Nissan Serena C27 NISMO

When Nissan decided to make a NISMO version of the latest Serena minivan, some enthusiasts have gone a little "oh my gawd" because why is Nissan's high-performance division now working on family cars like this one aside from our favorites such as the GT-R and the Fairlady Z and what are they accomplishing for? Everyday cars like the Juke and the Note have been given the NISMO treatment and soon the Leaf while cars like the X-TRAIL have been given a lesser NISMO Performance Package that gives only NISMO styling and nothing else. That's what NISMO is all about now so is there any particular reason why a family minivan like the Serena has been given the NISMO treatment?

2018 Nissan Serena NISMO

2018 Nissan Serena NISMO interior

The design looks pretty much the same as the normal Serena and so is the interior, the same two-way tailgate that can be opened either the whole door or the rear window, the same ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving tech, the same Hands-Free Auto Slide Door, and the same MR20DD-SM20 S-Hybrid powerplant mated to a CVT gearbox but because this is the NISMO variant, which I believed to be a custom variant of the Serena C27, there are some few differences in store to this family mover.

First off, it's been given added downforce due to the improved aerodynamics inspired by Super GT racing, a much fatter Bridgestone POTENZA Adrenaline RE003 tires for added grip, a more rigid body, a specially-made suspension that balances sporty driving with minivan-riding comfort, and a sports-tuned exhaust courtesy of a revamped computer system. 

What's the result? With all that NISMO junk in the minivan, the Serena NISMO doesn't behave like a normal Serena at all. It's just somewhat less nice to handle, slightly more chance to wake the kids behind you on the way home, and on the trip to the grocery, people think that you're a boy racer with a wife and kids on board, and when you opt for even more extras such as front Recaro sports seats, there's no telling what kind of minivan owner are you when you realize that your Serena has some bits and bobs of a Super GT500 GT-R, minus the GT-R part, and the Super GT part, and the angry roar.

With prices starting at ¥3,419,280, it's more expensive to own than a normal Serena Highway Star variant which works rather well for the typical Japanese family. So, a NISMO-tuned Serena sounds like a good idea from the start, your family may not be going to like how it behaves and unless you're single, you'd better stick for the normal Serena Highway Star variant for now because family life could get dysfunctional if you've gone for a Serena that has some bits and bobs that came from NISMO's motorsport knowledge.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: CCTV footage shows NoKor soldier crossing the MDL

The United Nations Command announced that North Korea clearly violated the 1953 Armistice Agreement twice last week when its border security guards tried to hunt down a fellow soldier defecting to South Korea via Panmunjom.

The command released video clips lasting a total of seven minutes showing the incident that happened at the Joint Security Are of the truce village on November 13. A North Korean soldier crossed the Military Demarcation Line last week.

The UNC stressed that the North also breached the Armistice Agreement by firing weapons across the MDL. The UNC notified North Korea of these violations at the JSA on Wednesday through the normal communications channel in Panmunjeom, and requested a meeting to discuss the results of the investigation and measures to prevent future violations.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (November 22, 2017)

- The Canadian government issues a travel advisory to its citizens, advising them to avoid travels to Mindanao due to threat of terrorism and high level of crime.

- President Rodrigo Duterte has dumped his plans for unleashing a revolutionary government because the country will not benefit from a revolutionary government or coup d'etat. In a speech delivered during a tribute to fallen soldiers also yesterday, Duterte said the declaration of a revolutionary government is far-fetched.

- The Philippine government has canceled all planned meetings with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front months after peace talks were halted. The President abandoned peace talks with the rebels and has threatened to shut down mining firms paying the so-called revolutionary tax to rebels.

- Former DILG secretary Mar Roxas and eight other Cabinet secretaries of the Aquino administration and 21 officers and private individuals were charged yesterday with plunder and graft for their alleged roles in anomalous transactions relating to the maintenance service contracts of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 system.

- FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai unveiled his plans to fully repeal the Obama-era net neutrality rules ahead of its December 14 vote. In a statement released from the FCC, the Federal Trade Commission will regain control of the ISPs, consumers, and competition while the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet and instead, the FCC require ISPs to be transparent about their practices so "consumers can buy the service plan that's best for them, and entrepreneurs and other small businesses can have the technical information they need to innovate."

- US President Donald Trump defends embattled Alabama senatorial candidate Roy Moore, citing the candidate's denial of sexual conduct.

- Racecar chassis maker Dallara created a road-going supercar called the Stradale, which weighs under 1,900lbs and powered by a 400HP Ford EcoBoost 2.3L engine mated to a six-speed MT or sequential gearbox.

Dallara Stradale

- The all-new Aston Martin Vantage was unveiled and this new model features a design inspired by a track-only Vulcan and the DB10 from 007: SPECTRE while powered by a AMG 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine mated to an 8-speed AT. In addition, a Vantage GTE racecar was unveiled and it's set to race at 2018-2019 FIA WEC season.

2019 Aston Martin Vantage

- MINI will race at next year's Dakar Rally with their new JCW Buggy, which is powered by a 3.0 litre inline 6-cylinder diesel engine generating and output of 250 kW/340 hp and a maximum torque of 800 Nm.

MINI JCW Buggy

- ICYMI: The name of the Fantastic Beasts sequel is named as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

- Check out the first trailer of the movie adaptation of the cult-classic video game Rampage, starring Dwayne Johnson. It hits theaters in Spring 2018.

TTFN!!!

Trip Ubusan: The Lolas vs. Zombies

Ah, The Lolas of Kalyeserye; Lola Nidora (Wally Bayola), Lola Tidora (Paolo Ballesteros), and Lola Tinidora (Jose Manalo). Two years ago, these lolas have been part of the AlDub adventures in Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye segment and now, they became presenters of their own talk show airing every weekdays before Eat Bulaga, called The Lolas' Beautiful Show. Just as we thought their hilarious antics as Eat Bulaga's honorary mascots wasn't enough, here comes their first movie outing as the Lolas team up with different strangers to survive the zombie apocalypse. Yes, really.

Trip Ubusan

Welcome to TRIP UBUSAN and true to its name, this will be one heck of a hilarious roller coaster ride starring The Lolas of Kalyeserye and many other star studded celebrities, including Ryzza Mae Dizon, That's My Bae Kenneth, Taki, and more.

In this movie, The Lolas team up with their niece Charmaine (played by Ryzza Mae) and a couple of survivors as they are outnumbered by a horde of zombies and all they have to do is to survive at any costs in this hilarious spin on zombie apocalypse movies.

Throughout the film, the survivors are dealing with different kinds of zombies such as walkers (yep, the ones we're always familiar with since the start), runners (yes, even zombies can run, you know), and sleepers (or is it slippers? I don't know). No matter what kinds of zombies they come across; fat, thin, big, small, boy, girl, bakla, tomboy, they're no match from the Lolas' hilarious antics because...ah, you'll see.

It's kinda funny for Dabarkads who missed the Kalyeserye gig knowing that it's the Lolas' turn to shine on the big screen after last year's...you know what it is...but hey, Kalyeserye lives and so in this movie about our three favorite lolas battling against a wave of zombies with some current affairs references to spit it out to the moviegoers for the fun of it. I guess this is how pop culture works in every single way and while this film is downright scary because this is basically a horror movie, expect the corniest of jokes because some say, it couldn't get even cornier than this because while they are busy battling zombies of all kinds, they're going to make references about current affairs.

Despite its corny humor, this film does have a heart because family values, friendship, and teamwork is demonstrated in this film and because of such a heart, it's been given Grade A by the Cinema Evaluation Board and a rated PG by the MTRCB so it's a horror comedy movie fun for the whole family. So there we are, a horror comedy film the whole family can enjoy with all the scary and funny bits you can expect from The Lolas of Kalyeserye. It maybe corny as a night out on Klownz but oh my gawd, it is good.

My rating: 3.9 out of 5.

Forza Motorsport 7: Alfa Romeo Julie Quad Bike something...

The Giulia is one of the most important Alfa Romeos in their revitalization plan, so important, that it became the subject of delayed launch dates because of design issues and I'm delighted to say that it's finally arrived in Forza Motorsport 7 via the Samsung QLED TV Car Pack.





Quite a long overdue for the producers to feature this newest Alfa Romeo in a Forza game, eh? Better late than never as they said but anyway, what is the Alfa Romeo Giulia?

One of the most important Alfa Romeos in their revitalization plan, the Giulia name has been revived as the first rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo in history since 75. It was the first to wear the new Alfa Romeo badge in honor of the company's 105th anniversary when it was presented at a special event in the summer of 2015 before it went on sale a year later.

The most potent version is the Quadrifoglio which comes with AlfaTM Torque Vectoring, Active Aero Splitter, Chassis Domain Control, a carbon-fiber prop shaft, carbon-fiber roof, a carbon-fiber bonnet, limited-slip differential, the most direct steering in its segment, a choice of either manual six-speed gearbox the new eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 510 HP 2.9-litre V6 BiTurbo Petrol Engine that propels it to a top speed of 307 km/h, and from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.9 seconds. This saloon lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 32 seconds.

In Top Gear Season 24 Episode 2, Chris Harris reviews the Giulia, much to the dismay of Rory Reid setting challenges for him, including "The Wall". When handed to The Stig, it set a 1:21.4 lap time.



I kind of admit that the Giulia is not a pretty-looking car because the face is kind of reminiscent of a Wolseley while it's difficult to get out of the front than in the back. That's some faults but this is how human qualities are best described and despite its faults, this Alfa Romeo is different than what we think today because it was engineered by the same person behind the magnificent Ferrari 458 supercar, it has some Ferrari genes this Italian M3 beater, making it very unique to experience how the Giulia reacts more than the German high-performance saloons. Of course, it's surprisingly nice to drive on the road even in Sport Mode but out on the track however...





On the track, the Giulia is a masterpiece, and the more you drive it, the more you're going to love it because of its direct steering while some say that this is a BMW M3 for morons, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is by no surprise an exciting sports saloon with the heart and soul of an Alfa Romeo in the same way you experienced it on the 4C, which is a brilliant sports coupe a true petrolhead would want to drive. I've been waiting to drive this powerful Alfa saloon and now, here I am, driving one out of my jealous belief, and because all of my eagerness paid off, time for a little challenge.

The Giulia Quadrifoglio recently lapped the Top Gear track in 1:21.4 so my challenge is to beat that time as fast as I can.



In the end, I did a 1:25.268, about four seconds more than what The Stig set in real life. I don't know, probably it's getting damp or moist out there, I don't really know but I tried and I'm starting to believe that I love this Alfa more than any other high-performance saloon.



The Giulia Quadrifoglio transforms from a car which is brilliant into something that is sensation and as some say that you can't be a true petrolhead without driving an Alfa Romeo, this is the one true petrolheads have been waiting for, well some would go for 4C, but nevertheless, it's been an honor to drive Alfa Romeo's premiere high-performance saloon the world has been demanding for. It's a dream come true, really. It is.

Speaking of which...





See something special I did with the Giulia? Hmm? Take a guess...

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Trump designates North Korea as state sponsor of terrorism

The United States designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism in a symbolic move aimed at increasing pressure on the regime over its nuclear weapons program.

US President Donald Trump made the announcement at the White House, returning North Korea to a list of nations in almost a decade.

The designation is the latest in a series of steps Washington has taken to isolate the North and force it to come to the negotiation table over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

He said the US Treasury Department will announce the additional sanctions soon which he promised will be of the "highest level".

The US President ended his remarks by urging North Korea to be lawful and bring an end to its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile developments.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News (November 21, 2017)

- Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will not attend the impeachment proceeding against her despite the invitation from Congress authorized her legal counsel to represent her.

- According to a recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations, 6 out of 10 Filipinos ready to help Marawi victims.

- The Supreme Court are holding oral arguments on the consolidated petitions challenging the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs.

- Officials have urged authorities to hunt down a militant named Abu Dar who had reportedly relocated to the Unayan area in Lanao Del Sur.

- The FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is set to unveil plans to cannibalize Title II and fully repeal the Obama-era net neutrality rules on Tuesday, local time, ahead of the expected vote next month.

- The Lincoln MKC has been facelifted for the 2019 model year.

2019 Lincoln MKC

- Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of the Rurouni Kenshin series, was charged with child pornography possession. He allegedly owned DVDs with footage of girls in early teens.

- Your first look on the upcoming film, A Wrinkle in Time, starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling.

TTFN!!!