Nissan Ariya

This is by no means one of the most important milestones for Nissan since the Leaf. It's called the Ariya and this electric crossover signaled the new era for Nissan in the midst of the new normal.

2022 Nissan Ariya

2022 Nissan Ariya

The Nissan Ariya is an all-electric crossover that Nissan called one of the most important milestones since the Leaf and whatever the reason, it's a proper game-changer that caters to the world with its revolutionary electric powertrain and dynamics that set standards for electric vehicles in this time of the new normal.

Beginning with the styling, the Ariya heavily draws inspiration from the concept car as seen at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show thanks to such positive feedback from the motoring public. Although the sizing can be somewhat mistaken for the defunct Murano, it has a shorter overall length than the X-Trail in reality. No complaints here.

2022 Nissan Ariya

The same here goes for the interior. the Ariya prefers the minimalist route like most modern vehicles have because minimalism is part of the new normal of the motoring world. Despite its minimalism, the Ariya is still user-friendly for all because of a working knob for the volume, a climate control touch panel on the dashboard, and a super long split-screen positioned on the driver's side with one for the instrumentals and the other for touch screen purposes, and what's surprising is the hidden touch panels near the armrests that appeared when it's on and they're made to adjust your driving pleasure. One thing you might need to watch for is its tech, especially the dreaded Amazon Alexa feature installed on the Ariya. Once the Alexa moment kicks in, the disturbance begins as such.

Aside from that, the Ariya boasts best-in-class interior space unique for electric vehicles, meaning this five-seater is fit for all walks of life.

2022 Nissan Ariya

The base front-wheel-drive B6 variant with the 66kWh battery pack, priced at 5,390,000 Japanese Yen, produces 218PS of power, 300Nm of torque, and it's good for 450km of driving range based on WLTC mode standards. However, for those who are lucky enough to reserve the ultra-expensive B9 limited with a 91kWh battery pack and the revolutionary e-4ORCE 4WD system, it has 394PS of power output, 600Nm of torque, and 580km of driving range based on WLTC Mode standards. Front-wheel-drive B9 variants are good for 610km. Lucky them.

The e-4ORCE 4WD system is a new type of electric 4WD system that draws inspiration from the legendary ATTESA E-TS of the Nissan GT-R and the All-Mode 4x4 used on Nissan SUVs. By taking care of its power output and braking performance, the e-4ORCE system makes the Ariya capable of handling all kinds of road conditions, especially tarmac, gravel, or snow. Not perfect as such but it's rather excellent indeed for an all-around electric crossover. This signature electric 4WD system deserves some respect, mind you.

With safety as part of the new normal, the first-ever Nissan Ariya features the most advanced driving aids as part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility banner. It features an improved ProPILOT with Navi-link that gives this crossover autonomous driving capability that terrifies speedo boys many. There's also ProPILOT Park for hands-free parking, e-Pedal for one-pedal operation, Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking Technology, among many others.

The arrival of the Ariya signaled the true beginning of the next chapter of Nissan history. Like it or not, this electric crossover not only sets standards, it is the gold standard for electric vehicles, and looks like this Nissan deserves some kudos for its game-changing characteristics that made the Ariya the electric crossover built for the challenges of the new normal. This is the future we live in.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Renault Megane V E-Tech

The fifth-generation Renault Megane is now a fully-electric hatchback that can be either a revolution or a revolting feat, depending on how you see it. Either way, that's how the system works, as a certain someone said. Anyway, it's time to meet your new Megane-san.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

Starting at 35,200 Euros plus additional costs, the fifth-generation Renault Megane is a drastic change that shares nothing in common with its predecessors because starting now, the Megane is a BEV that signals the new age for Renault in this time of the new normal.

Beginning with the styling, the all-new Megane draws inspiration from the eVision Concept but in reality, it's hard to describe whether it is a crossover or a hatchback just like the Hyundai IONIQ5 and the Kia EV6, the Megane E-TECH's main targets. Apart from that, the Megane E-TECH is the first Renault to don the new logo because it's the new decade and the new logo rush is the new normal. Either way, that's how the design works, but still, it's worth charming for a French electric car of such size.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH interior

The new interior can be as hospitable as, well, Meganee-san of course, probably because of its roomier creature comforts and boot space compared to the previous model, not to mention the extensive use of recycled materials for guilt-free purposes like most EVs had, but what's on the driver's side is worth a controversy because of its massive touch screen on the dashboard similar to Teslas, which controls much about everything on this car ranging from the audio, the sat-nav, the smartphone connectivity, and so on. This stuff scares speedo boys straight to their knees but as always, that's how the system works.

2022 Renault Megane E-TECH

Now let's get to know more about its electric powertrain, the trump card of the new Megane E-TECH. It features a brand new EESM and it weighs less than the one used on the ZOE, and it features two power configurations with the latter producing 160kw of power and 300Nm of torque, capable of 0-100kph time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 160kph, 20kph slower than everyday Japanese vehicles. As for range, the range-topper is good for 450km based on WLTP standards and its charging time takes 42 minutes to reach 80% when plugged into a public charging station. That's how the electric powertrain works and apart from that, the Megane E-TECH features regenerative braking on demand with four interchangeable brake levels.

In terms of driving feel, the Megane E-TECH feels bulky to drive unlike past Megane models because it weighs over two tons due to its electric powertrain, but it feels stable and civilized. In the end, that's how the Megane works.

The Renault Megane E-TECH, much to the shock of speedo boys behind the wheel, features the most advanced driving aids offered in its class such as Active Driver Assist, Smart Speed Limiter, LDW, BSW, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Rear AEB, OSE, and many others. That's how safety features work.

Is the new Renault Megane E-TECH a revolution or a revolting feat? With its crossover styling, futuristic interior, game-changing electric powertrain, and the most advanced safety features offered, you can't really say but in the end...that's how the new Megane E-TECH works.

Say hello to your new Megane-san, Megane-san.

Photo: Renault

My FH5 Log: KING OF GT-Rs

Since 2007, the Nissan GT-R R35 is the last word of performance not only because of its heritage that dates back from the legendary Skyline GT-R but because of its supercar-slaying performance that shows that Japan is a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, being a normal GT-R, it seems that such performance alone wasn't enough to satisfy the cravings of speedo boys wanting to give European supercars a good beating. That is why they've created the NISMO version for such a purpose.

Created as a result of Nissan's trial and error struggle to create a supercar that can compete against the world's best supercars, the GT-R NISMO, first launched in 2014, features track-honed aerodynamics akin to its GT3 racer and an improved 3.8L V6 Twin Turbo engine producing 600PS of power output, capable of lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7:08.679. This is the 2020 Model Year GT-R and for this update, the GT-R NISMO features front fenders from the GT3 racecar, a new carbon-fiber roof, and improved dynamics. It is said that the improved GT-R NISMO lapped Tsukuba in less than a minute.

Having won this car from the Series 5 Hot Season Playlist, I am pleased to experience what is known the be the King of GT-Rs. It may look aged and outdated in the midst of the new normal but the GT-R is still a timeless masterpiece that deserves a lot of respect and in this NISMO version, that respect remains. I had a blast driving one in this game and I'm starting to fall in love with its dynamics that made the GT-R NISMO the king. Respect to that.

To show how much respect the GT-R NISMO delivers, it's time to give Godzilla a typical Japanese tradition; a leisurely underground street racing against supercars. Let's roll the tape.

This is the Japanese way, as speedo boys called it.

As the R35 GT-R's time is nearing the midnight shift, rest assured that this Japanese supercar slayer is truly a legend on its own and the GT-R NISMO is a clear but stark reminder that as the world's living in the new normal, cars like this may not be forever but it managed to leave a lasting legacy the next generation of vehicles will learn something from.

Thank you, Godzilla.

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 3/31/2022

                     

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

• Russians start to withdraw from Chernobyl: US
• Ukraine's Zelensky dismisses Russian claims of scaleback
• Russia bombards Kyiv outskirts, regroups for offensive in east Ukraine

COVID-19 SITUATION: 3/31/2022

                           

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• WHO warns of virulent Covid variant risk
• South Africa's Covid death toll tops 100,000
• Biden gets second Covid-19 booster shot, says virus no longer dominates
• Vaccination card expiry date, other ideas eyed to push COVID-19 booster shot
• Canada faces rising COVID wave as restrictions ease

Let's Do The News! (March 31, 2022)

                           

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- PHIVOLCS records "phreatomagmatic burst" in the Taal volcano.

- The Free Legal Assistance Group lauds the junking of Dr. Naty Castro's cases.

- Senator Pia Cayetano welcomed the successful resolution of the Philippine Sports Commission after pole vaulter Ej Obiena and the leadership of PATAFA have agreed to a settlement.

- Detained Pharmally executives asked the PH Senate to place them under house arrest.

- DepEd condemned the use of a song in a political video supporting Vice President Leni Robredo without permission.

- Sri Lanka faces 13-hour blackouts.

- The United Kingdom apologizes for the hospital scandal that caused 200 baby deaths.

- Ssangyong Motor's acquisition by Edison Motors fails.

- Formula 1 gets Las Vegas Grand Prix for the 2023 season.

- Idol Land PriPara app game was delayed yet again to fall 2022.

- Tsuburaya Productions announced this year's Ultraman TV show, titled Ultraman Decker. Airing this July 2022 on TV Tokyo, the new series stars Hiroki Matsumoto as Kanata Asumi, a GUTS-SELECT member wielding the Ultra D-Flasher and Ultra Dimension Cards to transform as Ultraman Decker.

- Action star Bruce Willis retires after being diagnosed with aphasia.

- Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin are getting married.

Let's Do The News! (March 30, 2022)

                          

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- The DSWD warns the public against child trafficking and illegal adoption via social media.

- LGBT representation in PH media is improving.

- The AFP and the PCG are in full force to save displaced Taal victims.

- The Department of Agriculture declared a bird flu outbreak in the Philippines.

- The DOT, PNP, and the PDEA forged ties to boost the security of Philippine tourist spots.

- The Marcos-Duterte tandem barnstorms the Davao Region.

- PH Vice-President Leni Robredo gets a warm, crowded welcome in Eastern Visayas.

- US President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till law, making lynching a hate crime.

- Mexico denies cover-up over the disappearance of 43 students in 2014.

- Five killed in gun attacks near Tel Aviv.

- Lotus unveiled its first electric SUV, the Eletre.

- VinFast is to open its first EV plant in the US and production of two electric crossovers will commence in July 2024.

- A new PlayStationPlus service is coming this summer.

- A rematch between Naoya Inoue and Nonito Donaire is happening this June in Japan.

TTFN.