Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Toyota GR Corolla (2025MY Minor Change)

For the 2025 model year, Toyota's super hot hatchback, the GR Corolla, has received a much-needed change that promises to make observers burn with jealousy. This update promises to be better than before.

2025 Toyota GR Corolla
2025 Toyota GR Corolla

Now starting at 5,680,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the Toyota GR Corolla minor change has more oomph than the first time the world encountered Toyota's super-hot hatchback hero, which became the spectacular antithesis of the Corolla lineage.

2025 Toyota GR Corolla
2025 Toyota GR Corolla interior

The exterior design resembles the pre-facelift model; however, it now includes the new front bumper design introduced in last year's facelifted GR Yaris. This updated design replaces the fog lamps with larger corner air inlets to improve cooling capacity. The interior remains similar to the previous model, but it now features a darker finish on the trim and switches for a sportier appearance.

Customers can choose the SPORT Package, which includes black and red seat upholstery with red perforations, as well as synthetic leather featuring black and red stitching.

2025 Toyota GR Corolla
2025 Toyota GR Corolla

The updated GR Corolla still has the G16E-GTS 1.6L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 304PS of power but 30Nm more torque than before, producing 400Nm of torque. In addition to the updated 6-speed manual gearbox, the GR Corolla can now be equipped with the available 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission. No matter which gearbox you're on, the GR Corolla packs a power-to-weight ratio of 6.7kg/kw.

Asked about the fuel economy, the manual variant has 12.4km/L while the new automatic variant has 10.4km/L based on WLTC mode standards.

The team at Toyota Gazoo Racing dedicated valuable manpower to recalibrating the GR Corolla, drawing on their experience from the Super Taikyu Series. As a result, the updated GR Corolla features improved dynamics, including increased rigidity through additional braces and bolts. This enhances vehicle stability during acceleration and control while turning, as well as improves steering responsiveness. Additionally, the sport-tuned suspension and brakes contribute to a more exhilarating driving experience.

The GR Corolla is equipped with the signature GR-FOUR Active Torque Split 4WD System, featuring a Torsen Limited Slip Differential (LSD) for improved cornering and stability on various surfaces, including tarmac, gravel, and snow. When the car is set to Track Mode, its dynamics become more engaging, resembling those of the GR86 or GR Supra. 

Additionally, the Drive Mode Select feature allows you to choose a driving mode that suits your style. One notable option is the secret EXPERT MODE, which can be activated by selecting either SPORT or CUSTOM mode and briefly pressing the VSC OFF button. EXPERT MODE is specifically recommended for track use, so use it wisely.

As a general rule, the GR Corolla is limited to a top speed of 180 kph on normal roads. However, when you arrive at the circuit, you can activate Circuit Mode, which disables the speed limiter and provides special instrument displays, including engine RPM and LED indicators.

With a slightly new look, improved torque, an upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission option, and enhanced dynamics, the minor changes to the Toyota GR Corolla make it even better than before. These improvements are sure to appeal to performance enthusiasts who have a desire for speed. This is the GR Corolla that the world wants, so don’t look back.

Available Colors: Super White II, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Precious Metal, Precious Black Pearl, and Emotional Red II.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (February 4, 2025)

                                

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

- Retired Major General Isagani Nerez was named by the PBBM administration as the new chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

- The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), opposes the P200 wage hike.

- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), completes maintenance work on Davao City Diversion Road.

- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), addresses 106,000 worker concerns in 2024.

- The Trump administration delays imposing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods for a month following conversations with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

- China announces retaliatory tariffs of 10-15% on certain US imports, as the Trump administration's levies on Chinese goods came into effect.

- A 14-year-old girl was found guilty of attempted murder after she stabbed two teachers and a student at a school in Ammanford, Wales.

- Cisco utilized algorithmic jailbreaking techniques to evaluate DeepSeek R1 against 50 random prompts from the HarmBench dataset. The results were concerning, as DeepSeek R1 did not successfully block any harmful prompts.

- The all-new Audi A6 range will be unveiled this March 4th, signaling a rollback on Audi's naming strategy.

- A 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 R was auctioned for £42.75 million.

- A significant U.S. shareholder of Fuji Media Holdings Inc. has demanded the resignation of Hisashi Hieda, stating that the long-time executive is ultimately accountable for the series of issues affecting the company's broadcasting subsidiary.

- Patrick Mahomes commented on Luka Doncic's shocking move from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.

- The MLB fired umpire Pat Hoberg for shared betting accounts.

- Actress Lee Joo Sil passed away at the age of 80. Joo Sil played Jung-ho's mother in the Netflix phenomenon Squid Game.

- Funeral arrangements for the late Meteor Garden actress Barbie Hsu are planned by her family. Meanwhile, Jerry Yan and Ken Zhou of F4 from the TV series pay tribute to Barbie Hsu.

TTFN.

Monday, February 3, 2025

Let's Do The News! (February 3, 2025)

                               

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

- The Philippine National Police identified the personnel who was one of the casualties of the DC plane crash as PCol Pergentino Malabed. Malabed was among over 60 American Airlines passengers who died following the mid-air collision with the military helicopter at Reagan National Airport last week.

- About 287 hectares of land have been affected by the grass fire that occurred in the mountains of Carasi, Ilocos Norte.

- PHIVOLCS reported the following activities at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island from 12:00 AM on February 2 to 12:00 AM on February 3, 2025.

- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau advised Canadians against traveling to the USA due to the Trump administration's plans to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.

- The US demands Panama to "reduce China's influence" over the canal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Panama must act or face consequences.

- US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu are planning to discuss more on the Gaza ceasefire.

- Chase Elliott wins the NASCAR Cook Out Clash pre-season exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium.

- Polaris unveiled the new RZR Pro Factory race car.

- The Love Live! franchise teases its next project titled Love Live! Bluebird.

- Oshi no Ko TV anime returns for its third season this 2026.

- Actor Kim Sung Cheol apologizes for his recent action on social media.

- The NFC beats the AFC 76-63 in the recent NFL Pro Bowl game.

- Actress Barbie Hsu passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from influenza and pneumonia while traveling in Japan. She was well-known for her role as Shan Cai in the Taiwanese TV drama Meteor Garden.

TTFN.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Guinness Men's Six Nations 2025 ROUND 1

The 2025 Guinness Men's Six Nations has begun, and six of Europe's heavyweight rugby teams will clash once more for the title.

Guinness Men's Six Nations 2025 ROUND 1
Screengrab from Six Nations

The season opener featured a match between France and Wales, where France made a strong statement on their home turf by leaving Wales scoreless, winning the game with a score of 43 points. Key contributions came from tries by Theo Attissogbe (17', 32'), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (22', 40'), Julien Marchand (54'), Emilien Gailleton (67'), and Gregory Alldritt (77'). A conversion by Thomas Ramos also played a crucial role in securing France's first victory of the season.

Meanwhile, Scotland beats Italy at the score of 31-19 while Ireland beats England 27-22.

With France, Scotland, and Ireland drawing their first blood of the season, the action continues for Round 2 this February 8-9 with Italy v Wales, England v France, and Scotland v Ireland.

My GT7 Log: Crossover The World

The crossover SUV market is as ever-growing as superhero movies in theaters, and Toyota continues to buck the trend with the compact SUV C-HR. In Gran Turismo 7, I uncovered this mega-popular but short-lived compact crossover.



So, what's it all about the Toyota C-HR, the compact crossover that became an immediate hit on its home turf, only to get shortlived after nearly a decade?



Introduced in late 2016, the Toyota C-HR is designed to entice customers with its coupe-like styling, efficiency as an eco-car, and dynamics supposedly inspired by the Nurburgring—although many would argue this is theoretical. The styling, which takes its cues from the 2014 concept car, gives the C-HR a coupe-like look that some believe makes it a high-clearance sports car.

This subcompact SUV shares the TNGA platform of the Prius and is available with a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine with all-wheel drive, or a 1.8L hybrid with front-wheel drive. Both choices are paired with a CVT. The model featured in Gran Turismo 7 is sadly the latter.

In 2017, the Toyota C-HR was one of the best-selling cars in Japan until the arrival of the Daihatsu Rocky-based Toyota Raize in late 2019 outsold it. As a result, the C-HR was discontinued in 2023.

A pre-production prototype raced in the 2016 Nurburgring 24-Hour Race and achieved 3rd place in the SP2T class. In 2019, GAZOO Racing Team Thailand raced two C-HRs in the SP3 class with one of them finishing 3rd in the said class while the other failed to start.



I went to the Nurburgring to see if the Toyota C-HR's dynamics, thanks to its TNGA platform and meager hybrid powertrain, can keep up with the world's most punishing racetrack, just like in the past. Let's roll the tape.


How's my driving with the C-HR Hybrid at the Nurburgring? Well, despite its weak performance, it feels too easy to drive even in the Nurburgring and I managed to post a 10m20.835s lap time. Not much but it's clear that the C-HR's TNGA platform and sporty dynamics are not too shabby for a coupe SUV of this size. Why would Toyota stop making one?


The Toyota C-HR is an unconventional crossover that serves as both a practical daily vehicle and an underappreciated performer at the Nurburgring. Although no longer with us, the C-HR proved that it can, as the commercials said, Crossover The World.

Keep Yourself Alive.

Let's Do The News! (February 1, 2025)

                              

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

- Operatives from the NBI, PAOCC, and SEC raided the office of online lending apps in Makati that were complained about for their abusive billing practices to debtors. 117 Filipinos were arrested during the raid.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos expressed concern over the recent arrest of five Chinese nationals allegedly involved in espionage in the country.

-Astronomers have identified asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a slight 1% chance of colliding with Earth by December 2032. First discovered in December 2024, the asteroid is estimated to be between 130 and 330 feet wide. Scientists are actively monitoring its path and anticipate that the risk will decrease as more data becomes available.

DeepSeek is under scrutiny in Europe after its chatbot app was removed from the App Store and Play Store in Italy. This removal occurred just one day after Italy's data protection authority expressed concerns regarding the company's methods of collecting and storing user data.

- Prince Andrew's aide informed the alleged Chinese spy that the BBC interview concerning his relationship with Epstein was "highly ill-advised," as revealed in court documents.

- Maya Weug and Aurelia Nobels are returning to F1 Academy for the 2025 season. Nobels remain in ART Grand Prix while representing Puma and Weug swapped to MP Motorsport while remaining in Ferrari's backing.

- Ford teases a Mustang Mach-E that will compete in this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

- The PlayStation Plus subscription service will no longer offer free monthly PS4 games starting January 2026.

- Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver said that her major trophies were returned earlier this week to the Marina Del Rey, California, hotel from where they were stolen during the Los Angeles fires.

- Boxers Sweet T Kalkreuth, Robz Safar, Federico Pacheco Jr., and Good Edwards have signed contracts with Golden Boy Promotions.

- GMA-7's telemagazine Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho reigns as the Philippines' #1 TV show in 2024.

- Ella May Saison joins the judges' panel in the new season of TV5's Sing Galing.

TTFN.

Dog Man

From the folks that brought us the world of Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, Dragons, and The Boss Baby comes a 3DCG animated movie adaptation of the New York Times bestselling phenomenon by Dav Pilkey. Have no fear, Dog Man is...here?

Dog Man

What happens when a police officer and his dog get injured in the line of duty and then create a new breed of law enforcement that is part man and part dog? The answer is Dog Man! This character emerges from the universe created by Dav Pilkey, who is also known for the iconic Captain Underpants books. Dog Man is DreamWorks Animation's latest masterpiece, showcasing our canine cop as he protects the city from the mischief of Petey the Cat and his minion clone, Lil Petey.

Okay, this feels like a regular slapstick comedy because of the non-verbal main character saving the day with the weakness for squirrels, because deep down, it feels regular compared to past DreamWorks Animation movies.

For a character that comes from the same universe as Captain Underpants, this movie is incredibly enjoyable for the whole family. You might want to set aside your everyday worries and immerse yourself in this hilarious slapstick cartoon movie from start to finish. Overall, this film is sure to bring you some delight. It's going to be an instant classic.