Let's Do The News! - September 30, 2014

The big scoop today...

- With so many trespassers breaching through the heightened security of the White House in Washington DC, the capitol of the United States, the Secret Service director, Julia Pierson, is scheduled to answer most of the solons' questions about why it wasn't well-guarded against trespassers.

- The CDC says that about 10 children from the USA were hospitalized between August 9 and September 28 with a mysterious limb paralysis that health officials say that this is not caused by the polio.

- The Sarangani Energy Corporation is almost finishing the construction of a coal power plant that is capable to supply 105MW to the Mindanao regions in late 2015.

- Daihatsu teases a new kind of kei minivan that is set for November debut but could it be a production version of the Deca Deca concept?!



- HE'S COMING! Lord Eddard Stark from the HBO hit TV series Game Of Thrones has spawned a 1/6th scale figure from Good Smile Company. Available this February, he's yours for just 16,800 Japanese Yen before tax. A must have for the Game of Thrones fans!

Game of Thrones Eddard Stark
action figure

- Yet another pointless KanColle stuff coming out from the press as Good Smile Company announced two new 1/8th scale figures of battleships Mutsu and Nagato. Yes, they're from a browser game mostly blabbered by otakus with no anime on sight before next year but both of these figures will go on sale this February starting at 15,000 Japanese Yen ($150) before tax each.

Nagato

Mutsu

- Last weekend, there was a fashion show happened at SM Mall of Asia and it's called The Naked Truth presented by wardrobe label Bench. In one part of the fashion show, there was Coco Martin pulling along a lady on a leash while on the runway. This part sparked fury from the online community and Bench issued an apology from last weekend's fashion show.

- The villain plane from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, the SU-47 Grabacr, and the hero plane from Ace Combat 6, the F-15E Garuda 1, will be spawned into model kits courtesy from Hasegawa as part of the limited edition Ace Combat lineup of model kit planes inspired from the hit video game franchise.

- The F22 Raptor, the US Air Force's fifth-generation fighter aircraft, made its combat debut with its first air strike on enemy ground in the ongoing fight against the ISIS.

- Looks like Richard Hammond's going to be disappointed when he sees this: a Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid supercar just got barbecued at a gas station in Toronto, Canada. Ouch...

ACE COMBAT INFINITY & SERIES MUSIC BEST

ACE COMBAT Infinity & Series Music Best

Time to start the briefing.

Launched in mid-May 2014, Ace Combat Infinity is the series' first-ever free-to-play flight shooting game made exclusively for the Playstation3. Whether if its a veteran mercenary or a battle-shy rookie, Ace Combat Infinity pits players behind the cockpit of some of the world's best aircrafts from the F22 Raptor, F14 Tomcat, F15 Strike Eagle, Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, Mirage 2000, T50, or any other well-known aircrafts in history as well as fictitious ones as seen in numerous installments such as the Morgan from The Belkan War and the ASF-X Shinden II from Assault Horizon. Over 1.5 million users have been downloaded this F2P flight shooting game and engage in either campaign or online co-ops as well as the weekly challenges where prizes include special aircrafts, new emblems, research reports, or other prizes.

Ace Combat Infinity is just warming this series up as the Ace Combat franchise reaches is 20th anniversary next year since the first Ace Combat game launched in the original PlayStation since the summer of 1995. It was followed by Ace Combat 2 in 1997, Ace Combat 3 Electrosphere in 1999, Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies for the PS2 in 2001, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War in 2004, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War in 2006 as well as Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception for the PSP, Ace Combat 6: 解放への戦火 (Fires of Liberation) for the XBOX 360 in 2007, Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion for the iPhone in 2009, Ace Combat X2: Joint Assault for the PSP in 2010, Ace Combat Assault Horizon for the PS3 and XBOX 360 in 2011, and Ace Combat 3D Cross Rumble for the 3DS in 2012.

As the series reaches is 20th birthday, there is now a special album featuring the best of Ace Combat. This 2-disc CD features a hand-picked selection of the best BGMs heard throughout the franchise as well as the Infinity Remix versions of Shattered Skies' Comona, Stonehenge, Invincible Fleet, and Blue Skies. And there's more. For a limited time, when they bought this CD, there's a product code where users can receive a special "Guitar Nuggets" emblem and 5 stocked fuel for use in the Ace Combat Infinity game. It is said that whoever has the Guitar Nuggets emblem on their planes will have the color of the missile smoke turned yellow. It maybe showy but this emblem shows everyone that you are a big fan of the Ace Combat BGMs.

Also, recon suggests that this is an ebten exclusive so you can't find it anywhere else and it's priced at 2,900 Japanese Yen.

TRACK LISTINGS:

Disc 1:

1) Blockade
2) Comona (INFINITY Remix)
3) Invincible Fleet (INFINITY Remix)
4) Stonehenge (INFINITY Remix)
5) The Northern Eye
6) Operation Bunker Shot
7) Rex Tremendae
8) Megalith - Agnus Dei -
9) First Flight (Arranged ACE COMBAT 04 "Blockade")
10) Rendezvous
11) Ice Cage
12) The Unsung War
13) The Journey Home "ACE COMBAT 5 Ending Theme"
14) GLACIAL SKIES
15) MAYHEM
16) THE DEMON OF THE ROUND TABLE
17) ZERO
18) EPILOGUE - NEAR THE BORDER -
19) Blue Skies (Remix)

Disc 2:

1) Ace Combat 6 Main Theme
2) The Liberation of Gracemeria
3) A Brand New Day
4) Rising High
5) Fire Youngman
6) Dynapolis
7) Linkage
8) Replay
9) Montage
10) Revelation
11) Metropolitan
12) Fighter's Honor (Flying Remix)
13) Rebirth From Sand Storm
14) Keep Alive
15) Release
16) Release (Trailer Remix)
17) Gotta Stay Fly
18) Blue Skies (INFINITY Remix)
19) GH (Unpublished Track)

Let's Do The News! (September 29, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines commemorated their first year anniversary on commemorated their victory on the Zamboanga Siege last year, the siege when government troops fought and defeated Muslim rebels in Zamboanga City.

- The Sandiganbayan third division rejected the request of Gigi Reyes to have her own laptop and Wi-Fi in jail as she stands trail for plunder over the PDAF scam.

- In an effort to ease out pollution in the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has proposed advancing the implementation of Euro 4 fuel standards by June 2015 and the idea of junking out old cars that are 15 years of age.

- It's that time of the year again when the world's finest sportscars have been gathered for the World's Greatest Drag Race as part of Motor Trend's Best Driver's Car. For the fourth time, the GT-R NISMO takes on the Fiesta ST, the new WRX STi, the BMW i8, the BMW M4, the new 911 Turbo, the F-Type Coupe, the Camaro Z/28, the Alfa Romeo 4C, and the VW GTi. Who will win, watch this clip and find out!



- The 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor is the highlight for this week's Jay Leno's Garage webisode. Check it out!



- There is a detuned version of the McLaren 650S that is available exclusively for the Asia-Pacific region, known as the 625C. As the name implies, the 3.8L turboengine is 25PS less than the 650S but mobility and stability are fine-tuned thanks to its ProActive Chassis Control.

2015 McLaren 625C

- Honda to display a near-production Civic Type R Concept at October's Paris Motor Show. Again, ignore this. It's not for Japan market. We're not going to talk about it.

2014 Honda Civic Type R Concept

- HAVE YOU TRIED THIS? There's a new Asphalt game and it's a spin-off to the wildly successful mobile racing game. Asphalt OVERDRIVE is the first ever spin-off from the franchise where you can outrun the cops, defeat bosses, avoid obstacles, perform impressive stunts, and more in an 80's style California. It's available for free on the App Store or Google Play.

- Area 88 meets Ace Combat Infinity as there's going to be a special collaboration event happening on the PS3-exclusive free-to-play flight shooting game this 3rd of October to the 14th of October, 2014. There's a special mini-ranking challenge where you can win Shin Kazama's F-20A plane as well as other prizes. Also, keep an eye out for special item drops where you can win special aircraft inspired from Area 88.

TTFN!!!

Renault Twingo III

2015 Renault Twingo

This is the brand new Renault Twingo and it's now on its third generation for Renault's city car that is small enough to do big things even rodents can't do in their spare time. Judging by the looks of it, the new Twingo isn't as good looking as the previous one and what shocked previous Twingo owners looking for an upgrade, the new model is now transformed from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive and the engine is now sitting on its bum rather than on the tummy or in the face. Which means, this compact car is now comes with the same layout as a Porsche 911 because the 911 has a reputation of having its engine placed on the butt.

A hatchback with an engine on the back? Wow, that was a rare sight and I wonder how does it perform well as a tiny car with a big attitude? I'll just talk about that later but for now, let's take a look on the outside first.

It may not be as good looking as the previous generation but the new Twingo is better looking than the first generation, which is the one with the hideous-looking frog eyes that is as creepy as French cars look in the 90's. Renault says that this new boxy look draws inspirations from the two concept cars; namely the Twin'Run Concept and the Twin-Z Concept but whatever you ask, don't think this is more of a spiritual successor to the ancient Renault 5 because both of them are from a totally different league in a totally different time. What's also bizarre is that unlike it's predecessors, the brand new Twingo is now available exclusively as a 5-door judging from the implementation of the secret rear doors that provides access to the rear seats.

2015 Renault Twingo interior

On the inside view, it's not so bad to look at considering that the top-range models will feature a sat-nav for the first time on the Twingo plus Renault's R-Link telematics system. The speedo's now change featuring a very high-tech digital thingy on the middle that tells the driver the fuel consumption, temperature, distance travelled, blah blah blah... And even though it's shorter than the old one, the added wheelbase makes it more roomier for your mates at the back.

Because it's an RR compact and the engine's on the back, you might think that it has room on the front, just like what Porsches and Ferraris do but no. There is little room in the front trunk because of such sizing and because this is rear-wheel drive, the rear boot space really suffers a bit, meaning you don't get to put a certain Ross Kemp on it just like what the previous Twingo did.

The new Twingo isn't like the 5 Turbo or the Clio V6 where the engine occupies the entire back room because for a small car with a 911-ish layout, the engine is located under the boot floor rather than exposing it like what the 5 Turbo and the Clio V6 do. That sounds genius but I had greater fears about putting stuff above the boot floor where the engine is placed under but let's put this fear under consideration for us so in the meantime, the performance.

2015 Renault Twingo

Now you may have wondering how the heck did Renault managed to made a rear-wheel drive city and the main reason why is that possible isn't from Renault but a joint collaboration from Germany's Daimler. Yes, Daimler's collaboration is the main point because thanks to the new Twingo's rear-wheel drive layout, it served as the basis for the next-generation smart car, namely the forfour and the fortwo compacts. These compacts are all developed by Renault and Daimler engineers at Renault's Parisian technical center.

Despite being a rear-wheel drive, the new Twingo feels so mild to drive. You don't get oversteering but it feels so agile, so quiet, so tight, and so nimble in all the right barrels and to explain what I'm on about, kindly refer this to Ridge Racer's Wild Gang. The Wild Gang. It's that little compact with a mild handling but you get the idea while driving the Twingo because...it's like that Wild Gang I mentioned.

For engine choices, there is a 1.0L petrol engine that produces 70PS of power and a smaller and turbocharged 0.9L petrol engine that delivers 20PS more than the bigger one but with lesser emissions as well. For the transmission, it has a 5-speed manual gearbox that does pretty decent in shifting gears, which is nice.

2015 Renault Twingo

So, should you buy it? The new Twingo starts at 10,800 Euros, which is more expensive than the modern city cars of today, especially the Peugeot 108 and the Citroen C1, but let's remember, this is a rear-wheel drive hatchback and you can have fun in the Twingo as much as you like as long as you need to take good care of it, no matter the outcome.

Available Colors: Blanc Cristal, Rouge Flamme, Bleu Pacifique, Noir Etoile, Brun Cappuccino, Bleu Dragee, and Jaune Eclair.

Photo: Renault

The Family Guy Simpsons Crossover episode

This is the first time I've ever witness two of Fox's hilarious animated comedies colliding with each other into one very special episode the whole world ever experienced since...well you know.

The Simpsons, one of the world's animated comedy greats that has been around for 25 years now, and Family Guy, even called a rip-off, it's Seth MacFarlane's biggest attempt to create a TV show that drives people crazy with its toilet humor, strong-ish language, sexual fantasies, and numerous references from other stuff. Now, what happens when they combine these two? The result, in all-out clash of two cartoon comedy greats showing who's boss, although there are a few trespassers popped out during this episode.

And yes, our dream of seeing Peter Griffin and Homer Simpson in a fistfight has finally came true. We've been waiting for this right moment to come in this special episode.

(sigh) I hope that's enough about that. One Family Guy Simpsons crossover is enough for us to satisfy our love for these shows.

Wow Mali! - September 28, 2014

On the September 28, 2014 episode of WOW MALI LAKAS NG TAMA!

- POGI POINTS: On this episode, the POGI POINTS are initiating the compatibility test or face a very wet consequence!

- EMOTE CONTROL - On this episode's EMOTE CONTROL, a celeb's foot massage is facing a bigger problem on foot!

- SIGN KA NATAWA? - The folks from Wow Mali showcased some funny signs around the nation!

- MALINTADONG PINOY - The boys are showing off their crazy talents for the televiewers!

- PHONE-AKIP BUTAS - Looks like girlfriend has cheated on her boyfriend and now he's blaming YOU!

Doctor Who S08E06

Doctor Who S08E06

This has probably one of the most mind-blowing episodes in this season because not only the battle to save Coal Hill from the imminent doom caused by a menacing robot called the Skovox Blitzer but it's the fateful encounter between The Doctor, Clara Oswald, and Danny Pink that got the viewers amazed.

Looks like The Doctor encountered himself a new gadget and it's an invisibility watch. At the touch of the bottom, the wearer will render him into stealth camouflage, but that gadget's too much when the Blitzer heavily spotted The Doctor empty-handed.

However, the Blitzer follow orders without question and while The Doctor managed to imitate as its superior using a clever gadget he made, he managed to shut the Blitzer down by command and send it back to space.

That episode really is action-packed and looks like that love story between Clara and Danny is starting to come unraveled.

Here's the BTS from this episode:

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:

VW Golf Sportsvan vs. BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

2014 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan

The brand new Golf Sportsvan maybe more of a replacement to the old Golf Plus MPV but for the newest version of the MPV version of the new Golf, it's not what you called a proper people mover for bigger families because the Sportsvan is a 5-seater just like the old Golf Plus but unlike the Golf Plus, the new Sportsvan is 134mm longer than the old one. It's also 83mm longer than the normal Golf hatchback but 224mm shorter than the Golf Variant.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan interior

Of course with all that added dimensions than the Golf Plus, you might think that the brand new Sportsvan has more room for the family but it can be a yes or no. Although the Sportsvan doesn't have more space than the Golf Variant, the rear seats can slide forwards and backwards and can be folded so you can have 1520 litres of boot space, just enough to fit just two macho-sized balikbayan boxes for keeps but it can be quite as bothersome as littering those undelivered ones in your grandma's house.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan

Because it utilizes on the flexible VW MQB platform just like on the regular Golf and most current and future VW Group models, the new Sportsvan is slightly lighter than the old Golf Plus but it is punishingly heavier than the Golf Variant estate, which is kinda of an annoyance but as an MPV with a plan, the Sportsvan is not bad considering the use of multi-link rear suspensions and its wonky electric power steering. Although uncomfortable to drive on the twists or at the spiraling roads like the ones that lead to to the rooftop of some parking lot from the airport, the Sportsvan's mobility and stability is beyond average. Not quite good but not quite bad either so it's more of an okay for the European families.

As for engine choices, the Sportsvan can be offered with two 1.2L TSi petrols, two 1.4 TSi petrols, a 1.6L TDi, and a 2.0L TDi diesel engines. Depending on the engine choices, it can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG which shifts faster than the manual.

So, what about pricing? The Sportsvan starts at 19,625 Euros, about 200 Euros more than the Golf Variant but for an MPV of that magnitude, it can be a smart buy.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan

The Golf Sportsvan may not be a proper alternative than the Golf Variant estate but in the world of MPVs, this German baby MPV tries to fare out from the rest with its legendary VW quality but how German is this when it matches up with its new challenger, only a bit more posh?

2015 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

This is BMW's first ever, and by no means a plot twist, front-wheel drive vehicle and their first ever baby MPV in the lineup. It's called the 2-Series Active Tourer.

For most BMW fans like us, a true BMW has to be RWD no matter which shape or form will be. Be it a hatchback, sedan, or an SUV, it doesn't matter because being RWD is what BMW's all about. For this new one here, this is a plot twist that we don't like. 

We hate plot twists because while we all want our TV shows to move smoothly as planned, the producers often want to add plot twists to keep the story longer and longer until the edge of the universe. Yes, BMW has a naming structure to have even numbers for two-doors, convertibles, and Gran Coupes while odd numbers for four-doors, estates, and Gran Turismos. When BMW decided to call this the 2-Series Active Tourer, this situation is as confused as what Toyota did when they've used the Mark X name for their front-wheel drive MPV called the Mark X Zio.

2015 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

Mind you, this isn't like the Mark X Zio because the 2AT is much more good to drive but for a BMW, this is not a good sight. Even though BMW says that they've added some multi-link rear suspension, that's not gotta work, although the 2AT did used the same UKL1 platform as the new Mini.

The new Mini? Isn't the one I called it "Wumbo" because of the added size? Well, while this is just a Wumbo underneath, the 2AT is just nothing personal. Although it doesn't feel like a proper BMW, it still fare well when it comes to its stability. Because this is a front-wheel drive, it feels very much as civilized as a well-behaved student and while most rear-wheel drive BMWs are somewhat afraid to the elements Mother Nature throws at them, be it snow or rain, the 2AT is not quite bad at all.

If you opted for the xDrive model, the 2AT is well prepared for the wet or snowy roads ahead at all cost, although the weight penalty can slightly suffer its mobility but never mind.

2015 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer interior

On the inside, it's much more different than the typical BMW interiors that most models have but only just. Just like the VW Sportsvan, the rear seats can slide forward or backward and it's foldable for added space and it even comes with the hidden underfloor bin where you can store more stuff as much as your want especially discreetly ones that you don't want to expose it to your families.

On the driver's side, it's not so bad, especially the dashboard itself. It's high-tech as it pleases you when you want to use the radio, music player, sat-nav, or whatever it has in its disposal. I can toy around with this as much as I want until someone wants me to get out.

2015 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

At launch, the 2AT is offered with a turbocharged 1.5L petrol engine for the 218i, 2.0L turbo petrol engine for the 225i, and the 2.0L diesel engine for the 218d. It's a good thing they're all turbocharged just like what most BMWs do now and forever...minus the forever part. On the top range 225i model with xDrive, this engine develops 231PS of power, 350Nm of torque, 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds, and top speed of 235kph. If you're fuel-conscious, the 218d's your best bet because while this have more torque than the petrol equivalent, combined fuel economy is around 24.4km/L. Good stuff though, and depending on the model, it can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed auto gearbox, although this gearbox has one more than the VW Sportsvan's DSG except it's a little less complicated.

To you, Bimmer fanatics, don't think the nightmare ends here because in the near future, BMW will expand their FWD lineup ranging from a new compact crossover, the next X1, the next 1-Series, and a possible FWD convertible that's going to be as tad dull as the Renault Megane CC. The 2AT is the start of BMW's diminishment as "freude am fahren" but because most models, regardless of powertrain, will always have turbos in their lineup, looks like it's not going anywhere, although there is potential fear that BMW maybe making naturally aspirated engines but hey, aren't BMW put an end into natural aspiration engines? Oh yeah... They really want to make an all-turbo lineup but with some added consequence like those fake engine sounds from the M3, M4, M5, and M6. Did you get me?

Should you buy it? Sadly, nope for this kind because the starting price for the 2AT is 27,200 Euros, meaning that not only it's expensive than the 1-Series hatchback, it's much more expensive than the VW Sportsvan or even the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Ouch...

To sum up these two, the VW Sportsvan is the better bet because not only it's cheaper to own than the 2AT, it's also sportier to drive, has the most wheelbase, the tallest, the widest, and much roomier. The BMW 2AT may not be a good family MPV for a start because of its pricing and it's going to be hatred by most BMW enthusiasts because of its FWD powertrain but its turbocharged engines surely add some life to it, has some luxury car comforts, and you can do better if you try.

But we don't really want to drive in these two because, let's be honest, we want to stay single because we all have the freedom to do whatever we want because if we got married and had kids, this is what we'll end up with. Bummer...

Photo: Volkswagen Group, BMW AG

Bubble Gang - September 26, 2014

On the September 26, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- "Pakawalan niyo yan" gags

- Lala Ytera's bothering with the hairs

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...posting your wounds!

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, Handa na ba kayo sa daldalan? Kuwento ng babae sa tambayan, lahat ay...NAKAKALIMUTAN!!!

- Spoof trailers!

- Antonietta still has some drama cliches to bother with...and now she's messing with the staff!

- Namutla

- More wise words from Tata Lino.

- One of the boys are showing his feelings to a girl...

- This man's facing one nutty problem when a nut gets through his ear!

- People are complaining about a businessman ruining their businesses and the businessman defends!

Desk

Gran Turismo 6: FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo

Premiered at the Detroit Motor Show several months ago, the Toyota FT-1 Concept envisions the future of Toyota sports cars following the success of the 86. I once compared it with the final-gen Supra around Fuji Speedway and I strongly believed that with such speed and mobility, it was the suitable candidate as the next Supra or so I thought.



We all love the FT-1 Concept but we are wondering what would this concept be like when it has some involvement in the world of motorsports. Thanks to Vision Gran Turismo, the folks from Toyota created a racing version of the FT-1 Concept.



Here it is and by the looks of it, the FT-1 VGT looks more of a racing version of the said concept and because this is a racing version, it's only suitable for race-day use. It's kinda like a futuristic version of those Toyota Supra used on JGTC (Super GT) races in the past but this is no JGTC racer because while this may be a concept, the FT-1 VGT showcased Toyota's potential and passion in the world of motorsports.



What the folks from CALTY, the design team responsible for the original Toyota FT-1 Concept from the Detroit Motor Show a couple of months ago, did was push their dream machine a step higher by giving their brilliant creation some more added spice. It's like combining the world's spiciest condiments and making it on par with volcanic lava. This racecar isn't a spicy condiment nor a volcanic lava but when the FT-1 VGT shows its true potential as a race car in the world of Gran Turismo 6, it really shows how scorching this monster of a machine is.

That gave me an idea because while this car can be attainable on a time-limited special seasonal event held in Mount Panorama, Bathurst, let's take a moment to consider how I took the challenge and mastering the FT-1 VGT's true capabilities not as a concept racing machine but an ideal waiting to become the truth in the not-too-distant future.



Just like the normal FT-1, no one knows what powers the FT-1 VGT because this concept doesn't even have a proposed powertrain. In the game, it's a turbocharged one but this racing version is powered by a turbocharged-hybrid powerplant. I can't believe I've actually driven a hybrid that doesn't feel like the Toyota Prius but by GT6 standards, it would do 0-100kph by around 3.2 seconds (I think), and a top speed (I think) is around 340kph. I know this data is unofficial but believe me, it's one quick Toyota.

Apart from being a quick car, the mobility or handling is just epic. With all that added aerodynamics on this car and the downforce thanks to the added fixed rear wing, this racing machine is always stuck on the ground and it really doesn't matter when you're not concentrating because this FT-1 VGT always entertains me like a Japanese game show where pain is involved rather than questions and answers. It's like I survived a Japanese game show...but only just.

The gold target time for this event is 2:02.000 but after numerous trials and errors upon trying the FT-1 VGT, I got a hang of it and I set a lap time of 2:01.307, meaning I beat the Gold target time but only just.



Having managed to beat the target time, I am very pleased by what Toyota has done to give the future of Toyota's sports cars the racing credentials it deserves and this FT-1 VGT is their crowning prediction on what comes next to fulfill the Japanese carmaker's "FUN TO DRIVE AGAIN" slogan. It's been such an honor to get behind the wheel of the FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo.



There are still more VGT cars waiting to be unveiled in future updates. Stay tuned for more!

Let's Do The News! (September 26, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- According to Iraqi premier Haidar al-Abadi, the ISIS militants they've detained are plotting to destroy the US and Parisian rail networks but French and American officials said they had no such information.

- Despite his alleged PDAF Scam charges, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has been granted by the Sandiganbayan for hospital arrest.

- The car belonged to a TV5 reporter was reported hijacked in Quezon City earlier.

- The Renault Espace has been given a full model change and for this fifth-generation, it's now transformed from a large MPV into a full-size crossover. Eh?!

2016 Renault Espace

- Based on the 458 Spider, the new Ferrari 458 Speciale A is a hardcore convertible equivalent that comes with the same 597bhp V8 engine as the hardtop one but with the added weight like most convertible supercars do. Only 499 units will be made and sold.

2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A

- Saleen Automotive began working on the S302, a tuned 2015 Ford Mustang GT that comes with different variations with the top-of-the-line Black Label that develops 640HP of power and 565Nm of torque from its tuned 5.0L V8 engine. Orders are now open for booking with a $2,015 reserve deposit.

- Back in Spring 2011, Subaru collaborated with animation studio GAINAX for their Hokago no Pleiades animated web short. Now, there's still more to come where our love for boxer engines and Symmetrical AWD kicks in as Fantasista Doll designer Anmi starts manga on October 27 in Comic Rex magazine.

- Scientists have discovered a new extinct dinosaur species that could have had the largest nose in prehistoric times. Known as the Rhinorex condrupus, those 30-foot-long, 8,500lb dinosaurs were existed during the Late Cretaceous period. Their noses can't smell but it may have used to "recognize members of its species, or as a large attachment for a plant-smashing beak".

- The stars of the Disney Channel hit series Dog With a Blog have been interviewed by SweetyHigh about what to expect in the third season of the hit TV series!

TTFN!!!

REPORT: Senate may arrest Jejomar Binay after snub

Moments after Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay snubbed the Senate on his corruption allegations, the Senate has given him a strong warning against him; they can arrest any person who will not comply with its subpoena.

This is according to a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said why there are some alleged people turned their backs in time for investigations on corruption allegations. However, the arrest or subpoena would not be used against the nation's vice president out of courtesy to his office.

The next hearing will take place at 2:00 PM Philippine Standard Time on the 2nd of October and 9:00 AM Philippine Standard Time on the 9th of October, according to Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who is presiding over the hearing, then reiterated the Makati officials to be invited to the hearing, which Cayetano noted, were absent at that time.

Report: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/640581/senate-dangles-arrest-vs-mayor-binay-after-snub
Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Forza Motorsport 5 - 2014 Renault Spark SRT_01E at Mount Panorama

Part of taking the Spark-Renault SRT-01E to the world's best race tracks in Forza Motorsport 5, I sent this zero-emission racing machine to one of Australia's finest racetracks that was served as the backdrop for the V8 Supercars race that is Mount Panorama, Bathurst.





The V8 Supercars has a very serious fan base because most of the Aussie race fans are against each other on whichever which carmaker is the best. They don't matter about the teams or the driver anymore. It's just Ford and Holden clashing against each other for who's the best maker in the race. With the economic climate and the fall of Australian car production, looks like foreign carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Nissan are joining in on the V8 Supercar fray.

Driving a Formula E car on a V8 Supercar racetrack may be a bummer experience but should this race happen in the future, the spectators will fall silent literally because you can't hardly imagine how silent these machines are except when there are crashes occur like most motorsports happen.

On this experiment, looks like the Formula E car is showing clear signs of bravery through the dreadful elevation of this V8 Supercar racetrack. It maybe a quiet car but it still makes the rounds.

So, with Australia done looks like USA is next and last for this experiment and since there are so many American racetracks to choose from, it's hard to decide which American racetrack is perfect to continue experimenting with the Formula E car.

Let's Do The News! (September 25, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- According to the Department of Energy, the emergency power set by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III will only last for just one year.

- The Metro Manila Development Authority showcased their new vehicles that will help speed up their rescue efforts in times of calamities.

- French president Francois Hollande is strongly against the beheading of tourist Herve Gourdel by a jihadist group in Algeria that were allegedly linked to ISIS.

- The United Nations has stepped up their efforts to prevent jihadist recruits in an ongoing effort to defeat the ISIS militants.

- Mercedes-Benz showcased the future of autonomous truck driving by showcasing their Future Truck 2025 at this year's IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover. This is just another clear sign that humanity has declined and robotics are taking over our future.

Mercedes-Benz FT2025 Concept

- Meet the brand new Mercedes-AMG C63 saloon and estate which is powered by the same 4.0L V8 turbo engine from the Mercedes-AMG GT sportscar in two flavors with the C63s model delivers 510bhp of power.

2015 Mercedes-AMG C63

- The third-generation Audi TT now comes with the Roadster version that is set for next month's Paris Motor Show debut.

2016 Audi TT Roadster

- Also coming on next month's Paris Motor Show, the Volkswagen Golf VII will have its first ever Alltrack model which is kinda like a jacked-up version of the Golf VII Variant estate.

2016 VW Golf Alltrack

- Meanwhile, Malaysia's biggest carmaker, Proton, has unveiled their first ever compact hatchback called the IRIZ. The new Proton Iriz is powered by either a 1.3L and 1.6L VVT petrol engine and prices start from around 42,438 to 62,888 Malaysian Ringgit or around $13,100 to $19,400, more expensive than the recently-launched Perodua Axia.

2015 Proton Iriz

- With Cadillac now under Johan de Nysschen's command and their HQ will be relocated in New York, General Motors' luxury brand will have a new naming scheme much like Kias in their K's, Renault Samsungs in their SM/QM, Citroens in their C's, Lincoln in their MK's, well you get the idea but Cadillac will go with their new naming scheme in their CT's (with the exception of the Escalade) starting with the upcoming flagship saloon soon to be called the CT6.

TTFN!!!