Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Mazda Flair Wagon (2nd generation)

2014 Mazda Flair Wagon

As I speak, Mazda borrowed the 2014 Suzuki Spacia as the basis for its OEM model, the new Mazda Flair Wagon, replacing the Palette-borrowed Flair Wagon model. It's an all new model for Mazda which can rival the likes of the Honda N BOX or the Daihatsu Tanto.

Like the Spacia, the new Flair Wagon comes with the same fuel-efficient features such as Suzuki's Ene-Charge system where with the R06A engine combined with an electric motor and li-ion battery, ENE-CHARGE comes with an regenerative braking system and uses some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine while it can also run certain electrical equipment. It promises a class-leading 29kmpl of fuel economy based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards.

I can also tell you that the new Flair Wagon is available in late April 2013 with the starting price of just 1,265,250 Japanese Yen for the entry level XG model.

Outtake: A debate about who's who will be cosplaying at this year's SC

OUTTAKE:

At this point, Sakura-Con 2013 starts this Friday at the Washington State Convention Center for three days and we are getting skeptical about bumping into someone dressing as his/her favorite characters. In the meantime, some boys are in Baskin Robins (where I'm altering their names to protect their identities) and having a debate about encountering fresh cosplays...

James: Have we talked about RE6?

Jeremy: Uh nope...Never played that game...

James: Well, I think it's fantastic. It's the best chapter of the franchise yet. I bet I might be catching someone dressing as either Leon, Chris, Jake Muller, and others.

Jeremy: Uh...yeah. Right. Well, probably, the one who dressed himself as Jake Muller is the one thing I might bump into when we are in the convention...

James: So, looking forward for those?

Jeremy: Well, yeah. You know what else those youths will be dressing as?

(eating ice cream)

James: Well, we already talked about those who will be dressed as earlier. Well, we say souffle girl, Aveline, Connor, Daryl Dixon, Adam Jensen from Deus Ex, Agent 47, Rico Rodriguez, there were others we've mentioned.

Jeremy: Hmmmm....I bet there more. Well, it's too rare to get bump into someone wearing Guy Fawkes mask.

James: Guy Fawkes? Oh! The Guy Fawkes mask as seen from V for Vendetta! I saw that movie. Kinda dark about the storyline though...

Jeremy: Yeah but I'd never saw that film but I might have a chance to get bumped into one of those...

(eating ice cream)

Jeremy: James!

James: What?

Jeremy: The Nanosuit from the Crysis series!

James: Nano-what?

Jeremy: Nanosuit! Ever played Crysis?

James: Uh...nope...

Jeremy: The latest Crysis 3?

James: Not yet...

Jeremy: Uh...okay then...um...you know that recently launched Bioshock Infinite? I bet I might encounter someone dressed as Infinite main protagonist Booker DeWitt.

James: Well, I'd never played that new game before but see if we care.

Jeremy: Okay, if that's what we want. Oh, if you mind...gotta pee...

(FIVE MINUTES LATER)

Jeremy: James! James! James!

James: What is it?

Jeremy: Andy Hinomiya from THE UNLIMITED.

James: Jeremy, there isn't a chance to meet someone dressed as Andy Hinomiya for now...

Jeremy: Oh... Oh wait! Did you watch a show titled Revolution?

James: What's Revolution?

Jeremy: It's a show made by J.J. Abrams, it's about the whole world cut off from electricity and years later, it's been engulfed into a civil war between the rebels and militia. Like that show though... I bet that main heroine, Charlie Mattheson, is becoming my spiritual animal...

James: Hmmmm? Well, I'd never watch a drama about the world engulfed into darkness and I don't know who she is...

Jeremy: Oh.

James: Call The Midwife? You watched?

Jeremy: Uh...nope. Not quite...

James: Well, I might be encountering someone dressed as the midwives of Nonnatus House, especially as main character Jenny Lee or your favorite character Chummy.

Jeremy: Chummy? Who's Chummy?

James: Chummy's played by none other than fames comedian Miranda Hart.

(eating ice cream)

Jeremy: Psst...Psst...James...

James: What is it?

Jeremy: Sofia the First. It's a new show from Disney Junior. I bet I might caught little girls dressing as princesses, especially Sofia the First.

James: Oh! Very good! Very good!

Jeremy: Also...Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I might caught little kids dressed as pirates.

(indistinct talking)

OUTTAKE END

Break Through - Karen GUY's

Break Through

The more times I watch THE UNLIMITED, the more I'm starting to getting to know more about the most feared ESPer from PANDRA, along with his sombreness, his guilt, his past, any mysteries lurking about his identity. Yes, thank you and this anime series is not without some plot holes. Even though it's enriched with dark sides of the story, I think it's rather nice.

Following with DARKNESS NIGHT|BRIGHTEST LIGHT, this new album titled Break Through features a compilation of songs from Kyousuke Hyobu (CV: Koji Yusa), Andy Hinomiya (CV: Junichi Suwabe), Koichi Minamoto (CV: Yuichi Nakamura), and Syuji Sakaki (CV: Kisho Taniyama).

TRACK LISTING:
1) BEFORE FOREVER
2) Realize Mission
3) DARKNESS NIGHT
4) …Out of Control… ver.2
5) COME TOGETHER!!!!
6) ミライノサキへ
7) BRIGHTEST LIGHT
8) ALIVE
9) BRAND NEW EDEN
10) DARKNESS NIGHT—BRIGHTEST LIGHT

Also, for a limited time, the LIMITED EDITION not only comes with the music CD but also a special DVD featuring a textless closing sequences, a special invitation to the special event called MEET THE OUTLAWS where you can meet and greet the cast of THE UNLIMITED -Kyosuke Hyobu- anime series, and a special 4-piece bromides featuring the boys from THE UNLIMITED TV series.

2014 Cadillac CTS signals a graduation

2014 Cadillac CTS
Since its inception in 2002, the Cadillac CTS, which replaces the Opel Omega-based Catera, is America's answer to entry-level luxury cars such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and the BMW 3-Series. When it received its full model change in 2007, the car behind the Art & Science motif of Cadillac keeps on growing.

Set for New York Auto Show reveal, the all-new third-generation CTS has now graduated from compact executive car to luxury mid-size executive car and now, it's all eyes against the 5-Series, the A6, the recently facelifted E-Class, XF, the Infiniti M (soon to be renamed as Q70) or the Lexus GS!

It has grown in dimensions, it now has a better looking design, new typical Caddy interior (where the dashboard kinda feels like Isaac Clarke's helmet), and best of all, new engine choices. You can either have a 2.0L turbo, a 3.6L V6, or a brand new 3.6L V6 turbo engine offered exclusively in the new Vsport model.

To be clear, if BMW has M-Sport and Lexus has F-Sport, Cadillac has Vsport. The new variant features an enhanced bodywork and some sporting credentials that you might expect on a normal Cadillac V-car.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-cadillac-cts-sedan-revealed-in.html

2014 Range Rover Sport premiered in NY

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

With a little help from special guest, James Bond actor Daniel Craig, the whole Manhattan stopped for a whole moment just to experience the world premiere of the new generation Range Rover Sport.

The reason why New York was chosen as the premiere point is because it is the world’s largest metropolitan market for the Range Rover Sport: more of these models are sold in this city than any other in the world.

Story: http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/daniel-craig-launches-new-range-rover-sport-in-new-york

For this new model, it follows the trend of its brother, the standard Range Rover, by dropping 800lbs of weight thanks to its aluminum bodywork. It even comes with an updated version of Terrain Response as seen on the standard Range Rover as well. Well, you know, the one with the Automatic setting on it that detects road conditions.

For the first time in Land Rover history that the Range Rover Sport now has 7-seats! 7-seats! In a Range Rooney! That's a first!

Story: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/2014-land-rover-range-rover-sport-drops-800-pounds-adds-v6-and-third-row/

Mitsubishi previews its Latio fighter

Mitsubishi Concept G4
What ths is is Mitsubishi's vision of an upcoming compact sedan that competes to the likes of the Nissan Latio sedan. It's called the Concept G4 and it uses the present day Mirage compact as its foundation and it's another one of the Thai eco cars.

Details remain light for now but Mitsubishi says that the G4's design leaves a sharp impression as it drives off into the distance.

Story: http://paultan.org/2013/03/26/mitsubishi-concept-g4-global-sedan/

North American exclusive XKR-S GT

2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT

Apart from the world premiere of the 2014 Jaguar XJR at this year's New York Auto Show, Jaguar will also be revealing the special edition XKR-S GT, a track-focused, road legal model based on the Jaguar XKR-S, which is limited to 30 cars, all destined for the North American market.

It's a model made to celebrate 25 years of Jaguar's R Performance and with this model, it still comes with the same aluminum quad cam 5-litre V8 supercharged engine that produces 550PS of power  but comes with race-inspired exterior design and enhanced aerodynamics. While top speed is limited to 186mph (280km/h), the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) drops from 4.2 to 3.9 seconds.

First time for a JAAAAAG is carbon ceramic brakes and such implementation dropped about 21kg of weight.

2014 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia facelift previewed via 2014 Buick Regal

2014 Buick Regal GS

If this hints what the 2014 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia facelift would look like, yes. The 2014 Buick Regal range, set for debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show, DOES preview the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia facelift. You can expect new front noses, new rear lamps, and a new interior.

There is a drawback regarding the updated version. On the GS model, the 2.0L Turbo engnie had suffered a power drop from 270HP to 259HP, which is bad but this 2.0L Turbo engine that now churns 259HP of power can be offered on the normal Regal Turbo version, which is good. The Regal eAssist with the 2.4L engine and eAssist light electrification technology that makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque still retains as well.

For added good news though that both the Regal Turbo and the Regal GS with automatic trannies will come with a new AWD system that incorporates electronic limited-slip differential to help optimize traction in all driving conditions.

Like the 2014 LaCrosse big brother, the 2014 Regal comes with new safety features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Collision Mitigation Braking.

Look for the 2014 Regal range this fall 2013.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/buick-shows-facelifted-2014-regal-gs.html

2014 Buick LaCrosse (GM Korea Alpheon) for NY debut

2014 Buick LaCrosse
Set for New York Auto Show debut, the minor change version of the Buick LaCrosse for the 2014 is getting a bit more interesting and a bit more "flagship" for a world-class luxury car. Aside from a well-refined exterior, the interior is now all new and it even comes with Buick's IntelliLink telematics system.

It's now safer as well thanks to numerous safety features such as Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Automatic Collision Preparation.

It still comes with front- and all-wheel-drive models with two gasoline powertrains: a 2.4-liter engine with eAssist or a 3.6-liter direct-injected V6, both linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

This car is set for NY debut and sales start in Summer 2013. Sadly though, it is unclear for Koreans if the Alpheon will get the same treatment as the 2014 LaCrosse.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-buick-lacrosse-features-mild.html

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Nissan revealed sketch for upcoming NMKV model

Upcoming NMKV model previewed in a sketch
Nissan previews an upcoming rival to the Honda N-BOX, Daihatsu Tanto, and the Suzuki Spacia and this sketch did signal a preview for the second addition to the Nissan-Mitsubishi kei car venture. Some say, that this will be the replacement for the Mitsubishi Toppo tall kei wagon and its Nissan version of the said replacement will bear the name DAYZ ROOX. Both of these models will be revealed in early 2014.

Earlier, Mitsubishi revealed their new generation eK Wagon while Nissan spawns its own version of the new Mitsubishi eK Wagon called the DAYZ. Both the new eK and the DAYZ will go on sale in Japan only this summer 2013.

Story: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/1/182488/

Xian Lim, IHAW NA!

On March 25, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, Tito Bhoy interviews actor Xian Lim, about how's been with Kim Chiu, his shirt's size, and his interests.

Also, Melai Cantiveros has a tip for you, ladies, this Summer. In Laugh Three, you ladies have three ways to touch a hunk's abs in the beach...

Tip 1: Tell him if his abs are real or not

Tip 2: Pretend you're blind...

Tip 3: Bring some spreads!

2014 Nissan March previewed in Bangkok

2014 Nissan March
At this year's Bangkok Motor Show, Nissan used this venue to showcase the minor change version of the Nissan March/Micra K13 compact car after being in the markets since the summer of 2010. For this minor change, the March K13 features a new front view, enhanced rear lamps, and an updated interior.

The Nissan March K13 was launched in Japan since July 2010 and it was essentialy imported from Thailand. It was the first model to come with Nissan's brand new HR12DE engine which is a 1.2 L straight-3 engine that produces 59 kW (79 hp) of power and 108 N·m (80 ft·lbf) of torque.

Story: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/5/182444/

Monday, March 25, 2013

Equus Hermes

Hyundai Equus Hermes

Hyundai Equus Hermes

So, Hyundai's luxury cars is joining up with luxury fashion brands, eh? Years ago, Hyundai launched a Genesis Prada which features some special luxury amenities that feels like it wears Prada. Now, for the 2013 Seoul Motor Show, it seems that the flagship Hyundai Equus (Centennial) is getting the Hermes treatment and would you look at that, two-tone exterior color fit for a bling bling and the interior theme which comes with some exquisive leather on the seats, which feels like you're touching an expensive Hermes bag!

The Equus Hermes special will be shown at the 2013 Seoul Auto Show...

Story: http://www.megaauto.com/contents/view.php3?menu_id=10&id=58732&cur_page=1

F1 2013 Malaysian GP

Hamilton at the wrong pitstop

A 1-2 win for Red Bull Racing and for the drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber should have been a good one but it turned out to be a controversial argument between these two. Also worse, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton went to the wrong pitstop. The weird thing is that Hamilton switched from the McLaren racing team to Mercedes but because of his homesickness to his old team, what can I say? Taking a pit stop at a team he used to be...

As it turned out, this year's Malaysian GP packs some weird stuff going on the pits...

PRESS RELEASE:


Race - Vettel secures controversial victory in Malaysia 24 Mar 2013
       
Sebastian Vettel led team mate Mark Webber home to what should have been a celebratory Red Bull 1-2 in Sepang on Sunday, but the success was sullied by a post-race argument between the two drivers. All through the race the radio messages between Vettel and Red Bull’s team management told as much of the story as the on-track action. 

Webber led much of the race after a timely switch to dry tyres following the use of intermediates on a wet surface in the opening laps. Vettel complained for much of the time he was following Webber, and continually asked his team to tell him to move over.

As far as the Australian was concerned, he had the race in the bag and Vettel was bound by team orders to follow him home as they conserved tyres and fuel. But Vettel launched a huge attack to take the lead on the 46th lap, and pulled away after a brutal bout of side-by-side running which enthralled the crowd. 

Eventually, Vettel was able to pull away to a triumph which equalled Sir Jackie Stewart’s 27 wins. Later Vettel claimed to have realised only when they removed their helmets in parc ferme that he had made a mistake in overtaking Webber, but he had been warned on that 46th lap by team boss Christian Horner that he had a lot of explaining to do after the race. Vettel apologised to Webber and admitted that he had got it wrong, but the Australian was unimpressed.

Further back, Lewis Hamilton said he didn’t feel that he deserved his first podium finish for Mercedes, as team mate Nico Rosberg was repeatedly instructed by team boss Ross Brawn not to pass him as they both had to turn their engines to maximum fuel-saving mode. Rosberg honoured that instruction, but Hamilton said that he felt his team mate had driven a more intelligent race, as he himself had given in to his natural competitive instincts to take the fight to the Red Bulls and as a result had taken more out of his car.

It was a disastrous day for Ferrari, as Fernando Alonso ran into the back of Vettel in the second corner after the start, and then crashed going into Turn 1 on the second lap after gambling that a damaged front wing would hold out until his first pit stop.

Front row man Felipe Massa lacked the pace to stay with the leaders, but took a solid fifth ahead of the duelling Lotus’s of Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen, which lacked the speed they had shown in Australia. The black and gold cars, however, were able to get to the finish with only three pits stops to their rivals’ four.

Nico Hulkenberg fought hard throughout to take eighth for Sauber, with Sergio Perez claiming another two points for McLaren ahead of the feisty Jean-Eric Vergne in his Toro Rosso.

The other hard luck story of the day concerned Perez’s team mate Jenson Button, who ran in a respectable fifth place for much of the race, led briefly during the third round of pit stops, but then had a disastrous pit stop of his own when the right-front wheel was improperly secured. He climbed back to 12th, before being called in to retire with imminent mechanical problems late in the race.

Force India also had a horrible time. A delay in changing the wheels on Adrian Sutil’s car seriously held up team mate Paul di Resta, who pitted at the same time to switch from intermediates. The Scot then fought back mightily and was on target for points when he suffered a similar problem at his next pit stop. Sutil later had a recurrence, and both cars were eventually withdrawn.

Valtteri Bottas was 11th for Williams in a race in which team mate Pastor Maldonado had one off-track adventure which broke his front wing and later stopped out on the circuit, while Esteban Gutierrez took 12th for Sauber from Jules Bianchi’s splendidly-driven Marussia and the Caterhams of Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde. Pic was hit by Vergne during a mix-up in the pit lane, when Toro Rosso made an unsafe release, and both required new noses. Toro Rosso were later fined for the incident.

Max Chilton was the final finisher for Marussia in 16th place, as Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo joined Alonso, Di Resta, Sutil, Maldonado and Button on the non-finishers list.

The controversial result catapults the repentant Vettel into the lead in the drivers’ world championship with 40 points from Raikkonen on 31, Webber on 26, Hamilton on 25 and Massa on 22, while Red Bull have a comfortable lead in the constructors’ stakes with 66 points from Ferrari and Lotus on 40, and Mercedes on 37.

Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/3/14410.html

Hopefully, those mistakes at the pits will not be happen again, especially Lewis Hamilton who forgots that he's with Mercedes-Benz now, not McLaren. Next race is on China this April 14, and hopefully, such mistakes will be behind them and if this could happen again for Lewis Hamilton...we really don't know what...

Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Avocado Souffle with Salmon Avocado Salad

JC: Question, how did Jenna Louise Coleman got that job of being The Doctor's newest companion? Coincidence? Nope. It was when the BBC interviewed souffle girl last about getting that role. Jenna Louise said the words  "I was in Marks & Spencer's holding an avocado, having the debate of what goes best in a salmon salad when I got the call from my agent,"

image
I was in Marks & Spencers
holding an avocado

RH: So it was the lucky avocado that made Jenna land the role of being The Doctor's new companion eh? She said that she got that role by a phone call while she was in Marks & Spencer's, holding an avocado, having a debate of what goes best in a salmon salad.

JC: Exactly, and because of Jenna Louise landed that role, we think that avocados REALLY goes best in a salmon salad so why not make a Jenna Louise Coleman appreciation meal?

RH: Wait a minute, don't you think about putting something on your V8 blender, eh, Sir Chef?

(audience laughing)

JM: So, what goes first for Jenna Louise's lucky avocado?

JC: I was gonna plan making an avocado souffle because it matches Jenna Louise's personality of being souffle girl...

(audience laughing)

JC: ...or an Salmon Avocado Salad because for Whovians who are now massive JLC fans think that avocadoes will be the best fit for a salmon salad.

JM: So, what do you want to cook first? The souffle or the salad?

JC: Simple! Eeny Meenie Miney Mo, catch the sailor by their doe. If he hollers, let him go. My mother told me to pick the very best one and YOU ARE IT.

(audience laughing)

JC: Souffle it is then...Best to start with the Avocado souffle recipe, fit for the souffle girl who got her luck while she was in M&S, holding an avocado. Let's begin...


INGREDIENTS FOR AVOCADO SOUFFLE:
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon fine cognac
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • grated nutmeg
  • 2 medium avocados
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 6 egg whites ( room temperature )
  • 1/3 cup crab meat, lobster meat or smoked salmon, diced
  • 1/2 cup grated swiss cheese


INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Place butter in large glass container and microwave on high until melted.
  • Stir in the flour and salt. Blend in the milk.
  • Microwave on high stirring every 1 1/2 minutes until thickened, which will take about 3 and a half minutes.
  • Remove and beat with a wire whip, adding pepper, dash of grated nutmeg and cognac. Keeping beating until until it cools a little.
  • Peel, and seed the avocados. Place in a blender and spin until pureed.
  • Mix in the egg yolks and blend for a few more minutes.
  • Pour into a bowl and add the fish and swiss cheese, stirring to mix.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and boil a pot of water.
  • Whip the egg whites until they stand in stiff peaks. (Make sure your utensils are absolutely clean and free of grease or the whites will not whip.)
  • Add a fourth of the egg whites to the avocado mixture and fold. Then pour in the remaining egg white and fold until mixed turning the bowl as you fold in the whites. Do not over fold which will deflate the egg white.
  • Butter and flour a souffle dish. Pour in the mixture into the dish.
  • Place the boiling water in a pan in the oven and place the souffle dish in the pan.
  • Bake for about an hour. When the top is browned, the souffle is ready. 
Source: http://www.crinellawinery.com/family_cookbook/avocado_souffle.shtml

SEVERAL HOURS LATER...

JC: Mmmmm!!!! Avocado souffle for the lovely Jenna Louise is complete. Now, let's do the salmon salad which made Jenna debating if avocado's the best on this salad.

INGREDIENTS FOR SALMON AVOCADO SALAD:
  • 2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon
  •  1/4 cup butter, melted and divided
  •  salt and pepper to taste
  •  4 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
  •  12 grape tomatoes, halved
  •  2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  •  8 ounces leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  •  1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and cubed
  •  5 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped
  •  1 fresh jalapeno pepper, chopped
  •  2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  •  1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled 
INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
  • In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.
Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/salmon-avocado-salad/

MANY MINUTES LATER...

JC: And, voila! One avocado souffle and one salmon avocado salad for the lovely woman who said she was in Marks and Spencers holding an avocado and landed the role of Clara...

(audience laughing, then cheers and applause)

RH: Yeah, good job there, old man. Seems that you really made yourself a souffle. Does that means you are officially a....

(audience laughing)

JC: Nah, probably just for once but this is only because for Jenna Louise Coleman.

JM: Yeah but...aren't we suppose to make it next week in time for the return of Doctor Who Series 7?

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh... Well, anyway, let's eat. Besides, Jenna Louise won't mind about her lucky avocado...

Renault Captur

2014 Renault Captur

The Captur from Renault can easily be defined as the French take of the Nissan Juke. However, despite being France's answer to the Nissan Juke, this is just a fourth-generation Renault Clio with some outdoorsman credentials that doesn't make sense at all, probably because it's available only in front wheel drive. Thanks to the fact that it's a FWD hatchback-based crossovers, the Captur is not made for the outdoorsman. It's made for someone who thinks the Clio IV's not to big enough for them. Who cares about it?

2014 Renault Clio
Inside, the Captur really feels like the latest Clio, but because this is just a Clio, the Captur kinda feels like Miranda Hart and Catherine Tate switched places. It's like Miranda being Donna and Catherine's being Miranda. See? Wrong stuff told, just like the Clio-based Captur because it may look like an SUV but it isn't. It isn't really really that close. Renault claims that the new Captur combines the expressive styling and driving position of an SUV, cabin space and modular interior of an MPV, and the agility and driving enjoyment of a compact saloon car.

However, where does this point at? I'm sorry but this crossover feels like it's been headed south of the border. As for the riding, thanks to some flickering to the handling dynamics, the Captur is about as dreary as memorizing a song came from a kid's show. Just like me, I'm getting some sort of Last Song Syndrome, songs from the kids show a baby might watch, especially my sister's baby, gets stuck in my head. Ugh, there goes that "shake your peanut" song from Mickey Mouse stuck in my head.

The Captur shares some engine choices from the Clio such as this 0.9L Energy TCe engine, a 1.5L Energy dCi, or a 1.2L turbocharged engine. If you had chose the one with the 1.2L TCi engine, watch out for the double clutch transmission because like what we've expected on the Clio, the EDC maybe quicker to shift but lacks the feel. If you're going to reverse it, it's gonna take clicks on the left paddle and you'll be losing to the one with the manual transmission in a game of who's going to shift reverse first.

2014 Renault Captur

Pricing stats at 15,500 Euros, meaning that is almost two thousand more than the latest Renault Clio IV and almost a thousand euros more than the Clio Estate as well. However, this is cheaper to buy than the hideous Nissan Juke so it's a smart buy for those who didn't like the Nissan Juke but sometimes for a Frenchman, I would go for the Clio IV instead because the Captur is like a Clio with some outdoorsy credentials that doesn't deserve and with that change, I would rather use it for grocery purposes or donate it to charity without a doubt.

Photo: Renault

Let's Do The News! (March 24, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

Castlevania - Lords of Shadow -
Sadama no Makyou (Mirror of Fate)



JM: Hmmm....you're not quite pleased about this, eh?

JC: Um...yeah. I'm not kinda fond of portable games but I think this game needs a bit of refinement and a bit of drama to thrill fans. Sadly though, I think it's not the kind of Castlevania that tickles my fancies. Guess I have to wait until Konami and MercuryStream finished with the Lords of Shadow sequel rather than playing this game for hours until I beaten it...

JM: Really? But on your way home, I bet that you're going to finish it even in the hardest part of the game and then you'll stop...

(audience laughing)

JC: Yeah, right. You got me. Anyway, we will do the news right about now...

RH: Exactly and ever since we've tackled the Mirror of Fate 3DS game, Konami collaborated with Diamond Dining for the special Vampire Cafe to promote the Mirror of Fate 3DS game with some special menus themed after the game. Check it out...

Vampire Cafe

(wow)

RH: This is the special Vampire Cafe menu from Diamond Dining and look at those, they're all themed after the Castlevania heroes. Those menus are available up to April 30, 2013. So, what can you say, folks?

JC: Well, those drinks themed after Trevor and Simon were my pick and also this meal themed after Gabriel but that meal themed after Alucard, it looks kinda weird. I really don't know what sort of people trying to make a meal themed after a vampire who waged a battle against his father. I mean look at this meal, it feels like it's been served by vampires on last year's Halloween...

(audience laughing)

RH: Exactly, Jezza. It is a vampire-themed meal themed after a vampire. So, what's to compromise about this meal anyway?

JM: Well, why don't you head to Diamond Dining and taste this Alucard-themed meal by yourself?

JC: Oh, come on...I mean if I was that Gordon effing Ramsay going to that place and look at this meal, I would melt myself down and choke the blokes who made it, just as when Renaldo Balkman got banned for grabbing Arwind Santos' neck...

(audience laughing)

JM: I'll make you worth a while...

JC: Okay! Okay! Deal! I'll go and taste it. When I die, you stay away from the funeral...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, I just found something on the internet and it seems Ford India took some drastic measures to advertise their made-in-India compact car and care to guess what they did? Take a look...

Ford sexist print ad

Ford sexist print ad

Ford sexist print ad


(audience laughing hysterically)

RH: What...the...fudge?!

JM: Son of a bee sting!!!

JC: Yep, it's those controversial print ads from Ford India which involves celebrity bondage and a slogan that goes "Leave Your Worries Behind". In here, we can see former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi holding hostage three buxom and barely clad women, all wearing ball gags with hands and feet bound...

(audience laughing)

JC: ...then, the other ad sees Paris Hilton kidnapping the Kardashians...

(audience laughing)

JC: ...and finally, Michael Schumacher kidnapping Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton...

(audience laughing)

JC: Don't know why that caused so much controversy but I think I like those print ads. Imagine if I was on that ad, I would rather kidnap you two and the Stig on the boot...

(audience laughing)

RH: What?!

JC: Don't know...Social experimentation...to keep you away from you two blabbering about my tastes...

(audience laughing)

RH: Why don't if this was me, kidnapping you, Slow, and Stig also...

(audience laughing)

JC: Okay, now you making me melt down...Why you little!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Come back here, you little rascal!! Come back here and I'm gonna do what Renaldo Balkman do to his teammate!!!

RH: And then what? You gonna get a lifetime ban?

(audience laughing)

JC: I don't care if I have a lifetime ban or not. What matters most is I'm gonna kick your butt like what Jason Francisco did to John Prats for calling him a big head!!!

(audience laughing)

JM: Guys! Guys! Guys! Would you please stop the fudge up or I'll grab both of your necks and kick your butt?

(audience laughing)

JM: You don't know what I'm capable of but I know jujitsu, aikido, karate, taekwondo, and other martial arts...

(audience laughing)

JM: I'm a black belt of almost anything!!!

JC: Ahem, are you a black belt on all of those or are you just wearing your leather belt?

(audience laughing)

JM: Okay, maybe I'm not a black belt on any kind of martial arts. If you two don't shut up, I would rather bring you to some girls to the convention dressed as the girls from the Tekken series...

RH: And then what?

JM: Crush your bones off...

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh dear, I don't wanna get fractured by some girl who dressed as her favorite Tekken femme fatale...

RH: Me too...Especially when someone dressed as Lili because this really leave me some fractures...

(audience laughing)

JM: Good...Care to move on?

The Doctor and Clara in a cover of
Entertainment magazine

JC: Okay. Now, because we see the prologue to next week's Doctor Who and its trailer for the episode titled "The Bells of Saint John", we are excitment about the return of The Eleventh Doctor, now on his new costume, as well as his brand new partner Clara Oswald, the souffle girl who was once Oswin Oswald from the Dalek Asylum and then Clara Oswin Oswald from the Victorian London in last year's Snowmen special...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, what puzzles me is...why the name Clara?

(audience laughing)

RH: Well, Jeremy, looks like you finally asked that question after months of speculation. Seriously, why the name Clara? Perhaps they should have call it Mara. Not Clara...

(audience laughing)

JM: If can interrupt, Hammond, but there was a Mara on Doctor Who...

RH: Really? There's a Mara in Doctor Who?

JM: Yes, and for those people under 75 or 65, bear with us because The Mara was once in a classic Doctor Who.

JC: Classic Who?

The snake possesed by The Mara

JM: The Mara was a malevolent force who was made from the planet of Manussa and used as an instrument of terror but when things went wrong, the Manussans got rid of the Mara. It's a parasite who eats fear to survive and hopping from brain to brain alhtough it even showed up as an snake in other classic Who episodes...

RH: So in short, The Mara is a malevolent parasite who has no form but capable of controlling other people or creature's minds. Really? Well that explains anything...

JC: I was just thinking that it can be Kathryn Bernardo being possessed by the Mara because she's Mara and that Clara's not Jenna Louise Coleman. It's Julia Montes...

(audience laughing hysterically)

JC: Get it?

Mara Clara


(Mara Clara theme song playing)

(audience laughing)

RH: Good idea, Clarkson! Kathryn can be a Mara while Julia's the Clara! This is great drama! Look at the f***s we give! I mean yes really! Mara Clara in the world of Doctor Who!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: I'll be Clara, you'll be Mara.

RH: Aww...why does it have to be me?

JC: Come on! I always want to be possessed by The Clara while you'll get The Mara...

(audience laughing)

RH: No, Jeremy! I don't wanna be Mara. I wanna be Clara so I can grab and slap the heck out of you!

JC: Hey!

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, while Jeremy and Richard is making a mess about the whole Mara Clara stuff, that's the end of the news, folks...

Castlevania - Lords of Shadow - Sadama no Makyou (Mirror of Fate)

Now, let's start with this. It's Castlevania - Lords of Shadow - because ever since it was launched in late 2010, Konami decided not to use the "Akumajou Dracula" name and adapt the Castlevania title to a global scale. In its first outing, the first Lords of Shadow pits Gabriel Belmont in his quest to avenge Marie's death in a battle beyond good and evil. With the upcoming second installment in the works, Lords of Shadow gets its own 3DS game for the first time...

Castlevania - Lords of Shadow -
Sadama no Makyou (Mirror of Fate)
It's called Sadama no Makyou or Mirror of Fate and judging by this 3DS game, it really brings players the new Castlevania adventure for the first time on this hand held console. Even though it's still exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS, the new portable Castlevania adventure really redefines the classic side-scrolling action that adorned classic Castlevania games for generations. As a matter of fact, the classic Castlevania experience is now reborn with some cool gimmicks to spice it up.

Set 25 years before the original Lords of Shadow, Mirror of Fate features one of Gabriel's descendants named Trevor, who is a knight of the Brotherhood of Light who is on the quest to avenge his mother's death at the hands of his own father who has now returned to take up residence in a mysterious castle. Dracula, a powerful vampire, declared war upon the Brotherhood and this makes it the ultimate showdown between Father and Son. Well, you get that idea but anyway...

You're one of the Brotherhood now and you can be either as one of your favorite Castlevania heroes such as Trevor Belmont, the iconic Simon Belmont, and Alucard, the son of Dracula, and fight your way against numerous monsters memorable to Castlevania fans many. From zombies, skeletons, giant bats, gargoyles, even the nastiest foes sucu as the Executioner, the Daemon Lord, the Night Watchman, and others.

Castlevania Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate really is a classic redefined because thanks to such side-scrolling action memorable to most Castlevania fans but don't be fooled by such crisp, smooth action because as you progressed further, this game keeps getting harder and harder and harder until you face bosses that requries 120% of your skill to beat them. Even with the might of the Battle Cross, an array of subweapons, and some powerful magics to make it up for some brute force, you'd still need an effective strategy to fight all your way against a horde of monsters.

There are other things to do as well. First of all, aside from fighting hordes of monsters in a mysterious castle, there are so many obstacles to come through. There are lifts to jump, wall to wall jump, pushing crates, and some puzzle-solving scenarios that takes a smart adventurer to master through those obstacles. Do it wrong and you'll gonna have to start over but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

So, Mirror of Fate, the first ever Castlevania adventure available exclusively on the 3DS, it maybe the most challenging Castlevania adventure of the series but with the choice of your favorite Castlevania heroes such as Trevor, Simon, and Alucard, and a battle against hordes of monsters plus so-called epic boss battles, it really is a Castlevania with a twist and with an innovative side-scrolling action which dates back from classic installments, it sure is a gimmick for the fans many but for everyday gaming, it is a bit "meh" for me.

The game will cost you 4,980 Yen, both retail or digital download via Nintendo e-Shop, but by the moment you're done with this game no matter the result is, and when you finished it with flying colors, you'll need your own.

Special edition Charger 392 revealed at Spring Fest

2014 Dodge Charger 392

The Spring Festival of LX's is a gathering of owners of cars which utilizes Chrysler's LX platform such as the Dodge Charger or the Chrysler 300. This year, SRT will reveal two new models; one is the Chrysler 300 SRT concept (which previews an updated version of the high-performance version of the Chrysler 300, which in in my opinion, will have the same 8-speed AT as the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8) and this, a special edition Charger 392. Using the Dodge Charger SRT8 as its basis, the special edition model features black accents on the hood and roof and sporting the iconic ‘392’ badge on the front fender. It even comes with the "392 HEMI" badge which came from the Challenger SRT8 392.

It is limited to 392 units and sales start soon this year with available exterior colors are Bright White, Billet Silver, Plum Crazy, HEMI® Orange and TorRed.

Story: http://www.drivesrt.com/news/2013/03/srt-charger-392-appearance-package-debuts-at-spring-fest.html

VIDEO: Prologue to next week's Bells of Saint John

Doctor Who Series 7 returns next week with 8 new episodes featuring The Doctor (Matt Smith) and his new ally Clara Oswald (Jenna Louise Coleman). Next week sees the episode titled The Bells of Saint John where The Doctor meets up with Clara (once again) and team up against a malevolent alien force lurking around the wi-fi connections. Before that, BBC showcased an Online Exclusive prologue to next week's episode. In here, we see The Doctor meets up with a little girl. Here's the clip...



The Doctor is more than just a strange man, he's incredible...

Anyway, here's the trailer for next week's episode...



Doctor Who Series 7 returns next week on BBC One and BBC One HD (UK), BBC America (USA), Space (Canada), and ABC1 (Australia).