Friday, March 21, 2014

BMW 4-Series Cabrio and 2-Series Coupe

A few moments ago, BMW thrown us a curve by introducing their new naming scheme where odd numbers represent saloons (or in the case of Gran Turismo models like the 3GT or the 5GT) and even numbers such as coupes, cabriolets, or in the case of Gran Coupes like the 6 Gran Coupe. It was quite a confusing act to follow and when the replacement for the 3-Series Coupe known as the 4-Series Coupe came last year, I told that this car warns that BMW is changing. I explained that it has a case of "8-speed-gearbox-quicker-than-manual-gearbox-itis", it's 0.7 seconds quicker than the A5 3.0 TFSI quattro, and the case of "ride-is-too-hard-osis". Well you know what? I'm not going to explain those even though I just did because word from BMW is...they now had a convertible version...

2014 BMW 4-Series Cabrio

2014 BMW 4-Series Cabrio

...and here it is, just in time for the spring season. The new 4-Series Cabrio may have the same nuisance that the coupe version got but now with the retractable roof that can be closed or open at the touch of the button, you can't really tell if its a well-mannered cruiser or not because even though with the roof open, it just never feel any magic you can expect from other luxury convertibles that are more expensive than this.

It costs 48,200 Euros for the entry-level 428i Cabrio, which is annoyingly over 7,000 Euros more than the Coupe version of the same spec and for the top of the line BMW 435i Cabrio model fitted with an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox and the M Sport pack, it costs 61,350 Euros, which is surprisingly ten thousand more than the coupe version with the same gearbox and the same package! Why would BMW charge this much for an open-top version of the 4-Series? Who knows? Your guess is as good as ours...

2014 BMW 4-Series Cabrio interior

2014 BMW 4-Series Cabrio


Anyway, while the price is a bit of an issue for the cabrio version, there's a bit more to it than that because the 4-Series Cabrio tries to stay as classy as a glamour girl walking on the streets of Beverly Hills 90210 and apart from the glam thing, it's still a tough cookie with a lot of tough love to follow. Judging by the fact that it's several kilos heavier than the coupe version, the new model is about 80% more rigid than the old 3-Series Cabrio it replaces. Despite that, you can still jitter yourself like you have been taking ten cups of caffeine in one try just to get higher heartbeats. Who wouldn't try that but who cares? It feels a bit jitterish when this care come face to face with potholes or bumps but with the roof closed, the jitter's all gone because with the roof up, it conjoins the structure as one, providing the new Cabrio the same silence as you get from a luxo-barge saloon car.

It's fine to drive with the roof up in places that never rain but if you're in Seattle or London or Berlin or places that rain frequently, you're going to take some time here because at the push of the button, it takes 20 seconds to close the roof but with the roof closed, it doesn't look like more of a coupe at all thanks to those three sections of the roof. If it's colored black, it's fine but with colors in it, that would just spoiled it.

But still, with or without the roof, the 4-Series Coupe is more conservative in any angle but because this isn't more of a sports coupe, it doesn't make the grade so how about something a bit more...sight for sore eyes?

2014 BMW 2-Series

This is the new 2-Series Coupe, it's the replacement to the 1-Series Coupe except in my eye, it isn't quite as baffling as the 4-Series because this is a nimbler and lighter coupe that can take you to A to B faster than you can say...gelignite.

Even though it follows BMW's new naming scheme, BMW claims that this new model tries to capture the magic from the classic BMW 2002 but is it the proper remake of the old 2002?

Remember the top-of-the-line M135i from 2012? Two years ago, it wants to be more of a hot hatch even though it wasn't classified as one but because of the straight-six engine that produces 326HP of power, it tries to outrun any other hatchback but because this is rear-wheel drive, the problems include that it's not friendly in the rain and the luggage is poor because the rear-wheel drive drivetrain just eats up the space. Yeah, you heard that idea but what about this? The top-of-the-line model is the M235i Coupe, priced at 43,750 Euros, and because it has the same 326HP straight-six turbo engine as the M135i hatchback, this new model is worth of a power in a light package. This is like putting a thousand sticks of gelignite in your kid's lunch box. Did I said anything wrong? Oh well...

2014 BMW 2-Series Coupe
...there's nothing too wrong about having a 2-Series Coupe in your garage. Whether if its the entry-level 220i, the 218d, the 220d, the 225d, or the M235i, you can't go wrong with it well, just the petrol models in it because those diesel models can be a bit of a blunt for a sports coupe rigged with something that is a bit too cheesy. Because judging by the way it behaves, I'm starting to think that this fun-to-drive Bimmer maybe more of starting where the old 1-Series Coupe left off but also continuing the legacy of the classic BMW 2002. The reason why is because it's all in the roots. The BMW 2002 is a classic compact rear drive masterpiece that not only it was more of a grand tourer but on the track days, it can never be outlooked in the competition. It was the car where Hans Stuck won the Nurburgring 24-Hour race in 1970, proving this classic a track-ready work of art.

2014 BMW 2-Series

Well, I never though of saying this, but with this car, BMW sure knows why they reminded of their roots in the development of the 2-Series Coupe and although this car isn't much more of a nostalgia, the 2-Series sure knows how to capture the magic of the 2002.

Conclusion time; while the 4-Series Cabrio tries to be as glam as a glamour girl in Beverly Hills even though it has some issues that needs plastic surgery, the 2-Series Coupe is all about following its roots to the BMW 2002 even though it has no connection to it. Needless to say, if I had to choose which one, I'd go for the 2 because I can have as much fun until I'm taking a number 2 on the loo.

2014 BMW 2-Series

No seriously, it's the M235i Coupe that makes me want to take a number 2 on the loo after spending hours of fun in it...

Photo: BMW

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Let's Do The News! (March 19, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe gets the AMG treatment and this S63 AMG Coupe is what the Silver Arrow's answer to the BMW M6. It will be premiered at next month's New York Auto Show...

2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe

- Porsche revealed their hardcore-ish GTS versions of both the Cayman and the Boxster.

2015 Porsche Boxster GTS

2015 Porsche Cayman GTS

- Porsche announced that they'll be replacing engines for all 785 recalled units of the new 911 GT3 in the midst of the fire problem.

- In the Flight MH370 Missing Case, authorities are still in the case on how did Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 gone missing and the latest in the mystery states that the pilot's simulator data from the place was deleted.

- Former senator Edgardo Angara and Arthur Yap won't be forced to face the Senate's probe over the pork barrel scandal.

- In the countdown to the Pacquiao-Bradley 2, boxer Tim Bradley goes on a veggie diet to prepare for the April 12 rematch. Clever move, though...

- TAKE NOTE: The Catholic Church officials say that lifestyle change can prevent HIV/AIDS, not condoms.

- IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: Austin and Ally's Laura Marano and Liv and Maddie's Dove Cameron will be hosting this year's Radio Disney Music Awards!

- The Renault-Nissan Alliance will strengthen their ties on April 2014 by converging four major alliance functions; Engineering, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, and Human Resources.

- Bertone, the Italian coachbuilder and designer behind the Countach and the Stratos, among many others, is filed for bankruptcy.

TTFN!!!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

What's in our Car Town garage today? (March 18, 2014)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1996 McLaren F1

In the 1990's, this British-engineered hypercar is the speed king at this decade. The McLaren F1 set the benchmark as one of the fastest production supercars ever made. Penned by Gordon Murray, the F1 features some of the unique stuff that no other modern supercars had such as the golden engine bay which makes it the best for heat insulation and a middle-positioned driver's seat to give the owner some racecar-like feeling while driving on the road. Powered by BMW's 6.1L V12 engine, the top speed of the F1 is 240mph.

1996 McLaren F1

2003 Mitsubishi Brian's Evolution VII

This modified Lancer Evolution VII is Brian O'Connor's ride of choice on a mission to Miami in 2 Fast 2 Furious, the sequel to the hit street-racing movie, The Fast and The Furious.

2003 Mitsubishi Brian's Evolution VII

2012 Pagani Huayra

Premiered at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Huayra is the successor to the decade-long Pagani Zonda, the maiden hypercar of the Modena-based manufacturer.  The name Huayra comes from a South American God of the wind and as the name implies, it promises to blow away the competition thanks to its Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-turbo engine that propels this hypercar from a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of over 227mph.

2012 Pagani Huayra

2008 Pagani Zonda Cinque

Although it may not be classified as the "final edition" of the Zonda, the Cinque is a very special Zonda catered for the elite few because only five of these models are made and sold out. Although it is essentially a softened road-legal version of the record-breaking Zonda R track car, the Cinque is the first to introduce a new composite made out of carbon fiber and titanium called Carbotanium.

2008 Pagani Zonda Cinque

Monday, March 17, 2014

Let's Do The News! (March 17, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- In this episode of Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno checks out a clever kind of hybrid powertrain that uses the Ford Focus as its bases. The Ricardo HyBoost, a project from a company called Ricardo, is what happens when you want to downsize your engine for a 47% increase in fuel economy.

 

- Check out the latest clip for the upcoming second season of Puchimas, which will be streaming on the NicoNico channel this April Fool's Day. (Yes, it's April 1st)



- Japanese company, Hitachi, develops a transforming robot that will be part of the process of decommissioning the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant.

- Porsche's almost solving the problem on why some 911 (991) GT3 models sparked fire and caused a recall.

- Hot Import Nights 3 Philippines is coming this April 26 to 27 at the Metrotent, Metrowalk Open Grounds.

- Jessica Sanchez will sing the Philippine National Anthem at the Pacquiao-Bradley rematch this April 12th.

- In the Ukrainian Standoff; France orders Russia to stop "dangerous" escalation in the recent standoff.

- WATCH OUT! The National Telecommunications Commission orders ISPs to block online pornography starting this March.

- THIS IS CRAZY! Buhay Party List's Lito Atienza wants Korean dramas and other foreign dramas to be banned from primetime viewing.

TTFN!!!

Wow Mali Pa Rin! - 3/16/2014

In the March 16, 2014 episode of Wow Mali Pa Rin!

- instarista - Ordinary people...lights...camera...action!!!

- Para-Lola Activity - Beware...something's lurking when the lights out...it could be your granny!

- Gun Club - Is the party over for our stand-up comedian?

- Pa-Video Scandal - Can you please take a video of me?

- KRISSY IDEAS - Residential Wow Mali-er Krissy teaches a trick with balloons and bubble gums...on the door!

- PUTOK LOBO - Open the door...and POP goes the balloon!

- ANAK NG FU - This week, Mr. Fu sends two challengers to get ticketed by the MMDA officer.

- CALL NI IDOL - This week, guest celeb Ritz Azul prank called a kasambahay

Goin Bulilit goes to Japan (Part 2)

In the conclusion of the Goin Bulilit goes to Japan special...

- The Goin Bulilit kids have a song on their trip on Japan!

- Former Bulilit Sharlene San Pedro is reprising her Kurina K Kanchez stint in RATED KKK segment where she examines the wonders of Japan's vending machines.

- More gags in Japan!

- Sumo wrestling

- "Yun Lang!" jokes

- We take a look on Japan's culinary feasts...

- USE IN A SENTENCE jokes

- Getting wasted on sake...

- READY GET SET GOIN in...RIDE AND SLIDE!


...and that concludes TG Season 21!

Burma special

And here it is, after the boys survived through the adventure of building a bridge over the River Kok in Myanmar, that concludes Top Gear Season 21. From the 80's hot hatch, the burning Zenvo, McLaren P1 in Spa-Francorchamps, Alfa 4C vs. a quadbike, a date with the Disco Volante in Italy, a 6-wheel drive in Dubai, Aaron Paul as the fastest star in a reasonably priced Astra, cyclists PSA, a trip to Chernobyl in small hatchbacks, and a Porsche 918 in Yas Marina, Season 21 has been quite a ride...and guess we have to wait for the "ultimate showdown" for a long time but still, I really hope I'd enjoyed one heck of a ride in the 21st season.

See you next season!

F1 2014: Australia GP


The F1 2014 season has begun with more twists than the last years and in the first race of the new season, held at Melbourne, Australia, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg kickstarts the season with his first win, leaving newcomer Kevin Magnussen of McLaren-Mercedes placed 2nd and teammate Jenson Button placed 3rd. During the race, Caterham's Kamui Kobayashi was cleared of any blame over his first-lap accident with Williams' Felipe Massa, saying that the Japanese racer's F1 car suffered a serious tech failure.

Originally, Red Bull Racing's new member, Daniel Ricciardo, was placed 2nd but he lost his 2nd place finish after stewards decided his car had run with too high a fuel flow rate during the race. In other words, he violated a new regulation that cars are limited to a fuel flow rate of 100kg/hour.

With Rosberg kickstarts the F1 2014 season, next race will be in Sepang, Malaysia, this March 30, 2014.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Let's Do The News! (March 16, 2014)

The big news today...

- On the Flight MH370 Missing Case, as investigations on the whereabouts continues...not to mention some scary conspiracy theories lurking around it, Malaysian PM Najib Razak said that it is claimed that somebody cut off the communications system of the MH370, switched off its transponder, and steered to the west, far from its scheduled route. Is it possible that Flight MH370 was...hijacked? Find out more later on...

- Ever since last year's Turbo movie spawned a Netflix original series called TURBO FAST, Dreamworks announced that they'll be making new Netflix original programmes out of their favorites. It includes King Julien from the Madagascar movies, Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies, and a revamp on Veggie Tales.

- Swedish hypercar maker, Koenigsegg, officially announced its return to USA courtesy of New York's Manhattan Motorcars. Does this mean we get to see the Agera hypercar on US roads sooner than we think?!

- Philippine bus operator, Victory Liner, reveals their safe speed-limit for their line of public buses, in an effort to reduce bus-related accidents that occurred most of the time in the Philippines.

- The third-generation Mazda Axela adds Thailand to its production sites. In other words, Thailand will produce this latest model at the Auto Alliance Thailand plant right now.

- Malaysian carmaker Perodua injects RM6 million to fund its UK distributor to boost the brand's after sales service even though they no longer supply their cars in the British Isles. Currently, Perodua exports their cars in Indonesia (via Daihatsu), Singapore, Brunei, Fiji, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

- Comedian Jose Manalo was saddened by his daughter's suicide attempt. PEP reports...

- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT; MI-5 actress Keeley Hawes to guest star on Doctor Who Season 8.

- With Sef Cadayona being part of the Bubble Gang and enjoyed his part in the IKAW AT ANG INA portion, how did this young actor enjoyed his new lease in life in the world of comedy? PEP has a story for that.

- In the Ukraine Stand-off; the voting to decide if region leaves Ukraine for Russia starts in the embattled city of Crimea.

- A strong earthquake damaged a church in northern Peru.

TTFN!!!

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - Chevy SSR



Today, I'm going to take a look at the very rare and very modern take of a classic Chevrolet pickup truck, the SSR. Inspired by the looks of the classic 1948 C3100, the SSR is more of a ute rather than a traditional workhorse. It behaves like a sportscar or to be precise...this American remake of a classic Chevy pickup truck has the feel of an Australian ute...that GT6 never had one. Pity...

This SSR will run through the Goodwood Hillclimb but at what time on a rainy day will it post?









It posted a 1:06.818 lap time on a rainy day!

The V8 engine sounds so muscular but the bulk of it wasn't quite quick enough to beat the competition. But still, even though it was discontinued in 2006, it's still a future classic and thanks to the fact that it sold very poorly, it's a rarity on the streets.

Chevrolet SSR - A GRAN TURISMO-EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Six Nations 2014 FINAL


And here it is...the conclusion of the RBS Six Nations 2014 match and it all ends here as six of the greatest rugby nations; Wales, England, Italy, France, Scotland, and Ireland, scrum their way to snag the championship title and even though Wales' frenetic win against  Scotland at the score of 51 to 3, it's still wasn't enough.

Highlights;

Wales vs. Scotland



Italy vs. England



France vs. Ireland



After five grueling rounds in the RBS Six Nations 2014, there is only one team that shook the world since Round 1, the team that performed an impressive show in the face of the fans, the team that stood up and be counted all the way to the very. So, who won the 2014 Six Nations? There's only one answer...

Image source: RBS 6 Nations Facebook page

It's the IRFU from Ireland. The Irish rugby team declared the victor. And that concludes the RBS Six Nations 2014. Congratulations Ireland!

Thank you and goodbye!

What's in our Car Town garage today? (March 16, 2014)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

The tale of the Chevrolet Camaro began in 1966 as General Motors' answer against the Ford Mustang. It was a heck of a battle but it seems that the Camaro failed to stack against the Mustang even as years go by. This is the convertible version or to be accurate, the SS Convertible version. The SS model of the first Camaro comes with either a 5.7L V8 engine or a 6.5L V8 engine. Legend has it that this convertible version once used as a pace car for the 1967 Indianapolis 500 race.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

Born in 1964, the Ford Mustang served as one of the founding fathers of the muscle-car craze and since its first year of sales, Ford managed to racked up almost 700,000 orders, which is still an industry record that hasn't matched up as of now. The first Mustang is always worth remembering for Mustang fans who want to trace the roots of this founding father of this genre. A top-of-the-line model, especially this convertible model, can come with a 271 horsepower K-Code “Hi-Po” 289 Windsor V8 engine and with this, the success of the Ford Mustang can be traced here.

1965 Ford Mustang Convertible

1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible

If there's one thing that the original Challenger had that the modern version didn't, it has to be the convertible version. Sure, both the Camaro and the Mustangs have convertible versions through the years but the Challenger is the only underdog left behind and even as of now, Chrysler won't be making a modernized Challenger convertible until further notice. Even though this is the convertible version, it's still a favorite among Mopar enthusiasts thanks to the 426 HEMI V8 engine pumping out 425HP of power output.

1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible