Saturday, June 22, 2013

Enchong Dee, IHAW NA!

On the June 21, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, Enchong Dee's the guest star of the day and in here, every conversations from Enchong; about his time with Erich Gonzales on TV, his reaction to the Ina Kapatid Anak ending, his role at Four Sisters and a Wedding, were here.

Meanwhile, in ETO NA POST, a small selection of funny pics are shown such as bottles stuck in electric fans, locked slippers, STARBUHOKS, riding in tandem cops, and a strange looking coconut tree that you don't need to climb on...

SWERVE Urban Manila Jam Car Show


Here's another car show that will spice things up for car enthusiasts round the metro because VANS, illest, and S4S Autohub would like to present SWERVE Urban Manila Jam. It's another one of the car shows where music and cars come together in one perky venue.

There's a car show hosted from S4S Autohub, DMC World DJ Championship, VANS BMX Exhibition, and of course, Fatman Scoop live in Manila!

Fatman Scoop, or by his real name Isaac Freeman Ill, is a hip hop promoter and radio personality famed for his on-stage rough, raw, loud voice. He's coming to the World Trade Center Manila this June 28 at 2PM up to 2AM to make some noise in the hood.

It's car culture best served with some "fresh" funky tunes and some extreme stuff.

For details, visit www.s4sautohub.com

Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (June 22, 2013)


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

June 17, 2013

- President Park Geun-hye has expressed deep skepticism about North Korea's peace offensive, saying having talks for the sake of having talks will only give Pyongyang more time to upgrade its nuclear weapons. This remark was came during a 20-minute phone talk with US President Obama.

- The Hanul nuclear reactor number 5 in Gyeongsang Province resumed operations just before 9PM Sunday, local time.

- The White House says it's open for high-level talks proposed by North Korea but only if Pyongyang lives up to its UN obligations to dismantle its nuclear development. In its proposal, Pyongyang indicated a willingness to discuss the issue of denuclearization on the peninsula.

June 18, 2013

- Pyongyang's senior nuclear negotiator has arrived in Beijing to hold a strategic dialogue with Chinese official

- The foreign ministry told the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee today that it will improve its procedural manual for dealing with North Korean defectors overseas.

- South Korean president Park Geun-Hye and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met up where she discussed ways to stimulate entrepreneurship and venture firms in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

June 19, 2013

- In Beijing, where North Korea's top nuclear envoy held high-level, strategic talks with Chinese officials, China's foreign ministry announced that North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-Gwan and his Chinese counterpart Zhang Yesui exchanged views of bilateral relations as well as the current state of the Korean peninsula

- Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Cho Tae-Yong, is in Washington for a trilateral meeting with his US and Japanese counterparts.

June 20, 2013

- Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Cho Tae-Yong, laid out tougher conditions for any talks with North Korea, saying that "stronger requirements should be imposed (on North Korean) than the Feb. 29 agreement between North Korea and United States."

- The trilateral talks in Washington coincided between North Korea's chief nuclear envoy and senior Chinese officials in Beijing, with Chinese media reporting that Kim reasserted Pyongyang's willingness to resolve its nuclear issues through dialogue.

- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin will meet with visiting US Secretary of the Navy to discuss ways to toughen their military partnership and put forth coordinated efforts to handle any kind of threat North Korea's throwing at.

June 21, 2013

- South Korea's top nuclear envoy Cho Tae-Yong arrived in Beijing and met with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei to discuss North Korea's nuclear program.

- The Korean government has announced plans to help domestic businesses suffering due to the recent sanctions on Iran.

"Kape ba?"

On the June 21, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang

- Rooftop gags chased by barangay tanods

- Your boss tells you different forms of salaries you might encounter. Which one suits your income?

- An interview with an actor dressed in different work outfits...

- A salesman sells something for climbers while he's climbing on a mountain. Now that's a TOP salesman.

- Kape ba? Bubble Gang does XO Candy by spoofing this ad as OX CANDY! OX Easy, OX Good.

Bubble Gang does XO
- The arrogant Aling Mary's is back on her break and she's busy infuriating the line...

CR BREAK
- Prisoners gone "trending topic" in the prison. Hashtag, please...

- Do you consider a "mass burial", anyone?

- Your crew's got the wrong clothes for the bank job...

Friday, June 21, 2013

Let's Do The News! (June 21, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

Miami Heat - 2013 NBA Champions!

JC: So, that's it?

RH: Yes! That's it! Miami Heat wins the 2013 NBA Championship at the score of 95 to 88 against the San Antonio Spurs! Thanks to Mr. Lebron "The King" Raymone James, Shane Battier, Dwayne Wade, the birdman, and the rest, they tried so hard to win the dogfight at the ring! Oh and credits to head coach, Erik Spoelstra, as well!

JC: Yeah, that was a marvelous match ever lasted and I just wanna say, Miami Heat, you've finally proven all the haters that you are the best team ever existed since...um...the Chicago Bulls back in the 90's.

RH: So...um...This is another "ambitious but rubbish" accomplishment, right?

JC: Whoa! Remove the "rubbish" word because Miami Heat's no longer rubbish for now. They are ambitious and successful! Let's give a big hand of applause, everybody!

(cheers and applause)

JC: So there you go, folks! Miami Heat is 2013 NBA Champions! End of discussion! So..um...could we do the news?

JM: The news! And I just noticed something that the once famed Instagram app for most smartphones, iPhone and Android, alike is now on its Version 4.0.0 right now and what interests me about this latest version is...um...you can record a 15-second video on Instagram!

(ooohh)

JC: 15-second? Record a 15-second video on Instagram?

JM: Yep. That is the natural limit on uploading a video on Instagram and oh, have you done this on your phone?

JC: Well, yes. I just took a video of Dwayne Wade trying to crawl himself to the ball until the whistle was blown, signalling a foul.

JM: Really?

JC: Yeah. Seems that I want to watch this over and over again because this is so awkwardly funny...

(audience laughing)

JC: I mean, it was like Dwayne Wade crawling himself like a baby and then he fell down when the whistle blows. "Oh my! I gotta reach that ball! Gotta reach it! Gotta reach it" and then... (imitates whistle blowing)

(audience laughing)

JC: A foul! (laughing) Okay, the thing is though that it was such a weird idea to have Instagram updated to upload 15-second videos. We used Instagram to take pictures and share it to others but now...videos? Huh? What a lame idea it is...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, a couple of months ago, Richard Hammond drove the new Viper on our show and he and this car arrived last in our race to the border town in California, therefore forcing him to go to Mexico to drive a Mastretta sports car. Now, Chrysler's SRT brand now launched a track-only version of the SRT Viper. Here it is...

SRT Viper GT3R
It's called the GT3R and this race-spec Viper was built for private race teams to run in various GT3 classes worldwide. 8.4L V10 engine produces 680HP of power, using the know-how of the GTS-R racer and it costs $459,000.

(ooohh)

RH: Under 460,000 Dollars for a race-prepper Viper? Gosh, that was the most amazing race-prepper Viper to date since...um...the ACR-X! That was staggering...

JC: Yeah right and since you're a bit of an American...

(audience laughing)

JC:...you only like this car because you want something big enough to ease the competition but we don't like it. Remember this is the car that shipped you to Mexico...

(audience laughing)

RH: No. Probably because you guys cheated by clogging the exhaust and HT Lead Off!

(audience laughing)

RH: Thought I never forget that?

(audience laughing)

JC: Now, a couple of years ago, Nurburgring queen, Sabine Schmitz, lapped a Ford Transit round the Nurburgring in 10 minutes and 08 seconds, which is a bit slower than my diesel Jaguar that lapped the Nurburgring but sets a record for vans racing through the Nurburgring. Anyway, seems that the record was broken by some tuner boys at Revo. Anyway, here's the photo of the tuned VW that lapped the Nurburgring quicker than the normal Transit that Sabine drove round the Green Hell...

Revo-tuned T5
(ooohh)

JC: What this is is some modified Volkswagen van by the boys of Revo and it lapped the Nurburgring at an equally unofficial 9:57.36 time.

RH: 9 minutes and fifty seven seconds for a tuned VW van? Wow, that was quite impressive for a van like this but how's that possible to have a commercial van juiced for perfection?

JC: Well, obviously, it started out as a VW T5 van and then added some turbo-back exhaust system, bespoke ECU remap, uprated intercooler/oil cooler combination and some flashy decals that most "turbo nerds" done in their cars...

(audience laughing)

JM: So, the result was a VW T5 developed by some "turbo nerds" who thinks racing in the night or in the wet weather are much more cooler than racing in the daylight?

(audience laughing)

JC: Pbt....turbo nerds....

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, you know Amanda Bynes? Anyone?

(audience murmuring)

RH: Oh wait! I know her! Isn't that the girl from an old show called All That and then The Amanda Show and now she's in trouble because of her arrest last month for the possession of drugs?

JC: Yes. Yes she was. Now, I just heard that Amanda's getting a nose surgery and she was praised by her decision to do so because QUOTE "She consider herself a hero"....Hmmmm....

(audience laughing)

JM: Consider herself a hero, eh?

JC: Yes. Because she was born with a webbing in between her eyes and thanks to the nose job, she never felt so relieved. Good for her but I think it wasn't quite good for the former Nickelodeon star. Seems to me that there's going to be something something about this...Hmmm...90's teen stars...where are they now?

(audience laughing)

RH: 90's teen stars?

JC: Yeah! Amanda's one of them. Know anyone?

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh well...That's the end of the news!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Mugen Power does 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

Having the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid (CR6) launched in the market and go on sale in Japan tomorrow, Mugen Power, Honda's tuning division, unveiled some customization parts available for the ninth-generation, hybrid-only, Honda Accord.

Starting in the aerodynamics division, the Front Under Spoiler costs 59,850 Japanese Yen, Side Skirts costs 68,250 Japanese Yen, Rear Under Spoiler costs 60,900 Yen, carbon air spoiler costs 84,000 yen, and a carbon grille garnish costs 68,250 yen. The styling set costs 189,000 yen and comes with the front spoiler, side skirt, and rear under spoiler while the Aero and Wheel set (available September 2013) comes with the styling set plus the Aluminum Wheel MDA and Wheel Nut and Lock Set, which makes this package costs 347,760 Yen.

The Mugen-tuned Sports Suspension will be available at the end of the year.

Site: http://www.mugen-power.com/automobile/products/accord-hybrid/index.html

Let's Do The News! (June 20, 2013)

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

JC: So, James, would you buy that kind of Accord?

JM: Nope. How about you?

JC: Um...Only if its a bit more sportier but let's not forget what Jalopnik said about the 10 most boring carmakers. The main reason why Honda is on top of the list is because first of all, the Civic is dead, Type R is dead, none of its lineup are sporty, and that's it...

JM: What about the NSX supercar coming in two years time?

JC: Nope.

(audience laughing)

JC: Obviously because the future NSX supercar is going to be a nonsense supercar with some 4WD and some three-motor hybrid powertrain and a 3.5L V6 engine, you might as well do the job for yourself. Anyway, let's do the news!

JM: Right, obviously before that, I'd just checked on the accessories list for the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid and I find one of the accessories to be somewhat interesting. It's the Drive Recorder (available August 2013) and what this is is a special accessory for the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid which allows drivers to record their driving. Here's what it looks like...

Drive Recorder

JC: Whoa...whoa...whoa...a drive recorder accessory? Hmmm...That would be rather interesting because if one of our cars had one of these, we could use those to record our driving experiences or it can even record some of the car crashes caught on cam.

RH: Yeah, probably some of the most horrible car wrecks caught on cam may ended up being upload to YouTube and it's for something something self-aware or as a lesson not to do something stupid on the road. That serves more of a home-made PSA for the drivers!

(audience laughing)

JC: Or also, I could probably use that to record something something stupid...something something salisi...something something!

(audience laughing)

JC: Better yet, this cool drive recorder could just be more of a Big Brother for the road and oh! It could be somewhat ideal to track down a suspect's car so that you can report it to the cops for info! Pow!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, news?

RH: Oh yeah, right! It's the Renault Koleos, the crossover that is no longer available in UK and it's made by rubbish Koreans...

(audience laughing)

RH:...it's been updated for the 2014 model year as seen on the 2013 International Buenos Aires Motor Show. Here it is...

2014 Renault Koleos
RH: You couldn't know how rubbish as it looks now!

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, new color, new front face, new trim, new brown upholstery, now with R-Link, blah blah blah...

(audience laughing)

JC: Yeah, right. It's too hideous to look at and still more blander than the previous facelift.

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, let's just forget about it and move because I'd picked up some news that a parade full of 683 Mazda Roadsters set new world record somewhere in the Netherlands. Quite an achievement for the Dutch owners of a Mazda Roadster and what's interest me is the picture they sent us on...

Parade full of 683 Mazda Roadster owners in Holland

(ooohh)

RH: Man, that's a lot of Mazda Roadster owners in the Netherlands! Amazing!

JC: Yeah, that was an amazing feat now, one thing about the Mazda Roadster is that even though it's been made in Japan, the Roadster feels more like a British sports car. It's like a Lotus Elise with some added sushi and I was quite impressed by the way it handles. Now, one problem about the current Roadster is...um...what can I say?

RH: What? Not as good as a greyhound that I raced in the past?

(audience laughing)

JC: Possibly but no because the problem is that it's getting old right. This generation has been around since Doctor Who went back on the telly in 2005 and it's been around for eight years.

RH: You're right and oh! A replacement is in the works right now and it's going to have an Alfa Romeo version, which is kinda cool. It kinda feels like the Axis Powers even applies on the automotive world!

JM: Ahem...Why Axis Powers? 

JC: Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis or what they called Axis Powers, which are menacing during WW2 and in the automotive world, Axis Powers strikes back. For instance, like we mentioned, Mazda collaborate with Alfa Romeo for the successors for both the Alfa Spider and the Mazda Roadster, Nissan collaborated with Daimler, which are German thanks to Mercedes-Benz, for some engine powerplants, and then Toyota collaborated with BMW for something something hybrid related and something something Supra successor in the future. Seems that the Allies aren't very pleased...including the US and the UK...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, we're still in the malarkey of the XBOX One and main reason why a hundred thousand nerds wanna go for the super-useless PS4 over the X1 is because of restrictions on game sharing and online connectivity. Now, Microsoft issued a reversal on their policy after receiving numerous negative comments during its revelation from last month up until E3 2013.

RH: Reversal?

JC: Yeah. Says here that QUOTE: Xbox One will not require an internet connection to play offline games or need to check in every 24 hours; instead, internet will only be required when initially setting up the console. Also QUOTE: Xbox One will also no longer restrict used games, and will instead allow discs to be exchanged in the same way they are on Xbox 360. There will be no additional restrictions for trade-ins or lending games to friends. The system is also no longer be region locked and all downloaded games will function the same way whether your console is connected or not.

(ooohh)

JC: So, with a policy change, would you still be tempted to buy one?

(audience murmuring)

RH: Uh...not an audience as such, pal. Even though Microsoft backed off the limitation for the XBOX One, I just heard that they'll still be sticking with the PS4 because of its low pricing and oh! What games are they'll playing on the PS4? Nothing too good!

(audience laughing)

RH: That's right. Recommendation, go buy X1 because of Forza 5 because we, the Top Gear boys, are going to be here. Don't forget that!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, that is the end of the news. Final Game of the 2013 NBA Finals is tomorrow. Don't forget that!

Coleen Garcia, IHAW NA!

On the June 19, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, Coleen Garcia is the guest Tito Bhoy's been talking for and while she's here, they're talking about her name, her way of talking in Showtime, her difficulty in tongue twisters, why she broke up with Gab Valenciano, and something something something about her...

Meanwhile, there's more hot topics from Krissy and Me such as about 8 out of 10 Filipinos sleeping in the sidewalk because they're homeless, and the lack of classrooms.

And finally, Chazz strikes back to kiss down unsuspecting people in Chazz Do It. In this moment, Chazz asked the nation which part of their head is the longest. Of course, it's not gonna happen because Chazz is going to blind fold them and kiss!

Honda Accord Hybrid (CR6)

As I said in the past, Honda created some of the finest sedans than any other Japanese carmaker through the years. The 130, the 145, the Civic, the Accord, the Integra, the Legend, the Fit Aria, the Inspire, etc., etc. So, what are they up to now?

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

This is where Honda's greatness had led and if I mean "Greatness", what I meant was their weakness. Our loss was their gain right now so with Honda stop making normal 4-door saloons for all, their biggest focus was to hybridize the entire lineup, probably because of the rubbish "eco-car genzei" system that plagued the JDM industry right now and there's no stopping it. What this is, you might think, was just a Honda sedan except of course this isn't because this so-called sedan bears the name of the one I know as the "last of the Honda sedans".

Welcome everybody to the all new, ninth generation Honda Accord, and if by ninth-generation, this is the new name for the ninth-generation model, which now bears the chassis code of CR6, ACCORD Hybrid.

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
So, why the conversion into a full-fledged hybrid sedan anyway? Well, you don't need to tell me why but seems Jalopnik's list of 10 most boring carmakers were right. Seems that today's Hondas are about as boring as playing a game of Candy Crush for hours or as annoyed when you're receiving too much invites for Best Casino. Anyway, on the all new, hybrid-only, ninth-generation model, the main target was the Toyota Camry, which is also a hybrid-only executive midsize sport saloon, and the main goal for this new model is to become Honda's most fuel-efficient car ever sold.

Beginning with Honda's new 2-motor hybrid system labeled under the Sport Hybrid banner: i-MMD or Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive...

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid speedometer

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid

To recall; Sport Hybrid is a new name for Honda's advanced new hybrid systems, which belong to the Earth Dreams Technology series of high-performance, environmentally responsible powertrain technologies. Beginning now and in the future, there are three types of systems fell under the Sport Hybrid category; the first one having a 7-speed double clutch gearbox which we will expect on the future Honda Fit while the second one is the system that the 2014 Honda Accord's gonna have but we will explain later, which is the i-MMD. The last one and we will expect on the future NSX supercar or the future Honda Legend replacement is Sport Hybrid SH-AWD with three electric motors bolted to the car's backbone and its engine.

Anyway, the 2014 Accord Hybrid has the i-MMD system, which is part of the Sport Hybrid series, and how does Sport Hybrid i-MMD work? I'm gonna sound like James May for a moment so please bear with me. (ahem)

Sport Hybrid i-MMD uses three different engine modes to power the 2014 Accord such as EV Drive Mode, Hybrid Drive Mode, and Engine Drive Mode.

First, let's talk about EV Drive Mode and in this mode, it uses the lithium-ion battery, a first for its class, to provide power to its MF8 electric motor, which churns out 124kW of power, to run the vehicle. Ideal in off-the-line starts and low- to mid-speed cruising. Now, the Engine Drive Mode and as an opposite, only the 2.0L Atkinson Cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine kicks in and this engine produces about 143PS of power, less than the electric motor it produces, which is ideal for cruising. On the Hybrid Drive Mode, the LFA-MF8 engine-motor hybrid is in hindsight and combined output of 199PS of power is provided in the midst of acceleration purposes. When three different modes are swapped automatically, Sport Hybrid i-MMD helps the new Accord Hybrid reached its JC08 mode-measured fuel economy of 30kmpl, 6.6kmpl more than the Toyota Camry and more importantly, 2.8kmpl more than its cheaper little brother, the Honda Insight. This, in their records, as Honda's most fuel efficient model in the market as of now. Hmmm...

So, while this was officially Honda's most fuel efficient and some say it's a lot nicer to drive than the Honda Insight, what about safety?

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
Of course, the new Accord still cares about the driver and passenger mode than the car itself and for that, Honda borrowed one of Volvo's books to create Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS), which is new for this model. CMBS is a radar-based auto-braking system in which when the system senses that the car is likely to hit one of these obstacles, a three stage process is initiated. First stage is the driver is alerted by visual and audible warnings, which was engaged 3 seconds before collision. Second stage is when the system senses that a collision is still likely (typically some 2 seconds before impact), three sharp tugs are given on the seat belt and the car automatically starts to apply some braking. Final stage is when a collision is unavoidable, CMBS tightens the front seat occupants’ seatbelts (using reversible tensioners different from the pyrotechnic devices used during the collision itself) and applies a high level of braking force. The result? It prevents rear-end collisions with vehicles which are stationary or travelling in the same direction but be warned because CMBS is not yet on while you're starting driving one. CMBS can be turned on or off by means of a dashboard mounted button. It will remain active as long as if its in the "on" button.

Having satisfied about CMBS, let's head out what is like to be a driver's car...

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid interior

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid interior
For the all new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, this maybe not as nice to drive or as fast as its predecessors but it is safe and has everything what a "Ser Chief" would want. Wait a minute...Why did I said "sir chief"? Oh wait! Probably because the main demographic for this new model would be...wait for it...wait for it...a certain ser chief of all kinds, probably someone middle-aged. Anyway, for some Ser Chief to drive one, it has good gadgets, more space in the back thanks to its longer wheelbase, wooden trim, and enough headroom to accommodate anyone up to five foot tall. A certain Ser Chief in Japan asked me that a good sport saloon's interior needs to have the right equipment despite the pricing and this does actually quite well because it has Honda's InterNavi, decent audio system, automatic air conditioner, controls on the steering wheel, digital dashboard...pretty good.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid feels like its predecessors but it doesn't, probably because of its CVT gearbox that feels like it's been made by some clever Japanese who probably doesn't know the word fun. I know, I might be ended up whining and shouting with this gearbox but the CVT gearbox is quite smooth actually but as a concept, it's a bit Candy Crush-ish.

It's worth bearing in mind though that the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid starts at 3.65 million yen, that's 610,000 yen more than its Toyota Camry rival, which is annoyingly has more combined power output than the Accord. Pity but if you didn't mind the price difference and you owned one and ignore the gearbox, it's really not to bad. It's also rides nicely...(thud!) most of the time and...at this point, I'm running out of things to say about the new Accord Hybrid.

Available colors: Champagne Platinum Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Premium Sparkle Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, and Modern Steel Metallic.

PRICE LIST:

LX - 3,650,000 Yen
EX - 3,900,000 Yen

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

BBC Top Gear Season 20 announcement

Top Gear Series 20

Good news! After months of waiting, BBC's hit car variety show, Top Gear, returns for its 20th season this June 30 on BBC Two and for the first time, BBC Two HD! So what can you expect for the boys this summer? Here are a couple of hints:

- The boys are comparing supercar convertibles in Spain

- Richard Hammond and his touring car buddies are figuring out which country has the best taxi

- BAC Mono Power Test

- A race against a cup yacht

- A tale of two SLS AMG models - one's Black and one's Electric

- Jeremy and James are investigating crossovers

- The boys are redefining a hovercraft

- Another triple hot hatch test including the all new Renault Clio/Lutecia RS EDC

- Jeremy drives a Jaguar F-Type

- Ferrari F12berlinetta makes an appearance

- and finally...a brand new reasonably priced car! What could that be? Find out soon...

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/Top-Gear-TV-is-back-2013-06-13

Top Gear returns on BBC Two this June 30. Coming soon in BBC America, BBC Knowledge, BBC Entertainment, and other networks whereas Top Gear aired.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat

2014 Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat

Suzuki's answer to the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa, called the Alto Lapin Chocolat, might just be the cutest car on the block even though both of these rivals share the same chocolate-y names. Hmmm...Cocoa and Chocolat...sounds so sweet but in terms of the rivalry between Daihatsu and Suzuki, they're bitter enemies, and the all-new Chocolat, which is the posh version of the second-generation Alto Lapin cute compact car targeted for Japanese women in their 20's, it promises to offer anything that the Cocoa can't.

Starting with the design that was made to captivate many young Japanese women. While Suzuki tries to make the new version of the Lapin even cuter than the normal Lapin, think of it as Suzuki trying to inject too much "cutonium" into the normal Lapin's design. Sadly for the readers, if you don't know what "cutonium" really is...I picked that word from a Phineas and Ferb episode titled "Meapless in Seattle" but forget about that. What's best to describe the new Chocolat is....well, it's about as cute as the host of a noontime talk show goes by the name of Ryzza. Cute as Ryzza. That's what that is.

2014 Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat interior

The Chocolat adds poshness to the familiar Lapin interior and getting in here feels like Peppermint Butler fixed it up for you before you set off. He he he...Peps. You really got me now but anyway, this isn't all Peppermint Butlers and Banana Guards on the Chocolat because on the more expensive versions, you'll get the smartphone-integrated navigation system as applied from the Spacia and then the familiar Lapin speedo where there's some cute bunny animation flashing up. Lovely...

2014 Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat

Unlike the new Wagon R or the Spacia, the new Chocolat, like the normal Lapin, didn't rely on the ENE-CHARGE system because some say, that could just spoil its cute looks. Instead, Suzuki's gone old-fashioned by adding Idling Stop on the Lapin Chocolat's K6A engine, which seems to be outdated because most Suzuki kei cars are now relying on the R06A engine since the current MR Wagon. Anyway, with the Idling Stop added, Suzuki promises that the Chocolat has a fuel economy of 26.0kmpl based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards, which theoretically, is the same as the Mira Cocoa's! However, with the 4WD powertrain, fuel economy is 25.2kmpl, which is .4kmpl less than the Cocoa's 4WD model.

As for the pricing, the all-new Lapin Chocolat starts at 1,291,500 Japanese Yen, which is about a hundred thousand more than the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa and more annoyingly, more pricey than the Suzuki MR Wagon. That's a small price to pay for a car that was made to captivate young women who think that the Mira Cocoa's not cute enough for them...

But still, the posh Chocolat from Suzuki is more than enough to eat the Mira Cocoa for breakfast and I had to say that such cute looks and posh interior feels like it's been made in Candy Kingdom or Candied Island with tender loving care. Wait, Candied Island? Oh dear...Why did I even have the urge to mention it?

Available colors: Pearl White, Bluish Black Pearl 3, Cassis Pink Pearl Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, Champagne Pink Pearl Metallic, Milk Tea Beige Metallic, Aromatic Aqua Metallic, and Air Blue Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (June 19, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

RH: Man, that was epic! So freaking close!

JC: I know! Too darn close! The folks at Miami Heat prevented the Spurs from taking home the trophy and advance to the final game! I mean, if it weren't for the Heat's aggressive measures, the Spurs would have mullered them for the crown.

RH: That's definitely incredible, Jeremy! I thought the Heat's going to lose but the OVERTIME really gave them 5 minutes of fame and anger...

(audience laughing)

RH: ...until the three-point gap between them really made Miami Heat won Game 6 and advance to the Final Game of the 2013 NBA Finals! So what do you say? Since both Heat and Spurs are going on the final game of the championship, who will prevail?

JC: Uhhhh....

(audience laughing)

JM: Let's remember, the Spurs took the odds while the Heat made it even so it's 3-3 for them. Who will win the final game?

JC: Well, tell you what? We're going to find out at the conclusion of the 2013 NBA Finals this Thursday (Friday for Asian countries) and find out okay? Anyway, let's do the news!

RH: And big news today because, hey James, you remember driving the new Aston Martin Vanquish in the USA a couple of months ago, right?

JM: Yeah, and this is the car that sustain the least number of hits in a game of aerial laser tag at Willow Springs and I arrived 2nd at the border town of Calexico, whereas you've arrived last and drove a Mastretta sports car in Mexico.

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, Aston Martin launched a new convertible version of the Vanquish, called the Vanquish Volante. Here it is...

2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
(ooohhh)

RH: Anyway, it has the same features as the Vanquish that James May drove, except now, the roof is off and it weighs 9kg more than the coupe model. Still has the same V12 engine as the coupe model, don't forget it.

JC: I think this is even more sexier and even more dramatic than its hardtop sister and I had to say, it's as beautiful as Karen Gillan...

(audience laughing)

JM: Clarkson! Would you please knock it off?

JC: Sorry about that. I can't help myself contemplating about this beautiful machine, which is somewhat the open-top version of the car you just drove a couple of months ago.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, Fiat just launched a 7-seater version of the 500L, called the Living. Here it is...

2014 Fiat 500L Living
(audience laughing)

JC: Care to look at it? Care to see what that is? What this is is nothing more of an enlarged 500 now even larger and even more uglier. As uglier as your Fiat Panda...

(audience laughing)

RH: Indeed it is! It looks annoyingly grotesque! I bet James May would swap his Panda for that one. He he he...

JC: Hey James! This car is even bigger than your worthless Panda! Want?

JM: No...

(audience laughing)

JM: Would you please stop annoying me with that kind of...nonsense?

JC: Okay but there's something worse than a Fiat 500L Living. Something I can't describe...Hmmm...Has anyone saw yesterday's Adventure Time?

(audience murmuring)

JC: Now, what I don't really understand that Adventure Time's slowly turning into Gravity Falls, probably because...um...

RH: Oh wait! Lemme guess... So there was a character in Gravity Falls who sounded like BMO and then there's a character in Adventure Time who sounded like Mabel Pines. Would that be...criss-cross?

(audience laughing)

JC: Criss cross, Hammond! Criss cross! Here's the problem because when they saw a character from Gravity Falls who was one of Mabel's friends...

JM: Was it the Asian one?

(audience laughing)

JC: James! Stop it! This is too sensitive. Anyway, the main problem is...one of Mabel's friends could be BMO. It goes like "HEY! THERE'S A BMO IN GRAVITY FALLS!"

(audience laughing)

RH: BMO?! In Gravity Falls? More like BMO in human form wearing a striped jumper! Ha ha ha!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, Candy's the name. Candy was one of Mabel's friends who sounded like BMO, which is somewhat algebraic for fans many. Now, onto Adventure Time. There was this character named Jake Jr.

RH: Jake Jr.? You mean, Jake Jr.?

JC: Jake Jr. She's one of Jake and Lady Rainicorn's kids first appeared in an episode called "Jake the dad" but she aged faster.

image
Jake Jr.

JC: Anyway, there was this episode where Jake Jr. was kidnapped by an unknown criminal and then Jake the Dog assembled his old crew to steal something from the candy kingdom but then his old crew tricked him and turns out Jake Jr. is behind this. One thing I don't understand is..."Hey! Does this voice sound familiar from Jake Jr.'s"? Oh wait! I know who she is!!!

RH: Who was she?

JC: It's MABEL PINES from GRAVITY FALLS!

(audience laughing hysterically)

JC: Mabel's the Jake Jr.!

RH: No freaking way! It's a criss cross! Gravity Falls is turning into Adventure Time with BMO around and Adventure Time's turning into Gravity Falls with Mabel! Criss-cross...

(audience laughing)

JC: There you go folks. Top Gear Top Tip: BMO turns Gravity Falls into Adventure Time, Mabel turns Adventure Time into Gravity Falls. Criss-cross.

(audience laughing)

JC: Who wouldn't taught of that?! He he he... Oh my goodness. Are we all succumbed to some kind of Smile Dip and that's what happened? Mabel ended up being Jake Jr. in Adventure Time? Weeeeeee.........


(audience laughing)

(splash!)

JC: OW! ####!

(audience laughing)

JM: Knock it off, Clarkson. You're just getting high after thinking that Mabel turning Adventure Time into Gravity Falls and BMO turning Gravity Falls into Adventure Time.

JC: Okay okay okay....I had enough of the whole Gravity Falls Adventure Time malarkey. Anyway, I just saw a rather interesting article from TV5's Word of the Lourd about why Candy Crush saga is life-ruingly addictive than prohibited drugs and that begs us a question...why?

(audience laughing)

JC: Judging the fact that Candy Crush is 2013's hit social puzzle game that outrun Farmville as one of the hit Facebook games with over 45.6 million monthly users and one of the highest grossing apps at the app store, why would something so colorful and boring would be even better than the big games. Besides, this is nothing more of a tic-tac-toe with a bit more fanciness on it.

(audience laughing)

RH: Hey, I thought you're quitting on this super boring game?

JC: I know. I quit playing that game but there's so much skepticism about the whole Candy Crush addiction. Something that I can't truly understand...I mean the whole addiction story is pretty much with us from the past and the present ever since the book of Genesis where drugs hadn't been invented yet.

(audience laughing)

JC: Thing is though, addiction isn't just limited to drugs. It's also everywhere. Everything around you can be addictive and addiction ruins your life.

RH: Uh...what about car addicts? Do cars ruin their lives?

(audience laughing)

JC: Possibly... But there's a thing to avoid addiction and that's moderation. With great addiction comes great responsibility, like the ads that says "Drink Responsively" at the end...

(audience laughing)

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

What's in our Car Town garage today? (June 19, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV

The LP670-4 SV served as the explosive "grand finale" of the Lamborghini Murcielago flagship supercar after its decade-long tenure since its 2001 debut. For this "finale", the 6.5L V12 engine now churns out 670HP of power transmitted through all four wheels while its stripped-out interior and enhanced aerodynamics makes it for weight loss. In Top Gear, Richard Hammond did a drag race against the McLaren SLR 722 and it lost, in the streets of Abu Dhabi. At the Top Gear Test Track, the 1:19 lap time makes it as fast as the Enzo Ferrari!

2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV

Shaw's Flip Car

In Fast and Furious 6, the Flip Car is far out one of the deadliest rides ever made for Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans) and his ragtag group of criminals. Just one mistake when you're facing against the Flip Car, and you're in for some serious trouble when you got flipped by its contraption powerful enough to flip multiple police cars mercilessly! Behind the scenes, this weapon of mass destruction is based on a Formula One car, its V8 engine produces over 500HP of power, and has a rear-wheel steer. This original machine really pushes the FnF franchise to a whole new level.

Shaw's Flip Car

2007 Volvo C30

Known to be one of the most interesting small hatchbacks in the market, the C30 offers a perfect balance of style and performance in a 3-door packaging that customers can enjoy. It draws inspiration from the 2001 SCC (Safety Concept Car) Concept which, in other stories, were designed entirely by women involved in Volvo. For this model, this was made for almost everybody who want a stylish hatchback that offers everything they want from a premium car without paying a premium pricing.

2007 Volvo C30

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau

Back in February, Ssangyong launched the Korando Turismo MPV which served as the replacement to the world's ugliest van of all time, the Rodius, and last time, I said that that it was too horrid in the driver's eyes and even horrid for those who owned one. Despite its terrible ugliness to this new model, it was the mix of interior space, practicality, and versatility that tempt buyers to buy one and ignore its horrid styling because the only reason why they bought one in the first place is that they need some people carriers to carry the whole family.

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau

Now, Ssangyong launched a luxurious variant of the Korando Turismo called the Chateau and what it is, which is a limousine version of the said model. Now, I know what you're thinking the word "limo" is applied only on stretched versions of 4-door saloons but this word applies to almost anything and the Chateau grade of the Korando Turismo fits the category. At first glance, it looks the same as the Korando Turismo, retaining the same horrid look that some say it's less horrid than the Rodius it replaces, except now has a high roof that looks like it's made for camping stuff. However, this car isn't made for camping, and what to expect from the high roof on it that looks like a THULE?

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau interior

Well, the reason why the Chateau has a high roof on the top is that it was accommodated by a well-tailored interior fit for a politician, even for Park Geun-Hye herself. This luxurious interior layout was accompanied by curtains, a refrigerator where to store your refreshments, a rear entertainment system (accompanied by a 20-inch monitor and JBL audio system) for the selfies who want to watch some movies on the go, stuff where you'll hang your clothes, and so much more concessions of comfort, fit for a Korean politician or a celeb alike. For the first time, this is the kind of Ssangyong built for those who want to be chauffeured but the Chairman W is not enough for them.

The Chateau, like the standard Korando Turismo, comes with the e-XDi200 diesel engine which produces 155PS of power while mated with a 5-speed auto and POWER 4WD. Fuel economy combined is 10.5km/L and it's available only in Fine Silver exterior color.

With prices starting at 46,900,000 Korean Won, that is somewhat much cheaper to buy than ultra-expensive Japanese MPVs such as the Toyota Alphard and the Nissan Elgrand and it's funny you should ask because the Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau is somewhat targeted against the Hyundai Grand Starex Limousine, which is a special vehicle model available by request.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company 

Monday, June 17, 2013

Let's Do The News! (June 17, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JC: So, there we go, folks. San Antonio Spurs took over Game 5, as expected, in the score of 114-104 versus Miami Heat so...any analysis post-game?

RH: Well, I can't believe that the Spurs went back fighting even without their ace player, Parker, and it's all because every Heat player is fell onto the whistle trap that keeps the Spurs scoring and scoring and three pointing and scoring and scoring and scoring...

(audience laughing)

RH:...goes on and on and on until the end of the game! Well, honestly, thanks to the double by Manu Ginobili and the accurate shots by Danny Green, there's no stopping for Spurs now. The Heat's aren't very pleased...

(audience laughing)

JC: Hmmm...How to put it this way? Oh yeah! CURSE YOU GINOBILI!!!!

(audience laughing)

RH: Okay, okay, that's enough now.

JC: Anyway, with Spurs won Game 5 for now, Game 6 is on Tuesday (Wednesday for Asian countries). Will Spurs win the championship or will Heat try to make it even? Let's just wait...

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, let's do the news folks and oh! There's a brand new BMW coming and it's called the 4-Series. Here it is...

2014 BMW 4-Series
JM: Replacement of the 3-Series Coupe, based on the current 3-Series, and it's available only in three different engines by launch such as the turbocharged 3.0-litre six cylinder in the 435i (0-62mph in 5.4s), a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot in the 428i (0-62mph in 5.9s) and a 2.0-litre diesel in the 420d (0-62mph in 75s, 60.1mpg). 6-speed manual standard while 8-speed auto an optional feature.

JC: I think it looks rather magnificent. It's like a 6-series got shrunken down and gave some 3-Series face on it. Now what bothers me that, is this really the replacement to the outgoing 3-Series Coupe?

JM: Yes. Absolutely. It's now under a new naming structure where odd numbers are for sedans and even numbers are for coupes, which is a weird approach for BMW to follow in the times.

JC: Anyway, yesterday was Father's Day and I was guessing everyone around here are greeting their dads with a simple "Happy Father's Day" greeting, treating dads some big treats such as dining in the restaurant, giving them gifts, so on, so forth. Well, Father's Day is cool if you're doing it right but for some, they put Father's Day in the other way around...

RH: Which is...dull?

(audience laughing)

JC: Not quite, pal. Particularly, the anime otaku selfies...

(audience laughing)

RH: Wha....?!!!

JC: Yeah. Anime is for selfies and the words "Father's Day" and "anime" doesn't count. "Father's Day" in western cartoons, live actions sitcoms, dramas, or whatever forms of media would work but in the world of Japanese anime, this is not totally related because anime's always for selfies...

(audience laughing)

JM: Selfies? Ahem...in the past, do you saw an anime titled "Listen to me girls, I'm your father!" a couple of years ago? This quite fits in the category of when "Father's Day" and "anime" does make sense...

(audience laughing)

JC: JAMES!!!!

JM: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just remembering things but still it's worth looking back on an anime about a college student who's now in custody of three nieces in place of his sister and her husband. Come on. You got to see it for a while...

JC: James. Father's day was so yesterday and if you want me to watch your lame stuff, it would be on my queuing list.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, ever since a chrome-wrapped Lotus Evora appeared in THE HOST, the movie adaptation of the novel made by the author behind the Twilight saga, it seems that Lotus Cars are pushing too hard to get their products on the silver screen. But now, there's another Lotus going to feature in another movie and this time...take a look...

Exige S in RED 2
JM: That's a...Lotus Exige S with a supercharged V6 in middle...

JC: That's right and it's going to be in RED 2, the sequel to the 2010 action comedy where retired agents are wrecking havoc. It's the one with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Dame Helen Mirren. Also joining were Mary Louise Parker, Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones, Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, and our classic Hannibal Lecter, Sir Anthony Hopkins. Anyway, while we're waiting to see this one in the coming months, I have to say that the Exige S is a fantastic car. A V6 lightweight Brit is worth a killing to the old Porsche GT3 RS and there's some great news for Japanese Lotus customers.

JM: Wait, what?

JC: Originally, Japanese Lotus distributor, LCI Limited, would launch the Exige S V6 in the middle of 2012 Japan Lotus Day but financial reasons cancelled its Japan premiere, thus leaving Japanese consumers out in the cold right now but...LCI Limited announced that they will start selling the Exige S (V6) this late July following with a debut fair at the Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, by July 27 to  August 11, 2013.

JM: Okay, that sounds nice but...does the V6-powered Exige deserves the shot to be in Gran Turismo 6 soon?

JC: No....

(audience laughing)

JC: Obviously because Gran Turismo 6 will be lacking the latest and the hottest exotics, you might as well pray that it will show up on Xbox One's Forza Motorsport 5 soon.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, the nuclear-fueled Iran now has a new president.

(oohh)

JM: Really? Who?

JC: Says here it's Hassan Rohani and he won Iran's presidential election, declaring him as the new leader and there has been some mixed reaction about Iran's new leader. Some are positive while some are negative and we prefer the negative comments because...

JM: Up until now, you still hate Iran because of its nuclear-fueled fury and as part of the State Sponsors of Terrorism just like Cuba and Syria?

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, possibly because Iran is kinda like North Korea because their nuclear power is their source of their growth but thing is though...Iranians like Top Gear.

(audience laughing)

JM: Hmmm?

JC: True. There are so many petrolheads in Iran right now who are already getting hooked on our show and every time when it gets replaced by something something American, the Iranian men hated it and when Top Gear's on, the Iranian men are getting hooked on it, especially when this show's been dubbed in Farsi language, which is the language of Iranians.

JM: Wow...

(audience laughing)

JM: No wonder why Iranians love Top Gear a lot...

RH: Yeah, probably because of our crude adult humor Iranian grown men love...

(audience laughing)

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

Super GT 2013 Round 3 Sepang


In case you missed yesterday's Round 3 of the 2013 season of the Super GT, held at Sepang, Malaysia, here's a quick sum up on who just made it...

GT500 Class:

3rd place - #100 RAYBRIG HSV-010 driven by Takuya Izawa and Takashi Kogure

2nd place - #39 DENSO KOBELCO SC430 driven by Juichi Wakisaka and Hiroaki Ishiura

WINNER - #12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R driven by Tsugio Matsuda and J.P.Lima De Oliveira


GT300 Class:

3rd place - #11 GAINER DIXCEL SLS driven by Katsuyuki Hiranaka and Bjorn Wirdheim

2nd place - #16 MUGEN CR-Z GT driven by Hideki Mutoh and Yuhki Nakayama

WINNER - #55 ARTA CR-Z GT driven by Shinichi Takagi by Takashi Kobayashi


NEXT RACE: Sugo this July 27-28