Suzuki Escudo Hybrid (YEH1S)

The fully imported, 4th-generation, Suzuki Escudo has been in the market for almost seven years, and just as we thought the whole Japanese neighborhood had completely forgotten about this compact crossover that is similarly priced compared to the Toyota RAV4, Suzuki decided to give the Escudo the electrification route. You're looking at the first-ever Suzuki Escudo Hybrid, except for one thing...

2022 Suzuki Escudo Hybrid

Don't let the hybrid naming fool you because, in reality, the latest update on the Suzuki Escudo is not really a full hybrid vehicle. In fact, it's milder than a full-fledged hybrid crossover but it's more than enough to give the Escudo the electrification status it deserves at this age of the new normal.

Although it looks and feels just like the current Escudo, the Hybrid variant with the ALLGRIP 4WD system is the only variant offered in this update and it's yours for just 2.97 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs.

So, what is this so-called Hybrid System the latest Suzuki Escudo's armed with? The 1.5L Dual Jet engine that produces 101PS of power output is connected to a 24.6kW drive motor and a high-capacity li-ion battery. Taking advantage of the ALLGRIP system, the Escudo Hybrid balances eco-driving and high running performance in any road conditions, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow. Mated to a 6-speed AGS, which combines the advantages of an automatic and manual, the Escudo Hybrid delivers 19.6kmpl of fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards.

Despite being a hybrid, the Escudo Hybrid drives like an Escudo almost everywhere, although its suspension setup wasn't as sophisticated as the Europeans. Still, it's rather good enough for a compact crossover that is more than ready to take on another quiet Sunday drive outdoors.

The Escudo Hybrid features Suzuki Safety Support that comes with an array of advanced safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Deviation Suppression Function, Lane Departure Warning Function, Stagger alarm function, preceding vehicle start notification function, sign recognition function, dual sensor brake support, and false start suppression function.

Like it or not, the Escudo Hybrid is the only Escudo you'll be driving right now. Despite being average for a fully imported Suzuki crossover, it's worth a meditating experience to drive one on a quiet weekend drive to a nearby province with the whole family.

Available colors: Galactic Grey Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, Cool White Pearl, Ice Greyish Blue Metallic/Black 2 Tone Roof, Savanna Ivory Metallic/Black 2 Tone Roof, and Sphere Blue Pearl/Grey 2 Tone Roof.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - The Mazda RX500

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Mazda RX500, a concept car made in honor of Mazda's golden anniversary.

Built to commemorate Mazda's 50th anniversary, this concept car, displayed at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show, features a rotary engine that produces 247HP of power as well as a bullet-shaped body for aerodynamics. Known trivia is that this concept first introduced the upswing doors before the Lamborghini Countach, making this concept car the originator of scissor doors.

The Mazda RX500 will lap through the Goodwood Motor Circuit but how fast will it go? Let's roll the tape.

It did it in 1:36.631. For a forgotten rotary concept car from the company that brought us rotary-powered engines, it's surprisingly impressive.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 4/20/2022

                                 

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

• Displaced Ukrainians move into room of their own in the park
• Canada adds Putin daughters to sanctions list
• Biden says he does not know if he will visit Ukraine
• War in Ukraine: Latest developments

COVID-19 SITUATION: 4/20/2022

                                       

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• DOH bares 6 vaccine brands approved for 2nd booster shot
• No more recorded granular lockdown areas in PH- Año
• PH’s vaccine program hailed by G20
• DOH observes increase of Covid-19 cases in 14 areas under Alert Level 1
• 5 Metro Manila cities record zero new COVID cases on April 19 — Octa
• 10 Filipinos quarantined in Shanghai after contracting COVID — consulate
• Biden administration will appeal lifting of mask mandate, if CDC agrees
• Cheers and jeers in US as plane mask mandates are lifted
• Brazil readies first carnival since COVID-19
• UK PM Johnson apologizes to parilament over lockdown breaches
• Is a new COVID surge inevitable?

Let's Do The News! (April 20, 2022)

                                       

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- The PH Department of Education said they're aiming to open SY 2022-23 by late August and pushing for blended learning.

- The Malacanang rejects the call to provide the Presidential Security Group for front-running presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos.

- DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano denounces a US report on the Philippines' human rights abuses.

- The death toll from Agaton has risen to 178.

- Supporters of PH Vice President Leni Robredo are holding Freedom March in Cebu

- Netflix suffered subscriber loss and it may offer cheaper ad-supported plans.

- Audi showcased its urbansphere concept.

- Mercedes-Benz unveiled the EQS SUV.

- The Ferrari 296 receives an open-top GTS variant.

- Actor Rio Hackford dies at the age of 51.

TTFN.

Ferrari 296 GTB

The arrival of Ferrari's first PHEV supercar, the SF90 Stradale, showcased to the world that Ferrari's prepared for the age of electrification by putting all means necessary to create a powerful supercar that uses most of the LaFerrari's teachings to tear through the streets and racetracks without tearing the environment. Now, one of the late LaFerrari's disciples has arrived, and looks like it tries to be just like its big brother. Say hello to the first-ever 296 GTB.

2022 Ferrari 296 GTB

With pricing starting below three hundred grand, which is surprisingly less expensive than its big brother, the SF90, the first-ever 296 GTB is the newest baby Ferrari coupe that follows the teachings of the LaFerrari by incorporating the art of electrification the Ferrari way. That means, like the SF90, the 296 GTB is more than happy to tear through the streets and racetracks without tearing up the environment.

With the styling broadly similar to the SF90, the 296 is somewhat smaller than the SF90 as expected. As for the interior, it's a basic Ferrari interior as expected as well. It's driver-focused with less distracting features and comes with a super-complicating steering wheel that is as difficult to understand as the steering wheel used in Formula 1 vehicles. It takes a speedo boy with a master's degree in science and engineering to understand how it works but either way, it's better to sit down, shut up, and enjoy driving Ferrari's newest Berlinetta.

The Ferrari 296 is the first Ferrari road car to have a V6 engine mounted with an angle of 120 degrees between the cylinder banks. With the turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine bolted to a rear electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, this rear-wheel-drive PHEV supercar is capable of producing a total power output of 830PS and 740Nm of torque. Armed with the 8-speed F1 gearbox, the 296 has a 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 330kph, making it almost as good as the F8 Tributo.

Of course, being a rear-wheel-drive supercar for experts only, driving the 296 is no playtime, although the jealous zealots are driven to tears right now, wishing they want to drive one someday. Anyway, driving this car is no playtime because of its super-complicating technology underneath it. Yes, it has most of the Scuderia Ferrari know-how, the most advanced aerodynamics for a baby Ferrari, and the most sophisticated dynamics made for this car, but for a challenge, it would be best to rate it two-and-a-half on a scale of three. It's challenging at first but as you get addicted to its dynamics, you'll fall in love with this car easily and there's no way you would want to let go of it until you are fully satisfied. Easier said than done but whatever.

To get the most out of the 296, there's the optional Assetto Fiorano package with most of the upgrades used while lapping around Fiorano in 1:21. With specially made Multimatic shock absorbers, high downforce carbon-fiber appendages, a Lexan rear screen, and carbon fiber materials used all over the car, the Assetto Fiorano package made the 296 capable to show its true colors on the road and on the track.

While smaller and less powerful than the SF90, the 296 is worthy enough to follow the LaFerrari's skid marks as one of its disciples, and looks like this disciple just earned its stripes. Stripes colored in the colors of the Italian flag, of course. 

Game over, McLaren Artura. The 296 GTB is the PHEV supercar speedo boys want at this moment in time.

Photo: Ferrari

My FH5 Log: The ATS GT

After our fateful encounter with the unknown Italian supercar in the previous installment, the ATS GT returns to FH5 as a Series 6 Dry Season Playlist Prize Car. After gaining enough points to claim this car, it's time to reintroduce ourselves to this unknown supercar created by the company formed by people fired by Enzo Ferrari.

Since its return in 2012, ATS, or Automobili Turismo e Sport, spent lots of years perfecting its supercar that takes on the establishment ones from Ferrari and Lamborghini. With that, the ATS GT is born and it's an ode to the first ATS vehicle, the 2500 GT, launched in 1964. The ATS GT features a race-inspired engine hood, dynamic rear wing, and high-tech aerodynamics fit for its modern design. Underneath, the ATS GT is powered by a McLaren-derived 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine but tuned to over 700 horsepower and up to 553lb-ft of torque. Mated to a seven-speed DCT, it gets through 0-60mph in three seconds and onwards to 206mph, making it on par with the Ferrari 488 and the Lamborghini Huracan. It is limited to 12 units.

Now that we are familiar with the ATS GT again, it's time to give it a quick drive with a leisurely street race against the establishment supercars. Roll the tape.

Enjoy your new ride!