Let's Do The News (March 30, 2012)

It's time now for the NEWS! And let's start with a very good news. It seems that the production halt for the highly anticipated 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has been lifted and back to sale as a 2012 model. It's about darn time!

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/29/2012-chevy-camaro-zl1-back-on-sale-production-hold-removed/

Yep, a few weeks ago, sales and production for the ZL1 has been halted due to quality assessment, probably because they noticed a ZL1 crash caused by Top Gear USA's consulting producer. Now, with ZL1 production back to normal, especially the sales, rest assure that those 2012 ZL1 will be around until readying the 2013MY Camaro as well as the ZL1 convertible and the Boss 302-rivaling 1LE. Wait, 1LE?

Read this at: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/27/chevy-camaro-to-get-boss-302-rivaling-1le-trim-for-2013/

So, Chevy's planning some sort of a Camaro variant in the middle of the power range? Ooohh...

Anyway, I just got the word from New York that Fuji Heavy Industries reveals the 2013 Legacy.

2013 Subaru Legacy

Seen here that the 2013 Legacy sports a new front grille, new FB25 engine, and for the first time in North America, Eyesight is offered. Eyesight integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning, and uses a stereo camera design to provide a wider detection angle than that of radar-based systems. This is the Ver. 2 Eyesight first applied on the Legacy two years ago and last year, the new Subaru Impreza Sport and G4.

I just walked at some Subaru dealership somewhere in Japan and he told me that the 2013 Legacy will be quite different. I'm not making this up. It's the word from a Subaru dealer in Japan!

2013 Subaru Legacy?

2013 Subaru Legacy Outback?

Source: http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/637431/blog/25877424/

He said that the 2013 Legacy range will ditch the 6-speed manual transmission (which is bad news to us), new FA20 turbo direct injection engine that produces 300PS of power (which is good news), start stop system that stops the engine when stop and starts again when hitting the gas pedal, FB25 engine, Lineartronic CVT, new color, new instrumental panel, um... There's plenty of features that I forgot to remember what the dealer said but some say, it should be out in Japan this May 2012.

Wait a minute, no manual transmission for the 2013 Legacy? You got to be kidding me!

It's true, for the 2013 model year, the Legacy Touring Wagon and B4 won't be offering that kind of transmission anymore. So sorry. But about that new boxer turbo engine, that was shocked me that this Japanese-speaking Subaru dealer told me that this new FA20 turbo engine produces 300PS of power and it's mated with a (gulp) Lineartronic CVT. Whoa there? Turbo engine and CVT? No, that wasn't right. Anyway, moving on...

It seems that Chinese car brand Roewe (which now has Top Gear recognition since James May test drove the Roewe 350 in the Chinese Cars episode of Top Gear) revealed their new flagship model based on the Buick Lacrosse (GM Korea Alpheon). It's called the 950 and here's how it look like.

2013 Roewe 950

Yep, it maybe Roewe but underneath, it's a Lacrosse or Alpheon. It comes with a 2.4L or 3.0L V6 engine that is the same as the Alpheon. And the interior would be somewhat too similar from the Lacrosse/Alpheon. More info will come out at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/roewe-presents-new-flagship-950-sedan.html

Anyway, I (oh no, not again) WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS!

Alodia's Birthday Bash

(applause)

Yep! This March 31, 2012, at the Event Area of SM City North Edsa, cosplay goddess Alodia Gosiengfiao is armed and ready for her birthday bash and on her special event, she will lash out all of her cosplay supremacy fans would love to see, DoTA championships, cosplay competition, and more to have fun. With special participation of Segatron band, Kiray Celis from Growing Up, and Alodia's sister, Ashley Gosiengfiao. Super neat! Who wants to be there? Of course, this is one of the best things to do in the Summer!

Anyway, I just got the note from the press that the Hyundai Avante MD just won the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Philippines!

Scoop: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/hyundai-elantra-crowned-as-2011-2012-car-of-the-year.html

Yep, this goes to show that Korean cars are way too popular in the Philippines because we like it. Moving on...

BMW M3-GTR at the Top Gear studio

Anyway, I got this BMW M3-GTR unicorn car from the Turn 10 Game with Devs event earlier. No wonder today's Game with Dev never been so choppy and I rarely got access to the races set up by the Turn 10 developers. When Turn 10 chatted us where can we find those Developers at selected lobbies, this is turning into a wild scavenger hunt until I got a chance to play with them. Obviously, I was taking part of the "Simulated Damage Country Squire Football" set by Turn 10 developer, phREDESIGN. It was ended in a tie but luckily, phREDESIGN was so generous enough to give us this BMW M3-GTR unicorn car. Now, I am glad to give this one a celebration run at the Top Gear Test Track.

Gosh, I sure hope next GWD won't be as choppy as today...

And that's the...

Wait! Don't you forgetting something?

It's Shakugan no Shana III! It all ends now! OH NO!

See ya! That's the news!

Welcome Back: 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line

Saturn Sky in Hockenheimring

Saturn Sky in Hockenheimring

This is one of the deceased Saturns, the Saturn Sky. Despite its death along with its Pontiac cousin, the Pontiac Solstice, which is famous for being Jazz from the first Transformers movies, those Kappa-platform sportscars are far too memorable and far too valuable for their own rights. When it came out in early 2006 as a 2007 model, this is the only roadster from the Saturn lineup and then later, it was exported in Europe (except in the UK) as the Opel GT and in South Korea as the GM Daewoo G2X. G2X stands for Go 2 Extreme, making it a perfect fit for this car that turned out to be almost nothing than a "commercial flop".

Despite that the Kappa cars are dead, they still have a long way to go in the hearts of the car enthusiasts and here in Forza Motorsport 4, it's all about passion best served with a hint of love. That Saturn Sky is all about just a stress reliever for me. It has a 2.0L LNF l4 engine that produces 260HP of power and 353Nm of torque. It was mated with a 5-speed Aisin AR-5 manual transmission.  It comes with a standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential, standard StabiliTrak stability control, and an enhanced sport suspension.

Why would General Motors killed the car that is somewhat a good-looking roaster that you can drive it with pride on the city streets of Los Angeles and New York? I don't need reasons why but anyway, this is one of the best looking Saturns of all times, even when I want to call it an Opel GT or a Daewoo G2X. It's definitely that kind of sportscar General Motors' been capable of before their Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the summer of 2009.

Peugeot 208

It maybe somewhat undignified as a direct replacement to the aging 207 but the brand new Peugeot 208 is all about letting your body drive away from your boring everyday moments. This is how you want to let your body out and go through bigger and better things. It's available in 3-door and 5-door models.

2013 Peugeot 208

The design of the Peugeot 208 derived from Peugeot's new design DNA first applied on the 508 and the 308 minor change. This provides more charisma and more flair but because this is French, it's somewhat too quirky to look at it. Hey, it's France and quirky brilliance is their design taste. What I'm looking up now is a design that is truly Peugeot identity that will stand out the rest and the new 208 progresses it even further.

2013 Peugeot 208 interior

On the interior, it's all about being luxurious but the best part of the 208's interior was it's iPad-like touch screen. Last year, I was amazed by having fun with the iPod-style "touch panel audio" on the third-generation Suzuki MR Wagon but now, the Peugeot 208, the iPad-style touch screen is much better to play with than the MR Wagon's "touch panel audio". This feature provides me some access to the following features such as radio, Bluetooth hands-free kit or playing music files via a USB connection or audio streaming. It also has access to reasonably priced navigation, which is less than 500 euros, placing it in a very competitive position in the motor vehicle domain of on-board navigation systems. Guess I have found myself my new companion...

The Peugeot 208 has a list of diesel engines available;

- 1.4l HDi PEF 50 kW (68 hp), 160 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox; CO2: 98 g/km
- 1.4l e-HDi PEF 50 kW (68 hp),160 Nm,5-speed piloted gearbox,Stop & Start; CO2: 87 g/km
- 1.6 l e-HDi PEF 68 kW (92 hp), 230 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox, Stop & Start; CO2: 98 g/km
- 1.6 l e-HDi PEF 68 kW (92 hp), 230 Nm, 6-speed piloted gearbox, Stop & Start; CO2: 98 g/km
- 1.6l e-HDi PEF 84 kW (115 hp), 270/285 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, Stop & Start; CO2: 99 g/km

It also has a list of gasoline engines available;

- 1.0 l VTi 50 kW (68 hp); 95 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox; 99 g/km
- 1.2 l VTi 60 kW (82 hp); 118 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox; 104 g/km
- 1.4 l VTi 70 kW (95 hp); 136 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox: 129 g/km
- 1.6 l VTi 88 kW (120 hp); 160 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox: 134 g/km
- 1.6 l THP 115 kW (156 hp), 240/260 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox; CO2: 135 g/km

Part of this whole downsizing trend is the introduction of the new generation of 3-cylinder engines designed by PSA Peugeot Citroën Group and produced at its Trémery factory in France. Those 1.0L VTi and 1.2L VTi variants of the new 208 provide 99 g/km and 104 g/km of CO2. It's very eco though...

The 208 comes with numerous features for safety such as ESP, ASR (traction control), CDS (stability control), EBA (emergency braking assistance) and EBFD (electronic brake force distribution). This also comes with Peugeot Connect SOS and Peugeot Connect Assistance services free of charge and with no time limit. Bear that in mind that Peugeot Connect SOS, currently available in 10 European countries and in more than 600,000 Peugeot vehicles, permits location of the vehicle and dispatching of the appropriate emergency services in the event of an incident.

Four variants are offered; Access, Active, Allure, and Feline, with each different engine types, features, and options offered. What's more, it comes with nine exterior colors such as Blanc Banquise, Gris Shark, Blossom Grey, Spirit Grey, Bleu Virtuel, Rouge Noir, Rouge Erythrée, Noir Obsidien, and Gris Aluminium.

My comment:
Guess this brand new Peugeot 208 won my heart with its cool touch screen feature that turns out this is much better to play with than the MR Wagon's Touch Panel Audio. This is the only feature I really love to play with. Anyway, back to the 208, the quirky Peugeot design DNA really flourished this new age premium compact car to new and exciting ways to let yourself run free and do whatever he/she likes. If I have one, guess I should start playing with this...

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Let's Do The News (March 29, 2012)

And now let's do the news and let's meet up with this big scamp. Yesterday, we were trying to guess what's up with this more sportier version of the Ford Explorer and guess what? Here's that big scamp,

2013 Ford Explorer Sport

It's the all new 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. Nope, it's no longer the 3-door thing of the past. It's just a trim level for the new Explorer that comes with the 3.5L EcoBoost, I mean GTDi (because of the naming that Ford Philippines would launch on the 2012 MIAS tomorrow), engine that produces 350HP of power. Although details remain slim for now, additional info will be at the 2012 New York Auto Show next week.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/ford-adds-some-oomph-to-new-explorer.html

Wait, looks like the full-size Chevrolet Traverse crossover is getting a minor change for the 2013 model year!

2013 Chevrolet Traverse

Oh my gosh! Seems that this 2013 Traverse now has a new grille that is not what we've expected. Some say, this will serve as the new look for Chevrolet's crossover lineup. Not just that, the interior's been heavily revised as well. More info will come at the New York Auto Show next week.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/2013-chevrolet-traverse-facelift.html

No way! Ford showed the Explorer Sport and Chevrolet's showing up their Traverse minor change!!! Now who's the boss now? Not sure but be patient, now moving on...

Toyota Hilux

Looks like Toyota Motor UK made a special Hilux for the Top Gear presenters to take on a brand new challenge. As we all know, the Toyota Hilux was proven to be indestructible. Then it crossed through the North Pole and braved through the Iceland volcanoes. But this new one, based on the Hilux Vigo Champ, is more than just a new chapter of the Top Gear Hilux chronology. With details remain scarce, we sure hope that it will make more milestones in Top Gear history.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/28/toyota-uk-says-top-gear-boys-to-go-on-another-hilux-adven/

Okay, enough chitter chatter because I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS!

(audience laughing)

What is it?

It's an April 2012 issue of FHM Magazine featuring Michelle Madrigal. Sadly, I can't show you the whole picture.

Happily however, I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS!

The Filipinas from Miss Philippines

(audience laughing)

You wouldn't mind that they're the Miss Philippines from the past. There was Charlene Gonzales-Mulach, Miriam Quiambao, Venus Raj, and Shamcey Supsup.

Oh really?

Yes, they are. Please, kindly enough with this whole "I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS" gag that Jeremy Clarkson's used on the news portion of Top Gear. Can you please....

I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS!!!!

Racing Miku 2011 Version

That's a Racing Miku 2011 Figure! Good Smile Company did a good job on this and she's up for the pre-order books. It will be out this September with the pricing of 8,800 Japanese Yen.

Scoop: http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/26480/Racing+Miku+2011+Figure.html

Now, that's what a Miku fan wants to put it on his/her cabinet with pride! Ha ha! You really got me! You really really got me, Miku!

Ahem, what's that smug on your face? Why are you smiling? Don't tell me...

2012 Jaguar XKR-S

You're getting thrilled to try that 2012 Jaguar XKR-S for next week's Forza 4 April Alpinestars Pack, do you? I know what you're doing...

No! No! I didn't mean that! (Groan) I'm outta here! That's the news!

I saw the Lexus CT 200h!

Lexus CT 200h parked near Kinokuniya Bookstore, Seattle

While shopping at the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Seattle and sadly, nothing's too interested showed up, I stumbled across a white Lexus CT 200h parked next to the store.

Yes I know, this is the Lexus CT 200h, the first compact hybrid hatchback from Toyota's luxury marque, Lexus. It was launched in Japan since January 2011. I drove one of these on Forza Motorsport 4. So, why am I meeting up with this again?

Well, there's a good reason why am I meeting up with this car again. I LIKE IT! It maybe more expensive than the Honda CR-Z, which is still my favorite hybrid sports car in the world, but this is less expensive than the ugly Lexus HS 250h, which pretty soon the US won't be selling these due to poor sales. When I taking a spin on Forza Motorsport 4, it handles very well and this will put the Prius into shame, even though they're from a different league. This car is what Lexus does...

Otomedius X (Excellent) Original Sound Track

Otomedius X (Excellent) Original Sound Track

Launched in 2011, Otomedius X (Excellent),by a terribly confusing way, is the sequel of the hit video game that was based on a hit arcade when Gradius meets girls but it still has the same Gradius shoot them ups that feels like you're playing some kind of Toho Project game that my little sister loves to do. Players can pit themselves as either Aoba Anoa, Erul Tron, Madoka, Diol Twee, Tita Nium, Arnval, and Gesshi Hanafuuma, each with their own firing styles that can be customized for quick high score getaways, giving an edge against their friends while saving the galaxy from the forces of evil. Oh, and those downloadable contents developed specifically for this game are there to give some edge on this game.

This here is the mega compilation of five discs that contains all of the BGMs heard from this game. Almost everything. It also includes the full version of the opening theme titled "fly" as well.

I repeat, there was the full version of the Otomedius X opening theme, the closing theme, all the BGMs, even the DLC BGM packs, were all here. Nothing more, nothing less. That's it.

To get this, this is only available at Konamistyle.jp under the designation of LC2130-2134, costing a hefty JPY4,600 price tag.

Let's Do The News (March 28, 2012)

It's time now for the news and you know what? Summer starts in the Philippines. It's going to be a fun filled long vacation for those who lived in the Philippines, except for those who are in summer classes because they're LOSERS! Ha ha! Kidding aside, I found something that really got our heads scratching. It's that North Carolina's Chapel Hill became the first USA town to ban hands-free calling while driving.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/north-carolinas-chapel-hill-is-first-us.html

Really? Which means, we can't talk while driving, especially hands-free? Bluetooth? Aw, bugger but that's just the start.

Anyway, moving on, 

It seems that Shelby's making the most powerful Mustang tuned by the boffins from Shelby. It's called the Shelby 1000, the most powerful Shelby yet.

2012 Shelby 1000

Says here that Carroll Shelby and his men used the 2012MY Shelby GT500 as its foundation, modified the 5.4L V8 engine, ditched the supercharger, improved the suspension, and the result is a choice between a 950HP street version or a 1,100HP S/C track version, which is suitable for track use. It will be revealed at April's New York Auto Show and it will commence a limited production run for this powerful muscle car.

Scoop: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/the-2012-shelby-1000-the-most-powerful-shelby-yet.html

Yeah, and I also got word from Ford that they'll be revealing a more powerful version of the new Ford Explorer tomorrow. So, what could it be? Explorer Sport? Explorer SVT? Shelby Explorer? Can't guess but find out tomorrow!

Scoop: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/ford-to-beef-up-the-explorer-family.html

Yeah, we'll find that out tomorrow and speaking of tomorrow...

THE IDOLM@STER G4U Vol. 6

Joy of joys, THE IDOLM@STER G4U Volume 6 is coming out tomorrow. Now I haven't talk about G4U since the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 came out in late October 2011. Yep, we never had the chance to talk about G4U and in case you haven't know of it, G4U or Gravure For You, is an IDOLM@STER stand-alone game that allows you to take a picture of your favorite 765PRO idols. You can use commands to have your idol do some cute and cool poses. The fun fact is that the photos you've taken can be saved on the PS3 hard drive and you can do whatever you want on the photo you have taken. In Volume One, the theme is "Summer Time" and the girls are wearing swim suits. Volume One was included on the limited edition packaging of the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2. Maybe I said it too much and that's why Namco Bandai Games are promising more of these G4U stand-alone games.

Since late November 2011, there was that G4U Volume 2 where players taking pictures of their favorite 765Pro idols in their school uniform or school swimsuit. The cover idol from Volume 2 was Mami Futami. Then on December 2011, Volume 3 saw idols in their winter attire or vivid bikini and the cover idol was Yukiho Hagiwara. Volume 4, that was launched in January 2012, saw idols wearing white bikinis on a pink studio showering in petals or with some Hawaiian-style getups and the cover girl was Takane Shijou. In February 2012, Volume 5 arrived and it's fully loaded with idols in pajamas or white school swimsuit and the cover girl was Yayoi Takatsuki. There was a secret feature that activates nekomimi mode for idols wearing white school swimsuit. Now on this Volume 6, we'd expect idols in their "My Dear Vampire" outfits or in a black bikini. The cover girl in Volume 6 was Makoto Kikuchi. Yep, Makoto Kikuchi.

That wonderful thing about G4U is when every time when I took a picture of my favorite idol, it saves on the PS3 hard drive and do whatever you like. This would be perfect to have Jeremy Clarkson see one of these and go "I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS". Simple as that. He he he he...

I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS!!

(audience laughing)

No idea what did Jeremy Clarkson found on the internet but mostly something else that blown us away...

Anyway, I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND I FOUND THIS!

(audience laughing)

What is it? It's a cover of an April 2012 issue of Esquire Philippines magazine with Bianca Gonzalez on it. Sadly, we can't show you the big picture but find one in your nearest magazine stands for 195 Philippine Pesos.

And that's the news. If you don't mind, I'll find something on the internet for more...