A very special, STIG APPROVED, GT5 Christmas Gift for all - the 2013 Toyota 86

Song played in my Personal BGM: あ~よかった (Version Iori) by Iori Minase (CV: Rie Kugiymiya)

From the album: THE IDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 2 -SECOND SEASON- 01 Iori Minase

Testing the 86 at its home ground.
That is, Fuji Speedway.

This is a very special Christmas Present from Gran Turismo 5 for those who've updated to Version 2.02 and the new Toyota 86 (Hachi-Roku), or what GT5 calls it Toyota 86 GT '12, would be the best gift we've ever opened to experience the first bite before the actual model goes on sale in Japan next year. Now, we have the chance to sample Toyota's first boxer-engine sports car that was been a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of Subaru.

The Stig meets the new Hachi-Roku

Now, for my very first impressions about the new Toyota 86 is that the handling is very great for an FR sports car. What bothers me is when is flicked the view to "Normal View". Seems that the camera angle is gone at the wrong side of the screen and all I can see is some minor rumblings every time I corner the Toyota 86. Upon setting it on Interior View, seems that the new Toyota 86 has a good looking instrumental cluster and the steering wheel looks cool when it has something red on it. It's just one of the many reasons why the Toyota 86 is made to be somewhat special for the player. In fact, this car is a Gran Turismo 5 exclusive. I kinda love the sound of the 86's engine start though and I can almost hear the noise of the Boxer engine.

The 86 logo looks great with some pistons on it!

Glad to know that the Toyota GT 86 is a Premium Tier car so it can be essentially great to go out for some Photo Travel with this sports car. Also, if you're dressing as The Stig (or as the Ghost of Black Stig), you're welcome because we can expect seeing The Stig meets the new Toyota 86 face to face, which unfortunately I did.

The Stig happily drives the new Toyota 86
at the Top Gear Test Track!!!

The Toyota 86 is the best GT5 Christmas present we ever had because we've updated the game to Version 2.02 and once you tried it, forever smitten...

Saab bids Farväl because of bankruptcy filing

2011 Saab 9-5

So, guess this marks the end of Saab...

Numerous attempts to save the troubled Swedish car maker, especially with help from Chinese carmaker Youngman, have gone dodo and this means trouble. And if by trouble, Swedish Automotive N.V. announced that Saab Automobile, Saab Automobile Tools, and Saab Powertrain filed for bankruptcy with the District Court in Vanersborg, Sweden.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/saab-files-for-bankruptcy-after-all.html

Verdict: After all, after years of survival for this Swedish brand, it's sad to say that Saab is dead. Bankrupt...

Now what will exactly happened to the new generation Saab 9-5? Guess it would go to waste...

Also bidding farewell is an utterly old company that claimed to be "Old GM", that is, Motors Liquidation Co. After being their for a record-breaking 103 years, it seems that the death of the Old GM, thanks to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerbert. Seems that splitting the two GM companies had caused a major toll on the company and yes, the "New GM" is somewhat an exact opposite. The "New GM" did better than the Old GM and yes, it was too pity about the Old GM's death.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/company-formerly-known-as-old-gm-is.html

2012 Bentley Continental GT tuning by Mansory

2012 Mansory Bentley Continental GT

Mansory tunes the 2012 Bentley Continental GT to be somewhat extraordinary and somewhat intimidating. On the outside, you should expect carbon fiber applied on the hood, front spoiler, and rear spoiler. Also, it is mated with a set of 22-inch rims plated in black to make it more cool. On the inside, two-tone upholstery and carbon fiber trimming takes place. What's good is that they beefed up the performance with an improved ECU, high performance air filters, and exhausts, capable of releasing 672HP of power and 780Nm of torque. That modified Continental GT looks perfect to stand out...

Scoop: http://www.motorward.com/2011/12/mansory-kit-for-new-bentley-continental-gt/

This is how they Sonic - 2013 Sonic RS

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

The 2013 Sonic RS enhances the styling of Chevrolet's wild compact and yes, it doesn't get any wilder than this because of its even more aggressive front face, 17-inch rims, lowered suspension, standard MyLink infotainment system, sports seats, and much more. Seems that it will go on sale late next year but it will make a premiere at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit!

Further reading: http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2013-sonic_rs/

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (URJ202W) Facelift

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser interior

The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (URJ202W) is the only V8-powered full-size SUV made in Japan. It was having a good time pummeling against rivals such as Mitsubishi Pajero and the Range Rover. You can see them commonly in the Middle East but it is rarely seen in the streets of Los Angeles, Manila, or even Tokyo. Sadly though it's not available in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia because of the ASEAN-built Fortuner takes place.

This generation was been there for four years since its debut in late 2007 but for the 2013 model year, the Toyota LC200 deserved its mid-life facelift to keep it fresh for the only V8-powered SUV made in Japan. So for the exterior details, you should expect a new headlamp design, a new front bumper, new rims, and a new rear design. That should make it perfect to keep it more muscular for this flagship model.

Once again, the interior design looks the same as the previous model. It still features a choice of 5-seater and 7-seater, climate control, heated seats, available G-BOOK mX Pro HDD Navigation System, Toyota Premium Sound System with 18-speakers, rear-seat entertainment system, USB Connectivity, and a new "Shell" interior color. Guess that they've been running out of ideas but this interior is all about "Business Class" comfort. So, it was like you're on a business trip to the Middle East and going around for some Arab money. Well, knock yourself out...

The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 is powered by the 1UR-FE (4.6L V8) engine that produces 318PS of power and 460Nm of torque. With its Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) and 6-speed Super ECT, it is capable of achieving a fuel economy of 6.9km/L based on Japan's JC08 Test Cycle. The Multi-Terrain Select allows the user to take advantage of five different modes based on terrain responses such as ROCK, ROCK & DIRT, MOGUL, LOOSE ROCK, and MUD & SAND. It even features Crawl Control, Variable Gear Ratio Steering, Active Height Control Suspension with Adaptive Variable Suspension System, and the most basic feature of them all is KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).

Available colors are White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Black, Attitude Black Mica, Dark Red Mica Metallic, and Beige Mica Metallic.

My comment:
Keeping the LC200 updated is just one of the reasons why they want to keep the legendary Land Cruiser despite the tough times caused by the March 11 disaster, the European Debt Crisis, and the Thai Floods. Now if we could only hope for is sit down and wait for it to decide its fate.

Sales for this facelifted model start this January 6, 2012, and it will come soon in the Middle East and in the USA. Now, if we could hope is to wait for Toyota Motor Philippines to bring the facelifted LC200 soon or wait for some sneaky gray market importers, especially Auto Trend, to have one, especially if this one's a Dubai Version...

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation.

Kim Jong-Il's Death

Kim Jong-Il

The death of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, really sparked worldwide attention that a country like North Korea had lost the most powerful leader, a man who ruled with an iron fist and influenced the country's military power. As of that, we felt silent about the death of Kim Jong-Il,

Scoop: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111219_23.html

Because Kim Jong-Il ruled North Korea upon his father's death in 1994, there is a tendency that Kim Jong-Il's third son, Kim Jong Un will succeed but Kim Jong Un was just in his 20's and we believed that he's too young to continue his father's duties...

Scoop: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111219_21.html

Verdict: So what will North Korea do with the death of its leader? We never know...

The Run of Boss 302 Mustang 2012

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Name: Ford Mustang Boss 302

Nationality: American

Top Speed: 155 MPH

0 to 60 Time: 5.1 seconds

BHP: 444 @ 7,400RPM

Performance: Tier 2

Handling: Very Difficult

Class: Muscle

Drivetrain: RWD

Manufacture Year: 2012

Description:

For the Ford Mustang's 2012 Model Year, the Boss 302 nameplate has been reborn and it uses the Ford Mustang GT V8 variant as its foundation. Although I do think that the Boss 302 Mustang is a sort of "in-the-middle" version of the legendary Mustang name. Why? Because it's sharper and faster than the regular Mustang but not as aggressive as the Shelby GT500. Anyway, this model uses the Mustang's V8 engine and it was tuned to have 444BHP of power. Best of all, it comes with Brembo front calipers and rotors, 3.73:1 limited slip differential, and an adjustable suspension that allows owners to switch through different modes for that "One Track Mind".

In The Run, it served as Eddie Cooke's main car, which is a boss at the start of Stage 10 (East Coast). Watch out because while you're facing against him at Tumbling Run, PA, his Boss 302 is one heck of a cornering maniac! Strategy is important!

Eddie Cooke's Ford Mustang Boss 302