Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The 21st Century Beetle from Volkswagen

It became an iconic phenomenon since its first made in the 1930's and it garnered tons of nicknames such as Kafer, Fusca, Bug, Buba, Kabuto-mushi, or Pendong, This car made it as part of pop culture as Herbie or the original Bumblebee from the old Transformers cartoons. It even spawned its own version for the younger generation in 1997 as the New Beetle. Now, the arrival of the 21st Century Beetle truly shocked the world that the bug is back to stand out the crowd. This "new" generation Volkswagen Beetle is no longer your grandparents' Beetle of yesteryears and now, this new bug's ready to go to work.


2012 Volkswagen The Beetle



2012 Volkswagen The Beetle


The exterior design of the 21st Century Beetle looks scrumptious, juicy, tender, crispy, and more like a Porsche 911 Carrera. Once you look at the outside of the 21st Century Beetle's exterior, you can't resist its temptation of its cool beauty. That cool beauty comes from its cue design that is somewhat inspired from the 2005 Volkswagen Ragster Concept car and it uses the PQ35 platform lifted from the Volkswagen Jetta. With this platform, the 21st Century Beetle is now longer than the previous "New Beetle" because of the 4,278mm length.


2012 Volkswagen The Beetle interior


The previous New Beetle's interior looks somewhat rubbish and I don't like the way how I feel inside. It's like watching daytime television or letting kids watching cartoons on Saturday evenings. Now, on the 21st Century Beetle's interior, it looks more like its ready for some Saturday Night Live! It packs pace, shows character, and above all else, it looks luxurious. The best part about the 21st Century Beetle's interior is the new Fender Sound System. You probably familiar about Fender as the brands behind the mega popular Jazz Bass and Mustang. Yes, you should be familiar that these guitars are popularized on the anime K-ON! About the Fender Sound System, it produces clear sound quality and it was so clear, we recommend listening to character songs of K-ON's Mio Akiyama and Azusa Nakano while driving the 21st Century Beetle at the Shutokou, Autobahn, or Route 66. I mean hey, this is the best time to sing "Don't Say Lazy" while taking a road trip with the 21st Century Beetle!

The 1.2L TSi engine equipped on The Beetle produces 105PS/5,000rpm of power output and 175Nm/1,550rpm of torque output. This helps the car reach 0-100kph in 10.9 seconds and achieving the top speed of 180kph. Meanwhile, the 2.0L TSi engine equipped on The Beetle produces 200PS/5,100rpm of power output and 280Nm/1,700rpm of torque output. This helps the car reach 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds and achieving the top speed of 223kph. On The Beetle 1.2L TSi variant, it is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission but on The Beetle 2.0L TSi variant, it is mated with the 6-speed DSG transmission packed with Manual Mode. These engines were only the beginning because the 1.4L TSI, 1.6L TDi, and a 2.0L TDi engines will follow shortly.

The Beetle offers host of driving aids that help the driver navigate correctly and safely such as Bi-Xenon headlights, Electronic Stability Program, and ParkPilot for effective reverse parking.

Depending on the variant; Beetle, Design, and Sport, The 21st Century Beetle comes in 11 color variations such as Candy-Weiß, Denim Blue, Saturn Yellow, Schwarz, Tornadorot, Moon Rock Silver Metallic, Platinum Grey Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Reflexsilber Metallic, Toffeebraun Metallic, and Deep Black Perleffekt.

My comment:

No longer the old Beetle from your grandparents' ages, the 21st Century Beetle is now made to be more retro-futuristic because of its seductive looks, refined interior, Fender Sound System that yells "Don't Say Lazy" while driving, list of engines, and the sizing that made it obvious to have one if you had it with the previous model.

I'm impressed that this new model always stick to its global market availability we're hoping that the 21st Century Beetle will hit the Philippines soon and thanks to Ayala Group gearing up for Volkswagen's return to the Philippines, we might have a chance but let's be patient...

Photo: Volkswagen

Takeri

2011 Mazda Takeri Concept


To be on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the year, the Mazda Takeri concept follows the tradition of the new Kodo -Soul of Motion- design philosophy that was applied on the Mazda Shinari Concept last year. Needless to say that this concept sedan looks as good as the Shinari and the SKYACTIV technology fits well to provide three steps; idling stop, regenerative braking, and electric drive technology that we get from hybrids.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

My favorite Chevys - 100 years from now (Part Two)

Ok, now for numbers 11 to 20 in the list of my 100 favorite Chevrolet cars of all kinds in tribute to the brand's 100th anniversary. Let's start!

11) Chevrolet Corvette C6.R - This C6 Corvette is a heavy contender at the Le Mans. There is a much fun fact that it gained a class victory at the 2011 24 Hours of Nurburgring in GTE-Am class.

Chevrolet Corvette C6-R

12) Jeff Gordon #24 Impala - A #24 Impala Stock Car driven by one of the most famous NASCAR racers in history, Jeff Gordon. This 2010 version is particularly the most memorable Impala Stock Car I have ever saw because I tried it on Gran Turismo 5. I guess I have to owe Mr. Jeff Gordon a big thanks.

2010 Jeff Gordon #24 Impala

13) Chevrolet Cruze WTCC Touring Car - The Chevrolet Cruze has been proven to be quite successful as a WTCC touring car. It was so successful, they even won the Manufacturer's World Title twice!

Chevrolet Cruze Touring Car

14) Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C3) Race Car '63 - The Chevrolet Corvette C6.R may be a great racer but the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C3) Race Car from the 1960's is highly memorable.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C3) Race Car

15) FLM09 - Okay, we all know that this Le Mans Prototype is not a Chevy but why we call this Le Mans Prototype a Chevy? Good point because when I played Forza Motorsport 4, I notice these three FLM09 racecars at the Chevrolet showroom. I questioned myself that what the heck are those and then I said that these FLM09 racecars are equipped with V8 engines sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette and these FLM09 racecars are built for the American Le Mans Series. The most memorable was the Chevrolet #55 Level 5 Motorsports Oreca FLM09 because last year, this FLM09 prototype won its first ALMS championships (team, driver, and rookie).

FLM09

16) Chevrolet Lacetti WTCC - before the Cruze, there was its predecessor, the Lacetti or Optra, which was sourced from South Korea as the GM Daewoo Lacetti right before its full model change in 2008 as the Lacetti Premiere. When I looked upon this Chevrolet Optra/Lacetti Touring Car, this racer goes like nothing what I have expect for the city-class compact sedan.

Chevrolet Lacetti Touring Car

17) 2010 Juan Montoya #42 Impala - Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the best Formula One racers in history aside from the legendary Michael Schumacher. However, in 2006, this former Formula One racer takes on NASCAR. It might seem to be a regal shocker but with Juan Pablo Montoya's participation in NASCAR, his skills are getting better and better. In 2009, he steps inside the Impala Stock Car and he is part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time of his life but on that season, he placed 8th but that's okay because he established his position as one of the best NASCAR racers in history.

2010 Juan Montoya #42 Impala

18) 2010 Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Impala - Like father, like son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. tries to succeed as his father, Dale Earnhardt, who holds the record of 7 NASCAR championships right before he died in a 2001 Daytona 500 accident. When his father died, Dale Earnhardt Jr. steps into the limelight and his popularity rose not just in NASCAR but into other sports and entertainment as well. He fought alongside with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, which in fact the champion of Chevrolet works teams, and he gained his first win after a 76 race blank. However, his skills is not as impressive as his father but he gained a podium finish in 2010. His Impala Stock Car with National Guard sponsorship really hits the spot but why sponsoring with a military organization? Beats me...

2010 Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Impala

19) Chevrolet Corvette C5.R - The fifth generation Corvette is somewhat memorable and this race-spec version was a big fighter in the motorsports world right before it was succeeded by the Corvette C6.R.

Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

20) 2010 Jimmie Johnson #48 Impala - I never thought that a NASCAR racer like Jimmie Johnson learned the tips and tricks from Jeff Gordon, who apparently the team owner of Jimmie Johnson's #48 Impala Stock Car. It seems that these two know each other very well. Jimmie Johnson won 47 races since his debut in 2002 and he became a 4-year Sprint Cup champion since 2006. This number 48 Impala Stock Car grabbed the attention and mostly the LOWE'S sponsorship on the side and back, which makes it an obvious fact that he teams up with some kind of a hardware store like LOWE'S. I think that this is one of the most majestic Impala Stock Cars in NASCAR history, especially Jimmie Johnson himself, who became the "it" racer in NASCAR history.

2010 Jimmie Johnson #48 Impala

...to be continued in Part Three of my list...

Monday, October 24, 2011

MY OH MY! IDOLM@STER itashas of Toyota's Prius α (Alpha) and Vitz!

2012 Toyota Prius Alpha with IDOLM@STER itasha
(credit: DENGEKI ONLINE)


2012 Toyota Vitz 1.3F Smart Stop Package itasha edition
with IDOLM@STER's Makoto Kikuchi
(credit: DENGEKI ONLINE)

Auto Salon AMLUX Tokyo, the biggest shopping mall for all things Toyota, had showcased two IDOLM@STER itasha versions of the Toyota Prius α (Alpha) MPV and the third-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris hatchback from October 22 to November 30, 2011.

For the IDOLM@STER itasha Prius Alpha, all the 765PRO girls are featured, but on the IDOLMASTER itasha Vitz, it only feautred Makoto Kikuchi, which is nice. These IDOLM@STER itasha versions of both the Prius Alpha and the Vitz really has hopes to reach the demographics between otakus and car enthusiasts alike.

Because the launch date of the Playstation3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 draws near, this title will stop at nothing to capture the biggest slice of it. We like these itashas...

Audi Q5 Hybrid


2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid



2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid interior


Audi's first hybrid crossover, the Q5 Hybrid, is a bonafide eco car that competes against the Lexus RX Hybrid and because this hybrid crossover has progressed, it has made to look better, feel better, and perform better than its Japanese rival. Why? The Audi Q5 Hybrid combines performance and economy because of the turbocharged 2.0L engine, the 8-speed tiptronic transmission, and the capability to go from 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds with the top speed of 225kph, unlike the Lexus RX Hybrid, which has a very redundant CVT, 3.5L V6 non-turbo engine, and the will to go from 0-100kph in 7.8 seconds with the top speed of 200kph. Benefited from its turbo engine equipped on the hybrid layout, the Audi Q5 Hybrid really is a progressed hybrid that takes on hybrid conventions that others found out to be dull, boring, and rubbish.

One of the subject, however, is the ecology. If the Lexus RX Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 15.9km/L (6.3L/100km), the Audi Q5 Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 14.5km/L (6.9L/100km), meaning that this Ingolstadt-based hybrid has a 1.4km/L gap behind the Fukuoka-made hybrid crossover. Also, the Audi Q5 Hybrid has a CO2 emissions of 159g/km, which is somewhat has a decent gap over the Lexus RX Hybrid's CO2 emissions of 145g/km. Even when both of them are Euro 5 compliant, these two have something good at these categories.

Okay, enough comparing with the Audi Q5 Hybrid against the Lexus RX Hybrid. This sounds a little bit complicating for the car enthusiasts who are looking for luxury hybrid crossovers. Let's see how to distinguish the differences between the Q5 Hybrid and the original Q5 in terms of exterior and interior. You might be easy enough to distinguish the Q5 Hybrid thanks to the "hybrid" badges on the side view and rear view, single-frame grille painted in high-gloss black, 19-inch wheels, and chrome exhaust pipes. On the interior, there is a different instrumental panel that says "charge", "efficiency", and "power" at the left side of the tachometer. With such differences, you are sure enough to know that this is the Q5 Hybrid.

Now for the color variation. The Audi Q5 Hybrid is available in 14 exterior colors such as Amethystgrau Metallic, Arktissilber Metallic, Cuvéesilber Metallic, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Mondscheinblau Metallic, Monsungrau Metallic, Monzasilber Metallic, Quarzgrau Metallic, Teakbraun Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Granatrot Perleffekt, Lavagrau Perleffekt, and Phantomschwarz Perleffekt.

My comment:

It's so nice to see a turbocharged hybrid crossover like the Audi Q5 Hybrid because its philosophy is to combine ecology and performance on this hybrid crossover that performs well than the Lexus RX Hybrid but performance is what the Q5 Hybrid's good at because the Lexus RX Hybrid does quite well at the ecology side.

Photo: AUDI A.G.

YOUR NEXT LEVEL - GM Korea Chevrolet Malibu's TV ads

GM Korea's Chevrolet Malibu doesn't come out at the dealerships until early next month but GM Korea Company launched two new commercials for the Korean-spec Chevrolet Malibu, adapting the slogan "YOUR NEXT LEVEL" because this medium sedan has progressed to its world level.




With European engineering and dynamic Camaro cue design, the 2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Malibu really is an impressive medium sedan that competes against the Hyundai YF Sonata, Kia K5, and the Renault Samsung SM5. Of course, it doesn't arrive in North America until Spring 2012 as a 2013 model year, way after the Super Bowl season, but the all new Chevrolet Malibu is the first to arrive in South Korea this year. This eighth generation model marks its Korean debut courtesy of GM Korea Company as the replacement to the highly criticized Daewoo Tosca.

Because this was made in Bupyeong, South Korea, there is high hopes that this new model will come to the Philippines soon if The Covenant Car Company Inc. has the chance.

Speaking of which, I am familiar with that song played on this Korean Chevrolet Malibu (쉐보레 말리부) TV Commercial. The title is Sunday Morning by MAROON 5. That song was used on the Japanese Toyota Vitz commercial starring Rie Miyazawa.




Like this commercial song? Find it on itunes!

Feel like a kid again on Lokomoko

What just happened on the October 23, 2011 episode of Lokomoko?

- Playground gags

- The Merry Puppet Show hosted by a puppet who is not really a puppet, Mary Puppet!

The Merry Puppet Show

- Baby Talk! The babies are sputtering out some hilarious jokes.

- Dr. Long M.D. (Long Mejia) is back on his another case. This time, he deals with some guy (JC De Vera), whose favorite song was Anak.

- A Lokomoko drama titled Babuyan! Starring Eula Caballero as Angela, Long Mejia as Pedring, Tuesday Vargas as Milagro, Alwyn Uytingco as Ricardo, JC De Vera as Don Lucio, Valeen Montenegro as Donya Martha, Arci Munoz as Margaret, Rainier Castillo as Servando, and Daiana Menezes as Josefa.

- Whose Line Is It Anyhow?!

1) Pangtakip na lang ako lagi sa baho mo! - Pabango

2) Hindi ako nawawalan ng date - Kalendaryo

3) Kelan ba ako madidiligan? - Cactus

4) Lahat ng kanta ko hit! - Song Hits

5) Nilalayasan mo nalang ako kapag may nakuha ka ng pera sa akin - ATM Machine

6) Mas masarap akong kainin kapag walang buhok - Mais

7) Bakit natutuwa pa kayo tuwing nawawala ako? - Magician

Wow Mali pranks - October 23, 2011

Pranks pulled on the October 23, 2011 episode of Wow Mali:

1) Wow Clinic - When dentistry meets miscommunication, I don't understand what the clients are saying at the dentist...

2) Doray Alaskadora - Everyone's favorite troublemaker, Doray Alaskadora, explores on something dirty, or in Spanish, sucio.

Doray Alaskadora cleans up this person's face

3) Sa Ngalan ng Ina Mo - Walang himala! The Nora Aunor wannabe has arrived...on your backs!

4) Tirso Cruz III - Try and guess this....

5) Drama King & Queen - Let's see if you can cry on that in one minute!

6) Chicken Mummy - This mami tastes delicious if it was made by some mummy...

7) Babasaging Lola - Those manikuristas and masahistas would get noticed by this granny who drops something fragile at the table...

8) Instant Tyangge - Your tiangge's no match to Wow Mali's tiangge!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

New i30's Never-Ending Ideas



The new, second-generation (not-for-Philippines), Hyundai i30, really has never-ending ideas. With Hyundai released the latest commercials for the second generation i30, we are getting zealous about its never-ending ideas such as the new Flex Steer, hidden back camera, and EPB (Electronic Parking Brake),

With such never-ending ideas, we have no choice but to plea at HARI to bring the new i30 here but that would be impossible because of its engines.

Forza 4 meets the new BMW M5 F10

Rite of Passage


The arrival of the new BMW M5 F10 exclusively on Forza Motorsport 4 sparked the hype from Forza fans, saying that how in the world can they find this new model and indeed, Turn 10 was so generous that the all new BMW M5 F10 is available at the in-game marketplace with no additional charge, or in short, FREE! It's yours to keep, race, and explore in Autovista mode.

The BMW M5 F10's interior

When I tried the all new BMW F10 M5, it has the same experience I tried on the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Jaguar XFR. It acts like those, feels like those, and the results are very decent for this new model. Those who already downloaded it at the marketplace for free are would wish to get the all new BMW M5 F10 for 90,000 CR. It's powered with the new 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine that produces 552HP of power and 501 lb-ft of torque. It weights 4,123LBS and it has a front weight ratio of 52%.

Shooting for the next Top Gear season...

At the hands of the owner, he or she can mix and match the all new BMW M5 F10 just the way they like it with its tuning setups and wide array of decorations to make several versions of the BMW M5 F10. Let's just say, they will create a modernized Ring Taxi version of the M5 or slap some hand-made license plates at the back to make it more classy.

Our friends from Studie AG previews
their BMW M5 F10 tuning project!

With driving aids off, the BMW M5 F10 is one heck of a scary ride because of its FR layout and if you're not careful, you blew your opportunity to drive it. What I like about this car is its aerodynamics, design, interior view, and the new engine which performs better than the V10 engine from the previous M5. What I don't like about this car is its weight. Driving the new M5 is a challenge but if you invest more in practice, you'll get used to this new and improved model. You no longer feel like a dull businessman anymore.

My favorite Chevys - 100 years from now (Part One)

So, Chevrolet's 100th birthday is almost near. Time for me to be more "sentimental" as I'll be bringing a special blog to come up my "Chevrolet Memories". I'll be listing the best 100 Chevrolet cars from the past, present, future, local, foreign, normal, racing, concept, doesn't matter. Let's begin!

1) Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6) - Why I love about this Corvette is its supercharged V8 engine that has more power than the Audi R8 V10, according to a Top Gear episode. The ZR1 is probably the best Corvette ever made because of its performance and with for the 2012 Model Year, it ousted the 2011MY Nissan GT-R at the Nurburgring.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

2) Fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro - Returned in 2009 as a 2010 model year and it was popularized after being featured in three Transformers movies as Autobot Bumblebee, this Camaro is gaining huge popularity and this model is turning into a geek car because this is Bumblebee after all.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

3) Chevrolet Stingray Concept - This concept car hints the next Corvette. Pretty cool about the Stingray name though.

Chevrolet Stingray Concept

4) Chevrolet Chevelle '69 - Undeniably the most memorable Chevrolet muscle car. We even saw those rides from several Dirty Harry movies such as The Enforcer and Magnum Force.

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

5) Second-generation Chevrolet Camaro - built from 1970 to 1981, the second-generation Camaro is far out memorable in the age of baggy pants, Woodstock, disco, and everything groovy, in short, the 70's. It featured incidentally on the first Transformers movie as Bumblebee right until it became a 2007 Camaro Concept after Sam scolded this as a piece of junk. Either way, this Camaro from the 70's was an instant classic.

1970 Chevrolet Camaro

6) Chevrolet Miray Concept - This cool concept car was designed from our friends at South Korea, which in fact, the latest country to sell Chevrolet cars after bidding farewell to the poorly recognized Daewoo brand. Miray is coined from the Korean word "Mi Rae", which means "future", making this concept roadster a new beginning for another 100 years.

Chevrolet Miray Concept

7) Chevrolet Corvette C1 - The first-generation Corvette is the most memorable Chevrolet in the eyes of enthusiasts when it was built in 1953.  This classic is considered a collector's item and this rare purity really makes it up to those who owned it. Imagine that this is your parents' ride back in their young adult years.

1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1

8) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (2012) - It doesn't come before the early 2012 but the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the Corvette ZR1's little brother. The ZL1 naming was derived from the 1969 original, which in fact, the most powerful Camaro ever built. It targets the Ford Mustang Boss 302 as its formidable rival.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

9) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro - This old Camaro is "The Best Chevy Of All Time" thanks to some popularity poll held by Chevrolet. It was said that the 1969 Camaro is one of the best examples of timeless design in the industry.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

10) Fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro - Apparently this was also a memorable Chevrolet when it was made in 1993 until the Camaro nameplate got chopped in 2002, seven years before the Camaro returned in 2009 as a 2010 model year. A special 35th Anniversary Edition, launched in the 2002 model year, is highly memorable on this generation not only because of its special red color with white stripes but also its legendary Camaro heritage.

2001 Chevrolet Camaro

..to be continued in Part Two of this list...

BANANA SPLIT CLOWN IN A MILLION UPDATE 10/22/11

Those 15 contestants; BABA-LOW, Super Tekla, James Caraan, Michael Kalaw, Tresha Riego, Onse, Jodie, Ryan Remz Sarita, Chad Dela Cruz, Mimi Aringo, Karen Dematera, GB Labrador, Ichat, Leo Priscilla, and Jandyll Aurea, really really taking their time on Banana Split's Clown In A Million. Right now, on the 10/22/11 episode, The Laugh 10 is announced! Meet your Laugh 10!

1) Karen Dematera
2) Super Tekla
3) Mimi Aringo
4) Jodie
5) Leo Priscilla
6) James Caraan
7) Ichat
8) Jandyll Aurea
9) Michael Kalaw
10) Onse

The first task for the Laugh 10 is to make their own commercials at the stage. When it comes to liquor, soap, suka, medicine, energy drink, cellphone, detergent bar, soft drink, pancit canton, and toothpaste, they got them all for you for fun and fo real...almost real.

The result (after series of OPM Icons music playlist), Super Tekla tops the spot, earning him an immunity that prevents him from voted out by the judges. Sadly, Michael Kalaw was eliminated from the competition. Sorry, Michael and thanks for joining.

Who will be next to be kicked out? Tune in to Banana Split Extra Scoop for more Clown in a Million!