Come and meet your new XKR-S!

The old Jaguar XKR-S in action

This is the old 2009 Jaguar XKR-S in action. There was just one problem about this; IT'S GREAT!

When it came out in the summer of 2008, this is Jaguar at its best. The 4.2L Supercharged V8 produces 420HP of power and 413 lb-ft of torque. Stuff I can find mostly on the XKR-S includes S Alcon R Performance braking system with 400 mm diameter front and 350 mm rear discs, six-piston front callipers and four-piston rear callipers, recalibrated suspension, Ultimate Black body, XKR-S badge on the rear of the car, 10 mm lower ride height, 20-inch Vortex forged alloy wheels with bespoke tyres, Active Exhaust System, leather upholstery with Charcoal with Ivory twin-needle contrast stitching, Piano Black veneer, Charcoal Alston luxury headlining. However, only 200 units were made and it's available only in Europe. So the question now is, where will it heading next?

Come and meet your idol! Same as your old idol!

Well, this is where they'll heading next. It's the brand new 2012 Jaguar XKR-S, the most powerful Jaguar ever made. This new one is part of Forza Motorsport 4's April Alpinestars Pack, now on sale. For starters, the old 4.2L V8 supercharged engine from the old XKR-S has been replaced by a more powerful supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III R direct-injection engine. When you put your feet on the pedal, your body will become hideously drunk with speed. Just because being the most powerful Jaguar ever built doesn't mean it should deserve fear and respect among car enthusiasts. There are still more evidences to find for the new XKR-S. Surprisingly though, the new XKR-S has a much better face than the old XKR-S, which is somewhat too rubbish. Anyway, the old XKR-S was sold only to the European market but now this new one is available globally, giving foreigners their first time pushing this Jag to the max but does this mean that the XKR-S' rock and roll days are over? Not yet because we have to find out how does the new one stack up with the old one...

New XKR-S vs. Old XKR-S

The 2009 Jaguar XKR-S comes with the 4.2 litre V8 Petrol Supercharged engine that churns out 426PS of power and 560Nm of torque. It would go 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and top speed limited to 155mph just like every other German cars. The new 2012 Jaguar XKR-S is fully equipped with the 5.0 litre V8 Petrol Supercharged AJ-V8 GEN III R engine that blows away 550PS of power and 680Nm of torque. It has a 0-6omph time of 4 seconds and top speed limited to 186mph, so on paper then, the new XKR-S bested the old one with more firepower on the new engine. In terms of coloring, the old XKR-S only comes with Ultimate Black but the new XKR-S is now available in six colors such as Polaris White, French Racing Blue, British Racing Green Metallic, Stratus Grey Metallic, Ultimate Black Metallic, and Italian Racing Red Metallic. On the interior, you will expect leather that looks like carbon fiber, blue instrumental lighting, and the old walnut days of Jaguar are gone. No wonder the interior is more like a gym rather than a mansion. Guess we're expecting some athlete's foot here.

Devouring the corners of Tsukuba!

More firepower is good news but it's not as good as the way this car simply devours corners or is it because Jaguar has a permanent testing grounds at the Nurburgring? Anyway, I saw that on one episode of Top Gear where it had a race against the 2012 Nissan GT-R and the Jag lost. Too bad this game doesn't have that but one rival video game did featured that. With the lap time of 1:23.3, the new XKR-S is proven to be quicker than any other Aston Martins running around the Top Gear Test Track. This new model is getting a bit more interesting. Although this new XKR-S is bit too bonkers to look and bonkers to drive, it reminded me of my favorite IDOLM@STER character who's a bit more bonkers to many, Hibiki Ganaha.

And that's how they done it here. Come and meet your new XKR-S, different than the old XKR-S.

Fateful Encounter with the Accent RB

Hyundai Accent RB

Yup, as you can see, this is the Hyundai Accent RB, the fourth-generation of Hyundai's entry level sedan that we took advantage of it due to its pricing and fuel economy. With my fateful encounter with this compact car, this is somewhat more of a "preferred" strangeness when I laid my eyes on this Accent RB.

Hyundai Accent RB

Hyundai Accent RB

Hyundai Accent RB

Upon my observation from the inside and out, I finally realized that the Hyundai Accent RB wasn't so bad but it can be somewhat too annoying for me because...WHY? WHY WOULD COUNTRIES LIKE EGYPT CAN'T RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF THE ACCENT RB? This isn't a car, this is somewhat a car that Egyptians love to c**k-about. Every time when I checked my blog's stats, it seems that Egypt often taking advantage of the Accent RB's beauty. Sadly, I'm very disappointed that Hyundai had made a car that attracted more Egyptians than Koreans, Filipinos, Indians, or whatever the citizenship might be.

Although I have high respect to the Accent because of the choices between the sedan and the WIT hatchback as well as the engine choices of a 1.4L, GDi 1.6L and the 1.6L CRDi-VGT engine, but my respect with the Accent RB has just gone far enough. No wonder Europe doesn't sell the Hyundai Accent RB because, that's rubbish.

Hyundai Accent RB

Hyundai Accent RB

There aren't that any lunatics in the world would sell a lot of these but the Hyundai Accent RB is all about standing out the rest of this category. Imagine if some hoodlum modified the Accent RB, that would be the worst of its kind. A modified Accent would do nothing but attract more cops, evade cops, overspeeding, destruction of private property, destruction of public property, or still could be worse, he would become the MOST WANTED criminal in the country. Why is that? Why would hoodlums want to modify a compact so that he want to mess the neighborhood like some kid hitting mailboxes with a baseball bat? I guarantee that if you were a hoodlum, you shouldn't buy that because if you are going to modify it, the cops would stop you during a high speed police chase. If I have that Accent RB, I shouldn't modify it because I am a bit more sophisticated for this.

The Hyundai Accent RB wasn't just some kind of GUY'S LICENSE, it's a low cost Hyundai that is somewhat "it's cool if you're an Egyptian" but worst of all, it's rubbish!

Let's Do The News (April 3, 2012)

TOTALLY COOL STUFF? Wowies. That was an excuse to those who think you're playing with Traction Control off because you're goofing off or unskilled. Anyway, it's now time to do the news! So, let's seat down to those comfy seats and let's discuss what's happening now.

Okay, remember Ford's luxury marque, Lincoln? I heard that they pulled the wraps for the Lincoln MKZ's full model change. Take a look at this;

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Although it maybe odd too look at but this full model change is all about technology advanced. It comes with SYNC and MyLincoln Touch, 10.1-inch LCD instrumental cluster, 8-inch center touchscreen, available 15.2-foot Retractable Panoramic Roof that is all new, and a choice of a 2.0L GTDi, 3.7L V6, and the Hybrid version fitted with a 2.0L engine and electric drivetrain. Further details will follow at the 2012 New York Auto Show next week.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/2013-lincoln-mkz-shows-final-form-for-production/

So, the design is a bit more eccentric for a Lincoln eh? That really freaks me out like some Doctor Who monsters that has no facial feature. Cybermen? Oh jeez...

Anyway, remember the BMW i8 Concept? Guess what, they chopped the top off to create an i8 Spyder Concept!

2012 BMW i8 Concept

This concept electric roadster is too fast to leave a carbon footprint because there's none! Ha ha ha! No Carbon emissions occur because it's electric!

Oh come on. You know we saw that on Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, right? That BMW i8 was just hell of a funky looking electric car and this should be our dream ride for the volthead but how's it compared to the Tesla Roadster?

You know we can't explain more about concepts but for the fun of it, it certainly was like a gag that goes like this;

Man: HOY MAMA! ANG BILIS MO NAMAN PATAKBO! PARANG TAYO LUMILIPAD!

Driver: Oo! Bakit tayo lumilipad? Kasi, patay na tayo! Di ba nabangga tayo kanina?

(laughing)

That's how you expect for a fast electric car! It's like you're flying like ghosts!

(laughing)

Uh, kindly enough with the moronic gags? Otherwise, it will be like the Moron 5!

Moron 5?

You know, Moron 5 and the Crying Lady but whatever, we're not talking about that. Let's move on!

Okay, oh! I just got some info that Pinay sensation, Charice, won the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards as Favorite Asian Act!

Really?

Yeah! She really kicked the butts of South Korea's Wonder Girls, Indonesia's Agnes Monica, and Malaysia's Yuna.

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/28543/charice-wins-nickelodeon-award-by-a-landslide-awards-to-air-april-14

Anyway, just wanna say a big congratulations to Charice and overall, we are very proud of her, despite her new Maverick look. Heh heh heh... Maverick... He he he he.... Oh thanks, Banana Split for that joke.

Oh, something's bothering...

What?

I just got info that Yumi Yoshimura from Puffy Ami Yumi announces her pregnancy.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-04-02/pop-duo-puffyamiyumi-yumi-yoshimura-reveals-pregnancy

Really? Never heard of it. Okay, what even bothers me was some kind of poster made by the Tokushima Base of Japan's Self Defense Forces. That poster was made by the JSDF personnel and it portrays a girl who sees a news report on TV featuring her boyfriend, who is a member of the JSDF's ground forces, while he was a disaster relief operation. Take a look at this;

JSDF poster for this year

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-04-02/japanese-military-recruiters-make-new-anime-inspired-poster

(laughing)

Oh, come on... That was one of the most O.A. moments I have ever seen. Why would the JASF do this? Can't they do proper stuff rather than making anime-style stuff? (facepalm) Here's a Top Gear Top Tip; Never ever ever imagining what would life look like anime-style because that's rubbish. Ugh, why do most morons imagine what would stuff look like if it a bit more anime style such as friendship, bully, cars, family, work, school, something else that that anime can't imagine. If they saw something, they would rather go PIXIV around, which is too silly and that made me upset.

Oh, you know what makes us upset? What?

Saying goodbye to the Daihatsu Copen!

What?

DAIHATSU COPEN! WE ARE GOING TO SAY GOODBYE TO DAIHATSU'S ONLY SPORTS CAR!

Actually, reports said that the Daihatsu Copen's production will end this August 2012, ending its 10-year run when it first came out in the summer of 2002.

Daihatsu Copen 10th Anniversary Editon

It says here that this special edition Daihatsu Copen 10th Anniversary Edition will be the last special edition Copen before production ends this Summer. This final edition comes with an aluminum scuff plate with 10th anniversary logo and some serial number on it, black plating front grille, 15-inch BBS rims, sports seats that are colored black with some red stitching, and some extras to commemorate the final days of the Copen.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1025381/

The final edition of the Copen costs about 1,820,000 Japanese Yen for the 5MT model to 1,800,000 Japanese Yen for the 4AT model. So, I can't believe the Copen is gone. Before the Copen, there was the Suzuki Cappuccino in the 90's. Sadly, both of them will be consigned to the history books. Tsk, tsk, tsk. How sad... 

Anyway, let's just put our sadness behind us and let me explain something...

Okay, there was a strong wind happening in Tokyo and oh dear, it was the worst for over 5 decades. Take a look; 

Strongest wind in Japan for over 50 years

URL: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-04-03/japan-s-strongest-storm-since-1959-forecast-to-slam-into-tokyo

(gasping)

Oh dear. I'm glad we're indoors you know.

You say that. We're indoors you know. Stay safe, Japan, and that's the news. See ya!

Welcome Back: 2010 Lexus LFA

If you were a Richard Hammond, this would look cool driving an LFA

If you were a Tanner Foust, that's TOTALLY COOL STUFF!

So, the Lexus LFA, the 340,000 British Pound Sterling supercar that Richard Hammond thrashed it on the Season 14 finale of Top Gear. This is surely what happened when Lexus decided to change its image after making boring luxury hybrid saloon cars for those who love to play golf (the Lexus IS F doesn't count) and for me, I think this is the best Lexus ever driven in my whole life but sadly, this supercar is limited to 500 units worldwide (165 units available in Japan).

Despite its limited production, this Japanese exotic is all about exclusivity because there are several exterior and interior color combinations that caters the customer's desire or needs. What excites me was its 1LR-GUE engine that can go to about 560PS/8,700r.p.m. and the torque output of 48.9kg-m/6,800rpm. It was fitted with a 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox for quicker shifting feel like no other and the gap between them can't be measured. Surprisingly, Toyota Motor Corporation turned to Yamaha for some acoustic tuning to make the Lexus LFA sound more like a Formula One car. If it says THE ROAR OF AN ANGEL, it's an ANGELUS! ANGELUS! That's what it is!

I just realized something...In one episode of Top Gear USA, Tanner Foust decided to find out if he could get round the real Infineon Raceway in a Lexus LFA quicker than Adam Ferrera and Rutledge Wood could take the same virtual car round the same virtual track in Forza Motorsport 4. This is a first time Forza Motorsport 4 made its appearance on Top Gear USA because of their wonderful tie-up between the game and the popular motoring TV show. Hey! If TCS doesn't mean Traction Control System, then what was that? TOTALLY COOL STUFF! Oh, thanks Rut.

The LFA is one of the cars listed on the game's AutoVista feature where you will learn various facts about the LFA or hear Jeremy Clarkson's comments about the LFA.

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Magnum seduction

Eating a Magnum

When this world's top brand, which is Magnum Ice Cream, arrived for the first time in the Philippines since March 2012, this became the Philippines' trending topic on Twitter. Social networking took advantage of this ice cream's popularity and thankfully, as one of the Filipinos, found out that once you ate one, you want some more. So what is it then, this Magnum Ice Cream?

That is a tricky one. Because it has proven too popular in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia, it's too difficult how are these mega blockbuster ice cream proven too popular because it was first made by the Danish in 1987. Yep, it was originally made by Frisko in Denmark until this original Magnum relabeled as Magnum Classic.

URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_(ice_cream)

Anyway, last year, it was arrived for the first time in North America with six variants such as Double Caramel, Double Chocolate, Classic, Almond, White and Dark. I only tasted just the Classic and the Double Caramel but despite that, it was the best. It is the ultimate in "ice cream lust" I can tell. Here in the Philippines, only three variants are available such as Almond, Classic, and Chocolate Truffle. The pricing starts at 50 Pesos (55 Pesos if you're in Mini-Stop or 60 Pesos if you're in 7-Eleven), that is twice as pricey as our favorite Cornetto, which is the best ice cream you can buy for just 20 pesos. Despite being the expensive version of the Cornetto, Filipinos can't stop loving Magnum, even social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter can't escape the Magnum's temptation.

Obviously because it's summer in the Philippines, someone's buying Magnum for at least 24 hours and now and now and now and now and now and now and now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Why is that? It doesn't matter because this has proven to be extremely popular and I have to say, I love it. Mwah!

This chocolate ice cream bar made with Belgian chocolate is my winner. I would gladly recommend this to everyone because this is ice cream heaven at its best. If you're getting bored in the summer and if you want an ice cream that you can settle it for anything more, buy a Magnum. It's great! ^^

Let's Do The News (April 2, 2012)

So, it's time to do the news! So, yesterday was April Fool's Day and yesterday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Holy Week. Anyway, how's your stay at the hotel?

That was fine at first but feels like I'm getting bored at staying at a hotel...

So, that was you on the left?

Yes. Yes I am. But as I observed bits of the hotel room we were staying, I found that their bathrooms are quite small but good, the shower's good also, there was an HD TV on it but nothing to watch, there was an USB audio port with an alarm clock on it where I placed my iPod on it, and what's best is the Wi-Fi on that hotel! Everytime if one person stays at a hotel room has some special kind of phone where you can place food orders, room service, and something else.

No wonder some businessmen are trying to get themselves accommodated with some room services and something else during his break from work. Anyway, enough hotel chatter, I went swimming at some pool in the first floor and gosh, that was freaking cold even though it was heated. Happily however, I swim through that pool for minutes until my stomach ached.

You have a stomach ache? What?

Well, you see. Earlier, I ate some soup, salad, and some Angus burger, that led to some stomach aches that my saliva prevents my burps from coming out and reflect back to my stomach, making the pain even more worse. That's why this goes to show that I shouldn't have to eat that Angus burger after eating that meal I've just ordered via room service. Heh heh...

Now, the news...

This is a historical moment in Myanmar because opposition leader and Nobel prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi won the election following the decade long fight for democracy.

Scoop: http://www.channel3000.com/nationalnews/30811583/detail.html

Here's the excerpt from that article, because we are running short on words;

"Opposition leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi won a seat in Myanmar's parliament Sunday, her party said, a momentous victory following a decades-long fight for democracy.

Staff from Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, said she won and that several hundred people were waiting at NLD headquarters to celebrate the news, party spokesman Nyan Win said.

The chairman of the Yangon region of the election commission, Ko Ko, said official results may be known by Monday morning.

The formerly banned National League for Democracy was vying for 45 seats in the election. While the balance of power in the parliament will not change even if the opposition were to win all 45, the vote itself marks a symbolic victory for many in the country who have lived under military rule for 50 years.

Suu Kyi, 66, won by a landslide the last time Myanmar held multiparty elections, in 1990, but the junta ignored the results and placed her under house arrest.

Released in November 2010, Suu Kyi was allowed to crisscross the country to rally support for the NLD for Sunday's race."

Anyway, congratulations Suu Kyi and we have our full support for you. Moving on...

Let's just say congratulations to Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited big winner, Slater Young, anyway. This Cebuano civil engineer toppled the best PBB housemates such as Pamu Pamorada, Joseph Biggel, and Paco Evangelista. That was staggering!

Scoop: http://www.pep.ph/news/33620/cebuano-civil-engineer-slater-young-is-pinoy-big-brother-unlimitedrsquos-big-winner

It seems that this hotshot civil engineer from Cebu is now famous for his leadership skills. A natural-born leader that helps out his teammates or fellow housemates no matter what the risks he took. Okay, let's move on...

I got some memo from Hyundai regarding the April 2012 launch of the all new 3rd generation Santa Fe. It seems that on April 21, 2012, there will be a "Runcert" in celebration of the release. Yep, I got word from the mouth is that celebs like 2NE1, SE7EN, T-ara, and Shinhwa will be performing at the Santa Fe Runcert!

It says here that a "runcert" combines a marathon and a K-Pop concert. It will take place in Incheon and it starts with a plaza event at noon before the marathon starts at 4:00 PM. Later on, there is a concert at 6:30PM KST.

Scoop: http://www.koreaboo.com/index.html/_/concerts/2ne1-se7en-t-ara-and-shinhwa-to-perform-at-s-r14144

Ah come on! We can't combine K-Pop and Korean car launches, you know. Last year, you were taking a shot at 2NE1 when they were performing for the i30 i FESTA concert. Please, no fancams please. That's a disgrace. K-POP and Korean cars don't mix, literally.

Anyway, about last night's Gandang Gabi Vice, that was the TRENDING WORLDWIDE celebration we love. It was Vice Ganda's birthday party and seems that Petrang Kabayo's pulling out more horsepower than we possibly imagine!

Oh, really? Hope we enjoyed that...

Anyway, did anyone miss the first round of the 2012 Super GT held at the Okayama International Circuit? Due to constraints, we can't tell what just happened but we can tell who make it to the charts.

In the GT300 Class;

3rd place is Good Smile Racing Hatsune Miku BMW Z4 GT3 driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi and Tatsuya Kataoka.

2nd place is Endless Taisan Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by Kyosuke Mineo and Naoki Yokomizo.

1st place is Gainer Dixcel Audi R8 LMS ultra driven by Tetsuya Tanaka and Katsuyuki Hiranaka.

In the GT500 Class;

3rd place is Keihin Honda HSV-010 GT driven by Toshihiro Kaneishi and Koudai Tsukakoshi

2nd place is Raybrig Honda HSV-010 GT driven by Takuya Izawa and Naoki Yamamoto

1st place goes to ZENT Cerumo Lecua SC430 driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Kohei Hirate.

Therefore, Yuji Tachikawa and Kohei Hirate from Lexus TEAM ZENT CERUMO starts the 2012 Super GT500 season on fire while Tetsuya Tanaka and Katsuyuki Hiranaka from GAINER started the 2012 Super GT300 season on fire as well. More action occur in Fuji Speedway this May 4, 2012.

You're covering SuperGT now? At first, you covered just the Formula One but wow... You're getting a motorsport frenzy right now!

Indeed! But something tells me...

You know, I really do love eating that Magnum Ice Cream. This is bound to be the best ice cream sold worldwide. When it came out in the Philippines courtesy of Unilever RFM, it became a sensation. Three variations such as Classic, Almond, and Truffle, heh, you can't resist its temptation!

You ever taste one before?

Yes, and it was the best ice cream I have ever tasted. It's the best. I would gladly recommend this ice cream to everyone. No wonder it's a trending topic in the Philippines and since it's summer, they would gladly spend some money to eat Magnum. Something tells me that despite its popularity, the Magnum is somewhat too expensive than a Selecta Cornetto, only twice. Yep, my budget would blow off but don't worry, I have found the cheaper alternative.

(laughing)

What was that?!

Mamang Sorbetero! Sorbetes! Dirty ice cream! A Filipino classic! Nothing beats a good sorbetes crossing around the neighborhood even when the name is MAGNUM! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! This is much cheaper than MAGNUM or any other ice cream I know! Ha ha ha!

You're OA...

You know MAGNUM is too popular despite the pricing and then, most people ever c**k-about that like for instance, combining this to Simsimi, the chatting robot friend, to create MAGSimSimi

(laughing)

Another form of c**king about the MAGNUM is the MARUYA!

(laughing)

That is how I went on the internet and found something! Beat this!

Uh okay then, that's the news! He he he....

Welcome Back: 2009 Jaguar XKR-S

A sleek and sporty Jag going somewhere...

This is the old 2009 Jaguar XKR-S in action. There was just one problem about this; IT'S GREAT!

When it came out in the summer of 2008, this is Jaguar at its best. The 4.2L Supercharged V8 produces 420HP of power and 413 lb-ft of torque. Stuff I can find mostly on the XKR-S includes S Alcon R Performance braking system with 400 mm diameter front and 350 mm rear discs, six-piston front callipers and four-piston rear callipers, recalibrated suspension, Ultimate Black body, XKR-S badge on the rear of the car, 10 mm lower ride height, 20-inch Vortex forged alloy wheels with bespoke tyres, Active Exhaust System, leather upholstery with Charcoal with Ivory twin-needle contrast stitching, Piano Black veneer, Charcoal Alston luxury headlining. However, only 200 units were made and it's available only in Europe. So the question now is, where will it heading next?

...To be continued on Holy Tuesday, April 3, 2012 (Holy Wednesday, April 4, 2012 if you live in Manila, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, or Singapore) when I picked up my April Alpinestars Pack on FM4.

In the meantime, enjoy the clip of the old XKR-S thrashing around the Top Gear Test Track while listening to morse code...