Volvo EX30

The first-ever Volvo EX30 is undeniable proof that the Swedish carmaker's going big on its electrification gamble as plans to become an electric car maker going full circle.

2024 Volvo EX30

Priced at 429,000 Swedish Krona plus additional costs, the first-ever Volvo EX30 is the baby EV crossover that showcases the Swedish carmaker's commitment to going all-electric since the moment they announced it. Like it or not, this is the new normal for the new Volvo.

2024 Volvo EX30

Beginning with the styling, the EX30 dons Volvo's new-era design that prefers subtlety over obviousness, and being subtle is a good thing for an all-electric crossover made for the new normal. From the new-era Thor's Hammer headlamps, wheel arch creases, clamshell bonnet, and two-piece taillights, the EX30 is "new normal" material.

2024 Volvo EX30 interior

2024 Volvo EX30 interior

Inside, the EX30 prefers minimalism, which spells trouble for speedo boys behind the wheel but hey, this is the new normal after all, and cars with large touchscreens are a big deal. The 12.3-inch touchscreen with Snapdragon Cockpit Platform and Android AOS takes control of not just infotainment, but also navigation, room temperature, and other important bits and bobs surrounding it. 

First-timers will find this gizmo complicated at first but they'll find it enjoyable the more they know it.

The EX30 has a complicated infotainment system, but other than that, it has a lot going for it. It comes with a Harman Kardon premium audio system that includes a soundbar located at the top of the dashboard.

In terms of comfort and spacing, despite its just-sizing dimensions, the EX30 is as cozy as most commoners' cars can be and with the rear seats folded down, you can store up to 904 liters of boot space, fit for all walks of life. Stealing the idea from the Hyundai Santa Fe, the EX30 comes with a door-opening safety feature that warns the driver when he or she is about to open the door in front of a cyclist, scooter, or runner, to prevent accidents.

2024 Volvo EX30

The EX30's electric powertrain consists of a rear-wheel-drive Single Motor layout with 272PS of power and a 4WD Twin Motor Performance layout with 428PS of power. The Single Motor variant comes with the 51kWh lithium iron phosphate battery while the Single Motor Extended and Twin Motor Performance variants get a 69kWh NiMC battery.

The Single Motor Extended Range variant has up to 476km of driving range while the Twin Motor Performance, with its 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds, has up to 450km of driving range. Charging times? While charging at a 150kW charging station, it will take less than 30 minutes to hit 80% for most variants.

Running on Geely's SEA platform, the EX30 behaves well for a Swedish EV crossover. Although not as exciting as expected, it is civilized on various scapes from suburbia to the great outdoors. As for safety, the EX30 features various safety tech you would expect from a Volvo such as the new-generation Park Pilot Assist, 360-degree camera, Pilot Assist, Collision avoidance system, and driver warning system, among others.

Although not one of the best crossovers of the new normal, the Volvo EX30 is proof that the Swedish carmaker's electrification transition is going full circle. As one said, what you say is what you get. Volvo wanted to become fully electric because climate change is the real safety test, and this is what they've got. This is only the beginning...

Photo: Volvo Car Corporation

My FH5 Log: Community Day Classic (PART 2)

The Spirit of Performance and a "Fast and Furious" fan favorite are the highlights of the FM5 Community Choice update's Storm Season Playlist.

First up is the Koenigsegg CCX, which I snagged after hitting the 20-point mark on the Storm Season Playlist. 

The CCX was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and served as the replacement for the CCR. CCX is an acronym for "Competition Coupe X", in fact, the X commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. It was powered by a 4.7L twin-supercharged V8 engine that claims to go 0-60m in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 245mph.

There was a version called the CCXR that was tuned to run on biofuel and produced more power than the standard CCX.

Lastly, the W Motors Lykan Hypersport, which I snagged after hitting the 40-point mark on the Storm Season Playlist.

After spending two years in development, the Lykan Hypersport made its first appearance at the Top Marques Monaco Auto Show. While this is truly Arab's first supercar, the engine is a boxer-six engine sourced from Ruf, developing 780HP of power, and with the seven-speed PDK equipped, it is capable of doing 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds and onwards to 395kph. Apart from its performance, the Lykan Hypersport comes with carbon-fiber bodywork, an active spoiler system, and six-piston aluminum monobloc calipers with ventilated, cross-drilled ceramic composite discs.

This car is limited to seven units, making it one of the rarest cars in the world. Exclusivity aside, the LED headlight in the Lykan is encrusted with 220 diamonds or a combination of any other precious or semi-precious stones chosen by the customer. A Lykan Hypersport owner is entitled to a private concierge provided by Quintessentially Group as well as ownership of a very exclusive Franck Muller Lykan watch.

This car rose to stardom when it appeared in Furious 7, the seventh installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, where Dom and Brian hijacked one and iconically leaped through a skyscraper, making it one of the most insane car stunt moments in cinematic history and so insane, experts wanted to test this film theory at their own risk.

In the spirit of Community Choice, I've sent the CCX and the Lykan Hypersport their respective EventLab challenges to try out. The CCX speeds through a post-apocalyptic town while the Lykan Hypersport edges the competition in an upside-down world. Mindfreak, huh? Anyway, let's roll the tapes...

Job well done to these two, that's all I can say.

Come Dry Season Playlist, let's sample the Pagani Huayra and the W113 Mercedes 280SL. Get your Pagoda air fresheners ready because these expired goods are going to be fresh.

My FH5 Log: The Koenigsegg Agera

Obtained from Forza Horizon 5's Forza Horizon 10th anniversary series update's storm season playlist, the original Koenigsegg Agera's back for more as players are getting some throwbacks with the hypercar that reigned the early 2010s with an iron fist of fury, whatever that means.

The Koenigsegg Agera is the spiritual successor of the CCX that continues the Swedish supercar maker's tradition of pushing beyond the limits of speed. Unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Agera is powered by a 5.0L twin-turbo engine, a huge departure from its supercharged predecessors, producing 960HP of power and 1100Nm of torque. The Agera was named Top Gear's Hypercar of the Year in 2010.

With the quick introduction done, it's time for the Agera to live up to its name and with that, it's time to take it to the skies and unleash its inner beast while slipping and sliding through the Hot Wheels tracks. This should be fun. Let's roll the tape.

This car packed some monstrous power but we survived, just.

Enjoy your new ride!

My FH5 Log: Chaotic Hurricanes

Two exclusive-marked hypercars are the latest prizes to be won at the Forza Horizon 5's Series 2 Storm Season Playlist. What are they? Let's find out.

First up is the Koenigsegg One:1, the world's first megacar that can be obtained by hitting the 25 point mark in the Storm Season playlist. As the name implies, this megacar has the virtually impossible power to weight ratio of 1PS per 1kg weight, thanks to the 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine developing 1360PS of power and the car weighs 1360kg. It is mated with a specially developed 7-speed DCT. For aerodynamic purposes, the One:1 trades the Agera's removable roof for an airscoop on the roof, to generate more downforce. As a result, it does 0-100kph in less than 2.8 seconds and has a theoretical top speed of 440kph. Koenigsegg has built six of these models and all six of these models have already been sold.

Next up, the one-off Lamborghini Aventador J, which can be obtained by winning the Getting Hyped Seasonal Championship from this playlist. Built to celebrate the Aventador's 1st anniversary since its 2011 unveiling, this one-off features a systematic lightweight design and a brand new carbon fiber material called Carbonskin.

It's time to unleash the twin hurricanes on the streets of Mexico. Brace yourselves because these hypercars are going to rock you like a hurricane. Brace yourselves.

Enjoy your new rides!

Volvo C40 Recharge

Volvo brought back the C lettering, reserved for now-extinct coupe models, for one last time but not in a way you've expected as the first-ever Volvo C40 Recharge is basically a fully-electric coupe crossover that is made to take on the Tesla Model Y. Let's find out.

The first-ever Volvo C40 Recharge, which starts at 689,900 Kr or about 7,790 Kr per month courtesy of the Care by Volvo subscription service, is a fully-electric coupe crossover that truly fits the challenges of the new normal with its electric powertrain that Volvo's now championing as well as the most advanced safety tech that is in tune with the times.

Being the last Volvo to bear the alphanumerical namings, the C40 features a coupe-like styling that is somewhat controversial for a compact crossover. Although controversial, it still incorporates the signature Volvo elements around it, which is nice.

Don't expect something special inside because the C40 features a typical Volvo interior with the dashboard carried over from the entire Volvo family tree, including the tall touch screen powered by Android with frequent software updates over the air. The coupe-like styling and the sloping roofline means less spacious than its XC40 equivalent but it's still comfortable to live with and roomy enough for the essentIals.

As a proper electric vehicle built from the ground up, the C40 uses the same electric powertrain as the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, meaning it comes with two electric motors connected in each axle, making it an all-wheel-drive crossover fit for all walks of life. Together, it produces a total of 408PS of power and 660Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds. As for the range, it's 444km in one full charge based on WLTP standards and it will take less than 40 minutes while charging at a 150kW charging station. That's more than watching an entire episode of your favorite show.

While it weighs over two and a half tons, the C40 is slightly lighter than the XC40, meaning it's slightly better to handle as well. Although not an exciting one, the C40 feels good to drive even on the open road. It's civilized, relaxing, well-poised, and thanks to the most advanced safety feature Volvo has championed, it's surprisingly safer as well.

With such a concept, the C40 Recharge from Volvo is the electric coupe crossover is truly capable to tackle the challenges of the new normal. Since the majority of Volvo customers prefer to have it for a temporary basis rather than permanent, which is also part of the new normal, it's a shame not to keep it but the main point of being a Volvo customer is, enjoy until you are fully enjoyed. Have fun driving it until you are very happy to let it go. That's all.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Forza Horizon 4 - The best of Series 30

Forza Horizon 4 made a milestone when it hit thirty series updates since its launch and the big 3-0 introduced us the new Horizon Super7 feature where users can create unique challenges and then upload it for the chance to get featured in the Super7 roster. Have you guys tried it out yet?

More importantly, Series 30 brought us four new prize cars to win by clearing specific Playlist challenges. I know, I'm a bit late but having won all of the four featured cars of Series 30, how's about the time to take a look at these machines that I've won throughout the Series Update?

First up is the cult classic midship Fiat sportscar, the X1/9. Styled by the famed Marcello Gandini of Bertone, the X1/9 is a lightweight Italian sportscar that is as close as you can get from the legendary Lancia Stratos, although it's still one of the most enjoyable cars to drive in ages.

Second is the Hoonigan Bronco. Based on a 1974 Ford Bronco, it was built for Ken Block's wife as a daily driver. It's got numerous off-road mods to this iconic Blue Oval offroader as well as loaded with the Mustang-derived Coyote 5.0L V8 engine at the front for some added muscle.

Third is one of our favorites; the Koenigsegg Jesko. Named after the founder Christian von Koenigsegg's father, the Jesko is the evolution of Koenigsegg's pursuit of speed that picks up where the now-legendary Agera left off. It's powered by a reworked V8 twin turbo engine that produces up to 1600hp of power and 1500Nm of torque while running on E85 fuel and it is mated by a bespoke 9-speed Light Speed Transmission, which delivers benefits of a double clutch gearbox without the weight penalty imposed. Apart from the power it delivers, the Jesko features the most advanced aerodynamics and track-focused dynamics that also works on the road.

Lastly, the Alfa Romeo 155. In its racing form, the 155 is one of the most successful touring cars in its history with the V6 TI raking up 38 race wins. In its normal form, it's a bit of a disappointment compared to its 75 predecessor because of its transition from the former's rear-wheel drive layout to front-wheel drive layout. The Q4, meanwhile, features a four-wheel drive layout similar to the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale.

Now that I got my fills on the Series 30 cars, let's give these cars a twirl and whirl, shall we?

Enjoy your new rides!

Polestar 2

Following the success of Polestar's first vehicle, the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid grand tourer that caused the motoring world to stir because of its elegant looks and surprising blend of performance and ecology, the Geely-run brand created their latest masterpiece, an electric midsize sedan that puts the Tesla Model 3 to its crosshairs; the Polestar 2.

The Polestar 2 electric sedan puts its emphasis on tech, safety, and its electric drivetrain it boasts about. When you take it for a spin, the Polestar 2 is worth attention-grabbing from every angle and there's nothing to go wrong about it.

Let's observe the styling first and because it's part of the same room as Volvo and Lynk & Co, the Polestar 2's exterior styling is heavily inspired by the Volvo Concept 40.2, making this a concept turned reality, which pleases most speedo boys, but for the wrong barrels because it's supposed to be a Volvo, not a Polestar. Since the damage is done, it's hard to accept the facts.

On the interior, the Polestar 2's form and functionality put the Tesla Model 3 to shame. Of course, you have a massive touch screen panel that controls both the apps and the climate control in one, something that terrifies speedo boys behind the wheel because it's minimalist, the instrumental panel that works like the Audi virtual cockpit, and a few buttons to push. Minimalism aside, it's about as comfortable as luxury midsize saloons can be and it has a boot space of up to 440 litres, big enough for your grocery shopping list of the week or today's deliveries if you're into logistics.

Now, we get to know more about its electric powertrain and why it matters to you. The Polestar 2 features two electric motors bolted on both axles as well as a 78kWh battery pack in 27 modules. It produces 300kW of power output and 600Nm of torque. It can do 0-100kph in less than five seconds. That sounds quick for a 589,000Kr saloon but the Polestar 2 can be offered in cheaper variants as well.

When fitted with the Performance pack that comes with Brembo brakes and Ohlins Dual Flow Valve dampers, among many others, the Polestar 2 enjoys getting toyed around on the open road and although not as surprising as a Tesla Model 3, it sure is a blast to drive, although the massive list of semi-autonomous driving tech is worth noticeable because when stuff kicks in, speedo boys behind the wheel will start panicking. Thank you, technology.

Is the Polestar 2 the best electric car to drive? Although it's almost as good as the Tesla Model 3 it tries to clash with, this made-in-China luxury electric midsize sedan sure loves getting the attention it deserves from those behind the wheel and whatever the reason, the Polestar 2 is all business, all pleasure, from start to finish.

Photo: Polestar

Polestar 1

Polestar has spun off from Volvo as a standalone brand much like what happened to DS Automobiles and Genesis and for their first outing since its independence, they've introduced us to a one of a kind PHEV grand tourer that made their heads turned with its unique blend of luxury, performance, and ecology, all into one clever masterpiece. It's called the Polestar 1 and it's time to flip the "why card" on Polestar's first vehicle since it spun off from Volvo.

2020 Polestar 1

Although Polestar gained independence from Volvo, their first-ever Polestar 1 still carries some Volvo design inside and out, probably because it was heavily influenced from the Volvo Coupe Concept from 2013, and because it has lots and lots of Volvo stuff on it, it's hard to say if Polestar did gained independence from Volvo by making a PHEV grand tourer that looks a lot like a Volvo but anyway, what's it all about the Polestar 1?

2020 Polestar 1

2020 Polestar 1 interior

The Polestar 1, the first of their kind, starts at a very expensive 1,352,000 Krona before taxes and fees included and because it was handcrafted at the Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China, depending on where you are living, that price can be jumped up and in the case of the USA, which is run by Mr. Tariff Man himself and thanks to the ongoing US-China trade war, the Polestar 1's price tag will surely double it by the time it gets there. Ouch.

Anyway, while we are not suppose to talk about the controversial pricing and the fact that is "Made in China", much like everything else around you, there's something special about the Polestar 1 despite the Volvo connection lurking through its Swedish-Chinese steel and that goes to the performance side where this PHEV GT coupe matters.

2020 Polestar 1

First off, the Polestar 1 is powered by a 341PS 2.0L twin-charged engine bolted to two electric motors and an integrated starter generator. Together, they produced an AMG-leveling 608PS of power and a meaty 1,000Nm of torque. That's Brooklands territory in PHEV standards and that sounds pretty cool and there's more about the Polestar 1's unique powertrain.

Thanks to its 34kWh battery packs, which is the largest at this moment in time, the Polestar 1's electric range is up to 150km, which is enough to get from your fancy home in Muntinlupa to the Ayala Greenfield Golf Course to play golf during weekends and then back home with some juice left for your trip to the office.

In terms of dynamics, the Polestar 1 features torque vectoring courtesy of its planetary gear sets from the electric motors and along with its highly sophisticated suspension and chassis setups made for a grand tourer like this, the Polestar 1 feels like it came from another world and despite being PHEV, driving one of these reminds you of the Holy Trinity that ruled the roads with its naked speed courtesy of its hybrid power built for performance rather than Prius-esque ecology. Of course, it may sound crude but ecology and performance is what the Polestar 1 excels best. Nearly perfect but very promising.

The Polestar 1, despite the Volvo connection even though Polestar spun off as a standalone brand of the Volvo Car Group, now run by China's Geely, shows that the new kid on the block has a very promising future. From its unique powertrain, ecology, performance, dynamics, and luxury, the Polestar 1 is worth the envy for everyone who wish to have one in their garage someday, if they have the funds to buy one online.

Photo: Polestar

Volvo S60 (Z)

Most people knew about Volvos wandering what would the next S60 looked like following the arrival of the new generation Volvo V60 estate and after moments of conspiracy theories, Volvo showed the world the new S60 and this is going to be a turning point for Volvo, especially the fact that the only Swedish carmaker we know is now under the hands of its Chinese owners from Geely. Let's evaluate.

2019 Volvo S90

One major fact about the new S60 is a fully imported model straight from the United States of America. Why made in the USA? It's all thanks to Mr. Tariff Man of course because he's not a fan of EU-made cars so that's why Volvo responded to this grim fandango to produce the new S60 on American grounds, whatever it takes. Geopolitics isn't the least of its problems because the way the new S60 is just one of them and it just suffered from the case of the Russian doll approach like every other luxury carmakers do, meaning when you park this car next to its big brother, the S90, you really can't explain what that means.

2019 Volvo S90 interior

Same issue goes to the interior because Volvo thinks that the signature dashboard first applied on the XC90 looks so good, they want to apply it on today's Volvo models, especially this one because they want their interiors to value functionality before form and that's how it got here but anyway, dashboard issues aside, it still snuggles and works like every other luxury midsize saloon should be. Be it a family car, a chauffeur-driven car to escort the VIPs, or for TNVS purposes, the S60 almost ticks the boxes of what a saloon should be and the boot space is relatively decent as well.

2019 Volvo S90

While this is made in a greatest country on earth that dropped out from the Paris accord because Mr. Tariff Man says so, the new S60 leads the charge for Volvo's diesel-free future because beginning on this model, Volvo will not have diesels on it due to today's climate and instead, they have a choice of a 2.0L T5 petrol engine, a Twin Charged 2.0L T6 hybrid petrol engine with 340PS of power, 2.0L T8 Twin Engine with 390PS of power, and then there's the range-topping Polestar Engineered T8 Twin Engine with 405PS of power. The T8 variants are the fastest of the range with a 0-100kph time of 4.6 seconds while the efficiency goes to the Twin Engine T6 variant with 1.5 - 2.3l/100km of WLTP-calculated fuel economy. All of these engines are mated to a Geartronic automatic gearbox.

Compared to the old S60, the new S60 now behaves like a new car because of the Scalable Product Architecture as well as revised dynamics that leaves drivers surprised on how decent the handling is although it's not BMW-ish but more like Audi-ish because of the four-wheel drive drivetrain essential to its hybrid powertrain. Yes, there will be some arm-breaking understeer but behaving as a normal car, it feels business as usual. Whether you take it to work or for a trip to the mall or whatever, the new S60 does its luxury car charms rather well even if it's not quite as exciting as a BMW 3-Series.

When the previous, second-generation, Volvo S60 revolutionized car safety with the first ever City Safety which involves putting emergency brakes that can stop the car itself when it detects approaching pedestrians. The new, third-generation, S60 continues its predecessor's lineage and Volvo's vision of a safer motoring future by carrying over its City Safety with Autobrake technology which now also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions, a world first for a midsize saloon. Along with the upgraded Pilot Assist system, the Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert, and other safety tech, the new S60 is hands down one of the safest cars in the world, whatever that means.

2019 Volvo S60

The new S60 starts at 398,900 SEK (around 2,202,000 Philippine Pesos), which sounds fairly expensive for a midsize luxury car but if you can't afford the high price, you can take advantage of the Care by Volvo subscription service where you can keep the car for 36 months. Simple as that.

Despite its American blood, the S60 is still Swedish at heart, which isn't so bad for being a Euro-American citizen that crossed across the Atlantic to get through Scandinavia and showcase its legendary Volvo safety to the mass motorists. While the design of the new S60 is too much to tell because of the Russian doll effect, the strong suit of the new S60 is its twin charged engines and the safety tech that made us believe in Volvos. It may not be one of the most exciting luxury saloons in the world but it's one of the safest and it's all about getting the job done with no questions asked.

Photo: Volvo Car Corporation

Volvo V60 (Z) and V60 Cross Country (Z)

Since 2010, Volvo introduced the first-ever V60, which served as the station wagon equivalent of the Volvo S60, one of the safest Volvos introduced in this decade, and by some odd turn, the station wagon equivalent of the S60 received a full model change, leaving its sedan equivalent what might have been. Anyway, while this is basically a full model change, there's something about the all-new V60 range.

2019 Volvo V60

2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country

One look on the all-new Volvo V60 and you'll know that it has the case of "Honey, I shrunk the V90" because the styling of the new V60 looks very similar to its flagship equivalent, the V90, meaning that the Swedish carmaker went through the Russian doll effect like most luxury cars adorned so when you parked this car next alongside the V90, drivers can get easily confused between the two cars after a quick trip to the grocery store. Confusing looks aside, the Volvo V60 comes with two different versions such as the normal V60 and the tough-looking but not-so-tough Cross Country variant with a slightly raised height similar to what jacked-up versions of everyday cars looked like such as the Subaru Outback for example.

2019 Volvo V60 interior

The new V60 sports a typical Volvo interior that has been on every lineup since the XC90 SUV, meaning that you will still be greeted with the big touchscreen on the dashboard that terrifies speedo boys everywhere, the steering wheel, the knob, the high-tech instrumental panel, and so on. Although nothing special about the driver's side because of the uniform Volvo dashboard, it's surprisingly as comfortable as a family car, which isn't so bad for a five-seater station wagon for a change and the boot space wasn't half bad, meaning that you can store as many as you want unless if you're the sort of person who spends the rest of the week buying stuff from the thrift store or jacking up space with loads of gym equipment for no reason at all.

2019 Volvo V60

2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country

On the normal V60, it's been offered with a choice of T5 or T6 petrol engines, D3 or D4 diesel engines (which doesn't make sense in Europe anymore due to anti-diesel issues), and then this; a T8 Twin Engine which combines a 2.0L turbocharged engine with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It's capable of producing 390PS of total power output and can go from 0-100kph in less than five seconds and it is electronically limited to 250kph. Simple as that.

The V60 Cross Country, meanwhile, is only offered with a 190ps 2.0L D4 diesel engine, so if you're European and if you're in tune with the times, better ignore this until Volvo offered cleaner variants of the V60 Cross Country so better cross that out. It's a shame really because I was going to mention about its increased ground clearance, its specially developed Cross Country chassis and suspension, its standard all-wheel drive and its special Off-Road driving mode but because it's offered in diesel only at launch, no way, Jose.

Anyway, because both models running on the Scalable Product Architecture that has been adorned to today's Volvo models since the XC90, the new V60 range always enjoy its new lease in life with its more rigid body, lighter weight, better dimensions, and safety features such as the City Safety with Autobrake technology and the Pilot Assist system. Coupled that with its clever suspension and chassis setups and the result is a station wagon that feels better to drive than the original, although it can be considered to be OK for most drivers. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just an okay sport wagon that it feels so decent to drive from the comfort of your Camellia Homes to Isdaan when you and your mates are having a bit of a food trip.

The V60 range starts at 317,000 Swedish Krona (around $35,450) which is basically reasonable enough for people to own one or if you have a Care by Volvo subscription, you can drive one right away while letting the monthly fees do the talking. So, while the V60 suffers the Russian doll syndrome, the way it performs wasn't so bad for a station wagon of this size and it's a good wagon full-stop.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Forza Horizon 4: King Demon Beast

To a regular joe, that might look like the vividly insane Koenigsegg Agera, the great equalizer of the hypercar regime, but this is not your average Agera. It's the Agera to end all Ageras. Meet the Agera RS and here in Forza Horizon 4, I'm going to find out what's what with this monster.



Unveiled in 2015, the Koenigsegg Agera RS combines all of the features and functionalities of the S and R. In other words, all of the the components come from different Agera models come together to create the Agera to finish it all. It uses the same Koenigsegg twin turbo aluminum 5,0L V8 from the S, which was optimized for regular gasoline use, but now it produces a massive 1160hp of power on normal gasoline alone. Running on E85 biofuel, it blows away with over 1300hp of power.

Apart from the engine and standard equipment, the weight of the Agera RS is lower than both the R and the S, courtesy of its advanced composites and layup techniques developed during the One:1 program.

The Agera RS is limited to 25 units with 10 sold in a pre-sale basis. In 2017, the Koenigsegg Agera RS smashed not one but five speed records that can easily embarrass the Bugatti Veyron. It has the recorded top speed of 447.19 km/h (277.87 mph), the highest top speed for a production vehicle, quickest 0-400-0kph time of 33.29 seconds, highest average speed for a flying kilometer (mile) on a public road of 445.63 km/h (276.9 mph), and the highest speed achieved on public road of 457.94 km/h (284.55 mph).



At the hands of an unskilled driver, the intimidating performance the Agera RS delivers could result in a mega-disaster and for a car with this much power, you need some adequate training to master the beast of a machine. No wait, this is more than a beast. It's a King Demon Beast. That's what that is. The Agera RS like a King Demon Beast wreaking havoc in a quiet neighborhood and it juggles you in a world of pain. Even when you put your foot gently on the throttle, it still intimidates you and that's classic Koenigsegg torture to you. Koenigsegg says that this hypercar works in both road and track even with racing car-like performance but in my mind, feels like I can't use all that power in different corners because when I slam my foot hard on it, it really kicks me hard and no matter how many times you endure the torture, this torture chamber on wheels will still keep torturing you unless you throw in the towel.

The Agera RS handles like a torture chamber and it's fair to say that it should be better off in the straights. Speaking of which, here's the Agera RS in action, putting all of its record-breaking stats into action.





Unless if you're ready, this Agera RS is not for you to drive it. If you fully understand its intimidating performance and use it well, you are fully prepared to tame the King Demon Beast with pride and humility. Knowing is half the battle, y'all.

Volvo XC40

Volvo has launched their first ever subscription service called "Care by Volvo" which promises to make private ownership of a car a thing in the past and the Volvo that spearheaded this questionable new kind of subscription service is their first ever compact crossover called the XC40. So, what's it all about this Volvo XC40?

2018 Volvo XC40

2018 Volvo XC40

Good question, ladies and gentlemen, especially you speedo boys out there, I was about to say that but before that, what is "Care by Volvo" by the way? "Care by Volvo" is a monthly subscription service that makes having a car hassle-free than shopping one from haggling dealerships. It gives subscribers a wide range of digital concierge services meaning all the maintenance needs will be taken care of. You can even have them deliver to your doorstep to you. What's interesting is that after a year, you can even opt for another Volvo but it you're going to sign a new contract for this.

Yes, the Care by Volvo is about as wonderful as driving a rental car on a business trip and it all starts at 5,799 Kr (over $700/35,000 Php) per month. If you're a speedo boy, you wouldn't want to go for that trend because speedo boys love to work on their vehicle and making it theirs and if they're not a fan of this subscription service, they'd better keep it at a full price; 293,900 Kr (around $36,000 or 1,800,000 Php), which in luxury car terms, it's one of the most affordable luxury cars to buy right now.

The XC40 is a luxury car without the luxury price tag but what do you get in return? Take this design, for instance, and at first glance, they've drawn inspiration from the 40.1 Concept and because this is the compact Volvo to spearhead the new 40-series range, who knows, the XC40 might spawn other derivatives such as the successor to the S40, which draws its looks form the 40.2 Concept and a replacement to the V40 hatchback. Anyway, while the concept-turned-reality design is a clear example of why a few cars are doing things right rather than Subaru's, it's a bit boxy by the looks of it and it has a shape of a Tetris puzzle when you squint at it.

2018 Volvo XC40

Because the XC40 falls victim to the "Russian doll" trend that luxury cars do, the interior is typical Volvo since the XC90 and you will be still greeted by the familiar but high-tech dashboard but for the first time, it comes with the available wireless mobile phone charging which is great but complicating if you got an older smartphone. Also, it comes with smartphone connectivity, and a Harman Kardon sound system. Although it's small enough to park, the spacing and comfort is very sedan-ish and the boot space is good enough to accomodate this week's grocery shopping or heaps of dirty laundry if you're going for the wash as long as it doesn't got piled up by stuff you bought from the thrift store last week.

2018 Volvo XC40

Because the XC40 is utilized on a brand new modular vehicle architecture which will underpin upcoming cars within the 40 series, especially electric ones, it's very compact and very nimble enough to drive through city centers with confidence and despite being co-developed by the Chinese, even though now Volvo is owned by Geely, it feels right of being a city car for day-to-day use.

Question is, does it work as a car that can be used for TNVS purposes? Well, first, all of the engines are 2.0L four-cylinder units, mated with either a 6-speed MT or an 8-speed AT, with the most powerful being the T5 AWD variant with 247ps of power output, which is not bad for a crossover that weighs over two tons, but it's hard to distinguish whether if its a hatchback or an SUV because if the XC40 is nothing more of a jacked-up hatchback, then you're not allowed to use for TNVS duty such as Uber or Lyft or any ride-hailing service you know about because it is a jacked-up hatchback rather than an SUV so, no deal on using it for TNVS.

In the spirit of Volvo safety, the XC40 features Volvo's signature Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support and the 360° Camera, which works in the modern traffic but for speedo boys, it's worth nightmarish to drive knowing that these tech can scare the little buzzers of their trousers but since we live in a future, the XC40 is all about being the future created by the modern men of today that can handle almost everything with confidence. That's the Swedish way, folks.

So, how to sum this car up? Well, technically, the XC40 excels at its affordable pricing not bad for a luxury compact crossover, its concept-turned-reality styling, and its performance, although what's not to like about is that you can't use it for TNVS because they know that this is a jacked-up hatchback rather than being a compact SUV, the new chassis feels good to drive but not as sporty as it seems, and in the case of speedo boys everywhere, the Care by Volvo. Trust me, speedo boys are not fans with this subscription service as they would rather own it for their own pleasure than this. Although late for the party, the XC40 is ready to take on luxury compact crossovers anytime.

Available colors: Black Stone Solid, Bright Silver Metallic, Osmium Grey Metallic, Fusion Red Metallic, Crystal White Premium Metallic, Bursting Blue Premium Metallic.

Photo: Volvo Cars 

Forza Motorsport 7: Thor's Hammer

As Forza Motorsport 7's gone crossover crazy, this crossover featured at the March Car Pack is somewhat of a different ballgame. In fact, the crossover in question that I've encountered in this pack is basically a Volvo...



Yes. It's a Volvo but what Volvo is it? I bet you can't guess...



It's the second-generation Volvo XC90 and it's odd why a people mover like this made it through the ranks, in fact, this game is becoming in tune with the times now that crossovers are becoming mainstream than any other body style in the globe. So, what's it all about this Volvo XC90?



The launch of the second-generation Volvo XC90 marks a new beginning in Volvo's history, incorporating signature Volvo safety tech and utilising their brand new Scalable Product Architecture platform. It is the first Volvo to don the updated iron emblem as well as Volvo's new signature "Thor's Hammer" DRL lights, promising a new, distinctive, and confident face for Volvo's forthcoming models.The interior now boasts a tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system.

While boasting a wide array of Advanced Driver Assists, the new XC90 boasts a full range of other engine options,all mated with an 8-speed AT, with the range-topping T8 Twin Engine PHEV that combines supercharging, turbocharging, and an electric motor, resulting to 407HP of power output, 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds, and 134.5mpg of fuel economy. In pure electric mode, it has a range of 26 miles, which is impressive for a seven-seater PHEV.

With its advanced driving technology, wide range of engine choices, and distinctive design, the all-new XC90 is a fresh new start to Sweden's only surviving mainstream luxury car company, even though it's now owned by China's Geely.



Trying to mock this crossover as a "school bus" is downright absurd but there's something about the Twin Engine XC90 variant that is worth noticeable. Volvo states that this PHEV variant of the XC90 is all about the best of both worlds. With the twin-charged petrol engine and a rechargeable electric motor, it promises to deliver the power equivalent of a V8 engine but at what costs? To find out, I went to the venue of the F1 Abu Dhabi GP that is Yas Marina.



I know, bearing a car with an automatic gearbox that has no paddle shifters whatsoever can be somewhat dull for a speedo boy driving it but when I tried driving it with all the electronic nannies on, it feels not so bad to drive and by demonstrating how Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture works, not only it feels lively to drive but also worth coming back for more. Of course, there are some drawbacks and one of them is when I engaged the ESC Sport Mode, which shuts the electronic nannies off, including the traction control, it's worth taking a trip to the drugstore for some painkillers when it triggers some sort of catastrophic understeer and for an SUV that weighs over 5,000lbs, that is worth a challenge.



Anyway, back to the Twin Engine's capability, and since I'm at Yas Marina to explain what I was on about, I'm trying to find a V8-powered SUV that can match against the XC90's Twin Engine capability as an all-rounder PHEV and I got one...





As you can see, I am rejoined by my old friend, the Dodge Durango SRT. The high-performance crossover I've lauded for being almost as quick as a Ford Focus RS when I thrashed this one round Laguna Seca and what am I going to do is see if the XC90's Twin Engine power can be a decent alternative against a V8 SUV like this. Let's roll the tape.



And now, the results...

Durango - 2:54.772
XC90 - 2:59.180



Well, that was just rubbish, isn't it? Volvo said their Twin Engine capability provided the V8-ish power but what was that all about? Almost five seconds slower than a V8-powered Durango SRT? How sad but let's just say, they've tried and I am impressed that the second-generation XC90 is the way forward for Volvo because of its pioneering breakthrough that writes a new chapter for Volvo's history. It may not have the guts to outflank a V8-powered super-suv but as an all-rounder, this Twin Engine PHEV is all about decency in action. Well, now that I've explained everything about the new Volvo XC90, I made a little reward for doing a good job...



A Scandinavian aria worth beholding... Wait a minute, looks like my whole set is complete!























What you're looking at, ladies and gentlemen, are my collection of cars made with the theme of Aikatsu Stars on it and since this show's ending in a few weeks this month, time to take a moment to try out some of the designs I made. I call them "Aikatsu Stars In Reasonably Fast Cars" and it made it sound like Top Gear's Star In A Reasonably Fast Car but I hope you appreciate for all the hard-ish work I've done in the making of those.

Until then, Bon Bon Voyage!