ALIEN: ROMULUS

The Alien universe is back with a new installment that is sure to bring fear straight to your face. This new film in the franchise is sure to terrify audiences.

ALIEN: ROMULUS

Starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, ALIEN: ROMULUS is set two decades after the first ALIEN movie and nearly four decades before ALIENS. A group of young space colonizers are scavenging the remains of an abandoned space station, only to come face-to-face against...the deadliest creature that ever existed.

Romulus is a terrifying chapter in the Alien franchise. It's sure to make your skin crawl. No one is safe from the extraterrestrial punishment this installment delivers even when you fully watched the entire film. 

It's difficult not to forget the grotesque moments this film delivers because, like the visual, it goes straight to your face in a parasitic fashion.

You've been warned, fans and newcomers to the Alien franchise. This newest installment is the grotesque way to end your summer break in a parasitic manner.

NTT IndyCar Series 2024 - Bommarito Automotive Group 500

The summer break in IndyCar racing is over. The 2024 season continues this weekend with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway.

Polesitter Scott McLaughlin led the grid to the starting line as the green flag waved and the action in St. Louis truly began. As David Malukas charged his way to P2 on Lap 8, a caution was triggered when Katherine Legge and Ed Carpenter got involved in a fender bender. Lap 17 saw Conor Daly get spun after being nudged from behind by Kyle Kirkwood. In Lap 196, Josef Newgarden got spun. With 22 laps left, Malukas crashed, and with 10 laps left, a red flag-triggering incident happened in the middle of a restart when Alexander Rossi's car got lifted following a collision with Will Power.

Screengrab from IndyCar

After an incident-packed oval racing action in St. Louis, Josef Newgarden emerged from the spin and won the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Scott McLaughlin finished 2nd and the rookie driver Linus Lundqvist finished 3rd.

After St. Louis, Alex Palou leads with 443 points while Colton Herta is in 2nd with 384 points and Scott Dixon is in 3rd with 378 points.

The next race is the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland this August 25, 2024.

Lincoln Nautilus (2nd Gen)

The Lincoln Nautilus is a luxury SUV that was based on the Ford Edge. Sadly, the Edge has been discontinued, so the Nautilus is now on its own as it approaches its second generation.

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

Starting below 52 grand in US Dollars plus additional costs, the second-generation Nautilus has matured into a sophisticated crossover that caters to even the most prolific East Coast elites with its new-era Lincoln styling, premium interior, and a suite of tech to toy with.

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

By adopting the new-era Lincoln styling inspired by the Star Concept, the all-new Nautilus tries its hand at being frank and polite to its owners. Whether if its kitted with the available Jet Appearance package or indulged in the ultra-premium Black Label, the all-new Nautilus is all about making a statement while cruising from Brooklyn to Wall Street.

2025 Lincoln Nautilus interior

The biggest surprise is its new interior and by first impression, it feels like you're driving a concept car from the future. The Lincoln Digital Experience features the largest panoramic display in its class as well as the 11.1-inch center-stack Touchscreen with Google software involved. Call it flashy but its futuristic dashboard layout showcases the loud and proud side of Lincoln's calm, cool, and collected status.

Along with the Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging ports, and the Lincoln Connect, the all-new Nautilus features an available Digital Scent where drivers can insert whatever scent cartridges they have and release it on its air conditioning. There are different scent cartridges available to purchase so don't be shy.

To deliver sedan-riding comfort for this five-seater crossover, the all-new Nautilus features an array of relaxing features such as Perfect Position massaging seats, and the available Auto Air Refresh. As for boot space, it's between the 70 cu. ft. mark with the rear seats folded down.

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

The all-new Nautilus features a choice of a 2.0L turbo and a 2.0L turbo hybrid with the latter producing 310HP of power and a combined EPA-estimated mileage of 30MPG courtesy of its CVT. The petrol variant is mated to an 8-speed AT. Although heavier than the old one, the all-new Nautilus tries hard to be civilized with its independent suspension setups, power 4-wheel disc with Anti-Lock Braking System, AdvanceTrrac with Roll Stability Control, and EPAS. It's spacious, versatile, and comfortable at its own pace.

Although an array of ADAS is not absent for the all-new Nautilus, it features Lincoln's BlueCruise 1.2 with improved versions of its ADAS features from hands-free driving, Lane Change Assist, the new In-Lane Repositioning ability, and other improvements worth noticing.

The all-new Lincoln Nautilus has matured even without its Ford Edge benefactor, and although costly to have one because it's "made in China", it tries to be calm, cool, and collected while navigating the East Coast traffic chaos at ease. 

New Yorkers, here's your new Nautilus.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (August 17, 2024)

    

Your daily round-up of today's news...

-  Health officials have confirmed the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years. The UN wants to give 600,000 children vaccinations.

- US Vice-President Kamala Harris unveils her economic plan if she wins the November elections.

- ICYMI: AVON Products Inc. files for bankruptcy amid mass lawsuits linking its talc products to cancer.

- About 460 people have been charged so far in connection with the recent disorder in the UK following the death of three young girls in Southport last month. Two men named John Honey, 25, and David Wilkinson, 48, are sentenced for their roles while 41-year-old Roger Haywood from Blackpool was sentenced to two years and six months for violent disorder and assaulting police officers.

- Maserati unveiled the GT2 Stradale. Based on the MC20, the road-legal track toy features some features similar to those of its GT2 race car but with the 640PS Nettuno V6 3.0L twin-turbo engine.

2025 Maserati GT2 Stradale

- Lamborghini unveiled the Temerario, the long-awaited replacement to the Huracan and the first to be powered by Lamborghini's new 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine with three electric motors producing a total of 920PS of power.

2025 Lamborghini Temerario

- The Rimac Nevera R was unveiled and its electric powertrain produces 2107hp of power. Only 40 will be made and all units have been sold.

2025 Rimac Nevera R

- The Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram was unveiled.

2025 Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram

- The Czinger 21C claimed the COTA production car record with a lap time of 2m10.7s, two-tenths quicker than the Hennessey Venom F5.

- MMA fighter Cain Velasquez pleads no contest to attempted murder in a California court in exchange for a lighter sentence.

TTFN.

My Top 10 V10-powered Road Cars

The V10 engine dies tonight as Lamborghini is set to unveil the replacement of the Huracan powered by its newly developed V8 Twin Turbo engine. As the motoring world mourns the death of the ten-cylinder powerhouse, here comes my list of Top 10 V10-powered road cars.

2024 Lamborghini Huracan STJ

10) Dodge Ram SRT-10 - The Dodge Ram SRT10 was launched in 2004. It's the only pickup truck ever to be powered by a V10 engine. The engine is from the Viper SRT10 and has 510 horsepower. The transmission is either a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The Ram SRT10 came in a two-door regular cab or a four-door quad cab.

9) BMW M5 E60 - The E60 BMW M5 is the only BMW in history to be powered by a V10 engine. Specifically, it's powered by a 5.0L V10 naturally aspirated engine that produces 507PS of power and 520Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed SMG, it does 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kph or 305kph with the optional extra. It is offered in saloon and Touring wagon.

8) Dodge Viper (SR) - The Dodge Viper was first conceived as a concept car in 1989. It was intended to be a modern interpretation of the legendary Shelby Cobra. The first-generation Viper was introduced in 1991 as the RT/10 roadster and was later joined by the hardtop GTS variant. The Viper was the first road car to be powered by a V10 engine.

7) Dodge Viper SRT-10 (ZB) - The ZB-spec Dodge Viper is the second coming for America's only V10-powered powerhouse with styling inspired by the GTS-R Concept. Under the insanity of Chrysler's SRT team, the V10 engine's size was increased to 8.3L which resulted in 500HP of power output. Until its 2010 ending, the ZB-spec Viper underwent numerous changes with the ACR the King of Vipers.

6) Audi R8 (1st Gen) - Unveiled in 2007, the R8 is Audi's first exotic sports car that was named after a winning Le Mans Prototype, inspired by the Le Mans Quattro concept car, and it shares most of the Lamborghini components. The 4.2L V8 engine is the only engine offered at launch but in 2009, the Audi R8 V10 came into view. Powered by the same 5.2L V10 engine from the Gallardo, it produces 525hp of power. When the first-generation R8 got facelifted, it gained the V10 plus variant which features a new S tronic double-clutch transmission as well as the updated version of the 5.2 V10 engine generating 550HP of power output.

5) Lamborghini Gallardo - Unveiled in 2003, the Gallardo served as the little brother of the Murcielago and it's the first Lamborghini road car to be powered by a V10 engine. In 2008, the Gallardo received a big minor change known as the LP560-4. With Reventon-inspired styling, the V10 engine's size has been increased from the former's 5.0L to 5.2L, producing the titular 560PS of power through all four wheels. The Gallardo was replaced by the Huracan in 2014.

4) Dodge SRT Viper (VX) - Unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the SRT Viper GTS comes with the same 8.4L V10 OHV engine from the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but now it churns out 640HP of power and 600lb-ft of torque. It is mated with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission with a shorter throw shifter, close gear ratio, and shorter final drive ratio of 3.07. With a triple-digit weight loss, the power-to-weight ratio is better than the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. Production ended after the 2017 model year and Dodge offered customers a 1-of-1 customization program that allows them to create a bespoke Viper for themselves. 

3) Audi R8 (2nd Gen) - Premiered at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Audi R8 features a new Audi SpaceFrame, a new interior (including the Audi Virtual Cockpit), a new exterior, and so on. Because it features components from the Lamborghini Huracan, the new R8 features an updated 5.2L V10 engine with two power outputs; 540PS for the base model and 610PS for the range-topping V10 plus model. In the V10 plus model, equipped with the S tronic double-clutch transmission, 0-100kph takes about 3.2 seconds and onwards to 330kph. The second-generation Audi R8 was facelifted for the 2020 Model Year featuring a revised design and improved performance. Production of the R8 ended in the first half of 2024.

2) Lamborghini Huracan - Launched in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan is the successor of the Lamborghini Gallardo which was named after a Mayan god. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph. The Lamborghini Huracan has gone through numerous updates over its near-decade lifespan and the STJ is in its final form with only 10 built and sold. This is the last-ever V10-powered road car in history.

1) Lexus LFA - The Lexus LFA was the pinnacle of Lexus' pursuit of perfection when it made a world premiere at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and then went into production a year later. With 500 units built from its two-year lifespan, the LFA comes with Japan's first-ever V10 engine producing 552HP of power and 354lb-ft of torque. Even though production ended in 2012, the LFA is a legendary JDM supercar in its own right.

The V10 engine is an automotive icon. Its monstrous roar made it famous and will go down in history as one of the greatest engines of all time. From the Dodge Viper to the Lamborghini Huracan, the V10 powered some of the most iconic cars of our time.

Today is a sad day for automotive enthusiasts, as the V10 engine is being laid to rest. It joins other automotive dinosaurs, like pop-up headlights, in the automotive graveyard. The saying goes that nothing lives forever, and that includes the mighty V10 engine.

GOODBYE FOREVER, V10 ENGINE. You made us proud and loud.

Let's Do The News! (August 16, 2024)

    

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PBBM administration declared August 23, 2024, as a special non-working holiday in observance of Ninoy Aquino Day.

- Sweden records its first case of a more contagious mpox disease outside Africa. Mpox is declared a health emergency in Africa.

- 37-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, became the youngest-ever Thai prime minister after a vote in parliament.

- The debate between Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, and Kamala Harris' Tim Walz, will commence this October 1st in New York.

- A 15-year-old boy became the first to be charged with a more serious offense of rioting during the recent UK unrest.

- Typhoon Ampil barrels towards Tokyo. The very strong typhoon was located about 100 km east of Hachijojima at 5:00 on the 16th and was moving north at a speed of about 20 km per hour. The central pressure was 950 hectopascals, the maximum wind speed near the center was 45 meters, and the maximum instantaneous wind speed was 100 km.

- The FTC bans fake product reviews.

- Acura unveiled two concept cars at Pebble Beach Concours such as the Performance EV Concept and the Integra Type S HRC Prototype.

Acura Performance EV Concept

Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype

- The fifth-generation Lincoln Navigator was unveiled.

2025 Lincoln Navigator

- ICYMI: The third-generation GMC Terrain was unveiled.

2025 GMC Terrain

- The all-new BMW M5 Touring was unveiled. Like the saloon, the estate version is powered by a 4.4L V8 PHEV powertrain, it produces 727PS of power and 1000Nm of torque, capable of a 0-100kph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 305kph with the optional extra.

2025 BMW M5 Touring

- The K-pop girl group Weki Meki has officially disbanded as five members left Fantagio.

- TXT member Yeonjun apologizes for posting photos from his Japan trip during South Korea's National Liberation Day.

- Notre Dame suspends its men's swim team over gambling violations.

- Five suspects are charged over Matthew Perry's death last year, as police say a "broad criminal network" of drug suppliers uncovered.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: We appreciate your interest in the Focus

 “Unfortunately, Ford will no longer be building the Focus. But you can still contact your local dealer about availability and check out our other vehicles that might be perfect for you and your family.” This is what Ford said when production of the third-generation Focus, the last-ever Ford Focus sold in its home market, ended in 2018. When Ford said goodbye to the Focus after three generations, the world market forgot the memo and decided to have another go with the Focus, except this was overseas only.

This is what's known to be the Mk4 Ford Focus, the one Americans didn't get, and I won this car from Forza Horizon 5's High-Performance Dailies Wet Season Playlist. If we, the American people, still had the Ford Focus here, it would look like this.

The Mk4 Ford Focus runs on a C2 platform, which makes it roomier and stronger than the world-proven Mk3 model. It was launched in 2018 and is offered with a five-door hatchback, the Active, and the estate version. It received a minor change in 2021, and China received the 4-door sedan variant.

This variant featured in the game is the Ford Focus ST, the definitive hot-hatch driving experience. It's powered by a 2.3L EcoBoost engine producing 280PS of power and 420Nm of torque. It is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed AT that propels this hatchback to a 0-62mph time in 5.7 seconds. The ST Track Pack features KW coilover suspension with springs, Brembo 18" performance brakes, and Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires for track-level control.

The Ford Focus ST Edition is a limited-edition model that includes all of the features of the Focus ST but with some special touches. It has a special Azura Blue exterior paint with black contrast elements, Motion Blue interior stitching, Winter Pack, Driver Assistance Pack, and a B&O sound system. Only 300 of these cars were made and sold.

Let's see how the Ford Focus ST performs against the competition in one of the new sprint races. The results will leave you speechless.

Why are we so meek? We really wish the Ford Focus would remain in the native lineup but sadly, it's too late for that.

If Ford had retained the Focus in its native lineup, it would have become one of the most affordable high-performance daily driver's cars offered. Sadly, it's too late for that. The Mk3 Focus was the final Focus offered for Americans, and the Mk4 Focus turned out to be the true ending. With production ending next year, what's next? Here's your headline...

FORD FOCUS RETIRING. NOW WHAT?

We appreciate your interest in the Focus. Enjoy it while you can.