SLS AMG tuning by Wheelsandmore

Wheelsandmore SLS AMG

After Wheelsandmore modified the McLaren MP4-12C, their next car on their tuning portfolio is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. 

For this modification, Wheelsandmore updated the SLS AMG's software, therefore it provides 610PS of power and top speed of 323kph. That costs 3,000 Euros but you may need 2,500 Euros to get a tachometer that measures up to 400kph. For 10,841 Euros, Wheelsandmore will provide you some tuned exhaust system with special manifolds and sports catalysts, providing a 20hp increase.

Some extras include some adjustable suspension, and a choice of 20 or 21-inch rims with an optional gold-plated Swarovski cystal-finished spokes.

Scoop: http://www.auto-news.de/tuning/anzeige_Wheelsandmore-Mercedes-SLS-AMG-Fluegel-fuer-den-Fluegeltuerer_id_31712

Sakura Iro Sotsugyou｜BareBare Valentine

Sakura Iro Sotsugyou｜BareBare Valentine

The latest maxi-single from a fan favorite from The World God Only Knows (日本名：神のみぞ知るセカイ), Kanon Nakagawa, is served as a birthday present for her because Kanon Nakagawa's birthday was March 3! It seems that Kanon Nakagawa's very happy and therefore I was going to kiss the poster that has the picture of Kanon Nakagawa on it, literally.

This all new album features two new Kanon Nakagawa songs fans would love to enjoy such as Sakura Iro Sotsugyou and BareBare Valentine. There was a piano version of Sakura Iro Sotsugyou and some "minus one" versions of those two titular songs, plus the piano version, giving a total of six tracks.

For launch bonus, there was an alternate case with a picture of Kanon Nakagawa holding a heart-shaped chocolate that says "I ♥ You" on it.

Surely, Valentine's Day is over but with this new maxi single courtesy of Nao Toyama as Kanon Nakagawa, everyday is Valentine's Day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KANON NAKAGAWA!!!!

Track Listings:

01 桜色卒業
02 バレバレ・バレンタイン
03 桜色卒業 ピアノ伴奏
04 桜色卒業（Instrumental）
05 バレバレ・バレンタイン（Instrumental）
06 桜色卒業 ピアノ伴奏（Instrumental）

For international customers:
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=GNCA-214

MINI Roadster

2013 Mini Roadster

There was already a convertible variant for the Mini, which is the MINI CABRIO, but who would need another open-top MINI on their lineup anyway? The all new Mini Roadster is somewhat the same as the Mini Cabrio but instead of a four-seater layout, the Mini Roadster has two seats! TWO SEATS! That makes the Mini Roadster different than the Mini Cabrio! The Mini Roadster has rivals on its sleeves such as the Renault Wind and the Mazda Roadster.

It's actually the drop-top version of last year's Mini Coupe and the result is 20 millimeters lower than the Mini Cabrio as this new model cuts a distinctive, low-slung and elegantly stretched figure from the side. Unlike modern roadsters, the black soft-top roof can be folded by hand, not by machine, but on the plus side, closing or open the roof manually saves time rather that waiting for 10 to 20 seconds to close or open the roof automatically.

On the inside, there goes the same old Mini interior but with the black interior, it was made to be road-focused and avoiding the driver of getting distracted by something that attracts him or her, especially the combination of upholstery variant, trim elements and Color Lines chosen by the MINI Roadster owner.

Firstly, the entry-level of the range was the Mini Cooper Roadster, the most economical variant was the Mini Cooper SD Roadster, and the sportiest model was the Mini Cooper S Roadster. Those variants have a choice of a 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual transmission. Because I can't take this too long, here are the specs of each variants;

MINI Cooper S Roadster
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Power Output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600-5,000 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,730-4,500 rpm)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 7.0 seconds
Top speed: 227 km/h (141 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.0 l/100 km (47.1 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 139 g/km

MINI Cooper Roadster
Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Power Output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 9.2 seconds
Top speed: 199 km/h (124 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.7 l/100 km (49.6 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 133 g/km

MINI Cooper SD Roadster
Four-cylinder turbodiesel with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology
Displacement: 1,995 cc
Power Output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm
Max. torque: 305 Nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750-2,700 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 8.1 seconds
Top speed: 212 km/h (132 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.5 l/100 km (62.8 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 118 g/km

If you're not interested in those, consider this, the JCW (John Cooper Works) version of the Mini Roadster.

2013 Mini John Cooper Works Roadster

Being the latest of Mini's John Cooper Works range that consist of the original, JCW Cabrio, JCW Clubman, JCW Coupe, and the upcoming JCW Countryman, the new JCW Roadster has go-kart agility with a turbocharged engine, which sounds perfect to mess around your neighbors.

SPECS:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology and numerous technological details carried over directly from motor sport
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Power Output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 1,850-5,600 rpm (280 Nm/207 lb-ft with Overboost at 2,000-5,100 rpm)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.5 seconds
Top speed: 237 km/h (147 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 7.3 l/100 km (38.7 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 169 g/km

Colors Available for the Mini Roadster such as Chili Red, Pepper White, British Racing Green II, Eclipse Grey, Lightning Blue, Midnight Black, Spice Orange, White Silver, and Reef Blue.

My comment:
It wasn't a good idea to have another convertible model with the same size as the Mini Cabrio but the Mini Roadster is somewhat known to be the Cabrio's evil twin because it was highly a soft-top version of the Mini Coupe. Because it has two seats, this car was made for the singles who want to take their girls to a date at a five-star restaurant. The Mini Roadster is a silly addition of the Mini range but it does pack some serious performance. Well, another day, another adventure...

Photo: MINI

"As Sunday meal expert, may dagdag sa recipe niyo, BARETTA!"

Even with today's standards, GMA's Bubble Gang is rated PG and always will be, keeping this show fun for all. Anyway, what's up on that March 2, 2012 episode?

- Dance steps gags just before the school year ends!

- So you think you can do all these stuff at home?!

- If a soldier falls, what you expect?

- So, what can you say something for us, Cheche Bureche?

- Sira ang Sunday ko! As Sunday meal expert, may dagdag sa recipe niyo, BARETTA! Bubble Gang does Joy Ultra by spoofing this commercial as CHOY ULTRA!

Bubble Gang does Joy Ultra

- Have a question that you really don't get it at all? Fear not because Brod Pete and friends are here to answer your questions on ANG DATING DOON!

Ang Dating Doon

1) Betong from Survivor Philippines asked "May nasusulat po ba tungkol sa mga shoplifter?"

From the book of Price Tag 11:95; EVERYBODY LOOK TO THE LEFT. EVERYBODY LOOK TO THE RIGHT. CAN YOU FEEL THAT? YEAH. WE'LL PAY THEM WITH LOVE TONIGHT. AIN'T ABOUT THAT CHA-CHING CHA-CHING. AIN'T ABOUT THE BA-BLING BA-BLING. FORGET ABOUT THE PRICE TAG.

2) Maureen asked "Meron po bang nasusulat tungkol sa mister na merong girlfriend?"

From the pages of Kulasisi 3:15; AKO'Y MAY ALAGA, ASONG MATABA. BUNTOT AY MAHABA, MAKINIS ANG MUKHA. MAHAL NIYA AKO, MAHAL KO RIN SIYA. KAYA KAMING DALAWA, TAYONG MAGKASAMA.

- Looks like there's gonna be some cost-cutting for the film production...

- For the most delicious food served at the table comes a price; an arguement and some riots

Italian Passion for the Filipinos

Two Italian exotic car brands, Ferrari and Maserati, has finally arrived in the Philippines under the authorized importer, Autostrada Motore. Their dealership is located at 32nd & 4th Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

For their opening salvo, The Ferrari 458 Italia and the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale were launched in the Philippines, with more new models coming soon.

About the 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari 458 Italia continues the Modena-based carmaker's MR tradition and it served as the replacement to the F430. It was launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and this V8 midship grand tourer is the evolution since the 348 in 1989, F355 in 1994, 360 Modena in 1999, and the F430 in 2004. Trust us, this one's faster than James May's actual F430 where Jeremy Clarkson's littering it with a chocolate bar wrapper and a bag of Doritos. In the hands of The Stig, it lapped the Top Gear Test Track at 1:19.1, and it was proven to be faster than the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Even though the assembly of the direct injection V8 engine is done by hand, computerized equipment made sure that each step of the process is done accurately. To be precise, the 458 Italia's crankshaft is one of the few parts that's balanced to within one gram for each level of balance. What we also learned that while painting the 458 Italia's body, Ferrari uses a powder base coat process that produces zero emission and it uses "emu feathers" as the only kind of feather that can clean in an electrostatically charged environment.

Price: 23,000,000 Pesos

About the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is the most powerful Maserati ever built for the hardcore car enthusiasts and it is known to be the softened, firmed-up, street-legal version of the track-only Maserati GranTurismo MC and the MC GT4. This hardcore version is all work, all play, suitable for track day use or as a long-distance cruiser if you want to go out for a stroll at the country club. The inspired race-car technology derived from the GranTurismo MC GT4 produces more aerodynamic downforce and more power, without sacrificing the original GranTurismo's ride quality. Under, the hood, the MC Stradale comes with the 4.7L V8 engine that was improved to have 450HP of power and 510Nm of torque. It can do naught to 60 in 4.6 seconds and top speed of 187MPH. To make it more race-oriented, the GranTurismo MC Stradale retains the original 48:52 weight distribution for balanced handling and even tyre wear. The rear seats from the original Maserati GranTurismo has been stripped off, all in the case of saving weight and this is the first to have Race Mode that even sharpens throttle response and gear changes.

Price: PRICE ON APPLICATION (POA)

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/ferrari-maserati-dealership-opens-in-bonifacio-global-city

Welcome Back: 2011 Citroen DS3

Looks like the Citroen DS3 Racing,
but it's slightly modified...

This is my only favorite Citroen in Forza Motorsport 4, the stylish DS3. As a general rule, I love this kind of Citroen not only because of its style, but it's because how owners customize it to be very unique. We once say Forza 4 players tricked out their DS3 with their unique designs, especially when they're making mock-ups of Sebastien Loeb's DS3 WRC, DS3 R3, and the high-performance DS3 Racing, the one that was featured on an episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson drives one while James May is on a Renaultsport Clio (Lutecia) Cup and Richard Hammond on the Abarth 500C Esseesse (which turned out that it's not a hot hatch). They drove those from the labyrinth of Lucca to the bends of Monaco's Cote d'Azur.

Actually, Top Gear Magazine awarded the Citroen DS3 as the 2010 Car of the Year. Seriously, they did. Yeah...

Toyota Avensis (ZRT272W) facelift

2013 Toyota Avensis

Although the JDM Toyota Avensis wagon was been on the market for about five months, it's been rushed for a facelift at the 2013 Model Year. Talk about being too early to be facelifted but whatever.

Designed and engineered from the Great Britain via Toyota Motor United Kingdom, the Toyota Avensis the the Japanese car that has the appeals of European tendency because of its European style, good performance, and a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Available in Japan this April 2012, the Avensis now has two grades; the basic level Xi and the top-of-the-line Li.

For its facelift, the 2013MY Avensis has a new front face that provides a glamorous stance rather than the previous 2012MY JDM Avensis that was sold since September 2011. What's more, the new Toyota Avensis Li variant features a beige-colored interior to provide first-class comfort for five adults. The entry-level Xi variant comes with a black-colored interior. Again, the Avensis has no radio and no sat-nav unless you want those as a dealer option.

The Japan-spec Toyota Avensis Wagon is powered with the 3ZR-FAE (2.0-litre 4-cylinder DOHC) engine that delivers a modest 152PS/6200rpm of power output, 20.0kgf・m/4000rpm of torque output, and 13.6km/L (JC08 Mode) of fuel economy. The standard transmission is a 7-speed CVT with Paddle Shifters and Sport Mode for a more agile shifting at winding roads. The suspension is Euro-tuned to make cornering more fun because the Avensis Wagon has the suspension that was made for the sporty European roads.

Notable safety features include Steering‐assisted Vehicle Stability Control, Electric Power Steering, Anti-lock Brake System, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Emergency Brake Signal, Projector Discharge Headlamps, Intelligent Adaptive Front-Lighting System, Rear fog lights, Flat wiper blades, Global Outstanding Assessment compatibility body, and SRS airbags.

Available in three colors; Black Mica, Silver Metallic, and Super White II

My Comment:
Even though the JDM Toyota Avensis being rushed for a facelift after being on the Japanese market for five months, this latest facelift is finally heading to the right direction because it was featured on last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Again, the Avensis was designed and engineered in United Kingdom and prices start at 2,500,000 Japanese Yen for the Xi model. With that new design, can it keep up against it's Eurasian rivals such as the Honda Accord Tourer and the Hyundai i40?

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation