Cheap speeds

150mph is the benchmark speed for high performance cars. No matter how much you can buy it, you can still reach the high performance benchmark but what if you can achieve it in low priced cars?

History's Top Gear has Tanner in the Saab Viggen, Adam's in the Pontiac Trans Am, and Rut's in the Infiniti in a relentless quest to see if it can reach 150mph but before that, there are some challenges.

Tanner beat the speeding arrow, Adam conquered the high speed stability, and Rut survived from having a pack of rats in his head.

The real challenge starts at El Mirage drybed where their cars are put to the test. Adam does 136mph, Tanner does 151mph, and Rut (with the nitro in the car) does about 140 but he lied about reaching over 150.

After the challenge, Rut's given the chance to drive the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse for an epic 6-mile journey. to deliver this car for some VIP and this VIP is...Tanner? Tanner Foust?

Turns out, it's Tanner who supposed to drive the Veyron GSV because he won the challenge, not Rut.

For Rutledge, the Vitesse is all about elegance but for Tanner, the Vitesse was built for speed because speed is the Bugatti's mantra but how?

The police closed the road just so Tanner can max out the Veyron GSV and in the end, Tanner managed to do 201mph on a closed public road.

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE Vocal Tracks

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE
Vocal Tracks

In anticipation for tomorrow's Japan release of the upcoming Metal Gear Rising Revengeance, a Playstation3 exclusive title in collaboration with Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, here comes the music inspired by the newest hack-and-slash addition to the Metal Gear saga. That's right, this Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Vocal Tracks offer 29 rocking heavy metal music tracks that were inspired from Raiden's most intense mission that seeks revenge against a PMC known as Desperado Enforcement and how intense was it? You'll find that out tomorrow when this comes out exclusively on the PS3 gaming console.

Anyway, those hard-bashing soundtrack compilation really sticks true to the "Cut What You Will" concept. Once you listened to all of these vocal tracks, rest assured that your earbuds had been disintegrated into chunks thanks to Raiden's Blade Mode that shows some devastation to Rising's mantra. Your audio can't keep up with the razor edge soundtrack inspired from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance! Pretty soon, your audio will get sliced into chunks! He he he....

If you're itching to have one of these, the Vocal Tracks is available for just 2940 Yen and for that, you have a razor-sharp audio CD filled with 29 razor sharp heavy metal rock musics inspired from the game that will "Cut What You Will" at the comfort of your own home!

TRACK LISTINGS:


01. Rules of Nature (Platinum Mix)
02. The Only Thing I Know For Real (Maniac Agenda Mix)
03. Dark Skies (Platinum Mix)
04. I'm My Own Master Now (Platinum Mix)
05. A Stranger I Remain (Maniac Agenda Mix)
06. Return to Ashes (Platinum Mix)
07. The Stains of Time (Maniac Agenda Mix)
08. Red Sun (Maniac Agenda Mix)
09. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix)
10. Collective Consciousness (Maniac Agenda Mix)
11. It Has To Be This Way (Platinum Mix)
12. The War Still Rages Within
13. The Hot Wind Blowing featuring Ferry Corsten (Platinum Mix)
14. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix - DLC Version)
15. Dark Skies (Platinum Mix - Low Key Version)
16. Return to Ashes (Platinum Mix - Low Key Version)
17. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix - Low Key Version)
18. Rules of Nature (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
19. The Only Thing I Know For Real (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
20. Dark Skies (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
21. I'm My Own Master Now (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
22. A Stranger I Remain (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
23. Return to Ashes (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
24. The Stains of Time (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
25. Red Sun (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
26. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
27. Collective Consciousness (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
28. It Has To Be This Way （Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
29. The Hot Wind Blowing featuring Ferry Corsten (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)

Nissan Juke NISMO

However, what if you're not a woman or in dire need for something a little more sporty? Just not this one, the Nissan Juke, okay? Because ever since it came out in Japan since the summer of 2010, it was already a hit because in its home market, Nissan scored over a ten thousand orders for the Juke, surpassing the 1,300 units per month sales target. However, despite being a hit, the Juke's well critizied over its unconditional design, even though it was designed in Britain, and its small room. Thing is though, the Juke was the first to feature Nissan's brand new MR16DDT DIG Turbo engine, which seems to be okay but not quite hot enough to satisfy its tastes.

Well known fact that stunt driver Terry Grant drove a Nissan Juke to pull off a world record by driving round Goodwood in two wheels! Anyway, if you think the Nissan Juke's not quite good enough to satisfy your "unsatisfied" hunger, there's another Juke that...um...well, you decide the outcome...

2013 Nissan Juke NISMO

 Nissan's tuning division, NISMO, took some time and some precautions to tinker the Nissan Juke compact crossover and the finished product resulted in this, the NISMO version of the Nissan Juke, the hot crossover with some sporty orientation in mind thanks to NISMO.

Thing is though, I sometimes didn't like the looks of a normal Juke because it's a bit of an oddball and it's a bit of a...joke but for the NISMO model, this is not a joke because the blokes from NISMO took it very seriously to make the best better and with the Nissan Juke NISMO, it's a struggle in the process.

First of all, the NISMO model of the Juke uses the 16GT FOUR model as its foundation for the NISMO Complete Car based on the Juke and by the looks of it, it's not a bit of a half-cook rooster that was fried up before its cockfighting debut. Surprisingly, instead of a fried rooster, I think the Juke NISMO kinda looks like a clown because the red side mirrors and the black, white, and silver exterior paint doesn't make any sense of being a sporty Juke model with a track-focused mind. Feels like it's as ruined as the elementary students messed up sets of Meccano toys and instead chose over LEGO because it's so easy to create stuff out of a million LEGO bricks. This feels like a Mecanno because it's so complicating to make than LEGO blocks.

Same goes for the NISMO-tuned suspension as well. Although, the NISMO tuned suspension offered on the Nissan Juke NISMO is capable enough to handle like a normal hot hatchback, it's still a bit fidgety, it's a bit Meccano-ish, and it's full of drama everytime this car went on the corners. It's the same feeling I've expected on last year's Hyundai Veloster Turbo because while the Juke NISMO is not on the same league as the Veloster Turbo, they both share the only experience in common; the handling that makes the driver very stressful. However, while the Veloster Turbo is a bit more stressful than the Juke NISMO, the Juke NISMO is kinda more of a beginners' luck. If you're the kind of bloke who got a driver's license for the first time, this car really doesn't matter if you're not concentrating but sometimes if you're not concentrating, it would be a straight and curly ride to your Sir Chief's office.

2013 Nissan Juke NISMO

Power comes from the same MR16DDT DIG TURBO engine but Nismo gave 10PS more, so now, it carries 200PS of power and 250Nm of torque while being mated with the XTRONIC CVT-M7 and All Mode 4X4-i with torque vectoring that some say it reduces the risk of having a little thing called catastrophic understeer. That seems to be quite juicy though, in fact, the improved chassis and the improved engine really makes it keen enough to tingle someone else's gentleman stuff over and over but only if it used in the right way.

With all that tinkering lead to its price and the Juke NISMO will cost you about  2,851,000 Japanese Yen and what can you say? Expensive? Reasonable? I can't say but with such pricing comes with the car that has an improved engine, improved chassis, unique exterior details, and the ride and handling that's about as hard as making Meccanos in your home.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd

Nissan Note E12 Autech Axis

Now last year, we virtually killed the Nissan Tiida C11 to make way to its successor, the second-generation Nissan Note E12. It's the one with the same HR12DE engine from the March K13 or the new HR12DDR engine that prompt a class-leading fuel economy of 25.2km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards. It's also Nissan's reasonably priced car because it starts at around 1,249,500 Yen.

Anyway, let's not summarize about last year's arrival because Autech Japan came up with a new sport conversion model that sits aside the Rider model of the Nissan Note E12.

2013 Nissan Note Autech Axis

Yes, this is the Autech Axis model of the Nissan Note E12. Although while the Rider model of the Note is all focused on being a sportier type of Note, the Axis model of the new Nissan Note is all about timeless elegance that is much more skin deep than a lady's Prada bag.

You still come with the same HR12DE and the HR12DDR DIG-S engine but on the Axis model, cosmetic treatments includes a stylish front grille, front bumper grille fin, elegant door handle plating, fog lamps, and the AXIS emblem at the back that stands out the rest. You can even opt for an optional 185/65R15 88S wheels with 15-inch Autech-made rims, plastic visors on the side, or back door molding.

Anyway, prices start at around 1,796,000 Yen for the Note Autech Axis model that comes with front wheel drive and the 1.2L engine on it while the latter that costs 1,843,000 Yen comes with the supercharged 1.2L DIG-S engine, four-wheel-drive, and that's about it.

Now what I like about cars that target the women audience is its practicality, style, safety, comfort, and its X factor that lets ladies stand out the rest but for the Axis version of the all new Nissan Note, perhaps they can do better. Sure, it maybe stylish enough for a lady driver but it needs a bit more glam like what stylish European compacts do. This one is...a bit too sensitive, too cheeky, and too much luster on its purge.

URL: http://www.autech.com/SV/NOTEAXIS/index.html

Let's Do The News! (February 19, 2012)

(cheers and applause)

JC: Hmmm...How scary was that?

RH: Well, it's scary enough to say "MOMMY!!!!"

(Audience laughing)

RH: Well, Silent Hill is all about scares right and this Book of Memories is another way to get yourself scared in the world of Silent Hill is by having immersed yourself as the hero of the story along with your friends. This is much more fun than bringing your friends to some real haunted house.

JC: Yeah, it was scary for that and you know what, in the coming days of this week, I shall talk about Metal Gear Rising, Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble PSP game, Majutsu no Index Endymion no Kiseki movie, and much much more. You in?

RH: No.

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, let's do the news and in case you've missed it, it seems that the BBC journalists are having a strike outside the BBC Television Centre, the place where Jeremy Clarkson drove his Peel P50 inside the building if you guys remembered it. Not just that, most of the BBC buildings were disrupted by strikes over redundancies.

JC: Okay, when you said there's a strike at the BBC because of its redundancies, what was that about?

RH: Well, a strike against the BBC is something that goes "STEVEN MOFFAT! PLEASE STOP BUTCHERING OUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS!!!" (laughing)

(audience laughing)

JM: Or is it "BRING BACK COLIN MORGAN!"

(audience laughing)

JC: What about "WE WANT MIRANDA BACK!" or "BRING BACK CATHERINE TATE!"

(audience laughing)

RH: Wait! Wait! Something better! Something better!

JC: What?

RH: "PLEASE BRING BACK SHERLOCK YOU MO-FO!!!"

(audience laughing, cheers and applause)

RH: Wow, there's going to be some sore of CIVIL DISCORD against the BBC, right? There's so many sleeping dogs around here and what's next?

JC: Kung fu? Car chase? Gun fights? Machine guns? Grenade launchers?

(audience laughing hysterically)

RH: Well, that would work but there's more than that. When you say grenade launcher, what sort?

JC: Well, an assault rifle with a grenade launcher attachment on it. You know, when a gunfight starts somewhere, you'll never know that there's a lucky bloke on the rooftop spend several minutes blowing everyone with some explosions. Feels like it's Hong Kong's North Point being under attacked by a gang war.

(audience laughing)

JM: You guys never learn anything eh? Well, there's a strike going on because pretty soon, the BBC will lay off two thousand employees for five years as part of its Delivering Quality First programme. Well, I agree to those lines I mean, if you were some lucky bloke having a strike against the BBC, what are you protesting about against the BBC? Job cuts? Steven Moffat ruining Doctor Who? Removing some of their favorite stars? Or anything that makes it worse?

(audience laughing)

JC: Yeah, there's never been an angry protesters going on around here and if they said "F**K YOU, BBC", they really do mean it...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, while we never mind the sleeping dogs attacking the BBC via protests, let's move on to THE IDOLM@STER 2 because there's a new DLC coming on the PS3 version (only) this Friday. Here's what sums it up...



JM: PS3 exclusive DLC outfits are "Cardigan Schooler" and "Traditional Maid" does look very lovely and sadly not a Punkish Gothic in sight because Namco Bandai don't think it should make it on the PS3 version. Besides, the Punkish Gothic outfit is a DLC outfit available only on the XBOX 360 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 and because of that, seems that the Punkish Gothic outfit was passed out. Sorry, no Punkish Gothic outfit for the PS3 version.

(audience laughing)

RH: Yeah, disappointed for that and if I was some lucky female otaku recreating those kind of new outfits offered on the PS3 version of iM@S 2, outfits like Cardigan Schooler and Traditional Maid look cool if she was on a...

JC: Ahem...On a what, shorty? Don't tell me...On the Stingray...The Corvette Stingray...

(audience laughing)

RH: Well, all right. You really got me. Besides, it's a PS3 thingy. You got me...

JC: Anyway, I know that the Peugeot 208 GTi is the hot hatch I usually prefer against the Renault Clio RS EDC because it has a proper transmission, proper hot hatch looks, and the heritage that dates back the 205 GTi. Now though, there's a new crossover and that name feels like it's been five years ago. Here it is...

2014 Peugeot 2008

JC: That's the Peugeot 2008. The Peugeot from the year 2008...

(audience laughing)

JM: My goodness. That looks awkward than I though, and I think this is somewhat a crossover version of the 208 compact. A good target to the Clio-based Captur, though.

JC: Ahem, don't bother that kind of French fry that looks like a Ssangyong Rexton by the looks of it.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, Danica Patrick, the first female NASCAR racer, has made history at the Daytona International Speedway because she was the first female to set a pole position for the upcoming Daytona 500. Let's give her a big round of applause, ladies and gentlemen.

(cheers and applause)

JC: All right, has anyone seen the Harlem Shake on the internet frequently? Hands up...

(audience raising hands)

JC: I really don't know about that whole Harlem Shake gig. What is it? Is this something that takes over last year's Gangnam Style?

JM: Me too. I really don't get it about the whole Harlem Shake gig.

RH: Well, Harlem Shake is well, a 30-second fun where for the first 15 seconds, you are dancing alone while covering your face with something something and when the bass drops, bring in everybody you know and GO LOCO! Go nuts! Go crazy! Now do the Harlem Shake! Even softdrinks are doing the Harlem Shake!

JC: Yeah, but as a grumpy old man, I really don't want to embarrass myself doing the Harlem Shake with you two idiots on it. Besides, it's SUPER SILLY.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, on that bombshell, that's the news. And better do the Harlem Shake by yourselves as I...beating my personal best on a game of Temple Run 2...

(audience laughing)

Silent Hill Book of Memories

Now, anyway, Silent Hill. You may remember that last year, there was a follow-up to the 2006 movie based on Konami's Silent Hill game called Silent Hill Revelations and that main protagonist kinda reminds us of that main character from SH3, anyone saw that film?

Anyway, shortly after that, there's another Silent Hill video game called Silent Hill Downpour. It was available exclusively for the PS3 and the scare never been so bad, so bad and scary, those who have it had wee their pants while spending hours of playing it. Just as you thought it's safe to go out there after a day's game, you were wrong because there's another Silent Hill game coming out to scare you but this time it's in the palm of your hands via your PSVita.

Silent Hill Book of Memories

Silent Hill Book of Memories is the first ever Silent Hill game made exclusively for the PSVita system but this game is more than that because this is the first ever Silent Hill game to have multiplayer gameplay, meaning that with the help of your friends, you can conquer your fears against your favorite Silent Hill monsters page after page after page.

It all started as a book where all your life's past and present were written and if you have the chance to rewritten what's done, you can alter the past. Oh dear, timey-wimey perspective but anyway, this Book Of Memories game is a stand-alone to Konami's flagship survival horror franchise and it focused more on multiplayer gameplay rather than psychological horror. Book of Memories allows players to create their own characters and immerse themselves to the world of Silent Hill, solving puzzles, collect items, brave through the scare rooms and face against some of the most memorable foes in the Silent Hill history such as the iconic Pyramid Head (one of the fan favorites), the Silent Hill nurses, the Bogeyman from Silent Hill Downpour, the Butcher from SH Zero, the Valtiel from SH3, the Double Head, the Straight Jacket, and Robbie, many others.

This survival horror game is too scary to play if you're alone but if you're teaming up with a buddy via co-op, you can work together to solve puzzles, fend off beasts, and take down bosses, the same moment when you're co-oping with your buddy since PW but forget about that. Sometimes when you're teaming up with your mates, Book of Memories keeps on getting harder and harder and harder until one of your mates say that this is getting too scary to work with you. Yeah, what a scary way to scare your friends by teaming up to play Book of Memories, you know what I mean?

Because the rooms are made to scare your wits, the supplies are limited, and the same Silent Hill darkness enveloped to your PSVita, Silent Hill Book of Memories really is a challenging game even for seasoned Silent Hill veterans. You have to make use of your effective strategy on how will you preserve your limited supplies, attacking enemies, and whatever it takes to survive an unforgiving world full of evil. At your first gameplay, you think that this is oh so piece of cake but as you progressed, it gets even more challenging until you came to the part that it takes hardcore guts to conquer your darkest fears.

Overall, Silent Hill Book of Memories is a game too scary to set off alone and you need help from your mates via co-op to save yourselves from the fear that haunts your deepest darkest secrets. Good luck...

Bulilit Vulcanizing Shop

As we continue on the 8th Anniversary celebration on Goin Bulilit on the February 17, 2013 episode...

- the corniest jokes on I'm Corny

- Vulcanizing Shop gags

- Paano kung naging driver ng ambulansya ang taxi driver?

- The Bulilits are asking questions to Dr. Eric Tayag on this week's CUTE & A!

- Paano kung naging driver ng ambulansya ang isang jeepney driver?

- Ooh! Eew!

- Two boys with stiff necks are watching a basketball match

- Former Bulilit Nash Aguas takes us behind the scenes on the auditions to find newest members of the GB family.

- Drama at the vulcanizing shop

- Ready Get Set Goin in Batya by Golly Wow!

Top Gear S19E04

Top Gear S19E04

There's a new sport created on the fourth episode of Top Gear Season 19 and that is known as Car Rugby. With Jeremy Clarkson, James May, a flock of Kia Sportage R's, and the brand new Kia Cee'd at Twickenham, Car Rugby is one of the most ambitious but rubbish Top Gear inventions ever made on the UK telly!

Despite Jeremy and James having fun in car rugby, Richard Hammond's suffering torment in Mexico, test-driving the Mastretta MXT, the Mexican-made super lightweight car that caused Top Gear some trouble among the Mexicans. If you remember back in S19E02, the last person arrive at the finish line will be shipped to Mexico and Richard Hammond's the last to arrive, facing the Mexican consequences.

On that episode, McLaren-Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton makes a triumphant return on Top Gear F1 star on a reasonably priced car and if by the word triumphant, he did made a triumphant lap time. In fact, he set a lap time of 1:42.9, defeating Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel!

Also, there's been a comparison test between the 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 Vauxhall Astra VXR, and the Renaultsport Megane 265. Although, the VXR did 1:28.3, the 2013 Ford Focus ST set a lap time of 1:29.6 while the Megane RS 265 did it in 1:27.7!

Forza Horizon: Can you find thrills on Horizon?

An open world driving game called Forza Horizon can sometimes be a thriller because most players have a million ways to get themselves a thrill in Colorado such as racing against each other or tunnel runs or car chases or I-70 runs or whatever they want to get them thrilled. That's how a gamer wants but what cars made some thrills on Horizon? Can you get thrills on driving the fastest supercars on Horizon? I'm not sure but there are some candidate for thrillers out there...

A true V8 road runner

Hmmm... I drove the Maserati Granturismo S coupe on Horizon and that seems fine for a V8 road runner that feels as sublime as a fancy restaurant but for sheer thrills, the Granturismo doesn't offer that. Sure, I once read stories about the Maserati history, about how the racing career became historical, and everything related to Maserati but sadly though, in the Granturismo though, it feels like it's a well-civilized being, feels like there was some university life going on around here. It was made as a grand tourer, not a thrill seeker that tickles my fancy. Sorry.

A true thoroughbred

What about the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione? This maybe a candidate for a thrill seeker. With big brakes, carbon fibre body, the same V8 engine that powers the Maserati, double wishbone suspension, and the fact that it was built on the same factory as the Maserati Granturismo, the Alfa Romeo 8C seems to be a thrill-seeker's preference but as I drove one on Horizon, (sigh) it doesn't made me feel the thrill. I mean look at it, the skies, the mountains, the roads, ruined by this car. Even though it was classified as a supercar, it doesn't feel a bit supercar-ish. It reacts, feels, and sounds like an American muscle car and sometimes, this car seems to be too uncomfortable enough to tickle my fancies. Despite its faults, the 8C is still one of the best Alfa Romeos ever built.

Pure Elegance

This is the car I found on the December IGN Car Pack. The Aston Martin DBS. Even though this is an invalid choice because the new 2013 Vanquish is supposed to be on Horizon, not this, this is still a proper thoroughbred car. Let's not talk about the faults okay? Not even the Volvo-sourced sat-nav system, okay? What it feels here on the DBS is pure thrills. Sure, it has the same German-built 6.0L V12 engine as the DB9 but the engine output produces 510HP of power while being mated with a 6-speed manual transmission. Also, I can expect the same architecture as the DB9 as well.

Despite the fact that it's just a DB9 that has been on breast implants, the DBS really shivers my excitement. Thanks to its Pirelli P-Zero tires developed specifically for the DBS, this car dances excelentlly and with the reworked suspension, the DBS sure seems to be more fun to drive than the 8C or the Granturismo.

I know, the Aston Martin DBS brought me more thrills than the Maserati and the 8C but in overall thrills, you can do better. There are so many thrills to find on Horizon, just not this car, okay? Take your time, the thrills are all around you and feel free to enjoy.

Let's Do The News! (February 16, 2013)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

Meteorites and Asteroids

I've been awakened by a frightening news that there was some meteorite explosions happened somewhere in Russia and that lead a thousand people injured but no one died by a meteorite explosions. Scientists said that the meteorite explosions happened in Russia has no connection to the Olympic pool sized asteroid that makes a nearest near-miss distance between Earth. I know it's so scary and that made me restless to think about it. Our Father, Lord in Heaven, Hallow Be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Done, Thy Will Be Done...

Story: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55184/video--meteorite-casualties-in-russia-rise-to-1000

Oh no, you can bring your media from abroad

Yesterday, there was an article about the Congress passing on the law that prohibits Filipinos from bringing home copies of books, CDs, and DVDs from abroad and the President's got until March 2013 to either sign or veto the law that strangles our right to bring our pasalubong to our friends and family. Oh no, the press said that you are always welcome to bring home more copies of books, compact discs, and digital video discs under a new copyright law that was approved last December. This was a clarification after a journalist blogger wrote about the new RA 8293 that takes away every Filipino's right to bring home kinds of media from abroad.

Story: http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/index.php/20-what-s-new/134-ip-code-amendment-gives-filipinos-better-access-to-copyrighted-works-from-abroad

Chevrolet SS revealed

2014 Chevrolet SS

Pontiac G8 fans, rejoice because its spiritual successor, the Chevrolet SS, has been revealed in production guise and a rebadged version of the 2014 Holden VF Commodore. Its Stock Car version will make its first appearance in NASCAR's DAYTONA 500 match, which signals the first of the NASCAR 2013 Season.

The new SS will be powered by a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine that develops 415HP of power and 415lb-ft of torque while being mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission that can initiate manual shifting via paddle shifters. The SS is one of the quickest sedans in the market because its 0-60mph time takes about five seconds.

It will be on sale in Fall 2013 and I think this new SS will arrive in the Middle East soon as the replacement to the Chevrolet Lumina.

Story: http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2014-ss/

Gallifrey One 2013

The biggest Doctor Who convention in the USA, Gallifrey One, returns and this year promises a bigger one because the year 2013 is the year to celebrate Doctor Who's 50th anniversary. Running from February 15 to 17, 2013, at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Gallifrey One promises bigger surprises for the American Whovians in LA. Also, there has been special guests from Doctor Who arrived. Guests include Freema Agyeman (DW Companion Martha Jones), Anjli Mohindra (Rani Chandra from The Sarah Jane Adventures), Frances Barber (Madame Kovarian from DW Series 6), Shaun Dingwall (who was Rose's father, Pete), Ian McNeice (who's Winston Churchill from DW Series 5 and 6), Sylvester McCoy (The Seventh Doctor), Neve McIntosh (who was Madame Vastra, the Silurian ally of The Doctor as seen on Series 6 and The Snowmen special), Dalek voice actor Nicholas Briggs, Mark Sheppard (who was Canton Delaware III from Series 6 opener), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace Holloway from the Doctor Who TV movie), Dan Starkey (who played our favorite Sontaran Strax), and many others.



IN THE MEANTIME....LET'S ALL DO THE HARLEM SHAKE, EVERYONE! (I still don't know what Harlem Shake is...)

Renaultsport Clio/Lutecia IV 200 EDC vs. Peugeot 208 GTi

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Welcome everyone to the brand new Renaultsport Clio RS 200 EDC. Renault claims it that this is the most technologically advanced Clio ever made for the enthusiast and by far out of being the most confusing Clio ever made even though it was based on the fourth-generation Clio (Lutecia in the Japanese market).

At first glance, it's no longer a three-door because Renault thrown the world a curve by making it available exclusively as a five-door model and that seems to be odd to be a hot hatchback that turns into a family-oriented machine. How did that happened? Five doors? That seems inappropriate for a car like this and for the worse of it, the hot-hatch favored 6-speed manual has officially dropped and replaced by a dual-clutch transmission called EDC that some say it's relatively quicker to shift than manuals. I know, that's how dual clutch transmissions work but seems to me that it's getting a bit more advanced than being an old-school hot hatchback suitable for the top dog.

There's also another transition to the new Clio because the naturally-aspirated 2.0L engine has now been thrown away for good and replaced with the 1.6L DIG TURBO engine that you may normally find it in the Nissan Juke but for the Renaultsport Clio though, this produces about 200PS of power and 240Nm of torque. 200PS? That's the same as the old 2.0L NA engine it replaces and that could only mean one thing...This new model ain't even BOVVERED. Zero to 100kph takes about 6.7 seconds and flatout in 225kph, meaning that this car is faster than the old model and despite the added doors, this car is 36kg lighter!

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Even with a downsized engine and the transition to a dual-clutch transmission that can be operated via paddle shifters, the new Clio RS 200 EDC really ain't even BOVVERED at all and the way it handles the corners, it sure knows how to corner very well. No matter the kind of corner is, this car ain't even bovvered. It kinda reminded me of a character that ain't even bothered. Face? Look? Bovvered? I AIN'T BOVVERED!!!! He he he he....That gets me all the time. And oh! Something tells me about this new model though. In a coming weeks, there's an app on the Renault's R-Link system and this app mimics the sound of several high-performance engines and plays them back via the car's own loud speakers. There were seven noises available while the three noises were made specifically for this model. There was the Alpine A110 noise which mimics the glory road of the legendary Alpine machine, the Renualt 8 Gordini that mimics the sound of the legendary Gordini, and then the Nissan GT-R noise that brings the sound of Godzilla to the Clio. That seems cool and you can even amuse your friends with that. Ho ho!

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Surprisingly though, this new Clio RS 200 EDC, just like its normal Clio brother, has all of the gadgets that you'll find it more addicting if you're a tech savvy kind of driver and with the new version of the R.S. MONITOR, this is a serious negotiator when you're using it on track days.

Overall, I can always forgive about those transitions, I'm starting to fall in love with this high-performance version. The Renault R-Link is what grabs my attention because I'm a tech-savvy kind of person and this made me addicted to it while thrashing around the new Clio RS EDC on the road or on track days. Guess I'm getting myself a Little Man Syndrome because that car made me turned into a kid in my mind every time I'm getting obsessed with this car.

However, if there's something even more addicting, I wonder, how come there's another hot hatch that is about as addicting as the new Clio RS? Talk to this hot hatch that I'm going to feature it...

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

This new Peugeot 208 GTi seems to be somewhat an upperclassman's choice if he didn't like the Renault Clio RS EDC. Sure, it has the same 1.6L turbocharged engine as the Clio but unlike the Clio RS that has the dual-clutch, the 208 GTi's best served with an old-school 6-speed manual transmission. Unlike the Clio RS EDC, the 208 GTi is 3-door only and that's what I called it a proper hot hatchback. Amazingly though, while the Clio RS does 225kph, the 208 GTi does 230kph, that's about 5kph quicker than the Clio RS EDC!

The reason why the 208 GTi is quicker than the Clio RS EDC is because it's lighter. With a compact sizing, it seems that the term "small and light" is best describes it. Seems that the 208 GTi tries to win my heart better than the Clio RS EDC and you know what, this car says that it tries to capture the magic and the essence of the legendary 205 GTi, the hot hatch that made Peugeot jumped through a shot of fame in motorsports.

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi interior

By the moment you drive the 208 GTi, you'll get the sort of feeling that it tries to learn the moves that the 205 GTi does in the past decades. Because this car signals the return of the GTi marque on Peugeot and not to be confused on the VW GTi, this would be the trump card for PSA Peugeot-Citroen to get things right in the midst of poor performance in sales, shares, and marketing since the Euro Debt Crisis hit hard on European carmakers. However, can the new 208 GTi work? Spoilers...

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

You've been given a choice; the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is a tech-savvy high-performance road runner that is good enough for everyday use because of its five-door exclusivity and it's a track-eater that feels like here comes Pac-Man eating every dot in a maze. The 208 GTi from Peugeot though, it's a very serious machine made for the very serious enthusiast who sometimes his seriousness may wore off completely and become completely nuts when he got enslaved by its tech-savvy gadgetry and performance. So, the question is, which of these two French hot hatches is your pick? You decide...

"Chocolatiest Ever!"

On the February 15, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Dating gags for those who were spending Valentines

- COMING SOON: The drama's too ugly to cry on... Pangit ka...mas pangit ako

- Mr. Assimo at the laundromat

- Tata Lino's here again to help your life's problems

- Bubble Gang does Bingo cookie sandwhich "Swerti Pimple" commercial by spoofing this ad as DINGO! Chocolatiest ever!

- Brod Pete and friends once again answering your questions on ANG BAGONG DATING DOON!

1) "May nasusulat po ba tungkol sa Chinese New Year?" Best to refer to this song of the year;

TONIGHT, WE ARE YOUNG. SO LET'S SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, WE CAN BURN BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN.

2) "Ano po ang mga alam niyo pang maling terms?"

a) Highway - Because Highway supposed to be high but why it was flooded. Good thing the term "Edsa Highway" was been renamed as "Edsa Avenue".

b) What's the difference between Boulevard and Avenue? Avenue is a fancier way to say Boulevard because when shortened, Ave sounds fancy while Boul is a bit lame, weird, awkward...That's why Avenue is a fancy word even when shortened.

c) As we know, we used the word "admit" when the patient's in the hospital while "discharge" when the patient is out of the hospital, then in airport terms; "arrival" is when someone's arrived in the airport and "departure" is when someone's out in the airport. And then, in hotel terms, you have to "check in" and "check out". Maybe "arrival" is supposed to be FLY IN and "departure" is supposed to be FLY OUT.

d) In news regarding car accidents, the word tumaob is used but what if a car involved in a car accident is rolled upside down? That's not tumaob, it's supposed to be tumihaya!

 3) Pusong Bato was sung by a band called Alon but the band name is a bit confusing because it came from the word alone. Alone (pronounced ah-lon) refers to just one but how come it's a band name? ALON? Guess some Bisaya's doing this. What's next? POSONG BATO? Let's find out...

DI MO ALAM DAHIL SA'YO
AKO'Y HINDI MAKAKAIN
DI RIN MAKATULOG
BUHAT NG IYONG LOKOHIN
KUNG AKO'Y MULING IIGIB
SANA'Y DI MAGING KATULAD MO
TULAD MO NA MAY PUSONG BATO

- Whose liar is the best liar? Sinungaling, SINO GALING?

- James Wang was questioned by cops on the robbery case

- IyoTube in Where Have You Been

Forza Horizon: Devon GTX reward

Gone for a scavenger hunt

This is the fourth out of the five Season Pass bonus cars offered on Forza Horizon and the Devon GTX is the Season Pass bonus car for the month of February. Although not a huge fan of this car probably because economic downturns and recessions killed the hopes of producing the Viper-based supercar, the Devon GTX is just one of the supercars that are not desperately impractical. Besides, the V10 engine really packs a lot of punch and that gut-wrenching performance on the Devon GTX really gives you a POW right in the kisser! POW RIGHT IN THE KISSER! POW RIGHT IN THE KISSER!! Okay, okay, kinda enough about that bit...

2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

What you're looking up here is a Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, the Nissan equivalent of the third-generation Mazda Premacy that was launched in 2011. But now, for the 2014 Model Year, it comes with the same PE-VPS engine and the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that you get in the 2014 Mazda Premacy SKYACTIV. This means that it will still have the same JC08 Mode-rated fuel economy of 16.2kmpl as well!

PE-VPS engine

Mazda's SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission

There's also the top-of-the-line model for the Lafesta Highway Star called the SUPREMO and exclusive features for the Supermo model includes shift switch on the steering wheel, ASCD, automatic anti-glare rear view mirror, Jacquard leather, piano black paneling, 205/50R17 89V tire and 17-inch rims, side turn lamp, chrome door panels, and tailpipe finisher.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1309737/

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Filipinos bringing home forms of media abroad is a violation?

I once read an web article my Facebook buddy just shared a few days ago and when I read it, seems that I am one of the many Filipinos haven't informed that the Supreme Court just passed a law that prevents Filipinos bringing home forms of media (Books, CD, DVD, MP3, well, you get the rest) abroad and that's somewhat a question sought to amend the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines or Republic Act 8293.

Section 190 of the RA 8293 letting us bring home CDs and DVDs abroad because it's a right specifically granted “to persons or families arriving from foreign countries” but seems that the new law, which requires the President's signature to complete it (but I hope it won't), everything's changed because by the time Mr. President signs this, it will ban most Filipinos bringing home books, CDs, DVDs, or other forms of media from abroad and that's worse for those who have these as pasalubong for the kids. Yeah, that seems bad for us and gets worse...

Worse thing about this law is this...if you bought a gadget from abroad and if you modify your device to remove restrictions, you will be charged as Copyright Infringement. What? Does it mean that I would violate that law if I jailbreak my iPhone, or modifying other gadgets (say make the PS2 or XBOX 360 region-free)? Is downgrading a PSP or putting a Homebrew on it also a form of copyright infringement?

Back in 2002, I didn't realized that my dad bought me a Playstation2 during my return to Muntinlupa after staying with Daddy in Seattle during my vacation. I was so happy that I have a console that is much more better than the Sega Dreamcast. Heh, Dreamcast is rubbish by the way but still I respected this console when my Dad bought it during my child years, 2001 to be exact. You see there was this odd story that I am going to share it to you because here in the Philippines, an original PS2 game will cost me about thousand pesos or about the equivalent of your Meralco or PLDT bill you often pay it on your nearest Bayad Center while a bootleg PS2 game or what we called it PIRATED costs about the same as a gasoline that fuels your car.

Well, yeah, I really admit it because I went for the cheap ones because sometimes an original copy of a PS2 or X360 game is too pricey. It's like paying bills to Meralco or PLDT if you know what I mean. Well, since Sony discontinued the Playstation2, guess we won't be seeing one of those again and all that's left was some bootleg copies of PC games, which this ain't BOVVERED for those in the Philippines who have home PCs. Sometimes, if there's something cool, something that the bootleggers can't hold on one of those, I sometimes call my dad to buy one for me. Then, when me and my siblings went to the USA in late 2005, I bought some more, especially a SpongeBob game on the GameCube and some Nickelodeon games on my old laptop. I am relieving my youth days just so you'll know but hey, nobody's bovvered even when the Optical Media Board's raiding every store that infringes copyright, say a store vendor in a Divisoria that sells pirated DVD or CD.

I've been watching news about the OMB raiding through malls, night markets, wet markets, and any other establishments selling every unauthorized copies and the source of it. I sometimes ain't even BOVVERED by those news despite the fact that we bought those pirated copies for low prices. Even though we have pirated CD's, DVD's, VCDs, PS1 games, PS2 games, and others, I still ain't even bovvered, well okay, pirated CD's, DVD's, and VCD's only were the ones I am really BOVVERED because audio tracks have low quality, DVD contents incomplete, and pirated VCDs felt like it was recorded on the theater. Isn't it weird? Pirated VCDs felt like it was recorded unexpectedly on cinemas!!!

I also observed that in some parts of the neighborhood, you'll find something that says it will cost you one peso for one MP3 song and it was like what the heck is that but I'm not so sure if these like it came from illegal downloading sites or something else. I have no idea where did that came from and how would a lucky chap makes profit of selling MP3 songs for a peso. In the days that it's a bit complicated to make an iTunes account in the Philippines, this is the habit that most Filipinos are doing. Going through the neighborhoods and pay a peso for an MP3 download to listen to their MP3 players.

Well, enough about that super long story and back to the topic on why did the Congress erased our right to bring home music, movies, and books from abroad. Anyway, I was on the part where modifying a gadget will charge them copyright infringement. A penalty, if on the first offense, will slam me three years on jail or pay a 150,000 Peso fine while in the third or subsequent offense, nine years in jail and P1.5 million pesos of fine.

There's more; if you were leasing out a space, say you're operating a mall, to someone who infringes copyright, you can be liable. Also, if someone else downloaded music from the Internet and shared the file with you, and then uploaded it onto your technological device and listened to it, you could also be held liable if the download site was one that the US recording and movie companies have been trying to shut down. Mostly common was file-sharing sites. Let's remember, the US Justice Department taken down Megaupload, a file-sharing site, last year because of copyright infringement that takes a massive toll to the US music and movie industry. Also, several Japanese idiots were arrested for uploading unauthorized content via Share program. If you were downloading a site that the government deems this to be unauthorized, you'll be liable.

Those new amendments on the RA 8293 may sound scary as it seems and seems that it robs our freedom worse than the Anti-Cybercrime Law that some say it has the nickname of "Cyber-Dracula" because it brings fear to innocent lives. I mean come on, bought from a foreign country for personal use is a violation? Oh no. This is not a violation, it's a right. Besides, nobody's going to make money out of it or making unauthorized copies out of it. Well, what about gadgets bought from a foreign country but modified to remove restrictions? Well, that's a BIG SCARY problem most of the people are facing with.

Heh, there goes the memory of the Senior Project paper I made when I was in High School and this time on Seattle's Cleveland High. My senior project involves on cybercrime and I did include the illegal file-sharing or torrent stuff on my topic. Oh well...Long story short...

Gosh, I'm getting scared by this. If that law was signed, I swear that most dads will not be able to buy those kind of pasalubongs to the kids or something for personal recreation. Oh geez...

Let's Do The News! - Valentines Day! (February 14, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and as the prologue to the Chevrolet SS via the new Holden VF Commodore heats up, the prologue continues with this, it's the Holden VF Commodore SSV Concept...

Holden VF Commodore SSV Concept

...again, this is a preview for the upcoming Chevrolet SS/Holden VF Commodore/Vauxhall VXR8 but the SSV version features some sporty credentials that made the next Commodore look good right until the point that will come to America soon as the Chevrolet SS, the car Americans called it the successor to the axed Pontiac G8, which was made in Australia. While we have no details about the specs of the next Commodore, guess we just have to wait this month to further delve deep to the VF's underbelly. Stay tuned.

Happy Valentines Day!

JC: Anyway, guess we've been surrounded by some Valentine's Day gifts, although when we say gifts, we do call it a landfall. Feels like it's HOARDING: BURIED ALIVE if you know what I mean...

(audience laughing)

RH: Right, let's look at what the guys giving them to the girls for Valentines. Oh!

JC: What's that?

RH: Some chocolates. Mostly a well preferred Valentine's Day gift to the girls. All too common but for us, it's too rubbish, let's look at something else.

JM: Uhh...how about this? I guess this is much more of a perfect Valentines Day gift to someone else's dates.

JC: Hey buddy. That's a Porsche Design handbag. Imagine if the ladies holding this Porsche handbag, they're going to hold it in the wrong direction, just like the 911 where the engine is on its buttocks.

(audience laughing)

JM: Ooh, look at me! I'm holding a 911 handbag on the wrong way!

(audience laughing)

RH: Guys, would you mind stop mocking around with this Porsche Design handbag? We're on to some Valentine's Day Gift Guide you know, not some mumbo jumbo stupidity we're doing all the time.

JC: Okay, okay, enough about that. Let's have a look....All right! Now this is a good one! It's an Adipose stuff toy!

RH: Oh God...

(audience laughing)

JC: It's a stuff toy for those who are having a big fat Valentines and...

JM: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Are you trying to make them feel uncomfortable. I mean hey, someone out there knows Doctor Who and when you're going to gift him or her an Adipose stuff toys, they might think that your Valentine's gift to him or her is fat. More importantly, the fat that walks away...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well yeah, I know. They're just aliens made of human fat as you seen on Doctor Who but this stuff toy is just so cute. The only stuff that I think is much cuter than a swarm of Adipose babies is Harukasan from Puchimas.

JM: Harukasan?

RH: Oh my gosh...

(audience laughing)







JM: You mean Harukasan from Puchimas, the super-deformed equivalent of Haruka Amami from the IDOLM@STER franchise?

JC: Yes, exactly. And I mean, when you look at Harukasan's, this is a million times more cuter than a swarm of...Adiposes.

JM: Yeah, right. More cuter than a bunch of Adipose and aren't you forgetting something?

JC: What?

JM: Haruka-san multiplies herself when she's doused by water. Even the rain would turn a single Harukasan into a swarm of Harukasans...and the numbers keeps on growing when it's wet!

RH: Yeah! Wait, what? Harukasan multiplies herself when she's splashed with something water?

JM: Uh-huh...

JC: Something tells me....When it's raining outside and if Harukasan's outside...Uh-oh...

JM: Yeah. It's an uh-oh. Here goes a swarm of Harukasans!

JC: NOOOO!!!!!



One hour later...

JC: Anyway, good thing they didn't bother our Valentines Day gifts. Gosh, how does a Harukasan being so much trouble in big numbers, anyway?

JM: Uh hey! Look! This is just another one of those Valentines Day gifts that is just perfect for the ladies and this one's from Ferrari! It's a Ferrari gold bracelet! I mean look at this!

RH: Yeah. This ain't bad. If I see a stranger coming to our neighborhood, driving a Ferrari, I would probably attack him for sure...

(audience laughing)

JC: Wha....?

RH: You see, Ferraris kinda like the Speedo of the car world and as the line says that if a stranger comes to his neighborhood wearing a speedo, he would probably attack him for sure...

(audience laughing)

JC: What if someone who drives a Ferrari wearing speedo?

RH: Well, I would beat him to death that's for sure....

(audience laughing)

JC: Very well then. If you are a Ferrari driver who wears a Speedo, look out because this guy's gonna beat you to death. Watch out!

(audience laughing)

JC: Speaking of which, there's a gift waiting for you, shorty.

RH: Really, where's it from?

JC: It's from a fan and it says "Happy Valentine's Day". That's it...

(ooohh)

RH: Wow, someone must have kind enough to send me a Valentine gift....

JM: Why don't you open it up and see what's inside..

(opening gift)

RH: Hmph....

JC: What is it?

RH: That's a...that's a ARTFX PVC figure of...Asuka Kazama from Tekken Tag Tournament 2....

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, you like it?

RH: Hmmmm....Thanks but I got this...I have pre-ordered Lili, which she'll come this April...

JM: Oh...Guess Hammo's showing too much interest over the fighting ojousama of the Tekken series...

(audience laughing)

JC: But...um...ugh...oh...come on! At least you'll going to like it...And um..here's a gift for the slowest man in the world...

JM: Thanks um....what's that?

JC: A Souffle Girl T-shirt. Hope you'll might be interested with...

(audience laughing)

JM: Thanks and oh...here's a little Valentines Day gift for all your trouble!

JC: Weeee!!!!! What is it? What is it? What is it? (paused)

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(audience laughing)

Why are you giving me this? A music CD from the Tweenies?

JM: That's for giving me a Souffle Girl shirt you loonie...

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, that's it for that and have a look at this, this is the second of the Aston Martin Centenary models and this time it's the turn of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage SP10

JM: Yes, indeed. This is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage SP10 and this is the first time we've expected a proper supercar made by Aston Martin because it's been mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, something that supercars hardly use it these days.

RH: Indeed and everything about the SP10 is all black inside and out, meaning that this is the best looking V8 Vantage, yet.

JM: Yeah but, there's a problem. Even though it's available in coupe and convertible variants, the SP10 is available exclusively in European left-hand drive markets, meaning IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UK WHATSOEVER.

(audience laughing)

Forza Horizon: The Sleeping S30Z

As I know, the Nissan Fairlady Z S30 set the benchmark in the long fiery bloodline of Nissan sportscars like the Skyline GT-R Hakosuka and it was notably one of the finest classic tuners of the 70's because most "speedo boys" spent their time and resources tweaking the classic S30Z into something more of a Japanese hotrod or something that is made for the street cred, well, I'm not interested about street cred but I think this is how troublemaking are you. Even since Wangan Midnight first published, this S30 garnered a whole new bunch of fans because it was named The Devil Z, driven by Akio Asakura.

As for I, however, I think you can do better than that on the Fairlady S30Z, especially when its taking a fun run on Horizon...

Wait a minute, that's the...

What I have here is the Nissan Fairlady Z S30, which now I made it into the fictitious 600 Coupe-S from a video game called Sleeping Dogs. If you don't know that, it's a video game which is more like "Grand Theft Auto" meets "Yakuza", except you are a undercover cop delving deeper to the secrets of the Triads, leading him to the most dangerous mission in Hong Kong. I love this game, I love its DLC, and I love the way this game offers despite the fact that this is more of an Asian GTA because it's set in Hong Kong.

Because the 600 Coupe-S is a Class C machine, I decided to tweak my S30Z Fairlady to its Class C credentials after lashing out with some paint detail that replicates the 600 Coupe-S' exterior. What you're looking at, ladies and gentlemen, is the future! The future where fiction meets fact. Heh, I once did this to my 2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition when I was planning to recreate the Supercharged Police Cruiser, which again it was on Sleeping Dogs. It took me several minutes to make the Traditional Chinese word for Police. Well, long story short...

You thought that we're in Hong Kong but no! This is Horizon! This is Colorado! I've done it! I'm driving a vintage 60's classic Japanese sports car recreated into a fictitious machine that some say that old-school looks never go out of style! This classic car never gets old when it looks good!

Where was I just now?