Mazda CX-5 meets Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

2013 Mazda CX-5 in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

Now this is somewhat interesting. Mazda USA pitches in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax for promoting the all new Mazda CX-5 crossover with SKYACTIV Technology! This is somewhat a collaboration between Mazda USA and Universal Pictures and this new Mazda CX-5 has uncompromised driving and it's TRUFFULA TREE FRIENDLY! Cute!

PRESS RELEASE:

IRVINE, CA - February 17, 2012: Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced its strategic partnership in support of the launch of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, in theatres March 2. From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the much anticipated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CG adaptation of the classic tale of a forest guardian who shares the enduring power of hope. Mazda was chosen as a strategic partner for the animated adventure because of its innovative SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY and commitment to empower consumers to make more informed choices for their families and the environment.

To activate the partnership, Mazda will launch a co-branded national Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax-themed commercial spot based around Mazda’s SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, which increases fuel economy without sacrificing performance. Mazda was able to work directly with the filmmakers to create a :30 and :45 version of the spot, featuring the all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 small crossover SUV travelling through the “Truffula Valley” featured in the 3D feature.

Mazda’s U.S. Director of Design, Derek Jenkins, contributed to the look of the commercial by working with his design team, which is based at Mazda’s R&D facility in Irvine, Calif. The team reviewed early sketches and, working closely with the filmmakers who created Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, delivered an animated version of the Mazda CX-5. This design was able to capture the proportion and basic look of the Mazda CX-5, while lending it a “Seussian” aesthetic that worked organically with the characters and the feel of the animated adventure.

The development of the spot was a unique collaboration between MNAO as a corporate partner, MNAO’s advertising agency, Garage Team Mazda and Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment and the Paris-based animation house Illumination Mac Guff.

The narrative of the spot features the “Seuss-ified” Mazda CX-5 travelling through the “Truffula Valley.” Around each curve in the road viewers see one of the animals featured in Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and hear the benefits of Mazda SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY. The Lorax also is featured in the spot, and he is brought to life through the vocal talents of Danny DeVito, who voices the title character in the film.

“We’re proud to be working with so many talented individuals to bring to life this wonderful partnership with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax movie,” said Don Romano, chief marketing officer, MNAO. “We take a strategic approach when it comes to partnering with other companies and with the launch of our all-new, fuel-efficient, performance driven SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, this seemed to be a natural fit. The collaboration and integration that went into creating these custom-animated spots featuring the Mazda CX-5 with SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY driving through ‘Truffula Valley’ is unprecedented.”

“The Lorax character’s view of the environment fits in exactly with Mazda and SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, so the two were a perfect match for a commercial,” said Illumination Entertainment founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. “By staying true to who the Lorax and other Truffula Valley animals are we were able to create a fun and engaging spot.”

Beginning tonight, the custom commercial will air nationally on targeted television networks and on March 2, the :30 spot will run in all theatres playing PG titles.

In addition to the TV and theatrical spots, the campaign will incorporate digital assets and social media applications to promote the film partnership. These include a dedicated co-branded Facebook page, a shareable applet and a banner on www.mazdausa.com, MNAO’s official website.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax opens in theatres nationwide on March 2.

Scoop: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2012/02/17/025725-mazda-takes-dr-suess-approach-to-marketing-2013-mazda-cx.html

Video:

Audi A4 (B8) Range Minor Change

Audi's answer to the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the A4, was the kind of entry level luxury car that you may want to scoff and laugh about because unlike its rivals which are RWD, the Audi A4 only comes with either a FWD or quattro. This latest generation, designated as B8, is one step further to this entry-level Audi sedan and tourer that are targeted for the selected few. And now, at last, the Audi A4 B8 range deserved the big minor change it deserves.

2013 Audi A4

2013 Audi A4 Avant

2013 Audi A4 allroad

To keep the A4 B8 mountain dew fresh for the 2013 model year, Audi revamped the front and back to match the brand's "Vorsprung Durch Technik" slogan. The new front lamps were carried from the Audi A5 facelift and it comes with a slight wave at the bottom edges but customers would be interested in Xenon plus headlights as an option. Those LED daytime running lamps on the new A4 now creates a narrow, homogeneous band that takes advantage of the xenon lens. The rear lamps are also new as well. It was shaped to be more like the new Audi A8 in order for the new A4 to be one step ahead of its class. For the A4, it has three available models to choose from; one is the saloon version, the A4 Avant for those who need some space, and there's the Audi A4 allroad for those who are looking for some recreational machine.

2013 Audi A4 interior

The change is also implemented on the interior as well. There will be a selection of steering wheels with chrome and high-gloss inlays, with the leather sport steering wheel available by request. This would be somewhat a pick-and-mix choice for the customers to find the interior that well suits their personality. Aside from that, the MMI navigation plus system now offers four buttons to make a bit less complicating. Also, it can do Bluetooth connection with your smartphones, voice-controlled Google searches for points of interests and navigation with Google Earth pics, as well as Google Street View, which sounds convenient for the tech-savvy drivers. Lastly, the interior serves as a WLAN hotspot, providing passengers to surf the internet while they're stuck at traffic. Good mark for Audi, there.

So, what about performance? At the start and depending on the variant of your choice, the new Audi A4 is available in 1.8 TFSi, 2.0 TFSi, 3.0 TFSi, 2.0 TDi, 3.0TDi, and the 3.0TDi engine with clean diesel technology. The most fuel efficient of the Audi A4 range is the one with the 2.0L TDi engine that produces 136HP of power and it will have a fuel consumptions of 4.2L/100km on average, CO2 emissions of 112g/km. The new 1.8L TFSi engine on the new A4 comes with variable valve lift, thermal management, and direct fuel injection aside from its turbocharger that uses waste gases to force air into the engine more efficiently. Basically, it will have 120HP of power but other variants using the new 1.8L TFSi engine170HP of power and 320Nm of torque. Fuel efficiency, it is limited to 5.6L/100km and it has CO2 emissions of 134g/km. It's very eco. Oh, and I almost forgot. Most variants do come with a six-speed manual transmission but some may offer a multitronic CVT as an option. The quattro versions may come with an optional seven speed S tronic tranmissions.

Audi S4

2013 Audi S4

2013 Audi S4 Avant

2013 Audi S4 interior

The hardcore Audi S4, in sedan and Avant form, also gained a minor change as well, inside and out. It carries a 3.0L TFSi engine that produces 333HP of power an 440Nm of torque. It can go 0-100kph in 5 seconds and top speed limited to 250kph, which sounds too cheesy.

My Comment:
Keeping the Audi A4 B8 fresh is somewhat too cheesy for Audi to keep the "Vorsprung Durch Technik" tagline one giant leap ahead from its competitiors like BMW and Mercedes-Benz but still, it would always getting scoffed and laughed. With the introduction of the new BMW 3-Series F30, this Audi A4 facelift would be nothing more than a useless tool to me. I'm sorry Audi but neither you built a better A4 nor a good looking medium sedan for the chosen few. I could have hope for that...

Scoop: AUDI AG

787B? In Forza 4? Really?

Looking back at the 787B's progress
at Circuit De La Sarthe

Now, if you're one of the Forza Motorsport 4 players who is Japanese, you might be start asking how did the Mazda 787B appeared on Forza Motorsport 4 via the February ALMS Pack, which is on sale now. Yes, this Le Mans race car powered by a rotary engine is highly sacred to the car enthusiasts and most toy and model companies created several 787B diecast models for them to waste their money at. Of course, most video games featured the 787B but at Forza Motorsport 4, this is their first. We're very sure most Japanese FM4 players are getting peculiar about the 787B's Forza 4 debut appearance but this is due to inconsistent public demand by most Forza Faithfuls worldwide.

The one and only rotary engine-powered racer
is historical

Because the history about the birth of the 787B and its first and only win at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans is too long and too boring for you to read, I should explain my experience about the 787B on Forza Motorsport 4. Anyway, as I bought this car for about 2,200,000 CR, this is probably one of the best sounding LMPs I have ever heard. Many Forza Faithfuls would be lucky enough to drive this and I always wanted to drive one of these on FM4. The power of the Wankel rotary engine is just absolutely staggering. When I put my feet to the accelerator (or my finger to the RT button), the R26B rotary engine bellows and it feels like I'm back at 1991, the year when Mazda got its first and only win at Le Mans! While the 787B is stationary, it sounds like a bike starting up. That's what makes the 787B so special not only because of its beautiful sound of the R26B rotary engine but this car always has a kindred spirit, setting the template on other rotary powered production cars such as the RX-7 and the RX-8. Sadly, those rotary-powered engines are becoming extinct and rotary engines are becoming a mirage from the past. That makes me very sad. 

Wonder when will they feature this on Top Gear?

Because production of the Mazda RX-8 comes to a complete end this Summer, I can't believe we are going to say goodbye again to the rotary engine that once fueled the "Zoom-Zoom" phenomenon but it doesn't matter. It's important to leave something behind for future generations, especially when most Japanese Forza Motorsport 4 are getting content on playing with the Mazda 787B and enjoy it as if they've enjoyed the 787B from other video games. After summing it up, I found out that the 787B is the best LMP featured on Forza Motorsport 4's February ALMS Pack, rather than the Audi R18 TDi of the present because the Mazda 787B is the only rotary-powered LMP to remember for.

World's largest BMW showroom in Abu Dhabi!

BMW Abu Dhabi showroom

It's Abu Dhabi's time to shine for the world's largest BMW showroom ever built by Abu Dhabi Motors. Abu Dhabi Motors, certified distributor of BMW vehicles in UAE, built this impressive showroom that measures 35,000 square meters and it took three years to built it when this project began in 2009, costing about 62 million Euros. BMW Group said that the Middle East plays an important role for sales because last year, they sold more cars. 

Not just a dealership, this is a shopping mall selling BMW and Mini merchandises as well as original parts and accessories. Wait, there's even a private cinema for new car releases, a cafe, F1 racing sim, and a playground that provides the best customer experience. Wow, wish I could go there...

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/largest-bmw-group-showroom-opens-in-abu-dhabi

BMW M5 F10 tuning by G-Power

G-Power M5 F10

So, it begins. The BMW M5 F10 gets tuned by someone who specializes on tuning BMW cars to the max, G-Power. From here, the 4.4L V8 BiTurbo engine gets tuned into 640HP of power and 777Nm, thanks to the updated ECU and custom exhaust system. This will go 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. For enhanced handling, it provided some coil-over suspension system with nine selectable settings along with the new braking system and 21-inch rims wrapped with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/02/g-power-ed-2012-bmw-m5-dances-to-tune.html

Welcome Back: 2008 Aston Martin DBS

Keira Knightley in Puff Diddley's jewerly

The interior is all marvelous. The gear lever
really looks like a Power Ranger's leg

Aston Martin claims that the hardcore DBS is a 6-litre hard-driving lightweight thoroughbred but in Top Gear's point of view, it's not a thoroughbred but this is the best Aston Martin ever made despite it's not as fast as the hardcore version of the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish in the straights, not as prettier as the DB9, and it's more expensive than the DB9. Those Top Gear wazzocks rate this car as "UNCOOL" (See Top Gear Cool Wall app in your iPhone) and described that the Space Shuttle looks a bit rubbish in comparison. Who cares? This Aston Martin was been featured in two Bond films from Casino Royale (2006) to Quantum of Solace (2008) as the car of choice for Bond actor, Daniel Craig.

When it lapped round the Top Gear Test Track courtesy of The Stig, it hailed as the fastest Aston Martin on the track with the lap time of 1:23.93, eclipsing the likes of the Aston Martin Vanquish S and the DB9. Even the Aston Martin newcomer, the Virage, couldn't fight off because as James May told, the DB9 has 450HP, the DBS has 510HP, and the new Virage has 490HP. Get it?

The Aston Martin DBS V12 is my personal favorite because of Bond movie appearances and I'm glad it's back on Forza Motorsport 4. I like this more than the new Virage but I'm afraid that I found myself climbing out after a short while and summing up the car although I accidentally become Daniel Craig.

It is a very likable, very brilliant Aston but let's be honest, if you pull outside the casino in Montenegro in one of these, the doorman, I'm afraid, will ask you to go away. Still, Bond loses it all but Bond wins it all.

"Asahan Mo"

What just happened on the February 17, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang?

- This doctor seems to be very serious...at laughing on his patient's serious condition

- Those Bubble Gags let their men get their ladies out in the car after their date

- From Bubble Gang, comes a story where the protagonist is actually the antagonist and her name is Antonietta

Antonietta

- Bubble Gang does SkyFlakes by spoofing this commercial as SpyFlakes. Dahil maaasahan ka ng pamilya, asahan mo ng SpyFlakes.

Bubble Gang does SkyFlakes

- Bureche is making some prank calls

Bureche prank calls

- Ogie Alcasid provides us some Kontra-Bagot Tips to humiliate others...

- Feels like they're holding nothing but this imagination's getting really to hurt.

- IyoTube in High (Forever You and Me)

- Meet the trash-talking family who spend most of the time, trash-talking and doing bad things, except for one who's doing good.