New SM5 Platinum revealed!

2013 Renault Samsung New SM5 Platinum

Here it is...This must be the facelifted version of the Renault Samsung SM5 (known in Europe as the Renault Latitude). Kudos to the official Renault Samsung Facebook site (http://www.facebook.com/RenaultSamsungM) for revealing the whole look for what we might think that is this the Renault Latitude facelift. Besides, this New SM5 Platinum borrows some of its design from the All New SM7 flagship sedan.

Stay tuned. More to come as the New SM5 Platinum hits showrooms this month.

Honda's N BOX+ is Japan Automotive Hall of Fame 2012-2013 Car of the Year

2013 Honda N BOX +

Congratulations to Honda Motor Co., Ltd for having the Honda N Box+ (plus) won Japan Automotive Hall of Fame's 2012-2013 Car of the Year. Not only that, the Volkswagen supermini, the up!, hailed not only as 2012-2013 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Import Car of the Year but also 2012-2013 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Car Design of the Year. Also, the Mazda CX-5 with SKYACTIV-D engine hailed as 2012-2013 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Car Technology of the Year.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Scoop: http://www.jahfa.jp/JAHFA_PR_2012.pdf

Let's Do The News! (November 2, 2012)

Time now for the news. As you may know, it's one heck of a sem break for our students in the Philippines. Yep, a sem break from October 29 to November 4 for them, meaning I'm sure somebody went out in October 31 for some Halloween and then Undas in November 1 to pay respect to the deceased loved ones.

Tell you what, shortie. Have you been out in Halloween?

Exactly. Most of them are bats, black cats, devils, Frankenstein, ghosts, witches, mummies, zombies, just the usual scary things to wear for Halloween. Not just that, it's whatever they want to be. Most oddity was the child with the gas mask, you may remember back in the first Doctor Who series back in 2005. The one with "Are You My Mummy?"

(audience laughing)

Gas Mask Zombies? Sure, these evildoers that go "Are You My Mummy?" every time. There's been Daleks, Cybermen, Silurians, Ood, Silence, Weeping Angels, Autons, any DW monster those youngsters they want to be for Halloween. Speaking of which, have you seen a kissogram out there?

Uh...nope.

(audience laughing)

Hey! Jezz! What happened to you? Where have you been?

That Sandy. Hurricane Sandy. She karate chopped by man parts, then my back, I got a black eye, fractured bones, ouch....

Whoa. Seems that you've got karate chopped by a powerful hurricane named after the squirrel character from Spongebob Squarepants eh?

(audience laughing)

I guess this is how our East Coast pals thought of it when they got battered by Sandy. It's like...this.

Uh...I can explain...

(audience laughing)

Imagine that happened to you when Hurricane Sandy blown your house and then you said "Uh...I can explain...". You'd never known this happened to you! (breaks back) Ow!!!! My back!

Are you okay?

Seems that I'm not feeling well in the wheelchair....Ugh....

Look, I think you better go home for a while. You know how much cuts, scrapes, blisters, fractures, and all that how much damage Hurricane Sandy done to you.

Thank You James.

Anyway, while our friend is on a sick leave before he's better soon, there's something we forgot to mention. Sure, The Idolm@ster Shiny Festa is already here on the PSP but it seems that the PS3 version of The Idolm@ster 2 is not giving up without one last hurrah.

Is it the DLC Catalog 13?

Exactly. What to expect on that Halloween-themed DLC Pack developed exclusively for the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 is simple. A new outfit called the Halloween Tricker and three outfits derived from the XBOX 360 version such as Visitor From Space, Snaky Showgirl and Happiness Lupinus. Also, a song titled "魔法をかけて！" is included on this DLC Catalog.

Here's the clip of what you might expect on the DLC Catalog 13 of the PS3 version of iM@S 2.

Scoop: http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/ps3/dlc/catalog13.php

See?! Oh wait! There's someone who messaged me. Says here...it's from our old friend who left us because of sick leave!

What he said?

He said, he enjoyed playing NFSMW on the PS3. He got all of the 10 Most Wanted Cars such as the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept, Shelby Cobra, Mercedes SL65 AMG Black, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche 918 Spyder Concept, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, Pagani Huayra, and the Koenigsegg Agera R. Well done, mate. But can you hang your Most Wanted status? This game is all about being competitive and if you have a friend playing NFSMW, see if your speedpoints stack up against your friends. That's how NFSMW was made to be.

I see. You may have done that but is your standing still standing? Keep playing to earn more.

Right! He said, he spent nearly 12 hours to complete that game! Really? Oh geez...Must have spent playing that game online with other NFSMW players worldwide. E he he he....

(audience laughing)

By the way, has anyone saw Suddenly, It's Magic?

What's that?

It's the one with Erich Gonzales with Thai actor Mario Maurer on it.

Oh geez....Pairing with a famed actor from the ASEAN region. Here we go again. Do you remember back in 2008 that there was the TV drama from ABS-CBN that stars Jericho Rosales and famed Malaysian actress Carmen Soo?

Uh, yeah. I remember that.

Now, ABS-CBN is having a trend again to pair a famed Philippine personality with someone from the ASEAN region. This time, a movie with the actress from the Philippines and a famed actor from Thailand. Seems that different cultures are getting the best of them...

Yeah, seems that Mario Maurer, who is from Thailand, is going to be guested on Gandang Gabi Vice this Sunday.

Really?

Brace yourselves, kiddo.

Yeah, and speaking of which, many of them are inquiring is there going to be a new season of Luther soon...

Luther? Oh yeah. It's the crime drama with that Idris on it...

Idris, what Idris?

Nope. Not that one who has the heart and soul of the TARDIS. It's that dude Idris Elba on it.

Oh....

(audience laughing)

Idris Elba played as John Luther, the titular main character who deals with some psychological issues while solving crimes. Anyway, BBC uploaded a video filled with some Q and A regarding the next season of Luther.



As announced. Oh yes. Luther is back soon. They've began shooting this month and BBC said that there will be four perfectly dark, chillingly-formed episodes that Luther may face with. You may never know what comes next but I'm sure it's quite a thrilling ride.

Indeed and oh! Word from this year's Istanbul Motor Show is that Renault revealed the updated version of the Fluence sedan. Here it is...

2013 Renault Fluence

Wait a minute? How come it looks different from the facelifted Samsung SM3? How come this facelifted version now has a Clio-styled nose instead of the one we saw from the new SM3?

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-renault-fluence-sedan-goes-under.html

I don't know but we'll gonna have to find out, right? This facelifted 2013 Fluence will go on sale next year and it comes with the new 1.6-liter 115PS petrol engine mated to a new X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission that offer a significant reduction in fuel consumption, which is down by 1.3 liters/100km to 6.4 liters/100km, while CO2 emissions fall 15 percent to 149g/km.

Would that engine be work in France?

I don't know but we'll just wait, okay?

Right. Anyway, this month, Subaru will reveal the all new, fourth generation Forester, which I think this is much better looking than the new Outlander we tackled last month. Here's the full view...

2013 Subaru Forester

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/2014-subaru-forester-officially.html

This is it! This is the 2013 (US 2014MY) fourth-generation Subaru Forester! It's now been regenerated to look like...oh wait! This is somewhat a fatter version of the Subaru XV, eh?

(audience laughing)

Oh geez...The new Outlander is like a whale but this new Forester is...like a Galapagos tortoise in running shoes...

(audience laughing)

Even though this Galapagos turtoise in running shoes comes with the 146hp (148PS) 2.0-liter flat four connected to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT, and a 276hp (280PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer matched exclusively to a CVT.

Oh my gosh....

Anyway, the Mini Countryman, which our wounded friend didn't like it because it was "more fun in Gran Turismo", is now on its 2013MY model year.

What to expect on the 2013 Countryman range is simple; a three-seat rear bench is now standard while a pair of individual seats will be available as a no-cost alternative. Also new are the trim elements, upholstery colors, the redesigned rings surrounding the Center Speedo and four air vents, new door inserts, remodeled door armrests that now house the relocated controls for the electric windows, and a larger storage compartment under the center console.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/fresh-colors-materials-and-ergonomic.html

I was surprised by this...surprised and annoyed to have the Countryman updated for more.

(audience laughing)

Anyway, that's the news and check out Richard Hammond's Lotus Excel converted to a proper James Bond-like submarine car. As seen from the Top Gear James Bond special.



As announced, it will also be aired on BBC Knowledge Asia this November 4, Sunday at 9PM (Bangkok Time); 10PM (Singapore and Hong Kong time); 11PM (South Korea time). No word when will this be aired on BBC America soon.

Anime Saimoe Tournament 2012 update (November 2, 2012)

Ladies and gentlemen, here are the last two characters duking it out for the crown as 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament winner. Both of them are from Saki Achiga-hen and yes, they're ready for the final round.

Toki Onjouji

Kuro Matsumi

So, who would it be? One Vision or Dragon Magic? Err...I should be saying Toki Onjouji or Kuro Matsumi instead but never mind? Question is, who's going to be hailed as the 2012 Saimoe Tournament winner? On November 3, 2012, we'll find out who's deserving that crowning glory. Until then, good luck to the two of them...

Honda N-ONE

Can I talk about the Honda N360 now? Good. You see, over the years, Honda's first ever kei car, the N360 is quite a charm when it was launched in the 1960's. Now however, Honda Motor Co., Ltd made themselves that what we called it "the Honda N360 of the 21st Century"

This isn't it. It's still the N360...

Actually, the one we've pictured above isn't it. This is the Honda N360 from the 1960's. Produced from 1967 to 1972, the N360 is the brand's first kei car; small in size but big on fun. The N in the N360 name stands for norimono, which is Japanese for vehicle. The design of the N360 though looks similar to the classic and original Mini, perhaps this is more of a Japanese take on the Mini Cooper in the 60's.

2013 Honda N ONE

2013 Honda N ONE

This is the new version. Honda says that they took some inspiration from the old one. This is known as the N-ONE, the next chapter of the Honda N series kei cars since the Palette-rival N BOX and the more convenient N BOX+. The N stands for "New Next Nippon Norimono" and that's because Honda's trying to change the kei car paradigm. Come to think of it, when you put the classic N360 to the modern N-ONE together, they look exactly the same, except for one thing.

The old car, the N360, is smaller, which means, within my height, I can't fit inside because the N360 has 1346mm of height. Happily, the new N-ONE is taller than the N360, meaning I can fit myself in and take it for a joyride. Bye!

I've actually saw one of these in last year's Tokyo Motor Show but that was just a concept. This is the 1,150,000 Yen finished product that Japanese customers would actually buy. Under the hood lies the 660cc inline 3-cylinder water-cooled horizontal position (S07A), which produces 58PS of power, mated to a CVT and an idling stop system that promises a JC08-rated fuel consumption of 27.0km/L. That's a Daihatsu Move territory if you know what I mean. Get it? It's TNP27! It has the same fuel economy of the Daihatsu Move! Don't get too conscious though, because they did have a different variant of the N-ONE called the N-ONE PREMIUM, a more stylish version of the N-ONE and also, both the standard and the Premium variants does offer a turbocharged version of the S07A engine.

2013 Honda N ONE interior

2013 Honda N ONE interior

Just like the old N360, this is like a college student who realized a dream of becoming a representative of the  famed basketball team of his college. It feels a bit more civilized inside and out. And it's easy to park too as well because it's small. Considering it as a poor man's modern Mini, the N-ONE still looks like the modern Mini and when you parked them together, it does look a bit similar. Sure, because of its 1,150,000 Yen pricing for the entry-level model, that's about pricey-wicey than the entry-level Mira Cocoa and the Suzuki Lapin but they're like fashion statements from Shibuya. Eccentric, strange, odd, and cool.

If I'm driving one of these with optional features, especially the one with the i-MID on it, I would never ever get out of it right until the part that I ran out of petrol. Still, I love this modern version and I would never ever get out of it. A modern take of the N360 with the TNP27 fuel economy. Simply clever for this norimono.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Forza Horizon announces November Bondurant Car Pack

How's the party in Forza Horizon? Achieved the status of being a champion or you're just getting started? Hold it right there because your journey is just the beginning because Forza Horizon announces the November Bondurant Car Pack, where six new cars are made to make some party in Horizon. Meet six new cars welcoming to the party:

2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante
2012 Shelby 1000
2010 BMW M3 GTS
1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C
1994 Nissan 240SX SE
2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Scoop: http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/news/November_Bondurant_Car_Pack

Available this November 6 for 400MSP or as part of the Season Pass. Those who have the Season Pass will get a bonus car at the third Tuesday of November.

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 44

Now, for those of you who keep asking what is the song used in the Opel Mokka commercial, kindly do please STOP it right now because no matter how many times you searched for it or the lyrics you heard from the commercial, the responses remain none. Please? Stop it. I'm begging you. You can't find it. It's an original song used in the commercial. No matter how many times you look at "baby i stand out, it's who i am", there is none. That's it. Please stop doing such unnecessary actions.

Also, I just noticing something...What kind of an idiot tries to search for something that plainly doesn't exists?  "lexus 2013 ls commercial music"? Come on. That commercial wasn't aired in Japan just yet.

To shut you guys up, here are some of the five driving musics (car commercial songs) curated by me..

5) 1901 by Phoenix - from the 2009 Cadillac SRX TV commercial

4) Throwdown by Miley Cyrus - from the 2010 Kia Sportage R Korean TV commercial

3) Roman by Housse de Racket - from the 2012 Peugeot HYbrid4 French ad

2) La Vita E Bella by Motoharu Sano - from the 2012 Toyota Mark X commercial

1) Waiting for You by Chara - from the 2012 Volkswagen Japan up! commercial

...and there we go. Another set of five driving musics curated to shut your mouths up and refrain from asking what's the song from a certain car commercial. If that happens again, you'll know what I'll do. If you have comments about this segment, feel free to post comments below or e-mail me at leopaul_delr@hotmail.com