Chevrolet Equinox EV

Following in the footsteps of the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the first-ever Chevrolet Equinox EV serves as the entry-level in Chevrolet's fleet of EV crossover SUVs with prices starting at $41,900 plus additional costs.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

The first thing you need to know about the Equinox EV is that this crossover has nothing in common with the current-generation ICE-powered Equinox. They have no relation with each other just so you know. Anyway, no relation aside, the Equinox EV is one of the most affordable EV crossovers in America and this is less than the Tesla Model Y. Good stuff.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV interior

The exterior design of the Equinox EV features clean lines, while the interior focuses on advanced technology. It includes an 11-inch diagonal Driver Information Screen, multicolor ambient interior lighting, and a best-in-class 17.7-inch diagonal display screen that operates on the Google and Ultifi software platforms. 

In terms of space, this five-seater vehicle offers up to 57.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and comes with a dual-height cargo floor for added versatility.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

Running on GM's Ultium Platform, front-wheel-drive variants can get up to 319 miles of driving range and thanks to its Regen on Demand and One Pedal Driving, drivers can keep going further on their weekend road trips. With the eAWD variant, the Equinox EV produces 288hp of power and can sprint from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and up to 1,500 lbs of towing capacity. Although mild to drive, it's still quite impressive for a well-rounder EV CUV.

For added safety, the Equinox EV is packed with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam. Customers can also go for other extras such as Reverse Automatic Braking, HD Surround Vision, Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking, and the controversial GM Super Cruise for hands-free driving.

Like it or not, the Chevrolet Equinox EV is the bargain EV crossover of 2024, making it an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable and feature-packed EV SUV.

Photo: General Motors

Audi Q6 e-tron

The Audi Q6 e-tron is the first Audi crossover to run on the Volkswagen Group's new PPE platform. It's part of Audi's "progress is an attitude" tagline. But is it worth it? Let's take a look at it.

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron

Starting at 63,500 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Audi Q6 e-tron is the cheaper alternative to the second-generation Porsche Macan because it's twenty grand less, which sounds fair but is it worth it?

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron

2025 Audi Q6 e-tron interior

Beginning with the exterior design, the Q6 e-tron has taken a simpler approach which is clean by Audi standards. It features matrix LED front headlamps, OLED rear taillights, the signature Audi Singleframe grille, and other notable details that make it sporty, progressive, and perfectly proportioned.

Step inside, the Q6 e-tron is packed with the MMI panoramic display consisting of an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and a 14.5-inch touchscreen that controls almost the entire vehicle. There's even a 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display that can only be seen in the eyes of a front passenger, not the driver for safety reasons. Although as spacious as most crossovers in its class should be, it packs up to 526 litres of boot space with all five seats present or 1529 litres of boot space with the passenger seats folded down. It even has 64 litres of frunk space.

2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron

Running on the PPE platform and 100kWh battery pack, the Q6 e-tron's power output ranges from 292 to 387PS of power output with the latter sprinting from 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 210kph. The mid-range variant packs the longest driving range with up to 637km on one full charge.

Those willing to push further should go for the SQ6 e-tron with 462PS of power output when launch control is active, sprinting from 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 230kph. Either way, they're both mild to drive everywhere, especially on tarmac, gravel, and snow, and they pack Audi's suite of intelligent driver aids consisting of adaptive cruise assist plus, active front assist, traffic sign-based cruise control, park assist plus, and rear turn assist.

The all-new Audi Q6 e-tron range demonstrates that crossovers are as popular as Hollywood superhero movies. While it may not be a superhero itself, it offers great value, costing less than its Porsche Macan sibling. Thoughts?

Photo: Audi AG

Let's Do The News! (December 31, 2024)

 

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

- The PH Department of Health (DOH) recorded 163 firecracker-related injuries based on data released yesterday, December 30.

- Russia and Ukraine carry out a major prisoner swap with at least 300 people set free.

- The United Nations warned of climate breakdown after a "decade of deadly heat".

- Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations were canceled due to concerns over weather including high winds.

- The boss of Jeju Air says the firm is cutting flight numbers to increase safety following South Korea's air crash.

- The Ariel Atom 4R lapped the Top Gear Test Track in 1m13.7s.

- Seiyuu Ai Fairouz is limiting some work activities due to PTSD a few months ago.

- Seiyuu Riho Iida announces her pregnancy.

- Live broadcast of the 39th Golden Disc Awards was canceled in observing a week of mourning for the plane crash victims.

- Hollywood celebrities Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement after eight years.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Koenig Specials - No Jokes Around

2024 marks Koenigsegg's 30th anniversary and what better way to celebrate 30 years of Spirit of Performance by driving the best of Koenigsegg in Forza Horizon 5. Let's end the FH5 Koenigsegg history lesson with the Jesko, the current-generation megacar.

The Jesko, named after the father of founder Christian von Koenigsegg, represents the next step in Koenigsegg's quest for speed, building on the legacy of the legendary Agera. It is equipped with a re-engineered V8 twin-turbo engine that generates up to 1,600 horsepower and 1,500 Nm of torque when using E85 fuel. This power is paired with a custom 9-speed Light Speed Transmission, which offers the advantages of a dual-clutch gearbox without the added weight. In addition to its impressive power, the Jesko boasts the most advanced aerodynamics and track-focused dynamics, making it suitable for racetracks and everyday driving. It does 0-100kph in two and a half seconds and has a top speed of 483kph.

In its Absolut variant, the Jesko set four speed records: a 0-250 mph time of 19.20 seconds, a 0-250-0 mph time of 28.27 seconds, a 0-400 kph time of 18.82 seconds, and a 0-400-0 kph time of 27.83 seconds. The Attack variant, shown here, broke the Laguna Seca production car lap record with a time of 1 minute and 24.86 seconds. It recently set a new production car record at the Top Gear Test Track, finishing in just 1 minute and 10.9 seconds.

To prove the Jesko's worth, I've invited the Hennessey Venom F5 and the Rimac Nevera for a one-lap shootout outside the Stadium. Let's roll the tape.

Here are the results...

Venom F5 - 1m03.764s

Jesko - 1m01.678s

Nevera - 1m00.978s

The Jesko narrowly lost to the all-electric Croatian hypercar, the Rimac Nevera, after defeating the all-American monster machine, the Hennessey Venom F5. I have no idea what am I going to say to Christian von Koenigsegg about this. After all, he did speak to the bosses of Hennessey and Rimac about these monster machines. Frank conversation, perhaps.

For 30 years, Koenigsegg has forever rewritten the rules of speed and power from the CC8S to the Jesko. As cars continue to evolve, so is Koenigsegg as its pursuit of speed never ends, whatever it takes.

Here's to three more decades of speed, Koenigsegg!

Porsche Macan XAB

The Porsche Macan has entered its second generation and with a huge shock, the baby Porsche SUV was reborn as an all-electric crossover, a first for Porsche.

2025 Porsche Macan

Priced over 80,700 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new Porsche Macan is morphed into an all-electric crossover much to the dismay of the owners of the previous-generation ICE-powered model. Although the move is blasphemous, it promises to be as cool as its predecessor. So, what are the key details?

2025 Porsche Macan interior

Beginning with the exterior, the all-new Macan mimics the design of the Taycan, something you would expect from the Porsche family, although the rear view can be easily mistaken for a Toyota Crown Crossover when you squint your eyes hard enough. Either way, its coupe silhouette is one of the main details of the all-new Macan.

The new interior of the Porsche Macan is similar to the Taycan and the Cayenne Mk3 minor change. It has a high-tech dashboard with a curved 12.6-inch driver's display, a 10.9-inch center screen, and an optional 10.9-inch panel for the front passenger. There are still some physical buttons for things like climate and volume control. Asked about the space, the all-new Macan, despite its electric powertrain, has up to 540 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded and an additional 84 liters of frunk storage that can be accessed by waving your hand at the Porsche emblem."

2025 Porsche Macan

Being the first to run on the all-new Premium Platform Electric Platform, the XAB Macan uses an 88v electrical architecture similar to the Taycan as well as the 100kWh lithium BMC battery,. The Macan 4 model with its 408PS power and a top speed of 220kph is good for 613km on one full charge while the range-topping Macan Turbo, with its 639PS power output, has a 0-100kph time of 3.3 seconds and flat-out in 260kph, 10 more than a typical German luxury sedan, and the driving range is good for 591km on one full charge.

On a straight line, the all-new Macan still has the "puncha yo buns" attitude and it's still a buff baby that can dance like a man, shake-a its fanny, shake-a Macan. A tough tootin' baby that can "puncha yo buns". It may only weigh nearly three tons but it's not a bad crossover to drive, although you could use some of your painkillers following that understeering drama with this one.

Transforming the Macan into an all-electric crossover is controversial by Porsche standards, but it remains the powerful vehicle that performs exceptionally. Come tarmac, gravel, or snow, from Eifel to Berlin, this Porsche is too macho to be ignored. It's still the buff baby that can dance like a man.

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Seoul to Inspect All Boeing 737-800 Aircraft in Country following Jeju Air Crash

 

The government said Monday it plans to conduct a safety inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by domestic airlines following a Jeju Air Co. plane crash that claimed 179 lives the previous day.

In Sunday’s Jeju Air crash in the southwestern county of Muan, it is believed that all three landing gears had failed to operate properly. The aircraft involved in the accident was a Boeing B737-800.

A transport ministry official said the government plans to thoroughly examine whether various regulations of the Boeing model are being properly followed by airlines, which would check their aircraft utilization rates, flight inspections and maintenance records.

The Boeing 737-800 is widely operated by domestic low-cost carriers. Jeju Air operates the largest number of this model, with 39 aircraft in its fleet. Other operators include T’way Air with 27 aircraft, Jin Air with 19 and Eastar Jet with 10.

The ministry, in particular, plans to conduct rigorous safety inspections of Jeju Air following repeated landing gear issues.

Earlier in the day, a separate Jeju Air flight of the same aircraft model made a return after taking off from Gimpo International Airport due to a landing gear issue that was found similarly in Sunday’s crash. It was of the same Boeing B737-800 model involved in the accident.

“We plan to implement rigorous aviation safety inspections in response to the (landing gear) incidents,” Joo Jong-wan, aviation policy chief at the transport ministry, said during a briefing at the Sejong government complex.

Joo noted that Jeju Air was known for its high aircraft utilization rate, which some observers have pointed to as a possible factor in Sunday’s crash.

Following the landing gear issue reported on Monday, the ministry dispatched safety inspectors to the company to investigate the latest case.

Meanwhile, one of the two flight recording devices recovered from the crash site has been found with external damage, according to Joo. It has been transported to Gimpo International Airport for further analysis.

The ministry official also said the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will participate in the investigation into the crash. Boeing and engine manufacturer CFM International have also been approached for cooperation.

Source: Yonhap/Korea Bizwire

Let's Do The News! (December 30, 2024)

                                            

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

- Two earthquakes hit parts of Ilocos Norte, one at Bangui with M5.8 and the other at Burgos with M5.6, according to PHIVOLCS.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos has signed into law the 2025 National Budget.

- Due to the temporarily limited capacity of the Biliran Bridge, which is causing disruptions in the transportation of products, essential supplies, and even the travel of people to the area, which is already having an impact on the economy there, the province of Biliran has now been placed under a "state of calamity."

- Former US President Jimmy Carter passed away at age 100. Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize after leaving the White House.

- A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 737-800 made an emergency landing at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport on December 28, after experiencing a landing gear failure.

- BLEACH's Thousand-Year Blood War TV series will return with its fourth and final season soon.

- SNK establishes its new studio dedicated to The King of Fighters franchise ahead of the fighting game series' 30th anniversary.

- Former Johnny's and Associates members filed a lawsuit in the US about the late founder's sexual abuse.

- In the wake of the Moan plane crash, MBC canceled its live broadcast of the 2024 MBC Drama Awards while SBS canceled its 2024 SBS Entertainment Awards.

TTFN.