Saturday, July 13, 2013

"More time for you"

On the July 12, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Audition gags

- Are you copycat-ing me, you jerk?!

- In My Husband's Driver; is Vench's dark secret revealed by Laley? What would Irik do?

- The arrogant Aling Mary returns to leave everyone in the line complaining!

Aling Mary

- They're comparing how people do when watching TV.

- Bubble Gang does Champion Infinity by spoofing this commercial as JUMP YON INFINITY! More time for you.

Bubble Gang does Champion Infinity

- Brod Pete and pals are back for more ANG BAGONG DATING DOON where all of your questions answered by all means necessary.

Ang Bagong Dating Doon

1) Housing Loan - Kung inaakala mo, ang pag-ibig mo'y magbabago. Itaga mo sa bato, dumaan man ang maraming pasko. Kahit na di mo na abot ang sahig, kahit di mo na ako marinig, ikaw pa rin ang buhay ko.

2) Wrong terms! Town house is a wrong term because it should have been called "city house". Whoever bought, could be someone "out-of-town". Thunderstorm's also a wrong term because what's tagalog for thunder? Kulog! What's for storm? Bagyo! (Typhoon also Bagyo). We'll settle their differences later but in the meantime, it's supposed to be "Lightning Storm"!

3) Lamay sa Pampanga -

Atin ku pung singsing
Metung yang timpukan
Amana ke iti
King indung ibatan.
Sangkan keng sininup
King metung a kaban
Mewala ya iti,
E ku kamalayan.

4) More wrong terms? If you look at SLEX, why are there's so many EXIT? Where's the ENTRANCE? What about apartment? That's so wrong because if you look at the word "apart", that means separate but look at those buildings sticking together, this should have been called ATTACHMENT.

- We're now serving Funeral Registry because...it's better late than never!

Funeral Registry

- So much for a police checkpoint in a temporary gun ban.

- They're comparing what people react when they see someone in a tattoo.

- A life in a day of an ordinary dad.

- They're comparing how people do before eating.

- Who is Rushy Rose?!

Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

If you see an AMG-powered 4-door saloon, your reactions would always be sweating for excitement because of its adrenaline-fueled performance that tickles your fancy. However, most AMG saloons can be somewhat expensive. The current C63 AMG saloon costs about 72,233 Euros and if you have 60 grand, then you can't have it because you don't have that kind of dough.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

So, that car in question is an AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's smallest saloon car that everyone can buy, the CLA-Class. At first glance, you might think that the CLA-Class is essentially a 4-door version of the current A-Class and that's true. It is. For the new CLA45 AMG, think of it as an A45 AMG with a trunk on the back. You still get a load of stuff as seen on the A45 AMG in a 4-door coupe look that you can't resist the temptation of the devil.

Speaking of the devil, the CLA45 AMG costs 56,079 Euros, that's over 16 grand less than the C63 AMG sedan but six and a half grand more than its 5-door equivalent, the A45 AMG. So, it's a modest price to pay for the CLA45 AMG but is it still worthy of being a junior AMG-powered sport saloon?

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

Well, for starters, yes. Barely... The CLA45 AMG is still as quirky as little girl's outfit which you didn't notice that it was reversible and turned into a goat costume, suitable enough to fool a chupacabra. What's exactly is a chupacabra anyway? I don't even read mythologies about this creature from New Mexico that sucks goats, which is what the aswang do to the internal parts of the human body. Hmmm... As I point out, a chupacabra can root, sniff, has long neck, and a desert dweller but don't get me wrong. This isn't fun and games, this is science. Science abuse. And as for the CLA45, it can root through the corners, sniff fear from its rivals, hurts anyone with a long neck, and loves to dwell not just in the desert but almost anywhere thanks to its 4MATIC all wheel drive. Yep, it can act like el chupacabra but it still has faith in science.

Faith in science is like...um...like surviving the hammer blow on the front, lying down on the bed of nails, and walk through fires. If some of your friends think this car's too uncomfortable for a small car like this, think of this as a faith in science. Even though the AMG sports suspension is well tailored for the open roads and on track days, your faith in science is tested when you're driving on city roads. Yeah, driving this one on the city roads really feels like you've been lying down on a bed of nails for too long and this isn't well civilized to be an everyday driver's car.

The newly developed 2.0L turbo engine as applied on the A45 AMG, mated with SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission, produces about 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque. When you keep your foot down, it's still faith in science but it's a totally different faith in science especially when you're opted for an available Performance Exhaust. 0-60mph takes about 4.5 seconds and top speed is normally limited to 155mph. Not bad though, not bad for a small sedan with the heart of a Rodong something-something.

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

It's been quite a while since AMG came up with an excuse for those who can't afford a C63 AMG but want something more than the A45 AMG, which is the most affordable AMG in the range. The CLA45 was to be like that but it's only made to be as ballistic as a North Korean missiles made for armageddon. Sadly though, even though it's an all-rounder, the fun doesn't last for too long and because of its 4WD, it's too much grip and overall, it feels as mild as...watching a movie titled Magnifico. I'm not quite pleased about this chemistry and if it was made to be a junior CLS63 AMG, it's really not that bad. Well, because this isn't the kind of AMG you'd expect on the grocery parking lot, it isn't quite noticeable in the real world. For cheap thrills, why not consider a Volvo S60 for a change?

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (July 13, 2013)


And now, the week in review of what's what at the Korean peninsula...

July 8, 2013

- With the North and South Korea taking their first steps towards reopening the Kaesong complex, SoKor president Park Geun-hye's plans for fully normalizing the business park involves attracting foreign investors and the application of international standards for business.

- South Korea will reinforce anti-bugging measures at its diplomatic missions this year, amid allegations that Washington had spying on its allies, including Seoul.

July 9, 2013

- Preparations are underway for the second round of working-level talks between North and South Korea scheduled for Wednesday in the North Korean border town of Kaesong.

July 10, 2013

- After hours of discussions, the two Koreas failed to reach an agreement on how to normalize operations at the Kaesong Complex.

- North Korea proposed to hold working-level talks with the South on reopening the Mt. Geumgang resort as well as resuming family reunions for those separated during the Korean War.

- SoKor President Park Geun-hye says that South Korea and China stand firm together on the notion that a nuclear North Korea will never be tolerated.

July 11, 2013

- Easing regulations, is the focus of a second-batch of measures to boost investment, unveiled in this morning's meeting chaired by President Park Geun Hye

- Prosecutors raided Hyundai Heavy Industries HQ in Seoul over suspicious two high-level officials from the company paid bribes totalling over half a million dollars to a sales department head at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

July 12, 2013

- Seoul's Unification Ministry again called on North Korea to participate in talks on the resumption of reunions for families separated during the Korean War, after the North pulled out of proposals for talks with the South last night.

- Despite issues, the first group of South Korean firms with factories at Kaesong Complex brought back their finished goods and materials from the business park today.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Let's Do The News! (July 12, 2013)

River's Diary

Ugh. With tomorrow, some Seattle residents are getting some power interruption for 6 hours, thanks to some maintenance courtesy of Seattle City Light, I guess I need to rethink what I'm gonna do tomorrow. While I'm still enraged from the announcement that the legendary Goodwood Hill Climb will be featured on the upcoming Gran Turismo 6 game, I wonder what's going on around here?

- There's been a new kind of internet trend going on around here and it involves teens making videos of their stuff (or swag they call it) they bought from the mall or something else (especially me). That was called "Haul Videos" and what was that all about. Let the Doof explain why...


DOOF'S HAUL 2013: SWAG, CELEBS AND MISERY on Disney Video

- The staff behind the Ace Combat series launched a teaser site for their new game. What could that be? The message from the teaser says

"That day our sky fell, the heavens split to create new skies."

What could that be? Stay tuned...

- BBC America's Anglophenia now has another one of "Doctor Who How To Dress As" articles, just before this year's San Diego Comic Con starts. Now, they had an article about How To Dress Like Clara Oswin Oswald but unlike any articles about how to dress as your favorite Doctor Who characters, this is a little bit vague. Why don't you check it out and find out how to dress as The Impossible Girl?

- Pacific Rim is showing tomorrow in US theaters and if some people think this is another one of must-miss movies of Summer 2013, some people think it's going to be a smash hit because of giant robots saving humanity against giant alien monsters. I was expecting to be super good, so good, I might be saying “Man, they would love this in Japan”. Speaking of which, check out this Pacific Rim movie poster I saw on the internet, Metal Gear style. Why? Because it was illustrated by Metal Gear's Yoji Shinkawa.



- Jeremy Clarkson, host of Top Gear, reviewed the MG6 Magnette in one of his columns from The Sunday Times and he said bad things about this car, especially the one that he said about the idling stop system “It’s not bad, its hysterically terrible.” MG Motor UK made a statement from the China Car Times, defending the MG6's views. Here's one of the excerpts:
The styling of the car was led by talented British Design Director Tony Williams- Kenny, educated at none other than Coventry University, England and the engineering team lead by fellow Brit Dave Lindley. It has taken years of hard work to secure over £500m of long term inward investment into the UK and the creation of 400 jobs (on a site where we all know back in 2005 there were suddenly none) in the Birmingham design, engineering and assembly facility. This new investment in automotive design, engineering and assembly at this point in the economy is something Britain should celebrate. So why does the Sunday Times promote trying to undermine this?

 - In the midst of her controversy, the now-lesbian Charice is ranked no. 1 in THE ALTERNATIVE Autostraddle Hot 105: Hotties You Will Like Who Also Like Girls.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (July 12, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2012 Honda N BOX + Custom

Launched in 2011, Honda's first ever tall kei wagon, the N BOX is the first ever Honda to be implemented with Honda's newly developed EARTH DREAMS TECHNOLOGY. It was the company's first model to be equipped with an idling stop function that shuts the engine off when stopped and the starts again when it sets off. Two styles are available such as the normal model and the stylish Custom model which adds style to the N BOX. The + (Plus) variant sees the addition of the MULTI SPACE SYSTEM for added conveniences.

2012 Honda N BOX + Custom

2012 Nissan Dai Yoshihara's FD S13

For the Formula Drift 2012 season, Daijiro Yoshihara's drift-spec Silvia S13 was revamped with a new engine, ECU, and data system. The suspension's also revised in compliance to the rule change as well as the transition to narrow 255 tires.

2012 Nissan Dai Yoshihara's FD S13

2009 Nissan GT-R

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show sees the return of the legendary Japanese sports icon, the Nissan GT-R. With the Skyline name dropped, the R35 GT-R is Nissan's bonafide supercar built from scratch while incorporating most of its GTR heritage and motorsports involvements in one unique package. It's powered by Nissan's newly developed VR38DETT engine, which generates 492PS of power and 588Nm of torque, transferred through all four wheels.

2009 Nissan GT-R

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Let's Do The News! (July 11, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

2014 Porsche Panamera

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

JC: So, which of these four-door supercars do you like most. Richard?

RH: Well, since I'm a Porsche guy, I would go for the Panamera.

(audience laughing)

JC: What?

RH: Yeah, all right. Even though Porsche deleted its manual gearbox on its lineup, it's still works its magic and the Turbo model really is my pick. I still go for it no matter what.

JM: Well, I'd go for the Rapide S because I'm impressed that it's no longer made by the Austrians anymore. It's now built in Britain anymore via Aston Martin's Gaydon plant and hey, it really is as vicious as Sid Vicious from Sex Pistols, although I'm not sure about that whole story anyway...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, my pick goes for the Maserati because well even though it's not quite as quicker as those two but its still got some character building traits on it. I don't care about those demerits. I love it because that's what matters to me now.

RH: Uh...yeah. Not bad about the new Quattroporte though. We find both the Rapide and the Quattroporte quite enjoyable to drive and enjoyable to do powerslides. Oh, good noise as well!

JC: Yeah, right. Good noise for the Maserati and the Aston. Still, I don't like the Porsche though...

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, it's the news and it's GOOD NEWS! Namco's Namjatown is officially REOPENED!

JC: Oohh!!

(cheers and applause)

JC: How long has it been since its 7 month renovation?

JM: Well, it's a long story short but hey, since it's reopened, there's going to be a special event down at the Namco Namjatown in collaboration with...(ahem)...some sequel of a horror game.

JC: Wait, could it be Corpse Party?

JM: Yes it is, Jeremy. It's Corpse Party Tortured Souls. They had an event from now until the end of September. Also, and this is something we're avoiding for...

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh wait! I know this! There was a special event in collaboration with Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 2000% from July 19 to September 16, 2013.

(audience laughing)

JC: Whoa. Don't wanna go to that kind of event. He he he... Anyway, Konami, there's some news going on around here that over 35,000 user accounts on the company's "KONAMI ID portal site" may have been compromised. 

(huh)

JM: Wait, over 35,000 users?

JC: Yeah. The worst-part scenario was that there's a possibility that most of the users' real names, addresses, emails, date of birth, gender, and phone numbers could have been accessed. I'm not sure but that case was similar from Nintendo when they had noticed that 23,926 accounts on its "Club Nintendo" fan site may have been compromised between June 2-9. You know, my idea for not doing this again, well because this is Konami, makers of Metal Gear series, they should have military-grade security like what most armies do to their networks!

(audience laughing)

JM: Really?

JC: Yeah. Because Konami's very good at making too much Metal Gear stuff, they should better beef up their securities in the event that such case won't be happened again. Think about it, since Konami knows that video games are their weaponry, they should better be more heavily armed! Heavily armed, I said!

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, coming up now is this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed and this event is jam-packed with the finest machines from past to present to take on the Goodwood Hill Climb every year and oh! There's going to be premieres on this event like this...

2014 Caterham Seven 620R
(ooohh)

RH: That's the new Caterham 620R, that's the brand's most extreme model to date. Costs 49,995, comes with a 2.0L supercharged Ford engine, 310hp of power, 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. Incredible! This is even more better than the R500 a few years before.

JC: Yeah, I agree with you. That is even more staggering for a car like that...

RH: Which you can't fit in because the room's too small for you...

(audience laughing)

RH: I think this would fit you...

2013 Jaguar Project 7 Concept

(ooohh)

JC: Uh, that's an F-Type, right?

RH: Yeah but this is a concept machine made specifically for this event. It's called the Project 7 and what this is is a combination between the F-Type and the D-Type. It has the same supercharged 5.0L V8 engine from the F-Type, 550PS of power, and hey! I think it looks beautiful in personal.

JC: Well, at least it's not quite as dweeby as the Caterham.

(audience laughing)

JM: Hey, Hammond. You once did a review on the 208 GTi, right? Well, here's what you've been missing because there's a hot version of the RCZ coming and it's called the RCZ R. Here it is...

2014 Peugeot RCZ R


JM: It's the most powerful production model ever made by Peugeot, 270bhp of power from its 1.6L engine, 0-60 in less than six seconds, and you have to wait till next year to buy one.

(audience laughing)

RH: Well, perhaps that didn't see it coming. A more powerful Peugeot ever made and it's a sheer sign that Peugeot's stepping out from making dull cars despite the signs of the times. 

JC: Oh! Oh! Citroen! They've announced another debut for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Here it is. Concept car for the moment...

Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing Concept
JC: This is the DS3 Cabrio Racing but sadly no writings as seen on the hardtop equivalent. All I can see some red lines on its matte grey color.

(audience laughing)

JC: It's 25kg more than the hatchback but still has the same THP 202 engine as the hatchback model and I think I like this one better than the Fiat 500 Abarth Convertible you drove two years ago.

RH: Oh come on...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, before we end the news, I just heard that because of Gran Turismo going to be involved in the event, the upcoming Gran Turismo 6 game will feature the famed Goodwood Hill Climb on this game! I can't believe that Gran Turismo's going to feature this place and that's unfair. It's officially official. I hate Goodwood.

(audience laughing)

JC: And that's the end of the news.

Porsche Panamera minor change

All Porsches in the world are ugly and the Porsche Panamera looks more like a mangled ape. You might think that the ugliest Porsches of all would alienate buyers to its rivals, especially the Aston Martin Rapide and the Maserati Quattroporte but you were wrong because back in 2011, it seems that United States sold more Panameras than any other countries where it sold while the US city that sold the most was Los Angeles with 890 Panamera units sold. I can't believe that why rich wealthy American playboys took into consideration of buying one but never mind about that because what I heard, the ugliest Porsche of them all...gets a makeover and I'm not sure what's the outcome for this...

2014 Porsche Panamera

Well, for this minor change, the premium design that looks like a mangled ape, still looks like a mangled ape even though the Panamera minor change gained some new front and rear bumpers and some internal changes occurred for the updated model.

Let's start at the S variant because in the pre-facelifted model, it carries a 4.8L V8 which generates 400HP of power and a top speed of 177mph but for the new Panamera S model, as well as its 4WD derivative, the 4S, downsizing is now a thing of a present because now, the 4.8L V8 has been thrown away for good as well as its 6-speed manual transmission and inject it with a smaller 3.0L V6 twin turbo engine mated with a 7-speed PDK gearbox so the main things you'll be noticing on this downsizing are these: 20hp more power and 20Nm more torque, but up to 18 per cent better fuel economy compared to the V8 engine in the previous model.

Not bad for a downsized engine but I still find it disappointing that the 6-speed gearbox as seen on the old model has been thrown away for good so where's the fun at with this double-clutch gearbox? Although, this gearbox provides quicker shift times than the old manual, it's still just not worth it and yes, there's going to be a major trouble around here in the event of parking this car.

2014 Porsche Panamera

There are other updates for the new model as well such as the base model's 3.6L V6 model which now produces 310HP of power, annoyingly less powerful and slower than the new Maserati Quattroporte S Q4's 3-litre V6 engine. Then, the stripped-out GTS version gets a 10HP up to its 4.8L V8 engine while mated with a 7-speed PDK, developing a top speed of 179mph. Lastly, and the only powerful of its range for now, the Panamera Turbo's 4.8L V8 twin turbo engine gained a 20HP increase and the top speed is now 190mph, that's the same top speed as the Aston Martin Rapide S.

There are no changes to the diesel model, which has a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel engine that develops 250HP of power, 550Nm of torque, 152mph of top speed, and 166g/km of CO2 emissions.

2014 Porsche Panamera

For the 4S and Turbo models, there's now, for the first time, a long wheelbase version called the Executive and for this model, it adds 150mm of its wheelbase, making the rear legroom a little bit longer, which is ideal is some countries, especially China because in the Chinese car industry, space in the back matters more than anything else and, while this is only a hunch, those who bought these prefer to be chauffeured.

Yes, the Executive model of the Panamera is built for those who cares about space in the back and prefered to be chauffeured but since being chauffeured is not part of the new Panamera's character-building traits, let's find out more about its driving dynamics and find out what's like to be a driver's car.

When someone calls you that they don't like looking at your car, you'll be on a great shock that you'd notice that you've been driving such an ugly car on the streets and even if you want to make some noise in the tunnels, it seems a bit more quiet even when you make some revs. Seems that Silence has fallen with this one, if you know what I mean? Yep, Silence has fallen for the new Panamera when it comes to be a head-turning sports saloon but in terms of track days, when you are against the new Maserati Quattroporte and the Aston Martin Rapide S, it's really not that bad. I know, its 7-speed PDK maybe a royal pain in my fingers but it's still worth a fun to drive premium saloon car and when this car gets it right, it can easily eat both the new Quattroporte and the new Rapide S in terms of setting a lap time.

2014 Porsche Panamera

Most Porsches are ugly and they're not exciting to look at but they are durable and tough and that wins in the end and in the new Panamera, although it may look like a mangled ape, it may not look durable and tough because of its risk of recalls but because of its 911 inspirations, it behaves more like a track weapon rather than a car built for those who want to be chauffeured. It maybe a big car but its a definite wild car for those who want to fool around all day long.

Mind you, the new Panamera still comes with an almost perfect weight distribution, the lowest center of gravity of any big saloon and its lighter than any premium saloon rather than the featherweight Jaguar XJR. It even comes with magnesium window frames to keep the lard at bay. With all that and in the corners, it's an unfair science fair redux but that's just another story. I mean, even if it has flaws, it doesn't matter. I think I'm going to like this more than the BMW M5 and because it has a turbocharged V8 engine in the lineup, I am well impressed by its stunning behavior as well as its footwork needed. Despite the 6-speed MT is gone for good for this facelift, it's still a wonderful chemistry.

Be warned though, even if its fast car, you'll never gonna win in a race against an incoming parcel. I'm just saying...

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.

Aston Martin Rapide S

It's been awhile since Aston Martin launched their first-ever four-door premium saloon car, the Rapide, and even though it's not quite as aggressive as either the DB9 or the DBS, it's still worth it for a four-door saloon car that is quintessentially British, despite the fact that it's been made by the Austrians. Really? Austrians? Says here it's made in Graz, Austria, so this isn't quite British at all but happily though, there's a brand new version that is even more British than before...

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S

The brand new Aston Martin Rapide S looks pretty much the same as the old model but take note that everything's changed for the new model aside from the new front grille that looks unorthodox for the Rapide S. I don't know why but I think that new front view kinda spoils the beauty of this car. The new front grille kinda looks like...and I'm not joking...like a Hyundai because come to think of it, it looks more hexagonal shaped like any other current Hyundais and it seems that some of the designers had gone a bit succumbed to hallyu or the Korean wave.

Although with the stupid Hyundai-esque grille that spoils the new Rapide S' looks, there's some good news that this car is no longer made in Austria because it's now made to the home of the Aston Martins and in the same factory where they made the new Vanquish. Wanna guess where?

What I have here is an ATLAS and what I'm gonna do is flip the pages, and then when I see Europe, I head to United Kingdom, and one part of United Kingdom is Warwickshire, and one part of Warwickshire is a small village called Gaydon. That's right, it's now built in Aston Martin's Gaydon plant in Warwickshire, England and this is a great call because it's no longer been made by the Germans because if it does, it feels like a British was revealed to be a traitor and he came from its German opponents. We're talking about Anglo-German wars back there and if this was happened again, I don't really know what's going on in a great island we called Great Britain.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S

Anyway, enough about WWII jokes because anything more than that and it's game over for us. Let's move on to the way it drives and how it feels to be as a driver's car. Anyway, while this is an updated model, there's something else about its dynamics and let's start at the engine. Like any V12-powered Astons of today such as the DB9 and the Vanquish, the Rapide S still has the same 6.0L V12 engine but now, it's boosted from 477HP to 558HP of power output while torque output is now 457lb-ft of torque. 558HP of power... That's about 35HP more than the new Maserati Quattroporte GTS' 3.8 V8 and of course, it still has the same 6-speed flappy paddle gearbox which is just right rather than the overloaded 8-speed gearbox from the new Maserati Quattroporte. It's also 38HP more than the Porsche Panamera Turbo but let's not forget that in the straights, the Panamera Turbo can easily smoke both the Rapide S and the New Quattroporte by a margin and on the track, ditto.

In terms of top speed, the Rapide S was now improved from the old model's 188 mph to 190 mph, which is quicker than the old model but as a warning, it's 1mph short than the Maserati Quattroporte GTS and annoyingly, matches the same top speed as the facelifted Porsche Panamera Turbo which comes with a double-clutch transmission which is unpronounceable in German. What was that called? Dopple? Dopplekupling...um...doppelkupplungsgetriebe? Oh yeah! Doppelkupplungsgetriebe! Anyway, Rapide S, like any other Astons, doesn't had that because it sticks to its TOUCHTRONIC 2 6-speed flappy paddles.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S interior

What's annoying about the Rapide S is its weight gain and because it spends too much dinner parties, it now weighs 1990kg, 40kg more than the old Rapide, but despite the added weight, it's still as vicious to drive as the late punk rock icon Sid Vicious, who was from Sex Pistols. With the right weight distribution, low centre of gravity, double wishbone suspensions, and with lower polar moment of inertia, it still works just as fine and for the real fun, you might spend the whole hours performing burnouts on an open space. This is exactly what it feels like when Sid Vicious died from overdose at his young age and if those tires got blown, you know what this is, don't you? He he he...

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S interior

And like any other Aston Martins, it's quiet and comfortable and the new Rapide S really drives beautifully, making it one of the most epic 4-door grand tourers made for everyday uses. You can use it while going for a dinner party, going to the shops, on a date, or you just wanna do anything for business and leisure. After all, because with all of the tweaked stuff for the new model, the Rapide S from Aston Martin is definitely one of the best four-door supercars ever made, probably because of its promising theory that it can provide the comfort of a luxury car with the dynamism of an exotic. Still, if you're a selfie, you just really wish you want to drive one of those...

Photo: Aston Martin

Maserati Quattroporte VI

Once, Maserati is a Italian sportscar maker specializes in cutting-edge grand tourers such as the GranTurismo, but by a twist from the noughties gave them a 4-door premium sedan that is a worthy contender against the Germans such as the S-Class, the 7-Series, and the A8.

It's called the Quattroporte and Quattroporte is Italian for four-doors when you're not surrendering. Now, you may remember that the Quattroporte was tested in Top Gear three years ago and even though it's not as fast as the Aston Martin Rapide or the Porsche Panamera, it's still one of the most interesting 4-door supercar ever made and that noise in sports mode really hits the spot. It's also more fun to drive and you can ever do some powersliding in here.

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

But now, let's move to the brand new and even more interesting Maserati Quattroporte. It's the newest incarnation of Maserati's 4-door supercar that we all like and at first glance, it's still more like The Godfather Part II but with some added...um...added...hey, what was the name of that HBO drama series that was ended a few years ago? Sopranos? Okay, it's still more like The Godfather Part II but with some added Sopranos on it.

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

How? Well, enough about mafia stuff, let's talk about the design. For starters, the front looks more of the same but it feels like Fidel Castro's face being squished  by several pliers. Also, two kinds of Maserati badges showed up in the front. One in the hood, one in the grille. Same as the Maserati GranTurismo but really? Do you need two badges on the front? And then there's the back view which feels like it came from the Kia K7. Go ahead, when you see a Kia K7, park near to it and you might notice that both of their backs look more of the same. Hmmm...

2013 Maserati Quattroporte interior

Now, what about the interior? Judging by its new interior, it's pretty much well crafted and well tailored like an exotic Chinese dress for the long-legged or maybe is Angelina Jolie's gown as seen in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, perhaps? Well, whatever that is, it's still looking nicely for the brand new interior of the new Quattroporte. Also, there's this stereo system in which when you had some spare change, you can opt in for the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround System which features 15 speakers, 5 x 25mm aluminium dome tweeters, 5 x 100mm Kevlar midrange drivers, 2 x 165mm Kevlar bass/midrange drivers, 2 x 165mm Rohacell bass drivers, 1x 350x200mm racetrack subwoofer 16 channel Class D amplifier with a combined output 1,280W, and QuantumLogic Surround Sound processing. 

Sounds wonderful though, and what's amazing though that is has an available WLAN technology that effectively turns it into a rolling Wi-Fi HotSpot. With this, your boss at the back will spend most of the trips doing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with some hashtag nonsense. Yeah right, you might wanna leave as much hashtags you can while on the trip to Monte Carlo. He he he...

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

So, what about driving? If you were on the top-spec GTS version, it's still a a great car to drive on the open roads and on normal roads, as long as you're not fiddling with anything, it's still a comfortable premium saloon car. It was interesting but sadly, the fun doesn't last for long because the ride and handling doesn't have that "Ah!" factor so how about adding an extra ingredient? Four-wheel drive!

STOP: Four-wheel drive versions of the Quattroporte are available exclusively on the Left Hand Drive markets. Yes, really, the Quattroporte S Q4 is available only for selected Left Hand Drive markets.

The S Q4 version of the Quattroporte provides this 4-door supercar four-wheel drive so you can reach amazing angles and still rescue it but for a price, the 3.8 V8 engine was downgraded to a 3.0 V6 engine, which delivers 410PS of power, does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 176mph. Still, it was worth a shot against premium luxury German saloon cars with a top speed limited to 155mph so no worries for this one. Anyway, with the four wheel-drive, it becomes more forgiving and more enjoyable in the corners but sadly, it feels a bit more milder. It's too mild for a Quattroporte with four-wheel drive so you don't get the sensation flowing through your adrenaline so for a real challenge, let's go back to the GTS model because it has rear-wheel drive, 3.8L V8 engine that develops 530PS of power, and some added dynamism for some added challenge.

But still, whichever which version you're on, whether if its a rear-wheel drive GTS variant with a V8 engine or a four wheel drive S Q4, an 8-speed flappy-paddle gearbox is the only gearbox available for the new Quattroporte and although still a single-clutch rather than the too-common double clutch, it's worth on par with the best sport/luxury sedans in this segment but sadly, nothing's too perfect for this gearbox because it's still as complicating as the other Chrysler Group sedans wearing the same gearbox. Sigh...

Even though the gearbox is a bit of an issue for the new model because it's too much and the suspension noise that's more terrible to notice than checking your door for a power interruption notice on the next day, the new Quattroporte is still one of the most top notch premium sedans ever made and it sets a blistering pace against any two-tonne saloon that has any right to. It's still worth a try for a mafioso hitman to drive one or a chauffeur who turns out to be a former special ops.

Available colors: Nero, Bianco, Grigio Metallo, Bronzo Siena, Champagne, Nero Ribelle, Blu Passione, and Rosso Folgore.

Photo: Maserati

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

AD: TUNER FEST

If you're on the itch of finding one of the best tuner car shows in the Metro Manila, you might wanna consider TUNER FEST.

That's right, folks. TUNER FEST is known to be the BIGGEST and BADDEST car show in the north and it's coming at the Quezon City Circle this July 27, 2013. It's going to be fully loaded with some of the meanest modified cars as well as the mantra where "competition meets culture".

On this venue, three lucky participants will win an overnight stay for two at Coco Beach Island Resort at Puerto Galera.

Entry fee costs 1,500 Philippine Pesos.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

TAGBOND MIXER INVITATION

Tagbond is the newest referrals and rewards platform which is also what the press release said "an easier and simpler way to tag each other". It develops network with developers, startup founders, and community owners as well and this July 26, 2013, feel free to witness the debut of TAGBOND in the debut even called TAGBOND MIXER "Rewards Revolutionized. Referrals Reinvented".


This event marks Tagbond's debut and on this debut event, you'll get the chance to learn more about this newly-developed mobile and web application, find out how to maximize its QR code and NFC tech features for advertising purposes, and meet various businessmen and web developers.

No entrance fees plus free foods and drinks!

AD: Win Free Turbo Movie Tickets Courtesy of iHanapKotse.com

iHanapKotse.com is a new webiste that is dedicated to car buying and selling. And to further increase consumer knowledge on where to find their future car or dealers to showcase them, they are inviting you to join their promo that you get a chance to win movie tickets to watch Turbo.




Want movie tickets (one person gets two tickets)? Well, read these mechanics below:


  • Like iHanapKotse's Facebook page Click on this to redirect you.
  • Post this on your Facebook wall: "I want to win 2 tickets to see Turbo via iHanapKotse.com. You should join too!" http://bit.ly/10HUSll
  • Make sure your post is set on public
  • You only have until July 17 to join
  • Winners will be announced on July 18



If you have queries, please check out their website - http://www.ihanapkotse.com/title-win-2-tickets-to-see-turbo/ or contact them at (02) 625-8753.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Let's Do The News! (July 8, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and before that, hey, have you seen the "Cheche Lazaro Presents" documentary about how popular Be Careful With My Heart is and then how did Philippine soap operas changed the world forever since...um...hey, what was the first ever Philippine TV drama aired in history?

JC: Uh...I don't know...something about...um...I can't remember but all I know that the first ever radio drama in the Philippines was Gulong ng Palad...I don't know what year it was but I think it was from the last century, I think...

(audience laughing)

JM: Yeah, and I can't believe that for 60 years of Philippine Television, it seems that the whole soap opera or teleserye stuff became the stuff of legends most Filipinos stick to it every day and became part of their daily lives. Wouldn't you believe that some TV dramas in the Philippines in the past took two and a half years of its tenure like Mara Clara, Esperanza, and Pangako Sa 'Yo?

(ooohh)

JC: Yeah. Maybe it's because it's the production team that makes the stories go longer and longer and longer until the end of its tenure itself but then capture a wide audience anyway no matter the outcome. What puzzles me that why would the producers keep the TV dramas getting longer and longer by putting some more twists such as amnesias and other stuff that keeps it longer. I wonder what if some teleseryes in the past had a 7 month tenure rather than having two to four years of tenure...

(audience laughing)

JM: I don't know but...it's not worth tasty at all but because of the competition, most teleseryes of today keeps on getting better and better and better but for a price of the storyline. Maybe is it because of the TV drama's wide reception that keeps on going...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, thanks for asking James and ahem...what's this?

RH: Oh? This? This is a pic Disney Japan sent us...

Commodore Perry the Platypus?
(audience laughing)

JC: Who's this? Some duck-beaver hybrid?

RH: No Jeremy, that's a platypus. Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. Also known as Agent P, the animal agent. Anyway, there's been a stamp rally going on somewhere in Yokohama and if you don't know what that is, a stamp rally is where people go to a certain venue to stamp their book with rubber stamps. There's going to be loads of Perry goods for the lucky few and oh, there's a Perry the Platypus-themed shop for a limited time somewhere in Yokohama as well. It runs from July 13 to August 31, 2013.

JC: Stamp rally kinda feels like a scavenger hunt for us except when you see a stamp venue, you're going to stamp it in your stamp book, right?

RH: Exactly.

JC: Wow, this is going to be more challenging than our Top Gear Christmas Specials....

(audience laughing)

JC: Okay, a few months ago, Hiromi Hirata, the seiyuu who played Makoto Kikuchi in The iDOLM@STER game and anime series, announced her pregnancy. Now, Hirata-san, I heard, finally gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Her message says...

I received help from many people during my pregnancy until I gave birth, and I am very grateful. There are many things I want to talk about, but for now, my son is top priority...

(audience in silence)

RH: Nice going, you broke their brains. Speaking of which, did she showed up on the iM@S 8th Anniversary Concert HOP!STEP!!FESTIV@L!!! in Zepp Nagoya yesterday?

JC: Hmmm...Afraid not...You know her. She's been taking a rest after giving labor to her baby. That's why she isn't part of yesterday's concert. Only the fan favorites showed up in the concert, especially Eriko Nakamura, Asami Imai, and Akiko Hasegawa.

RH: Oh...

JC: Okay, James, you saw Despicable Me 2, right? You said it wasn't worth watching but it's more than enough. Right?

JM: Uh....

JC: Anyway, I just went on the internet and I saw one of their online extras from the movie and then it was the one with how many minions does it take to change a lightbulb. What's surprising that there was that online extra about that, where a minion just speak Tagalog...

(audience laughing)

JC: True! Here's the clip...



(audience laughing)

RH: Did the minion just spoke Tagalog?

JC: Yeah. I just heard words like "Ganito Na", "Win Pa", "Ikot Tara", and then "Tumalon". Heard that?

(audience laughing, then said yes)

JC: There you go. Even Gru's Minions can speak Tagalog. Despicable Noypi.

(audience laughing)

JC: Perhaps no wonder the minions kinda look like President Noynoy Aquino or Boy Abunda perhaps....Anyway, speaking of Tagalog, I just heard that there are some experts out there suggesting that the tagalog word for Philippines is Pilipinas should be called Filipinas instead. Hmmm... I don't know why but why would they want to rename the Pilipinas word from the letter P to the letter F?

(audience laughing)

JM: What does it sound like? Pilipinas or Filipinas? Don't know but that kind of proposal from the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) sure knows that they want to swap the letter F from the letter P. Some say, the use of Filipinas instead of Pilipinas recognizes the country's history and development as a nation. That reminds me, if that KWF really want to change from Pilipinas to Filipinas, I wonder if...

JC: What? Filipinos not going to use the letter P anymore and then replace if with the letter F because of the whole Filipinas-Pilipinas fiasco?

(audience laughing)

JC: Let's imagine. The word: Philippines. Because of that WKF's proposal, it should now be called "FHILIFFINES".

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh...That' can't be right. Okay, how about...Papa. Because of that, it's now been called FAFA.

(audience laughing)

RH: FAFA?!

JC: Whoa. No idea why would the KWF really want to change the whole Philippine linguistics by replacing P with F. Any words that starts with the P on it? Anyone?

(audience murmuring)

JM: Oh! Oh! I know! (imitates Jeremy) POWERRRRR!!!!!

(audience laughing)

JM: It's now...FOWERRRRR!!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: That sounds like flower to me. Can't believe they're turning us gay with this transition! It's about worse than spending the whole night watching My Husband's Lover! Anyone watch that?

(audience murmuring)

JC: If you saw that, then you'll know what it probably means.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, that is the end of the news...

JM: And oh! Volkswagen! Since their Polo got involved in the world of rallying, may I present you with this?

2014 Volkswagen Polo R WRC
RH: Yeah. First glance, it looks like a hot Polo but this is a road-legal version of the WRC machine. It's called the Polo R WRC and this is a homologation model that is limited to 2500 units worldwide.

JM: Yes. Even though this road-legal version is limited to 2500 units available, this is more of a powerful version of the Polo GTi but the engine that powers it was a 2.0L engine developing 220PS of power, which is more than the GTi and it can do 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds. That's a split second faster than the Golf GTi and it has a top speed of 151mph.

RH: It costs 33,900 Euros in Germany each and for an optional extra, there's an 18-inch Cagliari alloy wheels, bi-xenon lamps, sport seats, cruise control, light and rain sensor, winter package, and more. Well, for a road-legal version like this. I think this is well staggering.

Top Gear S20E02

Top Gear S20E02

For Episode 2 of BBC Top Gear Series 20, Jeremy Clarkson does a power test on one of the most insane British lightweights ever made, the BAC Mono, and when given to The Stig, it became Top Gear's 2nd fastest, with a lap time of 1:14.3, that's faster than the V8 Ariel Atom but slower than Pagani Huayra.

Meanwhile Richard Hammond enlisted help from touring car legends to find out which country makes the best taxis and yes, some carnage occurred in every corners. In the end, it turns out that the Indian Taxi is the best taxi in the world.

Then, director Ron Howard is the star in the brand new reasonably priced car, the 2013 Vauxhall Astra, and he did it in 1:49.9.

Also, James May gives a big farewell to the BBC Television Centre by turning the now-closed BBC Television Centre into a funhouse full of stunts galore! It's a dirt bike vs. Parkour free-runners race on the abandoned TV centre and in the end...the dirt bike won the race in a spectacular fashion. What a way to say goodbye to the BBC Television Centre!

And to end the episode, Jeremy Clarkson had a "leaping" good time on the Scottish province with Ferrari's brand new supercar, the F12berlinetta. Oh, some tennis balls are involved in the episode as well...

#gbpulubi

On the July 7, 2013 episode of Goin Bulilit:

- Anong pinagkaiba jokes

- Pulubi gags

- Goin Bulilit "shortens the story of "Ang Panday"

- A Taxi Stand - Taxi that stands up...LITERALLY SPEAKING!

- Goin Bulilit music video of Vice Ganda's Kara Karaka

- Bugoy tells us how much the expenses that costs us our minimum wage...

- Sleeping pills, a pill that sleeps...LITERALLY SPEAKING!

- A ghost is lurking around the house...

- A balanced diet is...a BALANCING meal...LITERALLY SPEAKING!

- Ready Get Set Goin in "Oh Yes! I'm The Grapes Pretender"

F1 2013 German GP

Even with Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes taking the Pole Position, he's still no match against Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who became the winner of this season's German GP held at the Nurburgring Grand Prix Circuit, his own hometurf. Such win led two racers from Lotus, Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, to 2nd and 3rd.

PRESS RELEASE:

Race - Vettel holds off Raikkonen charge for first home win

Sebastian Vettel finally won his home Grand Prix with a finely judged drive under intense pressure from the Lotuses of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean in Germany on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Bull driver grabbed the lead at the start after out-dragging polesitter Lewis Hamilton and fending off fast-starting team mate Mark Webber into the Nurburgring’s first corner. The world champion then controlled the pace as the first round of pit stops pushed Grosjean into a challenging position as the Frenchman ran a long opening stint for Lotus. 

Grosjean led laps nine to 13 after Vettel had made his first of three stops, and resumed the chase thereafter. But he lost his advantage over team mate Raikkonen after an almost comedic - but thankfully harmless - moment on the 24th lap. Jules Bianchi’s Marussia ground to a halt on the rise to the NGK chicane on the 22nd lap, momentarily catching fire, and two laps after the Frenchman had abandoned it there - and before the marshals had recovered it - the red and black car began to roll slowly back down the hill, across the track. 

Mercifully, nobody was approaching at the time, but the safety car was deployed and did not go in until the end of the 29th lap, with racing resuming on the 30th tour.

The safety-car period hampered Grosjean, but helped Webber. The Australian had been waved back out too soon after his first pit stop on the ninth lap, and his right-rear wheel became detached, bouncing down the pit lane. It subsequently struck FOM cameraman Paul Allen on his left-hand side, knocking him to the ground. He remained conscious and was treated at the medical centre before being helicoptered to Koblenz Hospital for observation.

Webber lost a lap before restarting, but was waved past the safety car to make up that lap before the race was allowed to restart.

By that stage Vettel had both Lotuses on his tail, and the fight was on. First it was Grosjean who launched the attack prior to his final pit stop on the 40th lap. Vettel stopped on the 41st, leaving Raikkonen to build a lead until he stopped, for soft Pirellis, on the 49th lap. With both Vettel and Grosjean on well-worn mediums, that clever split strategy from Lotus should have proved conclusive, but it took the Finn a while to catch and pass his team mate, who eventually let him by approaching the chicane on the 55th lap.

Raikkonen got the hammer down and closed down a two-second gap, but he ran out of time to launch a final attack and Vettel’s Red Bull crossed the line a second ahead of the Finn’s Lotus. 

Behind them, Fernando Alonso’s stealthy race for Ferrari, which unlike the majority of the top 10 had started on the medium tyres, brought him to Grosjean’s tail in the closing stages. He had stayed on mediums for most of the race until taking softs on the 53rd lap for the last stint. At one stage it seemed a formality that he would pass the second Lotus, but Grosjean held on for a much-needed podium finish.

Hamilton’s was a tough race, in which he lost a lot of time trapped behind Nico Hulkenberg’s well-driven Sauber, but he was as feisty as ever as he hauled himself back to fifth place, passing the McLarens of Sergio Perez, then Jenson Button, in the closing stages.

Hamilton’s old team was back to its usual form with a great strategic race in which Button started on mediums, Perez on softs. The two raced each other wheel-to-wheel at times, but it was Button who had the upper hand this time as he took sixth. Perez couldn’t resist a charging Webber in the final laps, but finished eighth ahead of Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, whose qualifying woes were reflected in a tough race which brought him a deeply disappointing ninth ahead of Hulkenberg, who showed top form.

Paul di Resta beat Force India team mate Adrian Sutil on the latter’s home ground, leading home Daniel Ricciardo’s Toro Rosso which faded early and became mired in the midfield battle. Sutil and Sauber’s on-form Esteban Guttierez were 13th and 14th respectively, with the Williamses of Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas showing improved form to mix it with all of the midfield before finishing 15th and 16th.

Charles Pic brought his Caterham home 17th after a long fight with fast-starting team mate Giedo van der Garde, as Marussia’s Max Chilton was the final finisher. Besides Bianchi, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa retired after only three laps with an odd-looking spin going into Turn 1, while Jean-Eric Vergne pitted his Toro Rosso on lap 22 with hydraulic problems and did not continue.

The result increases Vettel’s points score to 157 with Alonso on 123 from Raikkonen on 116, Hamilton 99, Webber 93 and Rosberg 84. In the constructors’ stakes, Red Bull have 250 to Mercedes’ 183, with Ferrari third on 180, Lotus on 157, Force India on 59 and McLaren on 49.

Two incidents remained under stewards' investigation after the race: Webber's unsafe release with the errant wheel at Red Bull, and an unsafe release of Force India's Di Resta into the path of Vergne.

Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/7/14782.html

NEXT STOP: Hungary this July 28!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Audi A3 Sportback (Typ 8V) and S3 Sportback (Typ 8V)

2014 Audi A3 Sportback

This is an Audi A3, the new model, and what this is is an all new 5-door model of the new model, called the A3 Sportback. As far as I am thinking, the three door model of the new A3 is kinda more of a Volkswagen Golf for unnecessary selfies because of its fancy gizmos and a bigger price tag.and the same kind of stuff goes for the new five-door model. However, I'm not really sure why I call this one a VW Golf for people carrying a Louis Vuitton bag.

Starting at the pricing and with the cost of 22,500 Euros, which is almost 4,000 more than the standard 5-door Volkswagen Golf and of course, you can expect the same engine choices as the 3-door model; such as the 1.8 TFSi engine which develops 180HP of power, a 1.4 TFSi engine that develops 140HP of power, a 1.6 TDi engine, and a 2.0 TDi engine developing 150PS of power. But...there's a catch up because there's now an uprated version of the 2.0 TDi engine which now develops 184PS of power and 380Nm of torque.

2014 Audi A3 Sportback

Thing is though, the new Sportback version adds 35mm of its wheelbase, which is more than its 3-door equivalent, and also the boot's increased to 380 liters, which is somewhat similar from its VW Golf and Seat Leon cousins. Very nice though. Also, because this is a 5-door model, this isn't the Audi A3 for the selfies, it's made for the socialites who want to spend some time with his friends at the mall, the bar, the country club, or whatever for a socialite having a blowout with his friends. Sadly though, because of its pricing, this is more of a selfie car with 5-doors rather than a normal 5-door hatchback made for someone who has friends.

2014 Audi A3 Sportback interior

Another problem for this 5-door A3 Sportback made for so-called selfies is that because of its added doors, added wheelbase, and the added boot space, it now weighs 30kg more than its 3-door equivalent so when it comes to being a "sport" hatchback, it's not quite as sporty as its 3-door cousin. You can expect a fair amount of understeer as you corner and oh! I haven't got myself to the big demerit and that's about an optional sport suspension. Although the sport suspension adds more agility to the A3 Sportback, this is about as stressful as flipping tables when you're angry. Best to avoid that if you're having osteoporosis or if you had back aches because this optional sport suspension makes your back pain even worse.

Still, could be worse. You might be end up winding in one of these...

2014 Audi S3 Sportback

2014 Audi S3 Sportback

Welcome everyone to the new S3 Sportback and yes, most of you asking that this is more of a Golf GTi with a fancier name and a bigger price tag and it was...

It costs 39,800 Euros and what you expect is the same dynamics as its 3-door equivalent, the added wheelbase, the added doors, the added doors, the added weight, the same 2.0L turbo engine, the same 6-speed double clutch transmission, on and on and on and giggity giggity goo. Anyway, forget about the giggity giggity goo because this isn't a hot hatch for wired freaks who spend two days drinking too much caffeine, it's a bit more than that.

Like the three-door version, the S3 Sportback continues to be a wild one, it's still the S3 I know, far from being one of the most powerful 2-litre hot hatch you can buy but because the new A45 AMG from Mercedes-Benz develops over 360HP, the new S3 Sportback can't catch up to its standards because it develops over 300HP of power and 280lb-ft of torque. And because this is heavier than the 3-door S3, 0-60mph takes about 4.8 seconds and top speed normally limited to 155mph.

In terms of being an all-rounder, there is also a big demerit on the Sportback version and it's not quite a character building machine because of the poor feedback of the power steering. It feels like you're struggling to twist a very tight nut with your pliers and it keeps getting harder and harder until the nuts gets loose. Even when you're driving like a wired freak, it still not quite as wired as the M135i or the A45 AMG. It's not quite a thriller but the S3 Sportback tries to balance out the right things and the wrong things.

Choosing which of these two is not quite easy because even though the A3 Sportback and its sportier version, the S3 Sportback, were made to look like posh Golfs for the socialites, they're still acting like a bunch of selfies so in the meantime, I would rather go back to the Golf GTi instead because its cheaper than the S3 and has loads of enjoyment only a selfie would drive...almost.

Photo: Audi AG