Last 2009, Volkswagen unveiled the new look of their compact hatchback, the Polo. With the new Polo wearing its new look, new features, and new performance, it is not surprising this car won the prestigious World Car of the Year, outranked the Toyota Prius in the list of WCOTY finalists which includes the MB E-Class, judges state that you do not need an electric motor and a battery pack for fuel efficiency.
To celebrate the Polo for being a world champion, Volkswagen decided to expand the Polo range from the original, BlueMotion, and now, the rugged CrossPolo and the sporty Polo GTi. In the meantime, we should explain first the crossover compact of the Polo range, the CrossPolo.
The CrossPolo from Volkswagen combines the style of the latest Volkswagen Polo and the ruggedness of a sport utility vehicle, resulting to a rugged crossover that puts the SEAT Altea FreeTrack to a major setback, despite both of them are not called a true sports utility vehicle. While the exterior is mostly rugged, the interior is rugged with colored upholstery that is based on the CrossPolo's exterior color. The CrossPolo has different colors to choose:
1) Flash-Rot
2) Magmaorange
3) Hot Orange Metallic
4) Reflexsilber Metallic
5) Terra Beige Metallic
6) Deep Black Perleffekt
Depending on which body color, the CrossPolo can pick which multi-tone seating colors to choose, perfecting the colorful mixture of this rugged compact crossover utility vehicle.
From its rugged personality, the CrossPolo comes with engine variations that find it suitable for those who are looking for fuel efficiency or power. Beginning with the entry-level 1.2L engine, this is the basics for those who want to start their CrossPolo life but when you are looking for challenges, choose from the 1.2L TSI, 1.4L, and the flagship 1.6L TDI turbodiesel engine. Available transmissions are the 6-speed manual transmission and the 7-speed DSG transmission.
My thoughts about the CrossPolo:
With the new Polo awarded as the World Car of the Year, its status of being a world champion (especially Volkswagen Group becoming the world's number one carmaker), the CrossPolo makes a perfect addition from its world champion. Combining the look of the compact car and the feel of the sports utility vehicle, this sports utility compact is surely the decent choice for V-dub fans. I think the Philippines should need to bring back the Volkswagen brand and promise more dealerships than Toyota because Volkswagen is now the world's number one automobile manufacturer. As for the CrossPolo, maybe we are not in to that because of the upcoming Polo GTi, but if we want more adventures, maybe we should go for this. Just to remind to those Pinoy V-dub fans that we should congratulate the Volkswagen Polo for being the world champion and this new addition to the Polo family truly picks it up.
Eight years ago, before the emergence of the brand's first sedan, Porsche developed their brand's first sport utility vehicle that combines the ruggedness of the SUV and the performance of the sports car, resulting to creating its first of its kind, the Cayenne.
Now, the brand's first sport utility vehicle touchingly obtained its new untouchable form that retains the original look but gaining a new rear design carrying the Porsche lettering since the Panamera.
The new Cayenne from Porsche offers different engine variants to choose from:
1) Entry-level 3.6L V6 engine,
2) High-performance 400HP V8 engine available on the Cayenne S
3) V8 turbo engine with 500HP of power
4) 3.0L V6 diesel engine
5) New 3.0L V6 hybrid engine (Porsche's first hybrid engine)
No matter which engine types you want to choose, the most, but not many, Cayenne variants are equipped with the 8-speed tiptronic S transmission that combines both automatic and manual transmissions in one unique transmission. It also comes with the Porsche Traction Management for traction control, giving the new Cayenne a fresh start at cornering directions. The Porsche Active Suspension Management provides this new age SUV a little help on different twists and turns on the road. It comes with the all-wheel drive system so you can go places you want to see and hear.
Numerous features provide the Cayenne a peace of mind for the driver. For instance, there is the new rear vehicle monitoring system that triggers a blinking on the side mirror, meaning a car is nearby the blind spot. There is also a cruise control system, which is useful for the driver, providing the safest speed when crossing the vehicle's rear side. It will tell you if the car you are facing is accelerating or braking. The new Cayenne also has auto-light system that allows the Cayenne to automatically turning on its HID headlamps when crossing through tunnels or dark places. It also has Adaptive Front Lighting System is useful for nighttime driving. For parking safety, a rear view monitor is equipped.
Conveniences are bountiful for the new Porsche Cayenne. With the luggage spacing and the seating arrangement, you can find this SUV useful on various circumstances. You can close the Cayenne's rear door at the touch of the button. For premium sound quality, the new Cayenne is equipped with the BOSE 10-speaker surround sound system. This premium sound system releases realistic sounds, which is perfect for listening orchestral music that feels like you are inside the opera house. Once more, Porsche's infotainment system is optional on the new Cayenne, provide a wide variety of options available for the driver such as entertainment, communications, navigation, and so on.
My thoughts about the Cayenne:
With the second-generation Volkswagen Touareg provided for power, the second-generation Porsche Cayenne feels the same way as its cousin do. Despite the same mainframe, both the new Touareg and the new Cayenne can be extremely fierce rivals on this category. With the new Cayenne's stale-but-redesigned exterior, newly redesigned interior, wide range of engine choices, finest safety features, and various conveniences, I am sure this is the best Porsche ever made to look at its best. The standard Cayenne is a balanced proportion, while the Cayenne S boasts sportiness, the Cayenne S Hybrid is a true eco-warrior, and the Cayenne Turbo is an untouchable temptress. Let us hope that PGA Cars will bring the all-new Cayenne to our shores soon, but as we know it, the new hybrid variant makes it more like the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle. When you put them all of the jigsaw pieces, it really makes a nice picture, and the new Cayenne is the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle that completes the Porsche-ism.
The new second-generation Volvo S60 plays a major role in safeness on the road rather than becoming the most naughtiest sedan ever made for the naughtiest drivers on the coast.
What makes the new S60 so naughty, that drivers want to take advantage of its new form? Well, since this is a production version, the new S60 is the Volvo equipped with the new design language as seen on the XC60. This new design gives this naughty sedan some naughtiness and sportiness like no other sedans ever made. For the interior, it simplifies more like the Kia K5 sedan, with even more naughtiness than its rival car, even if it comes with leather upholstery. That is correct, folks. The new S60's redesigned interior is pleasantly designed for the naughty drivers who are willing to take comfort of its naughty interior.
To add naughtiness on this new form, the new S60 is equipped with the new Dynamic Chassis. This new chassis brings the naughty sedan an extra packaging armed for the grand touring challenge. Best of all, the new S60 is equipped with the thicker front struts and the new polyurethane damper mountings, for the best handling performance like no other sedans ever engineered. For improved driving pleasure, it is equipped with the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system to prevent skidding on different corners. It also has the Corner Traction Control for smooth handling, handled for the naughtiest drivers on the road.
There are different engines and different transmissions to choose from the new Volvo S60. On the list of engines, this new sedan is offered in the following engines:
Depending on the engine type, there are different transmissions to choose:
1) A six-speed manual transmission
2) A six-speed automatic geartronic transmission (also available on the 4WD variants)
3) A six-speed Powershift semi-auto transmission
The ultimate level of the new S60's naughtiness is Volvo's innovative City Safety technology. With City Safety, the new Volvo S60 prevents incoming accidents from the highway and now, pedestrians as well, with the use of auto-braking feature. This auto-braking feature automatically puts the S60 to a complete halt when it reaches a nearby vehicle and this time, pedestrians, making it the safest sedan ever built. The Blind Spot Information System (similar from what they found on the latest Ford Taurus and the latest Mazda Axela) allows the S60 to detect incoming vehicles nearby at the flash of a small blinking icon found on the side mirrors, providing the safest while maneuvering at various circumstances. A Lane Departure Prevention (similar to what they found on the Hyundai Equus, Nissan Fuga and the Kia K7) triggers an alarming sound when the driver crosses the wrong lane. An added Active Cruise Control with Queue Assist makes this naughty sedan automatically sets its designated seat at the car from the front, telling the driver what speed you take and when you will brake. For parking safety, an added front, and rear parking sensors with the camera makes it useful for parking circumstances.
For convenience, the new S60 is equipped with the new infotainment system. This new system is armed on the five or seven inch monitor, giving the naughty driver a wide variety of options to choose from such as entertainment, telecommunications, navigation, and more for what the driver asks. This is the one of the first cars equipped with the Audyssey MultEQ technology, for the best sound quality as heard from reality.
My thoughts about the S60:
Destined to be the naughtiest car built for the naughtiest drivers on the world, the new S60 takes assurance and pride of its finest safety features that makes this naughty car playing safe on the roads. With the new body, new style, new performance, new packaging, and the best safety features, prepare to be gone wild because these features made this new Volvo sedan gone wild because this is a Volvo gone wild and rated XXX for its excellence, exceptional, and its expertise. Do not worry, this car is not built to have explicit content, this car is built to have the safest content. Stay sharp, everyone.
Fresh from the baking oven is not just a cake, and its not even the most delicious pastry served from the bakery. Its Yumeiro Patissiere Kirakira Music. Part-original soundtrack, part-drama cd, YumePati fans are going to relieve the tasty adventures of Ichigo Amano on her quest to be the best pastry chef with the help of Vanilla.
A quick rundown on this CD, tracks 1, 3 to 29 were the in-anime BGMs scored by Megumi Ohashi, while tracks 2 and 30 were TV sized versions of Yume ni Yell! Patissiere (opening theme sung by Mayumi Gojo) and Ichigo no Mirakuruuru (closing theme sung by Yukina Sugihara). Both full versions of these sold separately on a maxi single CD. Lastly, tracks 31 to 35 were five-part mini drama led by Ichigo Amano (CV: Aoi Yuki), Vanilla (CV: Ayana Taketatsu), and Makoto Kashino (CV: Nobuhiko Okamoto) respectively.
Expect this CD melt on your taste buds because this tasty treat will relive the entire Yumeiro Patissiere story in your ears, with the delicious mini-drama to indulge yourselves.
Gear up for the legendary lost chapter of the Metal Gear saga that is truly the biggest event of mankind! With sales on Japan starts today, and in June for the U.S. and Euro market, the latest chapter of the legendary Metal Gear series, that made it "one of the flagships of Konami", is not low on solipsism but the semblance of dualism strikes within! Welcome to the world of METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER! (日本名：メタルギアソリッド：ピースウォーカー)
Set in the events after MGS3, Big Boss (known as Naked Snake), the hero who once saved the world from the nuclear disaster, turned away from his motherland and established his own private army known as Militaires Sans Frontieres (Soldiers Without Borders) in South America. With Kazuhira Miller (known by Metal Gear fans as "Master" McDonnel Miller), Snake accepts a request from the visitors from "a nation without a military". A scholar of peace named Ramon Galvez Mena and his student named Paz Ortega Andrade (the leading lady), ask Snake to vanquish the mysterious army wreak havoc from the peaceful nation of Costa Rica. Well, I'm not going to give you any spoilers from this game, let me tell you the majestic features from Hideo Kojima's latest masterpiece I'm sure you Metal Gear fans love.
Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker is the first MGS game that allows you to play with a friend! The new Co-op feature gives you and your friend some cooperation, coordination, and comradeship in different missions. When your friend dies, rush to your pal and give CPR to revive your friends! If you need an item, you can share an item with a friend. Aside from weapons that allows one person to use it, there are cool weapons that require two or four people to use it such as the railgun that requires a friend to handle the railgun dynamo to charge it up, a stealth ray that allows a user to make a friend invisible, tank box that requires player one to move it and player two to man the turret and blast away foes, a healing gun that heals your friends when fired, an electromagnetic wave gun that when you and your friend aligned these beams, it wipes them out, and more co-op items that makes you and your team useful in various situations. You know what they said, acting along can be weak, but working together as a team makes you stronger.
Turning your enemies into allies (just like what you and I did since Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops) is now redefined with the use of a simple tactic called "Fulton Recovery System". To make use of the Fulton Recovery System, you need to use some non-lethal tactics, like for instance CQC, hold-ups, or put them to sleep. Lethal weapons also work but be sure it is not a fatal hit in order to commence it, then when a red skull appeared on the top of the fallen enemy, use the Fulton Recovery System to get it quick before reaching the enemy's death!
When you're done with the mission, you can take a break at the base of operations called "Mother Base". As a Big Boss, you can manage your own mother base with the use of your captured foes and assign them to which position you want them to be on such as setting them to Combat Unit, R&D Staff, Medical Staff, Mess Hall Staff (for rations) and Intelligence Staff (important for gaining some briefings) respectively. As you gain more, the Mother Base will expand and new options for you to try.
Oh, and we almost forgot! You can also capture vehicles as well! To capture a vehicle, for instance a battle tank and a helicopter, all you need to do is to take out the commander piloting it, or try various items that capture these vehicles and use it on various missions, even Outer Ops, which is like Cyber Survival from MPO, even better.
With your R&D Staff, you can use them to gain various items or upgrade different weapons you have. For instance, you can upgrade your assault rifle to gain a grenade launcher attachment, a bazooka that fires sleeping gas, set a trap to fool your foes, use an even more powerful weapon, and more. Put these staff to your advantage and take good use of these newly-found items!
When you and your friends having a break from Co-ops, why not have some good time trade items and soldiers to each other. Also, you can engage in multiplayer battles (for 2 to 6 players) with different rules to choose from.
HERE'S A TIP!
Tell your ojousama, onee-sama, seitokaichou, your best friend, your maid, your classmate, your co-workers, and everyone that now it is the time for you and your friends to Co-op in! With the new Co-op feature, you can work together as a team to finish various missions! If you want to go solo, it's okay, you can go solo, but when you want a helping hand, co-ops is the best way.
LIMITED EDITION: The MGSPW Premium Package includes not just the game itself, but also the specially designed PSP-3000, cleaning cloth, pouch for your PSP, a stand, and a specially designed dogtag. If you're in Japan and rushing to get your very own Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, buy this premium package before it runs out since this has a limited availability.
METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER
Cast (Japanese):
Akio Otsuka (as Naked Snake a.k.a. Big Boss. You know this guy right?)
Tomokazu Sugita [Kyon from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya] (as Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller. His voice looks strong)
Hochu Otsuka (as Ramon Galvez Mena. He's the scholar who begs Snake to wipe away the mysterious army wreaking havoc in Costa Rica)
Nana Mizuki [Fate Testarossa from Lyrical Nanoha series] (as Paz Ortega Andrade. She's the leading lady of this story. She looks cute)
Romi Park [Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist] (as Amanda. She looks tough)
Kikuko Inoue [previously played the role of Sunny from MGS4:GOP] (as Chico. A child soldier)
Yumi Kikuchi [previously played the role of Raging Raven from MGS4:GOP] (as Dr. Strangelove. She's kinda eccentric)
Yu Kobayashi [Setsuna Sakurazaki from Mahou Sensei Negima] (as Cecile. She is a playful female character)
Hideyuki Tanaka [portrayed the role of Dr. Hal "Otacon" Emmerich in MGS series] (as Huey. He looks like and sounds like Otacon, except he's in a wheelchair.)
Mugihito (as Coldman. The main antagonist of this story, with a peace mark on the back of his head)
Cast [English] (You will hear these voices once the English-International version arrives this June)
David Hayter (as Naked Snake a.k.a. Big Boss)
Robin Atkin Downes (as Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller)
Steve Blum [previously played the role of Gene from MPO] (as Ramon Galvez Mena)
Tara Strong [recoginzably known as the role of Timmy from the Fairly Odd Parents, Ben Tennyson from Ben 10, and Truffles from Chowder. Previously played the role of Ursula and Elisa from MPO] (as Paz Ortega Andrade)
Grey Delisle [Frankie from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends] (as Amanda)
Vanessa Marshall [Previously played the role of Olga Gurlukovich from MGS2] (as Dr. Strangelove)
Antony Del Rio (as Chico)
Cat Taber [Senator Padme Amidala from Star Wars: The Clone Wars] (as Cecile)
Christopher Randolph [portrayed as Dr. Hal "Otacon" Emmerich in MGS series] (as Huey. Same thing from Hideyuki Tanaka)
H. Richard Greene (as Coldman)
Theme Song: HEAVENS DIVIDE by Donna Burke
Guest Artist (you may find these drawings in some cut scenes): Ashley Wood
Main Theme by Akihiro Honda
Character Illustrations: Yoji Shinkawa
Produced and created by: Hideo Kojima
Release Dates:
Asia (Japan version): April 29
U.S.: June 8
Europe: June 17
U.K. : June 18
With the latest generation of the Honda Stepwgn and Stepwgn Spada, and the upcoming Nissan Serena (coming soon) shaking things up, the two Toyota twin minivans, the Noah and the Voxy, gained their new style change that keeps them ahead in the game, despite the apocalyptic days of the mass Toyota recall.
Let me explain how the Noah and the Voxy vans differ from each other, just like the Premio and its twin car, the Allion. The Noah is targeted for the soccer moms and has distinctive tastes only a mother can give. On its facelift, the Noah gets a new grille. The Voxy, on the other hand, is targeted for the big daddies, and it boasts sportier features only a big daddy can try. For its Phase II, the Voxy gets even more aggressive exterior, perfect for those who are looking for style.
Despite different exterior themes targeted for different people, the Noah and the Voxy share the same interior features including the seating capacity of five to seven (or eight, when optional) people. There are different seating arrangements you can find, depending on which situation you are here, including the arrangement similar to the Chrysler Town and Country's "Swivel 'n Go" function.
For its facelift, these twin Toyota minivans get the newly improved 3ZR-FAE Valvematic engine, which combines exceptional performance and outstanding fuel economy that takes you further. A CVT, with an optional paddle shifters, is added to maintain the fuel efficiency of the new Valvematic engine. Both the Noah and the Voxy are equipped with the finest safety features such as Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control, Electric Power Steering, Antilock Brake System, Traction Control System, and Hill Start Assist Control respectively.
My thoughts about the Noah and the Voxy:
With the Noah targeted for the simple mothers raising a simple family, and the Voxy targeted for the coolest father in the household, both of these vans will keep themselves ahead in the game that was reigned by the latest Honda Stepwgn and the Stepwgn Spada. Will these two vans prevail? You decide.
Update: Toyota Noah and Voxy G Sports Version debut. Modified to bring out the sporty image and the sporty performance.
I saw some commercial that is recently shown in Korean TV stations such as KBS, SBS, or MBC. There is a Korean Kia commercial starring none other than the mega-popular K-Pop group, the Wonder Girls!
I can almost hear the song "Nobody" on this commercial! "Nobody, Nobody but you! Nobody, Nobody but you!" It's a two thumbs up for the Wonder Girls for starring in this latest Kia Forte Korean commercial! Even with the Kia Forte and the Forte Koup awarded NADAguides.com Car of the Year!
Last June 2009, Mitsubishi Motors commenced the launch of the world's first electric car in the public. The Mitsubishi i MiEV truly literates Mitsubishi Motors' brand slogan "drive@earth" and this is the electric car that started it all before the advent of the Nissan Leaf. About the i MiEV, this is the first car that it uses lithium-ion battery as its main source instead of gas fuel. It's powered by a YF41 hybrid engine that produces 64PS of power.
While waiting for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines to bring the i-MiEV to our shores, some brands trying to use the i-MiEV's body for some purposes...
Take a look on what we got:
PSA Peugeot Citroen uses the Mitsubishi i-MiEV for their mainframe as their OEM versions known as the Peugeot i0n and the Citroen C-Zero, both of these i-MiEV OEMs will be on sale at the rest of the European peninsula this year. Not only that, there is also something that you shouldn't believe:
Mitsuoka Motors, the brand behind the aggressive Orochi coupe, the Morgan Roadster-cloned Mazda Roadster-based Himiko, and the Galue sedan, unveiled their modified version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, known as Like. But why Like? What do they like most? The only thing Japanese like the Like is for its hybrid capacity. Even it is an electric vehicle based from the i-MiEV, the exterior design is another part of the Mitsuoka story.
No matter which country you are on, no matter which style do they look on their i-MiEV, this electric vehicle is a part of the commitment for the eco-lovers. With the rising gas-prices, and the case of global warming, this electric vehicle will once save the world.
The convertible adults surely take pride of its form steps on the center stage from its first public appearance in Geneva, Switzerland, and now its ready to bring some glamorous taste on the streets of Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, London, and the rest of the European peninsula. Joining to the third-generation Megane lineup, consisting of the 5-door hatchback, 3-door coupe, tourer, and RenaultSport, the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (or Megane CC) welcomes you to the glitz and glamour of this French convertible's new form.
Destined as the top rival against the Lexus IS C and the MB E-Class Cabriolet, the all-new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet takes pride and ganders the hearts of the aspiring customers, alluring them to test-drive the lust-worthy jewel of Renault. On the convertible side, the Megane CC brings the gale throughout the long and winding road, taking them to new heights and the wind of fresh air. On the coupe side, the Megane CC boasts exceptional design and sporty elegance to attract more drivers and tempt them to indulge through their imagination. Unlike most convertibles, which are soft-top or hardtop, the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet is the world's first glass-top convertible, thanks to its panoramic glass that once closed, the view from the top still remains.
For its interior, the Megane Coupe Cabriolet can seat up to four people inside. It also has an optional Carminarat Tomtom navigation system that allows drivers to pick which places they want to travel, from hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and everything adults want to enjoy from their stressful work at the office. It also has climate control to warm on the cold nights and cool them on a hot summer. For the sound of enjoyment, an available Arkamys 3D audio system and the USB connectivity is added to bring most of your favorite songs while cruising with your Megane CC. An optitron meter with multi-information system is added on the dashboard, displaying what is going on with your car.
A choice of gasoline engines (1.6 16V, TCe 130, and 2.0 16V) and diesel engines (dCi 110 DPF, dCi 130 DPF, and dCi 160 DPF) are the systematic brain power of the Megane Coupe Cabriolet, even with the choice of either a six-speed manual, CVT, and the new six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch automatic transmission with Dual Clutch Transmission technology. For safety, the new Megane CC comes with front seatbelt with warning lights, tire pressure monitoring system, Bi-Xenon headlamps, auto headlamp activation, auto windscreen wiper activation, and speed limiting cruise control. It also has the host of driving aids such as ABS brakes, emergency brakes, and Electronic Stability Control.
My thoughts about the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet:
Take off your "megane,” because this Megane is the most seducing addition to their Megane lineup. As the world's first glass-top convertible, the new Megane Coupe-Cabriolet welcomes adults with its new glass-top roof, seducing design, and the feel that calls this Megane "a light shining through the light.” Europeans are welcomed to be shined by the new face of the Megane Coupe-Cabriolet and it will bring some glitz and glamour against the Lexus IS C and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet.
In December 2001, Toyota Motor Corporation replaced the aging Corona and Carina to make way to its twin sedans, available only in Japan, the Premio and Allion. In June 2007, both the Premio and the Allion made their way to its second-generation. Now this year, the twin sedans undergo a minor change to praise buyers with its new style, new interior, and new features. But before talking about this facelift, let me tell you how the Premio and Allion differ from each other.
2011 Toyota Premio
The Premio is the successor of the legendary Corona sedan, which boasts excellent comfort and luxury for the executives, making it a perfect JDM executive medium sedan targeted for adults. On its second phase of this generation, the Premio is most likely similar to the Crown Majesta.
2011 Toyota Allion
The Allion on the other hand is the antithesis of the luxurious Premio sedan. It is the replacement of the Carina sedan, and it boasts a sporty exterior and excellent performance, giving the Allion an all-in-one sports sedan for the ordinary drivers. For its Phase II, the Allion's front was inspired from the latest-generation Mark X.
2011 Toyota Premio interior
2011 Toyota Allion interior
Both the Allion and the Premio share the same interior features, such as wood paneling, reclining rear seat, a choice of optitron or analog meters, multi-information display, climate control, optional navigation system, and optional audio system with the 5.8" monitor equipped.
On the performance side, both the Allion and the Premio are equipped with the set of engines available; an entry-level 1.5L NZ-engine, the new 1.8-litre Valvematic engine, or the new high-end 2.0L ZR Valvematic engine. The new Valvematic engines equipped on these cars gives the Premio and the Allion outstanding performance (144PS on 1.8L and 158PS on 2.0L), cleaner emissions, and class top-level fuel economy. (18.6km/L on 1.8L and 15.6km/L on 2.0L) Both of them have a set of innovative features such as Super CVT-i, optional 4WD system), cruise control, and the optional Navi-AI-Shift. With the Navigation System equipped, the Navi-AI-Shift allows the Premio and the Allion to detect a recommended gear and it automatically shifts on that gear on such road conditions.
My thoughts about the Premio and the Allion:
Despite both of these twin sedans are available only in Japan, it is nice to say that both the Premio and the Allion captures the eyes of ordinary drivers on their everyday basis. For those who are looking for luxury, the Premio is their best bet. For sportiness, the Allion is perfect for those who want it. With the new Valvematic engine armed, both the Allion and the Premio are welcomed by Japan's eco-car tax break laws.
Rewind back to the date October 1998, and if you remember the kei car which is the successor to the Subaru Vivio, known as the Pleo, then how will you explain the outdated 11-year old kei car? Because of the outdated Pleo disappeared since December, and the partnership between Fuji Heavy Industries and Toyota Group, the Pleo name was reborn. Only this time, taken from the form of the seventh-generation Daihatsu Mira (known in other countries as the Cuore or Charade), which gives the newborn kei car some taste and flair suitable for the young, fashionable Japanese women.
Along with the recently launched, Daihatsu Tanto Exe-based Lucra, the new Pleo comes in two distinctive flavors: the regular Pleo targeted for the simple female drivers and the stylish Pleo Custom with the premium taste bold women wanted. The regular Pleo boasts overall cuteness that women always wanted to purchase this car for its looks. The Pleo Custom boasts overall karen-ness (Note: Karen is beautiful in Japanese) giving the term "a kei car with the look and feel of a luxury car" and customers love to buy this Custom variant for its sporty and luxurious features.
The interior of the new Pleo boasts overall comfort and luxury that only a kei car could take this comfort for granted. With the foldable rear seats, women can take advantage of this feature for placing several shopping bags after a long, stressful shopping trip to the mall. For the peace of mind, the new Pleo has a list of features such as the reinforced body, airbags, vehicle theft immobilizer, and anti-lock braking system. When performance is an issue, the new Pleo comes with either a KF-VE engine that delivers 58PS of power and the fuel economy of 21.0-24.5km/L or the KF-DET turbo engine that triggers 64PS of power and the fuel economy of 19.0km/L. It comes with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT, depending on the variant you are.
My thoughts about the Pleo:
When the original Pleo disappeared four months ago, it is not surprising that the Pleo will return, only this time, as an OEM of the Daihatsu Mira. Is it a Coincidence or just a truth? You might just figure it out when you step inside the new age Pleo, in regular and custom flavors. Try it and you will decide how the new Pleo affect its audience impact for its style, packaging, quality, and performance. With the partnership between Fuji Heavy Industries and Toyota Group, the Pleo was another one of the Subaru OEMs since the Toyota bB-Daihatsu Coo-based Dex, Atrai Wagon-based Dias Wagon, and the latest Daihatsu Tanto Exe-based Lucra.
Since December 24, Daihatsu launched the newest kei car that slots from the Tanto and the Tanto Custom kei car, known as the Tanto Exe and the Tanto Exe Custom. With the partnership between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries (also working for the "Toyobaru FT-86" projects), Subaru uncovered their own Daihatsu Tanto Exe, known as the Lucra.
When Subaru decided to stop making kei cars that dates back the Vivio, Pleo, R1, and the R2, they decided to source it out from Daihatsu, which of course a part of the Toyota Group, because of the deal that they would work together for their upcoming projects. Starting from the Toyota bB-Daihatsu Coo-based Dex, the alliance was formed between them.
Now, on the Lucra, you may recognize that this is the OEM of the Daihatsu Tanto Exe. How Subarists will find the Lucra very intriguing that why a Daihatsu-built kei car would was Subaru-badged. Despite the badging, the Lucra possesses different qualities that can also be found on the Tanto Exe:
- Two different styles to choose from; the original for cuteness and the Custom for sportiness
- Amazing seating arrangements that matches different situations
- 21.5km/L on most variants and 19.0km/L on the Lucra Custom RS variant
- Illumination accessory from the top and bottom
- Spacious interior
- Choice of audio and navigation systems available
- Available Momo steering wheel on the Lucra Custom RS variant
- Smart key entry with immobilizer
- Continuously Variable Transmission
- Anti-lock braking system
- Approved for Japan's eco car tax-break laws
My thoughts about the Lucra:
As an OEM of the Daihatsu Tanto Exe, the Lucra continues the strong bond between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries ever since the Dex, the Dias Wagon, and now the second-generation Pleo. (This is now Mira-based) With the regular, Lucra targeted for the practical customers and the Lucra Custom targeted for the hardcore kei car customers, both of these Lucras will have one giant leap for the car industry, despite its small size. Can the Lucra really replace the Stella because of their identical sizes? We are not sure, but try the Lucra and judge.
