salute with the first and the last to have the glorious engine that made such a glorious noise.

Here they are, the first-generation Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Huracan on Gran Turismo 7, two sports cars that made their mark in the history of the ten-cylinder engine. Before having our last words with these ten-cylinder marvels, let's get to know them first.

Let's begin with the first-generation Dodge Viper, the SR model. The Dodge Viper was first conceived as a concept car in 1989. It was intended to be a modern interpretation of the legendary Shelby Cobra. The first-generation Viper was introduced in 1991 as the RT/10 roadster and was later joined by the hardtop GTS variant.

Now, let's get to know the Lamborghini Huracan, the last V10-powered road car. Launched in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan is the successor of the Gallardo. It was named after a Mayan god. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph. The Lamborghini Huracan has gone through numerous updates over its near-decade lifespan and the STJ is in its final form with only 10 built and sold.

With their quick introduction done, it's time to drive these V10-powered road cars around Tsukuba Circuit just like the good old days. Obviously, the Viper came at a time when cars were fitted with ABS and Traction Control but being an all-American sports car, it eschews such driving aids in favor of total control from the driver. The Huracan, meanwhile, is all about relying on 2010s technology derived from its big brother, the V12-powered Aventador, but with a double-clutch gearbox to match its V10 performance.

Anyway, no time to mince more words. It's time to have a quick time attack with these two ten-cylinder legends. Roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Viper GTS '02 - 1m06.025s

Huracan - 1m02.212s

Even though the Huracan trumped the Viper by around four seconds, the results didn't matter because what mattered was that they'd fulfilled the V10 engine's dying wish, giving these two the biggest send-off to the greatest high-performance engine of all time.

From the Dodge Viper to the Lamborghini Huracan, the V10 engine powered some of the most iconic cars of our time. Now that it's permanently gone, nothing will ever be the same.

GOODBYE FOREVER, V10 ENGINE. You made us proud and loud.

My FH5 Log: Roman Holiday

Ferrari is known for its race cars, but they also make elegant grand tourers for everyday use. The California and Portofino are two such models.

By the time the age of the new normal came, a new Ferrari Grand Tourer stepped into the spotlight.

We called it "La Nuova Dolce Vita" but Ferrari officially called it "Roma".

This is the Ferrari Roma, it's the latest grand tourer that picks up where the California and the Portofino left off and I got this car from Forza Horizon 5's Italian Automotive Car Pack.

So, what's it all about the Ferrari Roma?

The Ferrari Roma is a different kind of Ferrari. It's a grand tourer that prioritizes road performance over track performance. It has a front-mid-engined 4.0L turbocharged V8 engine that produces 620PS of power and 760Nm of torque. It can go from 0-100kph in three and a half seconds and onwards to over 320kph.

By the time I tried the Roma in-game, I got my hopes up to experience Ferrari's latest grand tourer, and judging by its performance, it's still a Ferrari despite being developed for comfortable road use just like the McLaren GT a while back. It may be classy and elegant but deep down, it's got the beating heart of the Scuderia racer, meaning it loves to take its day out in the middle of its day out. See what I mean?

Going back to the main festival grounds, it's time to find out how good is the Roma compared to its predecessor, the Portofino, but to spice things up, I've added a wildcard entry for this comparison; the Ferrari 812.

Let's find out if the Roma is worthy to be called a "Super GT" in the Ferrari stable. Roll the tape.

And here are the results...

812 - 1m06.400s

Portofino - 1m11.705s

Roma - 1m10.003s

Being around four seconds slower than the 812 but nearly a second quicker than the Portofino it replaces, the Ferrari Roma proved its worth as Ferrari's newest Super Grand Tourer. It may be road-focused but deep down, it behaves like a real Ferrari.

At this point, I would conclude my little story about the Ferrari Roma in Forza Horizon 5, but I got other ideas because in the spirit of Let's ¡Go!, the Roma looks rather suited for an extravagant role...

As MC AIMU would say, "AiPriVerse Day!" because today, my Ferrari Roma has donned the extravagant role of the Himitsu no AiPri character Sakura Ichijoji, the leader of Quartet STAR. Suits its personality. Miss Sakura, I presume.

As for the 812 and the Portofino, meanwhile...

I remember the time I made an Anna Akagi design for my 812 back in Horizon UK but this is her Season 3 look. Brings back memories, huh?

The same goes for the Portofino as it dons the role of Kiratto PriChan character Mel Shido in her Season 3 look.

Three Ferrari Super GTs dressed as Pretty Series rival idols are showcasing their extravagant but extreme prowess in three EventLab creations I'm showcasing it to you, the people. Miss Sakura is pushing her extremes in an EventLab re-enactment of the legendary Shutokou C1 Loop while Anna takes on what seems to be an EventLab re-enactment of the Grand Tour Eboladrome and Mel takes on the EventLab presentation by Forza fanatic "Dexter 4130D". Let's roll the tapes.

I guess Miss Sakura's too powerful for me to handle. It goes to show that you have to be as good as the leader of the Quartet STAR team. Oh well, welcome to the verse.

Ferrari's Super Grand Tourers have proven that there's more to their cars than just on-road performance. With some extravagant imagination, these cars performed like they were a threat to the competition. This is the Ferrari way, and the world should take note.