Honda StepWGN - Sixth Generation (RP6/7/8)

The Honda StepWGN has been part of every Japanese household since 1996 and with the launch of the new sixth-generation model, the all-new StepWGN is ready to take on the new normal with new features that will cater to today's Japanese families. So, what's it all about the all-new StepWGN?

2023 Honda StepWGN Air and Spada

Priced at 2,998,600 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, which is more expensive than its main rival, the Toyota Noah and Voxy minivans, the all-new StepWGN promises to continue the 25-year-old tradition of catering to Japanese families while incorporating new and promising features that will keep them entertained and safe in the midst of the new normal.

2023 Honda StepWGN Air

2023 Honda StepWGN Spada

Starting with the design, the new model features a boxy shape that dates back to the first-generation StepWGN launched in 1996. A real throwback for one of the most practical minivans made in Japan and because this is the Reiwa era, this is built to tackle the challenges of the new normal. Despite the added size, it's still narrow enough to tackle Japanese driving conditions. The previous model's Waku-Waku door was thrown away and replaced with the conventional one. Fair enough.

Like the previous model, the sixth-generation StepWGN is offered in two different tastes; the simple-looking StepWGN Air and the premium-oriented StepWGN Spada.

2023 Honda StepWGN Air interior

2023 Honda StepWGN Spada interior

The new interior boasts a minimalist trend that today's vehicles are donning these days while retaining its user-friendly approach. It also comes with the triple-zone control fully automatic air conditioner with an air purification system, and the gear change switches similar to the now-defunct NSX. There are optional paddle shifters for the Spada as well, which is rather pointless for e:HEV variants. 

When you talk about passenger space, the new StepWGN is offered in seven or eight-seater variants with the Air boasting a choice of grey and black interior color and the Spada only comes with a black interior color, nested in PrimeSmooth synthetic leather. The seven-seater-only Spada Premium Line comes with a suede-like fabric and PrimeSmooth synthetic leather, giving customers the luxury feel unheard for a commoners' minivan. Because of its "large space for the family" approach like its predecessors, the new StepWGN boasts the largest interior space for a Honda vehicle thanks to its longer wheelbase and they've reworked the seats so those who are sitting in the back will feel less dizzy while traveling.

The new StepWGN features the world's first electrostatic touch sensor-type power slide door that can be opened and closed with a light touch with your fingertips. For added convenience, it can be equipped with a hands-free slide door that can be opened with a simple lift of your foot and the auto sidestep that makes getting out an easier approach, especially when this car is used for TNVS purposes.

The seven-seater variant is the one you should go for because of the easy access to the third-row seats but those who have four kids should go for the eight-seater variant. Word of warning though; your chance of hitting its sweet spot will go down to almost never if the second row's jam-packed with child seats, meaning you'll have to force yourself to go through the rear door, which is worth a hassle because the new model no longer possesses the previous model's Waku Waku Gate. Even with the Power Tail Gate that can be opened with the remote car key, it's still worth the drama.

Like most MPVs, the StepWGN's rear seats can be folded down for added convenience. With the third-row seats present, it's good for carrying today's shopping list but when you fold the seats down, they're good enough for this weekend's garage sale with your parents.

2023 Honda StepWGN Spada

The new model carries out the same choice of a 1.5L VTEC TURBO and the e:HEV LFA-H4 2.0L petrol engine-electric motor combination and a li-ion battery, all mated to a CVT gearbox. The turbo variants come with a fuel economy of 13.9km/L (13.7km/L for the Spada) while the e:HEV variants are good for 20km/L (19.6km/L for the Spada), all based on WLTC Mode standards.

Although not a fun vehicle to drive as such, the new StepWGN is nearly a comfortable car to drive even when driving through the Shutokou like a commoner. It's got Rack-and-Pinion power steering, front ventilated disc brakes, rear disc brakes, front MacPherson suspension, front torsion bar stabilizers, and an available 4WD variant for turbocharged models.

In terms of safety, the new StepWGN features an improved version of the Honda SENSING safe driving support system consisting of CMBS, false start suppression function, backward false start suppression function, short-range collision mitigation brake, pedestrian accident reduction steering, off-road deviation suppression function, ACC, LKAS, Traffic Jam Assist, preceding vehicle start notification, sign recognition function, auto high beam, and adaptive driving beam. Combined with the new multi-view camera system and blind-spot information, the new StepWGN is a certified Support Car S (Wide).

The Honda StepWGN has been part of every Japanese household since 1996 and the sixth-generation model continues the tradition with new and promising features that will keep them entertained and safe in the midst of the new normal. Would you like this one over the new Toyota Noah and Voxy minivans?

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

List of Japanese cars discontinued in Japan but active overseas

Reports say that Honda will no longer be selling the CR-V in the Japanese market in favor of a new midsize SUV to be called the ZR-V, according to sources. With the next CR-V going to be an overseas-only model, it's sad to say that Japan will be left out for no reason, meaning the Honda CR-V is the latest victim of Japanese cars no longer available in Japan but active overseas.

The fifth-generation CR-V would be the last
CR-V to be sold in the Japanese market

As the Honda CR-V becomes the next victim, here is the list of Japanese cars that are no longer sold in Japan but are available overseas;

Toyota Hilux Surf - Launched in 1983, the Hilux Surf is the SUV derivative of the Hilux pickup truck. It spawned four generations until it was discontinued in 2009 and it continued in the US with the offroad-focused fifth-generation model.

Toyota Kluger - Launched at the end of 2000, the Kluger is a crossover that serves as the mainstream version of the Harrier luxury SUV. The Kluger lasted one generation in Japan while the rest of the world carried on with three full model changes with the current version available in the US, Oceania, China, and now the rest of Europe, among many others. It's a shame that Japan missed out on such a global crossover.

Toyota Belta - Launched in 2005, the Belta is a compact sedan that was sold not just in Japan but also in North America and Asia (outside Japan). Toyota stopped selling the Belta in 2012 while the rest of the world got newer versions.

Nissan Murano - The Nissan Murano was launched in Japan in the fall of 2004 and underwent a full model change in the autumn of 2008. Sadly, it was discontinued in Japan in 2015 while the rest of the world moved on with the third-generation model made in the USA, China, and Russia.

Nissan Terrano - The Nissan Terrano is the SUV equivalent of the Datsun Truck. It was launched in Japan in 1986 and spawned two generations until it was discontinued in 2004. In other countries, the Terrano, under the global name of P________, carried on with the third-generation model up to the latest fifth-generation model which now runs on a FF platform. It even spawned an Infiniti QX60 equivalent as well.

Nissan Safari - Launched in 1980, the Safari is Nissan's response to the Toyota Land Cruiser. While the Land Cruiser sells big, the Safari failed and it was discontinued in 2007 after three generations. However, it lived overseas with the current fourth generation, which is more luxurious than the Land Cruiser. The Middle East, Oceania, Russia, the US, and the Philippines, got the fourth-generation full-sized luxury offroader.

Nissan Maxima - The Maxima was launched in Japan in 1981 and it was originally the last rear-wheel-drive model for the Bluebird. The second-generation Maxima made a switch to front-wheel-drive. The final generation Maxima sold in Japan comes with a V6 engine. After three generations, the Maxima series was discontinued in Japan in 1994 with the front-wheel-drive second-generation Cefiro taking its place. Overseas, the Maxima packs a different story as its current generation is by no means the most stylish Maxima ever existed. It packs a powerful 3.5L V6 engine that powers the front wheels. The current Maxima is not just sold in the US but also in China and South Korea as well.

Nissan Juke - Launched in the summer of 2010, the Nissan Juke is a compact SUV that draws inspiration from the Qazana concept. Although it draws criticism due to its radical styling, it was the first and only crossover to be powered by Nissan's DIG TURBO engine. While the Juke is no longer available in Japan after 2019, the rest of the world had the second-generation model made in the UK. It even spawned a hybrid variant that runs on Renault's E-TECH powertrain instead of Nissan's e-Power. It's a shame that Japan didn't get the newest Juke and got the smaller and less powerful Kicks e-Power instead.

Nissan Sylphy - Launched in 2000, the Bluebird Sylphy is a midsize sedan well known for its ultra-low-emission and clean design. It was good for three generations in Japan until Nissan axed it in 2021. Overseas, the Nissan Sylphy underwent a full model change and it's available in China, Taiwan, the US, and other countries.

Nissan Dualis - Launched in 2007, the Dualis is a sporty equivalent to the X-Trail that features European styling and handling. Sadly, Japan stopped selling the Dualis in 2014 while the rest of the world got newer versions of it with the latest generation launched in 2021. Europe has one, Hong Kong has one, and Oceania has one, why does Japan miss out on this radically-styled turbocharged crossover?!

Nissan Teana - The Teana is the successor to the Cefiro when it was launched in 2003 and lasted for three generations. Nissan stopped selling the Teana in Japan in 2020 while the rest of the world got the new version that comes with the VC-TURBO engine, the engine that hasn't been introduced in a Japan-spec Nissan vehicle as of now.

Nissan Skyline Coupe - While the R32, R33, and the R34 were made famous by speedo boys, the V35 and V36 versions felt understated, especially when the latter's armed with the 3.7L V6 VVEL engine derived from the Z34 Fairlady Z. Long story short but Nissan stopped selling the Skyline Coupe in Japan in 2016 and its Infiniti Q60 successor didn't make it to the Land of the Rising Sun, despite the fact that it runs on the same mechanicals as the current Nissan Skyline V37 saloon.

Nissan Skyline Crossover - Launched in 2009, the Skyline Crossover is the Japanese version of the Infiniti QX50. Nissan stopped selling the Skyline Crossover in Japan in 2016 while the Infiniti QX50 equivalent sold overseas underwent a full model change and became the first to be powered by the VC-TURBO engine. That successor didn't make it available to the Japanese public because of the fact that it's now running on a front-wheel-drive platform instead of a rear-wheel-drive one.

Nissan Latio - The first-generation Latio is basically the sedan equivalent of the Tiida while the second-generation Latio is the sedan equivalent of the March K13. Sadly, Nissan stopped selling the Latio in Japan in 2016 while the rest of the world got the new version.

Nissan Tiida - The Tiida is a premium compact hatchback that was launched in Japan in 2004 until it got discontinued in 2012. Overseas, the Tiida is still active in Taiwan and it's basically a hatchback version of the Sylphy.

Honda Lagreat - The Lagreat is basically an Americanized version of the second-generation Odyssey and this fully-imported minivan was launched in Japan from 1999 to 2005.

Honda MDX - Like the Lagreat, the MDX is a seven-seater Honda SUV that was fully imported from the US, where it was sold as the Acura MDX. It was available in Japan from 2001 to 2006.

Honda Grace - The Grace is the four-door version of the third-generation Fit and served as the direct successor to the Fit Aria. It got discontinued in the summer of 2020 while the rest of the developing world got the newer version that comes with the e:HEV hybrid variant and a hatchback too for the first time.

Honda Integra - The Integra is by no means one of the most iconic Hondas ever made since the Civic because of the street cred speedo boys gave. The Integra lasted for about four generations until it was ultimately discontinued in 2007. However, the folks from Acura gave the Integra a much-needed comeback in a form of a five-door hatchback with aggressive looks and an available 6-speed MT, but the Chinese Honda Integra is a simple-looking version of the current-generation Honda Civic.

Mitsubishi Challenger - No, not the Dodge Challenger. The Mitsubishi Challenger. The Challenger is a sporty equivalent to the Pajero when it was launched in 1996. Sadly, it was discontinued in Japan in 2001 while the rest of the world continue selling it and spawned two full model changes, which are based on the Triton pickup truck.

Mitsubishi Triton - When the Toyota Hilux became absent in Japan, the Mitsubishi Triton is a fully-imported pickup truck from Thailand that serves as the only Japanese pickup truck sold in Japan. It was launched in 2006 until it was sadly discontinued in 2011 while the rest of the world had the newest versions.

Daihatsu Be-Go/Toyota Rush - The Be-Go and the Rush are compact SUVs launched in Japan in 2006 until they stopped selling the two compact SUVs in 2016. In some parts of the globe, the Be-Go and the Rush continued to sell with Indonesia its strong selling customer. The Be-Go and the Rush continued overseas with their bigger second-generation model sold in emerging markets, especially ASEAN. Don't worry, there's a Perodua version called the Aruz, and because Perodua's Malaysian, this is as close as you can get.

Suzuki Baleno - Launched in the spring of 2016, the Baleno is fully imported from India, making it the first Indian-made vehicle sold in Japan. It was offered with a choice of a 1.2L and a turbocharged 1.0L petrol engine. Suzuki stopped selling the Baleno in Japan in 2020 while India unveiled its newest version. Fair enough. Little did you know that Toyota sold the Suzuki Baleno as a Starlet or a Glanza in other countries?

And these are the list of Japanese cars no longer available in Japan but active overseas. Expect the list to grow when the CR-V joins the list of casualties.

Japan may be the home of anime but when it comes to cars, it starting to feel isolated from the world. Unless the Japanese motoring associations come up with a plan to revive the Japanese motoring industry and make it accessible to the world, it will still become a pariah state in the motoring world because of Japan's carmakers' decision to stop selling their globally-hit cars while letting the rest of the world continue selling with newer versions that will make Japan look meek. 

Why are the Japanese are feeling meek about this trend of having Japanese cars that got discontinued in Japan but continued selling overseas?! The Japanese motoring associations and manufacturers deserved a wake-up call.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea fires three ballistic missiles, Seoul military says

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan early Wednesday, Seoul’s military said, just one day after President Joe Biden wrapped up his first Asia visit as US leader.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that it had “detected at around 0600 (2100 GMT), 0637 and 0642 the firings of ballistic missiles launched from Sunan area.”

Japan’s coastguard warned of a “possible ballistic missile” launch from North Korea, telling vessels to stay away from fallen objects in the waters.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that Tokyo was trying to confirm information about the launch.

South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol will oversee a meeting of the National Security Council at 0730 to discuss the launches, his office said.

Yoon, who was sworn in earlier this month, has vowed to get tough with Pyongyang after five years of failed diplomacy.

The Wednesday launches are the latest in a blitz of sanctions-busting weapons tests by Pyongyang this year, including test-firing intercontinental ballistic missiles at full range for the first time since 2017.

The latest apparent test come just days after Biden left South Korea Sunday after a trip overshadowed by US officials warning that Pyongyang’s leader Kim Jong Un could carry out a nuclear test while Biden was in the region.

While in South Korea, Biden joined Yoon for talks, including discussing expanded military exercises to counter Kim’s sabre rattling.

Joint exercises had been scaled back due to Covid and in order for Biden and Yoon’s predecessors, Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in, to embark on a round of high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful diplomacy with North Korea.

Any build-up of forces or expansion of joint military exercises would likely enrage Pyongyang, which views the drills as rehearsals for invasion.

On his last day in Seoul, Biden told reporters he had a only a short message for Kim: “Hello. Period.”

And he added that the United States was “prepared for anything North Korea does.”

– Covid and missiles –

Kim has recently doubled down on his programme of military modernisation.

Despite struggling with a recent Covid-19 outbreak, new satellite imagery has indicated the North has resumed construction at a long-dormant nuclear reactor.

Earlier this month, North Korea confirmed its first ever Omicron cases in Pyongyang, and the virus has since torn through its unvaccinated population of 25 million.

More than three million people have been sick with “fever” North Korean state media said Wednesday, with 68 deaths since the outbreak began in late April.

How that crisis might impact Kim’s decision on nuclear tests is one of the many unknowns that US and South Korean officials have been weighing.

On May 12, North Korea test-fired ballistic missiles the same day that leader Kim declared an “emergency” over the Covid outbreak.

A few days earlier, North Korea test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, which itself came just three days after a separate ballistic missile launch.

North Korea’s state media, which typically reports on weapons tests within 24 hours of a successful launch, has not commented on any of those tests.

South Korea said last week that North Korea’s preparations for a nuclear test had been completed, and they were waiting for the right time.

Source: Agence-France-Presse

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 5/25/2022

      

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

• Ukraine conflict ‘sending shock waves around the world,’ EU warns; Soros says civilization may not survive war
• Ukraine war: 'This is just the beginning, everything is still to come'
• Ukraine War Shows Need for Global Data-Privacy Agreement, EU Officials Say
• Kissinger says Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to end war

COVID-19 SITUATION: 5/25/2022

                                                                

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• Zambales logs 7 new COVID-19 cases
• Countries agree to overhaul WHO funding

Let's Do The News! (May 25, 2022)

      

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Environmental groups praised the court decision to hold Marcopper liable for the 1993 disaster in Marinduque.

- DEPED TV on IBC TV will be temporarily off the air this May 27th.

- Mindanao Railway Project hits a snag following no contractors from China.

- 19 children and two teachers were killed when a teenage gunman stormed into a Texas elementary school, the latest in the gun-fueled mass killings in the United States and the nation's worst school shooting in nearly a decade.

- An expert said that wearing a mask is also effective against monkeypox.

- Chinese president Xi Jinping spoke with UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet as he defends China's rights progress.

- The UAE announces the Gulf's first known monkeypox case.

- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been granted a second term as WHO chief.

- Hyundai is building its first EV and battery plant in the US state of Georgia.

- PlayStation employees filed new sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits following the previous dismissal.

- The FIA Motorsport Games will return this October after a two-year hiatus.

- The United Kingdom government has issued a license that grants the sale of Chelsea to the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Consortium.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Ferrari de Mayo (Part 5)

The Series 7 update in Forza Horizon 5 celebrates Ferrari taking over the entire series playlists in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Here is the last one in the Ferrari de Mayo takeover in FH5; the ultimate V8 midship Ferrari ever made. It's called the F8 and it's yours to drive after hitting the 20-point mark on the Hot Season Playlist. What a way to wrap up the Ferrari takeover.

Since the F8 Tributo is new to Forza, how about a little introduction first, shall we? Served as the replacement for the 488 GTB, the F8 Tributo is the ultimate midship V8-powered Ferrari ever built; a fitting tribute to the best midship V8-powered Ferraris in history. Using the same 720PS 3.9L V8 Twin Turbo engine from the hardcore 488 Pista, while mated to an F1-style double-clutch gearbox, the F8 goes from 0-100kph in less than 3 seconds and onwards to 340kph. Apart from that, the F8 is lighter and more aerodynamically efficient compared to the 488 GTB it replaces and it's armed with a cutting range of tech such as the improved Side Slip Angle Control and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer Plus, among many other improvements from its predecessor. It managed to shed 0.5 seconds from the Pista when it went around the Fiorano.

Here we go again with the F8 Tributo. Having familiarized with the ultimate V8 Ferrari from other video games that featured it, it's great to know that it's the Forza franchise's turn to give the F8 the minute to win it, although it takes more than a minute to win the approval from players, even me, anyway, it's great to have the F8 featured in the world of Forza, especially in FH5. Having stuck with numerous 488 models, including the range-topping Pista, for a long period, we finally had the chance to drive what is known to be the ultimate Ferrari midship V8 masterpiece ever crafted. Every noise it makes, every turn it makes, every moment it delivers, the F8 really is the proper send-off to the era of ICE-powered Ferraris as the switch to electrification, as demonstrated by the LaFerrari and its protege, the SF90 Stradale, is inevitable.

Now that the entire Series 7 Ferrari collection's complete, it's time to give the F8 the ideal thriller it deserves and with that, a thrilling street race against the fastest supercars ever assembled. It's going to be a rough ride to the finish line as always. Ready? Roll the tape.

What a rush for Ferrari's grand finale.

The F8 Tributo truly marked the end of an era for proper ICE-powered Ferraris but nevertheless, this grand finale will go down in history as one of the all-time greats. A future classic, if you may.

I may consider this the end of our Series 7 journey but I had a brilliant idea. Since we got the SF90 on the deck, looks like the F8 wants to have a duel against its electrified cousin. With that, consider this meeting adjourned.

To be continued!