My favorite Chevys - 100 years from now (Part Three)

Time for numbers 21 to 30 in the list of my 100 favorite Chevrolet cars of all kinds in tribute to the brand's 100th anniversary!

21) Eighth Generation Chevrolet Malibu - This eighth-generation Malibu, on sale in the USA early next year, would be the best Malibu I want to see because now, it will be marketed globally and South Koreans have it first before China, USA, Europe, and others. I hope the Philippines will have one too!

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

22) Chevrolet Lumina (based on the Holden VE Commodore) - While Americans are mourned at the death of the Pontiac G8 sedan, which was the Americanized version of the Holden VE Commodore, it seems that Arabs are getting more fun with the Dubai Version of the Holden VE Commodore, which is the Chevrolet Lumina. This is the coolest Chevrolet sport sedan we, Filipinos, want but don't worry, because this is a Dubai Version, there's a big chance we can see it on gray market dealers that sell Dubai Version cars at high prices.

2008 Chevrolet Lumina (Dubai Version)

23) Chevrolet Caprice Royale (Dubai Version) - Dubai Version Chevrolet Caprice Royale, which was based on the Holden WM Statesman, is definitely the most drool-worthy premium sedan that takes on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, or even the Lexus LS460. I kinda love its interior though because it made me feel like a CEO of a big company.

2011 Chevrolet Caprice Royale

24) Chevrolet Epica (V250) - Back in January 2006, GM Daewoo launched a new medium sedan that replaces the rubbish Magnus, which is none other than the GM Daewoo Tosca. Later on, it was exported worldwide as the Chevrolet Epica and too bad, the USA didn't get it after Suzuki discontinued the Daewoo Magnus-based Verona sedan. Only Canadians get it until this Epica will be replaced by the global Chevrolet Malibu next year. But still, this is the most memorable Chevrolet I will surely miss it because of its "epic occasion" but the interior kinda looks like the fourth-generation Subaru Legacy, which is nice.

2011 Chevrolet Epica

25) Chevrolet Lumina (based on the Holden VZ Commodore) - This is the kind of Lumina we should be getting, not the one that was based on the China-spec Buick Regal six years ago as the Chevrolet Lumina 2.5 V6. To me, this is the best Lumina the Arabs drove it.

2004 Chevrolet Lumina SS (Dubai Version)

26) Seventh-generation Chevrolet Malibu - Although I'm not utterly impressed about the seventh-generation Malibu's behavior, I'm still impressed by this car from the way how it looks. I commonly see those models on American roads.

2008 Chevrolet Lumina

27) Eighth-generation Chevrolet Impala - I love this kind of Impala because the rear view kinda looks like the R33 Skyline GT-R. Still, it's common to see those as taxis just like the Ford Crown Victoria,

2004 Chevrolet Impala SS

28) Fifth-generation Chevrolet Malibu - The only thing that surprised me about the fifth-generation Chevrolet Malibu is the trademark Malibu logo used on the front and back when it came in 1997 but in 2000, the trademark Malibu logo was ditched in favor of using the corporate logo. When the Sixth-generation Chevrolet Malibu came in 2004, this generation remained as the Chevrolet Classic up until 2005.

2000 Chevrolet Lumina

29) Ninth-generation Chevrolet Impala - This latest Impala seems to have a rubbish front view, good-looking rear view, and a decent-looking cabin. I've probably seen those everywhere as taxis but it wasn't as good as the Ford Taurus. Despite that, I'll mark this Impala as one of the great moments in Chevrolet history.

2006 Chevorlet Impala

30) Chevrolet Lumina Philippine Version - Six years ago, we got this one instead of the Commodore-based Lumina from Dubai. Why did we get this? Doesn't matter but still this is the kind of Chevrolet Lumina that is somewhat "Only in the Philippines".

2005 Chevrolet Lumina (Philippine Version)

...to be continued in Part Four of my list...

Audi A5 range Minor Change

2012 Audi A5

The Audi A5 may not be as good looking as its rivals but for this year, this is a different kind of A5 because the Audi A5 range received its first mid-life facelift, keeping the Audi A5 coupe, Audi A5 Cabriolet, and the Audi A5 Sportback began life anew after four years.

For this minor change, the exterior boasts a new front design heavily inspired from the latest generation Audi A6 C7 while the rear view sports a new rear view heavily inspired from the third-generation Audi A8. With Audi's design DNA, the Audi A5 has progressed to have sharper cues, impressive elegance, and exceptional high quality that is quite fit enough for the grand touring road ahead.

2012 Audi A5 interior

The Audi A5's interior has been heavily revised from top to bottom. You should expect up close and personal with a new steering wheel design, new steering column stalks, new instrumental panel, and narrow chrome clasps framing the control elements. On the A5 Sportback, Fine Nappa leahter replaces the Valcona leather to provide the best comfort for the passengers and these luxury features are sure enough to provide hospitality on the new A5.

For its minor change, the Audi A5 loses the 3.2 FSi engine, which is somewhat bad news for those who are looking for power. As of today, the new A5 range is offered in 1.8 TFSI 160PS, 1.8TFSI 170PS, 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 2.0 TDI 143PS, 2.0 TDI 177PS, 3.0 TDI 204PS, and 3.0 TDI 245PS engines. Focused of fuel efficiency, most engines come equipped with idling stop system and recuperation system. Depending on the engine types, there are different drivetrains offered on the new Audi A5 range such as six-speed manual, multitronic, seven-speed S tronic, front-wheel drive or quattro drive.

Available in 15 color variations such as Brillantrot, Brillantschwarz, Ibisweiß, Cuvéesilber Metallic, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Mondscheinblau Metallic, Monsungrau Metallic, Scubablau Metallic, Shirazrot Metallic, Teakbraun Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Lavagrau Perleffekt, Misanorot Perleffekt, and Phantomschwarz Perleffekt.

My comment:
The A5 range's minor change only impresses the new exterior, new interior, and loads of technology that satisfies the driver but when it comes to performance, it seems that their top priority was only fuel economy rather than performance. Dropping the 3.2 TSI engine is such a heinous crime and I am very unhappy about the list of engines available because most of these engines are focused only on fuel consumption rather than horsepower and torque. That made me sad...

Photo: AUDI AG

The first ever Gran Turismo 5 DLC

Is that THE STIG?!

The first ever Gran Turismo 5 DLC is finally on sale and for me, I chose the Complete Pack which features the Racing Car Pack, Racing Gear Pack, Paint Pack, and Course Pack. For a bonus treat for those who've purchased the Complete Pack starting now up until November 8, 2011, a special NSX GT500 Stealth Model and GT Academy PS3 theme can be yours with no additional charge. Of course, the Complete Pack costs 11.99 US Dollars or about 1,600 Japanese Yen at the PlayStation Store.

What shocked me on this DLC is this; what happens if you put on the SIMPSON Diamondback helmet and the Alpinestars Suit? The answer is, you are THE STIG! That was a big surprise because with that combination, everybody can be a STIG. That's not all, you can be the original black Stig (the original Stig who got sunk on Top Gear Series 3 pilot episode where he races a modified Jaguar at the HMS Invisible but both the old Stig and the Jag got drowned after hitting the top speed). All you need is a SIMPSON Diamondback Black and Alpinestars Suit Black to perfect the combination.

There are two new tracks added such as the Kart Space and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The Kart Space is an original indoor kart track where racing karts are allowed to drive and have fun. Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, on the other hand, is a world circuit where the Belgian GP took place. It's a very difficult track loaded with twists and turns and that takes of getting used to.

There are Touring Car versions of the Dodge Challenger SRT8, Honda CR-Z, Eunos Roadster, RX-7, Lancer Evolution X, R33 Skyline GT-R, R32 Skyline GT-R, R34 Skyline GT-R, WRX STi 4-door GVB, third-generation Prius, and GT-R R35, included in the Racing Car Pack and there's also the Racing Kart Jr., Racing Kart 100, and Racing Kart 125. The most shocking car was the Red Bull X2011 Prototype. It looks like the Red Bull X2010 nested in carbon fiber but instead of Bridgestone decals, it wears Pirelli decals, which of course, Pirelli is now the official supplier for Formula One after Bridgestone declared quits on Formula One. When I drove it, it has the same feeling I had in the X2010.

Be sure to purchase the Complete Pack for just 11.99 US Dollars at the Playstation Store and this will change the way you played GT5 forever. I hope there will be more GT5-related DLC on the way but in the meantime, let's enjoy the first-ever DLC on Gran Turismo 5!

Special-edition Ractis comes with Smart Stop

2012 Toyota Ractis 1.3G Smart Stop Selection

A special-edition Toyota Ractis (known in Europe as the Verso-S and in Hong Kong as the Ractis Verso) 1.3G/1.3X Smart Stop Selection comes equipped with the innovative Toyota Smart Stop technology that allows the 1NR-FE engine to shut off automatically when stopped at the red light, giving the maximum fuel economy of 21.5km/L according to Japan's 10-15 Mode Test Cycle.

Interesting about this feature and this is a very beneficial variant for those who are looking for fuel efficient compacts in Japan today!

Scoop: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/jp/news/11/10/nt11_045.html

The best of MP4-12C at the Nurburgring

McLaren's MP4-12C does had a name that sounds like a fax machine but this is one heck of a superb exotic that Top Gear said that it wasn't engineered at the Nurburgring. To those guys at McLaren, they are trying to prove Top Gear's point wrong by proving that the McLaren MP4-12C is engineered for the Nurburgring.

With all of its might, the McLaren MP4-12C clocked the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 28 seconds, eclipsing the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0.

The 21st Century Beetle from Volkswagen

It became an iconic phenomenon since its first made in the 1930's and it garnered tons of nicknames such as Kafer, Fusca, Bug, Buba, Kabuto-mushi, or Pendong, This car made it as part of pop culture as Herbie or the original Bumblebee from the old Transformers cartoons. It even spawned its own version for the younger generation in 1997 as the New Beetle. Now, the arrival of the 21st Century Beetle truly shocked the world that the bug is back to stand out the crowd. This "new" generation Volkswagen Beetle is no longer your grandparents' Beetle of yesteryears and now, this new bug's ready to go to work.

2012 Volkswagen The Beetle

2012 Volkswagen The Beetle

The exterior design of the 21st Century Beetle looks scrumptious, juicy, tender, crispy, and more like a Porsche 911 Carrera. Once you look at the outside of the 21st Century Beetle's exterior, you can't resist its temptation of its cool beauty. That cool beauty comes from its cue design that is somewhat inspired from the 2005 Volkswagen Ragster Concept car and it uses the PQ35 platform lifted from the Volkswagen Jetta. With this platform, the 21st Century Beetle is now longer than the previous "New Beetle" because of the 4,278mm length.

2012 Volkswagen The Beetle interior

The previous New Beetle's interior looks somewhat rubbish and I don't like the way how I feel inside. It's like watching daytime television or letting kids watching cartoons on Saturday evenings. Now, on the 21st Century Beetle's interior, it looks more like its ready for some Saturday Night Live! It packs pace, shows character, and above all else, it looks luxurious. The best part about the 21st Century Beetle's interior is the new Fender Sound System. You probably familiar about Fender as the brands behind the mega popular Jazz Bass and Mustang. Yes, you should be familiar that these guitars are popularized on the anime K-ON! About the Fender Sound System, it produces clear sound quality and it was so clear, we recommend listening to character songs of K-ON's Mio Akiyama and Azusa Nakano while driving the 21st Century Beetle at the Shutokou, Autobahn, or Route 66. I mean hey, this is the best time to sing "Don't Say Lazy" while taking a road trip with the 21st Century Beetle!

The 1.2L TSi engine equipped on The Beetle produces 105PS/5,000rpm of power output and 175Nm/1,550rpm of torque output. This helps the car reach 0-100kph in 10.9 seconds and achieving the top speed of 180kph. Meanwhile, the 2.0L TSi engine equipped on The Beetle produces 200PS/5,100rpm of power output and 280Nm/1,700rpm of torque output. This helps the car reach 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds and achieving the top speed of 223kph. On The Beetle 1.2L TSi variant, it is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission but on The Beetle 2.0L TSi variant, it is mated with the 6-speed DSG transmission packed with Manual Mode. These engines were only the beginning because the 1.4L TSI, 1.6L TDi, and a 2.0L TDi engines will follow shortly.

The Beetle offers host of driving aids that help the driver navigate correctly and safely such as Bi-Xenon headlights, Electronic Stability Program, and ParkPilot for effective reverse parking.

Depending on the variant; Beetle, Design, and Sport, The 21st Century Beetle comes in 11 color variations such as Candy-Weiß, Denim Blue, Saturn Yellow, Schwarz, Tornadorot, Moon Rock Silver Metallic, Platinum Grey Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Reflexsilber Metallic, Toffeebraun Metallic, and Deep Black Perleffekt.

My comment:

No longer the old Beetle from your grandparents' ages, the 21st Century Beetle is now made to be more retro-futuristic because of its seductive looks, refined interior, Fender Sound System that yells "Don't Say Lazy" while driving, list of engines, and the sizing that made it obvious to have one if you had it with the previous model.

I'm impressed that this new model always stick to its global market availability we're hoping that the 21st Century Beetle will hit the Philippines soon and thanks to Ayala Group gearing up for Volkswagen's return to the Philippines, we might have a chance but let's be patient...

Photo: Volkswagen

Takeri

2011 Mazda Takeri Concept

To be on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the year, the Mazda Takeri concept follows the tradition of the new Kodo -Soul of Motion- design philosophy that was applied on the Mazda Shinari Concept last year. Needless to say that this concept sedan looks as good as the Shinari and the SKYACTIV technology fits well to provide three steps; idling stop, regenerative braking, and electric drive technology that we get from hybrids.

Further reading: http://www.netcarshow.com/mazda/2011-takeri_concept/