Let's Do The News! (December 3, 2024)

                      

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

- In accordance with the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, it is the obligation of the House to act on the impeachment complaint filed against PH Vice President Sara Duterte. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco announced this after accepting the impeachment complaint against VP Sara filed by 16 individuals representing various civil society organizations, religious leaders, sectoral representatives, and families of victims of the tokhang.

- The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability confirmed that it received a document or certification from the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA that says the name Mary Grace Piattos is not in their records.

- A steam-driven or phreatic eruption occurred at the Taal Volcano towards the southwest at 0558 hours Manila Time - according to the NDRRMC.

- Queen Camilla will miss some parts of the Qatar visit this week due to a lingering viral chest infection.

- French PM Michel Barnier risks no-confidence vote after forcing through budget.

- Esteban Ocon left Alpine after the Qatar race and Jack Doohan will take over his seat in the F1 2024 finale in Abu Dhabi.

- Jaguar showcased its Type 00 Concept, the first to don the controversial new logo, and previews its 2026 4-door electric GT.

Jaguar Type 00 Concept

- The Kiro Race Co's Formula E team announces Dan Tictuma and David Beckmann as drivers days before the start of Season 11.

- The Kagurabachi manga series is getting an anime series at Cygames Pictures, according to reports.

- Actor Park Min Jae dies at the age of 32.

- Gregg Wallace apologizes for "any offence that I caused" after "middle-class women of a certain age" comment.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Emira's Horizon Macabre

From cars like the Elan, the Elise, and the Exige, Lotus championed itself by creating sports cars that value dynamics over performance in the name of lightness.

In the age of the new normal, Lotus presented the greatest sports car ever made.

From Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Racing Car Pack comes the Lotus Emira, the last-ever pure ICE-powered Lotus sports car.

So, what's it all about the Emira?

The Lotus Emira is the last-ever pure ICE-powered Lotus sports car that replaces the trio of sports cars such as the Elise, the Exige, and the Evora. With styling inspired by the all-electric Evija, the Emira runs on Lotus' new Sports Car Architecture and comes with two chassis and suspension settings ranging from a comfort-oriented Tour setting and the preferable Sport setting from the optional Lotus Drivers Pack.

The First Edition, seen here, is powered by the same Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 supercharged engine from the Exige but produces 400hp of power and 430Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed MT or AT with the latter capable of hitting 180mph of top speed. Aside from the V6 variant, the entry-level Emira Turbo variant is powered by the 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder sourced from the Mercedes-AMG A45, packing up to 360hp of power.

As I stick with the Emira First Edition specifications, let's find out if the Emira is as good as one of its predecessors, the Exige, around the Emerald Circuit venue. There's the E to that, mind you. Anyway, let's roll the tape.

And now, the results...

Exige - 1m04.164s

Emira - 1m02.830s

Nearly one-and-a-half seconds apart between the Exige and the Emira. I guess Lotus was right about creating the culmination of its sports car lineage.

As the final Lotus sports car to operate solely on internal combustion, the Emira marks a significant moment, especially in today's era of electric vehicles. However, it represents the peak of Lotus' rich sports car heritage, which includes iconic models like the Elan, Elise, and Exige.

Well, I guess that's everything about the Lotus Emira but...the macabre's just begun as I prepared something special for the Emira's hard work in the festival. But first...

What do you think? The Emira's looking sharp in Ren Hazuki's attire...for sentimental reasons.

With Ren Hazuki as her special guest, today's Emira's Horizon Macabre proudly presents...an EventLab presentation by Papi Gamer7597. Hang on, is this what the roads of Mt. Aso look like? It doesn't look like the one from the Kaido Battle games but never mind. Let the macabre begin!

Ain't the Mt. Aso I'm familiar with but the Emira barely performed decently. Well done.

I am incredibly honored to drive the Lotus Emira in Forza Horizon 5. This car represents the pinnacle of Lotus' sports car lineage, and I truly respect its dynamics and performance, which are characteristic of a Lotus.

Thank you, Lotus.

Let's Do The News! (December 2, 2024)

                     

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

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines have confirmed the presence of a Russian submarine in the West Philippine Sea. President Bongbong Marcos expressed concern about Russia's intrusion in the West Philippine Sea, calling it "very worrisome". The UFA 490 submarine was escorted out of the sea by the BRP Jose Rizal warship.

- Senator Bong Go made an emergency landing at Pillilia, Rizal. The Senator was supposed to head to Mabitac, Laguna for his activity today. Still, the weather suddenly worsened causing him to make an emergency landing in a part of Rizal.

- PH Vice President Sara Duterte rejected the statement that her ambition to become president is the reason for the chaos in the government.

- Belgium enacted a new law that will give protection and benefits to sex workers.

- US President Joe Biden announced he will pardon his son Hunter, who was convicted on gun charges and pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Donald Trump criticizes Biden's recent move.

- Lotus teases the Emira Limited set for its December 12th unveiling.

- KTM entered self-administration as the motorbike maker owes 3 billion euros in a troubling financial crisis. Layoffs, halted production, and unsold bikes overshadowed KTM's 2025 MotoGP plans.

- Voice actress Morgan Lofting passed away. 

- Mnet’s “Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE” TV show has canceled its upcoming concert.

TTFN.

F1 2024: Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix

The 2024 Formula 1 season has two races left, and the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix is the penultimate leg of the season. Max Verstappen may be crowned this year's champion, but McLaren and Ferrari are neck and neck for the constructor's championship title. This race could be theirs.

As the race began, the second lap saw Franco Colapinto, Esteban Ocon, and Nico Hulkenberg collide in the first corner with the first two out of the race while the Haas driver rushed to the pits with a punctured tire. Also, Lance Stroll and Alex Albon got spun. 

As Verstappen leads, Lap 14 saw Lewis Hamilton slapped with a 5-second penalty for a false start. Come Lap 34, both Hamilton and Carlos Sainz suffered tire punctures.

Lap 41 saw Sergio Perez out of the running following a spin and suffered mechanical failures while Hulkenberg was beached in the gravel. Lando Norris got penalized for failing to slow under yellow flags.

Screengrab from Formula 1

After a dramatic Qatari night race, champion-elect Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix while Charles Leclerc finished 2nd and Oscar Piastri finished 3rd.

The 2024 Formula 1 season concludes with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this December 7th, 2024. With 21 points between them, which team will win the constructor's championship title? Ferrari or McLaren? What will Lewis Hamilton's final day as a Mercedes driver going to be? Don't miss it!

F1 Academy 2024 - Qatar

The penultimate venue of the 2024 F1 Academy season is Lusail, Qatar. This is where it will be decided whether Abbi Pulling has earned the right to be crowned world champion. The Qatar race also welcomes its wildcard guest driver, Alisha Palmowski.

Sadly, the weekend in Qatar got cut short because Race 2 got canceled due to barrier repairs.

Screengrab from F1 Academy

Doriane Pin of Mercedes-AMG is this race's winner while Abbi Pulling of Alpine earned her right to be crowned world champion after finishing 2nd place. Ferrari's Maya Weug completes the podium with a third-place finish.

Abbi Pulling is elected world champion but the F1 Academy 2024 season has only one venue left; Yas Marina. It all ends this December 6-8, 2024. Don't miss it.

Alpine A290

Alpine, the French sports car manufacturer known for the legendary A110, has just introduced its first-ever five-door electric vehicle (EV) hatchback. Some might consider this a controversial move. Let’s take a closer look at what this new EV hatchback from the makers of A110 is all about.

2025 Alpine A290

Starting at 34,700 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Alpine A290 is undoubtedly the most controversial vehicle made by the makers of the legendary A110 sports car, but that doesn't stop Alpine's finest ambassadors—even its F1 drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon—from giving it a thumbs-up.

2025 Alpine A290

The concept-turned-reality design is one of the A290's charm points, although this is basically a sporty version of the upcoming Renault 5 E-TECH. Although it has some of the reborn 5's exterior details, the A290 differentiates with X marks on its headlamps and its rally-inspired foglamps, not to mention the ALPINE details. Although it mimics the legendary Renault 5 Maxi rally car from a distant past, there's nothing special about it.

2025 Alpine A290 interior

Being a five-door Alpine is obviously the most controversial move ever done but having rear seats in an Alpine is nothing new. Sure, it can carry up to five people and has 1106L of boot space with all of the passenger seats folded down, but what's behind the wheel really matters. Behind the race-inspired steering wheel lies a V-shaped widescreen packed with the virtual instrumental panel and a touch screen powered by Google, not to mention the Devialet sound system.

2025 Alpine A290

The base GT variant is packed with a 52kWh lithium-nickel-mangan-cobalt battery. It produces 177PS of power and 285Nm of torque, making it capable of hitting 0-100kph in 7.4 seconds and a 160kph top speed, not to mention having 378km of driving range. The GTS variant bumps the performance figures to 218PS of power and 300Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100kph in 6.4 seconds, a top speed of 170kph, and up to 361km of driving range. That's less than its main rival, the Cupra Born.

Being a front-wheel-drive hatchback, the A290 checks and balances the rights and the wrongs in the making of this EV hatchback from its multi-link rear suspension, sporty chassis tuning, by-wire braking, and a choice of four driving modes. On normal roads, the A290 feels right at home even in Parisian streets but on track days, it doesn't feel like an Alpine as expected.

Despite the questionable dynamics, the A290 features over 26 driver assistance systems, providing an unparalleled driving experience for an Alpine.

Despite being a controversial decision, the Alpine A290 is evidence that it is ushering in the age of the "new normal," and it is going... well... out of the blue.

Available colors: Alpine Vision Blue, Snow White, Matte Tornado Gray, Deep Black, Alpine Vision Blue/Black Roof, Snow White/Black Roof, and Matte Tornado Gray/Black Roof.

Photos: Alpine Cars

My FH5 Log: Rennsport Reunion V - Tyrant GP

Concluding the arrival of the 992 911 models in Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Track Day update is the renowned 911 Turbo S, often regarded as the King of 911s.

Having obtained it from a seasonal championship from the update's Hot Season Playlist, it's time to have a word with the King of 911s.

The 992-spec 911 Turbo S is a bonafide supercar that can go from 0-100kph in 2.7 seconds and has a top speed of 330kph. It has a 3.8L flat-6 engine with two VTG turbochargers that produce 650PS of power and 800Nm of torque. The only transmission offered is an 8-speed PDK, and the optional Sport Chrono pack is available. Apart from its performance, the 911 Turbo has a mild but spartan driving feel when enjoyed on track days. It has a four-wheel drive system, updated dynamics and aerodynamics, a PASM sports chassis, and a showy sports exhaust system.

A special 911 Turbo 50 model was unveiled in honor of the 911 Turbo's 50th anniversary. Only 1974 models were made, a reference to the year the 911 Turbo was born.

To demonstrate that the 911 Turbo S is the ultimate 911, I've invited the entire 992 911 road car lineup featured in Forza Horizon 5 to compete in a sprint to the Festival Gatecrash. We'll be racing several models, including the basic 911 Carrera S, the track-focused GT3, the off-road-capable Dakar, and the ultra-high-performance GT3 RS. Let's see if the Turbo S truly deserves the title of King of 911s. Roll the tape!

And now, the results...

992 Carrera S - 2m47.434s

992 GT3 - 2m38.458s

911 Rallye - 2m50.571s

992 Turbo S - 2m36.373s

992 GT3 RS - 2m38.091s

I think that explains it all. The 911 Turbo S is the KING of 911s.

A bonafide supercar killer five decades in the making, the 911 Turbo is the apex of the 911 hierarchy and with the 992 version, this is the ultimate 911 Turbo ever made.

Now that we wrap up the update packed with four 992 models from the GT3 RS to the Turbo S, it's time for the King of 911s to have its grand finale. But first...

The 992 911 Turbo S is in high spirits today as it takes on the role of Tamaki Nikaido, the character from Himitsu no AiPri and the second-in-command of Quartet STAR. Miss Sakura will surely be pleased to see her right-hand gal in action. I even remember that episode where Tamaki convinced Sakura to wear Non Manaka's costume.

With Tamaki Nikaido perked up for the big night, my 911 Turbo S is ready for the grand finale, which is racing through the EventLab re-enactment of the final stage from Ridge Racer Type 4, called Shooting Hoops. I've been searching for this re-enactment for ages and now I'm going to play with it for sentimental reasons. Kudos to whoever made this EventLab re-enactment.

"FINISH! There goes the winner! What an incredible race!"

The Porsche 911 is undoubtedly one of the greatest cars of all time. As the years go by, this iconic German masterpiece continues to demonstrate its timeless appeal and enduring performance. For six decades, the 911 has proven itself both on the road and on the racetrack, solidifying its status as a German powerhouse. We can expect even more remarkable achievements from this rear-engine legend in the future.

This concludes today's broadcast of 9-1-1. Goodbye, and good luck to Forza Horizon 5's next update featuring a quartet of previous-generation saloons ruining our Christmas celebration and a Z NISMO to save Christmas.