Hyundai renames their PYL brand.

Hyundai PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE

Since March 2011, when the Hyundai Veloster was launched to the SoKor motoring public, the South Korean carmaker began the launch of its PREMIUM YOUTH LAB sub-brand, a sub-brand that caters the needs of the young adults with perks and privileges. Sadly though, this whole PREMIUM YOUTH LAB isn't quite enough for this, so Hyundai decided to give the PYL brand a major overhaul and rename this from PREMIUM YOUTH LAB to PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE.

The new PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE sub-brand caters owners of the Veloster, i40, and the new i30 with perks and privileges. For those Hyundai BLUmembers with PYL perks, they'll be enjoying great fun, great lifestyle, and everything that a PYL member would want to think of such as concerts, accommodations, dining, sports, and the list goes on.

You can never get too bored for this.

URL: http://pyl.hyundai.com/

More info: http://blu.hyundai.com/oc/hmnb/prmm_mbr/hmnb_prmm_mbr_index.jsp?screenNm=hmnb_prmm_mbr_index

PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE Commercial:

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster and AM310 Vanquish

2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

Here it is. It looks like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the one that Jeremy Clarkson got emotional in the Season 13 finale of Top Gear, only this time the roof is off. This is the V12 Vantage Roadster but I prefer to think of it as...Chihaya Kisaragi's gone topless. It still comes with the same 6.0L V12 engine from the hardtop V12 Vantage that produces 517PS of power and always ready to rev to the tune of 眠り姫. Also, I'd still expect the worthless Volvo sat-nav of other Astons and buttons that I can't read in the sunshine. Lastly, I'd still expect the only transmission available on the V12 Vantage, that is a 6-speed manual transmission and that's good.

However, aside from having her haircut, she also expected a carbon fiber materials. Something that Chihaya Kisaragi would dress for the concert. There was carbon fibre side strakes, a carbon fibre front splitter, carbon fibre rear diffuser, carbon fibre mirror caps and carbon fibre rear lamp infills. What an overload of carbon materials for the V12 Vantage Roadster!

Sadly though, the convertible's a bit heavier than the hardtop model due to its strengthening needs. The hardtop V12 Vantage can do 0-60mph time of 4.1 seconds but for this Roadster version, 0-60mph time is now 4.5 seconds. Still, both the hardtop and the convertible versions of the V12 Vantage can reach a top speed of 190mph.

2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

When it comes to fun factor, you can really smoke her whatever you want and with such dynamic handling, it's great if you want to handle the V12 Roadster in style but sometimes it could be somewhat difficult to regain grip because it's a challenging machine for beginners. On normal roads, it's surprisingly an epic grand tourer for those who want to go out for a long distance cruising, something that the new Ferrari California 30 couldn't guess what comes next.

This car costs about £150,000 RRP and they'll be making up to 101 units. Because it's a limited production model, a false mistake may cost you dearly. Smuggle one and you've wasted it. It appears that this is the final Aston to use the old 6.0L V12 engine. So, let's move on from ALLONS-Y to GERONIMO...

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

Welcome to the all new Aston Martin Vanquish. The original one was used by Pierce Brosnan for his last Bond film before his retirement, Die Another Day, in 2002. The cool bit was the one that Q BRANCH gave it body panels that render the car invisible. Now that the name has been resurrected, I was quite surprised that this car served as the replacement to my ever-favorite DBS and now, there's more to this comeback.

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

2013 Aston Martin Vanquish

It seems that the people from Aston Martin were attracted to the design from the mega-expensive One-77 and they decided that they will use the One-77's design as its language to create future Astons and this new Vanquish was one of them to wear the One-77's clothing. I just noticed something, the front looks like the Virage while the back really looks like the One-77. On the interior, it does really look like the One-77 for sure and like the Virage, it no longer has a Volvo sat nav of other Astons. It comes with the one that works.

I was impressed but what about performance? The newly developed 6.0L V12 engine was now positioned lower for added agility and this time, it produces 565bhp of power and 457lb-ft of torque. That's more power than the outgoing DBS or the V12 Vantage but top speed is now 183mph, less than the DBS' top speed. Never mind about that but the transmission is now a 6-speed paddle shift transmission.

What's also clever is that the new Vanquish is the first Aston to come with launch control. Push it, turn the TCS off, build the revs and when the light is green, you'll be ready to yell GERONIMO through a loud haler. 

This new model marks the new chapter of Aston Martin's history and while this carmaker is gearing for its centennial anniversary next year, this new Vanquish became an omen, a sign that warns us that it is coming. However, the new Vanquish really has a noble heart that can perform better and as delicate as a piano concerto. By making it better, this is the best Aston I have ever seen in my life. I would gladly ditch the DBS and the V12 Vantage in favor of this car.

Photo: Aston Martin

Bridging the war between Arthritis and Acne

It came from the era where subs are used
to defeat the Germans...

In Top Gear's Hill Climb Challenge episode, a sports-tuned version of the Austin Healey Sprite was served for the Austin Healey Sport Club who are up against a souped up Peugeot 306 served for the punks wearing hoodies, training shoes, and Argos jewerlies in the hill climb challenge at Prescott Hill. When handed these to The Stig, the Frogeye Sprite won the Hill Climb challenge in 58.4 seconds, faster than the 59.26 time set on a modified Peugeot 306.

Sadly though, we don't get a Peugeot 306 that we can souped up to make it more like the ones we saw on those Max Power magazines but we do get a classic British roadster that kicked a souped up hatchback at Prescott Hill. Although it might not be pleasant for the September Pennzoil Car Pack from Forza Motorsport 4 to have this Frogeye Sprite but it sure is great to have another one of Top Gear memorabilia. Thank you Austin Healey Sport Club. This is the kind of car where competition meets culture and it doesn't matter which car culture you're following either you are obsessed with vintage classics, import scene, or any car culture you are on, even on Forza Motorsport 4 because car culture is part of it.

The Mark I Sprite was launched in 1958 and produced until 1961 with 48,987 units made. The Brits nicknamed it Frogeye while the Americans nicknamed it Bugeye because of its headlights mounted on top of the bonnet.

Under the bonnet lies the 948cc A-Series 4-cylinder engine that produces 43HP of power and 71Nm of torque. According to British car magazine, The Motor, the Mark I Sprite can do 0-60mph in 20.5 seconds and top speed of 82.9mph. Fuel economy is 43 miles per imperial gallon.

The Mark I Sprite's success in motorsport can be traced back to the 1958 Alpine Rally where John Sprinzel and Willy Cave gathered a class victory. The most famous Sprite used in motorsports was the Sebring Sprite.

I was very glad to take a spin on this Frogeye Sprite and I was very pleased about its lightweight bodywork. If you tweak this Frogeye whatever you like, this lightweight frog can blitz through the corners like you've never expected, just like what happened on the Top Gear Hill Climb Challenge and kicked the modified 306's bumper. It goes to show that age and experience will always win for vigor, no matter which car culture you're following at. That's what the Frogeye Sprite taught me about car cultures.

Let's Do The News! (September 11, 2012)

Now, let's do the news!

Yeah, tell you what. Anyone seen last week's episode of Doctor Who? Raise your hands...

(audience raising hands)

Well, that was a good show but I kinda found out to be very weird about this episode...

Is it the dinosaurs?

Nope.

Is the the Aussie-accent adventurer?

Nope. Not really.

Is it the prissy robots voiced by Mitchell and Webb?

Quite ok but nope. Not that it...

Oh, what is it?

Um...um...I saw The Doctor kissing Rory Williams...

(audience laughing)

What?!

Doctor Who...just kissed a man...and if you look closely on these two pics...

Kiss scene on Christopher and his Kind

The Doctor kissed Rory on Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

You'll notice that what the hell Matt Smith's doing. We all know that he never kissed a man but he really lift the cap to do it. When Matt Smith's portraying as Christopher Isherwood on a biopic called Christopher and his Kind, we came to witness about the different kind of Matt Smith, as if he's kissing a man.

(audience laughing)

Now this. This is how we called it THE DOCTOR AND HIS KIND! We never knew we saw this coming...not even Amy Pond would saw it.

So, the eleventh Doctor, the one who thinks bowties, fezzes, stetsons, bunk beds, and glasses are cool, became the first ever Doctor Who to kiss a man, especially Rory Williams-Pond?

(audience laughing)

Question is...did The Doctor pop back to the 1930's as Christopher Isherwood and then he kissed a man?

(audience laughing)

Ha ha ha!!! That tickles me! Ha ha ha! Good point!!! Ha ha ha!

(audience laughing)

Anyway enough about THE DOCTOR AND HIS KIND and hey! Guess what? With all that success, Doctor Who garnered numerous BAFTA nominations. Also, the U.K. only Doctor Who The Adventure Game: The Gunpowder Plot was nominated for Digital Creativity and Games section. Then, the spin-off that was already axed last year since the death of Elisabeth Sladen, which is The Sarah Jane Adventures, has been nominated in the Children’s Programme category.

Really?

Yeah, and we wish those good luck at the BAFTA Cymru Awards on Sunday, 30 September 2012 at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Wait? Wales Millenium Centre? Is that Torchwood location venue?

(audience laughing)

I wonder if Captain Jack will going to mess that party?

(audience laughing)

I don't know but Mr. John Barrowman's pretty busy for some new show. Oh, I just realized something, last night was the closing ceremony for the London 2012 Paralympics. It seems that China has the most medals, 231 to be exact.

So, China's taking revenge on the US in terms of medal count? What coincidence...

Yeah, and on that closing ceremony, we saw performances from Coldplay, Ellie Simmons, Jonnie Peacock, Jay-Z and Rihanna.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/09/coldplay-with-rihanna-closes-the-2012-paralymics/

What a great way to close this year's paralympics.

Yeah, indeed. And hey! We just heard about...

GREAT NEWS!

What?!

(audience laughing)

No! Wait! It's better than what you think!

Okay, what is it?

TOP GEAR...garnered a Guinness World Record for being the most watched factual TV programme in the world with 212 countries watching!

Scoop: http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/top-gear-powers-into-guinness-world-records

(applause)

Excellent! Great! Now, we just picked up some news that PSA Peugeot Citroen, for the first time, got removed from French Stock Exchange's CAC 40 and replace it with chemical and plastics maker Solvay SA on September 24.

(what?)

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/09/french-stock-exchange-removes-psa.html

Yeah, can't believe that the French Auto industry, due to the Euro crisis, keeps on hurting down the big names. Now that PSA Peugeot Citroen's been removed from the list, where would they go next? 

Good thing? Where would they go next?

(audience laughing)

Anyway, while we're solving this conundrum for this French automotive giant, let's move on to something interesting. In the fantasy world that is Forza Motorsport 4, we've seen famous motoring icons recreated from the single detail. We see General Lee, Takumi Fujiwara's AE86, Smokey and The Bandit, Herbie the Love Bug, The Fast and the Furious cars, there are to name a few but thanks to the newly bought September Pennzoil Car Pack, we might be interested on this...GMC Vandura...

The A-TEAM Van!

Right, here I am standing next to this...GMC Vandura. This van became famous for its appearance on the 1980's hit TV series turned 2010 movie, The A-Team, where a group of mercenaries (from the cigar-chomping leader Hannibal, the "I PITY THE FOOL" B.A. Baracus, Face, and "Howling Mad" Murdock) are wanted by the government for a crime they didn't commit and exist as soldiers of fortune, ready to help for a price to pay.

I pity the fool!

Look at this van. From every single detail, this lucky owner really tried to replicate the van that took THE A-TEAM wherever help is needed for a price to pay. We really PITY THE FOOL for those who didn't like this van but hey, it's a GMC Vandura. Wonder if I can take it out for a spin?

Yep. Because it's a van, it's very heavy even though it's a REAR-WHEEL DRIVE van. But it's still the A-TEAM van. Wonder if I can ram against my rivals in some competitions were racing turned deadly...Banger racing perhaps? Hmmm....

(applause)

The A-TEAM invades Top Gear!

Wow! What a very convincing GMC Vandura!

Yeah and unfortunately, that's just a user-generated design to match the one as seen on THE A-TEAM. Luckily! I did a whole lap on this one!

So, what time you did it in?

I did it in...1:56.832!

(audience laughing and applause)

Well done!

Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

We start off with the MINI COUNTRYMAN. Sadly though, I really really hate this car because of numerous reasons. One, it's targeted for those who have a Playstation3. Two, it's for those who got tantalized over the PS3-only DLC costumes on THE IDOLM@STER 2 such as Stratos Butterfly, Burning Performer, White School Swimsuit, Cutie Insect, Rainy Suzuran, Dressy Alice, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Full Bloom Yukata Dress, and Devilkin Swimming Suit. Three, it's for those who got busy watching anime shows on Crunchyroll on their PS3. And worst of all, it's also for Whovians. Bowties are cool, fezzes are cool, stetsons are cool, bunk beds are cool, glasses are cool, hmph. Sorry if I have to waste the whole day about why I hate this car but now, there's a hotter version which I hate it in every different way...

2013 Mini JCW Countryman

This is the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman, the car I really hate has now been spiced up a bit. First of all, it comes from the hot John Cooper Works models, which are known to be the hotter MINIs for the serious enthusiasts but for the first time, JCW with ALL4 all-wheel-drive system as standard is definitely calling out as the road-going version of the Countryman WRC car. It seems that with the know-how of the rally car, the JCW Countryman is like a different kind of wild animal...wearing a fez really.

2013 Mini JCW Countryman interior

But still, this is the bulkiest MINI I have ever encountered because it has four doors or maybe because of its 4WD layout. It takes a single half-765 Productions producer, half-Gallifreyan to understand this car of this size and for this one, this gets worse. The turbocharged 1.6L engine produces 218HP of power, a wibbly wobbly timey wimey 0-60mph time of seven seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph) for the manual and 223 km/h (139 mph) for its automatic sibling. Sounds intriguing but for a real fun, it might be best to drive if you're putting on either of your Stratos Butterfly, Burning Performer, White School Swimsuit, Cutie Insect, Rainy Suzuran, Dressy Alice, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Full Bloom Yukata Dress, or Devilkin Swimming Suit.

2013 Mini JCW Countryman

The recipe of making a JCW Countryman is simple. First, start off with everything why I hate the Mini Countryman beginning with the outfits I mentioned several times. I got a huge washing machine which I will do some ridiculous things serving as a tortured metaphor for this car. (Insert Top Gear V8 invention joke here) Put those PS3-only IM@S 2 outfits such as Stratos Butterfly, Burning Performer, White School Swimsuit, Cutie Insect, Rainy Suzuran, Dressy Alice, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Full Bloom Yukata Dress, and the Devilkin Swimming Suit in the washing machine. These will serve as the bodywork for the JCW Countryman. Next, let's put something such as Tiny TARDIS Pies, Sonic Screwdrivers, Radioactive-Spuds with Cool Avocado Cream, K-9 Dogs with Mustard Onions, Ginger Companions, Fish Fingers (and Chips) with Custard, Mini Chocolate Dalek Cakes, those kind of snacks when you're planning for a Doctor Who viewing party. These will serve as the turbocharged engine that powered the 1.6L Turbo engine for the JCW Countryman. What's next? Oh yeah! Bowties! Fezzes! Stetsons! Glasses! I should put it too and these will serve as the JCW Countryman's coolness. For an added bite, some bovril, beef, and brick. (laughing) Set the LOAD SIZE to SUPER, TEMPERATURE to COOL, pull knob to start, and wait for 1 hour....

While waiting for an hour. Who should I be? I should be dressed either as the 9th, Rose, the 10th, Martha, The Master, Donna, the 11th, Amy, Rory, River, or any Doctor Who character I know. If I chose which Who character I'd be, preferably the 11th because he's cool, I should head back to the washing machine and for the finished product. Serve it in and enjoy...

Well, obviously, the finished product will leave my Gallifreyan cardiovascular system (two hearts) pulse faster and blow my skull into bits but as a taste sensation, I'm not sure if it works because basically, I got the name for it! THE BLOODY AWFUL!!!

This is often the way cars are meant to be "IT'S MORE FUN IN GRAN TURISMO", they have the weirdest of ingredients but there's no heart, there's no fun, and worst of all, quite shocking and dangerous. This isn't shocking or dangerous but there is one big drawbacks. First of all, it was the price, the JCW Countryman will cost you about 34,800 Euros for the one with 6MT while the one with the 6AT may cost you 36,340 Euros. Another drawback to this car is its 4WD. Because it's heavy, handling the JCW Countryman is as hard as you've been wrestled down a panda in sumo wrestler's attire. Sports suspension works fine on racetracks but on the road, it's a bit nasty and uncomfortable. And lastly, well, being a Mini Countryman, I really hate it for being "IT'S MORE FUN IN GRAN TURISMO". I once drove the MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN in GT5 and I have to say that this is the kind of car I really hate for being, well, you get the idea.

To sum up then, the spiced-up version of the Countryman is definitely not a good car to keep it in your garage. This car might be best if you were living in either Leadworth or Cwmtaff.

Anime Saimoe Tournament 2012 update (September 10, 2012)

Time for another WEEK IN REVIEW for the 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament and let's cover last week's contestants (mostly anime girls from 2011 to 2012) are advancing to the next round...

Those highlighted in Bold are the winners advancing to the next round.

September 1, 2012

E01
Sakuno Uryuu - Mashiroiro Symphony - 176
Chiaki Kurihara - Bodacious Space Pirates
Cordelia Glauca - Tantei Opera Milky Holmes 98

E05
Sanae Nagatsuki - Ika-Musume - 182
Yuuko Aioi - Nichijou - 117
Atsumi Miyagawa - Recorder & Randsell - 90


E09
Charlotte Dunois - Infinite Stratos - 205
Chitose Ikeda - Yuru Yuri - 144
MIX - Aquarion Evol - 64

September 2, 2012

E02
Yumi Kajiki - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 460
Erio Touwa - Denpa Onna To Seishun Otoko - 406
Hiro - Hidamari Sketch - 124

E06
Sanya V. Litvyak - Strike Witches - 517
Hinagiku Katsura - Hayate the Combat Butler! HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH - 396
Yachiyo Todoroko - Working! - 86

E10
Yuu Matsumi - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 639
Arata Sagimori - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 206
Hatsumi Usuzumi - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 66


September 3, 2012

E03
Kurumi Hazuki - Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel - 232
Kaori Senou - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 160
Yunoha Thrul - Aquarion Evol - 100

E07
Hibiki Ganaha - THE IDOLM@STER - 212
Ringo - Daily Lives of High School Boys - 159
Natsumi Aizawa - Natsuiro Kiseki - 158

E11
Taiga Aisaka - Toradora! - 295
Literature Girl - Daily Lives of High School Boys - 139
Erika Kurumi - Heartcatch Pretty Cure!

September 4, 2012

E08
Rin Tohsaka -  Fate/Zero  -248
Sukoya Kokaji -  Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A -181
Yurin L'Ciel - Mobile Suit Gundam Age - 79

E04
Yayoi Takatsuki - THE IDOLM@STER - 258
Nao Midorikawa - Smile Pretty Cure! - 142
Chie Satonaka - Persona 4 THE ANIMATION - 95

E12
Yui Hirasawa - K-ON! - 230
Haruka L. Morishima - Amagami SS+ - 177
Ayumi Nishizawa - Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven is a Place on Earth - 100

September 5, 2012

F09
Ryuka Shimizudani -  Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 279
Tsumugi Kotobuki - K-ON! - 268
Haruna - Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka? - 110

F05
Kanna Tanigawa - Ano Natsu De Matteru - 296
Karen Araragi - Ghostory - 209
Mikoto Urabe - Mysterious Girlfriend X - 127

F01
Hercule Barton - Detective Opera Milky Holmes - 247
Ryuuko Mifune - Denpa Onna To Seishin Otoko - 236
Horizon Ariadust - Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere - 114

September 6, 2012

F02
Seraphim - Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka? - 265
Yae Kobashiri -  Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 223
Hatsuse Okahashi -  Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 60

F10
Eru Chitanda - Hyouka - 367
Dalian - Dantalian No Shoka - 101
Yukari Hirai - Shakugan no Shana III -FINAL- - 78

F06
Haruka Amami - THE IDOLM@STER - 274
Ohana Matsumae - Hanasaku Iroha - 212
Satomi Kanbara -  Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A  - 95

September 7, 2012

F03
Yui Funami - Yuru Yuri - 343
Riko Mine - Hidan no Aria - 156
Irisviel Von Einzbern - Fate/Zero - 153

F07
Kuro Matsumi - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 384
Subaru Konoe - Mayo Chiki! - 288
Sera Eguchi - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 26

F11
Ririchiyo Shirakiin - Inu X Boku SS - 327
Yoshika Miyafuji - Strike Witches - 245
Tooru - A Channel - 92

September 8, 2012

F04
Kirame Hanada - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 306
Ranko Saouji - Sankarea - 198
Kasumi Iwato - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 46

F08
Nyarlathotep - Haiyore! Nyarlko-san - 317
Nadeko Sengoku - Ghostory - 209
Mayu Morita - Morita-san Wa Mukuchi - 63

F12
Miyako - Hidamari Sketch - 249
Takane Shijou - THE IDOLM@STER - 207
Yuuko Kanoe - Dusk Maiden Of Amnesia - 108

Super GT 2012 Fuji Speedway Update

Super GT 2012 Round 6 held at Fuji Speedway since September 9, 2012. Here are the results from that race in top 3, reverse order...

For Super GT500 category;

3rd place...#19 WedsSport ADVAN SC430 driven by Seiji Ara and Andre Couto

2nd place...#1 S Road REITO MOLA GT-R driven by Masataka Yanagida and Ronnie Quintarelli

WINNER is...#12 Calsonic Impul GT-R driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Joao Paulo de Oliveira

SCOOP: http://supergt.net/pages/pg:race/device:pc/ln:en/year:2012/round:6/gt_class:gt500/menu:3/result_menu:race/result_menu_2:total

For Super GT300 category;

3rd place...#16 MUGEN CR-Z GT driven by Hideki Mutoh and Daisuke Nakajima

2nd place...#1 apr HASEPRO Prius GT driven by Morio Nitta and Koki Saga

WINNER is...#33 HANKOOK PORSCHE driven by Masami Kageyama and Tomonobu Fujii

Scoop: http://supergt.net/pages/pg:race/device:pc/ln:en/year:2012/round:6/gt_class:gt300/menu:3/result_menu:race/result_menu_2:total

Next race in...AUTOPOLIS this September 30, 2012!