Welcome Back: 1961 Jaguar E-type S1

E-Type Jags are immaculate to many

The origin of the Jaguar brand traced back in the 1920's when Sir William Lyons gathered together to create a motorcycle sidecar. The E-Type was launched in 1961, making it the premiere British car maker solidifying that position with this 2-seater sports coupe.

Powering the E-Type was its 3.8L DOHC 6-cylinder engine with three SU carbs to generate 265HP of power, 0-100kph in 7.2 seconds and top speed of 210kph. It was the last model with which Lyons would be directly involved with. The bodywork of the E-Type was inspired from the C- and D-Type race cars thanks to its curaceous shap[e and flowing lines. It was available in either a hardtop coupe and convertible.

Right until 1964, about a total of 7,820 E-Types were produced and about 90% of those were landed in the USA.

This car was featured in Top Gear Season 6 Episode 5 and it was driven by Jeremy Clarkson alongside the Aston Martin DB5. In the drag race portion, both the DB5 and the E-Type were lost to a Honda sedan. When handed to The Stig, the E-Type did it in 1:32.8.

2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type and on the Series 17 opener of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson pays tribute to it as well as driving the modern take of the E-Type Jag that is worth half-a-million Pounds.

Fifth Generation Suzuki Wagon R (MH34S)

While nearing for its 20th anniversary next year, Japan's cult favorite kei car, the Suzuki Wagon R, is now on its fifth incarnation and with all that regeneration do come with a surprise.

2013 Suzuki Wagon R

2013 Suzuki Wagon R

We heard that right ladies and gents. By regenerating the Wagon R into a completely new form, this new model now comes with the a new mild-hybrid system named "ENE-CHARGE" (short for 'energy charge') and an energy-saving electric air conditioning system dubbed "ECO-COOL". With the R06A engine combined with an electric motor/generator and a lithium-ion battery, this new ENE-CHARGE provides regenerative braking and at least some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine while it can also run certain electrical equipment. With all that technology, the new Wagon R can get up to 28.8km/l in Japan's JC08 driving cycle (67.8mpg US, 3.5lt/100km or 81.4mpg UK).

2013 Suzuki Wagon R interior

All that physics and science lesson about using hybrid-car like technology on this kei car is a bit absurd. Some people would think that they're driving a hybrid kei car but no. There's no such thing as a hybrid kei car because it's so absurd. The most fuel efficient petrol car in the world as of now was the Alto Eco with its fuel economy of 30.2km/L in Japan's JC08 Driving Cycle, which is .2km/L more than the Daihatsu Mira e:S. This story about Daihatsu vs. Suzuki is becoming a history in the making because as I observed about Daihatsu and Suzuki throwing everything they've got to become the most fuel efficient car brand in the world and since the implementation of the JC08 cycle in the autumn of 2011, things have changed. Mira e:S is once the most fuel efficient car in the world for being 30km/L but in the 2011 holiday season, it was short-lived with the arrival of the 30.2km/L Alto Eco. 

Well, that was a long story short but anyway, the all new fifth generation Wagon R's 28.8km/L fuel economy though, it was sure enough to slit the throat of Daihatsu's TNP27 Move. I should call this one the TNP28.8 because it's more efficient than the Move. Another round for Suzuki in the game of "Who's the most fuel efficient car maker in the world?"

For the pricing, well, you won't be disappointed. It's 1,109,850 Japanese Yen for the FX model and it's 1,249,500 Japanese Yen for the FX Limited. I think this new model has more value than the Daihatsu TNP27 Move's pricing so what do you get for your spare change? Your guess is as good as ours, folks.

To clarify; the normal Wagon R has two trim levels; the FX and the FX Limited. Both of them are 2WD but they can have an optional 4WD powertrain for added stability but not quite a punch indeed. Colors? Let's see...Fizz Blue Pearl Metallic, Innocent Pink Pearl Metallic, Superior White, Pearl White, Silky Silver Metallic, Bluish Black Pearl 3, Luna Grey Pearl Metallic*, and Mysterious Violet Pearl*.

*available only on FX Limited

2013 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray

2013 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray

2013 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray interior

So, what about this? The Stingray version of the new Wagon R? Of course, you get the same SUZUKI GREEN Technology I've mentioned above, well you know, the ENE-CHARGE and the ECO-COOL system as told but for style wise, this is like the Daihatsu Move Custom with a Suzuki badge on it. I mean if I park this new Stingray next to the current Daihatsu Move Custom, they look exactly the same from every angle and they both have the same 660cc Turbo engine developed exclusively for them. Of course, the new Stingray does have a turbocharged R06A DOHC VVT engine that produces 64PS of power, 12 more than the Natural Aspiration engine and the fuel economy is now dropped to about 26.8km/L.

The base model, the X, costs 1,333,500 Yen while the turbocharged T model costs 1,496,250 Yen and they both come with an optional 4WD powertrain. Exclusive for the Stingray was this Phoenix Red Pearl color.

For a phenomenal kei car that is nearing its 20th anniversary next year and it slits down the TNP27 Daihatsu Move's throat, the all new Wagon R is a Japan-only kei car that represents the brand that is striving to be the most fuel efficient car maker in the world. Once again, the Daihatsu vs. Suzuki battle goes on and on and on and on until one of them will have to throw in the towel. If I said Japan-only, I DO MEAN IT so back off, idiots living from India and Pakistan. These cars are not for you. Thank You.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Kia Ray gets turbocharged

Kia Ray

Kia Motors unveiled a turbocharged version of the box car called Ray, which was launched in South Korea since November 2011.

The Kappa 1.0L Turbo engine equipped on the Ray, now on its 2013 model year, generates aboue 106PS of power and 14.0kg of torque. With CVT and Idle Stop and Go feature equipped, the fuel economy is about 18.6km/L.

Scoop: http://www.kia.co.kr/about-kia/prcenter/news-view.aspx?idx=1721

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER Namassuka Special 02

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER
Namassuka Special 02

Last time on Namassuka Special 01, we've experienced Takane Shijou, Miki Hoshii, and Hibiki Ganaha on the series of challenges and some new songs from them. So, this second installment of THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER Namassuka Special pits through Ryugu Komachi's finest; Azusa Miura, Iori Minase, and Ami Futami, through series of challenges and some all new songs from them. For a treat, there is now the M@STER VERSION of the song you've heard on the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2...七彩ボタン!

The song that you can only hear on the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 is now here on Namassuka Special 02? Now this is something's worth your fez, your bowtie, your glasses, your stetsons, or your bunk beds because this is COOL. We couldn't care listening to that anyway...

TRACK LISTINGS:

01 生っすか第二部ＯＰトーク

02 七彩ボタン（M@STER VERSION)

03 あずさチャレンジのコーナー

04 イタズラなKISS

05 恋とマシンガン

06 う・ふ・ふ・ふ

07 伊織チャレンジのコーナー

08 リフレクティア

09 歩いて帰ろう

10 ホウキ雲

11 亜美チャレンジのコーナー

12 初恋 ～二章 告白の花火～

13 閑話休題

14 七彩ボタン（M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ

For English-speaking customers:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCX-37414

Let's Do The News! (September 6, 2012)

Ideally, it is now time to do the news and as you may wandering that we got this Top Gear Studio-style garage here on Car Town except for every single detail....

On the right, there's the old garage while on the left,
that's a TG-style studio

I know, it was my idea to make my own TG-style studio at Car Town but this is a bit more rubbish. Ambitious but rubbish but sadly, our two idiots are away for some reasons and I am had it with this fast-talking, nonsense-worthy, Vice Advice maneuver because nobody understands. Instead, I had brought along some guests...Better not explain why are they doing here...

Ritsuko Akizuki

Cockney Nan from The Catherine Tate Show

(wow)

Uh...hello there Nan....

Hello Ms. Ritsuko. (Cockney Nan laughing)

(audience laughing)

Huh? What's so funny about me?

Uh...nothing...nothing...

So, what brought me here?

Those two idiots are away for some important things to do but since you're here, do you have something to discuss?

 

Yes! The news! (Cockney Nan laughing)

(audience laughing)

I'll start off with this, ma'am. This one here is the new variant for the Porsche 911 (991). It's called the Carrera 4 or Carrera 4S and of course, it may look the same as the 991 Porsche 911 but they're rigged with 4WD while retaining the engine to the wrong place. Well, it's still a German sports car with its engine rigged on its buttocks. (imitates Cockney Nan laughing)

Scoop: http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/2013-porsche-911-carrera-4-all-wheel-drive-models-debut/2012/08/27/dd816940-f014-11e1-b74c-84ed55e0300b_story.html

(audience laughing)

The new 911 Carrera 4 models

Seriously Nan, are you sure that most 911 models have their engines on their backs?

Exactly. They were nothing but a bunch of arse-engine lunatics. I don't really care what the hell are those Volkswagen Beetles in running shoes. (clears throat)

Yeah, you maybe right. They were beetles in running shoes but how about this one, Nan?

2013 Volkswagen Golf

What's this, glasses girl?

It's the new, seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf. It was the first ever Volkswagen Golf to be outfitted with the Volkswagen Group's new MQB platform.

MQB platform? What the hell is MQB?

Nan, MQB is the acronym for...um...ah....I don't know what that is but some say, it's modular transverse matrix in German. The engine is transversely mounted and flexible enough to allow individual models to have a variety of wheelbase, track, and external dimensions.

Oh...so that's what this MQB stuff is....(pbbbt)

(audience laughing)

Oh and for the Golf Mk7, they have two brand-new generations of engines, most come with the idling stop system and battery regeneration. They had the 1.2-litre TSI 84HP (85PS) petrol unit returning 4.9 lt/100 km (48mpg US or 57.6mpg UK and 113 g/km), and a 1.4-litre TSI 138HP (140PS) unit with Active Cylinder Technology, which can deactivate two of the cylinders, and achieves up to 4.8 lt/100 km (49mpg US or 58.9mpg UK and 112 g/km).

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/2013-volkswagen-golf-new-official.html

I don't care what in the world is this new Golf...This new one kinda looked like an enlarged Polo, which like the new A3 is somewhat an enlarged A1. (yawn)

Uh...okay Nan. How about these?

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

2013/2014 Peugeot 208 XY

Now, those who came from Geneva since March may remember about the 208 XY and GTi concepts but on the Paris Motor Show this year, here come the production versions of the 208 XY and 208 GTi.

Eh....what?

Nan, the 208 XY is all about being stylish and with the addition of the exclusive Purple Night metallic color, the 208 XY will come with five new colors. There are several personalization options on the inside ranging from a full leather treatment to aluminum trims for the dashboard, center console, and door handles.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-peugeot-208-xy-with-premium-touches.html

On the 208 GTi, it comes with the THP 200 engine from the RCZ which says to be more powerful than the 175HP 207 RC/GTi. Also, the steering system and suspension were tweaked for agile handling.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/peugeot-reveals-all-new-208-gti-hot.html

Hmph....I don't really really care about the XY and the GTi. They were all sickened me like hell. (Cockney Nan laughing)

(audience laughing)

Still bothered, Nan? Okay then, how about this?

Facelifted Ford Fiesta?

Ford Europe unveiled the facelifted Fiesta complete with Aston Martin-style front face that is now part of Ford's design philosophy and get this...it now comes with the 1.0L EcoBoost engine which won the 2012 International Engine of the Year award for best-in-class fuel economy. 

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/official-ford-fiesta-facelift-gets-10.html

Surely Ritsu, who gives a damn about a facelifted Fiesta? An Aston Martin-like front on the Fiesta? Oh come on....

(audience laughing)

Okay...how about this, Nan? A 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, to be premiered at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this month...

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-2014-mitsubishi-outlander-plug-in.html

Pwe!

(audience laughing)

Uh....9th Generation Honda Accord teased in Russia via sketches....

9th generation Honda Accord teaser sketch

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/honda-previews-russian-and-possibly.html

Who care?

(audience laughing)

Uh....um...uh....

A BIT OF FAFF LATER...

uh...how about this Nan? Let's see...2013 Ford Escape got recalled for the third time due to fire risk?

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/05/2013-ford-escape-recalled-for-third-time-again-for-fire-risk/

OH WHY DON'T YOU F**K OFF?!

(audience laughing)

Nan? Nan?

I'm outta here! You made me bored! I'm going back home!

(audience laughing)

Anyway, because it's only me, Ritchan, now to pick up some leftovers. Can't believe Nan got mad on me and she left. Okay, then, Honda Cars set up a teaser for the 2013 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid. Here are some of a few teasers I've encountered.

2013 Honda CR-Z teaser

2013 Honda CR-Z teaser

2013 Honda CR-Z teaser

Huh, didn't see there was now a Sport Plus button on it but anyway, Honda Cars will unveil the 2013 CR-Z this September 27. I repeat, September 27, 2012.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/4/172226/

In other news, it's two worlds collide when GRAND-AM Road Racing and American Le Mans Series are merging together as one and this landmark sports-car organization will reveal at the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona. This is becoming one of the most significant development in the history of sports-car racing and under this merger, the following entities will combine with GRAND-AM: the American Le Mans Series; the International Motor Sports Association, which sanctions ALMS events; the Road Atlanta race track facility in Braselton, Ga.; the Chateau Elan Hotel and Conference Center in Sebring, Fla.; and Sebring International Raceway, via a reassignment of the lease agreement with the Sebring Airport Authority to operate the raceway. The GRAND AM and ALMS will continue to operate separately next year before their joint custody in 2014.

Scoop: http://www.nascar.com/news/120905/grand-am-american-le-mans-merger/

Right, shifting myself into DOCTORDONNA mode because...this should be as quick as hell right now. Anyway, are you a big fan of the manga titled Gakuen Alice (Alice Academy)? Someone out there know about Alice Academy because this was a manga that was published by Tachibana Higuchi in Hana to Yume in 2002 and the 19th issue of the magazine recently on sale since September 4, 2012 marked the series' 10th year. Alice Academy did have a 26-episode anime from 2004 to 2005. I know, some of you watched that. Anyway, the author of Alice Academy, that is Tachibana Higuchi, said on her official Twitter account that she was working on the concept for the first part of the final chapter. Although she didn't say when it will be published but...oh dear. Alice Academy's coming to an end...Someone out there isn't pleased....

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-05/gakuen-alice-manga-last-chapter-being-prepared

Now, although I'm not utterly familiar about Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III but I heard that he's plagiarize certain parts from someone else's blog regarding the dark secrets of the RH Bill before. This time, I heard that Tito Sotto's done it again by translating Robert F. Kennedy's speech in Tagalog. 

Tito Sotto tagalizes Robert F. Kennedy's speech

Scoop: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/did-sotto-copy-again-.html

Did Tito Sotto done it again? I don't know but we'll have to find out soon...Anyway, on that bombshell, that's the news! Thank you for having me doing this! (laughing)

My souffle for September - the DS4

Doesn't look more souffle to me

This is the souffle of the Forza Motorsport 4's September Pennzoil Car Pack, well not exactly a souffle to us unless you remember the souffle girl last weekend's. This is the Citroen DS4 and some people say that this is somewhat the French alternative...to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

I was really bothered about this but the one that FM4 featured here comes with the THP 200 engine, the one that the Peugeot RCZ have and believe it or not, this one's not as good as the Alfa Giulietta when I tried. Sure, the Giulietta is all about the finesse and the touch of class but for this one...plenty of style but no cider. The steering's a bit heavy, it's a bit harsh, and as observed, feels like I overcooked my favorite souffle for the souffle girl. 

A mountain to climb for...

That gave me an interesting idea. Instead of comparing this to the Giuletta because as I'm sure I know, the Giulietta will easily slit the DS4's throat in terms of speed and handling, I would rather compare this one to the Citroen from the past.

Citroen C4 VTS

This one is the old Citroen C4 VTS. The one that was used as Sebastien Loeb's rally car from the past until it was replaced by the DS3. When the second generation C4 came, the Coupe was discontinued and furthermore, Citroen has stated that the DS4 is not intended as a successor to the Citroen C4 Coupe.

First up, the drag race. Remember the DS4 comes with the RCZ's THP 200 engine which produces more power than the old C4 VTS. However, it's heavier than the C4 VTS. Top speed for the new DS4 with the THP 200 engine is 235kph while for the old C4 VTS can go about 227kph. Let's see if we can translate science into speed with a quarter mile drag race...

So, the DS4 has done that but now, let's translate science into track times at the Top Gear Test Track and I need a driver and I have one. Some say he believes that Christmas is a load of @#$%....and he is...




The Citroen C4 VTS did it in 1:36.668 while the Citroen DS4 THP 200 did it in 1:35.495 so to be honest, it did better than the old C4 VTS but sadly though, I am not happy with the burnt souffle with some eggs to exterminate. I mean, imagine if I put an egg to the passenger seat of the DS4, you know that this would be a childish science experiment to analyze its handling and grip. The only way that the egg's going to be EGG-STIR-MINUTE-d is when you handle it too hard or some rough oversteer.

In short, I didn't like the DS4 because of its heavy steering but as a decent alternative to the old C4 VTS, you'll know that this works quite well.

DS4's Rage

Aston Martin prematurely kills the Virage to make room for DB9 successor

Aston Martin Virage

Whoa there, it may be out last year but Aston Martin prematurely killed the Virage coupe and Volante to make room for the DB9's replacement. Now who would have thought of that but whatever, some say that the replacement for the DB9 will sport One-77 designs as seen on the new Vanquish. Seems like that the Aston Virage is going to be a rare collector's item in the near future.

Scoop: http://paultan.org/2012/09/04/aston-martin-virage-to-be-replaced-by-new-db9/