New Buick Regal Sportback and TourX

Following the Europeans launching the all-new second-generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia range, it looks like Buick, General Motors' semi-luxury car brand, is not far behind because they decided to borrow one of these for the all-new Buick Regal and while that sounds good news, it can also be bad news because thanks to PSA, it looks like this is the last time Buick will borrow the Insignia as a Regal. After that, it's no more, and that's kind of sad.

2018 Buick Regal Sportback

2018 Buick Regal TourX

While lamenting that this is the last time Buick will borrow the Opel Insignia as the Regal following Opel's acquisition by PSA, this Euro import Buick Regal now comes with two new body styles to choose from such as the five-door Sportback and the first-ever sport utility wagon called the TourX. Yep, America's back at selling wagons as crossovers like the Subaru Outback, the Audi A4 allroad, and the VW Golf Alltrack but seriously, this is the first time an American car brand selling a station wagon since the forgettable Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. Sure, it maybe a wagon but they call it an SUV because station wagons are a forbidden fruit on American roads.

Anyway, for a quick refresher, the new Regal range, like the new Insignia, traces its looks from the Mazda Atenza and while this is basically a European copycat of the Mazda Atenza, there are many things that your Mazda doesn't have, even performance but that comes later because let's step inside to see what's what.

2018 Buick Regal Sportback interior

Like the new Insignia, the new Regal's interior may have been as similar to the outgoing model but it's now surprisingly spacious than before so people at the back can get themselves accommodated and as for boot space, the trunk volume of 490 to 1,450 litres makes it enough to accommodate most of your grocery shopping stuff of the day. In the TourX, you can fill up to 1,665 liters of cargo space with everything to your heart's content. Also, the new Regal offers some basic General Motors goodies such as the available OnStar 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi Hotspot, meaning there's so much to make topics online while driving one as well has letting the kids at the back binge watch some cartoons. Now that's luxury done right for the new Regal.

For most variants, the sole engine is the 2.0L turbocharged engine that produces 250HP of power and 295 lb.-ft. while mated to an 8-speed AT. Not only this engine provides high performance by midsize car standards but it's surprisingly sporty enough for a Buick because of its 5-link rear suspension and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive that behaves pretty much like the Ford Focus RS in lesser ways.

2018 Buick Regal GS

If you want more, there's the sporty GS variant which features some bits and bobs from the Insignia GSi, including the recalibrated all-wheel drive system but unlike the GSi, the Regal GS is powered by a more powerful 3.6L, 310-HP V6 Engine mated to a 9-speed AT. How come the Europeans withdraw such a powerful offering? Well, no one knows but in Australia's case, the Regal GS will be their Commodore VXR, and that makes it super unfair. Still, since this the Buick Regal, the GS will be the next best thing since the Ford Focus RS because with such powerful dynamics, it can even upset an Audi S4 in a pinch and it could become your favorite Buick for the time being.

What about safety? While the Insignia it was based on comes with a 360-degree camera, Rear View Camera, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Advanced Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Following Distance Indication, Forward Collision Alert, Traffic Sign Assist, and a wide range of radar and camera-based automatic assistance, the new Regal is limited to Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. That sounds odd but that's payback for not offering the most powerful variant to European roads.

Price? The Regal Sportback is priced at 24,990 US Dollars (Php 1.25 million), which is cheaper than the previous model it replaces, while the TourX starts at 29,070 US Dollars (Php 1.453 million), which is more affordable than the made-in-China Envision, which isn't bad for a sport utility wagon that competes with the Audi A4 allroad in a pinch.

Sure, the new Regal may be different than the Insignia it was based on, apart from the Regal GS variant that massively produces more than the Insignia GSi it was based on, but differences aside, the Regal is proven to be a decent contender to the Audi A4 because with Focus RS-like dynamics thanks to its clever all-wheel drive system, it can lick the A4 goodbye in a pinch and it's fair value so you can afford one as well.

It's ashamed that it could be the last Insignia-based Regal ever made following Opel being taken over by the French but as the future remains uncertain, let's be thankful that General Motors still sell one of those and while this is basically the last car to share some General Motors components across the Atlantic, now it will be the ideal time try out the newest Regal before its too late.

Photo: General Motors

Opel/Vauxhall Insignia B GSi

The GSi moniker has returned after years of being dormant since the old Corsa GSi and the first to implement the return of the legendary moniker that adorned most hot Opels (Vauxhalls) since the 80s is the latest version of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, a car fit for businessmen when they got it as a company car from a fleet.

2018 Opel Insignia Grand Sport GSi

2018 Opel Insignia Sport Tourer GSi

Why bringing back the GSi name all of the sudden? Car enthusiasts wanted to see the latest version spawning a hot version like the previous model's OPC/VXR but sadly, the PSA-owned company decided to ditch them both in favor of returning the GSi marque as the hot ship of the Insignia B range. Starting at 45,595 Euros OTR (2.734 million Php), the Insignia GSi can be offered in the choice of the five-door Grand Sport or the Estate version.

Sure, you can expect the same bits and bobs as you experienced from the normal Insignia but the GSi transforms the motorway cruiser into a posh Ford Focus ST of some sorts because of the recalibrated four-wheel drive system that behaves almost like a Focus ST because of the twin clutch differential on the real axle as well as improved suspension setup and lightweight body that weighs less than the old Insignia OPC/VXR. As a result when engaged to its exclusive Competition Mode, the GSi's dynamics are now more sensational than before and because it almost has no understeer, it won't make you binned to a pile of garbage bins while trying to handle through a corner full of garbage bins. Now that is a good mark for a car that produces less than the old Insignia OPC/VXR, perhaps no wonder they developed it to the Nurburgring just to fine tune its dynamics.

As a rule, a car that is engineered at the Nurburgring is nowhere near as good on the public roads and you can take that as a supreme compliment because there has been some tantrums about the way it behaves on public roads thanks to its Nurburgring-honed dynamics but with a little tough love, the GSi tries to show drivers that it the Nurburgring never ruined the once-known motorway cruiser fit for a fleet of company cars used at your workplace.

The GSi is powered by a choice of two engine choices such as the 2.0 DI Turbo engine and the torquier 2.0 BiTurbo Diesel, mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled via paddle shifters. The hot ship on the GSi range is the petrol engine with 260 hp of power and 400Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds and it was electronically limited to 250kph so it sounds fair for a hot ship of the Insignia B range.

My evaluation for the GSi that even though they've gone to the beaten path to abandon the OPC/VXR moniker in favor of the GSi's return, the dynamics are worth the shot, hoping that by the time you try its recalibrated four-wheel drive system, there are slim chances that you'll get binned by the corners and it's great to have the GSi back in this motorway cruiser if you have the resources to buy one.

Photo: Opel

MG ZS vs. Citroen C3 Aircross

In the planet of the crossovers, there are some crossovers think they look tough on the outside but in reality, they really are soft on the inside, meaning it's easy to be labeled as weaklings because they don't possess some true capabilities a tough SUV possess but for some, they didn't matter anyway because while the so-called fake-UVs are not so tough as they look, they are made for one major purpose; to get the job done with no questions asked. Such example is MG's latest offering, the ZS SUV, as well as Citroen's C3 Aircross.

2018 MG ZS

2018 MG ZS interior

First, let's talk about the MG ZS, the latest offering from the Chinese-controlled British car company, and judging by the name, the ZS took its name from a relative from the posh but forgettable Rover 75, which is the saloon of choice for the Bethnal Green mob you ran into. While this name is nothing new, this SUV has a clear impression of thinking that they copied the styling of noteworthy crossovers such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson. That's the Chinese way, all right, and judging from its looks, the interior wasn't bad either for a five-seater, although the dashboard is as cheap as those outdated gadgets you bought at the thrift store. Although the interior feels a bit outdated by crossover standards, it feels not too bad to get into and you get the sense that you had a dream that you and your friends are driving to a nearby shopping mall in the streets of Muntinlupa City. Not as pretty as it hoped for but it ticks all the right stuff to satisfy your chic craving.

Driving aside, the ZS is powered by a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.5L DOHC and a 1.0L GDi which produces a city-friendly 111PS of power output and 160Nm. The 1.5L model is mated with a 5-speed MT while the 1.0L GDi is mated with a 6-speed AT but either way, you can consider these choices to be a bit decent but average for you especially when the suspension setup is as old-fashioned as a Nokia 3310 phone you got since you were at the fourth grade.

Of course, the ZS is considered to be a value for money because of its 12,495 GBP (844,000 Php) price tag, but despite its affordability, the ZS lacks something a compact crossover should have, even for the fact that it only works on urban roads rather than taking it on road trips on faraway destinations. So, if you need more for a city-worked crossover, consider the Citroen C3 Aircross for a change.

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross

2018 Citroen C3 Aircross interior

The C3 Aircross is the replacement for the funky but somewhat lagging C3 Picasso and starting at 15,950 Euros (960,000 Php), it considers to be a fair value for money which isn't bad for a fake-UV, especially when it uses the same bits and bobs as seen in today's Citroen C3. I mean yes, this is like a C3 but with some added ground clearance to make it look tough but to be honest, despite the high-riding looks, it still behaves like a compact car and it ticks all the right buttons that the MG ZS can't. Then, the interior is as modern as a Kindle Fire. Not as good as it hoped for but it's spacious enough for your thrift store junk, decently comfortable, chic, and simple. That's the Citroen way and you know it.

The most powerful version has a 1.2L petrol engine producing 130PS of power and 230Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100kph in 9.3 seconds and onwards to 200kph. Not only it is faster than the ZS but also, it's surprisingly nippy and lively to handle by city car standards. Of course, if you prefer fuel efficiency, you should go for the one with the 100PS BlueHDi engine that has CO2 emissions of 96g/km, which sounds fine but sadly, it won't last long for French roads because it's diesel.

Not only it drives pretty well like a city car, but it's also advanced as a city car as well because of the safety features implemented to give the C3 Aircross peace of mind for the occupants at all sides.

So, how do I sum this up? Well, the MG ZS is one of the cheapest crossovers money can buy but with all that "made in China" stuff, drivers are having that Divisoria feeling when they drive one but for the C3 Aircross, that is like driving in the streets of BGC without all the drama. Despite all the differences, they made proof that despite not being as tough as SUVs should be, they are made for one major purpose; to get the job done with no questions asked.

Photo: MG, PSA

Remembering 2017: Top 10 entertainment bits

Whether if its in the Philippines or in other parts of the world, the year 2017 has been a pivotal year in the world of entertainment. Win some, lose some, that's the life of showbizness as we know it and in this yearender, let's jot down the top ten bits that changed the very landscape of the entertainment industry in 2017.

1) Ang Larawan wins 2017 MMFF - This year's Metro Manila film festival wasn't as exciting as we hoped for but it gave cinemagoers a chance to see some breakthrough films that became part of this film fest. In this film fest, the internationally acclaimed Ang Larawan, which stars Paulo Avelino, Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro, won the best picture award.

2) Two Miss Universes, one year - This is the first time the Miss Universe held twice in 2017. One in Philippines and the other in Las Vegas. In the first one of this year, France's Iris Mittenaire is the winner, and then in the second one, South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters is the winner.

3) The first Tawag Ng Tanghalan winner -  Since last year, ABS-CBN's hit noontime show, IT'S SHOWTIME, revived the legendary talent search programme Tawag Ng Tanghalan as their segment everyone's tuning in everyday. At the grand finale held at Resorts World Manila, a grand champion has been named from the six finalists and Noven Belleza is the grand winner of the show's Tawag Ng Tanghalan segment.

4) Spongebob at Broadway - Nickelodoeon's popular cartoon, SpongeBob SquarePants, has spawned a Broadway musical which was penned by the famed Tina Landau and starred Ethan Slater as SpongeBob. It was a dream come true for everyone to see their favorite cartoon show spawned a stage play the whole family enjoyed from start to finish.

5) The first female Doctor Who - Following Chris Chibnall's takeover as the new showrunner of BBC's hit TV series Doctor Who, the star who will play as the 13th Doctor has been named and for the first time, an actress named Jodie Whittaker. The BBC announced the star who will be playing The Doctor in next year's season, under the new rule of incoming Executive Producer Chris Chibnall, as Jodie Whittaker. This will be the first time a woman will be taking over the role of The Doctor from the outgoing Peter Capaldi, whose tenure has ended at this year's Christmas Special which stars Adventures of Space and Time's David Bradley reprising his First Doctor role from the 2013 biopic into the world of Doctor Who.

6) Oscars flak - In the 2017 Academy Awards, where Moonlight was named the best picture, actress Meryl Streep draw flak against the Trump administration saying that without immigrants who are involved in flourishing Hollywood, it will be limited to just football and MMA. She didn't mentioned the US President but he responded via Twitter by calling her "overrated".

7) SHINee member committed suicide - Jonghyun, a member of a popular K-POP boyband SHINee, passed away this month due to depression. Police reported that he committed suicide. Days later, fans, friends, and relatives bid their final farewell to the late SHINee member.

8) Passing of big stars - There have been so many notable celebrity legends passed away this 2017 but the biggest names on the list of celebrity obituary of 2017 are former Batman Adam West and former Bond actor Roger Moore.

9) Spicy Hot Noodles Challenge - It all started when Samyang Foods sold a limited edition 2X SPICY HOT Chicken Flavor Ramen in supermarkets became a trending topic of this generation when people trying to post something on social media about trying to brave the hellish spiciness this variant possess. Even celebrities are unsafe from Samyang's fiery menace.

10) Love is... - October is what is known to be the best month for AlDub Nations. Two years ago, the world witnessed the phenomenal love team in the world's biggest indoor arena for the Sa Tamang Panahon concert. Then last year, the world witnessed the Kalyeserye wedding. Now, for 2017, the phenomenal love team has in store for them with an Eat Bulaga TV special titled Love Is... Love Is... centers on the story of a young woman named Vi (played by Maine Mendoza) who is ready to marry a man named Marco (played by Alden Richards). Before the planned wedding, Vi had a fortunate life until all her luck just ran out when her father is suffering from a life-threatening disease but even worse, she had fell from the scam. This special taught us a valuable lesson about depression while it fills the blank of what love really is. Still, with this special, it's the definitive point that AlDub is here to stay, no matter what happens to them.

That's it for the entertainment bits. Join me for more on this yearender before letting 2017 go in dignity.

VW T-Roc vs. SEAT Arona vs. Skoda Karoq

Let's admit it, ladies and gentlemen, the earth is now the planet of the SUVs because car companies love to make some money out of launching heavyweights no matter how big or small they are and when the more they keep launching SUVs, the more risk that the whole range will be out of the weight limit and resort of removing some in the lineup. In the Volkswagen Group, this is no exception to the rule as these three new compact SUVs continue to be part of this new automotive world order where SUVs are now part of the daily lifestyle.

2018 Volkswagen T-Roc

2018 Volkswagen T-Roc interior

Let's begin with Volkswagen's first-ever baby SUV, the T-Roc. Starting at just 20,390 Euros plus OTR costs, the T-Roc is Volkswagen's answer to bland baby crossovers such as the Nissan Juke and the Toyota C-HR and while it was basically pinned on the same bits and bobs from today's VW Polo, the T-Roc is no exception to the rule because while it may be an SUV, it's a crossover fit for every millennials' lifestyles. Of course, you might say that the exterior design is questionable because while the front looks very sporty indeed, the rearview looks like a Tetris piece, resulting in a questionable exterior no one saw it coming.

On the interior, it's not half bad especially when the dashboard is festooned with bits and bobs as experienced from the Audi like the instrumental panel which looks like it was heavily inspired from the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which makes it a Q2 on a budget and that's good for them. Apart from that, it's not bad to get cozy with and because it's not as leathery as a posh crossover, you don't get your full moon to experience the chilly torment in the event of cold temperatures and you'll have seconds to tuck your trousers back to its original condition. Not bad.

The T-Roc is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines with the most powerful being the 2.0 TSi variant mated to a 7-speed DSG that produces a modest 190PS of power and 320Nm of torque, propelling from 0-100kph in 7.2 seconds and onwards to 216kph. Your Nissan Juke or Toyota C-HR doesn't stand a chance with the T-Roc, you know, because they can only do 180, which is the limit to all Japanese cars and that's it. So, while the performance of the T-Roc really upsets the Japanese, the dynamics aren't half bad for a crossover because it handles pretty much like today's Polo without all the hot fuzz. Sure, it may not be as sporty as it hoped for, it's perky to keep it afloat on the road. Also, when equipped with 4MOTION, it's not pretty half bad in the wet. In fact, this could have been your sister's crossover rather than the ones I've mentioned. Lastly, the T-Roc is offered with a wide array of safety features that will give drivers a more confident driving experience without worry.

The T-Roc may have a questionable exterior design but with some good parts binned on this jacked-up Polo, it wasn't really mediocre by SUV standards. In fact, you could consider it your first ride if you got a job and a driver's license. However, if you find the T-Roc is not your kind of crossover, consider this...

2018 Seat Arona

2018 Seat Arona interior

At first glance, it may look like today's SEAT Ibiza but this is not the Ibiza because what this is is its jacked-up cousin, the SEAT Arona. Starting at 14,100 Euros plus OTR, you can really afford one rather than the VW T-Roc I've mentioned but unlike the T-Roc, the Arona is basically an Ibiza with some added ground clearance on it and from every angle, you will notice the bits and bobs you saw on the said car, meaning those who are familiar with it shouldn't worry about how to deal with the Arona's conveniences in the same way they compare the Mazda CX-3 to its Demio cousin.

The most powerful version is the 1.5 TSI EVO FR variant with 150PS of power output and 250Nm of torque, resulting to a 0-100kph time of 8 seconds and onwards to 205kph, which is basically slower than the T-Roc. Also, the Arona is available only in front-wheel drive so you have no right to make it dirty because it was only limited to city use, which is kind of a shame really because while some crossovers try to look tougher, the lack of 4WD are the ideal equivalent of the whole Weenie Hut joke I saw from a children's show.

This brings on to the last item on this article which is somewhat the lesser of two evils...

2018 Skoda Karoq

2018 Skoda Karoq

This is the all-new Skoda Karoq, the replacement to the Yeti which a certain ape calls it the best SUV in the world because you can outrun a Ferrari on an unfinished track, more room to get out, more stable than the Range Rover, and the aircon that works well in extremely hot conditions. This then is somewhat the different article and for 529 900 Kč or 24,290 Euros, it's the most expensive of the three. On the plus side, it's more affordable than the Skoda Octavia Scout, which sounds questionable but flattering.

While this is the most expensive of the three, the Karoq features the best of both worlds, something the T-Roc and the Arona quake in their rear bumpers. It's got Kodiaq-style looks not bad for a baby crossover, it's got luxurious interior, it's got ample boot, and more importantly, a wide array of safety tech and dynamics that set them apart.

However, what's annoying about the Karoq is the leather seats which stings your butt when the temperature drops to near zero. Also, the most powerful offering produces the same amount that you get from the Arona but it's heavier and in a three-way drag race, the Karoq loses. That sounds like a bitter disappointment but when you're not in the mood to bother the T-Roc and the Arona, you will be thankful that the Karoq nails all of the right moves a midsize crossover should be. It's comfortable, it's tough, it's spacious, and above all, it's everything you wanted it to be on an SUV of that size.

So, there we are, in terms of fair value, the Arona is the best bet but in terms of doing all the things you want for an SUV, the Karoq is the best bet. The T-Roc may not be as valuable or capable as these two but it's got more features than the other two and picking the winner sounds challenging as it should be but you'll be the judge of that when you try these three.

Photo: Volkswagen/ SEAT S.A./Skoda Auto

THE IDOLM@STER MILLION THE@TER GENERATION 03 Angel Stars

Enjoyed playing Theater Days? Better take a break because the third installment of the MILLION THE@TER GENERATION album range has arrived and this installment introduces us to Angel Stars.

THE IDOLM@STER
MILLION THE@TER GENERATION 03
Angel Stars

The Angel Stars are comprised of your favorite 765 MILLION STARS such as Miki Hoshii (CV: Akiko Hasegawa), Yayoi Takatsuki (CV: Mayako Nigo), Azusa Miura (CV: Chiaki Takahashi), Ami/Mami Futami (CV: Asami Shimoda), Tsubasa Ibuki (CV: Machico), Elena Shimabara (CV: Asuka Kakumoto), Serika Hakozaki (CV: Momo Asakura), Akane Nonohara (CV: Saki Ogasawara), Anna Mochizuki (CV: Shiina Natsukawa), Hinata Kinoshita (CV: Nao Tamura), Konomi Baba (CV: Minami Takahashi), Tamaki Ogami (CV: Eri Inagawa), Fuka Toyokawa (CV: Rie Suegara), Miya Miyao (CV: Choucho Kiritani), Karen Shinomiya (CV: Yui Kondou), Reika Kitakami (CV: Emi Hirayama), and Kaori Sakuramori (CV: Arisa Kori). In this album, they will perform the song that you will soon be able to play it on Theater Days, called Angelic Parade♪. This is a new song you will surely love it and if you're done, time to listen to the Angel Stars version of Theater Days' theme song, Brand New Theater!, and after that, there's a drama part where you will discover the other side of the Angel Stars troupe.

For a limited time, there's a special code that will give you a chance to be part of a special release event coming this January.

Enjoy listening to this latest addition to the range and be sure to keep playing THE IDOLM@STER Million Live Theater Days for more!

The Grand Tour S2: Unscripted

The Grand Tour wraps up 2017 with a sense of randomness as the gang tries to do an unscripted show while driving random vehicles on the streets of Croatia. Jeremy Clarkson drives the brand new Audi TT RS, Richard Hammond drives the Ariel Nomad, while James May drove a Lada Riva that he will turn it into a fire engine. How hard can it be to make an unscripted show?

The Grand Tour S2E04

Before that, Hammond tries out McLaren's newest supercar, the 720S, on the track, and when handed over to the driver with no name (seriously, who is she?), the 720S set a lap time of 1:17.9, similar to the car it replaces.

In Celebrity Face Off, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe faces off for who is the fastest classical singer with connections to the British motoring industry. In here, Michael Ball did it in 1:23.3 while Alfie Boe did it in 1:24.4.