Amazon Prime's original motoring program, The Grand Tour, returned for its second and most explosive season yet and the new season begins with a disastrous comparison between the past, the present, and the future.
The Grand Tour S2E01
On a road trip to Switzerland, the country that banned motor racing due to some accident in Le Mans a couple of decades ago, Richard Hammond drives a zero-emission electric supercar from Croatia known as the Rimac Concept_One while Jeremy Clarkson blasts himself from the past with the Lamborghini Aventador S, the improved version of Lamborghini's V12 flagship possessing 30PS more power than the old one, and James sticks to the tune of times with the Honda NSX, a hybrid successor to the original.
The trip has became troublesome for some because thanks to Hammond, they spend their night out at a "wellness center", driving through tight shopping districts, travelling through museums, and pretty much it. Bored, the boys are letting loose with a drag race round an airfield where the Rimac wins due to peak torque, which electric cars had the upper hand.
Ending the supercar trip to Switzerland is a hill climb where all that's about to change because it was the exact hill climb where Hammond's involved in the gruesome accident. A fiery one, if you may.
The new season marks the debut of Celebrity Face Off, a new segment where celebrities try their hand out on a special track, driving the Jaguar F-Type. For the first outing of this new segment, it's the battle of the fastest former talent show judges, Ricky Wilson vs. David Hasselhoff. In this segment, The Hoff did it in 1:24.1 while Ricky did it in 1:20.1, the Yorkshire star defeats the Hollywood celeb by four seconds.
What a way to start the season with a big one where it gets boring at the start and fiery at the finish. That's The Grand Tour to us and expect madness for the next eleven weeks from Clarkson, Hammond, and May.
While everyone's busy dawdling with their favorite CINDERELLA GIRLS in the Cinderella Girls Gekijo anime shorts, here comes another closing theme song as heard from the said shorts that sounds like at bit late for autumn's end but makes it feel like it's autumn forever.
THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS LITTLE STARS! Akimeite Ding Dong Dang!
The latest closing theme song from the Cinderella Girls Gekijo shorts is 秋めいて Ding Dong Dang! and the stars of this latest song are Anastasia (CV: Sumire Uesaka), Chie Sasaki (CV: Asaka Imai), Kanade Hayami (CV: Yuko Iida), Karen Hojo (CV: Mai Fuchigami), and Minami Nitta (CV: Aya Suzaki). Of course, you can listen the whole version of the latest closing theme with the whole gang or individually sung by the idols mentioned in the album.
In addition, two bonus tracks featuring Cingeki remixed versions of 輝く世界の魔法 and EVERMORE, in case you had enough fun listening to that.
Keep watching CINDERELLA GIRLS GEKIJO for more antics from your favorite Cinderella Girls!
For the first time in Lexus history, there's now a three-row crossover utility vehicle in the lineup in the form of the long-wheelbase variant of the current-generation Lexus RX and with the arrival of the longer and more practical variant of the Lexus RX, there are almost endless possibilities this crossover can make use of, either for family use, for escorts, a trip with the mates, or any kind of activity drivers can see fit.
At first glance, it looks pretty much like the same Lexus RX you're familiar with but since this is the long-wheelbase model, the length of this crossover has gone up to 4.3 inches (110 mm), accommodating the extra rear seats at the back to become a seven-seat crossover no one saw it coming.
Of course, you still have the same bits and bobs you'd expect on the interior but because there's now a third-row seat, there are different ways to get in and out of the RX L and it's not going to be that easy when the second-row seats are heavily occupied by the dreaded child seats because at times when most of the child seats occupied the second-row seats, how are you supposed to get through the third-row seats? Sure, it's got surprising headroom not bad by third-row seating standards but because of all the twisting and bending, you're going to pull one off while getting through the third-row seats, which will drive you a bit mad.
Don't worry though because the starting price of 7,690,000 Yen is too expensive to be a family carrier, especially when the family carrier is actually based on the Lexus RX450h, which pairs the 262PS D4-S injection 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators, while mated with a CVT gearbox. Such a powertrain delivers 17.8km/L of fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards, which is very impressive for a seven-seater luxury crossover, although it wasn't as enjoyable to drive as they'd hoped for. Still, it takes to get used to its civilized but decent driving style that is very Japanese by Japanese luxury car standards. It even comes with Lexus Safety System + which comprises of Pre-Crash Safety System, Lane Keeping Assist, Automatic High Beam, and Radar Cruise Control.
Even though the RX450hL is too expensive for a family mover, perhaps there's a great way to use the added practicality of this variant aside from using it for impromptu business trips, escorting a VIP, or doing any other stuff you see fit because thanks to the added practicality customers have been demanding for, the RX L might just be fit enough for your next busy schedule.
A senior United Nations official met up with North Korea's foreign minister for a rare high-level talks on Thursday.
Jeffrey Feltman, the U.N. undersecretary-general for political affairs, met with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho on the second full day of the highest-level U.N. visit to the North since 2010. He arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a stay expected to last four or five days.
According to North Korea's state-run media, Feltman discussed U.N. assistance and operations in North Korea along with "other matters of mutual concern" during a meeting with the vice foreign minister on Wednesday. Six U.N. agencies, with about 50 international staff, are represented in the North.
Feltman's visit comes amid high tensions on the peninsula fanned by tough talk and posturing by Pyongyang and Washington. The North recently launched its most advanced missile to date and the U.S. and South Korea are now holding joint exercises with some of the world's most powerful fighter aircraft.
- Following Philippine National Police Director General Ronaldo dela Rosa's announcement yesterday that he will retire from his post next month, to be replaced by former Davao City police Apolinario, the spokesman for PNP described the announcement "an impromptu spiel" during a news briefing at Camp Crame, referring to an announcement by Supt. Ercy Nanette Tomas, legal officer of the PNP Center for Police Strategic Management, that Deputy Director Ramon Apolinario is set to replace Dela Rosa when the latter reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Jan. 21.
- According to the DILG, the Philippine National Police has endorsed a recommendation to extend martial law in Mindanao by another year to President Rodrigo Duterte. According to DILG undersecretary Catalino Cuy, ongoing threats of terrorist groups in the region prompted the PNP to endorse the one-year extension. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte said the decision to extend martial law in Mindanao would be up to the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, since they will be deployed in conflict areas.
- Ahead of his mandatory retirement age of 56 on December 17, AFP chief of staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero's term is extended by President Duterte until April of next year.
- The Department of Health will administer mandatory surveillance of students given Dengvaxia, which has been found to be potentially harmful to those who had no prior dengue infection.
- The Communist Party of the Philippines warned that having President Duterte tagging them as "terrorists" will let his administration target legitimate organizations and extort money from corporations.
- The Australian Parliament voted on Thursday to make same-sex marriage legal, following a bitter and divisive debate settled by the government polling voters in a much-criticized ballot survey that strongly endorsed change.
- Muslims in the Middle East warned of disastrous consequences of having US President Donald Trump recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but in a region more divided than ever, many asked what leaders can do beyond the vehement rhetoric.
- A man has been ordered held Wednesday after being accused in the assassination plot against British Prime Minister Theresa May. The plan allegedly involved planting a bomb near the entrance of Downing Street and then continuing the attack with a knife and suicide vest in a bid to kill the U.K. leader in the ensuing chaos.
- Support from Minnesota Democratic Senator Al Franken was dropped after fellow Democrats led by female senators abandoned him Wednesday over the mounting allegations of sexual misconduct that are roiling Capitol Hill. The former comedian is set to announce this Thursday.
Counting down on the upcoming season of The Grand Tour, anyone remember the quick comparison test between the BMW i3 and the VW Golf GTi a couple of months ago? On that episode, both the GTi and the i3 had a drag race and then later, a trip to Devon to see concert at the pub, the trip where the petrol-powered Golf GTi trumped the i3, proving that the past is superior than the future. Let's see about that when I compare these two familiar machines right here on GT SPORT.
Well, here they are, although different than the ones seen in The Grand Tour season finale months ago. In the show, Jeremy drives a Golf GTi with five doors while James drives an i3 with the Range Extender feature. In here, I have a three-door GTi and a standard i3 without the REx feature but still, they act as similar as the ones in the show, giving me the ideal opportunity to get to know about the cars.
First, let's get to know about the car of the past, although it came out from the present times, the Volkswagen Golf GTi. On its seventh generation, the Golf GTi is utilized on the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, which results to better ride quality and uncompromising safety. Under the hood, the 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine has been upgraded so now it produces 216HP of power, resulting to 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and onwards to 152mph. Apart from the performance, the GTi features improved handling such as the improved XDS electronic control differential lock, adaptive chassis control, and progressive steering, making this hot hatch as sporty as hot hatches can get.
Now, what about the car of the future, the BMW i3? Being one of the firsts of BMW's new i sub-brand, the i3 features futuristic styling with unbiased efficiency and dynamics electric car consumers are longing for. The electric motor that powers it produces 167HP of power and 184.4ft-lb of torque, bringing most of the power to the rear wheels, which is rather a surprise for an electric car like this. Although the top speed is just a dismal 93mph, the i3's electric motors deliver peak torque instantly, meaning it can get off the line quicker than the Golf GTi from a standstill, as demonstrated in that Grand Tour episode I mentioned. At full charge, the i3 can go up to 99.4 miles and when set to ECO PRO + with less air conditioning and power saving measures. 124.2 miles of electric range.
It's amazing that I get to meet along the car of the past and the car of the future but the question is, which one will prevail? To find out, I went to Brands Hatch to settle this debate.
You may remember that in the drag race portion of this comparo, despite the i3's peak torque, the Golf GTi managed to overtake the i3 and won, making the future very rubbish on television. So, what about the way it behaves when these two are taken very seriously for that matter?
As I tried these two machines, there is a clear difference between these two as even though the Golf GTi has improved handling compared to the previous GTis of yesteryears, it has a tendency to understeer just like any other front-wheel drive car but it feels so lively to drive with and brings out the GTi's true potential as a hot hatch that you can use it everyday.
The i3 maybe rear-wheel drive but it's no drift machine because of the nature of this electric compact but despite that, it has a healthy handling dynamics because the batteries are mounted in the middle for better weight distribution and because of extensive use of carbon fiber on the interior as well as aluminium chassis, not only it's rigid but also very lightweight.
Now, let's find out which one will be the best on a one lap round Brands Hatch. This will decide which will prevail for the future of driving...
And now, the results...
GTi -1:00.222
i3 - 0:59.622
That was a close call for these two machines because even these cars are between less than a second apart, they really are too close to call when it comes to figuring out which one is the best. I mean come on, I'm starting to admire that the BMW i3 behaves like a Golf GTi in every tangible way and because they're similar in terms of dynamics, looks like the boys are absolutely useless at handling these machines with common sense.
In the battle between the past and the future, it's hard to decide which one will prevail because as the world turns away from fossil fuels, electric cars will become the dominant figure of the future of motoring but some warned that with the rise of electric cars, the world's power supply can't keep up with the trend. In the meantime, while we appreciate the rise of electric cars, the conventional automobile should not be forgotten because even though we spend so much money on refueling our rides, it's safe to say that it was made to get through your ideal points of interests without the drama and as the world's bureaucrats are unleashing a scorched earth policy against petrol and diesel, it could be the ideal time to savor the moment of driving a car with internal combustion engine like there's no tomorrow. And that is the bottom line.
THE M@STER SPARKLE range continues with their fourth installment of this lineup inspired from THE IDOLM@STER Million Live Theater Days app game where your favorite 765 MILLION STARS perform their own new songs you might end up trying out on solo performances in-game.
For this installment, the stars on this latest installment are Akane Nonohara (CV. Saki Ogasawara), Umi Kousaka (CV. Reina Ueda), Roco (CV. Atsuki Nakamura), Anna Mochizuki (CV. Shiina Natsukawa), and Kana Yabuki (CV. Ibuki Kido). The highlights of this album are performing a brand new song you can expect on this range as well as on the app game later on.
For limited quantities, there is a application ticket for a chance to take part on a special event commemorating the release of this album happening late December.
There are eight M@STER SPARKLE installments in the range and with the fourth installment now available, expect more to come in this range but in the meantime, feel free to listen to these new songs in the first installment of this new range and be sure to download THE IDOLM@STER Million Live Theater Days on the App Store or Google Play. Contains in-app purchases.
The National Assembly approved the government's 2018 budget early on Wednesday as the main opposition party boycotted the vote to express its objection to some points in the bill, such as the creation of thousands of new government jobs.
The 428.8 trillion won ($394.4 billion) budget centers on creating thousands of new jobs in public sectors, expanding welfare programs, and increasing the minimum wage.
Tu fund the added spending, it calls for raising the corporate and income tax rates for big businesses and top earners.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party stayed away from the vote.
Meanwhile, the United States will deploy a B-1 strategic bomber to Korea on Wednesday as part of the joint air combat training. The strategic bomber, based in Guam, plan to conduct bombing drills together with South Korea's fighter jets.
A pair of B-1Bs were deployed to South Korea in early last month ahead of US President Donald Trump's regional trip.
Then, the European Union lambasted 17 nations, including South Korea as offshore tax havens.
Seoul's finance ministry lodged a strong protest following the announcement, saying the decision was not inline with international agreements and claims the EU has violated its tax sovereignty.
Meanwhile, it has also placed 47 additional countries on a watchlist of countries that have promised to change their tax ruls to meet EU standards. Even more countries could be added to the blacklist which is set to be updated every single year if improvements are not made.
- The Commission of Appointments confirmed that General Rey Leonardo Guerrero is the new chief of staff for the Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday. Aside from Guerrero’s appointment, the bicameral body also approved the promotion of 40 military officers.
- Associate Justice Samuel Martines is also set to testify on the ongoing impeachment hearing against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Martires is the fifth justice willing to face the House justice panel — now calling itself the impeachment committee — as it continues to examine whether there is probable cause to impeach the chief magistrate.
- Almost a thousand children in public schools got sick over a five-month period after receiving their first dose of the Dengvaxia dengue vaccine, according to reports.
- For the second time in two months, a wildfire broke out in Southern California's Ventura County and grew wildly to nearly 207 square kilometers. Also, the DFA urged Filipinos along path of the recent SoCal wildfires urged to evacuate.
- The Australian government condemns China's activities in South China Sea and urged all claimants to clarify the full nature of their claims in accordance with international law.
- Michigan Democrat Rep. John Conyers Jr. was resigned from his longest-serving post, becoming the first lawmaker to step down as Capitol Hill grapples with allegations of inappropriate behavior by lawmakers.
- Lexus teases the LF-1 Limitless concept crossover ahead of its appearance in January's NAIAS.
- BMW uncovered their ambitious plan to launch 20 new models (including MINI) by 2025, mostly focused on electrification.
- Volkswagen unveiled their Polo R5 rally car for private racing teams, which is powered by a 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-four engine with direct injection producing 272 PS and 400 Nm of torque.
- The Forza Motorsport 7 Doritos Car Pack is now available and it's free for Season Pass/FM7 Ultimate Edition owners. This pack features vintage machines like the Bugatti Type 35, BMW 328, and others, including two of the most powerful SUVs on the market, the third-generation Porsche Cayenne and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.
SUVs are becoming the mainstream of today's motoring and while it was meant to carry the whole family for everyday trips, it can be downright boring because why do men get married and ended up with family cars that are boring than what they had when they were single. Perhaps there is a better solution for men who got married by accident but going for the family car that is as fun as what they drove when they were single.
2018 Dodge Durango SRT
2018 Dodge Durango SRT interior
This might do the trick. Behold, the new Dodge Durango SRT and SRT really means all business because when you see SRT, all you think about V8 Dodges on steroids and it is. It's a family car on steroids and when you let loose with its 6.4L HEMI V8 engine, "Hey, how about those Republicans?" It maybe rude to say it during a conversation at the dining table but because this is the Durango SRT, this muscle SUV is ready to paint the town red, literally.
From its beefy front face, Viper-inspired bonnet, red and black interior that smells like it came from a red state, and the huge monitor that comes with a performance mode screen that displays G-forces, braking distance, reaction times, and everything that your SUV can't do because of such boringness this SUV doesn't have, the Durango SRT is all about American football, basketball, and stock car racing with the hint of nachos, pizzas, and fast food vittles that can irritate the next neighbor or two. I mean come on, this is how good old American boys love to do in their weekends and this SUV fits to such expression.
Believe it or not, the Dodge Durango SRT has the similar expression you'd expect from the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT because like the said one, the Durango SRT is powered by the 6.4L HEMI V8 engine mated to an 8-speed AT. This engine produces 475HP and 470lb-ft of torque and with this output, it can get from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, which is as fast as a high-powered German sports saloon but with enough grunt to unleash 8,700lbs of towing capacity.
It maybe a muscle car but this 62,995 Dollar (plus OTR costs) SUV on steroids can handle almost everything because this is the first Dodge SRT vehicle to come with performance-oriented four-wheel drive system and with that, not only you can handle this behemoth like a boss but you can handle any kind of weather condition like it never happened.
While all sounds nice for a V8 muscle SUV with seating for six people, it can be downright crazy to drive and when you set the drive mode on TRACK, the Durango SRT will drive you as mad as today's news and public affairs. Like your granny spending the whole day watching Mad Mad-esque films no one heard of, setting the Durango SRT on TRACK tightens the suspension damping and steering gradient feel, resulting to uncanny dynamics that will enrage drivers to the verge of hypertension. How uncanny was that? Driving an SUV on track days can be downright crazy and in the Durango SRT, while it can be decent to drive on normal roads and not bad to drive on any weather conditions, especially when its snowing in the northern extremities of America, it can lose your sanity or your arms when you twist this car through the bends.
However, that Durango SRT is the least of the problems because somewhere out there lies a more crazier American V8 crossover that can irritate the smartest people as if they got smacked by some fat teenager girl doing a stage dive at the concert.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk interior
This is the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and by the looks of it, it can irritate even the European high-performance crossovers with such output. 707HP from its Hellcat V8 engine, 645lb-ft of torque, 180mph of top speed, this is a Hellcat made for those who are feeling under the weather and they can't take the Dodge Challenger Hellcat or Charger Hellcat on a rainy or snowy day and thanks to performance-tuned all-wheel drive, you can drive it anytime, anywhere no matter the weather condition.
That sounds nice but you need to be brave because driving the Trackhawk has the same experience as an EXPERT-level 600-combo song that has some bits to hold, bits to tap, and so many to tap that are too fast to lock on with your eyes. It's going to end up slipping on GOOD, GOOD, GOOD, rather than GREAT or PERFECT because with the performance-oriented 4WD and the supercharged Hellcat V8 engine, the dynamics will end up on the GOOD side and when you engage all the hero buttons around you, you'd better get some painkillers ready because there are times this can can understeer in 911 Turbo levels and resorting to brutal driving style won't cut it because the dynamics can bite you real good like dog with rabies.
Apart from the crazy dynamics and the fact that it can seat up to five people, the TRACKHAWK is downright expensive with prices start at 85,900 US Dollars, which is as expensive as a European sportscar, and that's a shame really because while it was labeled the most powerful SUV in the world, it doesn't carry enough people than the Durango SRT.
But still, despite the price difference, these American high-performance SUVs are capable of painting the town red with their deep Republican view against the opposition, raw V8 grunt, and practicality common to most SUVs. So, which one will you pick?
The U.N. political chief is heading to North Korea for a rare four-day visit at the invitation of the government for a wide-ranging discussion on policy issues "of mutual interest and concern."
According to the U.N. spokesperson, Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman would arrive in Pyongyang on Tuesday from Beijing, where he met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong on Monday.
Asked whether Feltman would meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Dujarric said that his current schedule included meetings with Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, Vice Minister Pak Myong Guk, diplomats and U.N. staff.
Feltman is the highest-ranking American in the U.N. Secretariat. He was tapped by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to be the U.N. political chief in 2012 after serving for nearly 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, where his last post was as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who succeeded Ban, extended his term until April 1, 2018.
- The Food and Drug Administration put a halt on the sale on the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia and the withdrawal of stocks over potential risks to patients. In an advisory released on Monday, FDA said it has ordered pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur to suspend the sale, distribution and marketing of the vaccine and to withdraw it from the local market "pending compliance with the directives of the FDA."
- The Malacanang denied that harassment was made when a court ordered the arrest of the leader of transport group PISTON for leading a strike in February to protest the government's plan to phase out old jeepneys. Last Friday, presiding Judge Don Ace Mariano Alagar of Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 43 issued an arrest warrant against Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide president George San Mateo for violating the Public Service Law.
- The Supreme Court uphold the finality the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao. In a press briefing, SC spokesperson Ted Te said: "[T]he Court, voting 10-3-1, denied with finality for mootness and lack of merit all three Motions for Reconsideration filed by petitioners against the Court's Decision dated July 4, 2017 that upheld the constitutionality of martial law in Mindanao.
- Malacanang said government agencies will investigate the killing of activist priest Marcelito "Tito" Paez in Nueva Ecija on Monday. According to human rights group Karapatan, 72-year-old Paez was gunned down by unidentified assailants while he was driving his vehicle in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija around 8 p.m. on Monday. He died at the San Leonardo Hospital.
- US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with top Pakistani leaders yesterday to seek common ground on the counterterrorism fight, amid Trump administration calls for Islamabad to more aggressively go after the insurgents moving back and forth across the border with Afghanistan.
- The recent government-commissioned poll says that pro-independence parties will lose their slim majority in the Catalan parliament in elections later this month, foreshadowing a complicated route to post-election deals to form a new government.
- Lamborghini returns to the SUV segment with the brand new production-spec Urus. Powered by Lamborghini's first 4.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine producing 650HP of power and 850Nm of torque, while mated to 8-speed AT, the Urus can do 0-100kph in 3.6 seconds and top speed of 305kph, making it the fastest SUV in the world.
2019 Lamborghini Urus
- Unveiled at the LA Auto Show, the all-new Infiniti QX50 crossover is the first to be powered by the new variable compression ratio turbo engine producing 272PS of power and 390Nm of torque.
2019 Infiniti QX50
- In celebration of Rockman/Mega Man's 30th anniversary, the newest installment Rockman 11 has announced and it's coming next year on PS4, XBOX One, and Switch.
- New Pokemon Nendoroid on the radar! Sun and Moon's Trial Captain Lana joins the range and it's available to order at Pokemon Center online shops starting at 4,444 Yen plus tax and delivery and arrives this June. This Nendoroid comes with different expressions, a fishing rod, and a Wishiwashi.
