A German star is born...

2011 Audi R18 Race Car

WOWIES! Audi made a new Le Mans Prototype! This new Audi Le Mans Prototype is called the R18.

Wow! This Audi LMP has a meaner look. This meaner look will scare the opponents out of the 24 Hour Le Mans Race for good, but is this greater than other Audi Le Mans Prototypes?

Scoop:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/10/audi-r18-le-mans-prototype-unveiled-with-full-roof-epic-leds/

Final three K-On!! Character CDs debut! Commercialization starts at January!

Who've enjoyed five K-On!! Character Image CDs, from Yui to Azusa? You know, CD number 1 to number 5?

Don't think it's done because Pony Canyon unveiled the last three of the K-On!! Character Image CDs, based on the second season of K-On!!

Character Image 6: Ui Hirasawa (CV: Madoka Yonezawa)

Character Image 7: Nodoka Manabe (CV: Chika Fujito)

NEW! Character Image 8: Jun Suzuki (CV: Yoriko Nagata)

I'm serious because this was confirmed from the official site.

Commercialization starts at January 19, 2011. Hurry up and pre-order it.

Citroen C-ZERO

2011 Citroen C-ZERO

Zero, meaning none or a blank, which also means no value. In hybrid car terms, the number "zero" refers to zero emissions, a huge step for the clean future of the automotive industry. At the center of the number zero, the Citroen C-ZERO is born to be a zero, zero emissions for Europe.

Under the partnership between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors, the Citroen C-ZERO is based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric hybrid compact. Aside from that, Peugeot also uses the i-MiEV platform for its European OEM, the Peugeot i0n.

As a 100% Electric Vehicle, the Citroen C-ZERO is powered with the magnet synchronous motor, capable of releasing a power output of 64 bhp EEC/3,000-6,000 rpm and the torque output of 180 Nm/2,000 rpm. This motor is powered with the 330-volt lithium-ion battery system, which was sourced from Mitsubishi Motors in Japan.

Recharging the C-ZERO is simple as charging your portable devices. The C-ZERO comes with the 220-volt plug that can be charged to about 30 minutes to six hours.

My thoughts about the C-ZERO:
Since both the Citroen C-ZERO and the Peugeot i0n were made by Mitsubishi Motors, responsible for the i-MiEV, both of these eco cars were equipped with the YF41 electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Both of these were offered exclusively for the European markets. Consider these a European-Japanese agreement when it comes for the future of the automotive industry going green.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

An automotive recall like a Korean drama... [UPDATE]

Check this scoop:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-hyundai-santa-fe-and-2011-kia.html

Hyundai's Santa Fe:

and Kia's Sorento

Both of these Korean SUVs are a favorite among Philippine car enthusiasts because of the CRDi R eVGT diesel engine. It seems both of the Philippines' favorite crossovers are suffered from a major recall due to defective brakes!

Only the latest versions (built from September to November 2010) were affected by this said recall. Seems sad but this recall is much more of a Korean drama...

Hurry up and better get these two fixed! Owners, get these fixed at your dealers. I'm not sure if both the Philippine distributors of Hyundai (HARI) and Kia (Columbian) made an announcement about this recall...

Well, back to watch some Korean dramas...

Update: Turns out only those made in North America were affected by the recall. The ones we had were made from South Korea, so in other words, we're safe.

Limited-edition, Japan-only, Renault Sport Clio (Lutecia) marks the end...

2011 Renault Lutecia Sport Complete (J)

It's been great that the Renault Sport Clio (Lutecia in Japan) was been the most enjoyable Renault hot hatch ever made. This car may be sold in other countries but in Japan, this is the climax.

For that, Renault Japon offered a special edition called the Renault Sport Lutecia Complete and its limited to just 30 units. This special edition doesn't seem to be special, especially when the interior comes with the RS monitor (found on the Renault Sport Megane).

Why call it Complete? European countries still sold the Renault Sport Clio but why try to end its Japanese sales of the Renault Sport Lutecia? Is it because it will give way to the Japan launch of the new Renault Sport Megane?

Source (Japanese only):

http://news.kakaku.com/prdnews/cd=kuruma/ctcd=7010/id=13701/

"No more brushing!"

What just happened on December 10 episode on Bubble Gang Kin-Z?

- Nightclub gags raided by cops

- Blind date with a proxy

- On another episode of Cheche Bureche; Bureche (Michael V) got some kind of a manicure/pedicure kit because she wants to be manicure or pedicure (or whatever) for the Christmas party, but Cheche (Ogie Alcasid) doesn't know how to. The result, total pain to Bureche's feet! AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!

- Emotions perfume for sale!

- Bubble Gang spoofs the commercial of "Most Powerful Surf Bar with micro brushes", and gagged as "the most powerful Burf bar!"

- Rap Caroling (Rap Battle Christmas style)! A Rap Battle between Target & B2Y (Michael V) versus Batas & Snoop Ogie Doogie (Ogie Alcasid) fusing rap and caroling for fun. We got choked by these rappers!

- some reality show got the host divorced

- Who needs Santa Claus when they got the Santa Clown!

Bata, Bata, Tayo'y Tumula once again...

What just happened on the December 10 episode on TV5's Lokomoko U?

- Christmas gags are more fun to give than gifts

- It's time to bring the Kinder Two students on the stage for the third time as Bata, Bata, Tayo'y Tumula is here again for some tula jokes! Seems that the ibon and the pagong has one ending sentece; "Huwag lang ibabaon baka lumabas ang sipon!" This is one heck of a kinder riot on Lokomoko U!

- The mice and rats from Keso City come caroling with us with the mousy versions of their Christmas songs.

- another episode of Bahaw Ikalawang Hain. After Ampy (Valeen Montenegro) and Blue (Empoy) arguing each other, it seems that Blue tries his best to win Pinky's heart. Whoops!
He even mentioned Zombies, Plants vs. Zombies (a popular Facebook game), but who will be the father of Pinky's newborn child? Tune in next week...

- Is it Adam? An Apple? Naked in the garden? Mechado? Menudo? Cooking Oil? Mang Tomas? Monay? Mangosteen? No, it's another round of laugh trip with JC and Rainier on Pinoy Brainless! ROFL

Fuga Hybrid vs. Crown Hybrid

Nissan's first hybrid luxury sedan, the Fuga Hybrid (known as the Infiniti M35 Hybrid)

Toyota's Crown Hybrid

Both are premium JDM VIP luxury hybrid sedans built for wealthy Japanese executives. Yes, these were VIP hybrids for the Japanese VIPs. I wonder which of these hybrid knights is my pick?

CASE ONE:

Based on the Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M) Y51, the Nissan Fuga Hybrid is the first of Nissan's kind and part of the Nissan Pure Drive range. What surprises me is the VQ35HR engine with the added electric motor. As a hybrid, the Nissan Fuga Hybrid has the best fuel economy in its class thanks to the fuel economy of 19.0km/L. It is fitted with a 7-speed Semi-Automatic Transmission. With that fuel economy, imagine how far can you go with the new Fuga Hybrid. In the interior side, the new Fuga Hybrid boasts exceptional hospitality and relaxation because of the forest aircon, BOSE Surround Sound System, and the optional VIP Package to up the ante on the brougham's comfort zone for the executives. A hybrid brougham I want to get my hands on it...

CASE TWO:

When the 13th generation Toyota Crown was launched in February 2008, this generation marks the debut of the Crown Hybrid variant. The Crown Hybrid was based on the 2007 Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and it was on sale since May 2008, following with the minor change at February 2010 (along with the Athlete and the Royal Saloon). Sadly, the Crown Hybrid's fuel efficiency of 15.8km/L was not good enough against the Fuga Hybrid. The interior is a bit fine for me but I personally prefer the inside of the Fuga Hybrid because its is far more luxurious than the Crown Hybrid. The only good point for the Crown Hybrid is the CVT.

As they said, the Nissan Fuga Hybrid is the most fuel efficient in its class. My big advantages for the Fuga Hybrid is the fuel economy, the comfort, the style, and the brougham spirit only executives can offer. The Crown Hybrid is a bit less of a luxury and the interior is a bit cheaper by the dozen. So I'll go with the Fuga Hybrid.

Tongue Tarang Tongue for 12-10-10

Here's the December 10 Tongue Tarang Tongue jokes from ABS-CBN's Banana Split earlier:

Pinoy: Kahit Na
Spanish: Masque Papano

Pinoy: Sunog balat ng babae
Japanese: Paso Kateh?

Pinoy: Mabilis magpatakbo
Spanish: Primera segunda tersera quarta quinta vroom vroom

Pinoy: Ang ibig kong sabihin
Japanese: Wataminasei

Pinoy: Maitim na tao
Spanish: Tostado

Pinoy: Eew kadiri!
Japanese: Yak yokko

Pinoy: Sira ipin
Spanish: La sipilyo tartar

Pinoy: Ayoko na kumain
Japanese: Hako Butsokna

Oh wait, RR Enriquez showcased the three O.A. (over active) stuff in "ANG O.A. MO!" such as "when you're wife is angry at your salary but just a small amount", "life vests and life boats ready but no typhoons, just rain showers", and "your pet is pregnant".

Also on the Banana Split mini-series titled "The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers", after Noli (Jayson Gainza), Julius (Badji Mortiz), and Kuring (Nina Jose) were arrested by cops, Ted (Jason Francisco) faces against the villain dressed in black again. The villain in black defeated Ted and send him to something extreme... Will Ted be saved? Find out on Monday in the new Banana Split mini-series titled The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers!

Gotcha Makulit! You're the 1 Series M Coupe after all!

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe interior

Ha! After teasing us with heavily camouflaged prototypes, pics, and videos, it seems that BMW M Power revealed the much anticipated 1 Series M Coupe after all!

GOTCHA!

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/officially-official-2012-bmw-1-series-m-coupe-is-ready-to-cut-a/

Ready for its NAIAS launch this January and commercialization starts this Summer 2011, this would be the best addition to the BMW M range.

For me, I think this car's a bit too little too late because of the upcoming BMW 1-Series hatch coming soon next year, but this M Coupe will rock our hearts!

It's suspicious that BMW M Power nicknamed the 1 Series M Coupe the "Pirate" because it has a characteristics of a pirate. ARRRRGGHH!

Whoa, no time for pirate stuff OK? This 1 Series M Coupe is the real 1 Series M Coupe, coming next year!

Who's ready?

The different faces of the DS3...

2011 Citroen DS3

As a big fan of Citroen's hot hatch, the DS3, the first of the Citroen DS (Different Spirit) range, I love the way the DS3 behaves, especially I tried it on Forza Motorsport 3 (from the DLC and now the Ultimate Collection). Not only the DS3 is eco-friendly because of the diesel engine, this is truly a fun to drive hot hatch. I never realized that this anti-retro hot hatch has several faces on their own; two are for racing purposes and one is a very special one.

2011 Citroen DS3 Racing

Seen here is the Citroen DS3 Racing, the special modified version of the DS3, limited to just 1,000 units (not sure if its sold out already). This special DS3 comes with the 1.6 THP 200 engine, releasing a power output of just 202ps and it comes equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

The coolest DS3 we wish to have...

2010 Citroen DS3 R3

2010 Citroen DS3 Rally Car Prototype

These two DS3 hatches are for racing purposes only (and every Forza 3 player who owned the DS3 can replicate these); first is the DS3 R3, this racing-spec DS3 is made for tarmac rally racing and suited under the FIA Group R3 regulations. The second is the DS3 all kitted up for next year's World Rally Championship with Loeb and Ogier piloting this... The DS3 will be the official Citroen Rally Car for next year's WRC, replacing the C4.

2011 Citroen DS3

The Citroen DS3 is an anti-retro hot hatch, and this is a perfect rally machine for the pros. I really really like the way the DS3 has been; fast, eco-friendly, and fun to drive!

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Mitsuoka Like

2011 Mitsuoka Like

With the inception of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (an electric vehicle based on the Mitsubishi i), and PSA Peugeot Citroen readies for the rebadged versions such as the i0n and the C-Zero, it seems that Mitsuoka is joining the OEM bandwagon as it released the i MiEV-based Like electric vehicle.

Like (Japanese: Raiku, 雷駆) is Mitsuoka's first electric vehicle that was based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The front view of the Like is a different point of view because it's part of Mitsuoka's tradition to redesign cars out from existing ones such as the March-based Viewt, or the Corolla-based Galue 2-04. One glance at the Like's front view and you may be shocked by its eccentric face.

With the eccentric view, the Like is powered with the Mitsubishi YF41 electric engine. It operates at the power output of 64PS/3,000-6,000rpm and the torque output of 18.4kg-m/0-2,000rpm. The charge outlet for the Like hybrid can be about 100-200V, so its best to plug it in the right outlet.

My thoughts about the Like:

The Mitsubishi i MiEV-based Mitsuoka Like has an eccentric front view but with the heart of a true eco car becuase this is Mitsuoka's first electric vehicle designed for Mother Nature. I might think of it as a crowning glory of electric vehicles but the Like is the most eccentric electric vehicle designed for someone special...

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd.