3rd Generation Fiat Panda

The Panda has been around for over 30 years when the first Fiat Panda came out in the 1980's and the second-generation Panda reached a milestone of over 2,000,000 units made last year. For this third-generation model, the all new Fiat Panda will do anything to make Fiat stand up from the ongoing European debt crisis that was plunged last year. Produced at the revamped Pomigliano d'Arco plant in Naples, Italy, the new Panda is all about Italian pride that expresses the art of car passion, no matter which league you are.

2013 Fiat Panda

Previous generations of the Panda seems a bit more squarish and ugly to look at because everything seems to be squarish and "it's cool if you're an 11-year-old boy". For this new Panda, the design is finally went to the right direction and I was going to say that I love the new look of the this 3rd-generation model. Although it still has the same side view design from the previous model, the new design is definitely enough for the average Italian motorist who are looking for a city car that is stylish. So what I'm looking now that this new Panda is no longer the ugly squarish type of Panda. The round shaping really makes it up to its bubbly personality, which is nice. Good mark for Fiat there.

2013 Fiat Panda interior

Okay, what I don't really get about the new Panda is the new interior. When you get inside, you really don't get it that there is too much square around here. From the parts of the steering wheel, the instrumental panel, the climate control, everything is so squarish! If you have a decent top-of-the-line model, you would find out that there are so many squares are imprinted on the seats that can accommodate up to five people. Perhaps if you're a kid, you would find out that those seats with several squared imprinted on it are somewhat fun to touch and your parents won't be noticing it. If you're up to connectivity, the available Fiat Blue&Me, in collaboration with Microsoft, provides you with hands-free voice commands that lets you listen to music, make phone calls, navigation, and more, without letting your hands off the wheel.

2013 Fiat Panda

At the start, the all new 3rd-generation Fiat Panda is available in two petrol engine types such as the 1.2 69cv and the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 85cv engine with idling stop function, and the 1.3 Multijet 16v 75cv engine.. Okay, the new 1.2 69cv Fire EVO II engine, which is the latest evolution of the Fiat FIRE engine range that boasts over 10 million units made. It provides 69PS of power and 102Nm of torque with improved fuel economy (combined) of 19.2km/L (5.2L/100km) and 120g/km of CO2 emissions. Lastly, the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo 85cv engine, which is the first of the new range of two-cylinder engines developed by Fiat Powertrain, develops 85PS of power and 145Nm of torque but it can be reduced to 100Nm if the driver presses the ECO key on the dashboard to save petrol, leaving the fuel economy up to 23.8km/L of fuel economy and CO2 emissions equal to 99g/km, which is impressive for an Italian eco-car. On the 1.3L Multijet 16v diesel engine, it produces about 75PS of power and 190Nm of torque. Thanks to its fixed geometry turbocharger with intercooler, this diesel variant promises about 104g/km of CO2 emissions and 25.6km/L of fuel economy. Most of these variants come with a 5-speed manual transmission but there will be more variants for the new Fiat Panda coming soon this year.

Ten exterior colors are available on the new Fiat Panda such as Beige Accogliente, Bianco Sincero, Marrone Avvolgente, Nero Seducente, Rosso Cupido, Turchese Sognante, Blu Dipintodiblu, Grigio Allegro, Rosso Gioioso, and Viola Profumato.

My comment:
With the all new, 3rd-generation, Fiat Panda had its design finally came to the right direction, it tries to be more bubbly and cheerful for this cheap and cheerful Italian 5-door hatchback. With prices start at around 10,200 Euros for the entry level 1.2L POP up to 14,400 Euros for the 1.3L Multijet 16v 75cv S&S Lounge, this new Panda is definitely a cheap and cheerful hatchback that is more affordable than the Toyota Ractis. I was going to say that (sigh) I love it. Mwah!



Photo: FIAT

Elia modified the Renault Wind with matching Lotus F1 Team colors

Elia Renault Wind

Despite that Lotus and Renault are now in separate ways since the end of 2011 Formula One season, Elia modified the Renault Wind roadster that featured, and while you're sitting down, Lotus F1 Team livery! While Elia doesn't explain about its specs, this modified Wind is dressed in the former Lotus Renault GP team livery all over the car and it comes with a sports exhaust system and some low-profile tires.

A little late for the party but it doesn't matter for this modified Renault Wind.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/02/elia-dresses-up-renault-wind-in-f1.html

Venta in the Metro sparked outrage in the Philippines

Lamborghini Aventador in Metro Manila

When someone in the Philippines reacted via Top Gear Philippines' Facebook page that a white Lamborghini Aventador spotted in the Metro Manila, it seems most and most spur relentless comments that are too fun to read.

Okay, this is turning like the "Who is The Stig" iPhone app but instead of doing that, there are some several "some say" comments to explain some ludicrous things about the Lamborghini Aventador's maiden voyage at the Metro Manila.

Some say it was belong from the Customs. Some say it was belong to Grace Lee. Some say, it was bought at Auto Trend for under 25 million pesos. Some say, the Aventador is going to Las Pinas because this place has wealthy Filipinos. Some say if everyone in the Metro saw the Aventador, their cars went overheat. All we know is, what a complete waste of time explaining what would the Aventador do in the Philippines.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/photos-of-lamborghini-aventador-on-local-roads-a-hit-on-facebook

For some irrelevance to this story, word from Top Gear Philippines is that Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. will be closed for another Bourne Legacy shooting, beginning February 11 to 13 at 1am Philippine Standard Time. Who cares? Nobody's going to Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. at that time, except maybe buses and people who worked overtime.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/ramon-magsaysay-blvd-to-be-closed-for-bourne-legacy-shoot

Are you the 2013 Lexus RX minor change?

Some Minkara blogger, mercilessly scanned a brochure that what would the 2013 Lexus RX minor change would look like. Check out the scans that you may found out that there's a high possibility that IT IS the 2013 Lexus RX facelift.

2013 Lexus RX brochure scans

2013 Lexus RX brochure scans

2013 Lexus RX brochure scans

2013 Lexus RX brochure scans

2013 Lexus RX brochure scans

Based on this leaked brochure done by an Minkara blogger, the 2013 Lexus RX facelift will feature Lexus's new trademark SPINDLE GRILLE that was last seen on the all-new 2013 Lexus GS. On the interior, a new steering wheel design takes place and for the first time, Lexus will be offering an optional rear seat entertainment system on high-range models. Also new for the 2013 Lexus RX is the F-Sport variant.

Based on the scans, it should come out in Japan this April 2012.

Source: http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/556631/car/481148/2977698/photo.aspx

"Capture the Island Experience"

What just happened at the February 10, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang?

- Those Bubble Gags ruined too much Valentines dates...

Fresco Bar & Resto

- The woman explains what's going on at the church...

- Imagine life on the household if its "too tight" to handle...

- Cheche is writing a Valentines Day card for her dad? Really?!

- Bubble Gang does Boracay Rum by spoofing this commercial as BAROCAY RUM. Capture the island experience with Barocay Rum.

Bubble Gang does Boracay Rum

- Some say Dahon faces a new rival named Bungo, and even the tamed pickupista, Boy Pick Up, is no match for Regine Velasquez. All we know is it's called PICKUP LINES!! And we're off!

Bungo

1) Meron bang droga ang mata mo? Kasi, nakakalason ang titig mo!

2) Di baleng may asthma ako. Basta lips mo ang nebulizer ko.

3) Tatakbo ka ba sa pulitika? Kasi, botong-boto sa'yo ang pamilya ko.

4) Pag-ibig ko sa'yo parang presyo ng fish ball. Kasi, hindi nagbabago.

5) Para sa'yo, ako na ang mas bobo. Kasi, akong BOBOO ng buhay mo

6) Alam mo, nakaka-in love yung mga mata mo. Kasi, ang A, B & C, ay number 2 sa keypad.

7) Kung magiging superhero ako, hindi ako si Batman, Superman, o si Spiderman. Kasi, I'm your man, magpakailanman.

8) Alam mo ba, kakaiba ka? Kasi, ang capital ng Burgundy ay BOOJUMBURA! (?)

- Mr. Assimo at the fast food chain

Mr. Assimo

- Special guest, Mikey Bustos explains the brighter side of us, Filipinos, out there.

Mikey Bustos

- The cupid is going to the jail.

- IyoTube in Britney Spears' Stronger with some female guesting alongside the Moymoy Palaboy duo.

Welcome Back: 2009 Ford Fiesta Zetec S

Fiesta WRC rally car on its shakedown test!

Who's better at hooning? Ken Block or The Stig?

There was one part of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson turned an ordinary Ford Fiesta test drive into a hilarious adventure, and that was none other than the "Sensible" Fiesta test. Clarkson tries to address a complaint from someone named "Mr. Needham" because Mr. Needham complained that why Top Gear never do a decent test drive just like the old Top Gear. Trust them, on Top Gear, clouds go backwards, sportscars smoking through the test track, metaphors got tortured, and they last for about five or six minutes but for Top Gear's Sensible Fiesta Test, that was way too much adrenaline and too much rush. However, I really love the Sensible Fiesta Test because this is the best Top Gear moment ever because it included a chase scene between the Ford Fiesta vs. the Chevrolet Corvette at the shopping mall and the part where the Ford Fiesta takes part at the Royal Marines' combat training as a beach assault craft!

"So there you are Mr. Needham! The most thorough test of a car ever undertaken on British television! Fiesta's come through with flying colors!" - Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear

...and if that wasn't enough of this Top Gear Sensible Fiesta Test, what about in the USA? Top Gear USA's Tanner Foust astonished us with his "indoor speed record" of 87MPH in his Ford Fiesta Rallycross and when The Stig tried it round the TGUSA Test Track, it set an astonishing lap time of 1:19.5 (although this isn't a road car).

The Ford Fiesta returned on Forza Motorsport 4 and it tries to be more sensible on this game. What's even more sensible that those Ken Block Monster liveries made for the Fiesta are truly the best-sellers round the Forza Motorsport 4 storefront. Hey, I can see plenty of Ken Block liveries on the FM4 storefront frequently because of such popularity for the boy-racers in mind. The outlook was good, no wait, the outlook was very good for the Ford Fiesta.

As for me, I personally like the Ford Fiesta not only because it is popular not just in the USA, Europe, the Philippines, ASEAN, and the rest of the world, but it is because it holds a special place in Top Gear history.

Chicago Approach

The 2012 Chicago Auto Show is open to the public this February 10 to 19 at the McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois. Here are some of my hand-picked cars you might want to approach on this venue, making them a perfect Chicago Approach.

2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible

This here is the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible. In celebration of SVT's 20th anniversary, the revised convertible version of the hardcore GT500 Shelby that comes with the most powerful V8 engine in its class; a 5.8L V8 engine that produces a Camaro ZL1-crushing 650HP of power.

2012 Kia Trackster Concept

Kia Motors imagines what would their Mini Cooper rival look like with the Trackster Concept, a 3-door sports concept car that was based on the popular Soul crossover. Kia Motors America chief designer, Tom Kearns, said that the Trackster is made to be tough looking like a bulldog. Hmmm...tough like a bulldog, got that idea from the Honda City Turbo II.

2013 GMC Acadia

GMC's Acadia crossover gets a minor change for the 2013 Model Year but despite being a minor change, there is somewhat an oddity that behind the new front, most of the body panels were really derived from the defunct Saturn Outlook. This is a first from General Motors to save production costs.

2013 Acura ILX

The production-spec Acura ILX made a world premiere at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show and it will be on sale in North America this spring 2012. Of course, this is a much luxury version of the 9th-generation "NOT MADE FOR JAPAN" Honda Civic. There's going to be much TRANSACTIONS with this entry-level sedan and also, if come on sale in Canada, it will replace the Civic-based CSX once and for all.

2013 Hyundai Avante Coupe (subject to change)

Lastly, this is somewhat the Hyundai Avante MD that goes "more fun, less doors". Yes, we're looking at the Hyundai Avante Coupe (subject to change), or what the Americans called it the "Elantra Coupe". This car is a celebration of the Avante's 2012 North American Car of the Year win and this would be a fluidic alternative to the Kia Forte Koup.