Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 Minor Change

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Since its introduction at the year 2007, the third-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class (designated under its chassis code W204) became a notoriety against the likes of the BMW 3-Series sedan and wagon. With the rise of the Audi A4 B8, it seems that the popularity of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 is fading away not until on 2011, the third-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan and tourer received their much-awaited minor change, which is loaded with a new face derived from its E-Class brother, and a new interior that matches the qualification of a true Benz.



With its new face lift, the new W204 C-Class gained its much-awaited features such as idling stop system (allows the engine to be shut off automatically when the car stops, available at some models), 7G-tronic transmission for entry-level variants, and the new Comand APS system. The Comand APS system acts like a command center on the new C-Class; communication, navigation, and entertainment are the perfect balance on the Comand APS system.



There are several engines available on the W204 minor change to choose from, depending on which lifestyles will suit you. The C180 BlueEfficiency model has a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, capable of producing 156ps/5000rpm of power, 250 Nm/1600-4200rpm of torque and the fuel economy of 6.7L/100 km combined on a 6-speed manual transmission. The 7G-TRONIC PLUS variant on the C180 BlueEfficiency has a fuel economy of 6.4L/100 km combined. The Benz C200 BlueEfficiency has a choice of a 6-speed manual and 7G-TRONIC PLUS variant. It uses the same 1.8L 4-cylinder engine but with the improved power output of 184 PS. The C250 BlueEfficiency has 204 PS of power in the same 1.8L 4-cylinder engine. C350 BlueEfficiency offers 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive and 7G-Tronic Plus transmission. It offers a power output of 306ps/6500rpm and 370Nm/3500rpm of torque output.



For diesel car customers, the C180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, C200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, and C250 CDI (4MATIC) BlueEFFICIENCY variants are also offered no mater which body styles you're on, the sedan or the tourer variant. Most are equipped with the 4-cylinder CRDi diesel engines and they are Euro V compliant. For the hardcore diesel customers, there's the C300 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY and C350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY available this summer 2011. Both of these were equipped with the V6 CRDi diesel engine for added power, less emissions.



My thoughts about the C-Class:

Mercedes-Benz's real entry-level luxury sedan, the C-Class W204, is back for another round and for its latest minor change, can the new C-Class W204 step up from its competitors such as the BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS, Audi A4, and Lexus IS? I hope CATS Motors bring the latest minor change of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204 soon but expect only gasoline-fed variants. The diesel-fed variants are not fit for our country because we're still a Euro 3 compliant country.



Photo: Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Minor Change

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate

The high-performance Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (based on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class W204, now on its minor change), in sedan and tourer variants, received its much awaited minor change but retains the same 6.2 L M156 V8 AMG engine. I thought that the C63 AMG minor change would use the 5.5L V8 twin turbo engine as seen on the new CLS63 AMG but Benz retains the 6.2L V8 engine on the C63 AMG minor change without reason.



The 6.2 L M156 V8 AMG engine on the C63 AMG produces 457ps/6800rpm of power output, 600 Nm/5000rpm of torque output, armed with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission with the "Controlled Efficiency" mode, top speed of 250km/h, 0-100km in 4.5 seconds and Euro V compliant. The optional AMG Performance package provides the C63 AMG sedan and tourer an improved power output of 487 PS and 0-100km in 4.4 seconds.



My comment:

It's a shame that AMG didn't use the 5.5L BiTurbo engine to the C63 AMG and retain the 6.2 L M156 V8 AMG on it. Why would they do this? More style, less oomph for the new C63 AMG. Despite the same engine, the new aggressive exterior and the new interior makes us forgive them for their heinous crime they commit. It pays to make them apologize for not making the new C63 AMG turbocharged.



Photo: Daimler AG

Hyundai Accent RB caught in the act on an XXX episode!

Anthony Taberna and the XXX crew
uses the Hyundai Accent RB for their
entrapment plan

Hyundai Accent RB on an XXX episode

Ay sus! Maryano ka inggo! It appears that the Guys License Hyundai Accent RB caught in the act in an XXX (Explosibong Exclusibong Expose) episode since May 16, 2011. This Hyundai Accent RB was used to catch the fake priest!

The Hyundai Accent RB was not just a Guys License, it's the ultimate entrapment car against crooks around the Metro, especially fake priests! No wonder the law enforcement, the XXX crew, and ABS-CBN news anchor Anthony Taberna used the Hyundai Accent RB as one of their elaborate entrapment plan to catch a fake priest named "Father Flores" and bring him to justice!

Now I understand, the Hyundai Accent RB is not just a Guy's License, it's the ultimate entrapment tool used by law enforcements and the crew of XXX. Sus, maryano ka inggo!

I saw the Audi A7 earlier!

Here's a little scoop. While me and my family went grocery shopping at Costco Warehouse, I bumped into the appearance of the new Audi A7 Sportback. The model I encountered earlier was an Audi A7 3.0T and it's supercharged! Wow!

Wish I want to experience more about the Audi A7...

Anyway, while grocery shopping at Costco...

Whoa, strange things happened at Costco, especially Pepsi's Limited Edition Pepsi Throwback which sports a retro Pepsi labeling in a can that dates back years ago. Retro packaging, huh?

The selection in Costco looks nice, much like Safeway and Walmart indeed.

They offer the finest tires from Bridgestone, Michelin, and BF Goodrich.

I even got myself a first scoop of a triple scoop ice cream! This reminds me of a "dirty ice cream" back at the Philippines.

Some stupidity at the swimming pool Banana Split wants you to avoid it

You know, it's okay to have fun at a swimming pool at some resort you visited during hot summer days. However, there are some things that is not okay at the swimming pool. Here at Banana Split, we avoid something that is O.A. On the May 17, 2011 episode, we showcased three stupid things we want you to stop it so we can't shout the words "ANG O.A. MO!" to you! Like for instance;

1) Geared with floats if you're afraid to swim

Geared for floating!

2) You used the car's tires as salbabida!

Using tyres as salbabida!

3) As a lifeguard, you mistaken them for drowning!

"I'm not drowning, you idiot!"

Promise Banana Split not to do it? If done again...

ANG O.A. MO!

Hayate no Gotoku Heaven is a Place on Earth showing on late August 2011! Negima Anime Final also showing on the same date! OH MY!

NegiHaya movie poster! orz

Oh my gosh! The upcoming Hayate no Gotoku (Hayate the Combat Butler) movie titled "Hayate no Gotoku Heaven is a Place On Earth" is slated to show in theaters this late August 27, in time before summer ends. However, there is a huge twist; the upcoming Mahou Sensei Negima movie titled "Mahou Sensei Negima! Anime Final" is slated to premiere in theaters the same day as Hayate no Gotoku Heaven is a Place on Earth premieres! OH MY!

I felt disgraced seeing two of my all-time favorites spawn theatrical movie versions and set to be head-to-head for the August 27, 2011 premiere! I had to remember that Mahou Sensei Negima is a manga series serialized in Kodansha's Shonen Magazine and it spawned an anime version in 2005, revised in late 2006 (under the title Negima!?), and later a live-action drama since late 2007. Hayate the Combat Butler, on the other hand, is one of the most successful titles serialized in Shogakukan's Shonen Sunday. It spawned as an anime version since 2007 and later gained a second season in Spring 2009. The drama version in Taiwan is yet to be released soon.

Let's just say both of my favorites are rivals and this will be "Sunday vs. Magazine" all over again since the Sunday vs. Magazine happened in 2009. This would be troublesome to see my favorites clashing over for the box office hits!

Check out the special site:

http://www.negihaya.com/

Both the Hayate movie and the Negima movie slated for late August premiere! Which one will score?

2012 Toyota Isis gains new face, adds three new colors

2012 Toyota Isis

Well, Toyota's JDM minivan, the Isis, seems to be aging for the past seven years since it was first launched in late 2004 and gained a major face lift in 2007. Now on its 2012 Model Year, the Toyota Isis received a new face that keeps this aging minivan updated.

Also, the 2012 Isis adds three new colors; Silky Gold Mica Metallic, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, and Black, ranging from a total of eight colors.

A new variant called the Toyota Isis Platana V SELECTION is added for style.

Expect nothing changed on the Isis' 1.8L 2ZR-FAE and 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engines with Valvematic.

Scoop:

http://www2.toyota.co.jp/jp/news/11/05/nt11_0508.html

I think there's a possibility of an unavoidable delay of delivery that occurred from the recently launched Prius Alpha MPV.

Goin Bulilit goes to Palawan!

A special Goin Bulilit episode aired since May 15, 2011, got all the Bulilits messing up the beautiful scenery of Palawan!

Goin Bulilit goes to Palawan!

so...what just happened?

- Goin Bulilit music video of Vhong Navarro's Pamela, with lyrics edited with everything Palawan-related!

- Underground River jokes

I don't want to go inside the cave!

Eewww... Bat droppings!

- Payabangan ng mga bangkero

Payabangan ng mga bangkero

- Chacha as "Nora the Explorer" tells more on the beautiful Palawan Underground River

Nora the Explorer visits the
underground river

- Resort jokes

What a nice place

- Sports Limited explores more on snorkeling and ziplines

- Use it in a sentence jokes!

1) Palawan - Mali ako ng number na pinili. Hindi pala two, dapat PALAWAN!

2) Coron - Alam nyo, pagdating sa Maynila, pinagkakaguluhan ako! Sikat a-CORON!

3) Tamilok - Di ka kasi tumitingin sa nilalakaran mo, na-TAMILOK ka tuloy!

4) Tubbataha - Hindi naman ako nagpapatawa ah! Bakit TUBBATAHA ka?

5) Culion - Masyadong magastos yung girlfriend ko! Walang ibang alam sabihin kundi, bilmo-CULION, bilmo-CULION!

6) Balabac - Ayaw kong pumunta sa lugar nyo! BALABAC ang daan!

7) Busuanga - Wag kang maglalabas sa gabi! Baka mapagkamalang BUSUANGA!

8) Sabang - Namumuro ka na! SABANG pagkakamali mo, sisipain na kita!

9) Iwahig - Kambal ba kayo? Kasi magka-IWAHIG kayo eh!

10) Luli - Wala akong kaibigan! Ang lungkot ko! I'm so LULI!

- A special Ready Get Set Goin on the Palawan special called Palawan for all, all for Palawan! The first game is BOAT RACE KANG BATA KA!

Boat Race kang bata ka!

See you guys next week for part two!

I miss Muntinlupa City....

Ever since me and my family stayed at Seattle for almost three years, it feels like I miss my days at Muntinlupa City, Philippines...

I'll share you some of my pics when I was at Muntinlupa City, Philippines.

These pictures were taken years ago but it's surely brings back my Muntinlupa memories...

Morning vs. Spark

2012 Kia Morning

2011 GM Korea Chevrolet Spark

Yes, both of these fuel-efficient compacts were made in South Korea. The Kia Morning was made in Seosan, South Korea, while the Chevrolet Spark, in the other hand, was made in Changwon, South Korea. For the fact, the Kia Morning is now on its second-generation model while the Chevrolet Spark is the new name of the GM Daewoo Matiz Creative since the GM Daewoo name was replaced into GM Korea Company, using the Chevrolet brand as their front. The Spark was arrived in the Philippines a few months ago while we are still waiting when will Columbian Autocar Corporation bring the second-generation Morning as the new Picanto (2nd half of this year perhaps?). Let's tackle both of these Korean made compacts and try to figure which fits my discriminative taste.

CASE ONE:

First of all, the second-generation Kia Morning (known worldwide as the Picanto) takes center stage in the compact category since it was debuted in late January 2011. Come to think of it, the design looks more matured since the first generation but to me the round shape on the new exterior looks more bubbly and chubby, making it one big fat compact car others wouldn't know what comes next. Under the hood, the new Morning is equipped with the Kappa MPI 1.0L engine that produces 82ps/6400rpm and in terms of fuel economy, the 4-speed automatic variant can go for about 19km/L while the 5-speed manual transmission goes to about 22km/L.

CASE TWO:

As always said, the Chevrolet Spark from Hankook GM (GM Korea Company) is the new name of GM Daewoo Matiz Creative as part of replacing the highly criticized GM Daewoo Auto and Technology name into Hankook GM (GM Korea Company), using the internationally-acclaimed Chevrolet as a primary brand in Korea. Other cars from GM Daewoo such as the Damas van, Labo truck, and the premium sedan Alpheon (based on the second-generation Buick LaCrosse) retains under unique brands. Anyway, enough what I said, the Chevrolet Spark offers the best design only this compact hatchback can achieve, unlike its rival, the second-generation Kia Morning, which has some weird bubbly and chubby look. The Spark offers two engine types; a 1.0L DOHC petrol engine and a 1.0L LPGi engine that runs on Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The 1.0L DOHC petrol engine produces 70ps/6,400rpm of power output and with a 5-speed manual, it goes for about 21.0km/L of fuel economy. The 4-speed automatic transmission equipped on the Spark can go for about 17.0km/L.

OK, so I admit it. The Spark is more stylish than the new Morning/Picanto while the new Morning/Picanto is more fuel efficient than the Chevrolet Spark made from Hankook GM.

Prius α (Alpha) throws in some spectacular light show

While we salivated over the MPV version of the Toyota Prius, the Prius α (Alpha), launched since May 13 but delivery takes place in Spring 2012, we can't help until we wait for a year. However, Toyota throws in some kind of spectacular light show for the Japanese TV advert of the Prius α (Alpha), known in the North America as Prius V (for 5-seater α) and in Europe as Prius+ "Plus" (for 7-seater α).

Spectacular to see a spectacular light show with the Prius α but for us, we'll have to wait a little further until next year for the Prius α to come at our doorsteps while Toyota is recovering from the effects caused from the "March 11 sinking of Tohoku" and we're mourning our poor predicament. Speaking of which, we'll have to wait a little longer when will the Prius Alpha hits the Philippines soon.

Rate Ko: 4.5/5

More new problemas...

Aside from Angelica Panganiban back after her long weekend at America, what just happened at the May 14 episode of Banana Split?

- HOT ISSUE!

- street vending jokes

- Melai got sucked into the world of "Mula sa Puso" as Olivia "Via" Perrera where she meets two men from Mula sa Puso such as Gabriel and Michael. To win her heart, Aling Magda told them for a challenge; the one with the most water in pale will win Via's heart and the only way to do that...MULA SA POSO!

Melai as Olivia from Mula sa Puso

There's a masking tape in your face,
Inang Magda.

Gabriel and Michael gone MULA SA POSO!

- Think you solved a complicating problem? Think again because the problem you solved created another complicated problem!

Major Problem

Ryan Bang as Major Problem determines another samples of problems that once solved caused another problems in NEW PROBLEMA!

Case One: You paid the fine to the cop because you violated the one-way traffic but the cop found out that you paid him with fake money!

Violated a one-way traffic

Case Two: Your phone got low-batt and you're borrowing someone else's phone to call to but later the phone you borrowed from someone got snatched by some snatcher!

Calling on someone else's phone

Case Three: You asked someone to repair you car but after you thank them for car repairs, they're turned out to be carnappers because they want your car!

Thanks for repairing my car

- some dances

- and a game of Just Draw It!